Two weeks ago my game was on the floor — Ellis

Bowls: GARY Ellis has been reflecting on his record-equalling fifth Waterloo Bowls Handicap title, describing his achievement as “unbelievable.”

The Nimble Nook and Tonge star made it five wins in the sport’s most prestigious competition with a 21-16 verdict over Chris Brown in Blackpool.

That brought him level with the great Brian Duncan, whom most players regard as the finest bowler of all time.

Said the modest Ellis: “To get level with Brian is unbelievable. I never thought I’d win one, never mind five.

“A couple of people said to me after I won for the second time in 2008 that they thought I could equal Brian’s record and to be honest I thought they were mad. You need a lot of things go your way to win at the Waterloo, especially at 16 up, and I’ve been really lucky in that respect.

“Two weeks ago my game was on the floor. I’d lost in every tournament I was in, meaning my diary was clear for two weeks.

“Matt Gillies (Nook team-mate who lost in the last 16) and I were both still in the Waterloo and

practiced constantly over that period. It paid off for me.”