Nicky Brett suffered defeat in the World Indoor Pairs final yesterday.

Brett, who plays out of Huntingdon Indoor Bowls Club, and partner Greg Harlow were favourite for glory at the Potters Resort in Norfolk, but they went down 6-6, 9-5 to Mark Dawes and Jamie Chestney.

The first set ended in deadlock but Brett and Harlow – who occupy the top two places in the World Bowls Tour individual rankings – eased into a 3-1 lead early in the second set.

But they were punished for one sloppy end in which they gave up five shots to trail 6-3 and were unable to recover.

Brett began his challenge for a second World Indoor Singles crown with a smooth 2-0 success against South African qualifier George Lotter in the opening round last Wednesday.

Third seed Brett, who won the title back in 2016, now faces fellow Englishman Mervyn King in the second round tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.