Crediton star Ian Bond could quit the sport after dropping to 18th in the latest World Bowls Tour rankings.

Bond’s position among the world’s best was not helped by a first-round exit at the Co-operative Funeralcare Welsh Grand Prix at the hands of England colleague Billy Jackson, going down 9-4, 10-10.

Bond was already ranked outside the top 16 – meaning he had to qualify for all three WBT-ranking events – but a number of wildcard entries saw him attempt to break back in to the elite group.

But a second year outside the top 16 looks like it could be too much for the Exonia player.

“I do not really know what to do at the moment. I am taking some time off from the sport at the end of the indoor season in April and I’ll go from there,” said Bond.

“I am not sure if I want to play all of the qualifiers that I would have to, more because of the time I’d have to take off work than anything else.

“I am playing for England in a couple of weeks’ time in the Home Nations and then I’ll finish the season and go from there.

“I do have the same appetite for the game but the amount of time needed is the biggest problem.

“I have had a great run of about 15 or 16 years in the top flight so I can’t complain.”

Despite the recent disappointments, Bond has collected a substantial medal haul from his career to date, and the 2010 world matchplay champion believes he could never desert the sport entirely.

“There are too many good memories to mention them all,” said Bond.

“The Commonwealth Games and winning a silver medal in Melbourne in 2006, winning the world pairs with Andy Thomson – the list goes on and on.

“I would love to carry on playing for England too and see that one continuing, but if I am not playing regularly then I cannot let down the rest of the players in the team.

“I don’t think I could ever turn my back on the game completely, but I might just have to take a step back from it.”