Devonian Robert Paxton ended last season with a career-high world No18 ranking – two places outside automatic qualification for next season’s WBT ranking events – after securing a semi-final berth in the Scottish International Open.

And the 32-year-old from Exeter (pictured) has ensured himself a further appearance in the long-established WBT event in Perth after beating Port Talbot’s Dale McCarthy 7-2, 3-6, 2-0 in the Scottish Open qualifying final in Poole.

Surrey’s Chris Young clinched an appearance in the Welsh Grand Prix for the first time in four years when he won the other qualifying event at the Dolphin club.

The 32-year-old from Sutton won the first set in his semi-final clash with Clevedon’s John Hick by a 10-0 margin – but in the second set of the final against Welshman Daniel Salmon suffered a 13-0 drubbing by the 17-year-old from Cardiff!

But the former world No24 regrouped in the best-of-three-ends tie-break to beat his teenaged opponent 7-5, 0-13, 2-1.

RESULTS:    World Bowls Tour & Professional Bowls Association UK National Qualifiers

Scottish International Open Qualifier, Dolphin IBC, Poole, Dorset
Quarter-finals:
Robert Paxton (Exonia) bt Mark Osling (Cardiff) 8-1, 6-3
David Prosser (Cynon Valley) bt Neil A Smith (Westlecot) 7-5, 6-10, 2-0
Daniel Salmon (Cardiff) bt John Roberts (Heatherton) 7-2, 9-1
Dale McCarthy (Port Talbot) bt Gary Fountain (Luton) 7-6, 6-6
Semi-finals:
Robert Paxton (Exonia) bt David Prosser (Cynon Valley) 10-0, 1-6, 2-1
Dale McCarthy (Port Talbot) bt Daniel Salmon (Cardiff) 6-5, 8-4
Final:
Robert Paxton (Exonia) bt Dale McCarthy (Port Talbot) 7-2, 3-6, 2-0

Welsh Grand Prix Qualifier, Dolphin IBC, Poole, Dorset
Quarter-finals:
Chris Young (Sutton) bt Gareth Rees (Swansea) 6-5, 8-4
John Hick (Clevedon) bt Neil A Smith (Westlecot) 8-5, 2-10, 2-0
Jarrad Breen (Rhonda) bt David Prosser (Cynon Valley) 7-5, 4-4
Daniel Salmon (Cardiff) bt Tom Doig (Cyphers) 6-5, 1-4
Semi-finals:
Chris Young (Sutton) bt John Hick (Clevedon) 10-0, 7-3
Daniel Salmon (Cardiff) bt Jarrad Breen (Rhonda) 9-1, 11-4
Final:
Chris Young (Sutton) bt Daniel Salmon (Cardiff) 7-5, 0-13, 2-1