Local bowler John Roberts came nailbitingly close to ousting one of Wales' top ranked players in the world's premier indoor tournament at the weekend.

Thirty-six-year-old John, who plays indoor for Heatherton and outdoor at Tenby BC, played world number 16 John Price, of Port Talbot, in the Potters Holidays World Indoor Singles Championships held at Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk.

John, who has recently been selected for the Welsh squad competing in the Home Internationals in March, won the Welsh place for the World Bowls Tour flagship event back in September following a tough qualifying competition at Cynon Valley IBC.

In Sunday's game, John, the Welsh singles and fours runner-up last year, came within a measure of winning the first nine-end set, which ended in a tie at six-all.

In the second set, John again was desperately close to winning the match. He was one shot down going into the last end. John Price, a former winner of the event, was holding shot and the match, and despite a gallant effort by John, his wood just bent too quickly to steal victory.

Sunday was the second time John Roberts had played in the world championships.

In 2007, he and partner Martin Selway, of Caerphilly, qualified for the pairs where they played defending champions, David Gourlay and Billy Jackson.