World bowls champ Dawes thanks Blackpool club

Blackpool bowler Dawes conquers the world

The Radcliffe-based accounting assistant beat Robert Paxton 8-7, 6-8, 2-0 in an intriguing final on the Norfolk coast to pick up a cheque for £55,000.

Dawes, who has played for Newton Hall for 13 years, says he can’t underestimate the impact the Staining Road club has had on his career.

He told The Gazette: “I was over the moon with the win. It’s massive for me on a personal level.

“Career-wise it’s obviously the biggest achievement in the sport for indoor bowlers.

“When I first moved to Blackpool it was a big step up but it provided me with the opportunity of playing with better players.

“The club is fantastic. They really look after me. They know how important it is for me and their efforts in terms of making things easy for me have been huge.”

Having lost at the first round stage last year, 12th seed Dawes admitted he was just concentrating on taking it one game at a time this year.

“It was a pleasant surprise I guess,” he admitted.

“It’s something you always strive towards but to actually do it was very satisfying.

“I originally thought Monday (the pairs) was my biggest-ever achievement but then within the space of a week to go and get that second world title ... it’s a bit like buses I guess.

“It was just fantastic and everyone respects that championships. It’s live on the BBC where a lot of people see it and the response has been great from people who are obviously pleased for me.

“It was funny because last year I was fairly confident going into the tournament, then I just had one of those games when things didn’t go right for me.

“I was quietly confident this time. I knew I had put the work in and had put the practice in, but equally I knew on the day it could go wrong.

“Getting through the first game was key for me. I was playing pretty well and I just felt I had achieved what I ought to have achieved getting through the first round.

“It was a case of taking one game at a time but also an opportunity knowing there was a chance to go further because of how well I was playing.”