Exeter's Rob Paxton needed his 'get out of jail card' to book himself a World Indoor Bowls Championship quarter-final spot, after beating world No. 7 Mark Royal by two sets to one.
The Exonia man lost the first set convincingly at Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton, Norfolk, losing 10-3 before fighting back from 7-3 down to take the second 7-8 and force a tie-break, which he won 2-0.
After the match, the world No. 10 and 2011 Scottish International Open champion admitted he was second best for much of the contest.
"I've completely robbed him out there," said Paxton. "I got a bit fortunate in the last end with a couple of good runners and really played my get-out-of-jail card.
"Mark was good out there. He was putting me under all sorts of pressure and his first bowl was always fantastic.
"I was a bit scratchy to be fair but Mark never gave me a chance to settle. He was straight on it from bowl one and that is what you need."
Paxton will now face the winner of the second-round match between Australia's Ray Pearse and Colin Walker of Scotland for a place in the semi-finals.
The Exonia man lost the first set convincingly at Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton, Norfolk, losing 10-3 before fighting back from 7-3 down to take the second 7-8 and force a tie-break, which he won 2-0.
After the match, the world No. 10 and 2011 Scottish International Open champion admitted he was second best for much of the contest.
"I've completely robbed him out there," said Paxton. "I got a bit fortunate in the last end with a couple of good runners and really played my get-out-of-jail card.
"Mark was good out there. He was putting me under all sorts of pressure and his first bowl was always fantastic.
"I was a bit scratchy to be fair but Mark never gave me a chance to settle. He was straight on it from bowl one and that is what you need."
Paxton will now face the winner of the second-round match between Australia's Ray Pearse and Colin Walker of Scotland for a place in the semi-finals.
