AN HISTORIC treble was celebrated by Troon bowler Paul Foster last week.

The five-time World Indoor Singles champion defeated Englishman Martin Spence in a close contest to secure the British Isles Men's Singles title in Belfast last Wednesday.

In a cliffhanger match, the South Ayrshire ace, who plays out of Prestwick Indoor Bowling Club, won 21-19 in a gripping finish.

He told Sportscene: "I was delighted to win another major event and was played really well throughout the week."

Victory saw Foster become only the second player in history to lift the Scottish, World and British titles all in the one season.

The only other man to achieve that feat was the late Bob Sutherland from West Lothian, who also played football for Rangers and Stirling Albion, before retiring with a knee injury.

Foster added: "It's great to go down in history as just the second player to win the top three titles in the same season. That's a real honour. I think confidence has been the key to my success. I also changed my bowls a couple of seasons ago and that has helped my game."