Paul eyeing Potters' wins to make top 16 after Stew's Open success

The first of the season's World Bowls Tour (WBT) events-the Scottish International Open (SIO) - was played to a conclusion at the West Lothian club.

- by Sport Reporter

David Easton and Vincent 'Stevie' Angus.

It was a familiar face who eventually took the title as Scotland's Stewart Anderson notched his fourth SIO success. In the semifinal against England's Sam Tolchard, it looked like the end of the road for Anderson as he trailed by a set and was 8-2 down with three ends left. However, a Houdini-like escape saw Anderson get over the line on a tiebreak. In the final, Anderson beat England's Mark Dawes 5-5, 9-4 to extend Scotland's hold on the title stretching back to 2017. Next year's event will return to the West Lothian club from 26-29 October 2026.

The win also pushes Anderson up to No 1-ranked WBT player; the Vipers' Paul Hartley drops to 18th and will need a couple of wins at Potters to maintain any hope of breaking into the top 16.

The draw for the World Indoor Singles and Pairs see Vipers' Paul Hartley drawn against 14th seed Mervyn King. Hartlepool's Mark Higgins will make his debut on the portable rink against the formidable former champion and now fourth seed, Scotland's Paul Foster. Stanley's Brett Arkley will make another return trip to the venue to tackle former World Champion and seventh seed Jamie Walker. The holder, Scotland's Jason Banks, will face South Africa's Wayne Roberts.