GREG Harlow s record-breaking three-year 20-match unbeaten run at Ponds Forge in Sheffield came to a dramatic end on Friday. The City of Ely bowler was beaten by Jason Greenslade in the final bowl of the third end of a tie-break in their engage Internatio

GREG Harlow's record-breaking three-year 20-match unbeaten run at Ponds Forge in Sheffield came to a dramatic end on Friday.

The City of Ely bowler was beaten by Jason Greenslade in the final bowl of the third end of a tie-break in their engage International Open quarter-final.

After dropping the first set, the 39-year-old from Soham took the second by a two-shot margin - then the first end of the tie-break to take the lead for the first time.

But Greenslade played a wonder bowl to draw level, then in the third end calmly drew the shot with his final delivery to claim his 7-6, 5-7, 2-1 victory.

"It was a great game to be involved in - I put absolutely everything into it. I'm disappointed to lose, but not unhappy with the way I played," said Harlow, winner of three successive International Open titles since 2004.

"If I played like that every time I got on the green, I'd be more than happy.

"The record was bound to go at some point - but all I was focussing on was trying to get into the semi-finals of a ranking tournament."

It was a 'dream' outcome for Greenslade, runner-up in 2002: "On the night that I saw the draw, I dreamt that I played Greg - and won," explained the Welsh international.

Greenslade had earlier knocked out City of Ely bowler Nicky Brett 7-5, 6-7, 2-0 in the second round, whose club-mate Andrew Easy also fell at the same stage - losing 6-8, 9-3, 2-0 to Andy Thomson.

But the Welshman lost the final to Scotland's Paul Foster on a tie-break.

Despite having three of their star bowlers in the world ranking tournament, City of Ely progressed to the fourth round of the Denny Cup by beating West Row 93-59.

They will play Huntigdon on November 24.