Merrien conquers Indoor World Cup

Alison Merrien beat world number one Val Smith in the final of the 2008 World Indoor Cup at the Warilla Bowls Club in Australia on Friday.

The Guernsey star won the first set 17-3, lost the second 1-10 and took the resulting tie-break 4-0.

It completes a double for her, having won November's 2007 World Champion of Champions at the same venue.

Merrien said: "I'm on the top of the world - it's fantastic to do it once here but twice is even better."

MERRIEN'S PREVIOUS FINALS

• 2001 - WIBC Pairs - Winner with Adrian Welch
• 2002 - WIBC Pairs - Runner-up with Adrian Welch
• 2004 - WIBC Pairs - Winner with Neal Mollet
• 2004 - World Outdoor Champion of Champions Singles - Runner-up
• 2006 - WIBC Pairs - Runner-up with Nick Donaldson
• 2007 - World Outdoor Champion of Champions Singles - Winner

"In the second set she was obviously going to step her game up which she did.

"But when it came to the tie-break, I managed to pip her, it was a very close game."

The win also secures Merrien a place in the 2008 tournament to defend her title.

She had previously beaten Australia's Karen Murphy in the semi-finals, gaining revenge for a defeat in the group stages.

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