WEYMOUTH bowls ace Martin Puckett nearly caused a seismic upset as he lost 2-1 to world number one Greg Harlow following a nailbiting tie-break at the 2018 World Indoor Bowls Championships at Potters Resort in Norfolk.

Puckett qualified for the blue riband event through his performances in the Open Singles Circuit.

England international Puckett responded to a good start by Harlow, who opened up a 6-3 advantage in the first set, by taking doubles in the final two ends to secure a 7-6 scoreline.

Puckett earned two early singles but Harlow accelerated in the second set, needing a win to force a dramatic deciding tie-break.

In the space of three ends, Harlow overturned Puckett’s momentum and surged 5-2 ahead.

In end six, Puckett clawed back two shots for 5-4 but Harlow rounded off the set with a single on end eight and a triple in the ninth to take a resounding 9-4 score.

A tense tie-break saw both players exchange singles for a 1-1 scoreline.

When the contest came down to the final end, Harlow set a deliberate short mat but Puckett drew shot bowl after Harlow landed his first six inches from the jack.

Harlow drew Puckett’s bowl off and the Dorset star’s attempted timer missed its target, allowing Harlow to lay a cover bowl in response.

Puckett’s crucial final bowl came in the shape of a runner which narrowly evaded the intended target, as Harlow survived what would have been a huge shock.