Yahoo Sports Riva and Banks hailed as 'future of bowls' after world mixed title
Jason Banks and 21-year-old debutant Beth Riva were labelled "the future of bowls" after the Scottish pair lifted the mixed doubles title at the World Indoor Bowls in Norfolk.
The 28-year-old Banks, who had won the men's doubles title 24 hours earlier with compatriot Michael Stepney, and Riva defeated former five-time men's champion Paul Foster and six-time women's champion Katherine Rednall 12-5 10-10 live on the BBC Sport website.
Riva, who was watched from the stand by her uncle, six-time men's champion Alex Marshall, said: "I hope I didn't put him through the ringer too much there.
"I've sat there supporting Paul so many times when he has been playing with Alex and Katherine is one of the best players on the planet, especially here on this rink. I am just trying to wrap my head around it."
Banks, who had teamed up with Stepney to beat England's Robert Paxton and Northern Irishman Jason Greenslade 10-9 6-8 2-0, was particularly delighted to win the mixed "with it being Beth's first time here".
Maxwell stands between Banks and a place in the singles quarter-finals when they meet on Thursday, while Riva takes on England's Chelsea Spencer in the women's semi-finals on Wednesday.
Scotland's Foster said: "I am very proud of her. She and Jason are the future of bowls.
"Katherine and I did struggle, but that was down to how Jason and Beth played. Jason was unbelievable in the first set."
England's Rednall added that: "For a first performance as a pair together, that was outstanding."
