ADAM TIDBY 1 STEVE GLASSON 2

DORCHESTER'S Adam Tidby was within an ace of causing a major upset in the first round of the World Indoor Bowls singles.

Tidby, who had to qualify for the event, would have faced ninth seed and former champion Mervyn King had he managed to win the final end of the final set against Australian star Steve Glasson.

However, the match proved to be an agonising end to Tidby’s stay at the World Indoor Bowls, which reaches its televised stages next week and is being held at Potters Leisure Centre, Norfolk.

He took to the blue-carpeted mobile rink against Glasson in the hope that his opponent would need time to adjust to the indoor setting during what is the summer outdoor season back home.

Any hopes that the Dorset player may have entertained in this respect were soon dashed as Glasson cruised to a convincing first set win with a tally of 10 shots to the two scored by Tidby.

Those first indications suggested that Glasson was going to secure an easy passage into the second round and a head-to-head encounter with England star King, but Glasson was forced to take his opponent more seriously as the Dorchester bowler fought back.

Tidby showed his class and began to compete in the second set, finally taking it 9-5 to force the game into a three-end shootout set.

Glasson won the first deciding end but Tidby, on his jack advantage, tied the game up and the outcome was down to the result of the third and final end.

Glasson virtually won the match with his first effort when he delivered a perfect touching opening bowl, which remained in place throughout.

Tidby had one bowl to save the game, and with a gallant attempt to draw off the counting bowl, failed by inches to gain a coveted win.