Hereford-based Rob Weale aims to go one better in bowls title bid (From Hereford Times)

Hereford-based Rob Weale aims to go one better in bowls title bid

3:42pm Friday 8th January 2010 in

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ROB Weale could be meeting his good friend John Price later this month in the early stages of the Potters Holidays World Indoor Bowls Championship.

Weale and fellow Welshman Price joined forces at the Rankin Club in Leominster in December for a Sportsman’s Evening.

The Hereford-based player has been given a first-round bye but will meet either a New Zealand qualifier or Price in the second stage on January 16.

Weale reached the final of the men’s singles last year before being beaten by England international Billy Jackson.

“I will be waiting to play a New Zealand qualifier or John Price. Price is 18th on the list so that would be a very difficult match,” said Weale.

“John and I have just done a Sportsman’s Evening at the Rankin Club. We keep winding each other up about meeting in the second round.”

Weale won the men’s singles title in 2000 and was just one hurdle away from repeating that success in 2009.

He was beaten by Jackson after making a terrible start to the final in which he lost the first set 11-6.

However, the Presteigne bowler looked on course to take the final to a tie-break until Jackson drew accurately for two shots to level at 10-10 and win the title.

Weale will be teaming up with Jason Greenslade in the pairs’ event.

The 46-year-old enjoyed a good 2009 in which he represented Wales at the Atlantic Rim in Johannesburg, South Africa, collecting a gold medal in the pairs and bronze in the fours. He won the national mixed pairs with Wendy Price from Llandrindod Wells.

Weale is ranked ninth by PBA going into this year’s World Championships.

“I will be leaving for Potters a day-and-a-half before my second round match, so it will be a similar situation to last year.

“Potters is a great venue and, this year, I think we might have more days being shown on television.”

He expects two players to shine at the World Championships.

“If I was going to pick two players who I think will do well, then it is Paul Foster from Scotland and Mervyn King.”