A SIXTH world singles crown brought Alex Marshall's tally of world titles to an amazing 20, and his bank account was bolstered by the addition of a £55,000 prize purse in yesterday's Just Retirement final against Anglo Scot Andy Thomson at Potters Resort yesterday.

Thomson, the winner in 1994, 95 and again in 2012, had been looking to bridge that gap on Marshall's five titles, but the expected fireworks never materialised and the final never really lived up to expectations with 47 year old Marshall only dropping seven ends throughout the best of two sets of eleven end head to head and winning 11-9, 10-3 with an end to spare.

Marshall, who was priced at 10/1 at the beginning of the event, led 10-3 with three ends remaining with Thomson bouncing back with a full house and a double to trail by a single playing the last but Marshall ended any hopes of losing the set when he held off Thomson's challenge.

At the end of the first set Thomson looked as though he was finding some form, but Marshall knocked that notion on the head and promptly took a 6-1 five end lead and despite losing two singles on the next he ran out 1, 2 and 1 and raised his arms to the heavens for that amazing sixth title, the first of which he won at this same Norfolk venue seventeen years ago.

His previous wins came in 1999, 03, 04, 07 and 08 and he lost in the 2011 final to best friend Paul Foster. On his way to this year's title, Marshall edged a 2-0 tie break win against Welsh qualifier Liam Bouse followed by wins over Aussie Ben Twist and City of Ely clubmates Nicky Brett and then Greg Harlow.

"I'm done in, absolutely drained," said the new champion. "Although the score line doesn't reflect it you've got to stay focused and concentrate. You can't relax for a minute.

"Over the game though I got the wee breaks that were going, especially in the first set. I lot of times I forced Andy onto the dodgy forehand side of the rink playing towards the commentary position and that's a very very difficult side to play. But over the piece Andy played some big shots but at 6-1 up in the second I just tried to keep it tight for there."

Thomson , attempting to win the title for the fourth time after wins in 1994-95 and three years ago in 2012, said: "I was more disappointed at my performance than I was about losing the final. However I'm not going to beat myself up about it.

"Without a doubt Alex was the better player and thoroughly deserved his win. I have no gripes, he outplayed me."

In the semi-finals lady luck also shaded his result against 2010 champion Greg Harlow 7-6, 7-5 while Thomson got past David Gourlay 7-6, 3-8, 2-0.

Dedicating the trophy to Brian Potter MBE, who was instrumental in bringing the event to his Hopton on Sea Resort on the outskirts of Great Yarmouth and who passed away in November, Marshall said: "This man has done so much for our sport and I thought this was a fitting way to pay my respects. This is my favourite venue without a doubt, it's been very lucky venue for me. I've got a lot to look forward to now."

Pastures new are on the horizon for the Scot though as he will transfer his allegiance from his position as Sales Manager with the Australian based Henselite bowls company who operate their UK distributorship from East Lothian to the new manufacturing company of Aero Bowls as from the end of the month.

In a few weeks time he will head to Blackpool for the International Open in an attempt to boost his ranking position and perhaps regain the No.1 spot and after a successful appearance on the Gold Coast in the APL League in November where he turned in a phenomenal display and won the event, he will return to represent the Sydney based club of Warilla in the Australian Premier League.