Gourlay remains in charge in Bowls super series

Scots-born Australian David Gourlay took time out yesterday, but still hung on to top spot in the qualifying league table in the bwin.com Bowls Super Series Champion of Champions at the Bristol Indoor Club.

England captain Andy Thomson and rising star Jamie Chestney – at 52 and 21 the oldest and youngest men in the competition – have both completed their programme and are out of contention, while it is also impossible for Nick Brett to qualify for tomorrow's final round robin.

Today's opening match between Mervyn King and Paul Coleman is vital to the chances of both players, while the third match of the day will see the co-favourites for the title, King and Gourlay, going head to head.

If King, who has three matches left, fails to qualify, he could rue yesterday's defeat at the hands of his young Gallow (Fakenham) clubmate Chestney, with whom he won the England pairs title last winter.

Assuming that King and Gourlay both qualify, the remaining places in the final play-offs will go to two out of Coleman, Danny Denison and Graham Smith, who, like King, has three more games to play.

Play starts at 8am and will continue all day – until around 5pm.

Entry is free, and non-bowlers are welcome to attend to watch the world's best players parading their skills.

Bwin.com Bowls Super Series at Bristol – day three (Wednesday): Jamie Chestney bt Mervyn King 4-9, 6-3, 2-0; Danny Denison bt Nick Brett 7-5, 2-7, 2-1; King bt Andy Thomson 8-5, 9-1; Denison bt Paul Coleman 5-5, 5-5, 2-1; King bt Brett 3-5, 6-5, 2-0; Coleman bt Brett 4-5, 6-4, 2-1; King bt Denison 6-4, 6-3. Standings at close of play Wednesday:1 D Gourlay (p4) 14pts (+6); 2 M King (p4) 12pts (+4); 3 D Denison (p5) 12pts (+2); 4 N Brett (p7) 12pts (-2); 5 P Coleman (p4) 11.5pts (+3); 6 J Chestney (p7) 9pts (-5); 7 G Smith (p4) 8pts (-); 8 A E Thomson (p7) 5.5pts (-8). Today's draw (Thursday) – starts 8am: Coleman v King; Smith v Denison; Gourlay v King; Coleman v Smith; Denison v Gourlay; Smith v King; Coleman v Gourlay.