Wildcard Harry Goodwin had a World Indoor Bowls Championship debut to remember - going all the way to the semi-finals.

Goodwin, a member of Swale Indoor Bowls Club in Sittingbourne, won three matches en route to the last four.

He knocked out defending champion Jamie Walker in the quarter-finals at Potters Resorts in Norfolk before losing to eventual winner Stewart Anderson, of Scotland, in the semis.

Goodwin won a sponsor’s pick wildcard based on his under-25 record last season which saw him win two world titles and national singles and triples crowns.

Their faith was rewarded with the 26-year-old looking at home on the big stage.

“I never expected to get to the semi-finals,” he said.

“The main goal for me was just to try and play well and compete.

“When you get to the semi you want to go that step further but unfortunately Stewart was just a bit too good.

“For me, he’s probably the best player in the world on carpet at the moment. He’s winning everything.

“He’s very good but that’s the level you’ve got to reach if you want to win in the future.”

Goodwin beat Walker 3-9, 10-6, 2-1 and held a 6-4 lead over Anderson in the first set of the semi-final, with the Scot eventually winning 9-6, 8-4.

“It was a good game,” said Goodwin.

“I dropped a bad three which cost me in the first set and I was 3-3 in the second set and dropped a two or a three in that.

“Stewart had to play two big bowls in the first set to save counts, otherwise I probably would have won that set, so I gave it a good go.

“It was a completely different feeling at the worlds.

“At Potters you play on one rink with two big stands on the sides.

“We don’t often do that, so that was different pressure and, playing on the BBC, I’ve never done that before.

“I loved it and I hope I can get back there in the future.

“I was fairly nervous but I was just pleased to have the opportunity.

“When you get these chances you’ve got to try and take them.”

There was a bizarre moment during Goodwin’s televised semi-final when a prankster played sex noises as he went to bowl.

It led to an apology from the BBC, although a smiling Goodwin saw the funny side.

“At the time, you don’t know what’s going on,” he said. “It was quite funny, to be fair.

“Obviously I’ve never had anything like that happen in a match before but you’ve got to forget about it and move on.

“It’s just a bit of a joke but the last thing I was expecting.

“To be honest, I’m quite good at forgetting things.

“If I have a bad end or a bad bowl, I forget it and move on. It was the same with that.

“Two ends later, I’d forgotten it even happened. I was just focused on playing Stewart.”

Goodwin moved to Kent from Devon just over three years ago to be with girlfriend Imogen Jenner, who is also a member of Swale Indoor Bowls Club.

She’s one of the brightest prospects in women’s bowls, finishing runner-up in the England under-25 singles last weekend.

The couple drive each other to new heights in their sport and are looking forward to the trip of a lifetime later this year.

“We’re going to Australia in September for six months to play for a club there,” said Goodwin.

“Bowls in Australia is quite big. You can do lots of things there and play in different states. We’re really looking forward to that.

“We’re going to be based in the Gold Coast.

“We’re not sure which club yet but we’ll be in the Broadbeach area, somewhere round there.

“When you’re younger you always want to do it, but you don’t know if you’re going to get to a high enough level to go out there and play for a club.

“But the last couple of years have gone well and now the opportunity is here I don’t think I can turn it down.

“It’s also a bit of a holiday as well. We’re not just going to be playing bowls - we’ll see a bit of the world.”