David Gourlay, left, and Janice Gower, right, beat the defending mixed doubles champions tonight at the World Indoor Bowls Championships in Norfolk ©Getty Images

Mixed pairs competition at the World Indoor Bowls Championships in Norfolk began with a shock today as the defending champions Robert Paxton and Ellen Falkner were beaten in their opening quarter-final.

The England pair lost 7-6, 7-6 to Scotland’s David Gourlay and England’s Janice Gower at Potters Leisure Resort's International Arena at Hopton-on-Sea near Great Yarmouth.

The victorious pair now advance to a semi-final on Sunday (January 19) against England’s Greg Harlow and Alison Merrien of Guernsey, 8-7, 5-6, 2-0 winners over Scotland’s Darren Burnett and Nicole Rogers of England.

England’s Nick Brett, left, and Marion Purcell of Wales, bowling, earned a mixed doubles quarter-final win over Paul Foster and Julie Forrest at the World Indoor Bowls Championships in Norfolk tonight ©World Bowls
England’s Nick Brett, left, and Marion Purcell of Wales, bowling, earned a mixed doubles quarter-final win over Paul Foster and Julie Forrest at the World Indoor Bowls Championships in Norfolk tonight ©World Bowls

On the other side of the draw, England’s Nick Brett and Marion Purcell of Wales won an equally competitive match against Scotland’s Paul Foster and Julie Forrest, 3-7, 8-2, 0-2.

The winners are now set to meet another Scottish pair, Stewart Anderson and Lorna Cameron, 7-6, 8-3 winners over England’s Les Gillett and Rhonda Adams of New Zealand in the fourth and final match of the day.

Tomorrow is due to see all four ladies singles quarter-finals played.