11/11/15 Bowls: Scottish International Open

The champion showed exactly why he is number one. Stewart Anderson,

champion of the world. The rias is looking so sharp up. One

Another brave battling performance. with a true fighter.

Another brave battling performance. Pound for pound there is no one

binder. -- no one fine. Some real heavyweights of world bowls going to

to to this afternoon. Stick around. Today is the day we complete the

quarterfinal line-up but already some people have their seats. At the

top of the draw, Jonathan Ross managing to get through yesterday,

Darren Burnett one as well and Alex Marshall, the six times world

champion went out to Greg Harlow. Andy Thomson be David Richardson and

this morning Graham MacDougall was knocked out by Jason Greenslade.

Let's get to the action. A couple of guys will be taking

Let's get to the action. A couple of Hopefully it is going to be a

world-class game and I can sneak over the line. He has done

incredibly well and it would be good to see a Scots man act in a winning

area. I will enjoy my year as world number one and C for we end up but

it's the best feeling in the world to be world number one. Ladies and

gentlemen, please give a very warm welcome to the Scottish

International open defending champion and world number one,

Mickey Brett. And the former world champion and

winner of the Scottish International open... Stuart Anderson!

APPLAUSE To describe the action for this

battle is David Corkill and Paul Mitchell in the commentary box.

COMMENTATOR: good afternoon everyone. Nicky has but on the last

two occasions he has faced this man, he has come out on the losing end.

Stewart Anderson has a nice leading edge. He said in his interview he

has not hit the form yet. This is an opportunity for him to do that on

his home turf and I think the pressure for Nicky will continue to

build and against a guy like Stuart Anderson, this will be tough,

really. What a contest in prospect. Stewart Anderson gets us under way.

One of the problems for Stewart Anderson is that he came onto the

scene and was top and it can be hard to maintain that, when you are very

young. He is well-known and respected. A good player to play

against, he gives everything. Very honest in his interview, he has felt

disappointed in himself the last couple of years but has recognised

it and is refocusing. He is better than his results have shown. There

are very few players that Nicky Brett wanted to hit in the second

round, the calibre of someone like Stewart Anderson. Hoping you might

get someone on the edge of the top 16, a qualifier coming through. But

when you are meeting Stewart Anderson, a potential winner of the

event... It is a offer lot different. That was a little shot

clock error, a technical error, it happens. It has woken some people

up, that is for sure. No one sleeps when that goes off. That has just

got a touch but not enough to stop him. It is all done by the motor

control. Occasionally, little buttons do not do what they are

supposed to do. Just a bit like your television remote control.

Traditional, the end result is excellent.

An early running bowl. Wants to make it past the front ones.

Two shots, Stewart Anderson. Those two against him made no difference

with the weighted shot. Stewart Anderson in his seventh

Scottish International open, semifinalist in the first year, the

final the next against Mervyn King. Jack length is 29 metres. This has

been the sticking point for him. He has been out in round two in each of

the last four seasons. A little delay. Some of the spectators are

coming in. Get them seated. The tendency here, the Dewars Centre

in person gets busier as the week goes on.

This will be the difference for Nicky Brett in this match, he will

have a tough time against Stewart Anderson. A brilliant draw to the

jack. He will be very confident about getting close with at least

one shot out of the two. A change of hand. Nicky Brett.

Coming into a nice finish. I have a feeling we will see a lot

of shot play in this match, there will be a lot of close bowls around

the jack. Down to the line and falling away.

It is very quick off the mat. Making his mind up, Nicky Brett. The

fastest player on the circuit, knows exactly what he wants to play and

gets on with it. Building up a very nice position, pulling back the jack

and Stewart Anderson needs to get at least to the jack.

Definitely reaching with this and he has a chance. He has the jack and he

needs to stay with it. Nicky Brett to a nanosecond to look at that.

Some people would sit around and watch that and say, what am I going

to do? He goes down, he will probably play a backhand runner, he

is looking for it. Just needs to make it through. Not far away.

Brilliant. He does not get the green but he gets the jack. The same

effect, he gets three shots. That is impressive. The speed in terms of

making up his mind, the execution is perfect. It is half an inch inside,

the Green bowl was Kim is a puzzle. Great percentage shot and we will

see a lot of that this match because Stewart Anderson can play that as

well. Just added a little on there. Giving

Stewart Anderson the opportunity to blow it off. Coming around to it.

Once again, the back position is favouring Nicky Brett. He has the

weight shot in his armoury. Stewart Anderson might be tempted

with this, damage limitation. Yes... He is going for it. Close to the

plant. It goes, the red bowl goes out, the follow-through. Wanted the

jack clean. It is close for a shot. Very good bowl. The first option was

the jack, the second getting the plant. Follow-through on to the

jack. Very happy with that. Three ends and three running bowls, all on

target. He missed the chance. Stewart

Anderson asking Alan Thornhill to have another look. I would slightly

favour at the red, Stewart Anderson. He is one of the best when it comes

to being an umpire and marking. Sometimes you just want a second

opinion. In he comes, Stewart Anderson, all

the way in. Great stuff already. I just love it

when you get players who are on form right away. The umpire is Sandra

McLeish. Three apiece after three. Such an

entertaining start to this game. I think you are right. These weighted

shots will be the difference between the players. Even they are matching

each other in those at the moment. Jack length is 28 metres. Eight mist

might be enough to separate them. -- a missed shot. Stewart Anderson

is in a good place at the moment regarding his bowling career. Just

been selected to go to the Atlantic Rim. For the Scottish team. A

five-man team. For the world qualifier in New Zealand next year.

David Peacock has retired and after the Commonwealth Games... Stewart

Anderson came in in his place. It is more or less a vote Commonwealth

Games team going out, Scotland taking no chances with that. He was

part of the 14 man elite squad for the Commonwealth Games last year and

he pretty much knew he wasn't going to make the team but he knew his

time would come. Nicky Brett, at the moment, getting

a sniff and I don't know why... I do know why... I am not going to

discuss at Xtra-vision Mark -- to discuss it! The world of bowls can

be a political one. I believe that my book, at some stage!

It is not easy to get into this. He wants another one round so he can

play the attacking bowl but that is pretty good. A target. That is the

bowl he will be after. Every picture tells a story and that

one tells you Nicky Brett knew he had not played that correctly.

Well, if anything, he is better being behind it but Stewart Anderson

is looking for the headshot. -- via hit shot. He was looking to see what

side of the green bowl he could force out that two bowls. The high

side of the green or take out both reds. He has probably decided to

drop in on it instead of the weighted shot. This is difficult.

Slightly over it. Nicky Brett has a shot to come. The chance to draw for

another. This is looking good.

APPLAUSE No mistake. Unlucky... He moved the

jack but then the other red bowl dropped in as well. He nearly took

one of himself there. A really good end for Nicky Brett. He scored a

couple of threes coming down to the commentary box. There it goes, I

thought it had brought in the green bowl but then the other red drops

in. Stewart Anderson stayed away from the running bowl and relied on

his drawing and failed. That is what we are talking about, just the one

miss might be enough in a match like this.

A nice reply and the spray chalk applied. People still use the stick

of chalk and a spray chalk is very useful when you have to be quick.

The bowl is sitting at an angle. The spray chalk is very easy to wipe

off, so I have been told. It is! Fancy resisting this. He is going

for this and Stewart Anderson knows it. He is in the area. Perfect

result. Perfect result. The defending champion is in pretty

good form. That is such a difficult shot. Not a full weighted drive, it

was controlled weighted. Jo-Anne Dobson is close again... He needs

the two of them... And he has got them. You're not going to see any

better in this competition, I don't care who is out there, this is

absolutely brilliant. Calling the bowl to get down onto

the red bowl. No matter where Nicky Brett puts this, Stewart Anderson

will be after it. He is

but it has not. It looked like the brakes were going to go on. A chance

for Stewart Anderson. He is winning the ends away from the commentary

box. You might wonder why Stewart

Anderson is playing the backhand, it is safer. He did not want to have

any touch on the jack. Space in the backhand to draw another shot. In he

comes. Job done. APPLAUSE

I will tell you what, there is going to be

What a mess that Welsh bowls hard, this curtly, I can tell you that

What a mess that Welsh bowls hard, losing him to Scotland. It was a

good capture from the Scottish coach. Just outside. Still... You

are almost looking at this as being loose, all three of them are within

a foot. It is just going to fall behind. You

have seen him play to forehand shots, sometimes dropping a little

bit. A slight inconsistency in the pace. I was chatting to Paul Foster

at about that earlier. He was feeling the same. The match

yesterday with Alex Marshall and Greg Harlow, chasing up after the

bowls and players of that calibre do not do that unless they are close.

There must be some inconsistency there.

Are you going to sneak in? Yes, you are! It was not exactly read a, but

he will take it. Sometimes you just climb through a window rather than

using the front door. I do not think Nicky Brett will even attempt to

draw this. He is. And I must say I am surprised. Of course, he has

another bowl left but the two greens were available. He needs an edge.

And he has got it. It did not drop act. Looks like a second shot. --

drop back. I fully expected him to play the runner. Bearing in mind he

has a bowl left. That will give Stewart Anderson a good target to

aim for. He just needs to run, to Harry. That

has dropped short. It is going to be close but the second. Just having a

look. That does not help the forehand draw. Nick might be tempted

to run into this, the way it is sitting. Time out is called. If he

is two shots down, he would be unlucky...

He has hit everything that he has aimed for so far. Oh, dear, that is

not turn a work-out well. It is a horrible result. From a spot on

drive. We will have to see where it bounced off, but it is not a good

result. So so long as you required, the bowls will be propped up. A

shake of the head, and you can see why. He wanted it to go through all

the way to the ditch. If that had happened, he would have been scoring

a double. As soon as it went off the side he was always in trouble. Very

unlucky. That's close. It is three. Well, it is fine margins, very fine

margins indeed. Paul Forster watching on, checking the odd

message or two. Before he plays later today. What is happening back

home, guys?! Taxi firm?! How are you the kids doing at school?! This is

good stuff between these two players. Stewart Anderson, a proud

Ayrshire man. That is a bit loose from Nicky

Brett. He will not be a happy bunny with that. Two behind, he really

does not want to lose the seventh end. It is almost a pivotal end.

Lose this one, says are really chasing the last two. -- you are

really chasing. Stewart Anderson... He has been a bit pacey as well.

Consistent line from the Scotsman. Nicky Brett, change of hand.

Good change. Struggled on the other side. Moved on to the backhand for

his second shot. Sometimes you can't just fight the hand, you have to

make a movement early. He needs something just to rest on. Could be.

There is a shot on here for Nicky if he wants to take it. It is a risky

one. He is two shots down in the match, 2 shots down on the rink as

it stands. He could take the 2 of them out. The jack is covered for

the respot on the red, both sides. He is playing very controlled. This

is a hard shot. Just fights it all the way. Yes, that was a tough one.

Even the best in the world struggle with that.

That is a Big Brother shots for Stewart Anderson. -- that is a big

run of shots. Thanks for the wave, Greg. Greg Harlow will feature later

on in the tournament. He said he felt he might have stolen the match

against Alex. I think that was a bit hard on himself, however Alex was

probably the most consistent player and it could have gone either way. A

couple of bowls just did not work out for the Scot. It was a great

game between the 2 rather than. Not much to choose. -- between the 2 of

them. Needs to make something here. The opening bowl important for the

defending champion. Realistically, Nicky needs two shots

here to give himself a chance in the last end. Started off very well, but

he has got a loose in the last couple of ends, nick Brett. Of

course he got that really bad result on the running bowl when he was

forced into playing it. Yes, that was the big change in the match.

Stewart Anderson will be tempted to run this down the forehand. Just at

the angle it is at, if he plays it with controlled weight, he could

actually take it into the ditch and follow with it. Depends how hard he

plays it. Really heavy shot... He is going for

it. He is in the area. Well, took one out. Happy enough with that

sorting not the best results. Bit of a 50% shot.

Nicky Brett, heavy with this? Oh, dear, oh, dear. That was not what he

was looking for. You fully expect Stewart to put a good bowl in.

Just watch the way this bowl goes out. No straight bowls here. No

artificial help. Push it out wide, let it come back in on the bias.

Here it comes. Nearly. Not quite. But it is second shot. Needs to pop

this one in now. Watching it coming down now. It is

good. Stewart Anderson had started to walk towards it. He already knew

that the shot had been drawn. Interesting last end ahead.

Jack length, 26 metres. Bit of a disturbance there just as

he was about to deliver. Did well to hang on to the bowl.

DAVID CORKILL: Just not nailing the jack in this Derek on the forehand,

Nicky Brett. More to come from him. -- in this direction.

PAUL MITCHELL: He has been relentless. He has got within two

sets of reaching the final in each of the last Scottish International

Opens. He has been deadly through the rounds.

A really good bowl but Stewart Anderson has the advantage. Any

touch on the jack, he makes the double. He just holds off a little

bit on this forehand, just over the weight, struggles to get back in

time. I think he has got no choice, he HAS to make another shot. He

cannot afford to leave it to his last bowl. He must pop this one in.

He wants to avoid the jack. Any touch on the jack brings it towards

the green bowl. Gentle, gentle... Well, you would fancy Anderson will

close this down now. Should be better with this one. Here

it comes, Stewart Anderson...! Well, it is a beauty. It really is.

I thought he would make the adjustment - he had the line. He is

going to leave a very tricky shot for Nicky Brett. Well, he has

decided to go for the edge of it, and that is tough. Well, he is going

to lie check one shot. But it is not going to make any difference and he

knows that. Was not what he was after. He needed the edge of the

green bowl. As soon as the jack moved, he knew he was in trouble. I

know one or two people, even our technical people, who could draw

this shot. I notice you did not mention yorker commentator! No, no

chance! First set, Stewart Anderson. Nice way to close it out for Stewart

Anderson. Great set of bowls between two players. And it is Stewart

Anderson who gets one over on the defending champion. And we can look

back to that unlucky drive shot of Nicky Brett, where he lost the

three. In many ways we were talking about one critical moment in the

set, and I think that was it. Windies two last met, in the

quarterfinals of the Worlds in 2013, Stewart Anderson took the first set

9-4 and lost the second to go to the tie-break, which he won. But the man

had who has been out in the last four years in round two in

Scotland, he will be hoping that his luck can change and the scalp of a

champion will be his. That is not bad for one off each

hand. Yes, often when you win the first set, you can have that lapse

of concentration at the start of the second. No weakness there for

Stewart. So, Nicky Brett, who has won 11 consecutive matches on this

rink here in Perth... Finds himself a set down.

Perfect weight. The next one will certainly be attacking, I would

think. Stewart Anderson, if he can draw and bring that jack in tight

onto his own two bowls, it will certainly make it a lot more

difficult. He thumped his leg there because he

knew that he was trying to lock everything in. And he is just a

fraction of it. The weight was perfect.

Down it comes. What is he going to get? Nothing. First one he has

missed. First shot, Stewart Anderson.

Nicky Brett is a very popular figure around these parts, but the home

crowd are happy with the way the Scotsman has started. Yes, the one

he missed just by a fraction was the ideal bowl to hit. This match is so

finely balanced. Each shot will be looked back upon in those key

moments. He is just not getting in with that

first delivery. Usually so reliable. It was one of the secrets of his

over the years. Has he got enough to run it out? It is just going to

break. David Gurley of course comes from there, Hugh Duff as well. Paul

Foster. And many others. Well, he did not like it. It must be

heavy. One shot, Nick Brett. He will be very happy to get the single and

get moving again. Looking at those world champions coming out of

Ayrshire, there is so many of them. But Hugh Duff is no longer involved

in the game. Won the world singles twice. Fell out of the rankings and

has really disappeared off the scene, but he was a fantastic

player. Came to the four back in the late 1980s at Alexandra Palace,

winning the World Singles. The world number one Nicky Brett has

won this competition for the last couple of years and now states that

his aim is to win the Worlds. He is motivated by the fact he is world

number one. He wants to do well. He knows everybody is gunning for him.

Anton Luf at this. -- no, look at this. Has to change his hand. That

is pretty good, too, if it just runs. It just seems to stop that

little bit short. He might just be able to drop on the

red. That is two green. Nicky Brett not hanging around here. Running

bowl, into his own or...? Again, not a good result. No, he was pretty

much on target but did not get the results. It can make a massive

difference in a game of this quality, not getting the perfect

result. Going again. No back position. This

has to be right. It IS right. Played it well. He gets the bonus of

a bowl at the back as well, which could be important. Stewart is

looking to see what angle he is going to hit.

The other option is to hit it on the other side. Let's see which way he

decides to play it. Time-out called.

Here he goes. Oh! He needed to be on the inside of the bowl to take the 2

of them. Two shots, Nick Brett. Stewart has three time-outs

remaining. Virtually no chance of getting the edge of the jack there

at that pace. Small margins. Very entertaining. It is not just drawing

contest here. It is position, it is shots. The conversions, the weight

shots. It is the whole gambit in there, and that is exactly what we

need. Bowls should be showing the very best, and this is a exactly

what it is. Again, at his level, with his expert Haitians, it is 15

inches further away from what he wanted it.

APPLAUSE That is where he wanted his first

one. Stewart Anderson, looking to

finish... Second shot. Sticking with the forehand. Happy enough to try

and miss his own bowl. He has to be a little bit hurtful.

Perhaps that is where the issue is, I thought he might have moved to the

backhand, touching the green four macro would have been worth two

points... The jack would have been three. It is not going to make life

difficult for Stewart. It is going to promote the red bowl. It is not

easy. A chance for another shot to be drawn.

Moving the backhand, I thought he might have done that the previous

delivery but he has delayed it. If he comes around his own bowl he can

come to the green... That is what he is looking for. He has played

that... In it comes. That is stunning. Probably thinking to

himself, why didn't I play that the last time? Good stuff! Adding value

to his third bowl and at. Stewart playing the backhand. It has given

Stewart a little bit of a shoulder, no reason why he should not lay into

this. Time out called. I cannot see him being any more than that, even

if it goes wrong. Work at the percentages. You work out whether

you will be worse off and if you are not going to be, the percentage is

in your favour and you should go for it. An alternative forehand draw.

Smoothly away. It looks wide. He got it away beautifully, no movement,

but it was white. -- it was wider. A couple of running bowls missed. A

couple in front. There will be a lot of supporters here would be quite

happy if Stewart Anderson were two women the next four or five ends but

for those neutral who are watching, they would love to see a tie-break.

We have just seen three so far. Just been asked on Twitter to give a

prediction for the 2015 Scottish open title winner. Good luck with

that! It says that the per skin is asking me rather than Dougie Vipond.

I think he is suggesting that Dougie Vipond could not tip a waiter. That

is very harsh. Very harsh indeed. He is an esteemed presenter and he can

sing and he can play the drums! If I am going to pick, if it is not

the kiss of death, I will say I am very impressed with Darren Burnett.

There are too many good players, really. It is anyone out of seven or

eight. We should get Andy Thomson and try

and get him off that very high perch of predictions that he sits on.

He needs this. Struggling to get back. Here it comes. Yes... Gentle,

gentle... That jack moves. Unlucky, very unlucky.

Stewart is looking to play the same bowl, rest the red and turn the

jack. He has got at. Stewart Anderson in great form.

A brilliant bowl. Looking for the split. The red bowl first, then the

jack. A touching bowl in front so that is helpful if Nick puts it on

to the jack and the jack goes into the ditch. Will he be any worse

off? You could be, there is another green to come. If he hits this

wrong... He could easily lose a three. He might not feel he has any

choice. He has got himself into the lead. Playing very controlled. Try

and make a disturbance and hope that he gets a good result. He wanted the

first one... That is good. That is as good as he has hoped for and he

played it well. I would say to his opponent, you can draw it from there

but I have played that shot. What a great end of bowls between these two

men. I do not think that is going to make a difference, but that was a

great conversion. He was in so much trouble. Unbelievable. Here is

Stewart Anderson. It would not surprise you if he popped this

straight on it. Here he comes... All the way down.

APPLAUSE Well, there was never going to be

any mistake. The quality of play is just... It has moved up a different

level. We thought some of the games yesterday were wonderfully good and

they were. They were. But this game has moved it up just a bit. At that

particular end, there is everything you would want from an end and there

is more to come. Is this tournament goes on the level of play goes up.

Jack length, 29 metres. If you can hear a slightly strange

noise in the background, it is not a phenomenon, it is the sound of rain

on the roof! Stewart Anderson is looking to end the particular reign

of Nicky Brett as champion. I am glad we are playing indoors. That

sounds like it is fairly heavy out there. It was predicted, of course.

Inside the line. Yes. The reputation of Stewart Anderson has been built

on the indoor game. Very limited experience outdoors in comparison.

But he has been brought in to the upper level of the elite squad for

Scotland. Not too many people would be

disappointed to have Stewart Anderson playing elite for them, or

any for else, for that matter. Well played again. In he comes.

APPLAUSE Stewart, you have got a

straightforward draw and I am saying straightforward, that is the clear

shot to play, drop of the red bowl or you have the running bowl. Leave

yourself a shot on the forehand. Going for the runner. He has got to

take at least one bowl out here. The bowl on the jack would have been a

bonus. When they have played heavily... The

weighted bowls are being sold well judged at the moment. -- being so

well judged. Some people make all me a sad man but this is the sort of

game I would like to watch again! LAUGHTER coming around... It would

need to fall. If he has another one coming around that and he played at

high deliberately... Very sensible. The Highline drift shot. Everyone at

home is giggling. That has been brought in at last, the first time

this week. Yet another shot, you do not have to focus too much on the

jack. Length, 26 metres. I am not sure if

he meant to put it quite where it ended up, judging by the look on his

face. Nicky Brett... He is on his way.

That is a good start. If he did not mean to put it there, he must

remember that length! Trying to encourage it forward. Stay

up, it is good. It is trying to drop it off, a

little arriving draw, make sure he is there. Slightly inside line,

bring it through, it is a bonus. Here he comes. Well collected.

Exactly the way he played it, very slightly on the inside line, not

much, just enough to come across it. A similar shot. Looks like it has

got a little bit more on it. It is going to be hard to make another out

of this, but I tell you what, if Stewart was courageous, he could

make more than one, he could make three or four if he is prepared to

play at. A slightly overweighted backhand, flicked the jack across...

Comment off the red bowl, flicked the jack across and he could pick up

for shots. Not completely safe, at worth trying it. He is in the area.

Use the red. been if he had made it in. A good

effort. End number seven. Stewart Anderson having won the first set.

He only needs a draw in the second to go through. He just call the bowl

solid and needed to be slightly inside, to be fair, perhaps a little

bit more weight. A little blow out to say, move it that much. Jack

length, 29 metres. He recognised that as well. Great respect out

between the two players. Israeli unlucky! -- that is really.

And unlucky result that could cost him this match.

Horrible results. The green bowl dropping back, in prime position,

brought the jack into the open. It Stewart Anderson trails this jack...

Nicky Brett is in a heap of trouble. He has not pushed it, has he? He

hasn't. He is coming now, actually, the weight wasn't bad. He needed to

be slightly further out. Recovery time. There is a

determination about Nicky Brett, there are really is, very focused,

as you would expect. He is close to this, very close. He has got it.

Well done. A really bad position turning into a good, positive one

and he knew he was close. That was a missed opportunity by Stewart

Anderson. You cannot leave them lying around for Nicky Brett. He

will be after it. Yes... Aid bowl or jack runner. Is it going to hold?

That looked great all the way down. That was a beautiful weighted shot.

That is exactly what he was looking for. Just see what the angle is for

Nicky Brett. He could play something similar. One of the Greens is

available on the forehand... It is not going to be easy. The two green

roles macro... The backhand... He could take out one of the Greens. Or

the jack. Up off the backhand, with weight. Nicky Brett looking for the

bowl. And he got it. He played it well. The Green would have been

worth an extra shot but he played it well, a great end of bowls. He will

settle for the single. That looks almost certain to guarantee him a

tie-break. Stewart Anderson needs a 3 and he has the advantage of the

last bowl. He has already scored a couple of trebles. This is a great

game, I am really enjoying this. Jack length, 26 and a half metres.

Stewart Anderson has won the last two meetings between these players.

He has the edge. A tie-break is the likely outcome today.

Take a photograph of that one. That is something that is very rear and

you do not see Stewart Anderson doing that very often.

It should be normal service resumed with this one.

It is OK, gives himself a chance. Yes... Mickey is looking... He knows

that Stewart needs three and he wants to be inside the green, he is

waiving added. Here it comes. That is handy.

What a difference the shot at the last end made from Nicky Brett,

robbing a single and then gaining one. This end is less competent it

for him. -- less complicated. He is close with this and he needs the

bowl out nice and clean but the jack is going to go a little bit and that

will make it hard. Outside chance. If Nicky Brett does not change

anything, an outside chance of getting the Reds but it will be a

tough one. Nick will want to pop another one in

there. Of the backhand. Coming around his own. He can afford to

rest up to this because any movement is good. Slipping underneath it is

even better. That is great. That is excellent. Stewart Anderson...

Finding a way to pick through this one. I am looking at all the angles.

The fact is the red bowl has dropped in and it has locked it in in a much

different way so it is not coming out in any way possible. There is

nothing there for him, I cannot see any way to get a 3 out of this. Jack

would need to go up the green to the left-hand side of the picture. How

on earth you get it to their... Well... There is nothing here.

This is a bit of a hit and hope shot. Yes... That is what he is

trying. Well... I tell you what, if that jack had bounced back of the

green, that would have been something. Match tie-break. He

deserves the tie-break. That is where we are going. The first end

tie-break, Stewart won the toss and has given the jack to make. -- Nicky

Brett. Winning a good number of the ends.

Jack length, 25 and a half metres. When you are defending the title,

the one thing you don't want to do is go out with a thumper and Nicky

Brett would never do that. He does not give easy games and he makes

people fight for a win. APPLAUSE

The forehand has not always been successful. The last few ends he has

been pretty close. As many of you will already know, three ends and a

tie-break... Will it get back in time or make the

gap? Forced a way through the gap and has opened up the bowl a little

bit, looking at it. He might change his shot on the next one, going to

the backhand, and Stewart will be aiming for the two reds. If he can.

Change to the backhand, rest the bowl, change the jack. This is the

bowl he wants to do it with, the third one. He has missed it under.

It is a hard shot. Nicky Brett has played three. Trying to dispute what

your opponent might do. He will not worry about the re-spot. I do not

think that red is any ferny it. Drop in on the red bowl and Nick will be

attacking it. -- any ferny it. He got it. That is what he was after,

an extra second shot and it takes away the drive. I think Nick will be

in trouble, he has to try and draw off the shot, move the jack back a

foot or so and it will not be easy. It has to be perfect, Nicky Brett.

Starting to work back now. That is the only shot he had available. The

previous bowl from Stewart Anderson stopped him from playing a little

run through but that was absolutely brilliant. He changed his hand from

the backhand to the forehand and absolutely nailed it. Yes. Those are

the ones that make you know you are number one in the world. He has won

his last couple of tie-breaks in Scotland, the semifinal against Andy

Thomson. And against Paul Foster. Stewart trying to lift out the red

and he has got at. Very obvious. A brilliant reply.

Beautiful control. First end, Stewart Anderson. This is one heck

of a shot. Out it goes. And Stewart Anderson literally jumped for joy.

And so he should, because that was a really, really top-class bowl.

Anybody ever wants to know how to play singles game, just watch this

one. Stewart Anderson in recent times has

lost some tie-breaks against Paul Foster, Alex Marshall,, Thompson and

others. But that is a pretty good opening. If you're going to lose,

lose to those names! That is a good reply. It is the sort

of match you want to see in the final. Not exactly a waste in the

second round, but it has the quality of the final stage match. That is

useful as well. Given that neither player was severely tested in round

one, they have matched each other throughout this round to encounter.

He needs to rock back hard. Yes, that's close. He was making sure he

was arriving to give him the chance of picking the jack up.

Just overplayed it. Well, a choice here for Nik. Does he try to draw it

again? More than capable of drawing the shot. On a wider line, very

sensible. But he does not want to get to the green bowl. He is being

careful. Well, it is a backhand drawn out for

Stewart, if he wants to play it. The difficulty is, if he plays weight

and gets his own front bowl, it is going to open things up very wife.

Time-out. Stewart, taking the time out to have a look. So he has a look

and thinks, do I take my shot? The shot has been decided.

Needs to start to work now. Stewart Anderson, coming in! Stewart

Anderson! Nicky Brett has the right of reply, but the champion is on the

verge of going out. Well, it was a brilliant bowl. The last bowl of

Nicky Brett, he dropped short, and that is what happens. Stewart

Anderson, that is what he does so well. Nicky Brett has won bowl to

get within three inches to save his title. Two titles along the way.

Finalist for the last three years... Is he going to get back in time? He

is close! Oh, got the edge! What a game! Nicky Brett, run in Scotland

comes to an end. Stewart Anderson, going out at this stage for the last

four years, gets over that hurdle. Stewart Anderson takes the tie-break

2-0. Well, what a great game, no doubt

about it. Stewart Anderson, just getting over the line. 11-8 in the

first set, 9-5 in the second. What an amazing game. If you are going to

lose, lose in a match bike that, because it was memorable, to say the

least. It certainly was. What an incredible game of bowls between two

very fine players indeed. Nicky Brett, defending champion, is out of

the competition. But as David Corkill said, if you are going to

lose, lose in a game of that quality. You played very well in

that match? Yes, very disappointed. Stewart played very well especially

in the first set. He kept beating me on the first bowl, which is kind of

annoying, because that is what happened last time! I was forced to

play a few runners, some of which went right, others didn't. He played

very well. Stewart, it was a magic game from your point of view. We

have seen you play very well here before, but perhaps not as well is

that, you were on fire today? Thank you very much. I knew coming into

the event I was playing well this year. The last couple of years have

been very poor for my standard. I am just glad I got over the line in a

very, very tough game. You mentioned that you had to play some big shots,

and you played with a bit of weight. In end six, it did not quite come

off, but you were forced into it by the quality of the play? Yes,

Stewart was beating me in early. I was forced to play the runners. Some

of them come off, some don't. It was always the wrong bowl to hit, that

was the problem. They is the brakes, when you are not dominating early

doors, you leave yourself the silly shot to play. Your line and length

was pretty sensational throughout the match, Stewart. This was and

five, your final bowl, putting more pressure on Nick? Yes, my drawer had

been pretty good all game, I thought. I would always back myself.

Once again on end five as well. Luckily enough I did it. You were

playing date in that second set, though, Nick. It was so tight and

you were playing some good stuff as well, right? Yes, I just had to hang

in and try and up my first two bowls really in the second set. Because it

was not looking good, 3-0 down in the second set. Just managed to hang

in and show a little bit of determination and try enforce the

tie-break, really. In that tie-break, I think your final shot

of the match was just fantastic and hugely important

of the match was just fantastic and winning the game? Yes, as you say,

to be fair, the last mark was one of the best ones I played today, and it

was the same for Nick as well. -- the last bowl. Yes, he just cleared

out, a a bit of a sickener from your point of view, but it was on the

nose? The problem was, there was always a bit too much room for

somebody of Stewart's standard. Probably an inch or two heavy.

Esther flocked to Stewart, he played very well today and he will take

some beating from here on in. -- best of luck to Stewart. You have

won this tournament fish of years in a row and you still world number

one, so onwards and upwards? Yes, looking forward to every tournament,

really. The crowd have been fantastic to me here. They have

looked after fantastic to me here. They have

atmosphere here. Looking forward to the game against Paul. It will be

another tough game against Mark. He has been around for a number of

years now, the same as myself. I am sure we will be ready for another

big battle. He is the number one player on the circuit over the last

ten years. My record against him is poor, to be fat. That I have beaten

them here before in the second round I am clinging on to that fact. I

still feel I can produce the goods. If I didn't I would not be wasting

my time in these events. You have got to go in with confidence without

being overconfident. I know my capabilities. I feel in form this

season. I have not been so well health-wise over the last 18 months.

I am feeling a lot fitter again. I am playing and practising well. He

is looking a lot better, which is good, from a personal point of view,

I am happy for him. I am feeling good and positive. Onwards and

upwards. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a

very warm welcome to our next two bowlers the this afternoon. Former

winner of the Welsh International Open, Mark Royal! And facing Mark

this afternoon, four-time World Indoor Singles Champion, Paul

Foster! Up in the commentary box, David Corkill and Paul Mitchell have

got their breath back after that last match and they will be taking

you through this one. PAUL MITCHELL: It was stunning

stuff. Let's hope for the same from these two. Another England against

Scotland battle. Mark Royal had a tough test in round one against

Chisholm. It was a really good game. And Paul Foster, well, he had his

own interesting opponent in the shape of John Fleming from Scotland.

He got through in straight sets. Mark Royal, runner-up here in 2007.

And this is a repeat of last season's round two matchup between

these two players. That matchup last season was won by Paul Foster.

Both players starting off on the backhand, bowling away from the

commentary box end here at the Dewars Centre in Perth. One in

front, one behind. Quickly up after this one. That's

well played. Two red. Three inches short of jack high. Mark Foster,

forced into a weight shot. He has done enough, has he? Bonus to get

the edge on the red. He will have a little look. Good centage shot from

Paul Foster. One shot, Paul Foster. That is a good little conversion

from Paul Foster, two down to one up. Always good to strike with your

first weighted shot. Yes, you are never quite sure when coming in at

that angle if you are going to come off sufficiently.

Jack Lang, 26 metres. -- jack length. His first match, he was

quite happy to come through it, Paul Foster. He feels there is more to

come, and there will be, I am quite sure of that.

Two red. Giving Paul the opportunity to play the forehand if he wishes.

He may have a little run - and he has.

Although he went through the gap, he was too far across. He knows that

one bowl will go out, but probably not both of them. So the jack will

be the danger for him. Well, he is not going deep. He is trying to draw

in in front of it and block the jack. Well, a courageous shot to

play. Now, then, do you go again or you draw in to save? Certainly you

go again. Now, has he got the right connection this time on the jack? He

has. The problem with playing against

someone like Paul Foster is that unless you are absolutely sure you

are going to turn the jack, you just can't leave it. Even it had gone off

on the respot, it didn't really matter, because the most Mark could

come out of it was one. A deep bowl would have been in my opinion a lot

better. This one will be difficult to hold up on this side. But he has

got a distance for the shot. So it is all down to weight. Well, the

players are looking at it. That gives me the impression that it is

not guaranteed, because you have to go down into the ditch, taking up

extra inches of course. There is a lot of room to draw in there. That

goes in after 30 seconds of forward movement. She thinks the red is in

but it can be deceptive so it is worth a look. Tricky little

measure, this. They get the string in and then they

lock it off. Nice to get an overhead shot of it to give the perspective.

Gives you an idea of how close things are. I have a feeling it is

12 red but they have to go back to the green bowl to make sure. -- one

to red. One shot, Mark Royal. Good to see Mark Royal looking well.

He has put on a bit of weight recently after quite a long time of

illness. He lost a lot of weight and fortunately the prognosis is good.

And he is back looking fit and well again. My sky, Mark. Very popular

around the tour. -- nice guy. Very quiet spoken sort of guy. Only time

he ever really gets excited, we think, is actually on the rink. That

is a good bowl. Ranked 13 previously. Got all the way to world

number two back in 2009. Yes, better player than his ranking really

reflects in many ways. But as I say, he has been ill and he did look like

it the last while and now, he is looking so much better.

Well, he did not like that one. It looked OK from the commentary box.

Round it comes. Five inch gap. Never dismiss

anything. Let's wait and see where it goes, when you are out there on

the rink. Just in case you are not sure.

He remembered what his last bowl was like. He is such a good drawer,

always has been, Mark Royal. One of the few left-handers on the circuit.

I very rarely watch the bowl there - much more interesting to watch the

player. You know where it is going to go if you watch their reaction.

Have another little go, Paul Foster. This looks better. Oh, he is

unlucky. Unlucky to get the follow-through on to the jack. But

Mark Royal has put a very good bowl in. Still one 2 red. Looking for the

two, but it was a little follow-through on to the jack.

Without that he was picking up two, maybe three. So, a steady start to

the match for Mark Royal. Yes, good end, good covering Bach's, worked it

all out. Thanks everybody forgetting in touch on Twitter. We cannot

mention everybody but we appreciate the tweets job coming into the

commentary box. -- the tweets which are coming in to the commentary box.

You always expect a correction here. The correction is made.

Just running through. Mark Royal will be trying to pop another one

in. All the top players have this, very few have a difficult delivery

or a bumpy delivery. Keeping a keen eye on this. It will

just be a little short. It snuck up and fell back. The drop away just

killed it. But it is close. Andy Thomson on his day off, watching the

way. Opting not to go on the players balcony, plenty of good seats.

Back to his homeland, of course, Andy Thomson. Want to come around

this, coming around it nice and clean, he has got a chance. It is

not in but it is in the area. Andy has kept as in Boosey is going. --

kept his enthusiasm. Paul Foster. Choices... A little

short of the backhand. A lot of work to do. He has played it too wide.

Andy is one of the oldest players around the tour, in fact, the oldest

one in terms of the top 16. All of that enthusiasm and experience makes

him very, very difficult as an opponent. He must be getting near

bus pass time! He will love me for that. He will come back on you for

that. He will, he will. I was chatting to him last night in the

Bard and he is in good form, still happy, playing very good old macro.

I will not dig the hole in a deeper. -- very good bowls.

Mark Royal is establishing himself with a 3 shot lead.

Not quite nearly the first bowl or two, but Mark Royal is opening up

steady. He usually does, to be honest, that is his way of doing

things. Jack length, 28 and a half metres. We have so many different

types of people watching here. We always have good young players

coming through. Potential young players and anyone who is young who

is watching this, I hope you are enjoying it! Certainly there has

been some great bowls this afternoon. A shop window for the top

players. This competition, the selection process, none of that

required for these events, you qualify, it is open to everyone.

APPLAUSE Do not buy your best friend, who is

a selector, a drink in order to get here. It will not happen. I remember

a bowler in Edinburgh, who told me if you had a car, you were a skip.

Absolutely, you ferried people about and dictated for you wanted to play!

Paul... Can you win this battle? Yes, here it comes. A mini battle.

Starting to force Mark Royal into playing difficult and hard shots.

mark on both times. We are not close enough to tell. Mark knew it and he

played it well. Paul Foster drawing to save. Can he draw this shot? It

looks like it. Trolling to score. APPLAUSE

Hard to take for Mark Royal. That was an excellent delivery. He was

never going to lose any more than two because he was going to be the

third but to draw the shot, a super effort. This is a good tussle, Mark

Royal and Paul Foster, for a place in the quarterfinal.

He is close to this jack, he has lost it! That is a smile, it does

happen, even to the best, although it is unusual. He has got three

metres to play with activity. But it happens. -- to play with, after the

two. It will be no surprise if Mark Royal goes short timid. He has not

moved the mat. He has cooked it more than I thought he would. He moved it

a metre or two more than he thought and I think he did not want to be

that far. Paul Foster is happy enough to play

to this distance. APPLAUSE

Mark Royal, using his normal bowl, he has been using it for a long

time, no changes for him. Paul Foster moved to different bowls

coming out of Australia. Paul Foster has moved across to be

the supplier of the cook. -- the supplier of equipment.

That is a lonely red bowl and it is not far away. A lovely shot from

Mark Royal but he is too bowls down. Close again. It just needs to run

and it pulls up outside. That is another one that looked as if it was

closer. It might force him into playing something different the next

time. Anything into the jack or just

beyond is good. He has found his line. And the length on his

forehand. Yes, the little runner. Mark does not go heavy, he plays

controlled weight and he is very accurate. That locked in. Goodness

me, they did that lock in. A little bit fortunate, but again, he played

the shot, got the contract. -- the contact.

It does not leave him very many options. Mark Royal, with his last.

Very little danger, no back position. He cannot do much with

this. Try and go slightly behind, just in case. He does not need to go

too far because he will want to cover the re-spot and he has. He has

covered both of them, actually. Mark Royal would be very unlucky if he

hits this again. He has played off his backhand once

before and has been accurate, here comes. There was not really much

there for him. I think that needed a heavy blast. Mark Royal does not

play a game like that, he has not really got that very heavy drive in

his armoury. Fossey is level. Jack length, 29 and

a half metres. The last couple of ends he has

started to nail his opening bowl, going for the full-length jack.

APPLAUSE He just needs to stand up a little

longer with this one. Well down again and Paul Foster

having a look. The percentages are good on the runner. He has his own

bowls to punch in and he is close with this. He was watching it. We

are getting some good stuff, good hit shots, good conversions, draw

bowl recoveries, everything is available.

I would slightly favour you, Paul. Just over two feet short of jack

high. The red one there is three feet short of jack high. He needs to

find a way around the red bowl but to come back is quite high. Fighting

back on the bias old macro. Running out of energy. -- bowls. Running out

of energy in the end. The left-hander on his forehand,

looks like he has picked out a good line but it is all about the weight.

Has it stopped in time? From this angle, it looks like it. From that

angle, you are not sure! It looks like it. Paul Foster has taken one

out. He just walked up and lifted the

matter from Paul Foster. That is the good thing about the players at this

level, there is absolutely no question about anything when it

comes to shots being given or taken away. You except the word of your

opponent, if it is close, they will know it is close. Jack length, 26

metres. By the looks of him, he thinks this

is heavy. Better from Mark Royal and in he

comes. Paul does not fancy getting to this

other than through the drive and it looks as if he has pulled that, he

has. He is in trouble. Paul Foster will probably go again

so Mark Royal has a choice, either to go for cover and get something in

front of the jack. He is going to go up as the Green

bowl by the looks of it, he wants to stay wide of it. That is OK, he was

so close to the green bowl I can only assume he was trying to draw a

shot. On the re-spot, he has got that covered but he would have been

closer to it. I cannot see Paul being any worse off, he's going

again. Hoping to take one of them away.

Dear... That has not worked. I think it might even be three. It is that

angle of the others. It should be enough for the set. A pretty

horrible result. He hit it on target, looking for the re-spot, did

not work out, he loses three. There you go. Looking for the squeeze out

to the re-spot, even then, I don't think it would have been good for

him. Probably the best result was to lose a single and get a bowl out.

You can see by the reaction. He knew as soon as he hit the jack. It was

not going to work. A final end of the opening set. Can Mark Royal do

enough to mix and match? A good draw in by Mark Royal, all credit to him.

Both players forcing each other into the weighted shots.

Mark Royal has got his own bowls shop, looking after the needs of all

the bowlers macro in his own area. He travels around to various events.

That is exactly what he wanted to do.

That is going to make it tricky now for Mark. He cannot afford to touch

is bowl so he has to move, onto his forehand, try to get another one in

roundabout, Paul Foster has a chance to punch through the red one, stay

in its place for three. A high degree of difficulty but it is

playable. He does not have to do it all with

this bowl. He can set himself up... There is two shots to play.

Well... Let's see if he does not get down on time and if he does not, he

will know it is virtually over and there is nothing he can do, he had

to make contact and he knows that. The bowl stayed on the rink but it

is not going to make a lot of difference, it is academic. Mark

Royal knows that the danger is all but done. He will just pop one round

the back, out of the way. He is such a good player. We have not seen the

best of him in the last year or two due to illness. And he is definitely

coming through. That is a good bowl for the re-spot. He cannot see it

from the map, but we can see it from the screen, to the right. Trying to

drop it in. There we go, good effort. But it was a practice bowl.

One shot and the first set, Mark Royal.

APPLAUSE A good effort from Mark. Entered

number eight proves to be crucial for Paul Foster. Not getting the

result he was looking for. Mark Royal takes the opening set. Paul

Foster has the work to do to try and win the second. And force a

tie-break. Jack length, 27 metres. Start as you mean to go on from Mark

Royal. He is watching this. Quite close. Paul Foster obviously is well

known on the indoor circuit but extremely successful outdoors, a

wonderful campaign with a Scottish team at the Commonwealth Games. Part

of the team that did exceptionally well in the Commonwealth Games and

they are kidding themselves indoors this time, this weekend, in

Nottingham, against England. We wish them all the very best. That will be

high-quality stuff. They play the game at a very high level. It is a

Scottish disabled sport. This Saturday and Sunday. We would like

to wish Tracey Black from Allah... -- Alloa. Wish her all the best in

the event. A great last bowl from Paul Foster.

That is a great effort. That is what Mark Royal is good at, playing in

close bowls. Fozzie would happen coming into the match knowing that

if he can beat Mark on the draw shot... He would get the best of

him. There is a little between the two of them at the moment and even

on the runners, Mark has been very accurate.

All these players have met head-to-head for times in the last

nine years. Paul Foster leads by 3-1. Personal battles. He was after

the front read, in order to punch the other green bowl out, it was

nicely weighted but a little bit on the wide side. Not exactly is their

opportunity. He has had worse to work with. We would all be surprised

to see Paul Foster giving this Annette Brooke. The shoulder to work

off if he can get to the middle of the red bowl on the left-hand side

of your picture, that is the one he is after. He is trying it. He needs

to just rest and fallback. He hit it too solid.

Once again, Mark Royal showing he can draw so well.

Paul Foster is using new bowls, he would have had much time to practice

with them but I don't think it's much of a factor and I would be

surprised if he said it was. You obviously need time to get used to

them. But I don't think it makes a lot of difference. I think it is

just a matter of getting more and more hours on the portable rink.

Looking to draw a third shot. It is tucked in behind.

Can Paul Foster find the little adjustment needed?

He has got to run it out. I thought it was going to drop in and if it

did, it was definitely the shot. Mark Royal might leave this alone.

Two red. Walk away. No point in playing the last one, he couldn't do

anything with it. Mark Royal last season safely

through round one in all three world bowls tour singles. That is getting

in at a little bit of pace. It slowed down very quickly again.

I thought that was heavier, his first bowl.

Just wanted to make it past the green bowl, he would have dropped in

for a shot. The gap is one and a half inches. Mark's bowl is one and

a half inches short of jack high. Paul Foster will have to call a

time-out here. Ideally he would like to play the forehand again but I

don't think the angles are therefore it. He might have to change onto the

back hand. -- the angles are there for it. That is where he could look

to try and come in. He is letting the time go down, he is so hesitant

about how to play it because he knows the forehand is not perfect.

On the back and he has a wide bowl against him and he is already on the

outside of the mat. He will do well to come around that and back to the

jack. It is probably the best way to play it. It needs to hurry. I tell

you what, it would not have been far away with another foot or two. Mark

Royal is asking if he has two second shots. I don't think it's worth his

while even playing weight to this. He is going for the controlled

weight shot. This is desperately dangerous. Well, he got a nudge of

the jack and that was a bonus because if the hat not have got it,

he was in extreme danger but as it is, he has come out with a

marvellous result. Watch this. Bowl on to bowl, he misses the jack. That

little nudge has made all the difference in the world. That is why

I didn't think it was worth the shot but he has been fortunate. It was

risky. I think he is drawing a shot with this. It comes all the way in.

No mistake with that one. And the little nozzle on the jack will not

have done him any harm either. We will just see if this gets a

touch or not. It seems to settle back again.

The faintest of touches. Paul Foster is setting his stall out already, he

has lifted the mat and brought it right up the rink.

It looks like it'll be one. Both players started to move as soon as

the first measure was done. Paul Foster needs to change something so

the mat is up and the jack has to be delivered into that three metre

area, which it is. Another quality game and he is safe enough now. If

you want to play a short jack length, bring the mat up and go to

the tee. It gives you a lot more margin of error if you are looking

for the 23, 24 metre jack length. He is coming back in very strong

now, close to it. Is it going to stay up? One red. One red? The

players can't believe it! Paul Foster is saying, really! Not that

they don't believe it! I think Paul would have been

accepting one doubt if his own bowl had fallen away but the fact it

stood up... -- one down. Not much you can do with that, just a little

touch on the bowl will do the job. It is just struggling to come back.

It would have made centre line, a little bit over. Always fairly

confident it was going to make it back in time.

Certainly not an awful lot that Mark Royal can do about it.

That is why he is going for cover, in case he tries to promote his own

bowl onto the jack to push through the two green ones. Just trying

gentle from the backhand. Again, it is all about getting back into

centre rink. Paul Foster... It is one red. Mark Royal is not

interested in playing his final bowl again.

Just trying to lighten the tension, it is a very tense game, one of

those games where you are not quite sure where it is going to go. The

game between Stewart Anderson and Nicky Brett had an intensity about

it but a different intensity. Paul Foster is still searching for his

line and length consistently. Mark Royal, there is that uneasiness, you

know you are playing one of the best in the world and they can find

things at any time so you can't take anything for granted and relax.

Yes, this is a much more cagey affair as opposed to the cut and

thrust of the previous game. No doubt the quality is there. APPLAUSE

Didn't like it. We have seen Paul Foster not like bowls before that

have come all the way in. He knew it was a bit short, still a good bowl

but he knew it wasn't all the way to the jack.

Mark Royal was sticking his fingers and whistling, he knew he was flying

I think. He was right. There have been many innovations in bowls but

we are yet to see voice operated bowls! The players still talk to

them! This is a different situation. Mark

royal with a little trail on his forehand. -- Mark Royal. Don't go

searching for the tight line, try to draw the shot and if you pick up the

jack, it's a real bonus. That is a good bowl. APPLAUSE

A little unlucky to come across it into the open side. Paul Foster will

be looking for that. Back position is not clever. Paul Foster using a

time-out here. If he gets it absolutely right, he could pick up

one, maybe two. If he stays in, he picks up three. The danger is

getting the jack back where he has three red against him that this is

worth playing. Just a little punch shot. Playing it with strong weight,

not even taking the risk on the punch shot, this is a better

percentage. That was the danger. He got the front bowl onto the jack and

he knew it, he was just inside the line. A shake of the head, he knew

he was in trouble unless it went all the way through. There it goes and

his own bowl disappeared all the way into the ditch. Two shots. The

casualty was a single shot for him. Just make it a little harder. It

always does when ever you play a bowl and you are pretty close to

being on target and you think, well, if I'm not going to get what I want,

split off the head, lose a single and you shrug your shoulders. It is

frustrating when you give more weight. -- give more away. It is one

of those where Mark Royal forced the shot by drawing a good old. -- a

good bowl. It is shorter than what he would

like. It's not there and he knew it, he

turned away. Just not working out for Paul Foster at the moment. He

doesn't want to fall four shots down with three to play. That is being

told to hurry as well. It's not bad. APPLAUSE

It's not like Paul Foster to offer as much room as this to his

opponent. Three short bowls, you don't see

that very often. Notwithstanding the, you certainly don't -- not with

Fozzie. And the back position is against him as well now. He needs a

really good draw shot. There is nothing there to hit anyway. Only

one down but I expect this to make it a double. He might be tempted to

run through but the danger is he could take his own bowl out. It is

terrific stuff from Mark Royal. He said he was playing well coming into

the tournament. And his good run continues. It is good bowling, no

doubt about it. But he is being given the room to do it at the

moment. Paul Foster has got a shot available to come in for the two

bowls on the backhand but the danger is his own bowl is lurking and if he

gets contact with that, he loses another shot. Some foster magic is

required. -- Foster. He is in the area. Oh yes, oh yes will

very much yes. That was brilliant. A big smile from Paul Foster, that is

the Fozzie we know. That is the rabbit out of the hat moment that he

was desperate for and that has a big implication on the game. Perfect

connection. His own green bowl just guarding the red bowl. He was in so

much trouble, you would not have fancied his chances but two down

with three to go, he is right there. That was massive in the context of

the game and in the context of his confidence because that was a very

difficult shot. This end is very important now for

Mark Royal, he can't afford to lose a shot here. It is a brilliant all

by Paul Foster but he needs to get back onto the card again.

Well, he stood up very quickly on that, I got the impression there was

something not right about it and it looks quick. I tell you what, it's

not that quick. That is a number of times he has played a bowl and

hasn't looked like he liked it but look at the reaction on his face. I

called it as heavy and he thought look at the reaction on his face. I

commit to it or am I happy enough to lose two shots and go into the last

two ens level? -- ends. Mark Royal could have taken it through for a

couple. He is going for the risky one, has he got it right? He wants

the jack. He has got a good one out of that, he hit it right on target

to be fair, he was aiming for the jack and he got it absolutely right.

I think it is one to red. A big turnover, a massive bowl. The last

bowl is providing us with such great entertainment at the moment. Even

without the bounce, watch where his own red bowl was going. As soon as

he got onto the jack... I tell you what, that was more difficult,

because of the danger involved. That was a massive role. -- bowl. Paul

Foster has to score here. One shot for Mark Royal and he is

through. And after Alex Marshall going out and Nick Brett going out,

if Paul Foster goes out, goodness me, this is opening wide open. It

has been a big day. Just a little bit of movement. Paul Foster just

resets. Good opening bowl from Mark Royal. Paul Foster needs to find a

way. APPLAUSE It didn't put him off much, that is

one of the best bowls he has played on first bowl this length. Mark

Royal stamping his foot which gives me the impression there is something

wrong with this and he hasn't pushed it. The line was good.

How often do you see this happening? Within a grasp of a big win. He

drops it short. No use to anyone. The majority of situations... Not

close enough to get it with any certainty. A bad end from Mark Royal

and he is back in trouble for the last end. That has been too short

bowls, this has to reach, he cannot afford to drop it short again. Is he

over corrected? No, he hasn't. Sitting down as well. Still a chance

for Paul Foster. Half an inch short. Better on the other side. Play

beforehand, run the jack through. A tough shot for Paul Foster.

Starting to work back now. It is close but it needs a little bit of

extra... Mark Royal will be doing well. Better to go deep, possibly, a

chance for the Red Bull macro to go out and he would get four shots. --

for the red bowl. Steady... He is going deep. I am not

sure about that, I am really not sure. Paul Foster... You feel, you

cannot take liberties with him. If he'd nipped this in and get it

absolutely right, he will pick up three or four shots. This is the

proverbial or nothing. Paul Foster needs a result with this. Or it is

the match for Mark Royal. He is watching it, he must think it is

close. Here comes Paul Foster. APPLAUSE

Paul Foster at his absolute rest! Mark Royal, who was walking through

the door into the quarterfinal has to pull himself back. He just cannot

leave those for Paul Foster, you really can't. He will punish you. He

wanted another turn. I think he felt he needed another one but you cannot

leave those. I think you are right. He was an inch or so away from

getting a third shot out of that. Tactically... You you cannot cover

everything in life. I appreciate that. He was almost getting ready

for an interview, but as it is, we could have a tie-break. Paul Foster

shots to force a tie-break. A couple of feet through with that. He has

put himself under a lot of pressure. Playing this last end. He is getting

there with a bit of pace. This is the kind of game that if you do not

win, it will live with you for a little while if you are Mark Royal.

Paul Foster looking to adjust, in he comes. Has he overcorrected? This is

the chance you are looking for. Always expect Paul Foster to nail

it. You can tell, he is just... Scraping and scratching around. But

he digs things out, all the top layers do it, they dig out a result.

Mark Royal knows that. -- top players. Just about making it for

the shot. That is another near close enough. He needs this, Paul Foster.

To give himself a chance. Both players changing onto the forehand.

Reaching with this? Looks as if it is pulling up very quickly. It is.

So many bowls have told up whenever I thought they have been close and

the players thought they were close. There is something strange out

there. This is what you want to do. Mark, you are being given an unusual

opportunity. A lot of space around the jack. He is calling it, he is

struggling. Looks like it is there and it is.

APPLAUSE A much better shot. Going to make it

very difficult for Paul Foster but he has to pull back the jack to his

own green bowl, will probably have to move onto the, he cannot see it

on the forehand. Yes, he is on the back. Slightly inside the line, an

extra two feet of weight. The sort of player who is more than

capable... Is it getting back in time? You comes. The second set and

match, Mark Royal. Mark Royal has Davida Paul Foster, the finalist

here for the last three years. An unusual early exit for Paul Foster.

-- defeated Paul Foster. Mark Royal rose through 2-0. -- goes through.

The set scores reflected the match, Mark Royal getting the edge over

Paul Foster, Paul not at his best, no doubt. Struggling a little bit,

unusually, but mercurial in his ability to come back so the matter

was in question. Mark Royal, from Suffolk, through to the

quarterfinals. A very fine win in deed

quarterfinals. A very fine win in deed for Mark

Royal. Paul Foster out of the competition,... When you play Paul,

you do not put gay hotel for the night. I must go and do that now.

You played very well, Paul, staying at home this week. Would it be fair

to say you were scratching around a little bit, hard to find the line

and length. I am not going to take anything away from Mark. But first

bowl is deadly. I do not know what is wrong, my game is all to pot. At

times I thought it was good, but it was not. A bad performance. Mark

deserved the victory and good luck to him, not taking anything away

from him. You played some lovely bowls and you had them playing well

all week. I felt, Kabul, you know when you have got to play this man,

you have got to play at your best and it relaxes you, it is easier to

play in the first round. Is .com double out there. Obviously, Paul

did not, he struggled. I was happy how I played. Absolutely. The second

set in particular, the final bowls were really important. Paul, a big

conversion shot and in the seventh end, a big conversion shot. Locals

through this. Paul had bowled a good end and I hit the jack through the

back. Paul put in a covering bowl but that rebound at and I did not

think I have the shot, I thought it had rebounded. I was happy. Before

that, Paul, you played a similar shot, turned it around, great shot.

Into the final end, the eighth end, you had a shot to turn things

around, to force it down the last end. I was disappointed with the

third bowl, it came up short, I gave myself a lifeline. To do that, into

the last end... That is disappointing. I wanted to ask you

mark, you played your last bowl down to the copper and Paul came in and

forced you dine at last end. What was the thinking behind that? That

is right. I thought I had probably won the match two or three times

before I did. Paul split them away. That was earlier wrong. I was not

looking forward to playing that last end and to be honest, I started all

links slightly heavier, that is unusual. Normally when you become

tense, you start to go the other way, but Paul let me in. Paul, you

want the World Championships for times and they are next... I guess,

for you, it's about focusing on getting back the line and length. It

is disappointing, of course you want to win the match is that you play. I

have a lot of hard work ahead of me but I am ready for that and I will

be ready for it. Darren Burnett in the quarterfinals. Playing very

well, it will be a great game. I did not realise who I was playing but

yes, he is a great player, former world champion. I am looking forward

to it. We are all looking forward to it. Go and book a hotel for tonight.

Mark Royal, through to the quarterfinals. Paul Foster,

commiserations. I bet you have wondered many times how you can play

or be anything like these guys, they are fantastic and they play big

shots when required. We do not know how to do it but David Corcoran

certainly doors. For this masterclass I have selected a shot

from a previous event. Mark Dawes had lost the first set and his

opponent was 7-1 up but with Insta go, Mark Dawes was in a lot of

trouble. What he faced was a shot against him but he had different

options. He lost this shot, seven down with three ends to go. No

chance to get back, the match was over. First option, bowl onto bowl.

The back red was in favour of Mark Paxton. Anything could happen and it

was down to luck. If he changed on the backhand, backhand, again, the

back red was against him, no guarantee of anything. But he played

was superb. On the edge of the red, hit it at the angle, to guide the

other red, his own bowl travelled through and he was left with two

shots. Suddenly he was 7-3 with three ends to go and he was back in

the match. COMMENTATOR: he has got them. He has

got to be very accurate. And that is all there is to it. If

you can do that, you are better than me. We will have more masterclasses

later on in the week. Now we can get ourselves excited for the next

match, Robert Paxton taking on Les Gillett.

Les Gillett will not go down without a fight. So aggressive, so strong.

Come out fighting and good luck to both of you! We always look at

winning the first game as a milestone and you can go afterwards.

That first game for me was crucial, getting back in the top 16. The last

thing I wanted to do was get back in and lose the first game, the

pressure was on. Luckily I did not and I can build on it. I have always

done well here, I like the venue, but it. I have always done well

here, I like the venue, but it's early I have had good success and

long may it continue. Rob is a very attacking player. He is quite

aggressive and will go early. Try and smother the jack. All I can do

is worry about my own game and I have got to put him under pressure

and I have a bit of an armoury myself, I can hit things when it is

needed. I will worry about myself and not Rob and I will play my own

game. Les has proven that by getting back into the top 16, that is no

mean feat, he is tough and always has been and he has got the Love

back for the game. Playing some great matches, it will be a tough

game. My aspiration is still there, I want to succeed, I still show

emotion. I think I am playing reasonably well. I am not so

erratic. I have matured with age. Les is a big character. He brings

excitement to the game but when I am out there, I am focused on the game

and does not matter what the opponent is like. I will do what I

am there to do. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm

welcome to the next competitors. Former winner of the Welsh Masters

and world payers... Les Gillett! APPLAUSE

And facing him this afternoon, 2011 Scottish International open

champion... Robert Paxton! APPLAUSE

This should be a very fine match indeed. David Corcoran is in the

commentary box and he is joined by Greg Harlow.

COMMENTATOR: Les is never short of confidence, up

against Rob Paxton and his record is good. The game in favour of Robert

Paxton, but Greg, you know, it is a tough one. Robert. Confident at Les,

on his day, can outdraw anyone. I think this will go all the way. When

Les got back into the top 16 you could almost see his stature

growing. It has given him a left and he has his love back that the game.

I think today he will push Robert all the way. We shall see.

Les, the left-hander. He has been around the game a long time. Broke

into the world Bowls tour, made a splash right at the start in 97. Won

the international open. Made his way through a lot of top players in

qualifying in Blackpool to do that. In the top 16 for a long time,

dropped out, fought his way through the qualifiers again, that is not

easy. Robert Paxton, he is a tough

competitor and has had a great few years.

There will not be much between these two men. I don't think so, I have

practised with those of them and they are hitting a lot of bowls

around the jack. Probably some interesting shot play towards the

end of the set. Robert can be very aggressive. A big drive available to

him. Part of his armoury. Lost a lot of weight over the last few months.

I just wonder is that affected him in any way in terms of how he will

play the game? Sometimes it can but what I have seen of him, he has been

as consistent as ever, I did not think it will make a difference to

his bowling and consistency. In a good place at the moment.

Robert normally plays very well up here.

A good opening end from Robert. I cannot really see a shot available

for less. Measure for second. cannot really see a shot available

over the last few years, playing up here. Les Gillett, a bit mercurial

in many ways. Never lacked confidence. Always been a player

that plays with confidence, got the little runner but the strength of

his shot is on the draw. Definitely. When he gets the draw going he is as

consistent as anyone. A nice, steady start for Rob.

Jack links, 28 metres. Immediately going to the longer jack links. --

the longer jack links. Rob looks to have made a decent

adjustment here. Perfect reply. Les is going early. Jack or bowl...

Not his normal style. Second bowl? He obviously fancied putting the

jack into the ditch, slightly unlucky, to be honest. Given himself

a little more room to draw. unlucky, to be honest. Given himself

Perhaps he has been sitting there, watching all day and just fancied

it. Getting himself into the game. A lot of players actually playing the

weighted shots early, probably more than ever before than I can

remember. Back to the draw. Yes. Just giving himself a little extra

room, that balance on the jack, quite wide. A bit of work to do with

this although the jack is off centre, needs to Harry.

It is all very well playing the weighted shot, if you do not get the

required result you give yourself a lot of problems and he is two shots

down and I am pretty sure that Rob will add a third. Very early in this

set he will have to find something special to get out of trouble. The

ideal shop for Robert would be to turn the jack. Yes, any turn on it

would be great. The touch from the ditch belongs to Les Gillett and

this looks good. What he does not want to do is frame it, give a

target. Well, that is pretty good. I will imagine Les will have a go at

it. Damage limitation. To bowls out would be good. The perfect shot

would be the green bowl onto the jack.

He has gone for the draw. Incredibly hard.

Certainly not as wide as the last bowl but he is asking a lot of it to

come back in time. Well... Three shots, Robert Paxton. Not convinced

with that very early in the game. He had a goal with the second bowl but

personally, I think he should have gone again. Reduce the count.

He will not be too worried about getting behind. I don't know if you

heard about the famous English singles match between these two in

2001. Yes... Jack links, 28 metres. Les was in the lead 6-0 and Robert

ran all the way up to 20-6 in the lead, before the final result was

21-20. I was not sure about the exact score. I think he has put that

behind him. But it took a few years. It plays on your mind for a while.

Let's put it that way. Imagine the reaction from less after that! A

quiet cigar outside. Les is another player who has moved

to the Aero bowls. Robert Paxton stays with his trusty and

traditional drakes pride. APPLAUSE

Swapped from the professional this week to give himself extra swing.

People often see it as an outdoor bowl... But sometimes, when it is

not pulling back as much as you would like...

It is all personal choice and we have the four manufacturers now.

There is Aero, Taylor... Two of them are straight young and

the other two are from the UK. -- two of them are Australian. Looking

to increase to 18 inches of weight, it looks better. Normally very good

at this. Robert resting down on the backhand,

turned the jack. Relaxing time for yourself today along with Andy

Thomson. But some quality bowls, that match with Nick Brett was so

special. Fantastic match. Both players played fantastic last bowls

on the tie-break end. No one deserved to lose. Stuart probably

just shaded it in the end and was looking very good. -- Stewart

Anderson. He picked that one up like a

sweetie. He started the match very well. Two, maybe three.

He is right on it. Nearly wiggled its way round. It is another

treble. You would have got interesting odds for an 8-0 lead

after three with these players. I would have gone 3-2! I would have

been with you. One shot between them would have been my bet. Les has not

really got his first or second in close enough at the moment, he is

letting Robert dominate and finding himself in trouble.

He needs to win an end, change the jack length. If not, you just feel

Robert will run away with this first set. APPLAUSE

The thing for theirs, about the ranking points, when you are at 15th

you are thinking a quarterfinal place would be very happy -- the

thing for Les. And if you can get the points in the first tournament

of the year, it takes the pressure off for the rest of the year. If you

can get to the later stages, it certainly helps further down the

line. Can he just get the corner of the

jack? Not far-away but you would have thought anything behind the

jack would have been useful. Doesn't want to get level here. That

might force Les into playing a bit more to it. It will provide the

angle he is looking for. If he can get anything half bowl on the

inside, he could sneak the jack away for two shots. He is just on the

outside of it. But he has come into a good home. What would you do here,

Greg? Play the same bowl and try to take it away from it? I would try to

cover the three on the other hand, split the two reds, 8-0 up, you

don't want to drop another three. And if Les gets it, fair enough. You

would not want to let him in with three. It needs to bend a little

bit. Didn't get back anywhere near as much as I thought it would. It is

still there for Les. Half bowl. He is under. It looks worse at the head

than what it was coming up. Probably only missed the line by half a

bowl. Good holes played by Rob Paxton here

but Les is yet to find his feet and compete at the moment which is

unusual. He is normally out of the blocks pretty quickly but he has

been pegged back. If you start to miss a couple, it can get into your

head a bit. The majority of his game is based on drawing.

Rob is not letting him get away with anything, making an adjustment to

the second delivery. He needs the jack.

Robert, coordinated with the green issues to match the green shirt and

green bowls. -- with the green shoes. That is good shooting. Very

good indeed. Just one will do Rob Paxton very

well. It is Les that needs to score shots at the moment. Hence the

reason he has gone chasing the jack, he needs it all the way to the

ditch. Two to green now and back position cupboard and you can see it

with Les, a wry smile -- covered. It was close. It is a big difference

for Les. Again, no pressure on Rob, he can roll one down and try to get

as close to the jack as he can. Les mitres logo again, he has nothing to

lose, it doesn't matter if he takes his own bowl out, if Robert leaves

him room. Look at this. The jack is still there to be taken back. He has

gone to the draw. Dear oh dear. How many players would try to draw this?

None! Sorry, one! Les! He hasn't made it. Three shots, Robert Paxton.

The set has almost gone already after five ends. Just imagine what

the guys in the player room are thinking. What on earth is going on?

Was up there earlier and the talk was what a good game this would be

and how tight it would be. They will be a bit surprised. Rob has played

very well but Les has not got going at all. I know what my wife will be

saying, that is what the second set is for! That is precisely what it is

for. This one is gone, Les will know that, he will just be trying to

extend it as long as possible. Rob is getting a free run. One shot here

and the set will be over. I think Les will just use this as a

practice end, try to draw all four bowls and find a length. He will be

already switching on to that second set.

Better with this. Still against him. The gap is six inches. Your first

bowl is an inch past jack high. He will still play away at it. But Rob

will want to finish this set off as quickly as possible and keep this

momentum going into the second. He has nudged it a bit closer but

left shoulder and Les could pop the two bowls. I think he will just draw

away. Another good effort. Possibly just under. Just touching one onto

the other. He got the shot out of it but he will not worry about it.

When your opponent is not playing well, you have to keep your serious

head on and make sure you don't let your standard of play drop. This is

close. He has got the jack, surely. Yes. That is good stuff, hard to

argue with that, irrespective of how your opponent is playing.

Yes, Les just sticking to the draw, I thought he would. He will be glad

when this set is over and he can start again on the second but a

fantastic set from Robert Paxton. He has played really well. First set,

Robert Paxton. APPLAUSE That is probably the most

unpredictable results are set in this event. -- result of a set. 13-0

against a player of Les's quality. Rob played really well. The first

few ends, Les was just a bit short with his first couple of bowls and

his chasing bowls were just missing as well and it slipped away very

quickly. I am sure all of Rob's fans will be

hoping for a lot of the same and Les's and the neutrals will be

looking for a closer set. It can't be any worse for Les, he didn't get

on the scorecard in the first set but I'm sure he will in this one.

Again, the first bowl is not bad but just in that niggling little foot,

15 inches short. If Rob carries on peppering the jack, it will give him

problems later in the end. He knows he is close with this one. Big,

strong biased bowls, coming back off the high line.

I think this is as of trouble. Any touch on that

jack... This will come back quick. A little touch, he has left shoulder

for Les and normally he would just pop one in here. He still really

should draw this one, a slight correction on his last line would be

good. This is normally bread and butter for Les.

good decision. Get on the scorecard. It needs to run. He has given it a

chance. Fall on the jack? That is a very good end for Les Gillett. Three

shots, Les Gillett. Great start. One of those comes back, it was always

looking good but the little drop was the bonus. The big bonus. He was

pleased with that, he knew he was good. Was he waving his finger in

the air because he was on the card! And the bonus as well.

He is on the card and he gets the next bowl up, it makes a massive

difference. Les is back in the game. A change of links. --

Anything heavy and it will just not yet back. Definitely narrowed the

line down but just pushed on five feet and that was enough to hold it

past the head. Pretty much does that on all forehands. -- all four hands.

It is a lot harder to play because you are not quite convinced how

narrow you can hold the bowl in with that weight. Les getting back into