Semi-finals:
[8] Andy Thomson (ENG) bt [5] Paul Foster (SCO) 5-4, 9-2
[2] Alex Marshall (SCO) bt [6] Mark Royal (ENG) 6-6, 7-5
Final:
[8] Andy Thomson (ENG) bt [2] Alex Marshall (SCO) 7-6, 5-9, 2-0
Andy Thomson Clinches World Matchplay Crown In Sheffield
England's Andy Thomson beat Scotland's record five-time world champion Alex Marshall in tonight's (Friday) dramatic final of the Co-operative Funeralcare World Matchplay Championship at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield - ultimately clinching the World Bowls Tour title by a measure of an eighth of inch in the second end of a tie-break!
With seven world indoor singles titles between the two finalists, the match promised to be a classic - and the two stalwarts of international bowls did not disappoint the packed crowd and SKY Sports TV viewers who were watching the match live.
After second seed Marshall established an early 3-0 lead, Londoner Thomson reclaimed the advantage and went on to take the first set by a single shot.
But the 41-year-old world number one from Tranent in East Lothian struck back to establish a quick 5-0 lead in the second set before forcing the match into a best-of-three ends tie-break.
After winning the first end, and holding two shots in the second, Thomson watched anxiously as Marshall's final delivery crept towards his winning bowl - finally resting just millimetres short to give the eighth-seeded Englishman his unexpected 7-6, 5-9, 2-0 victory.
It was an impressive performance from the 52-year-old - the oldest player on the Tour who has represented England for a record 26 consecutive years. After beating event favourite and defending champion Greg Harlow, the world No2 from Cambridgeshire, in the quarter-finals, Thomson defeated in-form Scot Paul Foster in the earlier semi-final.
"I'm absolutely over the moon - I can't believe it," said an ecstatic Thomson after securing the third WBT title of his career.
"The way the final started, I thought I was going to get hammered!
"I had a tough draw - and was delighted to beat both Greg and Paul. Greg was a great champion," added the new Co-operative Funeralcare champion.
Marshall, yet to win a WBT title other than the five world crowns he proudly boasts, was not too downhearted: "I'm happy with the way I played, but obviously disappointed to lose.
"But you've got to be at the top of your game in events like this - I'm just happy to have got to the final.
"In the last tie-break end, I thought I had just nicked it!"
Thomson received a trophy and a cheque for £12,000, while runner-up Marshall earned £6,000.
Official website: www.worldbowlstour.com Watch all of the action live - and re-live the excitement of all matches as replays, downloads and on DVD - on www.247.tv
Thanks to Howard Harding