TAUNTON bowler Rob Paxton opens his bid for another World title tomorrow (Friday), as action gets underway at the famous Potters Resort, in Norfolk.

Paxton plays in the pairs first qualifying round with partner Jonathan Ross, looking to regain a title he won in 2015 with Simon Skelton.

The 39-year-old international, from Taunton, also picked up the Mixed Pairs World title in the same year, this time in partnership with Welsh player Marion Purcell.

Paxton’s challenge for the singles title begins the following Thursday (January 18).

He is seeded sixth for the event and will meet Welsh qualifier Daniel Salmon in his opening match.

He is bidding to go one better than his runners-up spot in 2016 when he was beaten by Nick Brett 9-9, 12-9 in a closely-fought final.

***

TAUNTON Deane Bowls Club have secured a good win over Moonfleet 2000 in the third round of the national Top Club competition.

The format of ladies’ and men’s two wood singles and mixed pairs, triples and fours produced some excellent bowling from both teams, enjoyed by a good crowd of supporters.

In the men’s singles, Tony Parsons led from the second end and won 15-8.

In the ladies’ singles, Sadie Lloyd made a good start in a very tight game.

The scores were 12-all going into the final end where her opponent managed to get two shots to take the win.

Nick Best and Di Routley faced strong opposition in the mixed pairs and despite some good bowling lost 25-11.

In the triples encounter, Sue Evans, Tony Foxwell and Stan Hedger made a slow start but, after gaining the lead on end seven, managed to pull away to win 20-11.

The mixed fours of Wendy Merchant, Mike Beale, Brian Southward and Kirsty Hembrow started well, losing on only one end out of the first eight.

They maintained their lead throughout, winning 18-8.

Details: T. Parsons 15-8 K. Wyman; S. Lloyd 12-14 M. Crawford; D. Routley 11-25 M. Puckett; S. Hedger 20-11 D. Rumble; K. Hembrow 18-8 B. Patterson.