King dominated the early action to take the first set and then raced to an 11-1 lead in the second before his fellow East Anglian staged a brave fightback.

But Harlow, needing a four in the 11th and final end, fired down a weighted last bowl and gave a shot to King.

"I don't think I could have played much better," said the 40-year-old King.

King, who finished runner-up in 1998l, moves up from 22nd to 14th in the provisional world rankings.

Harlow, a close friend of King's and godfather to his son Sam, said his opponent had played well throughout the match.

"That was the story of the game but I've no complaints - he was by far the better player on the day," he said.

"He was playing like a machine. I think it's the best I've seen him play.

"I just didn't get the pitch of the game - but sometimes you can only play as well as you're allowed to play."

Harlow's achievement in reaching the final takes him to a career-high number one in the World Bowls Tour's provisional world rankings.