10/11/15 Bowls: Scottish International Open

The bottom half of the draw will be sorted out tomorrow. Hello and a

warm welcome to this fine arena in Perth. We are a girly anticipating

this event. Yesterday was a great day and today will be better. I

guarantee it. The first match is David Holt against Darren Burnett.

2014 was an extraordinary year for Darren. In the early months he won

the world indoor singles and followed that with gold for Scotland

in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He won the Scottish

International title here in Perth, if he wanted, it would be

wonderful. David Holt knocked out the former world champion John Price

with a lovely display of precision balls in the first round. Born in

Eccles, he moved to Australia 12 years ago but has won Commonwealth

goal for England. -- Commonwealth gold. I thought I played early

consistently. I can only improve. No doubt about it. I put balls at the

head and out is the key, try and get as many as you can and hopefully you

will get the reward. You can only play who you are playing and at

times be as consistent as you can. In tourist real balls, not the tour,

I have been going pretty good. You enter a qualifier and I think about

six or seven games to get through. Yes, it's nice, but I have got my

family in Manchester, it was an added bonus. It is like a free trip

to see my family, that is the main reason I gave it a go. David is a

class player, played for England. He is a really quality player. I will

have to be as good if not better to give myself a good chance. You can

win a round here and a lot of Australians do not win a round and

that was a bonus, to get through the first round. It will not be an easy

game, there will not be many easy second-round games and I must enjoy

it, I have nothing to lose. I am on ladies and gentlemen, please give a

warm welcome to our competitors. First, it is David Holt!

APPLAUSE And up against David, the former

world champion and current Commonwealth singles champion...

Darren Burnett! APPLAUSE

This should be a wonderful match, enjoy yet live with our commentary

team, Paul Mitchell and David Corkhill. Thank you and good

afternoon everyone. Darren Burnett lost just two ends and faces a

different prospect in the shape of David Holt. Got through his first

round, has a chance to see what the surface is like, bringing back a

feud memories and see if he can find a way past Darren Burnett. -- a view

memories. I don't think too many people in the southern hemisphere

will take too much notice of David saying he is here for a holiday. He

is a competitor and he is here to win and we all know that. The people

that remember him from years ago, they have been tracking his career

down in Sydney, Australia, over the last number of years, it has been a

successful one. Place a lot of good, high-level competitions and

doors very well. The speed of this car but is not totally dissimilar to

the outdoor greens that he plays on. Immediately opens up with a shorter

length Jack. One behind and one in front.

I have noticed in some matches, when the joint is very short, some

players are feeling the forehand more often than the backhand. A

longer Jack length, the backhand seems to be reliable, good swing.

Just toiling a bit, this one. Darren is on the outside of the mat,

trying to help the ball back on the bias. He still has two push it out

wide, he cannot go narrow to it. This looks better.

APPLAUSE David missed the chance to close it

down with his second and third bowl. It comes on to his backhand.

Again, the weight of that is the issue. It's frustrating, when you

have played your first a foot or two behind the Jack and you drop your

next short. If it had hit it a little bit it would not have been

too bad. It is one of those ones. You miss a chance with the middle

to, don't expect to keep Darren away from that.

He will take the single. That was a bad end from Darren. But he played

just the one good bowl and will be happy to take the single out of it.

Very interesting history to David Holt over the years. Came from a

crown green background, up in the Northwest. Manchester direction, the

manager of the Blackpool indoor oiling club for a member of years.

-- number of years. I used to go over to those myself at one stage.

The unpredictability of that was that there were various rinks that

worked with different bowls and it changed every game. He visited the

side of that former club when he was last over and he was disappointed to

see that it is no more. Another successful club has taken over.

That line was good. See how short he was.

As Darren was saying in his interview, you cannot take liberties

going through to the second round. But with people like David, his

track record, the fact that he is playing such a high-class game in

Australia, it makes a massive difference.

He has had good success in Australia, especially of late, the

champion in 2013. Qualified to play in the world Champion of champions

competition. That has come down well here. A good

second. He is close with this. Brilliant.

Really well played. A choice here for Darren Burnett. He

watches as he walks back, that is a lovely shot with the green bowls. It

will not be easy, this shot, you have to narrow down the green on the

forehand. He might be better going stronger at it and that is what he

is doing. He has got a chance. Now... Will the red bowl stay on and

it has! Just got a very thin edge. Looked to be bang on target. He will

be very happy with that result. His bowl staining was the key. --

staying in. It is tricky enough to beat this because he will have to

play across it, he cannot play the narrow side, it will bend away too

much so he will have to play the forehand and come across the ring.

He had a look to see what his options were. This is a hard shot to

play. This new line, when he crosses the centre line, it will bend very

quickly so it is down to the amount of weight that he has. But he played

that well. Very good. Good play from both players. They

have found form. John Price, the Scottish coach, watching on.

Watching for Darren Burnett, of course. He is part of the team going

off to Cyprus in two or three weeks. That is the world qualifier, for New

Zealand next year, Scotland are sending out incredibly strong team,

taking absolutely no chances. 24 and a half metres. Scotland are not

strong enough in any number of sports, we cannot take any chances

with qualification. When you send out that team, believe me... The new

player they are bringing in, Stuart Anderson... He has got a future!

Yes, he has. Laughter-macro a couple of more years and he will know what

he is doing. But this is turning out to be a wonderful contest.

A little bit unlucky, it has come across that and friended. But I

think he can play through this. It is an invitation to have a little

run. Run it through the gap. That is actually a better end now for David.

Both of the Bulls went off the ring. The ideal for Darren would have been

to run the Jack through. It is almost exactly the same and I cannot

imagine Darren changing the shot on this one. Damage limitation. One or

two bowls out at those angles. A chance for both of them this time.

Yes, there they go. The Jack will go on the restart and it will be very

far away from anything else. It will be a 1 bowl drawing competition. A

smile! Even early in the match, that is good for Darren. He has made two

strikes... And a big smile. There is the re-spot. Moving out of the way.

David deciding to come across the rink again. Must be playing with

strong bias bowls. Moving to the re-spot position. Not bad. But it is

beatable. He would have liked to have been another 15 or eight team

inches closer. Darren Burnett has the option of following that, he

could change his hand and playwright out to the edge of the rink. He

would normally play a narrow side but the green bowl has come across.

The open side. It is all down to the weight and the line is good enough,

it seemed to get away a little bit gentle. David Holt...

That will feel like a shot Darren dropped rather than his opponent

earning it. His opponent dropping so short. That is the thing. Played two

drives and trying to get his weight going across. If the Jack had been

in the middle he would have been very disappointed. Two drives and

playing across like that, it is hard to get it right. But it is just the

one shot, he will not worry too much about that. This will be an

interesting battle. Tactically, there will be nothing between these

two players. Darren has greater experience on the indoor portable

rink. There was three against him, a good

shot from the Scottish man. He was not too far away from getting it

absolutely plumb. The Jack just wiggling its way through handy

enough. The wider line, an extra couple of

feet, it will bend a lot. He has missed a chance. Missed a chance to

absolutely nailed it! He was dropping his lady slightly, trying

to urge it on, an indication it was short. -- his leg.

Better line. Just needs to sneak up a little bit more. Trying to push

it. Just made it. A little bit of space to draw in and

he took every inch. It has been the tale of the singles

so far. Jack length... 29 metres. It looks

as if it will be a battle of the Jack lengths, David going short,

Darren going long. When you let one go like that, you

know you are short. You just have to watch it to find out how short it

is. The front ball... Here is the short.

-- the shot. Plenty of room for both players to

get in. This is the one you want to do it

with, the third delivery, that looks quite narrowed to me. You cannot go

searching for taglines. It does not happen. The big swinging rink,

especially at Blackpool, those taglines do not work. That was a

missed chance. A little kick of the bowl and a grimace.

The two short green bowls do not leave him many options. The target

is the bottom red. Probably the guts of three and a half feet in that two

draw the shot around the Jack. David would normally do that in his sleep.

Always a little bit different when you are out there. He can afford to

miss the front by two feet and still draw. A better line. He knows that

line is good and it is all about getting back to the red bowl if he

needs it. Just scraped away. He dropped back and that might say

something. Perhaps just the one. Close enough. He will certainly take

the shot. Well... He is having another look. When the ball came

out, he has a good eye in his head, he is good at measures. He will not

measure it unless he really feels he has got a chance. At this level,

that is normally the case. Some players at different levels and

clubs would try and measure because they cannot really tell. I would

rather someone measured than stood around for ages, looking at it. If

you are going to do it, do it quickly. That was useful by David

Holt, second shot, last delivery. That backhand seems quite

accommodating. The matter comes out, we go shorter on that. The forehand

appears to be better. The backhand just hanging off a little bit until

the way to comes back down, here it comes.

Quite a nice time for people in Australia watching this. I'm sure

there are quite a few tune in. To our Australian viewers, we just

won't mention the rugby. I wasn't going to go there. Still rankles.

Quite a number in New Zealand watching, as well. Once you overplay

that on the backhand, you have to be quite convincing about it. Having

played in one game, defeating John Price, very much in this set.

Getting more and more comfortable. A change of hand. Going to the

forehand. He used his own ball on the way into touch, if he misses

that he will be very close. And he has. APPLAUSE

A super shot, really is. Beautifully done. In all the way.

Perfection. It will be interesting to see if

David is more positive with this one. He is. We'll go away quickly.

Bowl on the bowl would be useful. Has he got a result? No. Two down.

The first time he has played a weighted ball. There were two

against him, there remains two against him. No damage done but

there was a decent strike. Yes, he was just inside what he was really

looking for. Because he was coming into that front bowl, it didn't look

like it would split open well for him. Turned out to be the case.

Needed to be a bowl wider. First double of the game goes the

way of Darren Burnett. A new line required. The weight is

good. At this longer jack length, you can't afford to go inside the

line on the backhand. covers the green ball just below

Jack high. Has come across very quickly. Did not have the weight.

This will have to have perfect Waite to get back.

Building up a position. The difficulty is whilst he builds up

that position, Darren has the opportunity to add another shot. One

or two here from Darren Burnett and David Holt will be in trouble.

He wants to rest. Preferably draw the shot as well. That stops the

jack going through. Holt is in all sorts of trouble. He will try to win

off the side football and get the other ball. If you can get the edge

off the red ball, it is the one he is after. That will spring to balls

out of the head. He can probably see it passes own front one. He has cold

free time out so he can take his time. Doesn't look good from the

mat. Horrible shock to have to play but he has no choice. He has to hope

it doesn't take his own bowl out. That is what he is going for, trying

to get the edge of the red one. Needs to get past the first one. He

has a real chance here. Well played, David Holt. The bowl would have gone

fine but I think he has benefited. Great shot. No guarantee the red

bowl was going to miss the green one. Just missed it on the high

side. Dear, oh dear, I was writing it in

then he sneaked over and looked at my notes. I do like to be helpful.

Honestly! It makes the short list of two at the moment.

What a great shot it was from David Holt. He has got a boost from that.

He certainly enjoyed it, keeps him in the set, gave him a real chance.

That shot was really to save the first set. Brilliant bowl. Add to

control it and he did. Now it is back to his favourite short Jack.

18 inches past jack hi. To save to say David Holt has lost his English

accent. I noticed that, it varies, there is an English Aussie twang to

it. Which is understandable. He has been there a long time. I do think

Darren will mess about with this. Too big a target. He will be calling

a time-out. It has drawn pretty well off the

forehand. He is putting his foot down. Really what he wants to do is

have a look at the Angles. He does that, absolutely right, it will

disappear there. That is the only way of looking at it. The front bowl

has the angle to come off of the jack.

He has hit three or four that he was going for. Just got it too solid.

Damage limitation, takes one away. He has got the last bowl and that

will be very useful now. That position pretty much held by

Darren but Dave needs another bowl in. Hasn't got the luxury of going

deep with this one. Trying to encourage it back into the

head. And he has. He played it well. That is really good. It has finished

off jack hi. Not ideal. He is smiling. He knows he has made the

target bigger but he had to get one in. Stand-by for the Bernadette

Express. -- for the Burnett express. It has power. It will go on the

re-spot. It will be one to read. Good turnover. 2-1. 1-shot, Darren

Burnett. He has a good success rate from the heavy bowl today. I just

thought the angle of that bowl would bring it through. David Holt would

not have been surprised. Jack length, 29 and a half metres.

Final end of the opening set. Darren Burnett leading by one.

At worst, he doesn't want to lose the set. Has to go for a really good

second. If not the shot, try and get something out of the set when the

opposition puts the first bowl down like that. Holt will be trying to

sneak around the front one. Now, as he remembered the weight?

No. Well, no damage done. Wasn't far away. It needed another foot or so.

Darren will just be trying to put a foot on.

Darren will just be trying to put a weigh up the situation. I tell you

what, he is in bother with this, he really is. If he goes attacking, you

can see the red bowl going out of the head. Has to be very careful

there. Is his own red bowl on the draw on the other side? It is, but

there is a very good shot available for him into the split. It forces

the red bowl out. He has gone to the open hand for the

draw. It is his own red one that will concern him. Can he find a way

past it? He has come inside. How is that for a shot? A brilliant bowl.

Didn't fancy the risk on the forehand in case he got the green

bowl onto the jack. He played the safe option but the more difficult

option in many ways. You have got to have so much faith in yourself as a

player. And he did. Just taps the leg. A professional response to a

brilliant bowl. Time-out called. Now he is back to trying to lift one of

his two green bowls onto the jack. What can he mix up? I think he is

slightly under it. Oh my goodness me! Has he fluked it? I think you

might have. He has indeed, it is a tired set. Well, he would have

looked at that plant but I'm certain he would have thought that the angle

wasn't quite right. I did see the plant. Finn edge and in. He was in

the area. He knew it was possible. What a great set of bowls.

The only thing we know for certain is we are not going to a tie-break.

Winner takes all, second set. Unless it is tied of course, but that is

rare. Is rare. It can happen. People looking at this match and saying who

deserved to win that set? To be honest with you, both players

probably deserved to get something out of it. It was a brilliant last

bowl by Darren Burnett. These two players battling for a

place in the quarterfinal. The way they are playing at the moment, they

are battling to beat David Corkhill's shot of the day as well.

Plenty of food for thought. My front runner for that already.

There are still two good matches to come. Stay with us here this

afternoon. Alex Marshall MBE, and Greg Harlow next up. As Darryl

Burnett opens the second set in fine form. The next match is a bit tasty,

isn't it? It should be an absolute cracker. I will enjoy that.

Darren just trying to come around the green bowl. Strong bias bowls he

is using as well. Both of them are. Draw for second or drive it out?

That is the choice for David Holt. Looks a better line, looks like he

is coming in on the wild side this time. He needs to have the pace to

keep it going, though. The centre rink. Picked a line out. Darren

Burnett can follow his last. Muddy the water.

Well, I suppose, you say it is a missed opportunity, it stops a

weighted drive shot come around the front one onto the jack. It was and

what he was playing. He was trained to get right up to the jack, and

cover it. He did it slightly differently to try to arrive into

the head. He is out on that wider line as well. This is all about good

weight. Good weight, this will pull back all the way to the centre line.

Looks pretty good. The second jack did move. That is a good save from

David Holt. Plenty of players watching on from the balcony, one of

us joining us is the rid Anderson. Thank you very much, Paul. Stuart

Loving this match but they really interesting first set for your

team-mate, Darren Burnett. You would have thought he could have got it

but he would be disappointed. To be fair to David, he hit his target, to

go 5-5 with two to go. Darren played a phenomenal bowl. David dug in, hit

his target and got a great result at the end. He will feel a bit hard on

by. David living in Australia now. A very well-known English player. He

has had a long and illustrious career, he has been around a long

time has the game to do that amateur. He is known to be one of

the best on the Australian indoor circuit and he has won a few things

out there. How are you playing at the weekend? Nikki has one of the

last two years. There will be tough to beat. Playing like an overseas

player. Hard to judge a game like that. Yes, I'm ready, I am here for

some practice later on and see how the Maragos. We wish you all the

best. Stuart Anderson taking care of Alex. A winner in Hong Kong. Wasn't

put under any pressure. These practice sessions that the players

have are important. Once again, David just a half bowl inside where

he wants to be. He has to have a bit more faith and pushed them out

wider. A big Bend on them. Daryn Colledge stressed. David knows

you need to find centre rink otherwise players will just rest you

off. Straight bowls are very prevalent down on the southern

hemisphere, not as popular up here. You really have to green them wide.

Just pulling inside the line. This has got to be tempting. For

David Holt, punch into the red bowl, he has three seconds, take a

chance. Might take one of his own out, possibly even two, but he will

be very unlikely to take all three away. Alternative, draw the track

through on the forehand. Looking at it on the forehand. Interesting he

is playing that shot. Fortified have a percentage -- a go at the

percentage one. Had it been outdoors in Australia I think he would have.

I think that is a heart -- hard shot to play on the portable. In three

seconds, drive it out and take your chances.

Single bowl target. Just looked and easier shot to me, that is all. He

had drawn three times and coincide feline. Tee shot did not appeal.

Just one down, fairly conservatively.

So Darren Burnett, who had such a great 2014, winning the world indoor

title and then the outdoor Commonwealth Games singles title. He

would like to add to Scottish International open once more to his

resume. He won it back in 2001. I remember it well. It was at

Kelvingrove. That event. He nearly defended his title too the

following year. Got to the final. This is the adjustment bowl coming

in. Gives him something to work off. Tempting, this one. To rest into

them. This will pull away very quickly. I

was watching way was standing on the mat. He was at the front inside

edge. The thing about playing in the front

inside edge is if you are playing what we call inside out, playing

into the line and hoping to comeback of it again, if you are playing the

outside of the mat, you are playing the high line and coming back in

again, usually the safer way to play that forehand because there is a

tendency to hold off or cut across very quickly. Something you find out

about in practice, I suppose. See how your bowls react. Close again.

David has got a good bowl Inler. Darren is peppering the jack. Might

go harder this time. Given the way that this game is

going, Darren could find himself five shots up. It is a long road

back. Looks better. Unlucky, just got the

edge and did not get back down again in time. Darren's consistency is

starting to come through. Calling for this to get back down

again and goodness me, he very nearly took his own bowl out and

would have given an extra shot. He is all action, he is all movement,

and always has been. He has cut it down by one shot. That is the

consolation. Jack length 29 and a half metres.

He is one of the few players, the top-class cramp players that has

come onto the flat and one titles, the most successful. Noel Burrowes

transferred across to the flat. Have you tried your hand at that? I

played in a professional tournament before and it is a hard game, I have

a lot of respect for the crown green boys. It is so difficult.

Darren is coming into his own, getting the consistency going. I

played on the famous Waterloo green recently, the jack Mark is 65 yards

away, I could barely see it. Andy Kerins was my tutor for that

particular game. David is going walkabout and Darren

will take over. He has to be very careful now.

Looking good again. Finding that lovely line, the long jack length.

On the backhand. Favoured by most of the players. He cannot afford to go

playing into things. David, you need a very good bowl here to draw your

way out of trouble. Interesting. Trying to come across and inside his

own bowl. Almost always going to force him slightly tight and that is

what has happened. Framed the target.

Darren Burnett. Three great bowls so far. He has got a choice. Keep his

hand, he could change it, play it in from the other side. Either side is

good, he will not be too concerned. A nice position. Either side of the

green bowl... Just needs to miss it and he is good. Yes.

APPLAUSE He was going to make another one.

David is in trouble. Darren coming onto his game towards the end of the

second set. Now he is really putting the pressure on.

Time out call. This is virtually a shot to save the set even though we

are not halfway through. Eight - zero would be very difficult to get

back from. The opening set, he needs a result. Once to catch the front

red one to clear. He is going to go onto it and lose at least two of

them on the re-spot. I just wonder about that front green. You can just

see it. It could be 50-50. David trying to bring the jack out and he

has saved a considerable amount. But I actually thought that the two red

bowls were in. This would be a massive result. Well... He was

buying on target but goodness me... That is a massive result. He thought

he was losing two of them. APPLAUSE

One shot to David Holt. Looking at 8-0 down, looking to go to

Manchester for the holiday part of your journey and instead... The

lifeline is there. Well... I think that is more than a lifeline! It is

like seeing the RNLI right beside you when you need them most! He

missed the jack on the short jack. It has gone too short and that is a

mistake. He will bring it as far down as he can.

Both players have been playing runners that were on target or very

close to 40 were looking for. Got good results. That one took the

biscuit, I have to say, a massive result.

That was pretty good. Slightly surprised, Darren took a little bit

longer. The jack is maybe just a little bit

short. Still... Should be interesting, this one.

He missed a chance, that was the one to turn the jack around the corner.

Plays a very traditional game. You can see him shaking his head, he

knows himself, that is exactly what he would be looking for. Another

bite at it. He has got a chance with this one, a

big chance and he wants to get right up to the jack. A little touch on it

and yes, that should make a three. Three green. Much, much better. That

little touch was a major bonus. Not much here for Darren Burnett. He has

got to draw on the forehand for the third shot. A running bowl if he

wants to play right through it and get a good shot. He has been quite

accurate so far, he wins it. It is Darren's turned to be a good result

or maybe not... Measure for the second. Thought he was getting

better than that. He pushed it right in. He was happy

bowl from getting it absolutely perfect. Touching? Not the best

result in the end, he thought it was better than that.

Very quickly down on that. Just checking that... And one green, it

is. One shot, David Holt. APPLAUSE

Five bowls ago for David Holt he was facing what we thought was an

impossible situation. Suddenly, he is only two shots behind. It is a

funny old game! Go at it with the jack length this

time. All the way from the hand, it was

short. He has made the correction but it is

still a distance away. APPLAUSE

This might force Steve told onto the backhand, let's see if he stays with

it or not. He is changing. -- David Holt. It looks narrow. Even at the

short jack length you still have two who the bowl, especially with the

swinging bowl he is using. A shake of the head, he knew it, the second

left his hand. You cannot go hunting down that short jack length and

think, I will go narrow work, this will not happen here.

Finding a good lie again. Putting the pressure on David with almost

every last bowl. He has to have faith. He is going

for the runner. It is a narrow line, with extra weight to try and make

sure. He is in the area. Yes! Played it well. That was really good.

Beautifully judged. He did not overplay that weight. With the back

position against him, he did not fancy the draw. He looks so tranquil

when he lets that goal, absolutely no animation. A little twitch,

everything else that is going on. Darren lines up his little

controlled runner. He looks in the area as well. For the back

position... That is well played. APPLAUSE

Got the single, played it well. Some really good bowls and these are hard

shots to play. Some great bowling here this afternoon. David Holt

saving the problem and Darren Burnett responding. Not easy to

play, either of them. Difficult. But the accuracy of both men... That was

the key to it. And the waiter that Darren and David used... -- the

wait. 28 and a half metres. Good stuff, I am really enjoying this

match. Three ends to play and I promised

you know tiebreak. And it is certainly rare in television bowls.

This year we have had to tide set in 35 sets played. The players are

going to win the set, they are not even prepared to share it.

Disturbance needed, good effort. Just inside the lie. It is touching,

yes. Lovely to see these guys having to

push out the bowls wide. Particularly when they are running

with two and a half or three feet of line.

APPLAUSE Wonderful accuracy from Darren

Burnett. Definitely stepped up a gear in this second set.

David Holt... Coming in off... He does not get it. That is unlucky.

The red bowl out, second shot, on the age of the green and he was

close to everything. It looked good. That is the reaction. When you are

behind and you are looking for that sort of shot... That is what

happens. Darren will come out to come behind and cover at the restart

as well. Anything deep is good. David is forced into playing it

again simply because he cannot afford to lose two shots here and be

five behind with two ends to go and set that he must draw at the very

least. Going again... At the risk of

running out his own bowl. For a second time... He made the gap.

Playing it with beautiful weight, really.

Well... That is just unlucky. It is hard to do that from two or three

yards away. The problem is... Darren will just come again. Round the back

and said look, you want a third chance? Well, off you go. I think he

cannot afford to play it now, I really don't, I think you must try

and trot it off his own bowl. If he hits that now he will be more than

two shots down. He is trying to draw the shot.

Well... He is using less weight this time. If that gets onto the front

bowl he is in a heap of trouble. In it goes. Just as well that did not

headed. He would have team for shots down. -- hit it.

So unlucky with three and number for. It has been a steady second set

for Darren. He is the one putting pressure on David. Definitely, we

saw signs of it at the tail end in particular. The first set. Darren

just starting to find his way. The second set... Continuing that,

moving up the gears. David has played some good bowls but Darren

has been in control. Darren is looking to get to another

quarter-final. David represented Australia, the

2014 world Champion of champions. Eventually lost to Ian Maclean. And

he has been prolific. In any other country he would be right up there

representing them at all levels. He just happens to be Scottish! They

are so strong in the men's game, really. He has been very unlucky.

APPLAUSE Down the left, doing the right

thing, keeping them in nice and close, keeping the pressure on.

Just trying to close out this match, if he can, with a nice, clean

double. He is giving this a go. In it comes.

Well... When you are on the wrong end of 7-2, you start to find those

and he was just a little bit inside the line. On another day, you hit

the edge of the bowl and dropping in front of the jack.

It may prove not to be a wasted shot. Darren is trying to close down

all possibilities here. A little shallow. It has been a

while since he played one like that. David looking for the same bowl,

turn the jack for a double, to give himself any chance.

It is all about the wait here, the line is good. Just over it. He is

just over the wait. He does not like that. He turned his

back. The line was good enough. Yes, he popped it down on the right line

but he knew he had not pushed through it and there is a chance

here for David, if he can get the edge of the jack and run onto the

red bowl. He could touch it over for three. It is tough, it really is. He

wants to try and force the final to be played. Up he comes. David Holt.

It has gone away. And that will be it for his trip. A great first set.

You could argue, the Commonwealth Games gold medal winner of 2014

played better. Got himself away. In the end, Darren Burnett defeating

David Holt, 9-2 after a tide first set. Darren is into the

quarter-final of the Scottish International open.

It was a match of two haves. No doubt, the first set had everything.

Both playing well. Darren fighting very well in the second set. Really

fishing through. It was really all to do with the second set. The total

shots score of 15 against eight. Aaron was exceptional in the second

set and showed why he was the world champion last year. -- Darren.

A very fine second set indeed. He is through to the quarter-final and for

the great match. A great game, but the second set, you played some

wonderful bowls. Flashes throughout the game of what I can do. A little

bit inconsistent at Tyne but David is a great player. A draw was a fair

result but I dug deep. I thought I came on better in the second set.

David, a tight game, especially in the first set but in the second, the

current Commonwealth singles champion, he showed his class. It is

what I expected, these guys are red hot. I was pretty happy... I fought

hard, I had quite a huge shots but I don't think he missed a single

running shop. All I can do is cross my fingers, it was not to be.

Fantastic, but let's talk about the first set. Darren, you put in your

last bowl and you must have thought you were getting this.

It was all I had on. David had blocked the forehand. Just made it

perfect. There was a better one to come. There certainly was. You are

standing there watching, knew you had been putting all the pressure

on. Had a big bowl play and my goodness you didn't half play one. I

wasn't overly happy when Darren drew the shot. I could have got my own

onto the jack and almost made two. But I knew that if I got that there

was a chance but I had to come away with a chance -- be lucky to come

away with a chance to stop I was a bit lucky to get a tie but it didn't

help me a great deal! We knew at that point there would be no

tie-break. We knew it would be one in the second set. You are used to

playing over there in Australia. Do you think that gave you the

advantage in the second set? It is difficult to know. Thought I had

done enough to edge over the line. It takes away the tie-break. Unless

you have a second tie-break which is very unusual. Pieters talk about the

last bowl, end six in the second set. No way back from David from

that point of view. When I got into a lead I wanted to try and keep

that. I just got the contact right. Hard to get you watching that. Leigh

I was pleased I got the shot but I was resigned inside to think he has

not missed one yet keep a we won't miss this one. He was far more

consistent than I was. That is what wins you the games. You said you

were here for a holiday as well. Are you going to go and see the family

in Manchester as well? Not a bad way to start your holiday, I would

reckon? I am on a flight to Paris tomorrow. If I had one that would

have spoiled it a little bit but I was told trying very hard of course!

I have really enjoyed myself. Fantastic experience. Keen to get

back. You did not spoil his holiday plans. . Absolutely not. David,

enjoy Paris, we have enjoyed having you here in Perth. You are through

to the quarterfinals. Well done. Darren Burnett, well champion in

2014 of course was next up, a guy who has won the World Championships

quite a few times. Big Alan Marshall. Quite simply the best --

Alex Marshall. He has a habit of breaking records, not even

Alex Marshall. He has a habit of friend Paul Foster comes close to

Alex Marshall. He has a habit of a dominant force but a win in Perth

remains out of his grasp. He is currently in the form of his life

however. The 2015 world indoor singles champion, Alex Marshall MBE!

18 months has been fantastic. Six time world champion, double

Commonwealth Games, Gold Medal. You cannot beat that. Being in your own

back yard in front of your home support. It has been a fantastic 18

months. I am still hungry, still looking for success. I have high

expectations now. looking for success. I have high

year. Will there be joy here in Perth this year? A player that wants

him to lose is a very fine player indeed: Greg Harlow. He loves the

title here. Then came a run of International open titles and in

2010 he stood on top of the world. This year in Perth, Greg knocked

Carol Pottle out in the first run this tournament.

I thought she played very well. Certainly in the second set, she

calls me a huge challenges. You want to get that first win and get the

ten points on the board. I then think you tend to relax a little bit

into the second round and you are almost guaranteed a tough game so

you just relax and enjoy the second round. I have played him a few

times. To draw him on the second round, which was always on the

cards, looking at the draw, it doesn't get much tougher but I shall

be looking forward to it. I am quite happy with my form. I played a

couple of pre-season tournaments that have gone well for me. The

first round went well. Today will be the true test obviously against the

best opposition to where I am at this stage in the season. Ladies and

gentlemen, please give a very warm welcome to our next to bowlers here

-- two bowlers, Greg Harlow! And facing Greg this afternoon, six

time winner and current world indoor singles champion, Alex Marshall!

APPLAUSE COMMENTATOR: This should be a very

fine match indeed between two great players and two great Powles as

well. A few days after the 5th of November

but expect fireworks between these two former world champions. Current

world champion out there. Either of those players could go and win this

tournament. It could be one of the hardest games they will have.

Absolutely, for a second round match, we went, can they get

through? It is one of those games that everyone wants to see. So tidy.

Again, Alex has got this grittiness about him. He wants to win this so

much, you really does. We shall see how things pan out. Two top-class

players. Very little between them, as Greg Harlow opens up with a loose

ball. No one ever really wants to say too

much when you are being interviewed at the start of a match. These two

guys know each other so well. As Alex said in his interview, it is

all down to who plays well on the day because there is just nothing

between them. Irrespective of the ranking situation. Their places were

reversed not so long ago. I think there is something special

about winning something in your home country. In Alex Case, just up the

road. Your bowl is 14 inches short of jack high. -- in Alex's case.

Greg has always been known as an attacking player. He has pulled back

over the years on that particular shot play and it has worked out very

well, concentrating on his drawing, which has been exceptional.

The gap on Greg's bowl is five inches. The voice of Alex Thornhill,

our marker. A very experienced marker, Alex Thornhill. Commonwealth

Games and World Championships level. Monsters round the back if you can

fall back. Just a little bit through.

Got a little bit of extra weight on this to try to bounce the jack

forward if he can against the bowl. Oh, he nearly made it, very nearly

made it. Just looking to crunch the jack against the ball and bounce it

forward, if at all possible. Not exactly a special opportunity.

Had to be careful. -- a spare shot opportunity. There are not many

tournaments Alex Marshall has played in 15 times and never won. This is

his 15th appearance here. The Scottish international open. Runner

up in 2005 was his best. That particular final he looked the

odds-on favourite. He played the most marvellous game in the

semifinal, and prior to that he had been exceptional but moved on to a

different level in the semifinal. Ian Bond was due to play him. He

said is it really worth my while even turning up? It was that good.

But Bond turned up and took the title away.

Alex was just discussing his first game with the player from Israel,

who played very well in the international open. Coming over from

Israel without any real experience at all of the indoor carpet. Guys

were telling me he was brilliant in the practice games. He really was.

40 was in for a tough one but unfortunately it didn't happen

during the real match. That is the way it is. Just turned out to be

target practice for Alex Marshall. Shalom is a great sportsman in other

areas, as Greg sees an opportunity for another runner. Gets it right.

There they go. So good at that shot, controlled weight. The bowl did

almost a little pirouette to say look at the shot.

Craig just want to come inside that red ball. -- Greg just wants to come

inside that red bowl. Missed a chance to add another.

Alex has one of the smoothest deliveries in the game. Puts the

bowl away sweet as a nut. Look at this. It looked like the hard way

in. Never discouraged by the hardware. It looked like a forehand

shot. Played the backhand, which he obviously favours, and played a

beautiful shot. Has dropped since then. At one

stage, it was illegal to carry your bowl up the rink, but as you were

mentioning, he is carrying the bowl. That rule was relaxed a lot of years

ago. Thank goodness, as well. It is a different story if you put it

down. CHUCKLING No, definitely not allowed to do

that. Not an easy one for Greg. He has got a back green bowl available

to him so if he gets it onto the jack, he is good. He is away

cleanly. It is a hard shot. The forehand is so difficult to play

with weight. Always on the high side. Can't afford to play it tight.

If you do that, you have no chance. Well played again, doesn't want to

disturb it too much. Worked out really well. Solid bowl. I thought

the jack was going to move. Alex obviously thinks he has made

the correction, and he has. You knew that was close as soon as he let it

go, he was after it. Good players always know when they have got a

good bowl. A little touch will be enough for

Greg. Is he under? Very much so. This is a safe shot to be in

position to receive sure the head be disturbed. It is difficult for Alex,

to be honest with you because he doesn't really want to go near it.

Stay away. Alternatively, he has the back position covered, the

alternative is to hope it is in the way.

I tell you what, he is getting very close to this. That is a really good

bowl. Got it a lot closer than what I thought he would.

Last bowl of the end. Greg Harlow. Just over it.

Had to come inside Alex Marshall's bowl. Racing against it wasn't going

to bring anything. Alex Marshall just having the better of things.

These two players have met head-to-head in singles since 2006

or 2007 just the three times, which is surprising. Alex Marshall has won

all three. A lot depends on the way you play.

Alex Marshall never seemed to enjoy the Welsh Grand Prix. Never really

worked out why. He had moved to Blackpool and he was absolutely

fantastic. Has been a good move. He won that at a canter. You definitely

don't want to play him down at Potters.

I suppose you could say the same about Greg Harlow in Sheffield. A

number of titles. The last thing you wanted is to get great in that

venue. Good bowl. A full sweep of the world roles for

singles titles, Greg Harlow. Looks a little lazy. Must've thought

he was a lot closer. So just eight had heavy. Care for

Highline draw with this. Don't get too close to the jack. Looking to

drop around it. Looks under. Seemed to be a bit of length where

both players were struggling to get to it after a couple of good bowls.

We will be happy enough to move away from it.

This is interesting. Greg going for the short jack length by the look of

it. Alex Marshall just distracted for a

moment. Greg will be tempted with this.

the forehand. It is not easy, though. Two of the five time-outs

Greg Harlow had, he has used them. That may be a problem a little bit

later. I am not surprised Greg is playing this.

He was probably try to come off his own ball. -- bowl.

Well, looking on, David Holt in the middle, the Australian. Stewart

Anderson as well, watching on. Enjoy the action from the players'

balcony. It is a great place to watch, actually. You get a good

view. There are monitors up there, of course, so they can see the full

action. He is doing well. But he was a bit

unlucky there, because he has brought the jack out into the open.

Wanted to leave it hidden behind the bowl and forced Greg onto the

forehand, where he has a different type of shot available.

One out, but more importantly for Greg, he has developed the position.

Alex has a choice here to either draw in again, or go for cover with

the deep green one. Takes the time-out. It is always difficult

whenever you have a choice like this, because you know the bowl can

be removed for one or two shots, but you also know that you may lose

three. You can't cover both things with one bowl. The alternative is to

try and turn the jack yourself, take the shot away from your opponent. He

is close. Whoa! It is two read, but that will not do his heart much

good. Greg will be after the two of them.

Time for Greg to score. He needs a 1 or two here to give himself a chance

in the last two ends. Alex Marshall knows he is in control

of this set. But he is also aware of the fact that Greg could bang in two

or three good ends against him and close that gap.

That was a bit unlucky. That was why Alex was interested to play the

forehand. He didn't know exactly where that bowl was. He was not

asking about the closest bowl. If he needs the shoulder, it is available

to. -- to him. Greg has a bit of extra weight to

try and get to the red bowl. Very good home. He just needs another one

in. If the shot is against him, he might as well play the backhand. He

just has to put a little extra weight on from his previous

delivery. This is a chance for Greg. The bowl

is probably worth three. Time-out. If he can get the jack

into that sort of position, you are looking at four shots. If he is able

to get the bowl out and rest it off, it is worth at least three. So

choices are available. It is all about what sort of weight he wants

to use. That sort of weight gives you a chance for both the bowl and

the jack. That was the chance he was looking for.

Alex is looking at this. He is not sure. If in doubt, get the measure.

Absolutely. This is where the umpire and the marker are very worried.

Well, it is always a judgment, and the players know that. It is not

definitive. But if they get it wrong, when they go back into the

players' Lounge, they get some grief. Like to see those calipers

out. Very accurate. Alex has walked away. Alan Thornhill

got it absolutely right. Reputation intact, yet again. There is a

familiar figure in Scottish bowls. Paul McArthur, current president of

the Scottish indoor Bowling Association. Also, most games silver

medallist. He was the sighted person for Robert Conway in the pairs.

That will do. Plenty of space for Alex to get in.

Alex is now working for a different manufacturer, and he will now be

using their bowls from now on, as opposed to his previous one.

Oh, dear. Alex now knows the line to take. A bit of a given, wasn't it?

It was a put your mortgage on it type of shot. If he gets it

absolutely right, he might just get the two bowls. Well, I think he

might have picked up a single. Let's see. In the target area.

There is with the chance of the jack bouncing up the green with that

shot. A controlled shot across the green. That is not easy. There were

almost three choices. There was the jack, the green bowl, or playing to

his own short one. But Harlow keeps things alive -- Greg Harlow. But it

is just a single, so a full house required to share the set.

It is one of these instances where you are just defending if you are

Alex Marshall. Don't give your opponent the chance. The same as he

has been playing in this match so far. In some ways, Greg will relax

because he knows the chances of getting a 4 here are very remote. He

will just try and build a head up as best he can.

And suddenly, there is a bit of room. You can see it better at that

angle. Greg, have you pushed it up? Well, I

think that is it now. Two and a half feet short.

Alex is just querying the jack length. That is the way these guys

operate. If you tell them something is a particular length, they play to

it. There you go. Top players will put the bowl down

at a 14 second rate. They are finely tuned that way. Not much here for

Greg except to hope to stay. A controlled weight shot. It is too

tight. It is one shots to Alex Marshall.

Well, if you were looking for a word to describe opening set from an Alex

Marshall point of view, but would be efficient. Did everything he had to

do, and did it well. Yes, no drama. Didn't have to play too many

difficult controlled weight shots. The last time these players met in

the world semifinal in 2015, seven - six, 7-5. A great game it was.

Alex Marshall went on to win the title.

Good starter. The last bowl is ten inches. This will be very much about

who manages to play well at their opponent's jack length. Greg looks

to be going short most of the time. That is perfect.

Both these players were easy qualifiers in the end.

where the drawers are. Some of them were inexperienced overseas players

who do not get the opportunity to play on the indoor rinks as much.

And for any overseas players to get these top guys, it is very

difficult. get ahead in the opening set. Let's

see how the champion is doing and how he is enjoying watching his

clubmate. Yes, we were just talking about what Greg would do for that

last bowl in his hand, and you were saying he might take the one he'd

not bowl, but a wise decision? Yeah, I think he's just looking to grab

some of them. Alex has done well so far. So Greg would try and grab the

initiative early. It is interesting, because Alex Marshall really looks

on it in this match, but in this format, forget the first set, let's

get on with the second and it is anyone's game after that. That is

true. Greg will be looking to sneak as many ends as he can and take it

to the back end of this set. But Alex has drawn fantastic so far, so

Greg would just be looking to get a couple of ones and twos early to

grab some lament. Greg is a great player. He is, but every time Greg

has played a good one, Alex has beaten it. So Greg will be looking

to get tighter, earlier, and force Alex into a couple of runs and maybe

get them on edge. How do you think this will end up? I knew you would

say that! I will say tie-break, but I would not like to say who will

win. Thank you for that, you have started sitting on the fence. No

worries! COMMENTATOR: There is no better

fence in Scotland than the one in Perth. Yes, we built it specially.

But they came out with a good point. Usually, when Greg has played a good

bowl, Alex has responded almost automatically. That can wear on you

when you do well, but your opponent betters it. That is what Alex has

been doing. I think he was being diplomatic there as well. Alex will

know that Greg will come back at him pretty hard in the second set.

That is pretty much what I expected. Nikki was saying, and I also believe

that you are really trying to force Alex into playing the hard shots.

They are not easy. Alex Marshall has got it. He has, but the jack has

gone off into a respite position. That will not matter, because the

jack is off the rink and it will go back on the re-spot.

Lots of room, of course. But at the same time, it is not the best

result, is it? It would have been unbeatable if it had held in the

ditch. That is what is going to happen if you are going to put

pressure on. You just hope that your opponent, even if he is on target,

you hope that he hasn't the best result in the world. Greg will be

looking for a good, close bowl. Normally Alex would drive that, but

he cannot. He is going to tour it. He will be hoping to draw it.

Players practice, trolling to the re-spot, part of the preparation.

Never any bother getting his second shot. Never an issue. Just dropped a

little short. Happy enough with that.

APPLAUSE Greg Harlow needs this is set to

force a tiebreak. The difficulty with this sort of draw, either of

the two players could go on to win the event. They would have been

preferring to have been coming up against each other in the

quarter-finals or semifinals stage. But when you add in Stewart

Anderson, Paul Foster, Nicky Brett, Robert Paxton... They are all

potential winners. Andy Thomson is in there. I would not dismiss him in

anyway. Mainly because he would not let me! He likes playing here, he

plays well here. Half a dozen former winners lined up at the start of the

two run. Nicky Brett is the man to beat. He has won it twice.

It is one of those tournament is you think there is a potential eight to

ten players out of the 32 who could win it.

It is an easy game when you are as good as Alex Marshall!

Greg Harlow needs an edge. He just got the tiniest bit. Slightly green,

very slightly, very close. That is a good call. Alan really doesn't have

enough time with the clock to go in and have a look at that. Look at

this. Look at this! The crowd were clapping that around four or five

metres away, they knew it was close. We have been saying it as well,

Paul. He gets a good one in, Alex Marshall bangs and right away. A

super shot, it really is. He set up a back position for himself.

A change of hand for Greg Harlow. He does not fancy the forehand, I am

surprised. I thought he might have tried to play it on the forehand,

give himself a little chance at turning over the bowl.

But... All down to personal choice at the end of the day and he

favoured the back. One and a measure. Greg favours

this. Yes... It is a bit of a match for the

connoisseur, to be honest. There is a lot in it that you don't

automatically see and to be truthful, the shot clock is there

and it is therefore different reasons, I would really quite like

to see this with plenty of time available. Six and a half metres. A

psychological battle going on out there as well. But these guys know

each other very well. APPLAUSE

Slightly past, two inches past. So little to choose between these

two men. Craig reached the semifinals of the

worlds last year. That was a big run to the

semi-final. He needed that, seeded 10th. It was a massive amount of

points to pick up. I cannot really think of Greg Harlow going down the

rankings, you almost look at him as one of the top players. Those coming

through with Robert Paxton and Nicky Brett... Number one in 2006 and

again in 2012. As you mentioned, down to 10th, that grabs your

attention. That was a wry smile, he knows he

has left the target... Alex Marshall bowled more than likely play in to

this. Start again. He is keeping a very close eye on

this. He is close. APPLAUSE

Nothing to disturb him with that one. He played that well. Took the

touching bowl of the rink at the same time.

He could have locked on to the back red bowl but that would have been

asking a bit much. He will be very happy with that.

The way Alex Marshall is playing I am not convinced that is close

enough. He still has a bowl to play. The only thing is, coming after a

running bowl, the jack is off centre. I am not sure he is wide

enough. He could be inside it if he has good weight, not to drift too

much. The wait was good, but he missed a line. That is rarer. Yes,

it is, he acknowledged himself. In it comes, he played it well. Greg

Harlow picks up the double. Plenty of support on the balcony.

That is his wife along with Les Gillett. Razor, I always like to see

him about the place. I had a good chat with him earlier. He never

fails to entertain. Yes, he is a good lad.

He has got a good history, he came through in 1997 from the qualifiers.

Out of the top 16 four off while but he has fought his way through. Back

into the operation longs of the top circuit and it is not easy to do but

he takes a lot of credit for him. It takes great determination to come

back. Enjoyed great success here in Scotland.

He is going for the bowls, Alex Marshall. Accurate again. There it

goes on to the re-spot. He will not worry about that. The idea was to

open it up. You cannot always get a 100% result but... He will be very

happy to get space around it. There is a sign that Greg Harlow is coming

into things now, definitely the more dominant in the second set. Alex was

very much the lead player in the first set.

That is stopping quicker than I thought. I bet you that Greg thought

it was closer as well. That is a better looking track. Get

the reward, in it comes. It looked like a bit on the narrow spot but

that looked better all the way. 18 inches is doable.

Going to come the other way. He was very wide. It made it into

effectively in front of the Jackson he cannot go any wider and has

enforced to come across the line and it is all about good weight. Stop

any time. Just a little bit over. Alex can reply with a second shot,

bringing him right back into things. A spear shot opportunity.

A good hit by Alex, followed up by some good draws.

We knew it would be close and it is. Alex Marshall taking the opening

set. Greg Harlow with an advantage of one with four to play. I do not

think he would have read too much, to be truthful. They are both

playing well enough. -- he would have worried.

But if you are looking for the full-length, you will be happy to

see it come in. He will be even happier to see a

close call like that. Playing away from the commentary box. We could

see that all the way in. Alex Marshall will change onto the

forehand. He is pushing it up. It looks a bit pacey. The jack is

off centre, the normal situation of forehand would be to hold a little

bit of weight so it makes sense to play with a yard more. Alex is

trying to turn the jack round the corner and if he misses this, he

gets a good position. The forehand runner. He knocked one

out. Three seconds. The back position is all green.

He will want something in there, to draw second shot, something close

enough that both can be moved at the same time. He was on the target

area. Another bowl needed. The forehand runner again from Greg

Harlow. A nice little two shots for Alex to

pick up back-to-back. An interesting run-up for the last three ends. He

ticked the Greg will settle for that. Try and

drop another one in. A little touch on the jack would be good. Dropped

on his own bowl, make a double. That is good.

Alex Askin, is the jack level? That is interesting. Most people still

call it jack high. Very proper. -- Alex is asking.

Just to decide, running through. A good place and that gives him

options. A second shot would be good.

That has just gone and inshore to two for. -- and inch or two.

He will look at the re-spot position, he cannot afford to take

his own bowl out on the runner and if he does that, he is three down.

Time out called. The re-spot position is over in this

direction. Moving off to the right hand side. That is to the right hand

side of your picture. He is licking to try and rest up to

the green bowl. -- he is looking. That looks like it is worse! That

was unlucky. He wanted the bowl, not the jack. Greg Harlow does not need

to worry. Let's look at this, absolutely perfect because he did

not have enough weight to carry the jack through. Disappointment. That

just dropped away. We do not know what the position is that it is at

least one. It is at least one and it looks like too. I think the reaction

from Alex in the end... Greg is trying to play into his own bowl if

he can. Drop inside to the red if he can. What a shot that is! I think he

was almost thinking I might get a drop on the jack. It was only the

one. That was really good. Looking to see... He was hoping to get the

edge of the red and drop back on the jack. He would have made for. Greg

Harlow has just one time I'd left. With two ends to play in the set.

Potentially a tie-break at left. This has been good. Really good,

this set. Greg has just moved up a gear in the second set. He has been

matching Alex all the way and on occasion, putting him under

pressure. Both players have been using weighted shots to get out of

bother, nothing between them. Alex is following that all macro

up, baking sure he has the right line. He was not sure, he was

encouraging it along. -- following that bowl up, making sure. He was so

close with his last bowl. That is... I thought I heard a lot of talking

going on. I think it was something... He was indicating they

should stop the shot clock because it was not his fault. It did not

appear to be movement, it was noise. You are perfectly allowed to do

that, we have had it before. It has happened before. With a mobile

phone. We just stopped the shot clock, that is it, forget about it.

Something similar happened a couple of weeks ago, but it was the mobile

phone belonging to the Minister! He was getting a call from his boss.

Alex Marshall, offering some protection in front. It is very

difficult, really, it is. He can afford to go into the last

end level, knowing that he has two win the next end anyway. As long as

he does not lose two shots. Try harder, but that doesn't have enough

weight. Both players are being reasonably tentative and you can

understand why. More so Greg who has to be very careful.

He would dearly like to open their head up but he cannot afford to. If

Alex drops the same he might be tempted. Just around the corner.

That is a useful window. Every bowl has value. For Alex Marshall.

Well... He is going onto the forehand. I thought he might, at

some stage. He has been trying to tap the bowl, draw around it.

That is a hard shot, but he has the weight. He has to be careful,

really. He still has two win the last end, no matter what. With two

shots... That is different. It is possible for Alex, if he can come

around and touch onto the jack. He could be looking at three. It is

tricky. I still think he will play the draw, to be truthful. Try and

drop in on the high side. If he can get two points, he will be

delighted. He knows the way it is sitting. There is a green bowl in

there and if he can get to it, it could make a difference and that is

why he is looking at the Angles but it's terribly risky.

He would like to go into the last end holding one 2 shot lead, give

himself a bit of a buffer. But he will need a very good bowl to add

another one. I don't think he will have any other choice but to draw.

Well, sometimes you have to be wary.

Well, it was on the cards for a number of bowls there. The last few

bowls did not have any effect. Greg will have the last delivery. Nothing

between these two players in this set. It has been super stuff.

Greg making absolutely sure he was behind it. In this situation, you

are better to adjust back than just forward.

Can't do any more than that. See what your opponent does.

Alex must like this, because he is trying to encourage it forward. Just

didn't have the weight. He must have really liked that, because he was

right behind it. However, Greg Harlow will play the back and

again. -- backhand. Time-out called. I think that is his final time-out.

Well, it is a tie-break, he gets an extra one anyway. He might as well

use them. If he plays this absolutely right, it will be hard

for Alex Marshall to do anything about it.

Tell you what, I reckon he thought that was closer as well. He knows he

has given Alex Marshall a chance here.

Time-out called. He is looking at the front bowl as well to try and

take the green one out. I think the difficulty was that he probably

thought his last bowl was right on it, and it dropped short. That is

what is making him hesitant. If he knew he was half a yard short with

his third bowl, he wouldn't hesitate, he would go straight in

their android. But because of that, he is thinking.

Don't believe it! Goodness me. That looked so good. Well, he gave

himself two chances. Split away from the green bowl.

Couldn't get any closer. Greg Harlow and Alex Marshall have

not been disappointing in this game. Alex Marshall felt he had it,

but it wasn't to be for the third time in four meetings between these

two great players. It is a tie-break. It has good stuff.

I think he is still shaking his head about that bowl. Alex was looking at

it. I was watching him and the body language normally tells you when he

is right there. I would have said even a yard away from that, he

reckoned he had it. It is good stuff. We have seen very few

tie-break sofa, certainly compared to last year, when it seemed be

every other day. -- every other game. There some any good players

left the event after the first round. I think we will see a lot of

tie-breaks. Maximum of three ends, if you are not familiar with the

format. That is interesting, not hanging around. Well, he has opened

it up. That can be a valid tactic when you

are this good. It is not when you are not that good! It is all right

for Alex Marshall or Greg Harlow. But it is a hard shot to play. Alex

will be drawing this time. Didn't expect it to be that far

away. I don't think he did either. He realised that Greg had not played

a particularly good second bowl, and it was available to him. Greg can

now make the alterations required. So much better with this one. That

changes things. The jack will probably go off the

rink if he goes for it. That was actually a valuable bowl

for him. And it might just stay on. It is right on the edge of the rink.

They are happy that it is in. He has played a really good end

here. Alex kissed a chance on the first draw, and Greg closed it down.

-- Alex missed a chance. Alex might have to play this on the

forehand. That is a horrible shot, to be honest with you. In terms of

difficulty, it is almost off the scale. Time-out called. This is a

toughie. It is hard to judge your line, never

mind the weight of it. Couldn't afford to be too heavy. That was a

difficult one. Greg Harlow takes the opening to this tie-break.

It has been a fantastic game. Alex had the edge in the first set. Very

That is terrific. away. I think he has to stay away

from it. Do you try and plug the gap? No, because the backhand is

playable as well. Absolutely no shot to play. For the

connoisseur, this is brilliant. This is tactical genius what to do and

when do it. Greg is on the forehand now. It is a wonderful psychological

battle out there. You expect Greg on his forehand in particular to be

close to this, and he is. That is the problem for Alex. He couldn't go

near it, because he couldn't afford to give the shot away. Superb from

Greg Harlow. He had to leave that shot and hope that Greg missed it.

That was all he could do. Advantage, England. Now the difficulty is that

that plant looks as if it has taken the closest red bowl out, but he

still has the runt red one. So he's looking at it. I think he will have

to play the runner straight through onto the green bowl. It will

probably take out this bowl, I would imagine.

Oh! Greg Harlow snaps a three-game losing streak against Alex Marshall.

What a game. We expect is an epic match, and that is precisely what we

got. Alex Marshall took the first set, Greg Harlow took the second,

and the tie-break goes to the Englishman. Greg Harlow advances to

the quarterfinals of the Scottish International Open.

Well, we knew it was going to be a great game.

Yes, Greg Harlow through by a whisker. I spoke to you before this

match and I said to you, we are expecting an epic tussle, and it

certainly was. I wasn't too sure at halfway that it would be an epic

tussle, but I was glad it turned into one for you. You got off to a

great start. Your length was very good and it was looking promising.

Yeah, I was very happy. But I always knew Greg was going to come back at

me. I was happy with the way things were going, but I expect him to come

back strong. In this format, if you lose the first set, you can almost

forget about it. That seemed to be the way you were playing the game.

You were struggling a bit in the first set. Yes, I never give up, but

in my mind, the first set had gone and I was trying to reset for the

second set. If I let Alex getaway in the second set, he would be down the

road. The turning point in the hatch was the seventh end of the second

set, with a big bowl required to put pressure on Alex. I had a good lead,

and then let it slip. Then it was a big bowl to get my nose back in

front, which is all important when you are chasing to win the second

set. I played a good end, probably my best of the match. It was all

looking very good indeed. At that point, Alex, you did clap, because

it was a fine bowl. It forced you to play with a bit of weight on your

first bowl of that set. What were your thoughts behind using the

weight as opposed to the draw? I was looking to get my short bowl onto

Greg's bowl. But the green bowl didn't move. If it had rolled over

once, it would have been enough. Watching that, I noticed that you

breathed a sigh of relief. I could see he was on target, so I was

setting myself up to think, you have eight inches to redraw the shot,

which is never easy, to save the match. But then as my green one

stayed there, it was relief. I was glad not to play the last bowl.

Let's look at the tie-break as well. Ultimately, a very big bowl from you

to close out the match and force Alex into a big shot. Yeah, I was in

the ascendancy them. Alex had been in charge of the whole match. I

pinched the second to get into the tie-break, and I was feeling the

most confident I had been through the whole game. That was a great

shot, whereas in the first set, I would not have thought I could get

anywhere near that one. Confidence is key in this game, and his line

and length were getting really strong towards the end of the

match, where yours had been on the money in the beginning. Correct.

Greg played a brilliant shot with that last bowl and virtually left me

with nothing to play. That guy just doesn't miss. He certainly doesn't.

He was on fire. Quarterfinals for you again in Perth, and playing

well? Yes, happy with that. I need to start earlier. If not, I could be

in trouble. Overall, I probably pinched it a bit. Alex was more

consistent. But very happy to be in the quarterfinals. I believe it is

Thursday, so a day off. Alex, commiserations to you. Greg Harlow,

through to the quarterfinals, well done.

Well, fantastic stuff from these two. Greg really got it right at the

right time. He's through to the quarterfinals of the competition.

Now, who will be in the quarterfinals alongside the Carlow?

Andy Thomson, do you reckon? Well, I don't think anyone would argue if

you called him Mr consistency. People keep going on about my age.

To get to a singles final was really special. I was just delighted to be

there. I had been playing good bowls up to the final. Unfortunately, I

went down a couple of notches and Alex played really well. So good to

get to the final, but disappointing. Very fortunate that I have managed

to win world titles. But I still have the urge to come to Scotland.

My family are here, so it is always nice to come to Scotland as well. My

home is down south, but I still have the motivation to do well in the big

tournament. For me, the big tournaments are the TV once. These

are the ones you want to excel in. So that is the goal for me,

especially in the indoor season. I keep reasonably fit. That is an

important part. I don't do much fitness training. But fortunately, I

am quite slim. I am lucky in that respect. I feel as though I still

have another four or five years left. It is always difficult once

you get on a bit. People do question. But my motivation is still

there. I still want to seriously do well in the tournaments. I prepare

for them. I do still work at the game. Maybe when I lose the love of

working at the game, that is when you start to think, maybe I

shouldn't be here. My form is good. I don't feel as though it is

declining. I still feel as though I am playing well. I practise with all

the top players. You just don't know. It might be your week, who

knows? The top boys are the favourites, but I could still match

them on any given day. Match them and beat them. I've been Andy

Thompson, playing fantastic bowls this week and also at the world

earlier this year. This afternoon at the Dewars Centre in Perth, he faces

David Richardson. Not quite what I expected. I thought

it would be quicker, but I am happy with it. I had a good result with

it. I have been playing for 32 years now, been on the PPA circuit for

seven or eight years. Delighted to get this far. I have played him

outdoors three times. 2-1 behind. The occasion, the players you have

got here, the standard is very high. Just take one round at a time. I am

taking it a year at a time and if I qualify again, it is good. Ladies

and gentlemen, please give a very warm welcome to the final two

boulders onto the rig here at the Dewars Centre in Perth this

afternoon, former England Champion of champions, David Richardson!

And facing David this afternoon, former world champion Andy Thompson!

Joining Paul Mitchell in the commentary box is Robert Paxton.

It is interesting. Andy Thompson says he has nothing to improve -- to

prove to anyone any more. But he is capable of winning. Definitely. He

says he says he's enjoying it, but he is going out with one thing in

mind, that is to win. He's certainly capable, no doubt about that. Andy

has been playing well. And it is a test to play somebody you have not

played that often and certainly not indoors. Definitely. He is going to

enjoy it today. He will give it his best. As soon as he gets on the

board, his nerves will go. For the players who have come

through, they have qualified, it's important that they get into the

game immediately. You do not want to fall behind to the likes of Andy

Thomson. Definitely, so many qualifiers coming through these

days, knocking on the door. If you are with them, the seeds are the

only one who are worried. A good opening bowl. He has changed

since the first round as well, just getting used to a new set of bowls,

always a little bit afraid. -- bit different.

A good first round win against Mark Dawes. 11-7. He was 7-0 down in the

second set. He played some great bowls to get himself back into it,

and put Mark Dawes under pressure. Left-handed player.

Looking for a change of result. A little bit short. The red bowl looks

a little bit lonely. I do not think Andy will be too adventurous to

start with. He has decided to have a go. He must be careful. How far

through will he run? He wanted the jack ideally. The

first end, the first job for the umpire. It is a nice easy one for

Sandra. The bowls are scattered to the four corners of the comp is. Or

perhaps, that English would be scattered to all four points! Check

which red bowl is closest first. It looked like the shot and it is.

From the point of view of David Richardson, he played one good bowl

at that end. Quite happy. Played a good opener. I think he will get

there. He is a little bit nervous, obviously, in front of the TV

cameras but I think he will settle down. Jack length, 29 metres.

Coming back. David Richardson, the qualifier, you had a bit of trouble

yourself with a qualifier. Gary is a qualifier, he is better than that.

Pushing for the 16. A great chance of getting it, potentially, this

year. It was always going to be a tough battle out there in the first

round. A great game, all the way to a tie-break. Very good game, both of

us played decently that night. Good play from Andy. Just doing what

he has got to do, not giving him much room, stepping in.

Andy Thomson, you would expect, would pop in a fourth. He will be

looking to turn that jack round the corner a little bit.

Do you try and play heavy and scattered us? He is probably

dropping a three, he has got to be straight down this, he is not afraid

to. David Richardson will take some

consolation from that, a good hit, but he needs to get his drawing game

in order. Definitely, we know it is there.

A lot better with this. This is the one.

It is important for him. Andy Thomson would happily outdraw you

all day long. A chance here. The same hand. That has gone out

wide, staying well away. I think you might be tempted. That is the

problem, the consequence of not younger. For Andy, there is a

chance. -- consequence of not being there. He will have a little run.

Just on the top side. He does not miss many of these runners. He plays

it nicely, he does not overcook it. A chance to get a double, get right

back into it. One shot, David Richardson. It just

went a little bit through on that occasion.

It will be interesting what he does with the jack.

A little change after the way Andy played the first end.

Left-hander. Coming from the backhand.

In it comes again. He is putting the pressure right on. You feel the

pressure that little bit more when you have an dropping the bowl short.

It does not help, you have to give yourself a chance.

Same again. The side of the green this way is a little bit heavier.

The lines are good. It is just that little bit heavier. And he is in

again. APPLAUSE

Played a huge bowl the last end coming this way and he is going to

do it again. It is harder, no room to get through.

The thought process will be, don't be short, give yourself a chance. It

needs to run. It needs to run a touch and he has played a good one.

He has played a good one! He cuts it down to one. He does not mind

playing bowls under pressure. He doesn't, but you don't want to waste

too many. You can only get so many of those to go your way.

He has given that a chance. In he comes. Just fell away.

If in doubt, measure. Andy Thomson always stores. No point in having a

conference about it. Andy will be honest. He will keep the umpire

busy. He does not have the best eyesight.

There is a gap. A little bit closer... It is between the front to

bowls. Two shots, Andy Thomson. He just got there with his last

delivery. Andy Thomson... Easing into this game. Away from the

commentary box end it is coming together. Andy has played to great

ends. Picked up a couple of counts. Davis just about hanging in there.

He needs to string a couple of ends together. Such is the nature of sets

play, even if this gets away, you can play yourself into it. He never

gives up. 7-0 down in the previous match, the second set, he came back

and took the set so he obviously has fight in him. Stayed on the

qualifier circuit for seven years and finally made the breakthrough.

Almost got through in a couple of events this year, lost in the

international open final, in a tie-break.

A couple of loose openers from Andy. A chance now, and this is where he

has to step in. You will not get many chances out there. He was over

grassing before. This seems to be better, stepping inside.

unlucky. He swapped that round. You have got to be stepping in. In

general terms, it is not bad bowls but at this level... You have got to

be a foot and a half. Andy will think himself lucky. The three loose

old macro he has put round... -- the three

Are A really good second goal from David Richardson. -- second bowl.

Just seemed to lose weight quickly. It is not a bad bowl where it has

finished. Dave Richardson has got to get round that. He has changed

hands. Great effort. If Andy can get to the

back red and drop it down... He is having trouble, David

Richardson. He has never looked settled. He hasn't quite fallen into

the pace yet. Of course, the more you struggle, your arm does get

tents and feels a bit heavy. When you are playing well, you almost

don't notice the bowl being released, because it is playing so

well. When you are not playing well, the tension is there. Sometimes your

shoulders are not as relaxed as you would like to be. You just generally

overthink. That is the problem as well. The more you think during a

game, the worse it is. You need everything to go with the flow,

simple. Normal service resumed for Andy Thomson, moving away from the

commentary box after four loose bowls at the last end.

It is another good effort. He is not giving him any room. I would be

tempted to go with the next. He has got to win this end. The way he is

playing at the moment, I don't think he is capable of getting the shot on

the draw. Andy Thomson, just checking the

score, which is not appearing on the scoreboard at the moment. He is 7-3

ahead. If you were going to go there, you

had to go with your third bowl to give yourself a chance with your

fourth. He has made his final shot really hard now.

Sometimes you just need to get that arm going through.

If he had get there. It was off that back

bowl. Probably just as well it did. Credit to him for the hit.

Not looking too bad. A good time to play two of your best bowls.

The first time in the set that Andy has felt a bit of pressure.

You can see he is feeling more relaxed now in his body language. He

has played another good one. A touch unlucky, possibly. Played it

to perfection. It is two reds. Andy Thomson may use one of his time-outs

here. I don't think he could change anything. Time-out called. It

depends if he can see the edge of his own bowl. If he can't, he might

attack it. Andy has four time-outs remaining.

The green bowl has fallen. And it has actually brought him the second

shot. That will certainly make his mind up now. Makes such a big

difference at this stage. Definitely.

Well, he has looked at the set on a few occasions, so credit to him for

battling back. But now he has defined at least a two. -- he has to

find at least a two. I have been in both situations

myself, same as Andy, playing well, but can't get review opponent. And I

have been hanging on by the skin of your teeth. You never know.

Not a bad first bowl. Andy Thomson, Scottish International open

semifinalist 12 months ago. And that is pretty good. Almost

perfect, really. You're bowl is an inch and a half.

This bowl is 14 inches. This bowl, the gap is 18 inches. Good, clear

instruction. Yes, some of the best umpires in the

game. A poor bowl from Andy. There were options on the other hand

perhaps just to drop between the red.

He will not be pleased with that. If it is just in front of the length

bomb that is certainly usable. What do you do here, Robert? Do you play

with a bit of weight to push it? You know your opponent has got right of

reply. Time-out called. Unfortunately, he has got to play

the shot which is so hard on this carpet. He is just looking to turn

the jack around the corner. All credit to David Richardson, the

44-year-old from. Very shaky first couple of ends, but settled down and

got himself into it. He finished the set pretty well, so it has given him

the confidence now. I think if you start the second set well, he could

push Andy in this one. Winner in 2007, Andy Thomson. He has

reached the quarterfinal or better in seven of his 12 International

Open appearances. Up against David Richardson.

Dave has an early chance in the second set.

Here comes Andy Thomson. He played a good one, Andy.

Andy Thomson has a drink to refresh himself. We will be staying with

this second set at the Scottish International Open in Perth. David

Richardson of England, Andy Thomson, an Anglo Scot.

Andy Thomson takes the opening end. Again, there are signs there of

David Richardson. It was the right selection, just on the heavy side.

Definitely. He is getting into the match now. Andy knows that, so Andy

will be trying to step up another gear. Play UK-based qualifiers is

never easy on this carpet, because the standard of the players is

getting higher and higher coming through. Just looking at the ranking

of the players coming up, there are some quality players coming through.

There four or five players coming through that could easily get into

the 16. The advantage of being in the top 16

is that you automatically go through to the event, you don't have to

qualify. Any bowler can enter the

qualifiers, that is the great thing about the sport. You have got to be

decent, I would warn you. But you can come up against the top players

in the world if you can qualify. Definitely. There are so mini

players who play in the qualifiers, of all levels, just to get a chance

-- so many players. It is tough. The qualifiers are hard days, playing

five or six games in a day. When you get through, this is the reward,

playing the top players on the blue carpet. It is what everyone dreams

about doing. Andy Thomson wants another look at this.

He will use a time-out here. In terms of time-out monetarist, is

early to use it in the set, or is it good use of it? It is always a tough

one. You have got to use it when you feel right. When I played my first

round, I would use three in the first set, which does put the

pressure on going into your second set. But I think Andy just wanted to

check the angles. That was exceptionally firm. All the

good work of David Richardson undone by the even better work of Andy

Thomson. Great strike. You get the five time-outs in both

sets, and if it does go to a tie-break, you get an extra one.

Well played again. It has been a great end of bowls. He played that

hand so well with his third bowl. Almost a repeat of the start of the

opening set, Andy Thomson taking the first two ends. The differs between

the first set and second set as the quality of the play.

You mentioned that Andy has taken up the coaching role with the under

25s. That is a good appointment. He has coaching experience from the