LEGENDARY Troon Paul Foster notched up yet another first in his glittering career at Blantyre on Sunday.

He became only the fourth player in history to win back-to-back Scottish Indoor Singles titles.

The bowler, who plays out of Prestwick, defeated Billy Mellors of East Lothian 21-19 in a gripping final.

Victory completed a hat-trick of triumphs in the Scottish event for Foster, as he previously won it in 1998.

He said: "I came back from 17-10 down to win the final and did not play as well as I can but it's great to defend the title. Only Harry Reston, Darren Burnett and Graham Robertson have done it before. But I had a tough semi-final against Stewart Anderson, who was playing on his home turf and won 21-17."

The Troon ace is now heading to Potters in Norfolk, where he won a fifth World Indoor Singles title last year. he lines up in the Mixed Pairs quarter-finals with Alex "Tattie" Marshall on Saturday. Then on Friday, January 19 he competes with Rebecca Field in the last eight of the Mixed Pairs, before starting his defence of the Singles title with a tie against Englishman Lea Blackham on Monday, January 22.

He said: "I just hope to do play well and will not put any pressure on myself."

Results, Scottish Indoor Bowling Association finals, Gents singles final: Paul Foster (Prestwick) 21 v 19 Billy Mellors (East Lothian)

Ladies 2 bowl pairs final: Lawra Cox & Wendy Grant (Ardrossan) beat K Magee and R Sinclair (West of Scotland).

The Gents Senior national fours are on Sunday, January 14, 2nd Round: Galleon v Ardrossan @ Ardrossan 10am.

Senior national ladies singles and pairs are on Sunday, January 14 @ Ardrossan: Frances Haxton (Paisley) v Jean Sykes (Auchinleck) 10am; Beth Knox (East Kilbride) v Janette Weadon (Galleon) 10am.

Senior national ladies pairs: Alison Granger, Jill West (Prestwick) v Jean Thomson, Val O'Neill ( Ayr) 10am; Auchinleck v Blantyre 10am.

The Gents leagues resume on Saturday, January 13, Premier Division B: Ardrossan v West Lothian.

Division 1 South: Ayr v West of Scotland. Division 2 West: Cowal v Prestwick, Whiteinch v Auchinleck.

Ladies League, South Premier League: Blantyre v Galleon, Auchinleck v East Kilbride. South Division One: Prestwick v Ayr, Inverclyde v Ardrossan.