IT was third time lucky for Ilminster Bowling Club member Rob Paxton this weekend, as he earned his first World Indoor Open Singles title on Sunday night.

Twice a silver medallist at the event, Paxton went one better by beating Nick Brett in the final at the Potters Leisure Resort’s International Arena, Norfolk.

Brett - whose phenomenal shot in the men’s doubles final went viral on social media last week - won the first set 10-7, but the 41-year-old from Crediton (who bowls from Exonia BC and represents Devon) hit back to take the second set 8-7.

Paxton then won the match tiebreaker 2-1, to claim the title which he had come to close to achieving in 2016 and 2018 - when he finished as runner-up on both occasions.

Ilminster Bowling Club commented: "We are extremely pleased and proud of Rob Paxton’s indoor world singles win.

"He has been a great ambassador for the club and sport over the last few years, and all the work he continues to do to support Ilminster in the game of bowls."