Teenage Spalding talent Jordan Philpott produced a stunning performance to win Stamford Indoor Bowls Club’s much coveted Nigel Kettle Memorial Singles Open crown.
Philpott, a 19-year-old Spalding Indoor Bowls Club ace, defeated former world champion Greg Harlow in the final to clinch the title and pocket £750 in prize money.
Philpott, who has won SIBC’s under-25 Open for the past two years and also lifted the British Isles under-18 singles title in 2015, showed delicate drawing skills throughout a gruelling day, which attracted five of the world’s top 20 players – including world number one Nicky Brett.
Despite the presence of the world’s top talent, it was Philpott who caught the eye all day. He saw off singles specialist Andy Ware (Ely) then his Spalding team-mate
Graham Smith in a tie-break, before accounting for Derbyshire’s Russell Robinson and then Paul Roberts from Sleaford in the semi-final.
Harlow awaited him in the final, having beaten Stamford President Bob Warters, Boston’s Ron Flowers, Ely’s Elmore – who knocked out Brett – and Richard Summers (Norfolk BC).
He was widely regarded as the favourite in the final showdown – and looked to be coasting to the title when he took the first set 7-4 to leave the Spalding talent with everything to do.
However, Philpott levelled the scores in the second set with a 5-3 triumph to set up a decider.
On the last of the best-of-three end tie break, Harlow held a match lie only for Philpott to draw an inch-perfect shot into a nest of Harlow’s bowls around the jack for a perfect back toucher to win the game 4-7, 5-3, 2-1 and the title.
Philpott said: “I am delighted to have won this. When I was drawn against Andy Ware in the first round I thought I might be home by 11 in the morning.
“But I was able to produce my best bowls when it mattered and it is a great scalp to beat Greg.”
- For further details and scores from the competition visit www.stamfordindoorbowls.co.uk and visit the ‘recent news’ tab.
