Daniel Pool took the World Indoors Bowls Championship Under 25 title at the Potters Leisure Resort on Saturday.
The modest Daniel defeated England’s William Moulton in a semi-final tiebreak before producing a professional performance against Darren Weir – who Pool actually beat in the qualifiers – in the grand final.
Daniel – who plays outdoor bowling for Annan Bowling Club and indoor for Cumbria Indoor Bowls Club – told the Annandale Observer that he was “delighted” to finally become a world champion and thanked everyone who has helped him become a star bowler.
He said: “I felt over the moon when I won it and celebrated with a lot of drink. I had my dad, wee sister and my nanna’s partner down with me watching.
“I always knew I had the game to win something like this but would have to be at my best.
“My family were delighted and received a lot of messages and cards.
I’d like to thank my mum and dad both my grandmas, both
Carlisle Indoor and Annan Bowling Club for their continued support, and James Woodhouse.”
Daniel started his bowling journey ten years ago after being introduced to the sport by his grandmother Jean Pool and James Woodhouse.
After going down to Annan Bowling Club for a try with his friend Jack, Daniel has never looked back.
His talent has resulted in him being selected for the Scotland under 18s squad and he has continued to progress in both outdoor and indoor bowls.
He came out on top of the UK Qualifiers for a place in the World Championships – where he won nine games.
During the World Champs event Daniel stressed he was cool as a cucumber but maybe the same can’t be said for the number of Annan bowlers cheering him on from the town’s bowling club.
His supporters had to endure a rollercoaster of emotions during Daniel’s semi final encounter against his English opponent.
He enjoyed a perfect start by winning the first set 6-5 but didn’t get going for the second, losing 10-5.
The game headed to a tense tiebreak in which Daniel played a super last bowl to win 2-1.
Daniel added: “The game was close all the way. It went down to the last end where I had three inches to draw a shot and I played the perfect bowl to win.
“To be honest, I don’t play as much indoor bowls as I would like to but I did get more plays in leading up to the semi final.
“I felt fine before the semi final there were no nerves. I was excited to get on and play.”
Confidence was high in the Pool camp before the final and after the first set ending a 8-8 draw, he fired into a 9-2 lead in the second. But Daniel admits he had a slight wobble letting his opponent back into the contest. But, as they say, the cream always rises to the top and Daniel held firm to win 12-8 and become a world champion.
Pool added: “I was 9-2 up in the second set of the final and I knew as long as I carried on the way I was playing it should seal it.
“But I almost chucked it with two bad ends but bounced back with two ends myself.”
After the contest, Annan Bowling Club publicly congratulated Daniel – whose next tournament is at next month’s Carlisle Pairs – for his tremendous achievement.
Now, Daniel has set himself one aim for next year, “I’m going back to the World’s next year and the aim is to retain the title.”
