Day 2 Bowls World Indoor Championships

Yesterday saw the end of Paul Foster and Alex Marshall's three-year

reign. Greg Harlow and Nicky Greg were on top form and took the first

title of the week. Meanwhile, in the men's singles, the defending

champion swept aside Mr Grant to seal his side in the last 16. Yes,

hello and welcome to Potters Leisure Resort. Another trophy is on the

line in the mixed pairs, and the defending champions are already

through to the final. Laura Thomas and Paul Foster. She has played

really well. Oh, look at this. The first major final on TV and she has

covered herself in glory. She is confident, normally, on this side.

He needs to hurry. Oh, yes. They have won it and it is thoroughly

deserved as well. Paul Foster and Laura Thomas are up against Andy

Thompson and Catherine regnal, a team with something of a generation

gap between them. # Life is the name of the game and I

want to play the game with you. Many years ago you use to play in the

international team with Catherine's father, John. It was a pleasure to

play with John and he was a good player. Catherine is such a talented

player and I have played with them both which is great. Catherine, you

are 18 and playing with Andy Johnson. He is 40 years older than

you. He is a legend. Fantastic, I have enjoyed it. Dad used to play

with Andy and I saw the draw and I was thrilled. It is fresh for you

and a new partnership. It is good to play with younger players. Yes, it

is. I knew when Catherine was drawn to partner me, I was delighted. She

is talented. It is not like Catherine has no credibility, she

has won many titles and that is a bonus. Exactly. For somebody so

young to win so many titles shows how she will be in the years ahead.

She is still playing great Bowls. It is a new partnership. Laura and Paul

are good players so it will be a tough game but I think we stand a

chance. Good luck. Yes, it is a big day for Katherine. She is 18 but she

does have the old fox, Andy Thompson who has been there many times

before. He has got Laura Thomas in his corner today and they are hoping

to successfully defend their titles. It is time to get the final

underway. Thank you. Our first pairing does have it all. Youth and

experience. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome onto the famous blue

carpet, Katherine Rednall and Andy Thomson.

APPLAUSE And now, ladies and gentlemen, the

defending champions, give it up for Laura Thomas and Paul Foster!

APPLAUSE This promises to be a cracking match

this afternoon. Paul Foster is hoping for better luck than he

enjoyed yesterday afternoon. Time to go to the commentary box. Thank you.

Of course, Paul Foster will be moving to the skips position for

this final and he will have the very talented Welsh player Laura Thomas

with him. She was the star of the final last year and will be hoping

she can keep the form going. Here she is, the 28-year-old.

It can be a fairly nervous affair that we can expect them to settle

in. They are involved in the singles as well. That is right. Laura has

been here before, we have seen her in the final last year. Katherine

Rednall has great potential and has shown great potential on the

domestic scene so I expect a good game of bowls. Thompson and Foster,

what can you say about them? That is a great start by Laura Thomas.

That is a really good reply, look at this.

APPLAUSE No problem. Keep that up and it will

be some final. It is coming down again. It just needs to settle in.

It is a good bowl. The same bowl again. She does not really want to

change her leads on the first end. They want to settle into a line

length on one side of the wink. -- rink. Look at this, this is good

stuff, great stuff! APPLAUSE

Katherine Rednall is a very experienced international player.

Her father has played at world level and is no better men tour, really.

No, David, you are certainly right. Her father has played on the

portable rink many years ago, I think he was a semifinalist. He will

be giving Katherine plenty of advice. Oh, what a bowl! Look at

this from Paul Foster. Serious business, he is in the mood. And

with weight, the first ball. He did not get it away smoothly. Yes, you

do not want to be playing weight in the first bowl in a major final. You

need to loosen up a bit and get the arm going. Yes, it is not the rest

option but I think Paul is looking at going deep. It was probably a

safe bet. That is good. It is up to you, you

can go again if you want. It is fairly close to the shot. That is

good information. Better this time. Oh, yes. He is going to get a good

result out of this. Is it is on the wee spot in addition, he might get

the shot. -- re-spot. A much better strike by Andy Thomson. He takes his

shot on the wee spot. -- re-spot. A massive crowd here at the Potters

Leisure Resort. It is a beautiful part of the country. We have had a

lot of fog today that they have come in in their droves. Yes, it is quite

cold out there today. I could not find my way here! I was on my ten

mile run this morning. It is not far away, a couple of feet. Katherine

Rednall, her father is here today, he is a schoolteacher. Down you

come. Down, Laura. Very good. Three bowls so far, all within a foot.

Keep it coming, keep it coming. Good reply.

APPLAUSE That is Katherine Rednall's

grandmother, Gwenda. Well, he's trying to get the weight

down after two drives. I do not think that that is what he was

aiming for but still useful. The second prize and it still splits the

two rates. The line was good. You can see the dots going down the

centre of the line. A very good effort. Struggling to get back a

little bit. Two feet. That surprised me. Come on, keep running. Closer,

this one. It will make a double. APPLAUSE

It makes a good adjustment on the weight. A wonderful delivery. You

might be struggling to find a seat out there for this final. It is

always very popular. The mixed pairs. Ladies do not have to play,

they can skip, of course, but it is usually a preferred option for them.

Their strength is usually on the drawer shot. One or two are very

strong. Good, Laura. A great start again.

APPLAUSE She is very consistent. There is

Lee, Laura's partner, and her mum. They are now engaged, Laura and

leave. If they have any children, they can call them Larry. A good

line in by Katherine. Laura has made great progress in the last couple of

years, she comes from a bowling family. Her brother Ben, for

example. Yes, she is a very talented player.

APPLAUSE I remember last year when Paul

Foster was so happy. A wonderful to bowls there, that is the perfect

leader in. She is asking for a little runner here which is unusual.

She is in the area. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! That is not an

easy shot, John. That is great bowling from both girls. A wonderful

drive. A perfect connection and it takes to be to read away. A real

good talent, Katherine. That was a really, really difficult shot. Up

you come. Well done. APPLAUSE

A cracking bowl by Paul Foster. A really high standard at the start of

this game, tremendous stuff from both. Thompson has a good line. Will

he run? Harry! I do not think he will be two down

after this one. He is on automatic pilot at the moment. It is good

again. That is brilliant. He was unhappy with his form in the pairs

final yesterday, he did not get to grips with the rink. He has come out

and has already shown signs of top form. That is a very narrow line. A

lot of weights to hold this. Actually, he is not that far away.

If he had another yard, he would have been perfect.

APPLAUSE It looks very good, Laura. A 26

metre jack length. The ball is struggling to get back from a

slightly wider line. This is looking good, it is going to drop inside the

red one. APPLAUSE

Just the weight, the line was good. It is coming down the side again...

Just. APPLAUSE

It will be interesting to see what Paul Foster decides to do here. Will

he play with a little bit of weight or even a lot of weight if he wants

it? The difficulty here is if he drives the two balls out, he is

leaving a lot of room. Yes, I think from the conversation he is looking

at possibly going for the two bowls. He could draw it on the forehand

side. I think he has made his mind up. He has. The danger is that he

will take his own bowl away. A controlled weight, not a big drive.

It looks like he may be lucky. It is good. I did not think he would miss

that. He tried a difficult weight and it is not so easy at that pace.

He has the last role, Andy. -- bowl. The two bowls are honourable so even

if he adds another it might be in the mix and keep things tight. --

probable. A lovely line. APPLAUSE

It is back to the shot that we thought he might play. It is more

difficult now because he is going from a different side of the rink.

He has a good line, he needs to run. A bit more, a bit more! Unlucky. He

could be second, though. That was a good saving bowled by Paul.

Again, it has fallen away. The crowd were willing it in but it did not go

anywhere. It goes down as a chance. You do not want to miss too many of

those opportunities against a pair like this. Yes, Laura and Paul will

be much happier at the end of the day. They were in trouble and escape

so it could have been worse than that. A lovely view of the arena

from that angle. 27 metres. Well done. 15 inches.

APPLAUSE Up you come, Laura. A great start

again. Very good. APPLAUSE

It is better behind than short, though.

It has dropped on the short side. It is not bad, John. No, it is not bad,

a bit of space for Andy, though. If you miss with your first hole, you

know you are going to be in trouble, there is a bit of pressure

on this one. -- bowl. He is a silver fox. Yes, that is why he has the

grey hair. Yes, that is the danger I was

talking about. If he missed the first one, he will be looking at

three shots by the time John has finished.

It did not get past but it looks like it is counselling. He may be

tempted to run. -- counting. It does not take much to run through. It is

all a matter of passing the front ones. Oh, he is in. He had the

confidence to drop the weight. An absolute beauty. I am surprised Paul

has not gone to look at this. It is difficult, though. The jack is bad.

It is a backhand draw. That looks fairly narrow. It must be the extra

weight he has on it. It was Andy that saved the day this

time. It was Paul the last time. Everyone is playing their part in

this match. The jack length is 27 metres.

Yes, well played, Laura. APPLAUSE

A bit further away than she would have wanted. Laura should be

reaching her own bowl, anything past is good. Yes, it is pretty good.

It drops on the short side a little bit. It was a wide draw that, early

last week, I thought that was the quick aside, it is quite funny. Paul

has a good line, lots of pace. Touching the jack is a bonus.

APPLAUSE Andy Thomson is coming up to have a

look. The usual choices, John. He has a draw on the backhand. A lot of

players have David that. He does favour the backhand and that is why

he is playing it. He got a little catch on that last bowl. It is all

about making sure he is there, he has to reach. He is trying his best.

Oh, yes! APPLAUSE

He just made it. He was not sure for a long time. He just got in. Yes, a

little regular from here and there. It went straight through. Paul is

probably saying, you are a very naughty boy, Andy. It is difficult

to get to. He might have to follow it up. The forehand does not look

good because you are crunching the jack into the bowl. He could arrive

on the backhand side to roll it over. He is playing. The line is

good. The line is really good, David. If it drops, he is close. It

was the extra weight. The right weight for the job. A good escape

for Andy Thomson. It is all good stuff. A tasty game. Great ball by

Andy Thomson. When I arrived he said how well he

was playing. The more pressure he gets, the better.

Very consistent with Laura Thomas. She has only had one slightly in

different end in this match so far, she has played very well. --

indifferent. If you are patient, you will get an opportunity. Good reply

with this. She is coming round behind the

bowls. She is indeed. Foster is getting plenty of support again from

Laura Thomas. He is playing a lot better today himself. As you say,

you just feel Andy has dipped into the well last couple of ends. That

well of good bowls and write up quickly. -- can dry up. He is

sticking with his force hand -- forehand. There are not much

options. He has played it in a narrow line. That gives me the

impression there are differences with his normal bowls.

A little bit more weight required. Definitely, the inside is normal. It

is close with this, all in the connection. There it is, that is

Foster's last bowl. It was always going to be in a good position. He

played well, good weight for the shop-mac. He just carried it too far

off the red. It is all about tactics, isn't it? Good line again

here. You do not want to give this man two feet every end. No, not with

a performance like that. This is a potential 25 and March.

That is usually long enough to identify a winner.

There has been some good bowls played. There is just a feeling that

Thomas and Foster have got the age at the moment. There is not a lot in

it. Katherine needs to get a good opener

in at this stage in the set. Very smooth delivery from Thomas. She

really came to prominence in the Welsh finals some years ago. We

watched her and were quite impressed.

She has made some big progress in the last two or three seasons.

She is so fast on the mat sometimes, I wonder if she just

pulled back for that 510 seconds and set herself and just have an

occasional drop short. -- five or ten seconds. When you are young you

just get on with the game and do not think about it. No, there is no

fear, but occasionally you have to hold back for a moment. This is

potentially very dangerous for Paul Foster. That was a loose ball, very

unusual for him. This needs to carry up, and he is there. Good-looking

line in. That is a big chance for Andy

Thomson. He just needs to sneak past the red one, just sneak past... He

will be disappointed, it was a good opportunity for the third. He will

take the two to tie the setup. Bit of a soft two in some ways. Paul

Foster will be disappointed with that. Wonderfully poised, though,

going into the back end of the set. Tension will build, no doubt about

that. Paul can read the piece. It is

looking decent with this one. She is in the two.

He is just forcing Andy to find the good bowl again.

They are just not as sharp as his normal bowls. Obviously, he is using

the same manufacturer, because he works for them and he cannot do

anything else, but the rink is a bit different. Having said that, it

looks like a slightly different bowl.

Problem with Andy last year, he was carrying extra weight. This looks

like a good line. This could be a missed opportunity here. This was

set up by Laura Thomas's first two bowls and Andy has not managed to

dip into that. I do not think there are much old is

on Paul getting this one in. -- much old is -- odds.

Go, he is running. He will not believe that, that is a missed

chance. Still a good time to get three shots

but if you had a mortgage you would have put that on you, wouldn't you?

I think he would have put the fourth in. Normally he is reliable. He has

just proved he is human. Reassuring for the rest of us! Yes, it is!

That is a short Jack Lang -- Jack Lang -- jack length, 24.5 meters.

That of a disturbance there, somebody's mobile phone going off.

It looks inside. It is the weight more than anything. The line was

good. Come on, Katherine, can you add a second? Good line again.

That just sat on the Green, so it is locked in.

That looks a good line, by Andy. But just over the weight.

Andy has just gone off the boil a little bit.

If he draws this close it will be a set life. -- . -- set lie.

Andy Thomson looking to see if there is anything available. I do not

think so. He could run the Jack roofer two. I think he is looking at

Ajax through to the back of the rink for two and he will do it. -- a

Jack. It is going to be very hard to pick up a four at the next end, so

this has to work. That will go, that will go on the respot for a double.

Good drive. He played well. The draw has been off in the last couple of

rounds. This is interesting, nine - eight, one end to go. That was the

problem with Paul's last delivery. When you try and tidy it up and you

do not make it you leave yourself honourable. It is a problem. You

cannot cover both options. When there are chances for the opposition

you just have to pick one of them to try and stop them playing. Still a

tough shot for Andy to try and get the jack.

Back onto a longer jack length, 28 metres. It is all to fight for. And

this looks like a good starter. That is a beauty.

Good opener. Laura has got to try and get close to this. Yes, that was

very good. Oh, that is absolutely brilliant.

Katherine's first, you thought she would do well to get the second, and

she has pushed the jack onto the bowl. Just as the doctor ordered.

Squeeze the jack, he said. Look at that, well played.

I think Andy would have liked to have made that with the first one.

He has got options, though. I think Paul is right when he is saying he

cannot go near it. He is going to have a look and a little chat. I

have got to be careful. That red bowl is vulnerable if Andy does put

it away. Maybe he could try and get around the red and try and drop on

the back green? If you get into that position it is really good, but it

might lock the red one in. It is just there are so many options

there. He has a bowl at the back. That is going to be vital if he

starts to hit things. He has got the respot position to aim for as well.

Probably, the best way is to go back down on the backhand. If Andy plays

the ball he is likely to get back into the jack, so the jack will

probably spring? It could easily go through the gap. There is less

chance of giving the shot away on the backhand as well. If he is on

the wide side he will be safe enough. He is looking to play what

we suggested, just dipping back in. He is away from what he wants. I

wonder would it be useful? Not quite. It takes away the full drive.

It just leaves Andy the draw to touch the jack. Difficult shot for

Andy Thomson because it is a very controlled weight. Probably just

over the draw. He has a chance if he gets this absolutely plumb. He could

take the set. It is a narrower line. He mutts think he is reaching,

because that is what it is all down to. -- he must. Has he got the

weight? That is the problem. He has just failed. First set to Thomson

and Foster. I think on the balance of play, probably just shaded that

first set. Overall they were the better pair, but only just.

Nobody is leaving this one. No! They have come out here and they are

going to enjoy this match. Once again, Laura Thomas had a big

effect on the last end. Katherine Rednall has put in an absolute

beauty. Can't remember you getting that sort of support when you played

in pairs many years ago against me? I would disagree with you there!

Laura is playing really well, Katherine has got some good old

smack, but Laura has got the edge. This is good again. Look at it. Oh,

wow. There it goes. Brilliant. No sign of nerves from the 18-year-old.

That is OK, very good. A good end again, both girls. They will be

delighted to get that sort of support in any pairs match. Two very

talented world-class players. Andy is now a grandfather for the first

time. A great effort. It is worth you trying to stay on the high

side. It is difficult for Paul, isn't it? He can easily give a shot

away. He cannot afford to touch anything. It is better that he has

not. He is coming to have a look. He just needs to lose a bit of weight

to get in there. He was looking to push it through in this direction

and if he gets it through to there it is going to bring in this bowl.

That is a key bowl for him at this stage, but he still has the option

of taking the red bowl out clean and that will bring in this front one.

There are all sorts of options available for him. I think he will

arrive with this the way he did before. It is not an easy shot on

this side of the green. He can go stronger but it is up to him. As

long as he is reaching, he has a chance. He has done it again. That

was all to do with weight and nothing to do with line. He was

frightened to push it out. That is a missed chance. Paul is quite happy

to walk away. It was difficult. He was trying to play it with a very

delicate weight and it is not easy on that side. It was the last hole

of the end for him, and really, he realised he needed to be there to

give its some sort of chance. -- bowl. Two or three times it has

happened and he will not be a happy bunny.

There have not been too many bowls like that from either player.

Katherine is stepping in. APPLAUSE

Very close with this one. It dropped one bowls short. Normal service is

resumed. Absolutely. Katherine on a good line. Keep it coming. That is a

pity. That is a nuisance bowl for Andy. It

is right in his line. He might be tempted to run down the backhand,

there is a gap between the two green bowls. It actually looks quite good,

John, I have to say. Katherine is there and she knows it. There is

always a chance of getting the front bowl into it. A bit of a percentage

shot on the backhand. Unlikely, very close. It took the closest bowl

away, that is the only thing. It is unfortunate. Paul is taking it on

the backhand side, he likes that side normally. He has not sent it.

Goodness me. That is a couple of times Paul Foster has dropped one

short when you thought it was given. Andy will be delighted with it.

A good effort. It is not going absolutely right, there is something

not gelling. I do not know what it is. They are a fraction away from

being on top of this game. There were a couple of opportunities.

Katherine missed out on a second bowl. They are still very much in

the match. It is a long way to go. There is so little between the two

pairs, and the girls have played very well. That is great quality,

John. It really is. Very, very good stuff. In fairness to Katherine, she

has stuck with Laura. She has not disintegrated under the pressure.

That old she has played is a foot away. You would be happy most of the

time and it gives her something to play two with her next bowl. Laura

will be making sure she's through with this one. You can forgive one

travelling through five or six feet when your first one has touched it.

It was important to get past the jack but she overplayed it slightly.

It is never easy. You do not get a lot of chance to practice it. Andy

will be in some bother because he has no back position. Katherine has

played a good opener and the second one has not been of the same

standard. You lose possession. A useful place.

Just the bowl, he just wants the bowl but it dropped away. That is

what I have said, John. They have been very close and then they have

not managed to get the shot. Paul needs to get another bowl in here.

He has got a good track, lots of weight. He needs the right weight to

come inside and push the jack back which would have taken the danger

away. There are options here. There is a little shot on the other side

but there is an element of danger. Yes, John. You are looking at the

jack, which is moved into this position would be horrendous. If he

gets the green ball, he has to gamble. He has to play with more

weight. He sees the danger, it is up to him whether he plays it. If he

gets it right he can lock in and play for free. If he gets it wrong,

he has to pray that his own bowl comes with it. I think it is

probably worth it. He is going to go 3-0 down in this set and although it

is early days, I think it is a shot that is worth it. A very controlled

shot. GROANING

APPLAUSE The two boys are chatting about how

hard the shot was, and it was a difficult shot, but I think it was

the right one under the circumstances. You do not get too

many opportunities in this format and if he had got it, he would have

got away with it. The jack is 26 metres. Well played, Laura, up you

come. A good start. It looks good, Katherine. A good bowl. Yes, you

have played pairs in this format and you know that the lead is nailed

with one ball. It is one of those events where you pray that your lead

is on good form and if it is on good form it makes it easier. It looks

good again. It is looking good. Will it stop? It has not. It was good.

Any touch on the green bowl or the jack will help. He did not want to

be too heavy on it. I think he might be holding shot. It is out in the

open for Andy. On the backhand. A good line if he is running. A chance

on this one. He is lacking the weight again. He is half a yard

away. You have a theory? I think he's being too neat with the

weight. He thinks if he is carrying too much weight he will not get

back. He has been good with the line. That is the danger with the

bowl that is running slightly straighter than normal. He may tell

me otherwise after the match but I have a feeling that that is what it

is. He has another chance and needs to find that foot or so to hold him

into the bowl. Now then, Andy, a good line again. Again, it is the

case that Katherine is talking about, but will he make it? Groaning

macro a better line but you have got to swing the bowl. There has been

five or six opportunities. He was not far away and it was a good

effort. One foot off being perfect, really, wasn't he? Small mountains.

Well, that is what the portable rink is all about, small margins. It is

unique in its own way. The jack length is 29 metres.

APPLAUSE That is a very good start. Not a bad

connection. It fell off the scene and it is a good opener. Katherine

will be happy with that. A long jack length. A big correction needed with

this one. It is coming back well. Yes, that is not bad. It is only 12

or 14 inches away. It has to be right up to the role at least, all

behind. -- bowl. She is trying her best. It is a good tried but you are

always thinking that you should reach the red bowl as a minimum.

Yes, I mean, there is enough room for Foster to nail this. It would

leave Andy with a problem because he does not have too bowl passed the

jack. If you get your first one on it, do your best to get behind. Very

close, Paul. It needs a clean jack. There you go. Nothing behind. He is

fortunate in some ways that the jack has come out into the open. That was

a beauty. Yellow -- he just overdid it.

A good effort, Andy, again. It was lacking that bit of weight and was a

little bit of gentle, a little bit tentative. It fell away and he knows

it. Paul will almost always get back to his bowls. Well, it's dropped

away. That will invite another shot from Andy with a bit of weight.

It looks wide. It was always on the wide side. Groaning

4-0, you are thinking, OK, we have time. 6-0 starts to get dodgy. Yes,

I did say earlier on that the consistency might start to tell, and

I think that is the case. The next two ends are going to be crucial,

they need to score. We have a very good review down the

rink. -- view. Keep going! Just a foot. Katherine, once again, very

quick on the mat, her natural play. Well played, well done. It is good.

Very good indeed. The last few ends, she is getting bowls in. She has

played well, David. Sometimes you have to back up the opener. A loose

end for Laura so there is a chance here... Anger this one in. Take your

time. At another shot. -- bang this one in. Well played, Catherine. This

is good. Very good. This is the idea. That is brilliant. Applause.

And will always be encouraging and knows he has missed a few chances

himself, and he is probably kicking himself for those. She is 18 years

of age and with a crowd like this and on television, John... Yes,

indeed. Now, Mr Foster, will you unleash the big artillery? No, he

will not. He is playing with controlled weight. Controlled weight

it is. Andy will need to replace that. A good effort with that weight

by Paul. Well played. APPLAUSE

A good bowl. I think that might force Paul on the other side. The

run is still there. Good options by Laura. There is always an option.

6-0 down, you do not want to lose 83. Sorry, 6-0 up, you do not want

to lose a three. They are still in a strong position in the second set.

You would not vote against this guy drawing it but he is capable. He is

trying. He has to get past the green. That is a good third, though.

That will be difficult for Andy to add another. I do not like the

forehand much, John. No commie has to go backhand. That is the ultimate

Highline drift, there. It is not easy. It will need to be the perfect

wait for him to get a swing with that bowl. It will be difficult. I

think he has to try it. He does not need to get to the jack. Again, he

was more on the inside line. If anything, he should have been on the

high. I think they may be changing those bowls for the singles. They

will not be using them because they are different colour, David. I was

thinking of the model. Maybe it is just that particular set. I always

think the greens are a little bit narrower than the reds, I do not

know why, there is no reason for it. It is the same manufacturing

process. The jack length is 25 metres. Anything can happen, Dave.

It is all about momentum, isn't it? Keep it coming. OK, Katherine, all

right. It is always fun to look at Andy Thomson, he is very much a

Scot. Well, both players are just dropping

short with their first deliveries, the match is well up the rink. It is

slightly different in terms of the line. She has made the correction

with her second bowl. No mistake. Good girl. I would expect Laura to

do the same. It must be struggling. Paul is calling it. It is a good

effort. I would say the next bowl boundary is critical. -- down the

rink is critical. Andy needs this one in.

Looking good. That is exactly what he needed to do. Well played.

Somebody has gone walkabout in the audience and Paul is not very

impressed. He is just trying to compose himself.

What an effort this is. It is not going to make Andy's job easy. We

knew he would be very close. Andy has got to be careful that he does

not get back side on the red and drop it down. You do not want to

give shots away when you are trailing. It is a set he must win.

He is not getting back inside so he has to hope it does not drop on

him... No harm done. You do not want to get the back end of the red. The

problem for Paul is can he generated enough weight to get past the front

green ball to turn the bowl out? The difficulty is this one up here,

because that is difficult for him to get past to generate enough weight

to get back onto the red. If he does play the forehand it could drop back

on the jack. If he is playing it would be a very quiet draw. It needs

to bend. Didn't want it to run. What an effort. A couple more

singles and we are going to have a very interesting finish to the

second set. It is all about wage now -- it is

all about weight now. That was a good try.

I do not think it will be dropping short. It would stop Andy driving

it, but I do not think it will be that. He has got a shoulder to use

on the green ball, just short of jack high. Not much in it. That will

be the cover for what Foster will be looking for. -- that will be the

cover bowl. It does not want to get to the jack.

The green is good. That was a good result. His weight is so good. Andy

is under a bit of pressure here. He has to go looking for the jack a

little bit to make a movement so he has got to use more weight. But

almost looks under. -- that almost looks under. It is probably going to

be three. You would favour Paul to get this one then. I just felt that

a second wouldn't have been the worst thing on the forehand.

Dropping one would not have been the end of the world. He could be

dropping a three now. That would be almost fatal. That is the sort of

thing you expect Foster to drop. Six shots, , three ends to go. They

will need AmeriCorps. -- a miracle. I think Thomson and Foster are too

strong to give away the lead. You can effectively carry a shot over

into the second set if you win the first set. This is not easy to do.

They need to strike back with a three or four this end to give

themselves any chance. Once again, she is in there. Looking

very good again. Katherine has matched her on many occasions.

Good try, good position. I played in this mixed pairs a couple of times.

I was very lucky to have Carol Ashby leading for me. Paul Foster has had

to play some very good balls in this match. Although that was meant to be

a bit further on, it has turned out to be a good one. That is when you

know you are having a good day, you play a cover and it ends up close to

the jack. Katherine is down on the forehand side, looking to get a bit

of movement. That is no harm. You have got to be up to it in that

situation. It leaves Paul to make the cover bowl. He will be very

happy with that. Andy is looking for a big delivery

here now. Very good line. Will he get back? At the moment, green have

got the spot, but I think Paul is looking to drop in on the green bowl

again here. He has got options to either try and kill its, or who

plays the same bowl. He has got the spot. This could be all over. If he

strikes it will go dead. He has got to hit it.

Two shots to read, -- red, and that will be at.

Good final. Katherine Rednall played well. Andy Thomson slightly off on

occasions. The consistency of Laura and Paul were too much on this

occasion. Good game. Overall, the best pair one. More consistent and

Laura probably takes man of the match. She was a great platform for

Paul. They are worthy winners. There are always key moments in

every match. We see Paul Foster dropping in for a three in the ninth

end. It took them forward into the last two ends. Once again, Laura

Thomas doing the business. She taps the jack back across to the red bowl

and that is enough to win the set. A key moment for the Foster

partnership on the eighth end. Everything seemed to be in favour of

Paul Foster and Laura Thomas. They had twice the number of touches. In

many ways the statistics prove that they deserved to win and they really

are where the weather is -- worthy winners. Laura Thomas, once again,

the star of the show. 12 minutes ago -- months ago they

were here and they are back again. Laura, a lot of plaudits going to

you. You were on fire from the start. I am just glad I saved my

best bowls for the final. Paul did his job to get us there. It is just

working as a pair. I am pleased. You work well together. Yes, we do. In

the quarterfinal and semifinal, Laura played well but not as good as

she can. And I wanted to say what a fantastic performance Katherine put

in today as well. Worth mentioning Andy and Katherine, who have played

well. It must have been a tough task for Katherine, did you have any

empathy? I have watched for the past couple of days playing singles. She

has no nerves, I not know where they go. She is a credit to herself. She

will be a threat in the years to come. Paul, you are only the third

pair to win the title again, to defend it successfully. In terms of

achievements, where does that rang? It is right up there. To defend any

title is difficult because it is such a high standard. It is a

fantastic field. To come back defenders is pleasing. Yesterday,

the men's pairs winners said they would have a quiet night, what about

you, Laura? I will do the same. Your champions, Paul Foster and Laura

Thomas. Time for the presentation. Time to join our MC. It is indeed

presentation time. You do make the presentation we have the head of

marketing and communications for Just Retirement and the chief

executive officer of World Bowls Tour. To receive the runners-up

cheque, your appreciation for Katherine Rednall and Andy Thomson.

APPLAUSE. And now to the winners. Receiving a

glass goblet each, a cheque and their title of champions, Laura

Thomas and Paul Foster! APPLAUSE.

Ladies and gentlemen, they have done it for the second year in

succession. 2014 Just Retirement mixed pairs match play champions,

Laura Thomas and Paul Foster. APPLAUSE.

Two trophies done and dusted with two more up for grabs in the

women's singles and men's signals. More good bowls coming up this week.

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Good stuff coming up tomorrow. We are on the red button at 10am.

Time for the men's singles. It features two look glad to know which

other very well. -- local lads. Nicky Brett is on the money.

Yesterday he added the Paris world title. -- parents. Foster was on the

receiving end in the hair is -- pairs. I'm over the moon. It is a

proud moment to actually call yourself a world champion. Nice guy

Nicky is the number ten ranked player but he is provisionally

ranked as high as the Batu for 2014. How has Nicky Brett stepped his game

up and found the steely and competitive edge? I have learned

that sometimes you have to play a good bowl and if you miss, you

don't. It is whether or not you want to put the pressure on yourself. Try

and take the pressure off and deliver the right bowl at the right

time, rather than chasing the game. I have probably been playing decent

for three or four seasons, but not getting over the line in games where

you need to get over the line. Honestly, it has been a fantastic

couple of months and I am hoping it will continue a bit longer. After

the euphoria yesterday, today it is back to business in the singles with

Brett flying single against Mervyn King, the 2006 champion and a player

he knows very well. He is a good friend of mine. We played together

internationally for a couple of years. He is one of the best draw

players. When he needs to he can run as well. It will be a massive task.

I played him quite a bit and his first two bowls are fabulous. I know

I have got to not leave myself in trouble. The affable Norfolk

gamekeeper is approaching legend status, but the last couple of years

have not done his talent justice. He is still a formidable opponent and a

destructive player on his day, but he knows Nicky Brett is difficult to

snare. After winning the Scottish, he is not the sort of person you

want to come up against in the second round. I have got to do my

best to beat him. I know him well because I played with him on the

England side. I know what he can do and he can play well. I have got to

be at my best. One man who knows the strengths and weaknesses of post is

Brett's playing partner, Greg Harlow. He sees an intriguing shoot

out ahead. Brett is the on form man. He has been a great player for a lot

of years. He broke onto the circuit three years ago and is getting

stronger and stronger. He has a positive attitude. He draws well but

he likes to attack if he gets the chance. Mervyn King is the man who

has been around for a long time and won practically everything in the

game. And mostly twice or three times over. He is never to be

discarded. His main strength is his draw. If he gets on his game early

he will put three or four bowls round the jack. If that happens then

Nick will have to bring out his attacking game and we will see

fireworks. So, which will prevail in great's -- great's estimation? I

would say at the moment, Nick has got the momentum. It really is

50-50. Corky is alongside me. We have got a

really good match. This will be high quality stuff. We have a player on

the up with Nicky Brett. How do you see this unfolding? I think Nicky

will be very close to taking Mervyn. He was not brilliant in the

pairs and I think he will get better on this one. Sometimes you drop a

little bit. His partner brought him through. Mervyn will be his usual

self, consistent, drawing all the time. Tie-break, Nicky Brett. Nicky

break is -- Nicky Brett is up to number two in the world rankings.

What is his secret to climbing up the ladder? He has always been a

prolific winner of national titles. It is just getting the break and he

has had it. He has beaten Paul Foster in a major final. He fears no

one. It is worth having a look at the betting. There are some

interesting prices. Everyone always says Paul Foster is

the man to beat, even the players. There was a time, if you saw Mervyn

King at 14-1, you would have been scrabbling for a loose change to put

on him. Anderson is the man to put the money on. But who will come out

on top between Nicky Brett and Mervyn King? It is times to get

things under way and join our MC. Ladies and gentlemen, this world

number ten has proven time and again what a formidable opponent he can

be. The reigning Scottish international champion, give it up

for a Nick Brett. It is always a delight to welcome

this local hero, reigning Commonwealth Games silver

medallist, it is Mervyn King. Mervyn King up against a very good

friend and international colleague in Nicky Brett. Not going to be much

between these two, is there? It will be a very close game. Mervyn King

was introduced to the Fistful Of Dollars theme. He knows how to use a

gun! Never happier, Mervyn King, whenever he is out working. He is an

outdoor guy. It's the sign of a man in confident

mood. Well, he will be left with no choice but to attack this. You won't

want to in the first end, but I don't think he's got much choice

from that sitting. He can play anything from two or three yards, or

the full drive. He could play anything to the right connection.

Usually plays quite controlled, Mervyn. This looks a bit on the high

side. He has got his own bowl though. That is a big result on its

own. Wasn't far away, but a wry smile. He will take it. He knows he

got away with that. It looked wide on the way down. He got a good

result on the green bowl. He won't want to do is up all his

nine lives early in the match, Dave. Indeed not. This is to drop on the

green. If he misses the front green, he can get on the back one.

Not going to make any difference anyway. A good test for Nick Brett,

that last bowl. I just felt Nick was a little bit

off form in the pairs final, John. And, because of that, just something

tells me he will move up a gear. Didn't play badly, by any means, but

wasn't on his absolute best. Totally different, of course. That feel-good

factor with four bowls, you can relax a little bit. Fatal with one.

Mervyn hasn't gone into his normal drawing with them yet.

-- rhythm. That's better from Mervyn.

Such a good draw to the jack, Mervyn King. Once you get into a rhythm,

he's very, very hard to put down. UMPIRE: The gap is two inches.

Players careers often fluctuate little bit and Mervyn King, at one

stage, was number three in the world for three or four years. Back in the

late 90s. Dropped down to almost a stage of not bothering any more.

Decided to play in one last qualifier, came through, and when

the world signals. And, once again, he has kept his place in the top 16.

It was some comfort, to be honest. He is such a good player. His

temporary class is permanent and Mervyn is a class act, as is this

man, Nick Brett. UMPIRE: The last bowl is heartening

is short of jack high. The gap is eight inches and 12 inches short of

jack high. CROWD GASPS

Good effort. Not far away. Mickey Brett takes a single. -- Nick Brett.

Never easy coming out after the euphoria of a final. There's always

a lot of crowd movement, people going for a rest, comfort break.

It's not an easy match, this one, the mid-afternoon game, is it? Yes,

you're wondering if it's going to be a fast much, slow match. You have to

be at the venue but fortunately for these players, they are staying here

at the venue are very close. Certainly an awful lot easier than

having to travel may be two hours before.

Drops a little bit. A good chance to get onto his front

one just to push it in. This is a better line in. Just

didn't drop. Nicky holding on his wallet and all

that money. It's not an easy position for Nick. Just once to pass

his own bowl, really. Good weight. --

he could drop the green one out. Oh, yes. It looks like number one.

Mervyn just sticking with the draw. Most players wouldn't go near that.

It has got a bowl right in front. A lot of danger with it. Not Mervyn

King. He doesn't worry about things like that. How often does he do

that? That's why they call him Merwe -- Merv the Swerve. Plenty of room.

He does that so often. It's been a long and very successful

career for Mervyn King. Very happy, contented man off the

rink, and that helps considerably. Starting to get in the groove now.

He is indeed. Just around the back of the bowl, two touch is first two

bowls. He could be tempted to run. Yes, he is. He is a very aggressive

player. Perfect two bowls and a touch. Great

when it works, John, but a lot of pressure when you start missing.

Yes, I think that's what this game is going to be. Mervyn will try to

crowd the jack and ask some questions of Nicky. He knows that is

the way to beat him if he can add draw him. Put another one back

there. -- out draw him. Nick, you have got to draw with this one,

surely? Yes, he is indeed. Good again. Oh, look at this. Four

perfect bowls. This sums up Mervyn King. If he drops his first one in,

he is within inches, David, and that is him for you. It has always been

his strength. He could play the weight shot but the strength is on

the drop shot. He has to drive this. Hoping to get the jack.

Looks a little bit under. Oh, he just got it. Jack up the rink. It's

rare that that happens. He was on target.

. Hit the target. Can't fault that. Yes, it's not a lucky result, John,

but one of those things that happens. He was bang on target. I

thought he would slide under it but it worked in his favour, getting on

the inside of the jack. I think that sets the tone for the

match, though. Mervyn trying to draw them in and Nicky playing a few

shots. He's going to give first, I think it's going to be.

This one is good. APPLAUSE

UMPIRE: One lengths. That's a good bowl by Nick. Mervyn

will stick to the draw side here. This is to drop past the front

green. Good weight. Short of weight. Didn't look too

good out of his hand. I thought he might have been tempted actually on

the backhand just to arrive at the red bowler. He knows that he pushes

it too far, he will still only be one down and there's always a

chance. It's certainly not that cold out

there. I think he's on his way to go skiing. He just needs to look

outside. I see fog. He could be an Arsenal supporter got lost on the

motorway. I'm not going to say a word. The waiver Swans are going for

you, John. Yes, it's not been the best of starts, this season, but we

will see. A long way to go yet. Now then, Mervyn, 13 seconds on the

clock. Time to get down there and deliver. Easy action with Mervyn.

It's always been the same, very relaxed, very gentle. A difficult

shot here to try to arrive between the bowls. And get the jack. 16

inches short. Looking for absolute dead weight and you drop in short,

that's forgiveable. These include there was justice, really. Nick

Brett has been very steady. He has used the hit shot very effectively.

4-1 down. How many within a foot of a jack? Yes, he's played really

well. But Nicky is an all-round player. He has got all the shots.

Not easy to get Counts of him. He is playing with a lot of confidence,

Nick. And so he should coming off the back of the Scottish

International where he beat Paul Foster in the finals. I don't think

Nick fears anyone. It's interesting. He has taken those

two events, the singles event in Scotland, and there are real odds on

Nicky clearing up this season. An interesting bet, that. Yes, you

would properly get very good odds for that, but this... There's too

many good players around at the moment.

Mervyn King has played super Bowls in this set so far on the sixth and

underscored one shot. -- end. Now, can you get under your own front

bowl full Mervyn must be tempted to crunch

this but still looking at the forehand. He may have been tempted

to crunch the bowl into the jack into the green and half it away

would be good. Oh, he has dropped this one. Where is it going to

finish? That is not good. That is not going to help.

Very difficult for him to do much with this. He has to be very

careful. Doesn't want to drop the green bowl down. Like that. Oh,

straight up. I think about dropped, it would have been on the green but

I think Mervyn will take a chance now. -- I think if that had

dropped. His game tends to be drawing. There is a shot down there.

He gets off the other red bowl the other side and goes the other way.

That's not his mentality, you see. He is an out and out draw bowler.

That is a last resort for Mervyn. Close as well, Dave. No need to play

weight when you control like this. He is not getting a shot buffer

problem, John. He is 4-1 down and has had three ends and down and

public 11 bowls within a foot, and he still only scored one shot. At

some stage, you have to say to yourself, I must change my pattern

and I think that was a good opportunity to play. We are down to

nine ands in this set until the final. Three ends to go with five in

front. Peter Brewer is going well. 5-1. It's a close game. Nothing in

it. A cracking game. Quality. But they just comes a time when you

are playing great stuff and not scoring, you have to do something.

Even to loosen the game up a little bit. There's no sense in looking

really pretty, John, but losing. Sometimes you are better off

roughing it up a little bit. Making a bit scratchy and loose. And start

to school shots. -- school shots. -- just overplayed those two. A chance

for Mervyn. Doesn't seem to be sure about that

one when he let it go. Not bad, Dave. Absolutely. It's not bad, but

it's a target and Mervyn knows that and Nicky normally has a tendency to

go for targets and he does need the close bowl. He is just drawing to

it. There is the correction force of

will it stop in time? Probably second.

Suzanne, Mervyn's wife. She is a very good player. Didn't really

start until Mervyn came into her life. Lovely lady. Look at this.

There he goes again. Machine-like. I think it will go now. Straight into

this bowl on the jack, jack through. The first miss for Nicky. It is a

costly one. A very costly miss. I didn't think he would miss that on

the high side. It was really always the way to go, inside it.

This could be a let off. Has he got there? I don't think he has. And

missed chance. Nick is very good on making a measure so it's only two

shots. It should have been three. A lifeline for Mervyn King. Yes, he

still in their set. -- he is still in the set. Two to play. Still a

hard one to call, because Mervyn will be touring, as close as ever

and it's down to whether Nicky can match that.

Can he get out of trouble with his running bowls? Contrasting styles.

Dropped that one short. He has, but it is given Nick chance

to adjust for this one, get it close. Take the pressure off having

to pay the running bowl later in the end.

If you play one that will loose bowl, suddenly you are in trouble.

-- little loose role. Side touching. It's not too bad,

John, as long as somebody can put you into trouble. It's when the

heads are all blocked up and they put one in behind.

He has to clear the front green one. He doesn't want to hit it in for

another one. Look at this. Bad results. A slight touch on the jack

as well so it's a minimum two. You know what's coming with the next

bowler. What does Mervyn do? He has got options here. Possibly the spot.

Well, if we are looking at this, where is it going to go? You would

expect the jack to end up over here somewhere. The red bowl is a

problem. So where does he go for cover, John? Does he go into this

area and try to cover both? Very difficult to cover both areas, Dave,

isn't it? The answer of the jack flies out to that position at five

o'clock there. Well, let's see. He's going.

He has missed the width but he has got the depth round the back. Either

way, it is going to be hit. He is on target this time. And he has run off

it! It has cost him. He looked like he was on target. Three shots to

Mervyn King. Good travel from Mervyn, just at the right time. He

has been threatening once or twice, hasn't he? He has had a couple of

very good results, but ultimately, matches are won by the draw shot.

Generally speaking, they are won on the draw shot. I think Nick really

needs to start matching Mervyn on the first two balls -- bowls.

That is loose for Mervyn, isn't it? So important for Nick to get the

advantage on this end. Here is number one coming in. Just enough. I

do not know if it will be close enough. Not to win the end.

Good adjustment. He has really played two pro ball one after the

other. This looks like a very narrow line. He is using a slightly

narrower bowl. A lot of players have opted for those. A couple of yards

of weight is difficult with any bowl. It is. Mervyn is trying to

encourage this forward. I get the impression he has dropped it. He

has. It is not bad. He can still get around it, though. The target has

been narrowed by probably half a bowl. So, you are drawing to a blind

target. This is much better. He has got it.

APPLAUSE. Different weight, played for the

single. It is not going to be easy to make a double out of it. Nick

will be very relieved to try and get something out of this set. It is not

done and dusted yet. This man is more than capable of getting it

back. What will Nick play? Dangerous on

the backhand. Could play similar to his own on the forehand, drop inside

of the green. Absolutely safe, or at least he would be lucky to hit the

outside of the green. Not much reaction out of Suzanne. She has

seen it all before. The thing is for Nicky, it is a backhand shot if he

wants to draw another. He will have to be delicate with the weight. It

is the old drift shot, coming off a high line. This is all about

weight. He cannot afford to be too heavy. He has played it! What a

wonderful bowl. Good forehand, then on the backhand, scores the double

and says thank you very much. Great bowl. He was brave enough. He was

confident in his own ability, open draw, doesn't get better than that.

Didn't he say in the interview before the match, playing the right

bowl at the right time? It is fair to say he took it against the run of

play over the whole set. His all-round play, his ability to

attack and play the runners saved him in the early part of the set. In

the end, it was the draw shot which has won the set for him.

Look at this again, Dave. Brilliant. Just drops back. Hardly loose stuff,

is it? For any aspiring players at home, this is what you want to get

to, this level. If you are going to mix it with the

big boys, this is the level you have to attain, John. You know, you have

done it. And it is doing it in this sort of environment, television

cameras, big crowd. He does it again, drops back, makes three off

the bowl. It is getting down in time... Wow,

he got his own bowl across the rink. He has taken one out. I

thought he was getting both greens away. One green! Incredible result.

I would like to see that again. I think you will have to take a

time-out. It really looked like he was getting both greens away. Nick

has two time-outs. Wonderful result, no doubt about

that. Nick has a chance. This is a difficult wait to play, though. Will

he get down in time? It was holding all the way. We can see it better,

but the crowd could not. They must have thought it was on target. Any

connection would have given him three or four. What is Mervyn King

to do? -- what is Mervyn going to do?

He was not very keen. He is having a good look at it. Want a green. That

was one end were Mervyn King got out of jail.

It is a good standard, and it is going to get better as the week goes

on. This really is like a world final. We have had some fantastic

matches. Tell you what, you do not win this championship by being

average. No, you have to be extremely good but also on

occasions, carry a little bit of luck. That is a good second. Now he

has got position at the back as well.

He just needs to Harry a little bit. Again, perfect line, perfect weight.

What sort of connection is he getting? That is brilliant.

Follow-through, bang on target. He got the maximum results. They are

both in. The standard is so good. It is really high quality stuff. Good

line from Mervyn. It is going to drop short. It is not far away, it

has just got to run from there. Oh, you have the trained eye. That is

why you are in the pilot seat! He has to be careful. He does not

want to get clean jack. He made the two. That was not really a spare

shot opportunity. He had to make that one. There was a lot of danger,

both in front and behind. He will be looking at this match and thinking,

how did this happen? It has not happened yet, but at the moment,

Nick is very confident, playing all the shots. It is difficult to say

what to do. The danger is you put yourself off, but he needs to shake

it up a bit, he needs to do something different.

Wonderful effort again by Mickey Brett. -- Nicky Brett.

Nicky is attacking. He does not look happy about it. I thought he might

have drama bowl in again. -- drawn that in.

We have just had a malfunction of the shot clock. It won't disturb

them. It runs down from 30 seconds to zero. There was a technical

hitch. But it proves that the buzzer is working, which is no bad thing.

It has not really disturbed him! The front is just not quite as sweet.

Brilliant bowl again, just tidied it up. Still there, for Nicky Brett,

just not quite as easy. One of the green bowls should lock in and he

might go heavier at this. Should be closer. That was a maximum results,

wasn't it? It was just off target, certainly not bang on. Mervyn will

be thinking, what have I got to do here? Mervyn deciding to come in

with his backhand. He is looking good, I have to say. Yes, indeed...

One-shot to Mervyn King. -- one-shot. He only just made it.

Nothing between these two players. Sometimes you get very pretty games

where the bowling is superb and you play well, but you lose.

Occasionally you just have to scrap a little bit and fight for the win,

shake the game by little bit and loosen it up. -- shake the game up a

little bit. I think Nicky is very good at that style as well. He is

good at fighting and making things different. He is on the wrong side

of the drawing game. You can see the clock is operational

again. Good effort, just dropping on the

red. Nicky can just drop onto that green

bowl behind the jack. The wait was good. -- weight. He has got a very

good shot on what he has got to play well. -- but he has got to play it

well. Looks much closer with this. He just

needs to squeeze the jack, but it is not getting back in time. Three

bowls, all sitting there ready to go. Coming down this way, Nicky has

played a couple of brilliant last deliveries to pick up a double.

Let's see if he can make it again. Suzanne is looking pensive. She will

be getting a bit worried. You said it, Dave. He has done it again. He

is making them count. You have to against someone like Mervyn King. He

took the chance well. Wonderful control of the weight.

It is the advantage to Brett at the moment.

Mervyn's reply. It is the sort of thing in the second round, it does

not deserve to happen to either player, does it? Mervyn must be

thinking that in any other type of match, he would be well on his way

to the final. But this man is making him fight for everything.

Look at this again, he is close if he passes the red. That is brilliant

play, brilliant. When it comes to just pure drawing, he is the best in

the world when he is like this. And yet he is still not winning. If he

gets the red he gets the results. Mervyn trying to make another and

get centre rink at the same time. He has made a two. Really, he should

transition to draw this off or squeeze the jack. What we call an

arriving drawer, making sure you are there but give it a chance. -- and

arriving draw. And what a chance! It is frightening, the quality is

sublime. Mervyn has to be careful. You might decide just to take this

one. He has got about three inches. It would normally be enough for

Mervyn but if he drops back off the jack he will lose the shot and in a

game like this, you just cannot afford to give shots away. He will

try to drop back in on it from the backhand and it has to be perfect.

He is on a good line again. Just slightly over. Only just. Good

effort. He has certainly given it a go.

Another good attempt by Mervyn together back from neck. He was just

a foot short. One dream but it's a nice position

building up. -- green. Big drive-by Mervyn. Drops back on

the red. Doesn't need it. Dead weight.

Once again, Nick Brett might be tempted to have a go. Yes, with

weight. Now he's into something with this. That is a maximum result. He

was right on target, I have to say, but that is a maximum result. He's

having a little joke with Mervyn on the way. Mervyn will not be too

amused. That is good banter between the players but he has hit the

target. That's all you can do. He was on target. He played it with

very nice controlled weight. Mervyn is in the area, pulling it

back, Dave. It's close. Look at that again. I think this is probably one

of the best matches I have seen him play. And yet, he is on the wrong

side of the scoreline. He may go again here because he has

got options. Didn't want to take his own out. He had both sides covered.

It can be hard to draw the shot. Not far away. It spends from there. Good

attempt. Such a tight game. He was on the

risk running the bowl. That is a super, super game. Put you

on the spot, Dave. Where is your money at this stage? I have a slight

favour for Nick Brett on a tie-break and the only reason I said that was

because he really wasn't playing his usual best form in the pairs. And

they just have a feeling he would come out and play a lot better. He

has got that extra dimensional to his game, as well. Very attacking.

One of his great qualities is his patient, Mervyn.

He's a very patient man. If he keeps doing what he does, drawing close

bells until he drives the opponent into the ground... His life is like

that. He's a very patient man and can sit and wait. For long periods

of time until the opportunities comes up.

Get the red bowl. It would be good. Yes, there it is. Once again, Nick

Brett, good bowls. Let's see what he comes up with. I don't think there's

a lot to get out of it, so he will have two draw this. He is playing

well enough to do it. Needs an edge. Oh, he got it. Got

the thin edge. That helped. Without the thin edge, he was onto

the front green one, but he will know a little bit of extra weight on

his next delivery, he will draw it. This is the seventh end of the nine

end set. Whoever wins this, will have a great chance to win the set.

One doesn't want to fall back now. He wants to stay up. That's

fantastic. How many times have we seen Mervyn King in this match just

put bowl after bowl after bowl on the jack? Yeah, a great bowler. He

has finished well, just behind it, not on the side. Nick is going to

have another go at this. It can't be much worse off. It is all on the

connections. Wow. Still a couple down. Good connection. Possibly took

one off. UMPIRE: Two shots to Mervyn King.

Those sorts of shots can be critical at the end of the set. Whether you

get a good result or not. He has battled into a position now,

Mervyn, where he could close this set out, 1-1. I wouldn't back

anything in this match. Exactly. 6-4, and you are still not backing

anyone. You boys get away with it. It's normally Thompson who does

that. Tom O normally sits on the fence.

I don't want this one to end. I wanted to go to a tie-break. It's

been a fantastic game of bowls. Yeah.

Players often ask for copies of matches, but I think I will ask for

a copy of this one. Machine-like at the moment but he

has just presented a target there. He knows it. This is normally a

signboard Nicky to play things, but he is staying controlled with this

one. He is drawing well. He has played some fantastic draw shots,

especially in this direction. Just inside. He will want to move that

bowl. Oh, and edge. Come on, Mervyn, due to get another one in, run for

cover. UMPIRE: Shot one, just over three

inches. His problem is the side bowl still

presents a target. Yes, he would like to move that, really, and drop

off it. Just on the high side. This will keep for later. Good position.

I think that was very deliberate. Extremely deliberate, not far away.

He knows Nicky will be tended to run at things, but he is keeping it

tight and trying to draw. In the area again. I think it's better this

time. He's even better this time. He was an edge away although, the green

bowlers dropped out so it might be shot.

Well, it's very close. A slight favour for red.

UMPIRE: Time-out. If he plays the forehand, he could come down the gap

and move the jack or he could go on the backside and left his own bowl

there. You know what it's like me can use the red bowl but draw would

account for him. Either way, it's a safer shot.

Using a bit of weight here. The shot is against him so he's playing

inside. It depends on the angle he plays this. He needs a clean bowl,

though. Deep green ones come to Mervyn's aid, but I'm not sure about

that one because it's just the angles. He's going to bring it out

into the open, John. Yes, you expect Nicky, the form he is in, to draw

this. I don't think that's an issue. I really don't. I just thought

Mervyn playing as well as he has been, a little turnover of his own

bowl would have been enough. There was never going to be any mistake.

APPLAUSE So, Mervyn King has to do when this

last end to win a tie-break. -- win.

At this stage, the only advantage to it is he has got the last bowl,

Mervyn, but is that an advantage? It's so tight. All over it again.

He's had some really good first bowls. He will battle this one.

Yeah, going toe to toe, two boxes, no one is giving an inch. High

standards. I think the crowd would love to go to a tie-break. Nicky is

sitting pretty with that bowl in front the moment. Mervyn making sure

he was arriving at things with his first delivery. More further away

than he wanted. You don't go near that one now, Nick. Play for cover.

It will all get a very tactical now. Mervyn attacking the second bowl. It

is rare. He has to make a movement. It's away. Oh yes, good bowler. Now

it is out in the open. Nick will have first bite at it.

Oh, he didn't look right about that which means something is wrong.

Probably the wait. He knew it. It couldn't be the line because he was

on a good track on the way down. He has dropped through two yards.

Doesn't look too keen. Now then, how is Mervyn's adjustment. His weight

is good. He's arriving. He's not really. Oh, he's missed a chance. A

really close bowl was needed. I would suggest you could count on one

hand how many times Mervyn King is Doctor bowl four feet short. --

Mervyn King has dropped a bowl four feet short. Nicky knows he must get

a closer bowl. Well... Mervyn really surprised. A good, close bowl there

could have one in the set. He will have to play his last bowl now. He

is on a good line. He won't make the mistake twice, John, will he? What

is the pace like? Not bad. That is the problem. That's what Mervyn

needs to do. He has made sure now of having two shots without touching

the jack and there is going to be very little option here for Mervyn

King. He may have to play this and hope he gets the jack in the ditch.

But, the match live is against him. -- life.

Running, looking for jack with this weight. He is in the area, very

close. If he gets the jack and goes with it. He has got it. Brilliant

bowler. Mervyn King, his own bowl came through. Takes a single, takes

the set. He looked good all the way, John, I have to say. He let it go,

he was on a good line. It was all about connection. He didn't want to

foul on any of the bowls which came with it. It's brilliant. 1-1, it

doesn't get better than this. It's fantastic stuff, it really is.

I wouldn't like to follow this match. Both players have really

played well. It's going to be a difficult one to

call. Mervyn hasn't played too many weight shots. My goodness, that was

perfect. Played very controlled. Didn't want to drop back from the

jack. Tension counterpunch, and no one has

been knocked out. Mervyn, are you going to get back

from there? It looks a little bit on the high side. Yes, it is clear road

all the way through. That's OK. He is just underneath. The wait was

very good. -- weight. Nick, with that last bowl, he couldn't have

played any better. I know it wasn't a given against Mervyn, but, at the

same time, he will be thinking he has got one foot in the

quarterfinal. Yes, he couldn't do any more. Mervyn hasn't just

quite... Yes, lacking a bit. He will be better in the next one.

It's very wise, going round on the deep side, just in case. Mervyn will

almost certainly be reaching this, so if he misses his own green bowl,

he has got a chance of the two reds. Not an easy shot, John, but the

other option is just to draw it and drop off the bowl. Lining up on the

forehand side. Just trying to draw it, Dave.

Needs to come back very deep. He is just over it. I thought he might

have been a little bit more aggressive towards it. Nick Brett

takes a single. So far, my prediction is working and

I wouldn't give you much money on it.

Once again, the slight advantage on a tie-break now, the second end he

will have the last bowl. Nick Brett, one up in the tie-break

and he has the last bowl. Normally it would be an advantage but, then

again, Mervyn is doing well. The rules are slightly different in

the tie-break. It's not accumulated shots. It should whiz across fairly

quickly. CROWD GASPS

Just inside. I thought he had a nipple on that. He

I knew it was on the inside. He just went under it. Mervyn, don't present

a target. Just behind. I didn't think he

needed to be that close, to be truthful. Sort of framing it a

little bit. He surely has to go again? Yes, he will. He's going.

Here we go. Very close this time. That the bowl has turned out to be a

beauty. Nick is shaking his head because I'm sure he thought that. He

must've been thinking there was no way that second bowl would end up

the shot. It has gone really well for Mervyn.

Mervyn again just trying to drop one in. Close, but not too close. Yeah,

that's close. That's good. That's really good. Nick, are you going to

go again or are you going to try to draw it off? Less weight. Looking to

try to catch it if you can and stay. Will he held? He's under. That will

do. It is going to have to be covered by Mervyn. That's going to

be difficult to cover that. I just wonder what Mervyn will do? The last

bowl is about seven or eight inches from the re-spot position. If it is

hit, the jack is likely to go if it is hit off the rink. Yeah, well, if

is governed by the forehand, the bowl is stopping him and that's a

problem because the re-spot position is just here. Now, the alternative

is to drive the bowl. That is the other option, little unusual, I

know. It will be difficult to get to that re-spot position. It is

sufficiently far enough away not to do any damage, but I know in

Australia that would be a definite option that it's not Mervyn's game.

I think he will just draw away. I have seen people play it, but it's

not easy to cover the re-spot when the opposition is so close. Either

way, Nick is going to have a shot here. Yes, he wants to push the bowl

further away from the re-spot was he has pushed it on top of it. If this

goes on to the re-spot position, the jack goes back to as close as

possible to the front of the re-spot. Well, Nick, you hate this

either side of the jack goes off, you will win this match. -- it.

He looks under to me. Yes, underneath the line. Mervyn King has

stretched it through to the last end the tie-break and, to be fair,

that's exactly where this match deserves to be.

The first to bowl is coming in this direction. Very good. Nick Brett

seems to really like this direction. The forehand in

particular. Rules change again. The only time a player can nominate to

kill the end. They replay it in the same direction. They are only

allowed to do that once. It has been bowl for bowl, and still Suzanne is

looking pensive, no emotion at all. I'm getting a copy of this match, I

really am. It's been fantastic. Nick, very close to the edge. He

played on the green it's not a disaster.

Well, what drama here, isn't it? It sums up everything good about these

championships. Great venue, great coverage, great crowd, great

coverage and great bowls. It's just been out of this world stuff, it

really has. Tremendous bowling. I tell you what, John, I had got lots

of different copies of different matches over the years, but this is

one I'm definitely going to get. Going again, Nick. Going for the

edge to get the Greenaway. Close. He has got it. -- green away. That will

change things dramatically. It will be hard to get to. No way that will

be a dead-end situation now. This is going to be tricky, I have to say.

Mervyn King will have two goes at this but, no matter where he puts

it, Nicky will be after it. Yes, but the problem for Nicky is his only

got one bowl left and its advantage Mervyn. I'm surprised he's playing

it on the open hand. I thought you might have played it on the backhand

and let it swing across. It's going to be harder to hold this bowl up.

If he stays on, he's very good. Very good indeed, and he has. That is a

tremendous bowler because no matter what happens, Nicky is leaving

Mervyn a shed load of space to repeated. He has got to beat that on

the draw. He can't take it off. That will be tough but it is only option,

Dave will stop he has pushed this well out. Has he got the wait? He

has got a beautiful line. I'm not sure he has pushed it, though. Great

effort. That's a great effort, but he is not there. Mervyn King takes

the third end on a tie-break, wonderful game between the number

six and number two in the world. A super game of bowls. Mervyn King

gets over the line 3-1. What a fantastic game. Yes, unbelievable.

Pity to see a loser but wonderful bowls, wonderful match and I think

both players deserve a standing ovation. A brilliant game of bowls.

That is as good as I have seen for some considerable time. The crowd on

their feet and thought that was magnificent and we thought it was

magnificent. I hope everyone at home and enjoyed it. It doesn't get any

better than that. 7-6, 7-5, 2-1. He was so close in the first set, so

many running bowls to keep Mervyn King at bay. This was the ball he

had to win the set. What bravery that Turk to draw right on it for

the second shot. Mervyn King, the last bowl, the match against him, he

takes the single and wins the set seven shots to five. This was

extremely brave of Mervyn King. He played it out wide on the forehand,

the jack in the ditch, and it just pulls up short, half a yard, great

ball. This is all going to be very close. Look at this. Mervyn King

just winning by one shot, look at the touches. It was a fantastic

game, everything so similar and really, we're not going to do better

than that in any match in the championship. Well, these two guys

just got a standing ovation from the crowd who watched. A high-class

match, entertaining from start to finish. I know it is disappointing

to lose, but in terms of the way you play, what did you think of that? I

cannot be too disappointed. I would have liked to have found a couple

more to get on top of the old boy. When it comes to drawing, you are as

good players as you are in the world, do you think you did as good

as you good? Probably, to be fair. I found it quite good today, I am

quite happy. There must have been a moment where you thought you were

close to winning in the tie-break? I played a good last one. The third

one leaved left a lot to be desired. Devastated you may be. Mervyn, Nicky

has been one of the players rising, years a number two now. You are a

former champion here. It was a fair time ago so do you feel the way he

played today, you have the game to go on and make another serious

challenge? Probably. He is not bad for an old boy. You have always got

a chance to stop I can only play my best. I will do my best.

Congratulations, a super match. Congratulations to Mervin who is

through to the quarterfinals. Let's take a look at the way the last 16

is unfolding. Stewart Anderson is up against Robert Reel. Andy Thomson is

up against John Price, a clash of the former champions. Mervyn King is

through to the quarterfinals. The other outstanding matches, Alex

Marshall and Gary Smith, as well as Danny Denison and Paul Foster. One

more match to bring you news on from today and that took place this

morning between Jason Greenslade and the world number 11, Robert Paxton.

We are going to join it in the third end of the second set. Paxton took

the first set. Greg Harlow is there in the commentary box. UMPIRE: It is

27 metres, the jack. Jason's confidence will be growing.

That is better. Not bad. APPLAUSE

A good start. Four rounds in a row and he has not put his first bowl

within half a yard, that is not like him. The first eight games were all

within a foot or less. It is strange how it has changed. How is Jason's

weight this time? The line was very good.

APPLAUSE A little bit quicker. The last bowl

was just over a foot near the jack. You and Greg would stick to the

backhand. , I think I would even switch there! You love the backhand!

Where Jason has finished is bank in the road so even for me it would be

a forehand. I would not be happy about it. There were a few times in

the final yesterday where we bought you would change. If there is room

then I do much prefer the backhand and its direction. Jason can stick

to it because it is his own bowl. That is a beauty and the pressure is

on. You need a big bowl. I think the time is right now. This looks good.

Yes, so much better. Well played. That is the one. That is what he

needed. He is very relieved. It has been a while. He might get a little

fiddly shot here. He can afford to play this. A little bit over the

weight. The clock is ticking but he is safe. There we go, inside the

line. He needs some sort of edge. He got it solid is, it was close. He

played that with lovely weight, I have to say. I thought that bowl was

going to fall back, actually. If it is one, I think Robert should take

it. There is still room on the forehand but any touch and he will

be down. It was a little bit full, and the Corsa ball would have been

better. There is plenty of time for Roberts to get back. -- the court

all. He will almost certainly go along

with this. He needs to get his first bowl going again. He needs to get it

in the target zone. UMPIRE: The jack length is 29 metres.

He switched from the backhand to the forehand, obviously trying something

different. Just when we thought he was getting

into the groove. Very strange, very strange. The first eight ends, he

played fantastic. He is a bit scratchy now. Jason needs to add a

foot or 15 inches. He overcorrected. Another chance for Robert Paxton. I

was looking at his profile and thinking that he lives in Taunton,

and wondered how he changed. Give me a chance to talk about Ian Bonds. We

miss him. Never believe what players right on their profiles. He didn't

update it, did he? He has not changed it. Is he going to run, is

he going to give up? It is close. Jason's body language says that he

thinks he did not make it. One green, that is good news for Robert.

A good chance to add another. It looks pretty good. It just slipped

past. Well, really, it should have been in. There is only a draw

available! This has got to be a draw! Now he will draw. Please,

please, Jason, just draw the shot. Yes, we called one right. He is

very, very interested in this. He is stalking it forward. It did not

really have the weight, though. APPLAUSE

A couple more ends of singles and Robert Paxton will be right in here

again. It is nice to score big counts but it is all about winning

ends. Nine times out of ten, the player that scores the most ends in

a set ends up winning the set. You should be working hard to get that

consistency from the first set. His body language says he is working

hard. He just has to dig deep on it. APPLAUSE

I could almost see him get his shoulder behind that one. He is not

in a bad vision, and that was not where he wanted it to be. -- bad

position. He was grouping his bowls and giving Jason an extra chance.

It's looks like... He has taken it! He might be tempted to arrive at

this. It looks like it is on a narrower line. It is a percentage

shot. Maybe a pound or two too much. It is a big decision. Should he

slide another one in or cover? Go deep. Most of us words but with

Jason, who knows? He has got his sensible head on. -- most of us

would. That splits the two greens. I am surprised Rob has not had a look

at this to see the angles stop he is just playing it from the mat. If he

plays the line with slightly less weight, it it should slip in. Yes,

he has got it. A big crowd here at Potters Leisure Resort enjoying the

bowls. These take out ones are very exciting for them. Perfect. A big

drive coming up, Dave. I think. Jason has two time-outs remaining.

That is a very hard shot. He has got a good whack bowl -- back bowl. He

is very accurate with the runners. He wants his own solid into the two

greens, I think. That is what I would be looking at. A solid red

into the greens. Oh, there is that other green bowl there. That red one

was taken out to reduce the count. Yes, the non-touch is taken away. It

is an interesting shots to look at. You can certainly see everything and

it is hard to tell who is in second. It is the drop in the ditch that is

the problem. Sometimes, as well, the angle from here looks clear-cut but

when you get on the rink, the angles are all different and it is probably

closer. It is the green bowl in the ditch that you are looking at. We

will soon know. UMPIRE: One, Robert Paxton. Not a bad result. Robert is

keeping this going now. 6-3, a couple of singles, and it will get

edgy towards the end of the set. UMPIRE: Jack length is 28.5 metres.

Once again, a long jack length. APPLAUSE

Yes, it looks like he is back in the game.

APPLAUSE Well played. He has got his weight

sorted. Jason might go early and he may drive these. 6-3 up and two

down, one bowl in there. This has to be accurate. That is why he's

roaring. This has to be precise. -- that is why he is drawing. Yes, he

is caught in two minds. He did not like that shot very much. Still...

He has lost a little. Robert is in a good position now. I cannot see

Jason doing much with this without moving the jack. That is why keep

thought he might drive a second bowl to start it up again. He is an

aggressive player and might decide to have a go anyway, he has two

balls left. Yes, draw or drive, nothing in between for my money. He

is looking to rest the back bowl and sit in. He is pushing it forward. It

does not look right. It is hard for Robert to add another. He could lose

three or four. The position could be covered but it does not look like

the jack will go off the side of the rink. Yes, Robert is going to slide

one round. APPLAUSE

I think Jason will draw again and lose a two if he has to do. That is

the only shot available to him. Right, the perfect draw... He is not

chasing it. He is watching it and he is very close, he needs to Harry.

APPLAUSE He continues his scoring run with

five shots on the trot. UMPIRE: Two shots, Robert Paxton. 6-0 down three

ends to go. Yes, and more important than that,

he has his drawing game back on and the pressure is back on for Jase.

Rob is looking very much back in control of things now. He is giving

Jason plenty to think about. He is even contemplating the first ball

drive here. He has done it before. He is going to run out of time if he

is not careful. He was definitely contemplating whether to drive. He

is still one in front. He has the 6-0 to carry roof since the game

change. -- to carry through. Look at this. That is close. He would have

liked that to have been another two feet further on. It has got to be

tempting for Jason now. It is the right angle for him. He is going

deeper. That is quite deep. Tactical stuff. He is in a good place there.

Jase will like the angle. He is saying, any connection on my red and

I am in good shape. The it was quite a brave shot for Robert Paxton, it

depends on whether he is covering or not. He could play a tap on his own

bowl and take the shot away from Jason, or else he will follow for

position. Yes, that is what he did. APPLAUSE

It is as good as it gets. A forehand runner. He could get the two bowls.

If he gets the half bowl, both greens will move and the jack will

rarely move. That is what Robert is looking at as he bends down there.

He is seeing whether the jack will move. He is taking a time-out, a

good move. He has not been excessive with his use of time-outs. There are

four available. A forehand drive, here we go. I thought it was going

to bounce off the green. The touch in the ditch, it stays live. The

jack stays live. I think Jason knew that the jack was going to the green

bowl. UMPIRE: Robert, is that the bowl you put down? Yes. A very

interesting draw. About as wide as you dare go. You have got to judge

it to perfection and flirt with the ditch at the other end. He is used

to that with a late draw. He is just under. I think it is just a draw but

I also have seen Jason Manford these before but I think it is a draw.

He has not made up his mind which way to go. I think it is the draw.

The draw it is. He is still one shot in front at the moment on the card.

That's partly why. He is slightly wider than Robert was. Better pace.

Close to the edge of the ditch. Unlucky. I think he realised he was

just going to float off the edge and he did. A single. It was a great

effort, I have to say. One inch heavy, that's all. Credit to Robert

Paxton, 6-0 down. He has clawed that back to level the scores in the next

five ends. He dug in deep when he was struggling. Got his game

together. This link is put on top of rinks

that are normally played on -- rink. I often think this would be a great

place for the home international series. Accommodation is on site.