Alex Marshall admitted he was “drained” after winning the Just Retirement World Indoor singles title for a record-extending sixth time.

The Tranent ace won the crown at the Potters Resort in Norfolk and the £55,000 winner’s cheque with an 11-9, 10-3 victory against three-time winner Andy Thomson.

In the best of 11 ends, two set-final, Marshall, seeded five, led 10-3 with three ends remaining in the opening set. But Thomson clawed himself back into contention with a four and then a double to trail by a shot playing the last. However, Marshall got over the line first by scoring the all-important single to take first blood 11-9.

In the second, Marshall moved 6-1 ahead after five ends and only dropped singles on two of the remaining five to take the title 10-3 with an end to spare and add it to the ones he won in 1999, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008. A delighted Marshall said: “I’m done in, absolutely drained. That match was emotionally draining
“You’ve got to stay focused and concentrate and that was a hard match. You couldn’t relax for a minute.
“A lot of times, I forced Andy on to the dodgy forehand side of the rink playing towards the commentary position and that’s a very, very difficult side to play. Andy played some big shots but, at 6-1 up in the second, I just tried to keep it tight for there.

“Over the game, though, I got the wee breaks that were going, especially in the first set.
“I am just overwhelmed to win this for a sixth time. It’s been very emotional, especially that marvellous standing ovation I received. It was very humbling.”
In the semi-finals, Marshall got past 2010 champion Greg Harlow 7-6, 7-5, while Thomson defeated David Gourlay 7-6, 3-8, 2-0.
 

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