Bowls: Forsyth takes out world title

New Zealand's Alexander (Ali) Forsyth won the world singles Champion of Champions bowls title in Warilla, New South Wales, today.

As he had done in all his matches in the tournament, Forsyth made a blistering start to win the first set 9-3 from Scotland's David Anderson in the final.

The second set finished at 8-8.

Despite heavy rain falling throughout the final, Forsyth was able to hold his nerve.

"This win is huge, the wins in the national finals that got me here in past were great but this is bigger, it's definitely a career highlight and something I'll never forget," he said.

Forsyth attributed his good form in the tournament to a solid preparation.

"I had a good build-up playing at some of the top club events in New Zealand and while I didn't win them, I was always playing against good players," he said.

The win means a third world title for New Zealand this year.

Jo Edwards and Sharon Sims took pairs' gold at the women's world championships in September and earlier this month Jamie Hill claimed the world Under-25 indoor singles title in Jersey.

Earlier in the day Forsyth beat South African Eric Johannes 2-1 in the tie-break third set, after taking the first 8-4 and dropping the second 4-6, to set up the final with Anderson.

In the women's final Ireland's Margaret Johnston claimed her second world singles title in two months after she beat Karen Dawson from Scotland 2-1.

- NZPA