Martin Lloyd hopes for bowls success

Martin Lloyd is hoping history repeats itself when the battle for the biggest prize in Shropshire bowls comes to a conclusion tomorrow.

Lloyd is one of 10 former winners in a high-class 32 strong County Merit finals day field heading to Bicton.

The Chester Road ace won the prestigious title on the same green two years ago – on the day England were beaten by Germany in the 2010 World Cup.

And with the Three Lions facing another crunch tournament date with their Euro 2012 quarter-final with Italy tomorrow, Lloyd is hoping the omens are on his side.

"It does cross your mind that a few things are similar to what happened in 2010 so hopefully it could be my year again," said Lloyd, who has been in exceptional form in the Furrows Shropshire Premier League winning all 11 of his matches so far this year.

"But there are five games and a long way to go before you can even start thinking about winning it.

"With the number of greens in Shropshire, I'm surprised that the final's back at Bicton just two years after it was last held there. But just because I've won there before doesn't mean I've got a God-given right to do so again.

"It's a really tough event to win."