HEREFORDSHIRE’S Shaun Jones admits he was in shock after being crowned the Under 25 Singles World Indoor Bowls champion.

Jones, who is from Bromyard, defeated Ireland’s Darren Atkinson in a tense tiebreak in the final of the World Indoor Bowls Council competition at Llanelli last week.

After qualifying for the semi finals, Jones beat Welshman Ross Owen (9-4) (9-7) to set up a final showdown with Atkinson.

He took the first set 9- 4 but the Irishman fought back to level the match by taking the second set 10-2.

Jones kept his cool however to take the tie break 2-0.

“I wasn’t favourite going into the event but I have been progressing a lot,” said the 23-year-old, who plays the outdoor version of the sport at Ross-on- Wye Bowling Club.

“I just had to perform well.

“Once I won the first game on Wednesday I relaxed quite a bit but then I knew I had to beat the reigning world champion Steven Allan to put myself in a good position.”

Jones admits the final was a tense affair but was delighted to seal the title.

“I knew as soon as I played my last bowl I had the match,” he said.

“He had one shot left to save the match and stop me winning and I knew as soon as he had played the shot he had missed.”

He added: “I had quite a lot of family come down to support me so it was great to get the win.”