IRELAND'S Margaret Johnston, defending her Women's World Bowls singles title at Leamington. Spa, scored another two decisive victories yesterday to turn the on her rivals in the battle to tomorrow's final.

Johnston was in stylish form in yesterday's opening session, storming to a 25-14 victory over Fiji's. Litia Tikoisuva, a runaway success which blasted her opponent out of the race for gold.

Johnston then was involved in a tremendous tussle with Malaysia's Norhashimah Ismeil, battling back from 8-13 down to win 25-22 after, a 30 end marathon.

Meanwhile, Johnston's great arch rival, Joyce Lindores of Scotland, crashed to two shock defeats, losing her outright lead at the top of the table.

Lindores went down 20-25 to Israel's Merle Swerdlow and was then involved in an amazing encounter with Holland's Marie Taylor, who was born in Clogher Head, county Louth, and who has been bowling for only five years.

Taylor raced into an incredible 23-7 lead and required just two more shots for a famous victory.

Lindores clawed her way back into the match, slashing Taylor's lead to 24-22, but at the next end Taylor produced a running wood, taking the jack back to within a foot of the ditch and that proved to be the match winner.

Going into today's last two league sessions, Johnston, Lindores and England's Wendy Line are locked together on the ten point mark. Johnston plays the USA's Regina Banares in the morning and then clashes with Lindores in the afternoon, so the race to reach the final is still wide open.