Two former champions were among the winners at the World Indoor Bowls Championships today as the open singles continued at Potters Leisure Resort ©World Bowls Tour

Former winners Greg Harlow and David Gourlay were among the winners as the open singles matches continued at the World Indoor Bowls Championships at Potters Leisure Resort in Great Yarmouth, England.

In an all English affair sixth seed Harlow beat another former champion in the open singles Andy Thomson in three sets.

Harlow took the first set 6-3 before Thomson, the singles champion in 1994, 1995 and 2012 bounced back to take the second set 8-2.

This took the match into a tie-break set, where instead of shots scored, the scoring system reverts to ends won.

Harlow triumphed by two ends to one in the tie-break set, with the singles champion of 2010 going on to face Scotland’s Julie Forrest in round two of the singles on Thursday January 21.

Forrest progressed in the opening match today as she took on Jason Banks in an all Scottish clash.

Julie Forrest beat Gordon Banks in a tie-break set as the open singles continued at the World Indoor Bowls Championships ©World Bowls Tour
Julie Forrest beat Gordon Banks in a tie-break set as the open singles continued at the World Indoor Bowls Championships ©World Bowls Tour

Banks comfortably took the first set 11-3 after pulling clear of his opponent thanks to two successive scores of multiple shots.

Banks had a chance to clinch a straight sets win leading by three shots with two ends to go in set two, but Forrest pinched it 8-7 after scoring a treble and single to force a tie-break.

Forrest won the tie-break by two ends to zero, dramatically taking victory with a running bowl to knock out Banks’ shot wood.

The evening match saw Scotland’s Gourlay, singles champion in 1996, defeat England’s Scott Edwards in two close sets 7-4 8-6.

Action in the first round of the open singles takes a break tomorrow, with the mixed pairs taking centre stage.

All four quarter-finals are due to take place, with two of today’s singles winners Gourlay and Harlow in opposition in the second match alongside their respective playing partners Katherine Rednall and Rebecca Willgress.