42 BOWLS INTERNATIONAL November 2017 http://www.bowlsinternational.comneed that touch of fortune to get over the
winning line and maybe this is the year it
may work in my favour.
“I believe that the experience I've
gained on the portable rink over the
years will stand me in good stead and the
success I've had winning national, British
and world titles in recent years will give
me the confidence I need to progress.”
Looking back at his near-miss in the
World Pairs, Doubler conjures up both
emotions of pride and disappointment
as he reflects: “Firstly I believe it was
a great achievement to reach the final
as very rarely qualifiers reach the latter
stages. Ultimately when you are that
close to achieving arguably the biggest
success in the game it is very hard
to take, but you have got to take the
positives out of the achievement and
believe that you will have the chance to
go one better at a future stage.
“I believe you can only be positive
about such a great achievement. It gives
you the extra experience in front of a
packed crowd at a flagship event that you
can take forward when you qualify for
future WBT events. I think I've gained
further respect on the bowling circuit by
reaching the later stages on the biggest
stage.”
Joining the aforementioned overseas
qualifiers Furman and Alonim, will be
Australian duo Steve Halmai and Simon
Alden, South African Martin Headand Hong Kong’s Robin Chok, along
with Canadian Professor of Biological
Sciences and Psychology Gary Pickering,
who plays in the Ontario Premier League
for the exotically-named Etobicoke
Torrent.
He made it through to Scotland two
years ago, only to suffer a 13-1, 17-0
mauling at the hands of Paisley-based
Ulsterman Ross. On that tough baptism
of fire, Pickering admitted: “I certainly
didn’t perform anywhere near the level I
know I’m capable of. However, I learnt
a lot about the mental side of my game
from that tournament, and am ready to
apply that in Perth.”
This time he faces an arguably tougher
opponent in Robert Paxton, adding:
“I’m a big admirer of Robert and his
game. I am really looking forward to the
challenge.”DIFFERENT SURFACE
Then there is the problem of the portable
rink, a surface that is completely unlike
anything they play on in Canada, while
most of the bowls is played outside rather
than indoors in North America.
“The blue rink is a very different
surface to those that many of us in PBA
Canada play on regularly, and therefore
technical aspects of your delivery
and tactics within a game need to be
adjusted,” said Pickering, who is also a
Research Scientist at the Cool ClimateOenology & Viticulture Institute, at
Brock University.
“For instance, many of us simply don’t
have access to indoor rinks- period. So
yes, it’s very much the case that those
who play on the blue rink – or indoor
greens in general – have an advantage,
but that’s fine; that’s sport and ‘home
advantage’ the world over.
“This disparity is also an opportunity
for bowls administrators and leaders in
Canada to look at ways of building more
indoor bowling infrastructure to support
and grow our talent, and there are some
initiatives there being considered at the
moment.”
The sport is really thriving in Canada
and Pickering says competition is tough
when it comes to the PBA events, not
only due to the quality of entrants, but the
logistical problems that comes from the
enormity of the country itself.
“In Canada, our bowling clubs are
spread out across the country over much
of the 9,000 kilometres between the
Pacific and Atlantic coastlines. This
means there are some challenges with
organising the PBA qualifiers, but the
tournaments are open to all members, and
PBA Canada is continually working on
ways to increase participation and grow
the membership.
“This year, as in the past, there were
some very tough battles and competitors
to overcome in qualifying, including wins
over such accomplished athletes as John
Bezear and Chris Bester.”
Pickering not only qualified for Perth,
but also caught a bigger fish by landing a
Potters trip in January, to which he said:
“It was a great feeling.
"Of the various PBA events, the
worlds championships is what most of
us aspire to, and I felt I played well in
that tournament to get there. So very
satisfying, and I can’t wait for Potters.”
“Success will be having played to the
extent of my abilities.
"I also look forward to the collegiality
that comes with the World Bowls Tour,
and meeting and playing against some of
the legends of this great game.”PREVIEW|Scottish International
FIRST ROUND DRAW
(1) Greg Harlow (England) v Neil Furman (USA); (14) Mervyn King (England) v
Martin Head (South Africa); (15) Jonathan Ross (Scotland) v Perry Martin (England);
(7) Stewart Anderson (Scotland) v Mike Stepney (Scotland); (8) Jamie Chestney
(England) v Daniel Alonim (Israel); (10) Andy Thomson (England) v Steve Halmai
(Australia); (12) Mark Dawes (England) v Stephen Kirkwood (Ireland); (4) Paul
Foster (Scotland) v Chris Gale (England).
(3) Alex Marshall (Scotland) v David Bolt (England); (11) Les Gillett (England) v
European PBA No 1; (9) Darren Burnett (Scotland) v Simon Alden (Australia); (6)
Robert Paxton (England) v Gary Pickering (Canada); (5) David Gourlay (Scotland)
v Damian Doubler (Wales); (13) Mark Royal (England) v Robin Chok (Hong
Kong); (16) Jason Greenslade (Wales) v Danny Denison (England); (2) Nicky Brett
(England) v Alison Merrien (Guernsey).Above:
Damian Doubler
is hoping to get
beyond the first
round40-42_BI_PBA_Nov17_cc.indd 42 12/10/2017 14:35