Moray bowler exits international open
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MORAY indoor bowler Michael Stepney's latest international outing has ended in a second round defeat.
The Elgin stadium bowler came through his first match at the Scottish International Open in Perth on Saturday.
However his bid to reach the quarter-finals was thwarted in a close match against world number six Nick Brett of England on Tuesday.
Now in the world top 16 himself, ranked at number 13, Stepney (38) reached the international open final in 2017 where he lost to fellow Scot David Gourlay.
This year he began with a 9-2, 10-4 victory against Canadian qualifier Josh Cameron, playing some excellent bowls.
That win earned him a place in the last 16 and a match against former world number one and previous tournament winner Brett.
It was a close battle in the first set with neither player getting more than a couple of shots ahead. It was 5-5 going into the final end with Brett getting the vital single to nick the opener.
Brett continued to clock up the singles in set two and build up a 6-1 advantage, before a double in the eighth end sealed Stepney's fate.
