OXFORD'S Glenn Allen stormed to the All-England Under 25s singles indoor bowls title at Nottingham on Sunday, then admitted: "I hate singles!"

The 24-year-old from Islip, who plays indoors at the Isis club and outdoors at Summertown, powered to a 21-15 victory over Coventry's Mark Burdett in the final.

Allen went one better than a year ago, when he was foiled by Brighton's Ollie Ovett, nephew of former Olympic track champion Steve, in the final.

Allen summoned up an Olympic-style finish on the home straight to see off Burdett, who charged back from 10-6 down to lead 15-11.

After that, there was no stopping Allen as he set his sights on the winning post, scoring on seven successive ends and piling up ten shots in the process to win 21-15.

Three years ago, Allen teamed up with his dad, Chris, to collect the English Father and Son's title, while last summer he and his Summertown teammates became the All-England Mixed Fours champions. "I hate singles - so to win a title on my own is something special," said Allen. "I tend to go to sleep halfway through a match . . . and in singles, there's no-one around to wake me up!"

Allen added: "In the first round here - against Paul Maynard from Buckingham - I led 12-0 but I drifted off and only just scraped home 21-20. I must like living dangerously!"

Now that he's got the All-England Under 25s title under his belt - with a crack at the British Isles crown to come at Prestwick, Ayrshire, next month - Allen is determined to give himself an alarm call.

"I haven't yet joined the Professional Bowls Association, which would give me the chance to qualify for the major televised tournaments, but this success has shown me what I can do and I'll have to think again about signing up with the PBA," said Allen. Three years ago, Chipping Norton's Les Gillett joined the PBA, battled his way through a qualifying tournament at Blackpool and swept to the BUPA International Open title at Preston, rising to become the world No 8.

"Les has become an inspiration to us all. To follow in his footsteps would be a dream," said Allen.

Story date: Thursday 10 February

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