Mervyn King returns to his best at Welsh Grand Prix
There were mixed fortunes for Norfolk bowlers at the weekend, with Mervyn King blazing a winning trail in Wales, and his Gallow clubmate Jamie Chestney crashing out at Hayling Island.
King, who went out in the first round of the world indoor singles championship at Potters last month, bounced back and showed some form against Scottish International Open champion Rob Paxton in the first round of the Co-operative Funeralcare Welsh Grand Prix.
Dominating the first set, King could even drop a full house in each set before beating Paxton 15-5, 9-7.
'I was really pleased with the way I played, because everyone knows that Rob is a class player, and is normally hard to beat,' said King.
'It was nice to get into gear so early in a tournament, and I have to say that scoring a four on the first end and a treble on the second was a dream start,' he added. 'I just hope I can keep it up!'
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King stuck around to see his old friend and rival Rob Weale, the Commonwealth Games singles gold medallist, in action, and was expecting to face the talented Welshman in today's second round.
But Weale, who started well, dropped the second set, and lost on a tie-break to Spalding's up-and-coming Calvin Leuty, who drew the winner with the last end of the third and deciding end, and returned an 6-8, 10-5, 2-1 scorecard.
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'I will have to be on my guard tomorrow,' said King last night. 'Calvin is obviously a bit of a threat, and, at 22, is one of those opponents who will show no fear.'
In the national Champion of Champions tournament that was staged at Warners Lakeside at the weekend, Jamie Chestney, who has been selected for England's five-man team for the 2012 world outdoor championships, was bundled out in the first round by Stowmarket's Mark Royal.
Royal, who launched his defence of the Welsh Grand Prix in Llanelli today, went on to win the title, and shared a notable Suffolk double with 16-year-old Katherine Rednall, who won the women's title.
