Bowler Brett just fails in quest for an historic treble at the World Indoor Championships

Brett was poised on the cusp of making history by becoming the first player ever to achieve the feat of winning the Open Pairs, Mixed Pairs and Open Singles, but he couldn’t quite get over the line, losing on the final end of tie-break in what was a thrilling encounter between the two England teammates.

“I didn’t disgrace myself out there,” said Brett, who was due to fly to New York for a holiday the morning after the final. “But it’s been a pretty good week all told, with two Pairs titles and the number one spot, so I can’t really grumble. Rob’s a worthy champion.

“I felt I was going okay, managed to sneak the first set, but I was hanging in at times, missed a couple of silly ones and then in the end that probably cost me. I also lost the pace of the carpet a little. I played okay in the tie-break, but missed a draw by six inches, which has been the story of my week – I’ve had one good and one bad one.”

Paxton steamed into a 5-1 lead only for the pendulum to then swing Brett’s way, with the Yaxley ace claiming nine of the next 11 shots scored to take the first set 10-7.

Just like the first set, Paxton ground out an early lead in set two, moving 5-2 ahead after five ends, but this time he pressed home the advantage adding a double and single to stretch clear. A late rally from Brett saw him close the gap to just one as the tie-break was triggered.

Both took an end each, although Paxton missed the opportunity to bowl in with his final delivery on the second end to win the match. Unperturbed, and with the pressure growing, he drew to within a foot of the jack and had to sit and watch as Brett’s final bowl trundled down the rink, pulling up just short and ensuring the match and title went Paxton’s way.