Earlier this year, Norfolk’s Mervyn King captured the World Indoor Singles title in his home county at Potters in Norfolk. In this special interview he goes one-on-one with Nationwide Bowler’s Ron Wyllie and reveals that, had he been beaten in the first round of the championships, he would have seriously considered calling it a day at the top level in the World Bowls Tour!

Were you surprised to become world champion in January and did you ever think your time might have passed?

Yes, very surprised in fact! I was totally overcome at winning as I did think my time might have passed. There was a period in the ‘90s when everyone expected me to triumph one day but it didn’t happen, though I did manage to reach the final back in 1998 when Paul Foster defeated me to win the first of his three titles. In recent years, I have been playing just as well as I was then and it’s not as if my form had dipped. I felt I just wasn’t getting the breaks and, of course, the format has changed recently.

Until January what had been the highlight of your career?

Without doubt both my world indoor pairs successes. I was lucky enough to win the first time with Tony Allcock in 1997 when we got the better of Nottinghamshire’s Brett Morley and Duncan Robinson in the final. Partnering Tony was a terrific experience but I also thoroughly enjoyed teaming up with Kelvin Kerkow in 2005 for my second victory.

Does playing at Potters so close to home bring added pressure?

There is no doubt it did when the event first moved there and I did feel the weight of expectation, especially with the home crowd. To be honest, it probably showed too, but these days it is not an issue and, in fact, the local derby between myself and my good pal Greg Harlow back in January was a great occasion made more memorable by the way the spectators joined in the fun and created such a good atmosphere.

So, looking back, what has your most memorable game at Potters been?

Without question the singles final this year is one I will never forget but every game at Potters is special to play in as it is such a terrific venue for bowls!

Are there any opponents in particular that you rate very highly?

I’ve played all of the top players in the world and I rate them all. Different guys, and girls of course, present their own unique challenges and every single person in the top 16, indeed the top 24, is capable of beating anyone in the sport on their day. In addition, competition is so intense nowadays that lots of younger people outside the leading 24 who are striving to get in are class performers as I can testify from my experience in the PBA qualifiers where the standard is incredibly high.

Have there been any major influences on your career and if so whom?

Inevitably, lots of different people at different times have influenced me and I am grateful to them all for their backing and friendship. However, I make no apology for singling out my wife Suzanne whose support has had a lot to do with the success I have enjoyed in the past year.

Were you disappointed to miss out on a medal at the Commonwealth Games in Melborune back in March?

All three of us, myself, Andy Thomson and Robert Newman, were gutted to miss out on a medal, especially as it took a large wick in the shoot-out for a place in the gold/silver medal play-off to beat us! Then to lose to South Africa for even a bronze really hurt too but that’s bowls and you have to take the ‘downs’ as well as the ‘ups’. I’ve been long enough in the sport to know that and to ride with the punches. Life goes on and bowls is only a game at the end of the day.

So, what are your short-term and long-term ambitions in the
sport now?

Firstly, to enjoy my year as World Indoor Champion! The fact I have had to wait a bit to get there eventually means I will appreciate the privilege and I am determined to make the most of it. In the long-term, I hope to stay in the top 16 for as many years as I can but I know no player can rest on his or her laurels, and you can easily drop out of contention if results are not good enough. So, there will be no complacency as I know I will need to keep delivering top class
performances to stay at the top.

What has the boost to your ranking position meant to you?

Almost everything! In fact, I will let you into a little secret. If I had lost in my first game at Potters in January I would have seriously considered calling it a day at WBT events! Being in the top 16 means you are guaranteed an automatic place in all the next season’s ranking competitions rather than have to endure the qualifying route. To be honest, a spot in the top 16 is the icing on the cake as much as any title or prize-money and it has given my confidence a tremendous boost. I am determined now to stay there as long as I possibly can.