09/11/15 Bowls: Scottish International Open

Perth is a windy city as this autumn breeze has blown in 32 of the

world's top bowlers battling it out to be Scottish international

champion 2015. World number one and the only man to

successfully defend his title, Nicky Brett, embarks on his quest to win a

third consecutive international open. When it is meant to be, it is

meant to be. No one has ever retained it. I was the lucky one.

The man he beat in the last two finals, also gets his challenge

underway. Paul Foster is determined to add to his 2012 victory. It is

always good to be back at the International open. Long may it

continue. And the 2014 world champion and Commonwealth Games

singles gold medal holder, Gareth Burnett. Stuart Anderson at the top

of the draw is through against Alex when. Mark Dawes is out, David

Richardson not him out. Mervyn King is out to Graham at Dougall.

Greg Harlow, the former world number one is through knocking out Carol

Proto, were the only ladies in the competition. Jonathan Ross is

through. David Gower late is out. John Price is also out. Mark Royal

is through and the three games at the bottom of the three we will

feature this afternoon. Warm welcome. Six days of live roles

here on BBC Two Scotland and we are delighted to be here. One man who

will describe the action is David Corkill. So far, some big names out,

big names coming but three world champions out of the competition

already? That is correct. David Gourley hasn't played much, now

living in Spain of course, and John Price has just returned from

Australia. Both players not prepared. But the people who beat

them did they well. Mervyn King, it was a close game so it could have

gone either way. It is good to see the qualifiers coming through and

making an entrance into the match against world-class players. These

guys are not easy. But it shows you the quality, the world's top 16 and

the 16 qualifiers. The quality of play in the first round has been

intense? Yes, the usual combatants. Nicky Brett, Robert Paxton. Good

attacking players. Stuart Anderson, you keep mentioning these names and

they are all world champions and you think to yourself, they are

fantastic. They certainly are and we have a four-time world champion

coming up. Paul Foster is up against John Fleming. Very few players as

dominant or deadly in the indoor rink as Paul Foster. Has been in the

top five for the last 15 years. He goes into this match as the hottest

of hot favourites against John Fleming. The qualifier from Greenock

is an unknown quantity. Only 19, has won the under 25 singles title. He

knows he is up against it today against the four-time world singles

champion. 19 years old, I am a college student

in electrical engineering. I play bowls three times a week and then I

play for my team on Saturday. I know he plays for Inverclyde. He is a

decent player. I never take any player likely. He is here on merit.

Qualified in April, so it was unexpected. Fantastic year in the

indoor and that just topped it off. This game, I will do the same as I

do, worry about myself. John is a good player. You don't win qualifies

for nothing. I will have my work cut out. Anybody knows, I am the most

consistent player on the circuit, so looking forward to it. A lot of

talent in this competition and you can only take one game at a time.

You cannot look ahead here you will play in the quarterfinal of the

final if you get that far ahead. It is disrespectful to the other

players in the tournament. It is one game at a time. They are top-class

players. Paul Foster is a good one, but John Fleming is impressive as

well. They will be out in a minute, but if you are new to this indoor

format, let me tell you about the rules. Or, if you have been here

before let me remind you. Two sets of nine ends. If it is

11-macro after that, it is a 3 end tie-break. Minim and jack length is

23 metres. Each player has to play in a 32nd shot clock. But they have

for opportunities during the match for a 62nd time out but in a

tie-break to get one more, meaning five in all.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the two players. From Inverclyde

Bowling club, the under 25 singles champion, John Fleming.

APPLAUSE And playing John this afternoon,

please give a very warm welcome to the four-time world singles

champion, Paul Foster. APPLAUSE

To take you through this match this afternoon, David Corkill is in the

commentary box alongside Paul Foster.

It is a compliment, but Paul Mitchell will suffice. You ever meet

your heroes, I am not sure you should play against them on the

tour. But that is how it is going to be for John Fleming 's. Paul Foster

is his hero. Now he gets the chance to play against him. It is not going

to be easy. Paul Foster is not a player who takes time to get into an

event. He is normally out of the blocks quickly. Some players need to

ease their way in, they struggle in the first couple of rounds before

they get to BLEEP their line and lengths

young player. Takes time to settle on the portable rink. Not bad for a

first bowl. Certainly did better with this.

Expect Paul Foster to add another. Didn't look too happy with it. It is

not too bad. Goodness me! He doubted himself for a moment. It is the

first told where Paul Foster is using his different bowls.

Needs to have read this one. Oh dear, now he is in a heap of

trouble. I don't think he has pushed this

one, that is where the problem lies. Just have a look at it. The line

looks absolutely great. That is the problem. Being short wasn't the

issue. If he went wider he might have blocked the way in for John,

trying to draw a save with this bowl. Here he goes. He will find it

is an unforgiving surface. Didn't fancy that one. I can understand why

he played it and it isn't a bad thing to get it out of your system,

but this is a spare shot opportunity for Paul Foster.

Bowls one and two from Paul Foster, spot on. Three was short, number

Bowls one and two from Paul Foster, four was long. Is a bit

Full-length jack for Paul Foster. These players have shared a green

before but I've never played head to head in singles. Just watching now

that the deep end. This is steady. It is the first

that the deep end. This is steady. bowl by. He needed the edge. Edge

the jack, would have been perfect. He liked that. It was a very good

bowl. After a disappointing opening end,

he will be delighted the way the second and played out. This was

lovely. It is a repeat of the first one. The waiter was even better this

time. He used the red one before. It is a normal reaction, so it is

good to do that. It is better to adjust back, than adjust forward.

Another bite at the cherry here with a third delivery. Probably didn't

expect to have that. It gives something for both players

to use. John Fleming can use it to come onto the jack and at the same

time take away to catch, which will make it harder for Paul Foster with

his next bowl. He can be reasonably positive with

this. Just dipping inside. Needs to hurry.

It is close. Certainly close and certainly in the way. The marker,

Alan Thornhill is suggesting two green. Paul Foster, onto the

forehand. Never easy to move after playing so

many bowls on one side, but it is looking pretty good. Great finish.

Absolutely brilliant. No way in on the backhand.

First time he has played that hand. One thing to play it in practice,

but when you are playing it for the first time in the match, he drew the

shot, Paul Foster. Picking up a single shot, leading 32-macro.

Paul Foster in the final in the last three seasons. And each one faced

Mickey Brett. Paul Foster won the first from and Mickey Brett has won

the last two. Paul Foster has been on top form. This young man has made

his way through the hard route, the qualifying events. Normally takes

about five games in one day. Took out two British Isles champions

on the way to qualifier. Came over to Scotland from Belfast. Easy

journey for him. I know he enjoys it over there. As I said, took out two

British Isles winners, Simon Martin and Mark Mac peak, both experienced

bowlers. This year in particular the rink is playing well, as a bit of

speed. Massive club over there, of course.

Now, Paul, can you get back to the jack and turn it around the corner?

If you missed it, you come deep and that is useful. He will be happy

with that. Possible three. The gap is 12 inches.

He is not far away, but the trouble is against Paul Foster, it is not

close enough. The gap on the last one is 13 inches. Looking to turn

the jack around the corner and that would leave John with no shot

whatsoever. Needs to dip a bit quicker. He is in

for another one. I think John will probably have a go at this one. The

trouble, if he touches anything at the front, it will just fall away

from it. If he is heavily, he will lose three or four shots, he might

as well try and remove as many as he can. As already shown, when he

drives, he drives at speed. That was just walked out of the hand. A

little rush of blood, perhaps? Pull that back by 20%. Don't need all

that weight on the portable rink. This is going to be very costly. I

think they are touching so they will have two prop it up a little bit.

Get the little rubber stoppers to go underneath, two prop the bowl up.

Umpire, we'll sort it out. Read all first. Certainly looks like he beat

the front one. Closer than it looked. Three shots, Paul Foster.

Certainly, the other one looked closer. He just pulled it across.

Less weight, a bit more accuracy. He will know that himself. Next time

I drive comes up you will think about it a bit more in terms of what

to use, the right shot. Ian Foster -- Paul Foster sticking

to the jack length. If the opposition starts getting hold of

this jack length, he will move to the short jack, which he is so good

at. That is the best opening bowl so far

from John Fleming. Taking a break from his studies of electrical

engineering, to be here and face Paul Foster.

He is looking good with this. That is what you have to do against Paul

Foster, beat him with the first two bowls. Shot bowl, half an inch. Back

bowl, two inches. Just bowls the wrong way. Imagine

now it is time for John to try and rest the last bowl. The best Paul

could do was probably second shot. But a good third is always handy. No

strike shop now. He will have to try and play the draw again.

Players get 30 seconds to play, which were these two is not a

problem, they are quick players. Always takes players a bit of time

to get used to playing with a different manufacturer of bowl. But

he would have had them designed, it would be perfect for Paul's type of

play. , swinging bowl. Great line, just fallen short. Paul

isn't sure. He has got a good eye. Time to measure. It will be a

caliper measure this time. Nice and tight. Those calipers have seen a

fair bit of action, I would suggest? Yes, I would say so.

Should be the perfect angle to see. Double-check. Two shots, John

Fleming. The youngster, very much in this

set. Lots of talent in the Scottish

rolling scene. Last year in round one, Paul Foster took care of Ronnie

Duncan. Any time want of the top 16 finds themselves up against a

Scottish qualifier, they know they are getting a very good player in

deed. It usually applies to all of the UK qualifiers, the vast majority

are very talented players. They have all had to play a number of matches

to get there. When the draw comes out and you are playing Paul Foster,

you will say, it will be interesting! If you're going to meet

someone like Paul Foster or Alex Marshall, get them in the first

round. You don't want to get them in the second or third, because they

are in their groove by then. That is not going to help his next

one. Might be attempted to attack the head. This direction the last

time, lying two on the jack on the forehand and he went back to the

backhand and dropped short. Will have to be tempted to draw on the

four. I slightly favour three, Paul. Paul Foster's drawing ability

you would think he would follow that. He is so good at drawing but

the way the head is sitting, setting up a little roller. Little control

shot. He has his own bowls to hit. Has opened the door a little bit

further, taking one out. Just the way the head was sitting. Taking

were the two front ones. Chance for John to add another and keep the

pressure on. He has the line, how is the wait? --

weight. Paul will go back to the drawn-out. -- draw now.

Struggling for weight, this one. Nowhere near where it should be. It

is costly. He knew out of the hand he was not happy, the body language,

we could see from the commentary box, saying he was not there. The

second half of this first set is going to be fairly interesting.

This is a chance here for John Fleming to take the lead. Notice

that Paul Foster is standing to the side of the rink, good etiquette.

That is what you would expect of course from a former world champion

but it is always good to see that the top guys really know what to do,

leaving the umpire to it. Both players doing exactly that.

Five shots in two ends and suddenly sets number one is a different

complexion will. Paul Foster with that loose bowl, certainly cost

him. You would have expected him to beat the third shot. Yes, the third

shot, Paul would have been thinking second or first, but the third was a

given. After the running bowl he moved hand and just missed the

weight. Still three ends to go. Fleming finding his drawing the last

few ends. Some people up in the players lounge at the moment with

side bets going on, who is going to win the first set. It is tight. The

question is, how hard is it to beat Paul Foster in the first round of

the Scottish International open? I can tell you it has not been done in

the last ten years. That is the nature, he very rarely plays a poor

game in the first round. Just does not happen. I am not a gambling man

but I might put AJ Lee baby on him him winning the first one... If we

had kidney, of course. It is early in the week, no jelly babies yet.

Edge in he comes. Onto the forehand for John Fleming.

Just not going to reach. Perfect line. Paul knows any rock on the Red

bowl and it will fall away. If he was searching for shot it with the

different tactics but from his point of view he will be thinking, take

the one. of view he will be thinking, take

Paul was chasing shots here he would have a look at the backhand. He will

have a look anyway. have a look at the backhand. He will

fright! -- there is a bell. I played under it myself and it is not easy.

There are mixed feelings. That clock ticking away on every bowl. Another

dimension to televised bowls. It would never be introduced in

mainstream play because they do not have the facilities in terms of

manpower to operate it. They rely very heavily on vampires. --

umpires. Short again. Dropped the jack length slightly. Playing 28

metres but I Inc I understand that in this direction he has been losing

shots. -- I think. I thought he might have gone very short.

The backhand is messy. Struggling. Oh dear. Real trouble now for Paul

Foster. There is number three. On the jack

length. APPLAUSE the four-time world champion has

been in many a pickle. You certainly would not bet against him. Usually

he gets out of trouble with his drawing. Will this come back in

time? Here it comes. Drop back for shot. APPLAUSE

So much like Fozzie to do that and John will be looking down the

backhand with this next bowl. That is why he is one of the best in the

world. What he is looking at is getting onto that bowl. If he does

and gets it absolutely plumb he takes the red bowl out. Even if he

takes one or two of his own it does not matter but that is a direct shop

through between the two. -- shot. John calls the time-out just to give

him that extra time. Control the weight, that is better, nice pace.

Will it hold? He was a fraction. Only a fraction. Well, typical

Fozzie. This is why you love this sport. Paul Foster in a heap of

trouble looking potentially losing this set will stop might have got a

draw out of it. If he could then reply. But you do not want to lose a

3 there. That was perfect. There was a little shocked on. -- shot on. He

looked at the angle on the backhand but it was not good. He looked out

that the previous bowl. I think that is the sort of shot that gives you a

lot of confidence. John Fleming very much alive in this

set. Has the advantage of last bowl.

That's looked lazy from the second it left it his hand.

Four. The bowls are coming out quite nicely on that wide line. Strong

bias on them. Will be tempted now to change. Even

a foot short on the forehand would be an absolutely cracking bowl. Onto

the forehand he goes. You can see the bend. It is labouring a little

bit. Well, six inches more and he would have been a lot happier.

Potential catch here. Rule number one is to make sure you are up and.

Just the wrong side of it. Into a good home. As soon as he was on the

outside of the red he was never going to get back in time.

Interesting choice here for Paul Foster. We'll have to guard against

the potential trio which could make it two green. Either that or block

up the forehand by playing the perfect bowl. Either tap his own

bowl or get cover. Percentage shot, this one. Two possibilities. Not

getting cover, though. Chance here. Picking up the jack for two. The

thing about this forehand is it will hold with extra weight. Well, that

is probably half a metre inside his previous line. Yes. Had to go even

narrower. He will have a chance to win it but Paul Foster in the end

comes through with a 10-7 in the opening set. Good set.

Opportunities, Paul Foster had to play the big bowl. He played it very

well. John missed a chance on the run and missed a chance again. Had a

couple of chances to really take this set and that is a rare

occurrence against Paul Foster. Fozzie knows he is going to have two

move up a gear here. John Fleming plays indoor at Inverclyde and

outdoor at Wellington Park. Unsurprisingly he lists his

favourite green as Belfast in-laws. That would be the bottom green of

the two. As we call it. Drops down about six feet, the regional green

is a little bit slimmer. Little bit of promotion. Just needs

to run a little bit. Always looked a little bit under. The next one will

be short. Just needs to get it. Unlucky. The other side of the red

would have given him another shot and cover. Paul Foster will be

looking to bring this jack back. These are always the harder shots to

play when you have new bowls. He is setting itself.

Still looking for the red bowl. It is a big touring bowl, has he given

it time? Too much weight. It is useful and Paul Foster is looking to

see now if you can get to his own bowl and punched the green one out.

He is looking at it. If it does not miss the jack then he is no better

off. I think the trouble is for him if he gets the edge of the jack and

it goes over to their it is not ideal. But what he is looking at is

to get into this position and punched the red bowl onto green and

hope it does not touch the jack on the way through. If not he can still

play the trial and turn the jack round the corner for three shots.

Time-out used by Paul Foster. Just going for the Little Trail, the

angle must have been just right for him. New security that it was going

to miss the jack. The opening of the second set goes

to Fleming. The interested spectator there is Mark Royal, who is with

Dougie Vipond. Yes, Mark Royal watching this very interested in

deed and unusually for Paul Foster a bit of a loose end. Yes he has

bowled a lot of short wood 's macro. Fantastic last bowl in that

first set otherwise he would have lost. Even though he has not been

going briefly at times he has been a bit loose, but he has the ability to

play the big bowl. But John has his nose in front. I would not be

surprised if John wins this one and forces the tie-break. In this format

that is fantastic because if it goes to the stage it is interesting. But

would you put your money on Foster? Certainly, he has so much

experience, and he is a hard man to beat. Who would you rather play? I

don't mind! I am playing really well. I am confident. Thank you very

much indeed. COMMENTATOR: Good lesson in diplomacy there from Mark

Royal. There was a mistake by John Fleming putting the jack in the

ditch. So it is now going to be Paul Foster's jack, he has played it

slightly shorter. Mark Royal as you say being very diplomatic but I know

he would rather play John Fleming. The only thing is if John Fleming

was to get through this match he would be going into the next one

with massive confidence. That is dangerous as well. But you have to

go with the experience of Paul Foster. I don't care what anybody

says you do not want to play Fozzie. If I was John Fleming and I beat

Paul Foster I would retire! Never play again. Virtually did that some

years ago. Never play again. Some gentlemen from the Trinity Bowling

club chortling at the fact I would ever be on the same ring as Paul

Foster. Good bowl. Opened up the shoulder

just a little bit. Again these are the shots you expect Paul Foster to

make. The line looks OK, it must be the weight. He has had a lot of

short bowls. He is very hard on himself. One of those games where if

you are not 100% but you do get through it then you have some work

to do. But John Fleming is very much in this match.

Turn the jack back three or four. I would not be at all surprised if

Paul Foster draws this. Missing with the third, John Fleming knows he has

left a great opportunity for his opponent. It is a firm shot. Decided

to go with the little runabout he has pulled it. The jack looks as if

it is going to come back. I am a little bit surprised. Just look like

the plant was coming into the two bowls but it was not going to go

Fozzie's way. Did he think it was just the one? He has a good eye on

his head. Really good start to the second set. Very steady. I have

watched this young man through qualifying and am my own club in

Belfast and we know he is a good player. The guys make a good long

weekend out of it. Aggressive in the final. Mark is another player who

fixes Roma John singles games. This certainly looks better.

He had the weight to get there but not enough to turn the ball over.

Certainly had enough weight to get to the jack. I have the impression

with John if he can put two or three really good ends together he could

give Fozzie a lot of trouble in the second set. He was trouble enough in

the first one. Tough crowd out there. Not a murmur! Expectations

are high. They have high standards in Perth will stop even closer, not

a murmur either is! There you go. Foot at the very front of the mat.

Certainly reaching with this one. Going deep deliberately thinking

Paul might attack this. But I do not think Paul will fancy yet much.

He is going to the well yet again, looking for a big bowl. Has he found

it? It looks good. Little touch was needed. Got the touch, but not

enough. One shot, John Fleming. Needed a harder touch to take it to

the red order to take it with him. Sometimes it happens that way. Three

singles for John Fleming. Nice and close. John Price, the new Scotland

coach. And his wife with him, so everybody knows. I know she is

taking down a few notes. The one thing for John Price is the talent

pool he has got, it is incredible. Yes, especially on the mend's side

when the Commonwealth Games was electric. They were picking up

medals for fun. I think he has a bit more work to do on the other side of

things, and he knows that. But the players are up for it. They had

David Gourley coaching them before, now they have John Price. The

David Gourley coaching them before, investment of money into Scottish

Good reply to that. bowls is phenomenal. David Gower lay

Now, Paul, slight touch on the jack, don't want to be running it too

hard. don't want to be running it too

to call the jack round. Can't afford to go hunting for it.

That is the way it is. He knew he wasn't far away will stop clean run.

He deftly would have got the shot. The edge made sure of it. What a

difference it does make. 3-1, much more palatable. John Fleming would

have known Paul was in the general area that was a possibility. He got

a heavy contact on it, but two yards out and Paul would have been

thinking, I am a bit narrow. I little acknowledgement to John. You

expect that from Paul. Wasn't much in it.

It's whenever you get an edge and the guys come running down, arms up

in the air and cheering. Seen that recently in a match and I thought to

myself, no, not good. The other thing that annoys me is the

handshake culture for average shots. That has to be addressed. Not even

average shots, sometimes. I am all for teamwork and encouraging your

team-mates, but handshakes and handshakes in the air for

exceptional. But not for the average. Something special. Moving

on to the forehand early. He has played it well. That is the way he

started the first set. He doesn't like it, so that means it

will be about an inch away. It is a bit heavier. It is wide. I knew

something was wrong. The angle is good to come off. Can use it as a

shoulder. Doesn't need it. It is coming in

right behind. It is a great bowl. Super shot. Paul is having a good

look at it. Being cautioned not to go too close

in case it moves. It looks like it is touching green, but not touching

read. What a great bowl from John Fleming. Paul's runner on the

backhand gives me the impression he thinks it is against him. That would

have pushed it out. One shot, John Fleming.

Good grip covering bowl needed. What has been interesting is it is not

always the player who has played the best bowls who is winning at the

end. One good bowl from your opponent is enough to secure the

shot. Almost get the impression it is two players feeling their way

through this game a little bit. It is who will step up to the mark and

put a couple of really good ends together? Obviously, you cannot look

past Paul Foster, when it comes to this. But, at the same time, this

young man showing no nerves whatsoever. Has been very happy out

there. Looks very content on the portable rink.

Gives you a good idea just what the bend is like on these bowls, when

you have two punch them out wide. Generally accepted the portable rink

is not a place for straight bowl. Couldn't agree more.

Well played, Paul Foster. The thing about straight bowls, can make a

fairly average shot but because of the margins of error. That is not

the manufacturer's fault. All the manufacturers do is respond to

demand. The demand is still there for them. That is why you like to

see Cler Brinks, particularly prepared to take the swing. -- club

rinks. Bits of work to do with this one, Paul. Going for the cover, I

think? Here it comes. That will be a receiver. Bowl onto bowl, that is a

different matter. But you can flick your own out. Definite shot

available here for John Fleming, I would be tempted on the backhand,

funny enough. Time-out called. By coming away from the green bowl, you

almost guaranteed it will stay into the red.

He has turned his back on it. Must be narrow. It is. He didn't have to

wait. It's both. Interesting last three ends in this

set. Paul Foster is probably going to be two down. It is not easy to

add another one there. One shot, Paul Foster. Extends in

the second set, six shots scored. Exceptionally tight at 4-2. Paul

Foster just needs to tide the set and to advance to avoid the

tie-break. Alex Marshall and Paul Foster,

working with these bowls now. Alex Marshall is working for them, so he

doesn't have any choice. At the same time, when the guys are going well

and even when they are not going so well, the bowls don't really come

into it. They will have put a lot of work in with the new set of bowls

and checked out different things, so similar to the previous one. No

excuses there, and nor should there be. It is one of these hard-fought

first-round matches. You have to grind it out. Good game so far. The

number of seeds that have not made it through, David Gower lake, John

Price, have both gone out. The number 16 seed. The ball-macro good

bowls. Tempting target. -- two. It is good. Looked good all the way.

Played just a little bit narrower. Just enough to get to his own just

two punch them in. Split on the inside would be perfect. Solid jack,

that will do. Slightly off centre, the line

changes just a bit. Close enough to be difficult to

beat. Looking to take the weight of from his last one.

Still trucking through. Perfect line. Both the bowls were good

lines, his third and fourth. The weight deserted him there.

Battle of the Scots in the opening round. Paul Foster with the opening

set. John Fleming, watching as his lead has evaporated in the second

set. Paul's bowl dropping in. Just far enough away to tempt the

opposition in to try and draw it up will stop any closer, he probably

would have had a go at it. The jack length on the top, at 27

metres. Bit of mucking around with the jack in this match. Both players

trying to find the length that suits them. Has been some very good

bowling I have to say. Really has been some good stuff. I suppose if

you are going to be harsh, there has been a lot of short bowls, bit of

inconsistency, but it is the first round. It does take time.

If Paul Foster to see this one out, John Fleming will now there were

chances along the way. He is still very much in this for now. Although

when your opponent is doing this... Just at that awkward angle, probably

not get much out of it, but will go the other side? He needs to be one

down at the absolute worst going into the final end. Doesn't want to

be any more than that because he will have to chase the end. Paul

knows if he turns the jack around the corner, it will be very

difficult to get out of. Looks like a decent line. Don't know if he has

pushed it? Can still come around it. Going for

the runner, try and open something up. It is a brave shots. The only

danger of that was, if he got into his green bowl, he would have taken

it out. I would have been inclined to draw that and try and get second.

It wasn't that far away, his previous bowl. If you've got second,

you have the chance of picking up a double in the last end. Bit of

movement. Just go again. Big bowl, if Paul Foster can pick up

a 2 here. Well, he didn't allow it to annoy him, that little bit of

movement! Great bowl. Superb. Touched the jack and it would have

been perfect because he would have made the three. Reset it himself. It

was great. In it comes. The market, just checking to see if it touched

the jack. Is going again, cannot afford to get his own bowl. That

rewards nothing in the end. Can't blame him really, very hard to beat

those two bowls. He knew that himself. Two shots, Paul Foster.

Paul Foster is playing a good second half in this set.

He used it into the well of good bowls. Taken a few out. He is

looking like he will be in the next . Paul Foster dropping short and

John Fleming taking advantage. No such error from Paul Foster here.

Paul Foster could follow his own or he could have changed hands and

rested on the green bowl. He is trying to get bowls in the head.

Normal to try and drop off his own bowls. A few inches heavy.

Good effort. In it comes. Little bit unlucky. He has turned the jack

towards the red bowl. It is only the one. Paul Foster has got loads of

time-outs, so he might as well use them. Don't think he will do

anything different but try and draw this. He can afford to lose two

shots. You don't want to leave yourself a bird to be taken out. He

has played beforehand so well. -- a third.

If he rests bowl either side, it doesn't matter. Or he's trying to do

is close the head down. Beforehand was in his mind. He knew that out of

the hand. You need three. Do you go the take-out with this bowl? Just

draw it. Just draw it. Draw onto the red bowls. That is all he wants to

do. Do well to get back from there. He

is too heavy. He was trying to reach them, but at the same time he just

wanted to rest them of with a draw. Set the double, get the chance with

his last bowl. Nothing on the restart, that is what is looking at.

No joy in the re-spot position. Paul Foster is looking to get to

this on the Paul Hand. He has the weight for the bowl. Coming in for a

close second. That is the shot I thought he would have played last

time round. He was probably looking for the green one with that. He knew

any touch on the green bowl or any touch on the jack, was more than

good enough. John has two time-outs remaining. Paddles and rivers come

to mind. I don't think he has got a shot on, to create three shots out

of this. That last bowl of Paul Foster's has more or less killed it

off. There was something before that, but I think my jelly baby is

safe. That is that imaginary jelly baby, of course.

Second set and match, Paul Foster. Paul Foster survives against the

19-year-old Scott. He gave it is all, John Fleming. He led in the

first set, led in the second set, but couldn't find a way to close

them out. Paul Foster gets himself into the second round of the

Scottish International open. round, but you had to work for that

this afternoon? I knew before the game started. I didn't play of the

well, I gave John chances and John probably played better than I did. I

played some bowls when I needed to. I spoke to Greg before the match and

he said I was getting pushy. He wasn't wrong. You come up half an

hour before the game, everything was good and the match starts, the pace

changes. It gets frustrating. You think you are good and you pull up

two feet short all the time. You do not seem overawed playing

against a former world champion? I know that Paul has been here ten

times before and it is my first time, tried to settle in as quickly

as I could. At the end of the first set I struggled a bit with my

weight, just as Paul started pushing. But you were putting

pressure on this guy. I have to say, you did not seem to be happy,

looking frustrated, that was giving John the chance to put the pressure

on. The frustration comes from just dropping short, then you push it and

it runs through. Not a good day at the office but a win is a win and I

gave John plenty of opportunities and he gave me opportunities. Some

good ends and some scrappy. But I'm over the line so that is the main

thing. Absolutely and we will look at some of the highlights on your

point of view. I think the first set, big bowl from you in the eighth

end, to hold on and put the pressure on? I was in control at 6-2 and then

John came back. I was just hanging in. This was a massive bowl to get

in behind as well. Big bowls wins matches. I had to pull out the few

today. It is hard for you to stand and watch, equally hard to be

standing and watching it from the end because you know his line and

length under that pressure is very good. You have some great shots as

well, the second end, your third bowl to put the pressure on. The

first two I drop short so I knew I had to give myself a chance. I just

touched the jack and stayed on shot. Great shot. I thought I had given

the shop down the road the umpire told me I was lying. What did you

think which my I hope not but if John fails there I am drawing for

four but that is why he is here. He has qualified on merit. To play like

that then obviously good luck. Big shots win matches and I think the

eighth end of the second set was a big bowl. And again another one to

further pressure on? I was disappointed in my third bowl. My

last one I had to hope. And John missed on his runner, fortunately

for me. It was very fine indeed. We now know you will play Mark Royal in

the next round, you know him very well. He is playing great Falls as

well. He is a class player and he has proved that over many years.

There are times you think he will hit the head and he just draws

himself out of trouble. I know I have two step up now. I am not

making excuses. If you ask the top players, the first game on this

portable rink is important. Then you can relax into the tournament. I

know what kind of quality there I know there is room for improvement.

Is orations, John, performance here in Perth but Paul Foster, four-time

world champion, through to the second round. Next up on the rink at

the Dewars Centre is defending champion Nicky Brett. Since Nikki on

here cover of years back his success has been stratospheric. He became

the first man to retain the Scottish title and then months later took the

International Open title with an unbelievable display of quality

bowls. I would rather the defending

champion than the winning it. Someone is always going to beat

defending champion at some point but I'm looking to carry on the run as

long as possible. The emotion of losing his massively disappointing.

Paul thoroughly deserved it, he dominated the final, it was like

getting hit by a bus. Played really well. Following year I went away

came back and I knew what had happened the year before the line

unit with the mass of the difficult. I managed to hang in until the end

and fourth in good result for the last one. He has got it is!

Unbelievable. And I won my first tournament. Which is unbelievable

for me. I have been in the rankings not many years and all the sudden

you have got the monkey off your back. And to retain it, and again

played Paul in the final, some good falls here and there. Again, one of

those finals, probably a little bit more closely fought. And again just

managed to find a couple of good ones, and when it is meant to be it

is meant to be. Nobody has ever retained it and someone was going

to, but I was the lucky one. Records will tell you it is

difficult for the same person to win an event two years. Even one event a

year, it is difficult for the same person to win, let alone win the

same event three times. Someone is eventually going to put me out, I

just hope it is later on in the tournament rather than early. Nicky

Brett winning here last year and the year before. Head over heels as

well, and went on to win the International Open last year. He is

currently one-on-one. This afternoon he is going to face Robert Elmore.

It is never easy playing your friends, especially that friend is

in the form of his life. That is the task facing Robert Elmore. Elmore

knows if he is to win today then accuracy and execution will be key.

When the draw came out and I got Nick I thought, at least I know how

he plays. I know he is brilliant and defending champion, world number

one, so it cannot get a lot harder than that. But I'm just going to go

out there today and do my best and hopefully maybe make it over the

line. From a young age I was wanted to play on this famous blue carpet.

And qualify and try to qualified sure you on that think it is the

thing to happen before this live this year it has happened. That is

just the next age but let's just go through the first round to begin

with! Ladies and gentlemen, please give a very warm welcome to our next

two bowlers here at the Dewars Centre this afternoon. Former

English national and British Isles triples champion, Robert Elmore.

APPLAUSE And facing Robert this afternoon,

current Scottish International Open champion and world number one, Nicky

Brett! APPLAUSE Two great friends on the rink at two

great friends in the commentary box, David Corkill and full Mitchell.

Nicky Brett was telling me it took to ten years before you play great

Carlow on portable rink, first timer for Robert Elmore, it is Nicky

Brett. They know each other so well. -- to play Greg Carlow. Whenever you

get a new plane into the portable rink you just don't know. It will go

one way or the other. -- new player. If he does not settle then Nicky

Campbell blow him away but if he settles then Nicky will know he's a

very good player. -- Nicky can blow him away. This has the makings of a

very good game. He has dropped his opening bowls short. Nicky Brett, he

has forgotten what it is like to lose in Perth.

APPLAUSE Start as you mean to go on.

Looked a bit higher in line. Two shots against. Certainly has the

angle to take both out. He needs some help of his own Moore.

He had room but just drew himself through. Two shots, Nicky Brett.

The two to open up but it could have been so much worse for Robert

Elmore. Totally different delivery is these

times, very static, Robert. With him it is all our movement but with Nick

it is the delivery and then the body comes flowing through. Big chance

here for Elmore to get this one in. And start to feel a little bit

better. Nice delivery, Robert Elmore. Certainly looks like it is

ideal for the indoor surface. Just leaving too much room for Nicky

Brett the drawing two. Decent second fall from others. -- decent second

bowl from Robert. Another chance now for Nicky.

Rangefinders the first couple. Last two pretty good. Does not want to

fall on the jack. He left it there. There was a little runner and this.

Certainly down on a narrow line. In the area. Good effort. Very good

effort. Little bit unlucky. Just fell the wrong way for him.

Two shots Nick Brett. Good friends off the rink will stop they both

realised that was a two. No need for any additional measurement. Nicky

Brett was seeded 16th when he played here in 2012. 2013 he was seeded

eighth and he won it. And he has won again this year. Has been in Riga

form. -- really good. Caught that was a good effort,

sliding in number two, Little touch of the red would probably have been

beneficial. Nikki fancies this one. Walking after the bowl. He needs to

-- it needs to get to the other end pretty quickly. He followed it all

the way. Robert Elmore... He is getting

sucked into the Harjot. You could see it off the Massa, off he went,

tried to play the little runner. -- mat stop it is a difficult shot and

even to play at a higher level one normal club green but not portable

rink you will just get sorted with that particular choice of shock. You

can see what he was after. -- twist of shot. Would probably do that at

his club a times out of ten. Just a cover bowl in now so he is lying two

and has the cover. You cannot ask for much better than that. Can still

play the same shot but the has to be a bit more courageous with it.

Just trying to drawing from this one. Better decision, actually. It

has a chance. Very well played. Much better shot than trying the little

runner. APPLAUSE You always want to get on the card

as early as possible. You always want to get the first

shot in your pocket. In one of the matches at the weekend Alex Marshall

took care of the Israeli qualifier Shalom Ben Ami 16-0, 13-0. That was

harsh, Shalom played very well in the international weapon and he was

very pleased with the way he played and he was not -- in the

International Open. And he was not far away from winning but that was

on a normal green at Newton Hall. But on the portable rink, let's just

say it is somewhat more difficult. Better, but difficult.

He played well in the warm up ends as well, Shalom Ben Ami. Just could

not replicate anywhere near that form in the game. Shortfall. Once

again Robert will be facing the double against. -- short bowl.

Beforehand almost paying off. beforehand almost playing.

These two good friends have played together, regularly. There is not a

lots of discussion going on. I was about to remark on that. Nicky

Brett, professional, it is a provisional sport, you do not want

to put your opponent at ease no matter who they are. It is up to

Robert to find his own way. That is the best opening bowl he has hand.

There are some players who like to have a chat drawing a match but the

vast majority prefer to get on with the job.

Miguel Moeen will not get another four chance like that in the first

set, but will be enough only bad end Robert has suffered. -- Nick will

know. Might be tempting here. He is so quick, he really is. Looking for

a term of the jack. Well, dropped in for another, good second. One green.

Must be a bit of a distance in it if that was confirmed so quickly. Off

the backhand. Trying to rest the red bowl away.

Well done, really good bowl. Once again Nicky wasting their time,

looking for the inside runner. Just narrowed it down a lot. No, you know

that is such a hard shot, over the Wade insight. Robert tried that

earlier in the match and got punished heavily.

Played it beautifully last time. Bit more tentative, cannot blame him. If

you would put your money on that you would have said it would have fallen

slightly short. Good end from Robert Elmore, keeps

him in the set. You do not mean to be that short,

that is for sure. Frustrating when you are because you know your

opponent is just going to come right past year. Just too far away, that

is all. APPLAUSE

He has moved on to the forehand. I have a feeling he admitted going

that ring he let it going thinking it was falling short, he has moved

to the other side is if he can do better and he has. He is following

him onto the forehand. Once again, in a bit of bother. He

is facing a double again. Four the last time. It should be

three this time. It is comfortable for Nicky Brett,

Nick Brett. He doesn't mind either. There is something about Perth he

laughs. It is his eighth Scottish international. He has won two and

being in three finals. He has established himself as one of the

elite players. Lovely camerawork as you see the

bowl coming in. And immediate change from Nick

Brett. I'm surprised at that. He has made the shot anyway.

Yes, Nick Brett changed his style a view years ago when he qualified to

come through here again. He decided he would just play the drawer shot.

The odd conversion shot, but not too early. He was punished for being too

early, so he adopted his style and my goodness, it has paid off. -- he

adapted his style. He needs to hurry a little bit just to get to the

jack. He just has not settled in. At the moment, it is just too easy for

Nick Brett. He has not been put under any pressure to play the big

bowls. Here he comes again. Just bending it a little shorter, but it

is there. It still looks like three. Tricky to draw the shop. Might be

tempted to get a little runner to get the jack. It won't do him any

harm. Sticking to the draw. Conservative.

I think sometimes you have two let one go down the rink and get the arm

out. That did not make any difference. Well, that is enough.

They don't need to plague the next two ends of the set. It was

extremely comfortable and Elmore has two let that one go. Comprehensive

is the only description. -- is the only description of that set. I

don't mean it to sound disrespectful, but it is almost a

training exercise at the moment for Nicky Brett. He is not under

pressure. He is not being led to draw, he is not being asked any

questions and no one will know that more than Robert Elmore. Elmore a

great champion of the short mat game at the Dodington club. Dodington

work short mat champions back in 2010. That is a good opening. Yes,

it is another code of the game that has been introduced into the UK a

view years ago. The in Northern Ireland. Massive there. Tens of

thousands have played it. Well, they did in the past, but it has narrowed

down, like other sports, but they have got a good tour. Playing their

own championships with great success. They play lots of that at

my club where they roll the maps down over the green. Well supported.

It is a good code. Trying again, just needs to get over it. Needs a

bowl or Ed jack, or in this case, both. -- a jack.

Struggling, no doubt about that. It is just not happening for him,

Robert Elmore. I was saying earlier, you either in bracelet and play

well, put your opponent under pressure, or it just does not work

for you the first time. -- you either embrace it. At the moment,

Nicky Brett is getting far too much of a free rain. There is another

three. It is a beautiful bowl. Problems here for Robert Elmore. He

has always wanted to play on the portable rink and sometimes, be

careful what you wish for because this is an experience at the moment.

If he gets it right, he might get the bounce of the jack back up at

the rink. But to be truthful with you, it is not going to be easy to

hit. He is going to have two get a run at it. -- to get a run at it.

He was pretty relentless in the first round last year, the defending

champion. He has opened up with a 14-3 first set. Ashton has been

around for a while, but saying that, coming from New Zealand, it is

pretty tough. English qualifiers are usually difficult enough to get

over. It is just not happening at the moment. Sometimes you play your

opponent, sometimes you play yourself. Elmore is desperate to get

their orbit about with his opening bowl that was a missed chance.

Come on then, Robert. You've got to get in there. It certainly looks

better and the weight is better. That is the key to it.

Nicky Brett just place so quickly it's as if he has something in the

oven at home. It makes the game quick, but it is the end result that

counts. Nicky's bowl is five inches past jack I. He uses the need to

bend down, get his trailing leg behind the front leg. It is very

much a fast green kind of delivery. A touch on the red there. He is

going to lose the shot. That was too heavy. If you are going to touch it,

you have two hit it square on. Nicky Brett does not need any help today.

He had to be a little bit careful here. He is being very careful. Kept

well away. The second end. Dickie vay bond is on the balcony. He is

joined by Andy Thompson. Thank you. Andy, Nicky is so confident. After

winning here two years ago, he is in great form. He is playing well. He

is a hard man to beat. Very important to get one, just to pour

the rains from Nicky's point of view. It is stating the obvious, but

he had to make sure he scored in the first two ends. What can you

possibly do to beat him? Is it just to unsettle him? I think so. Some

players will start playing aggressively against him, but I'd

then think Robert is an aggressive player. He needs to outdraw Nicky to

get back into the game. Can you see Nicky losing? I can't. I think it's

going to be 2-0. He is defending champion and he

knows this green inside out and suddenly Andy France's the is going

to win. Goodness! Trying to anticipate where it might

go if it is hit. As Andy Thompson mentioned, Robert Elmore is not an

aggressive type of player. No, he is not. He is doing well this time by

playing the right weight. That was unlucky. A heavy, dry shot does not

appear to be in the armoury. He is restricted in terms of the tactics

he can use against Nick Brett. Important bowl. If he misses this,

Nick will take the run away. Not bothered with his last bowl.

There is no weakness in Nicky's game, there is no doubt about that.

He has the running bowl when he needs it. A super draw shot player.

He doesn't really like playing against slow players. In many ways

it is fevered players like himself and Paul Foster who really get on

with the game. From picking up his bowl to getting

rid of it, six seconds from Nicky Brett. Some players are up to 20

seconds on the bowl. Very close. Favoured the back red for one.

Dropping short boat and Nick will be at this again. Trotting back.

Absolutely no problem. So much time, he could play for bowls. Well, this

is all about weight now. The line looks very good. It's about whether

he has got the weight right to pick the jack up. Great effort. He has

dropped the bowl back in. It had to go away from the jack and then fall

back in again. I'm not sure if he has done damage or not. It is hard

to tell. Still in with a chance. Drop on the

back bowl. He is certainly giving it a goal with this one. A big chance

with this. Oh, just the wrong side. Probably one of his best ends. Three

good bowls within a foot. He has settled down into the game. I do

think it is enough to get the shot. He will take one out.

Almost did damage. Moved it away and then it dropped back in the game. He

thought he'd given the shot away. When you played together, you learn

what your opponent's game is all about. They have been team-mates,

but today they are facing each other. Nice, easy delivery from

Robert. If anything goes wrong, it will be easy to fix. Some players do

go through a phase where they struggle getting the delivery

absolutely right. It happened with Andy Thomson and a lot of years ago.

He had problems with his delivery. Got it sorted, came back strong. He

was going down the ranking list. Got it fixed and came back very strong

indeed. He won a world title after that. Even for the club players, if

you have got a qualified coach, it is always worth getting half an hour

of their time to get them to look at your delivery. Coaches are usually

generous with their time. The thing is it can come back to bite you. It

happened to me. I was beaten exceptionally. Close to this. Just

needs to get back. That is good enough. Struggle to make centre rink

that bowl. If Nicky Brett gets through his next practice, he will

be looking at that hand. No, no, no. No drop in there. No real expression

from him. He will be... I think he will be more frustrated than

anything else. That's what Paul Foster was saying, it is more

frustrating than anything else. Nicky certainly making sure he was

up at that one. It looks like two red. Away a lot of players will play

this will be to arrive at those two, take them out, take a shot at the

front green, but it is not Robert's game. Just trying to draw this, he

will have to make a correction on his weight. The rest of the bowls

will draw the jack. Well played. Honestly felt it was time to stay

true to his own game and not tried to take the two bowls out. For ends

to play. -- four ends to play. He trails by three shots in this second

set. That was a good end, too. There is still be possibility of a

tie-break. This man certainly needs to start getting his first two bowls

going better. When he has done that, he will stop putting pressure on

Nick. The resistance has not been of a high enough pressure. Different

ways to describe that, of course, but he is just feeling a bit

frustrated at the moment. Normally, he is better than this.

Nice to see Nicky but under a bit of pressure to see if the complaint the

difficult shots. You'll be able to see if he is just going through the

motions. Stuart Anderson of Scotland awaits the winner. Different

proposition there. Some clarification over the score of

the first set. Nicky Brett was actually line three. He accepted the

single as it meant nothing because he was still more than eight shots

ahead. In terms of admin, it was just a single.

That will be a time-out call and Nick is looking very good. This is

not an easy head to get out of against the wall of the jack as

well. To bowls out. Going for the drop. This is difficult.

He is a drawing player. Keith is a brilliant. -- he is brilliant. The

restrictions in armoury on 14 interposition to play draw there and

it is one of the best he has played in the entire match. Time-out call

by Brett. This is one of the few challenges he has had in terms of a

bit of thought. That was massive because it has forced him to play

the runner, coming down, looking for the jack. Cannot get much closer.

Robert has two time-outs and Nicky has four time-out remaining. He was

close, wasn't he? He has found the gap. Sometimes you just find the

hole. Jack Lang, 28.5 metres. -- jack length. We have seen it before.

He's certainly there. He has not played well, but not been put away.

I think that is the best first bowl he has played. Two excellent

back-to-back deliveries. Needs a few more. Might sneak the second set. It

is starting to happen now. Robert Elmore lying two. Very accessible.

Now this gets interesting because the seventh end of the nine end

set, Nick scores in this end and Robert will have to chase the match

in the last couple of ends, there if Robert scores, he is right in with a

chance of forcing a tie-break. He is right in with a chance of forcing a

tie-break. He's looking good again. Number three. That will force the

drive. We were talking about putting Nicky under pressure here, and that

is what he has done this time. He will go for the hit, will still

have one bowl to play. That is unlucky! That is desperately

unlucky. The jack should have carried all the way through to the

ditch and he would have been lying two. It looks good the second he

left his hand, you knew that contact was coming. The jack bounced off the

red bowl and the follow on on the red, dear oh dear. How unfair, he

said to him self. It just went wrong. Good strike right down the

middle. Don't drop it short. That is the last thing you need to do. This

will be able jack, I think on the respond as if Nick has it. --

respond. I think he still has a chance of holding the shot. We ask

what kind of form he was in. First it was a good one second hit. Dear

oh dear! That is another bad result. He has lost two out of it. That is a

shocker. You simply cannot design that in any way. 2 shocks, Robert

Elmore. It is certainly came on now. He is saying, not again, surely. --

two shots. Two ends. We have to say that if Robert manages to 40

tie-break here there would be some robbery involved but that is the

nature of the games like this. You can lose the first one and just

sneak over the line on the second and dissolve play for. Fair play,

she was 5-1 down. -- he was. Good first bowl is essential.

It comes, falls down. One read. Certainly Nick would like to score

double in this end if he can come of forcing Robert into needing a three.

-- to score a double. The mean Robert need to win the last two

ends. -- Robert would need to win. Just dropping it short, great

chance. He is pretty close. That was first choice for Nicky Brett.

Another difficulty for Robert, the ideal shot would be on and all the

way through, take the Reds off or the jack into the ditch. 2 or three

chances on the backhand to play with pace. It has not been a short he has

been desperately successful with so far. -- has not been a shot.

Recognised the need for it. Off target. Took one out. Nicky Brett

will pop this one back in, you do suspect. Did not look comfortable

when he played the runner. He stood to the side of the match, was not

sure about it. -- to the side of the mat. In he comes. Two shots, Nick

Brett. Can force Robin into looking for a 3 next end. He has not really

been within a sniff of scoring a 3 in this match. A couple of doubles,

one of those doubles was as a result of a drive that got horrible results

for Nicky Brett. Jack links, 27 metres.

If he wins it he will be having an 11th consecutive win in Perth.

APPLAUSE cover. -- put the first two. Not

bad, beatable. One Green.

single. The defending champion is safely through. Only once in a stew

of this tournament has the defending champion lost in the opening round.

Nicky Brett in very little danger today. The man who is looking to

repeat was contrary through. -- comfortably. Full.

The overall match was very much in favour of Nick breakfast at

obviously got a got -- got a lot closer. Cultures were not much in

it, but didn't tell the entire story. A couple of unlucky results

with a couple of runners, Roberts came out occasionally on the short

side. Having said that, first time on the portable rink, never easy.

Nicholas tested a bit and will be lighted to get the second round.

Yes, the defending champion is through two rounds to fool you must

be pleased with the way you got going in that game? Luckily I got a

fast start, and Rob has not been before so it was crucial for me to

get away to a solid start and luckily I found some good ones

early. You are coming here and playing against a guy who has won

here twice, the International open as well and is playing on the form

of his life. You don't want to let him get away? Absolutely not. I did

not play and wasn't getting close enough early and took it well to

settle down for top in the second set and settled and got back into

the game. You just kept on battering away. New lead in length from the

start and were very good. I know how good Robert is, I him a lot so I

knew eventually I would be under the pond, which is hoping that I would

just hope that I could keep him at arm 's length. He showed what a

great player he is, and forced me into the runner. I knew it was

coming, I just hope I could hold it off long enough. What does under the

pump mean? Firstly, let's talk about the first set for your dominant.

Really putting the pressure on this fella. I played pretty good. Didn't

give Robert too much room. Was hoping to find a couple of good

ones, and I did. I didn't want to settle down to early. I know what it

is like coming for the first time. You just want to settle down and you

want on to give you room and I tried not to do that. In the second set

you did say you came back into the game and started putting pressure on

Nick. I will let you describe a shot that Nick played and it was pleasant

from your point of view? It was an very unlucky. The first bowl I

thought I had it and the second one for the jack the bounds forward, I

did not expect that result at all. I'm happy with the one, really.

Tough for you as well because you thought you almost got the runner

and taking the jack through and you would have been lying? I thought I

had two seconds. The only bad contact was under the jack and from

hand unfortunately I was always under the jack. Any further and it

could have been three or four. Nightmare, really. We spoke 12

months ago and we spoke about no one defending the title and no one has

won it three years in a row and you are playing pretty well? One round

at a time for the played OK today by new Robert be difficult, as will

ever one else. Long Way to go. But I knew. Well played Robert. Nicky

Brett, through to round two. Well done. Nicky Brett on sparkling form.

Next up Darren Burnett against Philip last. He realised a lifetime

ambition when he picked up that Harnwell games gold-medal on home

soil. That was on the grass of Kelvingrove and on the carpet here

in Perth he can show he has the game to do some serious damage. This is a

debut appearance for Last here at the bowl is from -- but the bowl

from Ipswich has plenty of experience and currently sits 44th

in the world rankings. I qualified this year from Bromley in Kent. The

first round I played a guy from England, a young lady, and next a

guy in a wheelchair and a gentleman from Scotland and a Welshman in the

final. Quite a varied group. Looking forward to the new tournament for

the first one is important for everyone. It is those important for

the players to try and start the season well. I try to qualify for 13

years and have managed six times in total. The second time you

insolvent, one in Blackpool and three times at Potters in the World

Championships. My success has been limited so far, have never yet

managed to BTC that might beat eight seat. I don't know much about fell,

he has been to a few events, so to get to qualify as I know when I was

in them, it is not easy. If he has been one of the smack through one or

two he will not be bad. I will have to play my best and hope that is

good enough on the day. I played Paul Foster before so I'm used to

tough matches but Darren is a superb player. Former indoor world

champion. It will be a difficult game for me. The difference between

winning and losing is often very small. The standard is pretty

similar so ever comes here plays the best bowl is consistency and maybe

get the odd break along the way will likely go quite far. One day Matty

sound. The one game at a time. David Caulker has been in the commentary

box all day. Some great matches so far, but this is something to look

forward to? Yes, mainly because Phil has been here so often before. He

will not be disturbed so I think he should push Darren quite a bit.

Darren has been fantastic. We saw the gold-medal last year and it was

a fantastic thing. On the portable rink we know he is brilliant as well

because he has won the world title? Yes, he got it last year. He got at

an indoor and the gold-medal on Graz Salva Kiir grass come as an

all-round player. He is. Not too much fresher but how can you see

this going? Sulphide is on the disease? This could go to the

tie-break. -- sulphide is going for the seed. -- so far. Please welcome

Philip Last. MUSIC PLAYS And playing Philip this afternoon,

the current world number 7 and 2014 world singles champion, Darren

Burnett. You will be glad to know that gives

Corkhill is back in the commentary box alongside Paul Mitchell.

COMMENTATOR: Yes, quickly up the steps and back

in the box for what should be a pretty good match. Darren Burnett,

former winner of this title, up against Philip Last, who won on his

first appearance on the portable rink and has not won on it since,

much to his frustration. He will be hoping that things can change here.

He has been around the game a long time coming experienced the smack a

long time, experienced. Later in the tournament Darren would be a major

favourite. It is just the first round is never easy. This could be

quite interesting. Of course, that means it will be a completely

one-sided match. I think the performance of this Scottish team at

the Commonwealth Games last year has overshadowed, to a point, what

Darren Burnett managed to achieve last year and to win the world

singles on a portable fast indoor surface and go to a heavy outdoor

surface and win both times with both titles is remarkable. It is

something a bit special, I have to say. Both achievements wonderful in

themselves and together. Wasn't without his struggles in the

Commonwealth Games. Showed great character to come through. 16 down

against Martin McEwan of Ireland and Darren kraal through over the line

21-20. I think the single being such an isolated spot you don't have the

opportunity to feed off anyone else and their enthusiasm or good

bombers or bad ones. Singles is a very lonely place, so a fantastic

achievement. -- or good bowls. So much talent available to Scotland.

Going off to Cyprus in a couple of weeks to play in the Atlantic Rim

Championships, now a qualifier for the World Championships. That is in

New Zealand next year and they are taking the Commonwealth Games team

as the men's team with the exception of David Peacock so they're putting

Stewart Anderson in. Not exactly a big issue. Just a matter of folding

it up to the jack. Got it. That will do. The touch is in the ditch. The

jack end up in the ditch for the first time in this live TV coverage.

Two Green. There is a favourite of space to drop two. Will do very well

to get the shot. So often the jack nestled right beside the bowl. It is

virtually impossible. He will be aiming for second shot. It is a

bonus if the stands up long enough to get to number one. Falls away. It

is one shot. 1 shot, Philip Last. Of all of the qualifiers were seen

today, Philip Glass has played here on the portable rink most often. --

Philip Last. Comfortable and confident start by him. Jack at 28.5

metres. In every match the key is who will

get the jack first. Those first two bowls operating, the players will be

under some pressure. Going for the trendy bearded look

(!), Aaron Bennett. -- Darren Burnett.

I do not know about that, but I have an 18-year-old daughter, and she

reckons that I would not recognise trendy from 20 yards away! LAUGHTER

You just have to work on the basis that you are right about that.

Beards are in this year, I grew one myself, which lasted about ten days.

He is going the full route, maybe it is a Movember thing but he is going

the whole way. All of the way. Wanting to dip into the green one.

Needs to run with this one, he needs to hurry. Perfect line. Slight

correction from the marker. To read, the 1 red.

Certainly would expect Darren to drop this one in. Always has his

facial aggressions after he plays a bowl -- facial expressions. Just on

the edge... Needs to drop, I think it is not going to... You can see

it, lying there... 1-shot, Darren Burnett.

He had a wee chance there, Darren Burnett, he could not take it.

Tipped a tie-break as a possible solution in this one, they only had

one, in the 15 round one matches. Eight of them were decided on a

tie-break will it is the first round, and later in

the event, you think to yourself, well, the top players are so hard to

beat, and you get past the first, second round. Last time it was very

loose. Fill is going to have two tighten up a bit on that one. --

Phil. Have a look down, see what the

problem is. Well... Four feet short, and another

one another four feet short. He has come through qualifiers, many times,

he has the line OK. He really needs to tighten up again. Cannot rely

upon running balls. You have to get the draw going. To be fair, Darren

is giving him a lot of room. Not putting him away just yet. That one

scene to bomb a little bit. Previous to that, getting away very smooth.

On this surface, that will take all of it out of the ball. Bumped it on

delivery, that does not give it a chance.

Got that one away absolutely smooth. No bump, no noise. Certainly a

better ball, but he has over corrected because of it. Two

shoves, Darren Burnett. -- two two shots. Darren Burnett happily

accepting the three. indoors, but does not mean that he

cannot come Same balls as last, so to speak, no

pun intended on that one (!) okra, the Philip can just play a similar

ball, and draw the shot. It is in the shoulder that he needs.

Gain, just on the wrong side. Just on the wrong side of the shoulder.

Big slab of the thigh by Darren, knew that it was not reaching, there

is a chance here, he can afford to reach this. -- big slap of the

thigh. Reach those two Red Bull is that you were talking about. --

those two red balls that you were talking about.

Struggling, once you put the weight on, you really have to keep the line

in. Missed chance for a double. Close enough. Dan MacManus, the

marker, calling for the umpire. Pretty close, as the PC goes

wandering past the camera. Absolutely, they are like buses. The

exception being, of course, the perk Constabulary, who are fantastic! --

Perth Constabulary. 1-shot, Darren Burnett. Relieved Marco. That is

what he reckoned, he called it on that.

Darren Burnett... Off to a good start. Passed round to only twice in

Perth, it has not been his favourite tournament. Not only that, he has

been giving Phillip Last a shed load of room. If he does sort this out,

Darren Burnett could be in trouble. Missed chance, your opponent is way

short. You need to be within a foot of the first ball when you get a

chance like that. It is a situation where Darren is not on top form...

He's going to make a correction. Very close. Being put onto the

board, that ball ends up in the ditch, it stays live. An inch in

front of Jack high for the green ball, and three inches in front for

your own ball, Darren. Important that markers are so

precise about those questions. It is there, he is there. Needed faith to

play the shot they wanted to play. Beautifully played, just the line,

knew that there was a gap there. Nicely done. Similarly weighted shot

from Phillip Last, may not get the result that he wants. Well, I'm

surprised at that, there was no reason to be short. The Jack was

worth two, maybe three. The Red Bull was worth at least one, maybe two,

if he had stayed in the head. Absolutely no reason to drop short

there. Left those groups on the ball, that is the style to play

with. They were on bowls years ago, those crescent grips. They have been

brought back again. -- red ball. Expected Darren to come behind. I

think that Darren expected to come behind. We are seeing quite a lot of

the players dropping short, is that an indication that explains that it

is lower than they are expecting. Adds it is a little heavier, the

back green ball would have been a good position. I understand what

people are saying about dropping short, but I don't think he intended

to be near the Jack on that occasion. I can understand, however,

if something cools down a little bit, maybe the crowd coming in,

people moving around, doors being open, it can affect a portable rink.

This is better. Great effort. Unlucky. Very unlucky.

Phillip Last playing pretty well. Not counting on the scoreboard.

Fourth consecutive end for Darren Burnett. Guests taking command the

opening set. Final round one match of the Scottish international. --

just taking command of the opening set. Jack, safe enough, 21.5 metres,

one metre short of a full length. Playing three metres on the team

from the ditch. Slightly different to normal play.

Just signs that Phillip Last is beginning to get closer with the

first delivery. Darren Burnett finding form as well.

Not too far away, still two down, Darren moving on to the forehand

looking for the back shoulder, that is what he is after. Not really too

concerned about the Jack at the moment. Find a lot of club players,

and even players above that level will get very Jack focused,

sometimes you have got to ignore it and go for position. Dropped it

short. Dropped it short. Did not really

muddy the waters in any way. Supplies he is playing this

forehand. -- surprised. Crunching the Jack in against the Red Bull. He

has got position. The backhand, you are squeezing the Jack towards the

Red Bull, or resting it out. -- against the Red Bull.

Darren will be looking for it. If he fails with this, Philip needs to be

on the other side. That is not good, should be on the backhand with this.

A squeeze on the Jack, that is all you need. Ball out clean.

Sometimes you have to make the adjustment and have a couple of goes

at this shot, the first one is a rangefinder, by leaving it to the

last ball, made it too difficult for himself. One out. The set is getting

away from Phillip Last at the moment. When he last played in

Scotland, Mark McMahon was his opponent, took the first set, 8-6,

the second, lost, 6-10. On a tie-break. Mark McMahon, Scottish

Hong Kong Australia player. Apart from that, pretty central. White

yes, the world is his centre, he told me. Worked on the airlines.

Mark McMann. Very good player. -- yes, the world is his centre, told

me. Back in 2007. Back in Perth, eight

years later. Youngest player to ever represent

Hong Kong in bowls, way before it was passed back to China.

Needs a lot more of those. Too few of them in this match. Bit of a wry

smile. He knows that he is better than what he has shown today. Hong

Kong were represented at this tournament, Alex Wen. Beaten by

Stuart Anderson, 11-2, 8-3. Darren Burnett is finding his groove, now.

As long as he is reaching, he has a chance. Second ball has often been

short. Two inches in front of Jack Hyde, the gap is five inches. The

sort of thing that you look at when you watch matches back again. Too

high a percentage of balls dropping short. Try to figure out what was

the second ball, the third in particular. Really a first ball is a

rangefinder. To give it a chance. Darren Burnett requires two shots at

this end. If we are not to play any more of this open set. Far better to

be at the back. Lack of consistency at the moment. You can see the line

has been pretty good, wait, he has struggled to replicate.

You can never tell with Darren Burnett whether he is happy or not.

A lot of good reasons for that, look at his profession! He gives nothing

away, in the bowling sense. When you stop someone for speeding you cannot

exactly say, why were you doing 95 in a 30, you have got to have a

stony look about yourself. Community police officer in Arbroath. Not the

traffic branch. Phillip Last. Needs to punch into this. As to give

it a chance. Be there. Needed to wait. One more end to finish it off.

Hoping for a contest, this is more of a procession. Dropping the

opening, Darren Burnett, but rattling off the next six. It is not

as though there has not been plenty of chances, there has been load,

unfortunately, Philip is not playing the way that he would normally play.

What we are seeing from Darren Burnett, the first ball, if it is

not right on the second ball... Easily an improvement, it is there.

What we have seen too often from Phillip Last, after a good opening

ball, he has struggled to get a second in.

Does not improve upon the first. Just checking the scoreboard,

checking the lie. Change his hand, split the two green balls.

Darren coming up, does not look like he has got to worry too much, that

ball has pretty much killed off the set. Needing to make a half ball

contact on the red one. A half bowl contact, run with the

jack. That is all the way. That is useful. There is no reason why he

should move on to the forehand client going for cover. That would

be wise. -- to the forehand and go in. Let's see if he is going where I

think he might. Just looking to be on the high side between the white

dot on the left side of your picture. It is the respot position.

But has he pushed it enough? Not really. Still a chance. Half bowl

contact me the jack go through four feet, run off it, follow an and 54.

Just like that. That is the theory. We will see the execution. Fairly

tentative. Also very narrow. You've got to give yourself a chance. Even

with that weight, I'm not convinced it would have done anything.

Spiralling away. 1 shot in the first set, Darren Burnett. Pretty

comfortable in truth. Philip Last now has to forget about it and move

on. No pressure. Darren was able to play a very free set without any

real issues. You want to force the players into playing the between

shots, the difficult ones. Philip was just not doing that. They will

start off fresh, second set. Looking to get off to a better

start off fresh, second set. Looking second delivery. But now that makes

the back bowl look quite clever. If you look at the third with Philip,

too short, not even blocking. He has taken the chance again. Time-out

call. Philip Last has four time-outs remaining. The Last bowl is against

him so even if he hits it the chances are he will lose the double.

There is a shot on the back and try and force the back through the Green

bowl, narrow, but maybe only has available. -- all he has. He is

trying it. I do not fancy is chances on this one. Starting to dip away

now. My sweet, just difficult to pluck out the line. Doesn't appear

to be in any danger. How far will the jack go? Will it bring the

blackballing? Gentle draw, does not need to mess about with this. Not a

special opportunity this makes their shot -- not a spare shot. Has given

it a great chance. Just the other side of the Green bowl. Darren

Burnett taking to add the opening end and Robert Paxton is standing by

to speak to do the -- Dougie. One-sided affair so far. Darren is

playing well, flying the bowls out there and put him under pressure and

not putting enough pressure on Darren to get himself in the game.

It for Philip, coming up here on the carpet in front of the TV cameras

against a guy who is full of confidence? It is tough and you just

have to get in there early and start finding a first bowl, he is good

enough and there is still time in the set if you can find is first to

output Darren under pressure come you never know come as still in the

match. A couple of beautiful shots Darren has put income even if Philip

is getting close, guarantees to be able to inside him? That is, does.

He has been fantastic and is playing with so much confidence in the Last

18 months. If I was to ask you to pick a winner at this point I think

I would know the answer? Darren is the favourite at the moment for

this. But you never know, if you feel play some good ends and gets on

the board, you never know. Thank you. That was the 2011 win of the

Scottish International open, Paxton safely through into the second round

after a scare, dropped the first sets to Gary Smith and took the

second and won 2-1 on the tie-break. That is Gary R Smith, of

course, north-east of England. Very good player. Concentrating more on

the PBA events now. He is very highly respected, always will be

tough to get past Gary. Robert made a good point, you've always got to

guard against, Philip Last has been outplayed with you to guard against

the set place. We're seeing it often enough over the years, someone

outplayed in the first find their way back. The problem of Salva Kiir

is we are seeing any consistency. If he was playing really well and

Darren was just outplaying him, Darren's performance went down. --

the problem is that we are not. He would have to go off a considerable

amount unless Philip starts the refind his game. This makes it

starts to really find. At the moment that is a struggle. Easy delivery.

-- unless Philip starts to really find. That is the problem I have,

anything through the head would be useful, even if he played to his all

bowl it would be good because he has another one to come and he can push

the jack through to the Last delivery. The only score he has got

so far has been a drive in the ditch. By dropping shot he is not

allowing for that to happen again. Does it again. All too easy for

Darren to slide number one in -- to slide another one in. Now he is

forced into playing a controlled weight, which is very hard on that

forehand or trying to draw within three or four inches.

Just trying to play slightly over the draw, make sure he is arriving

at the jack and holds out all day if you are over the weight. Don't get

back to centre rink in time. There it goes. Again, we had a problem not

only with the final bowl, but the third one, not giving himself a

chance. It is the third bowl, a bit the same as before, about clean the

right shot at the right time -- playing. If he had not had not have

played the front Green one, he still had one on the drive it through but

the front Green one just killed him. He is forced to try and beat it on

the draw, which will never happen. Jack and 29 metres. At

29. Ten inches. Just over the length on that. Just going out too far.

He is inside the line taken by Darren Burnett. There is a chance

for this one, needs to run a little bit.

The facial expressions Darren comes out with, he only has those when he

plays bowls. It is weird, but it works for him. You cannot read him,

that is the thing. You don't know if he is having a good or bad day. I

hope he is a good poker player, imagine trying to read that as a

poker player? You would never know if he was bluffing. He has some

facial expressions where I did some of the recently and I watched Dan

Biggar kicking the goal and he has some routine as well. They are a

different bunch, the kickers. The time-out is called, but it is some

routine. Darren Burnett has four time-out from meaning. Jonny

Wilkinson looks like he is standing still. It is that kind of routine.

The time-out taken. A good chance for Darren the way the bowl is

sitting. Anything just slightly inside the

line with a bit of weight would be good. Backhand as a tendency to pull

in towards the jack much better than the forehand. He needs connection on

the jack, and that is Goodenough. Played with the weights, slightly

inside the line. Pretty perfect. Perfectly played, took the jack

right in the middle. This has been a familiar theme to the match. Philip

Last trying to make something happen with his final bowl. Left with a

rather difficult shot to get out of trouble. Unfortunately that has been

what he has played, short. He is checking. The call for the umpire,

looks like two from here. Unfortunate for Philip, he has had

to go through numerous games to qualify for this and it is not

easy, if you are pushing yourself to go through those five games in one

day or even three and a too, it's still pretty tiring. And then to

come out here and not played your entire potential. -- and not play to

your. Sandra McLeish, checking. Good

player in her own right, Sandra. Very much so. 3 shots, Darren

Burnett. Well done to Darren Burnett for spotting that. It looked like

two, but he fancies his chances. And the three shots go his way. John

Price Robbie his eyes, not surprisingly, not long back from

Australia. He was over with the Commonwealth Games and Scotland. You

know we are talking about you. He plays well to the camera. Look at

the glasses. There you go. He is getting on a bit now. The next

Commonwealth Games are in Australia, a different challenge for the men's

team. Jack has just gone to the side and they will have to check it. It

could like it kicked across according to Darren. A very rare

occurrence. We will get the telescopic sight and to look at

this. He is telling me that this is a multisport. -- multisport

confederation behind Zebre who went to look very different venues that

they will train on before the Commonwealth Games. As Mike the

multisport confederation who he went out with the look at the different.

You are not used to this. This is good tactics from Philip Last.

Change something. He has lost all but the first end of the match. Lost

ten ends on the bounce. He is just not playing well at the moment at

all. We have seen him play much better than this. Jack length, 27

metres. The backhand from Darren Burnett.

That looks like it might be some distance away. If you are Philip

Last, that is what you want to see. Put your point off, but here is the

difficult part. Doing it yourself. Paul Foster did say that he noticed

the ring had slowly bit from when he was practising and I wonder if it

has happened again in this match, because there has been quite a lot

of short bowls, so it could be the case. It is still happening. What

has been interesting is not only has there been short bowls, there's been

lots when they had to be through the head. Yes, key moments in the match.

When you get to really top-class players like Paul Foster and Darren

Burnett and people like that you think that they know if they are

close the moment the bowl leaves their hand. If they drop short, it

has changed, definitely. Still, a chance for Philip Last to pop this

one in. Still has plenty of room. Again, dropping short. 16 inches.

Over ?1 of weight sometimes. -- ?1-mac. He hit the bowl but was not

up, strangely. He will change his hand here.

This front bowl was not helping. As soon as he gets past he is in. -- as

he gets hast it. -- past it. Darren Burnett must fancy his

chances in the draw. This one certainly looks much

healthier. Made it. Not under tremendous pressure. The bowl was

some 15 inches away the draw and it is much more of a shot for Phil --

for Philip Last. He can play inside for the two, but OK. The only reason

I did not like that is if he got a bad result with his old bowl and he

was in a heap of trouble. As Max with his -- with his all in

For he is trying hard, but it is not working for him. Darren Burnett

continues with quite a comfortable journey to range two so far -- round

to. The entire match scoreline would be 18-1. Jack length, 29 metres.

Philip Last from Suffolk tells us he enjoys dance music but his rhythm

has been hard to find today. Darren Burnett, it has been a professional

performance so far. Yes, a slow Watts over a foxtrot -- waltz. A

strange sort of performance. Lovely and relaxed action.

Correction made on the weight. The line is good. That is really good. 1

red. The first is S3 and -- three inch gap, the second one is a 9 inch

gap. The Green one is a gap of six inches. Good, clear direction.

Probably worth having a drive to try and remove the two bowls now. Going

for the draw again. Not easy. He has to shake things up if he had

a drive and took the two race he would have a chance. At 8-0 down he

is going nowhere. Darren is range on the ends, happy to take two or three

singles the ends, happy to take two or three

just go into this area and cover things, just in case something could

happen. the respot. Good strike and got the

shot. On the card in the second set,

Phillip Last. Still smiling. Always good to see.

Long journey up to Perth, long journey home. And he finish with a

flourish. Can he force a tie-break. Eight shots over four ends.