ALI MERRIEN has scooped one of bowls’ top awards.

At the World Bowls Tour awards ceremony – the sport’s answer to the Oscars – on Saturday night, her feat in winning the 2011 WBT women’s world matchplay singles and mixed pairs titles at Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton-on-Sea, was acknowledged as the ‘Performance of the Year’.

‘I was surprised to get the nod ahead of the other nominees, Paul Foster and Mervyn King, and feel very honoured to be chosen,’ she said.