12/11/15 Bowls: Scottish International Open

2008 champion Greg Harlow squared off with Jonathan Ross. I played lot

in the past we have not played in recent times. He is going going good

this week. We have had a magic this morning the stub Jason Greenslade

come at the Welsh wizard, is through. He knocked out Gilette. We

still have Andy Thomson, Darren Burnett, Mark Royal and Greg Harlow

against Jonathan Ross. It is good to have you with us. You are welcome to

an afternoon of bones live. Yesterday was an extraordinary date

with all these big names crashing out of the tournament. There are big

names and big talents left. No doubt about that. The first match will be

a beauty. This fellow has an uncanny ability to get to do business end

tenements. He could have made it four victories if he had not met

Alex Marshall earlier this year. He has had a fairly straightforward

route to the quarters but knows his opponent today will be a tough NUT

to crack. The match of the tournament was the one in which

Stuart Anderson played Nicky Brett. The Scotsman conjured up a great

performance to send the defending champion on word. He recaptured the

form that saw him win the world title back in 2013. He has never won

here, but came close five years ago. I think it was 2010 I lapsed to

Mervyn and I have not reached a quarterfinal since then. It is

massive for me. I have got too well and do well for the supporters.

Strip will be a tough opponent. I managed to beat him here last year,

but we are well aware how well he played against Nicky Brett. He is

playing well. He has had two comfortable wins, so it will not be

straightforward. I need to play at my best and hope it is good enough.

I like the Pierce, I like the carpet, it plays well. Everything

ready to try to get to another final. To win it would be extra

special. It is all about myself. If I play well I am capable of beating

everybody. I take every game as it comes along. You cannot afford to

think too far ahead, but to get to the final would be a great

achievement for myself and to go one further than 2010. Give a warm

welcome to our first two bowlers this afternoon. Triple world

champion, Andy Thomson. And facing and eat this afternoon, would

champion in 2013 Stuart Anderson. A big cheer from this expectant crowd

for a match between two very fine players indeed. Enjoy this. Good

afternoon everyone. Who do you fancy? The number five seed, the top

seed left in the competition, or the man who put out the defending

champion twice? It will be difficult. What we will see is

Stuart Anderson referring to his drawing game. He is one of the best

draw is in the game. If the beat Andy Thomson to the drama, and it

will see is Stuart Anderson referring to his drawing game. He is

one of the best draw is in the game. If the beat Andy Thomson to the

drama, and people have... Andy Thomson gets us underway.

I expect both players to be very accurate. Sometimes a bad result

here and there can make a massive difference. The first two balls but

the pressure on the opponent. played out on the backhand. He

thought he was close with the previous ball and it ended up short.

I do not think this will be any better though. It is a bit of a

loose end. He should be forcing himself through it if he

draw second. He is on a nice track with this. You get a great deal of

confidence from being able to pick up that extra shot. Yes, at every

level it is important to take that chance, the shot where your

opposition has nothing to come back at you with. Put a lot of effort

into it and make sure you are there. One of the first factor is in the

quarterfinal was how well Greenslade was playing. Jason was putting in

the killer ball. A great performance by Jason Greenslade here this

morning. The number 12 seed. He is through. It is hard to pick winners

on quarterfinals day. The next match will be equally as tight. Stewart is

just trying to make the adjustment but he has not pushed through it.

Jonathan Ross Plank against Greg Harlow, Jonathan probably played as

well with his first two balls as I have seen for some time. In fact, to

be truthful, he got a quarterfinal international and played well in

that event. His first two balls were very good. If the patterns on his

third ball he is a real contender. He doesn't want to get sucked into

the heavy shots. We have found out he has an ongoing problem with

shoulder. It doesn't affect his draw shot, but it affect his draw shot,

but it affected with short play. Thomson dropping short here. Keeps

things open for Stuart Anderson. Any one of these three games you will

see here with us this afternoon has potential to be the biggest match of

the tournament. Quarterfinals day always a great location here. A good

crowd here as well. We are almost always guaranteed for really good

games, some of the best players in the world available to you. Scottish

representation again this year. Good ball, Andy. Don't want to leave it

to your third delivery every time though. Still, not bad where it is.

It is an opportunity for a spare shot. Not a given. Early stages in

the match, it is never easy to draw another one within a foot or so. I

would expect him to make it though. A forehand shot for Andy Thomson.

Can he picked up another ball with his final shot? I don't think so. He

is a bit short of where he wanted to be. Andy decided to go on the

forehand and bad. A little bit on the short side. Always great

admiration for Andy, keeping his enthusiasm for the game. Stewart

Anderson, more or less have Andy's age. He has the use and a great deal

of experience considering his youth, but Andy has all those years of

experience. Seen it all, done it all. He has a great appetite for

more titles. And the works for a poem 's company. That is a major

advantage. I wouldn't want to edge the red one. There is always that

danger. Just a foot over the weight. Stuart Anderson just using his

shoulder. Doesn't need it. Front ball absolutely perfect.

Looks to have a little more life in the wake of this one. Past that

would have been useful. He can take his own boat out, but he is already

too down. He is sticking to the draw, but if he plays over the drop

by a foot there is no chance of it getting back. You really have too

narrow that line down. He was slapping his hands within three or

four metres of that ball leaving his hand. He pushed it through, so there

is a chance for Stuart Anderson. Forehand. He has a chance with this.

In it comes. It just drifted through. We have seen a number of

balls stopped short this week. Even a foot away it is not a given that

you will get the extra shot. It is not always easy, especially if you

change your hand. The thing is if you through Johnny

Ross into the mix, he is the Irishman. He has been playing a of

Paisley for a long time now and has represented Scotland. When you talk

to him and listen to him you know exactly where he is from. A bit like

Andy, he has spent more of his life in London than he has in Scotland.

The accident is still very strong, still there. You know where he is

from. And it is over the Scottish border. Close with this if he can

make it past. There is the adjustment again. He is very close

with this. It just dropped away. The balls are pulling up just a little

bit there. You'd think they are all the way to the jack and they just

blew up a little bit. The players are getting caught out a little bit.

And he is making sure with this. If you overplay it it will not get

back. It is not a big, deep hand in terms of the bent on it, it is very

steady. Not surprised he ran after that. He must have thought he was

there. It dropped very short. It doesn't seem to be as consistent,

that hand, as normal. No one knows why. They view seeds of doubt in the

player's mind though. If he gets that in it was put away very

quickly. Looking for a perfect weight. Both players having a bit of

a chat. They are having a chat about that. It is a strange situation. The

scoreline in favour of Stuart Anderson. Both players will have

taken note of the length and how that was finishing. 829 metres Jack

Lang. Anderson prefers longer option. A 29 metre. It went all the

way. Stewart will make the correction on the line. It need to

dip very hard now. Six inches short. Could still make it inside. It did

look a fraction higher than his previous, but not much. Stuart

Anderson is right on the outside edge of the map to get the ball back

into the centre line. Let's see if it works this time. He just moved

across a little bit. Yes, this is better. Better without the edge,

actually. He doesn't want to touch his own front green one, so he will

be coming round the corner. This is good. This is very good. That is a

good ball. In particular, if it is third shot. Stuart Anderson will be

looking for a little tap on his own. He has the shoulder to use, which

could bring him into a better angle than if he was to hit it absolutely

clean. He was the high side, the wider side of the ball. He has

narrowed is lying again, but is it narrow enough? The extra weight will

hold it. Nice with for the job. Hard to find the track though. A bit of a

wry smile on the way down. Difficult shots those. Line one, Andy Thomson.

He can't afford to drop his own ball down. If he gets his own, he will

make a double. Just being a little bit careful about it. Can't blame

him. Andy Thomson had a good season last season. He was aboard runner-up

to Alex Marshall. Overall, that is a tidy season. It has kept him well up

the ranking list, that is what was important for Andy. A nice little

return on all the investment of time and effort. No extra great care is

to show for it though. They have been there for a long time. I am

sure he will have warned you before you came into this commentary box.

He told me to behave myself. Not allowed to mention bus passes and

things like that. And it will be 60 in a couple of weeks. -- Andy. He is

looking good on it. Keeps himself fit. Dropped a couple short here.

Stewart will take full advantage of that. He needs to score at this end

and the next one. A bit of a battle in the last 2p. He has given Stuart

a free run on his own Jack Lang. -- Jack Lang. He needs to be in and up

with this. He has kept the line. The weird looks better. Still struggling

a little bit. Another six inches and he would have come in behind the

jack. Keeping his hand, just wanted to

pull around now. Not looking so much as a ball. Finding it hard to

believe he was dropping that much short. Can get to a player when you

argued, and dropping three four feet short. Little tap on the ball to

make sure of a single. Dropping inside it. The line is good. Does

not need any help. Just need to hold on.

I wonder if Stewart will be tempted with this one. He can still draw it.

He has the running ball available, if he fancies it.

He has the running ball available, was it refused to go. Slightly up

the rink. Should be a correction on the

weight, the line was perfect. As a chance with this one, as well. Jack

clean is what he's after. Do not want the ace involved. If he got the

edge, would have heard the jack. Did not go too close to it, must be well

in. Andy Thomson will call the first of his time-outs.

The forehand really is tricky, if he can make bigger will be fine, more

likely to nudge the red one in. Backhand, will not move the jack.

Save a shot to play. -- say first shot -- it is a more safe shot to

play. Have you got the weight, and the?

No. Trying to push it up. Stewart will be looking for this. Into the

Red Bull. Get into the split if the can. An edge would be good, would

make a double out of it. It is just cutting away. Wow, that

was a surprise. Can understand missing it, but not by that

distance. Did not see anything on the delivery particularly odd.

Having said that, where it has finished is quite useful. Andy will

have to make sure about this one being deep.

Interesting playing on that side, thought he may have played in the

backhand. Stewart looking for this angle onto the bowl. Just turning it

over will be fine. Interesting whether he can get it back onto the

other side. Playing very controlled at this.

Trying to get the split around the front green. Does he have enough

weight? Just getting killed by the front one. He has moved the red one,

not by enough. A run of three straight singles for

Andy Thompson. Was not going to do much damage with the weight, just

pushing the green a touch. Might have played it with more. Jack

length, 26.5 metres. It was such a difficult shot, he tried it with the

previous ball, with it away quickly. Try to play slightly with the draw.

Great stuff, really good. One more end to go. Almost the first set.

Arching it forward, suggesting it is well short. Little slap of the hands

together. The last thing he wanted to be. If anything up to the second

red bowl. Two shuts down in the last end is not a disaster. Three shots,

it starts to get a bit tough. Stewart as to be careful, does not

want to leave the shoulder. Andy having a real good look at the line.

Once the know if he can get it into the inside line. Up that is as good

as he could have hoped for. Great shot. Round the corner, that will

look horrendous from the mat. It will certainly not the clever.

Little touch on the jack. So little Andy will be forced to play on the

forehand. He is going for the backhand. Hoping to get a front ball

onto it. Took one out. I can understand him playing it, to be

truthful. Hoping full bowl, giving him a result on the re-spot. Look at

the target. The forehand, the green ball was more over to the right than

I thought. Stuart Anderson. Already will feel the set is quite

comfortably with him if he draws this in. End number nine will be

fairly easy to defend. Round he comes. Three shots. That is the big

end. In this opening set of the quarterfinal. Andy can look back at

that, thinking the forehand was not any easier, probably playing the

right shot. So the chance getting his own front one in, taking one

away. In doing so, he left a lot of room for Stewart Anderson. Beautiful

camera shots, lovely illustration how far it comes to go all the way

back. That is where you want to open up, when your opponent needs a four.

Under the circumstances better than being short. The shortfall is fairly

close. Andy needs four. Again, pretty good. Cannot do much with it

at the moment. He has to wait to see if Stewart makes a mistake. No

mistakes here. That bowl virtually locked in. Probably going to be

enough. Unless Andy scores the full house he needs. Going for the

runner. Trying to make the connection. If he misses this

inside, running off to the ditch. That will be the end of the first

set. Deciding shot. Stewart Anderson takes the opening set. It looks

comfortable with the scoreline, in truth it was not. He was the better

player, the three in the eighth got over the line. It is Stewart's

forte. He does so much damage with the draw shot. Rarely missing the

opportunity for the spare. The key to that, all singles. Andy Thompson

the highest rated player left in the Scottish International. Will be top

four seeds losing in the second round. Last season in the

quarterfinals there were three unseeded players, but the top three

were around. Different complexion this season.

Look at the world champions you still have left. People who have won

many titles. Darren Bernat, Greg Harlow, Andy Thompson all still in

the frame. Jason Greenslade, previous winner, as well.

Here he comes again. Just wrapping off this time. Good end for Andy,

too. If you want to play into the first end of the second set, want to

keep it nice and tight. Score if you can. If you are not going to score,

lose a single. That applies to both players. Just need to hurry, bit.

Very, very tight and congested there. One red. He's pretty quick on

the mat, no time at required. Never missed a beat, increased the pace.

Can he deliver? I tell you what, very close for this. Is weight is

better. Expected the bowl to drop. It has held off. Look of

disappointment for Stewart, that provides a shoulder. Watch this bowl

coming in. Dropping back, so much better. That wide shoulder. Andy

reaches that, good enough for the shop. -- shot. He has pushed it out,

in a wide line. All about good weight. He will make it back. Just

over the weight. The line was perfect. He thought he had it, did

not come back. Sleeping in. The second set goes the way of Stewart

Anderson. Greg Harlow has work to do this afternoon. Yes, he's very

interested watching this match. Stewart seems to be in the mood.

Yes, he is drawing extremely well, putting Andy under pressure. Andy

did well to get back to 4-5, unfortunately playing a soft end,

Stewart punishing him. When Stewart is in this form, you cannot afford

to be loose? No, drawing well. The any him is to get to the jack first,

forcing him into shots. That is the way back for Andy, he had to force

Stewart to play running bowls. We'll is talk about Andy, Evergreen, great

competitor, still as the game to do damage? Everybody talks about his

age, he plays as well as anybody else. He has the hunger to win more

titles. The most important thing, he still believes he can win, I believe

he will. Maybe not this game, but I believe he will win more titles. You

have Johnny Ross, playing well this week? Playing good. A bit loose here

in there. Have to tighten up in the middle of sets. John playing well, I

expect a close match. We look forward to it. Greg Harlow should

look at his Wikipedia, somebody has said he is representing humanity.

Somebody having a bit of fun there, on the page. Could be worse. Could

be, if you believe everything you read on Wikipedia, which of course

we don't. Telling me it is not true! This is a loose end from Stewart

Anderson. We're talking in relative terms.

14-15 inches, Andy knows he can get behind that. This forehand skipping

around the short bowls, here it comes. This is what we said at the

start of the game, it was about getting to the jack before Stewart,

forcing him into the weight shots. There is one available on the

backhand, not easy. He has the best two back all is. Two green. Little

mix-up for a moment from Alan Green. Stewart keeping the concentration.

Going down on the runner. Getting into the green bowls. Looking for

the split. And the run-through. Going to be tidy on the re-spot.

Don't expect him to score all three, but certainly finding in my

situation. Two against them for definite, potentially three. As you

mentioned, he will be settling if he loses one. He hit that absolutely

perfect. Certainly expecting Andy to draw the shot, something they

practice a lot on the re-spots. You have two memo to push it, if you are

out wider. He is struggling. That looked lazy. That is a gift.

Something was not right. Just not like Andy to make that sort of

mistake. Watch the realisation here. Over a whole tournament, when you

see players, you get that once in a tournament when somebody will miss,

it is a costly one. I can understand missing, with 2-3 feet, but he

missed a long way. Not liking. Can happen. Jacqueline, 29 metres. These

guys are human as well, they can make the mistake. -- Jack length.

One of the traits these players share is the ability to forget about

what has gone on before. And recover.

what has gone on before. And 5-0 down. All in a line,

on the backhand, can make a double. It may just fall away enough for the

back bowl to cancel the shot. He will have to reach. At the line,

where he was light. He thought that was close. Certainly causing

problems, seeming to throw up early. Stewart Anderson, a draw shot to

push onto the green ball, turn it over. He will have to take time out,

the clock has run. The ideal shot for Stewart would be to pop one into

there. In doing there, it is getting a tap on his own bowl, moving the

jack to the green one. He has the be careful about it. 5-0 up, the odds

are in his favoured? You are most inclined to leave it, let Andy get

on with it. Don't want to help your opponent by leaving something wide,

the angle to come off. He does not want to touch it. Just

getting a slight nudge. Not going to make any difference. I think Andy

can see a bit more of that bowl. Watch when it comes in, the front

green one is the problem. At the double your picture. I think Andy

can see another that to get a little nudge on it. He has done it on the

draw. He is very close, but I do not think

he is reaching it. Just fallen short. That is five straight ends

that Stuart Anderson has one. Six days into the tournament, you can

see the scorecards, the display chalk, the measures, the calipers

and plenty of water. There are too sweet packets on show, but they are

more behind it. A spare Jack under the table just in case. Good stuff.

He is not playing badly. He has defined a way to get back into this

second set. -- to find. APPLAUSE

His opponent is not operating. I had a chat with Les Gilette after his

match. Andy might be tempted to try to open this up. Here he goes. He

can't afford to be wide, will he get back in time? No. He just did not

get the angle right. I said to players, you played well. Jason was

just that bit better. -- said two layers. I do not think anyone has

played poorly. Some of the guys have been right on it this week.

This is reminiscent of Stewart two or three years ago when he was

really running high and Andy is forced to go again. He went with a

pile of wit that time. -- pile of weight. You can see the set slipping

away. He gets the outside red ball. Now, Stewart, what do you do? Do you

let Andy have another go? Or do you block it? Let's just see if this

makes centre ring. He is looking to drop in it if he can and stop that.

He has done it. Yes he has. That is where the danger was for the two red

balls to disappear. That is a shocking position for Andy Thomson

because if he goes again he has to get close to his green ball or try

to push it in. If he takes it out of the another shot. -- if he takes it

out, he loses another shot. That was the danger of pushing something in

and losing another shot. I can't blame him playing that though. He

had to go for it. He didn't have any choice in the matter. It is a

horrible outcome. It was a clever ball by Stewart to drop it where he

did, slightly on the wide side of the centre line. It left Andy with

nothing. He had no draw shot on. He decided to take a risk and it didn't

pay off. The set is slipping away. Stewart will close this down. He

will be happy to lose the odd single over the next two or three. It

becomes a different game for him now. And it will not give up. He

will try to chip away at this, score one or two shots here and there. He

will try to give himself a good run at Stewart. He has dropped short

with this one again. There is an opportunity. These players met in

round two last season, Andy Thomson came out on top on a tie-break. He

won the first set on that occasion, lost the second. He took the

tie-break. He needs to score this end. He is coming around. It is good

stuff. Has not played a bad game at all, just on the bad side of the

scorecard. He retired from outdoor games a number of years ago. He is

still good enough to compete at that level outdoors if he felt like it. A

lot of people in England think they could still do with him. Other

things are more important to him at the moment. He had a little stint

coaching. Can he come around here and draw a third. He doesn't want to

leave it short. Where he has left it might force Stuart Anderson on the

forehand. We all thought he would go into the management side with

England and it hasn't happened yet. It will be on the cards in the not

too distant future. He would be a good man to get in, he holds the

respect of the players. He has forged Stewart onto the forehand and

I think it has worked. It is his closest ball so far, but Andy still

looks like he is holding a couple. Two shots. He needs to pick up this

spare shop here. This is important. Make the three. Make the tree and

get back what you've lost in the last end. Moving across on the map

to give himself a little extra room to get round a short ball. It just

needs to hurry. It needs to run. The line is good. It looks like he is

there. If he has admitted it is a good trouble. There he goes. That is

a really good trouble. -- trouble. He needs another score to put a

little bit of doubt into Stuart Anderson's head. Stuart Anderson had

taken six straight ends, Andy Thomson on the card with a three.

Stuart Anderson's loosest and so far. Andy Thomson was able to

punish. -- punish him. Just gently out of the hand. On this car but it

is sometimes running a little bit slower than usual. It is still a

quick carpet in comparison to club stuff. We are running similar to

what my green is back home. It is also a blue carpet. We have had

those for a while and very attractive they are too. There will

be many club players watching this and they will sympathise with Stuart

Anderson since the jack Lang has changed. Suddenly you are one short

and your opinion -- opponent is getting closer. There are gaps here,

so you would expect him to get closer. A running ball is also

available for his last ball. Have you got the right weight, because

the line is good. He has got to be close with this one. The perfect

line and wait and that will not be easy to remove for Andy. He will

look to see if he can make it through the gap. He will want to tap

the edge of the red. There he goes. This is a hard shot to play. Well,

that is an lucky. He wanted the ball out clean. I think Stuart Anderson

will lie one or maybe two. There is a red ball to the back that stayed

in place. That is a shocker of a result for Andy. He has had a couple

of horrible results. I know a fuel people who could drop this one. They

are not even bowlers. A horrible result for Andy Thomson. That is the

difference a good drive can make. If he can get the edge, Stuart is in

trouble and stop if he gets the jack it finishes of the match. Three

rounds to play and in truth the game is over, Stuart Anderson has booked

his place in the semifinals from this quarterfinal. Stuart Anderson

was caught out heavy. It just changed the whole six N. -- six end.

In the quarterfinals last season, the higher seeded player got through

on all four occasions. Here, the number five seed will fall to the

number nine seed. This one is looking good. And he is

really just playing this out, nothing more. He will be happy to

get away. He has not played badly by any means. A soft end, that

virtually secured the set. He has lost three threes. The last one was

just very unfortunate. Stuart Anderson has been very, very

consistent. He has only played one in different end. We say in

different because his closest ball was about 14 inches away. There were

three inside it. He has arguably only played one weighted shot per

set. I will -- it will sneak its way for second I think. The second is

fine. Stuart will match it up again on the backhand. I do not think and

it will do much with it. He realises it is too far. He will fight to the

bitter end but he knows that nine shots in three ends is not enough.

It is just not going to happen. That is good again. He hasn't missed too

many opportunities. The last ball for Andy and one is not good enough.

He needs to shots here and it would be difficult to do. He has a shot on

the forehand if he wants to play at. If he drops inside he might get

under the two red. Even then, no guarantees of scoring the second

shot that he needs. It is a horrible feeling when you start to search and

look. He took the time out to consider the options. It looks like

he will have a go at it. Trying to get the front bowl into the jack, if

he can. He has, but it will go on the respot and it will be three to

read. The results from his witted shots have been consistently

horrible. Stuart Anderson into the semifinal. A measure of revenge for

the round to defeat in the previous season. He takes out the highest

seeded player left in the tournament. Stuart Anderson with a

great performance, won it in two sets. 9-4, 13-3. Stuart Anderson is

our semifinalist. He just needs to hold on. That is as good as it could

have possibly been. Well, the scoreline and the statistics are

very much in favour of Stuart Anderson. To be fair, the match was

not that easy. He ends one comfortable victory. 22-7 doesn't

tell the whole story. Andy played a decent game, wasn't at his usual

standard, but that was because Stuart Anderson was prolific. He

played a superb game and deserved to go through. A really fine

performance from Stuart Anderson. A great match. Stuart, through to the

semifinal playing some great bowls. I am just glad to move onto the next

game. I almost feel like giving you a hug. That was hard work. I played

a bad end. Obviously I needed to make a good start to the second set.

He just steam roller to me. It was amazing because against Nicky Brett

a played a fantastic game but your line and length seem to be

a played a fantastic game but your Is that there are

a played a fantastic game but your 100 times. It happens a

a played a fantastic game but your times. I am just glad to get the

three and move on. Andy, it has been a great year. You were in the final

of the World Championships back in January, he played great bowls here

this week and, onwards and upwards for you. I feel quite good. I feed

my form is good. It was a bad game today, Stuart played well. I

accepted. I am quite philosophical. If you have a bad game, you lose,

especially at this level. These are the top players. If you did not

well, you lose. I played well in my last game. It doesn't get easier as

the tournament goes on. I will go home and get a good night's sleep

and come back tomorrow. Thank you again. Commiserations. Stuart

Anderson through to the semifinal, well done. A very good day for

Stuart Anderson. 2014 was a good year for Scottish bowls, especially

at the Commonwealth Games. The men's team picked up gold medals, led by

David Gourlay who coached them at the time. David has retired, but his

job has been taken on by an experienced Welshman. I think if few

people will look at it and say why do we not have a Scottish head

coach? I do not think that necessarily has to be the case in

this day and age. He is a very high-profile ball and they respect

him and that is the important thing. I feel I am privileged to be in that

position. Scottish bowls is terrific. They are up there with the

top nations in the world. They have a passion for it in Scotland. Brazil

and football would be very similar. I think it is a privilege to be

given the job and it is a great responsibility. John's credentials

go without saying. He has played at the top level, played at many

Commonwealth Games. He understands what the players go through and Rona

has been there in the other pics. She has won a gold medal. She has

been under pressure just as John has. She has achieved quite a lot.

The changes that have come through our things that curling did ten or

15 years ago but we can learn from. They bring different aspects to the

jobs, but combined they are a really solid team. We work well together.

He leaves the bits Jimmy did he doesn't like to do and he has the

knowledge and I just need to implement it. The appointment of

Rona is a great appointment for bowls. She is very high-profile, she

comes from an Olympic programme background, so she will bring a

different skill set. We took a couple of runs up the

high-performance ladder. She is well suited to take us further up about.

The plan is to bring high-performance into the nutrition,

the psychology, whatever it may be that they need to make them a better

player than we can give them services to help them. Ultimately,

if we want to win medals, we have two good. Our big rivals, Australia

and Malaysia, they are bringing these high-performance programmes

in. We have got to keep on top of where we are moving forward. We are

setting targets for the Commonwealth Games of three medals. We also have

a target in the World Championships of four medals. Obviously, the first

important issue is to qualify for those jumping chips and we do that

in Cyprus in December. That is the first challenge ahead. John will be

well respected by the squad. He has been there, done it. He has good

experience and is very approachable. He knows the game inside out. I

think John will do really well in the job and he will bond the team

well together. We wish John Price all the best in his new role in

Scottish bowls. In that film you saw Darren Burnett. He is next up behind

us. He is up against Mark Royal. But many bowlers can be described as

masters of the game inside and out. Burnett can. It Mavuba winner of

British outdoor titles plus a word Champion of champions. Add to that

is International open, Scottish Masters and World Championship wins

on the world Bowls tour, they make than the complete polar. Mark Royle

may not be able to compete in terms of titles, but he is a great player

with a game that can do damage. Quite the green, but ruthless on it

he took the international open title a few years back and this week in

Perth he has looked on top form. I have enjoyed coming to Perth. I have

had a fantastic experience. Maybe I wasn't quite ready to win my first

title, but then I went on two wheels and one that twice. I think I have

had two or three more quarterfinals here, so I feel relaxed here. Perth

is a lovely place and I enjoy coming up here every year. I have played

Mark a few times. Nothing will face Mark. He will know mine as I know

his. We will just get on with it. I will just get on with it. In other

gear or two today. Ladies and gentlemen. Please give a warm

welcome to our next to borders on the rink this afternoon. First up,

former Welsh open champion, Mark Royle. Former world champion and

Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Darren Burnett.

He saw the look in his face, you looks very relaxed. Until that

smoke. I had a very good chat with him last night, in a very good place

in his life, after a tough few years. Coming out through the other

side of it. Very happy, has his business up and running. Got over

health scare. Saying to me it is all going well, put a bit of weight one

feeling a bit better. His seeding of 13 nowhere near where it should be,

but when you are ill, done well to stay in the top 15. Expected to

climb back up the ranking list. The home crowd favourite is Darren

Burnett. Looking to win this title for the first time since 2001.

Mark Royal very much a draw player, plays the controlled weight, does

not go heavy. Superb draw player to the jack. Darren international skip

for Scotland. Used to playing all the shots.

He is draw shots are very good, I like the way he plays little

conversion shot, incredible that those. Smooth delivery from Mark

Royal, not a sound is that bowl left his hand. Good second. Darren

Burnett just sizing up his options. Backhand is not easy, the forehand

bringing the jack towards the green bowl. Will not worry too much, just

trying to get it close. Coming back pretty quickly now. Both players

using speckled coloured bowls, very popular at the moment.

Interesting to see if Mark tries to play under this or just raw it.

Position was not good for the shot, just trying to drop into the jack if

he can. Just over. Gentle start for both players. It is all draw, draw,

draw. Darren taking the opening end. Darren Burnett not the only player

in his family, his brother, Ryan, also doing well at the under 25

singles. Very good player, pretty bad memory for me when he won the

Scottish pairs. Thank you very much, I know you didn't know that. Happy

to help. What I am here for. Ryan was exceptional in that match. It

was a good game as it turned out, very enjoyable between two guys.

Good opening bowl. That is what he was doing against Paul Foster.

Opening up exceptionally well. Darren's ball as the Crescent grip.

Used to be very popular back in the 1970s and 1980s, making a bit of a

comeback. I quite like them. The set that I play with our once my

grandfather had, with the Crescent grip. Still used in the short game a

lot. Bit of an antique. Last bowl gap is six inches. Things have moved

on. One of the things that stop me getting a new set is that I've not

found one with the grip that I liked when you are used electricity grid.

Darren looking at a running bowl. Here it comes. Never shy to go

early. That is usually why. Just trying to remember is that attaching

bowl? There it goes, taking out, just as well. The other bowl

removed. Good hit, so good at that shot. He has to try and right to the

edge. Beat the two bowls to get the shot, that is the important bit.

Always make sure you get that one in. You have the last bowl on the

end, so he can have a good go at getting close to the edge of the

ditch. Those are the kind of things players

will practice. A bit of stopping to do, this one.

Very close. It goes. Going to be hard to beat on the draw. He may try

to pop that one out of the can. Terrific, right in line. As soon as

you say once that, almost impossible to beat. -- one foot. Trying to play

inside. Is he getting back? No. The right choice of shot from Mark

Royal. Just overplaying it a bit. Darren Burnett taking the first two

ends. He plays a nice mixture of draw shots, and waited shots to

spring the jack. Good crowd inside here today.

A bitter debate going on, a few players, should they be told the

jack length or not? Even ordinarily club bowls, or any other variant,

they are not told the jack length. -- in any ordinarily club bowls. Has

come upon social media discussion points. To be fair, a bit of a help

to the players. You are telling both, not one or another, does not

make any difference really. Very small gap. Not quite touching.

Three inches short. Where do you fall? Good or bad idea? I don't have

any thoughts on it. Does not mean an awful lot. The players know pretty

much where they are going on it. Don't think it is a sickly big

issue. You have the spots down the middle of the green. Some people say

they help the heavy drivers. Giving people a good indication how to

position their running bowl. I am not that worried about it, been that

way for a long time. It's the game speeded up. You can centre the jack

quickly. Does he have the weight for it? Many

more topics that are worth more discussion than those. At the

maiming. -- moment. I often find television bowls can't

be looked at in the context of club bowls, or even county bowls. It is

built around the needs and the requirements of the audience and TV.

Very good shooting from Mark Burnett. A strong biased bowl to

come round and drop back in. All down to weight. Mark Royal. Close to

the jack. Very close. Excellent delivery. Really good bowling.

Typical Mark Royal bowl. Opportunity for Darren Burnett. Onto the

backhand. Get the bowl, just moving the jack. Threatening to dip under a

bit early. Missing it by a quarter bowl at the most. Not far-away. Mark

Royal seeing if there is much you can do. I would walk away, take a

single, you have the jack, can make a change. He says he will take it.

Played a lot like that in his previous game as well. Sometimes you

have to walk away, saying no. More important to take the single, get

hold of the jack. Players have different reactions to different

situations. Darren Burnett, one of those with the most reactions,

different twitches and smiles, looks. He will love us for this. He

really will. If he will arrest anybody, it will have to be the

crew. Nothing to do with us. We get all the credit to our editing

gurus. All facial expressions with Darren, not sure whether it is close

or not, most of the time it is. Bit like Andy's interview, playing one

that all, having a field day. One of those bowls that happens. In many,

many years, just the wrong place, the wrong time. Mark Royal opening

up his own Jacqueline. Well short. -- Jack length stop just working his

way background. One point you made of the last end, talking about

tailored for television. We take for granted the different colour of

bowls, coordinating with shirts. It has made bowls very easy. If you go

to a tournament where players wear their own colours, very hard to

watch and follow. Great believer when it comes to major event,

countries should have their own specific colour bowls. That would

solve all the problems for the spectators. And for the viewers, if

it is being covered. Good effort by Darren, just jogging round. Coloured

bowls are not new, we played in events in 1982 with coloured bowls,

I remember playing with them in it. Done specifically for TV, the bowls

were painted, spray-painted. It worked. Good effort by Mark. I had a

look after the Commonwealth Games with allocating countries colours.

You would not have too many clashes. Certainly not the ones for the

televised side. Scotland play in blue, why not? England in white.

televised side. Scotland play in could easily drop. Forehand shot,

once the come around. He has played it well, that is perfection. A lot

of potential danger, but that is a terrifc bowl from Darren Burnett.

Smooth action from Mark Royal. Coming through against Robert

Chisholm, real tussle. Then Paul Foster in round two. Robert Chisholm

is no easy player to beat, very good player.

Has he made the correction? Dropping in with having so much nicer. Mark

Royal, everything so right about that delivery, always has been,

never needed to adjust it. Just resting his arm on his Armani 's

leading leg to give him balance. -- on his leading leg.

14 inches from Jack high. Darren's delivery different, looking down at

the green on the point of delivery. Very rare. The end result is very

good, doesn't matter the way you deliver, I suppose. Dropping it in

like that, winning the title is he has won, who cares? Again, always

been the same with Darren, never changed. Mark looking for a little

runner, trying to disturb things, shake it up. One out, all the way

through, gives him back position. Red Bull in the ditch, taken away.

Darren Burnett my -- might need to think about this. Hard to get both

these out, the distance between them quite considerable. Staying on the

backhand. Trying to encourage the ball Gerry bowl forward. Slap on the

wrist, there is no value in that. Mark Royal should be attacking this.

Either a blocker, or dissecting the two green bowls. Little running shot

again. The ideal result would be to get the jack through. As a chance.

Well, let's see if the bulb goes in. In the ditch. On the re-spot, hard

to tell. Looks like one too green. Definitely one, they will have a

look. Definitely one. The second bowl is the problem, left and right.

Taking that one bowl out, waiting for that to be removed. One it is.

He was on target. Almost a full house. Scottish International

qualifier day. If you were playing third, or skip, you don't do that.

Kicking all 16 balls back for the time. They say it does not annoy

them, but we never does. The bowling shoes may wear out in ten years

instead of 15. Darren Burnett playing the full length against Mark

Royal. Who has gone short. Darren Burnett says OK, then. Not sure

about this one. I thought it was a little bit over the weight, but

useful position back there. Your opponent has won on it, that is

where you want to be. The mat is well up the rink. Changing the lines

of it. He has framed if Elizabeth.

Attempting to run this now. -- framed it a little bit. He has gone

for it, will it stand long enough to get one out. In the ditch, staying

live. He will not look to replace this like-for-like. He will try and

get this in a better place. The ball still bubbling as it comes up, makes

no difference. It is the end result that counts. He gets a bowl away on

the running surface perfectly. Always seems to have that little

wobble on it. Does not matter. It is the end result. This looks under.

Did not like it from the off. Always the wrong side. Going to be costly

this end. It is a game, not a given, but at this level a player of his

calibre, you expect this to be a 3 going narrow. Anything further out

would have got the result, with the target. Here Darren Burnett cams.

Now, Darren sneaking up, dropping in a bit. It looks good. He rarely

makes a mistake. Tactically as good as anybody. He has the titles behind

him. Sometimes in tight matches you are thinking, don't know what to

do. Darren does not make those on stakes, does not question himself

too much. -- make those mistakes. Only a handful of players have won

the Scottish International Open, the Welsh Open, and the world title.

Let's see what Mark does with this. Jack high bowl. Anything up to the

jack behind, giving the option to power through with the second

delivery. Trying to reach the jack. Well done. Good stuff. With Darren,

one of the very few players who have a full-time professional job outside

of bowls. As a policeman. That is hard, difficult to do. Maintaining

your standard indoors and outdoors, and having a family. Feats of

respect for that. Very difficult. -- heaps of respect for that. Mark has

gone a bit different this time. Giving the other side. Again needs

to reach his own bowl, at the very least. Nothing short on this one. He

is close. Brilliant. That is brilliant. So many players would be

running down during the shot. That is terrific. Food for thought for

their Burnett here. -- for Darren Burnett here.

Looking to see if he can come in, turning his own red bowl over. Here

it comes. Probably the worst result he could get! Is bowl got evicted

from the head. No danger playing with extra weight.

Well, and nothing deep there would have been good. Getting through the

gap would have been excellent. I wouldn't be surprised to see Darren

attacked this now. Just the way it is sitting, he should be looking to

get into that. What he is at is to get that jack all the way through

the head. He has narrowed it. Does he have the weight to hold that

line? It is starting to walk away now. He might have to be lucky. That

is why I was questioning it. I did not think he had the pace to make

it. It will not be easy to get a double here. It just looked like it

needed another couple of yards on that. A flick off the edge of the

ball would have been perfect. I tell you what, ten out of ten if he had

another one with this delivery. This is a brave effort if he comes

inside. Ten out of ten from me for that. That was not easy. There is a

perfect example of knowing you need the shop so you have to go forward

to give yourself a chance. People might think he was lucky the edge of

the ball, but to be honest with you, that was very brave. It really was

brave to plate that. He. He knew he needed it at this stage. Darren

Burnett even give that one a little club. That is the sort of shot that

belies its difficulty. It really does. I like shots like that, they

are a bit special. It is good. He is getting back. Just needs to stop in

time. That will convince Darren to have a go, I would say. Even if he

takes his own balls out, it will not matter. Another impressive drawing

shot from Mark Royle. It is the key to his game. He is a terrific player

when it comes to drawing close balls. Off he goes. Carpet. He

wasn't worried about his own balls, he just wanted to take out the green

ones. That was a very heavy drive. Parent usually plays with control

weight, but he pushed that one down at a heavy pace. Perfect. Absolutely

perfect. One poll for each player left. That is more than good enough.

Back to the drop for Darren. Never easy. He should make the second

easily enough. It is all about the shot. He will try to drop the shot

with this. The second shot is the priority, the first shot would be a

bonus. It has been pulling up short for a lot of people. I think he is

OK for second. Just the one. In a comfortably enough. He was 7-2 down.

He has a chance. Yet to drop a set in the tournament. That is the most

difficult position he has found himself in.

APPLAUSE So much damage can be done with

those first two balls. You will see that in the next game with Greg

Harlow and Jonathan Ross. Jonathan Ross very good with his first two

balls in particular. It is a strength of his game. It could give

Greg a hard time. Very good at the escape shots as well. I am looking

forward to that one. Robert Paxton get to join me in the commentary box

for that one. Your turn for the lead shift. Darren, tempting. I think

Darren is having a think about this because he knows he can draw the

shot but he knows he can drive so well he is tempted by it. If he

draws the shot, he is hitting them behind the green balls and that

makes it hard for Mark Royle. No, not going to make it. Too big a

target for someone like burn-out. Mark Royal will need one just in

behind the jack. He is not worried about scoring three at the moment,

he is more worried about getting something out of the set. He would

take a double at this stage. Yes. That is what he is looking forward

-- looking for. He is such a good striker. He has also got two to

plate so he can afford this. -- two to play. If he splits those two

balls with power they will both leave the rink. And with power. He

came off his own ball. Well, it was there to be used. He wasn't far

away, but he was wide of the target. Jack with the two bows he was after.

On another day you would take your own ball out. There is the

acknowledgement right away. He agrees with me. Thank goodness for

that. I don't want any e-mails complaining about me there. He

agrees. He was just a bit fortunate. He wasn't far away. Mark Royle can

put one close and hope that Darren Burnett fields. I am not sure about

this. It is going to be up OK. There is enough room. Darren only needs

second shot. He just had to make sure that it was in the code. It is

the second green bile that Darren Darren Burnett, in particular, in

the last 18 months, two years, has been very good, very consistent. It

is almost like he has got this inner belief as well that he can take on

anyone. I expect the fillip last game to be better. Philip just

didn't catch it. Delivered from the north-west of England, the

Manchester direction, now living in Sydney. Just held off a little bit.

A shorter jack Lang, not by much. Coming around again, in it comes. It

looked so much better at that time. He would settle for second at the

moment because going into the second set when you have just won the first

one, you want to keep the shot nice and tight, nice and careful.

Different now. He has to be careful with this, he doesn't want to plug

his own ball out. He is looking at this, but to be truthful with you, I

would have thought, just rest the ball out, is it into a better

position, if he can. Plucking it out to their would be good if he stays

in for two. That is a time out taken. He is going stronger at it. I

am a little bit surprised by this. OK. It is a touch. It doesn't

matter. Mark Royle is thinking, is it a torture? It doesn't matter if

it is in the ditch. Another good conversion, you take the time out,

you way up your options. There was a danger of him putting his own bowl

out of the head and giving Mark Royal another shot. He played it

stronger than I thought he would. You get the chop on it, that means

you are awarded for attaching the jack. It has got to be from the

delivery you make, it is not knocked onto the jack. It is a live poll,

nothing more than that, it doesn't score a double shots or anything.

This is good as well. He is close again. He will get shock for that.

It doesn't get much better, does it? Big effort. Darren Burnett... Mark

Royle runs his own business and has a family and all the commitments

that come with that. He has to work very hard when it comes to his

bowling career. Here comes Darren Burnett. Slipping through. That is

sensible. Even if he dropped into the head and moved the jack back a

bit, he would have been comparable with that result as well. I would be

surprised if Mark Royal attacks this. A left-hander. The backhand

drive available. Controlled it allowing the bounce to bring it

back. He must Mrs front one. I think the problem for me was that if he

got the front one that is what would happen, he was after the other side.

Still, a good result. It is in the open and he has the last ball. He

has brought it to the wrong side. If he got the other ball, the jack was

going to the other side of the rink and that would have been much

better. He thought he got a better result. Expect this one to be pretty

close. We said that in the last match. Here it comes. It looks like

it is in. He has dropped that short. Is it just that much heavier, it is

quite possible. It was three against him. He is good with this. A good

line. Perfect. Picks up the jack is a bonus. Even if he missed it he was

still drawing the shot. A good strike, good drive. It is a set that

Mark Royal has got to win. One of the things that Mark Royle has been

enjoying has been watching his eldest son playing football. He was

chatting to me about that. He is the volunteer taxi driver. So often the

way. Most unlike Darren. He knows if Mark puts one close like that, he

will almost certainly add another. It is a little bit powerful though.

A touch on the jack. I wouldn't have expected him to get that much room.

This has got a bit of work to do to get back down in time. Here it

comes. A strong bias in that ball, I can tell you. He has held in. I

thought he might have dropped the other ball away. Choices for Darren

if he wants to play in on the backhand, split the bowls, the

alternative is to play the forehand draw. Looking for the split, got the

front ball. A good result that. Pretty much on target. He didn't get

what he was really looking for, 42 balls to be removed. -- for the two.

Never too far away, Darren with those shots. This isn't easy. He is

close. That is terrific bowling. But really is. That is so hard to do.

Play to good balls like that and see them removed and drop another one

in. Wonderful accuracy. Darren is slightly inside the line. Trying to

draw across the green ball if he can. It is holding out though. Just

following in behind. A bit slow to get back there. Mark Royle leads for

the first time in a set in the match. A big crowd here. It is very

warm out there. Bearing in mind that within eight few yards we have an

ice rink. The heat in here in terms of the bowling area is very hot.

Obviously, the heat exchangers are working well. All the way round it

comes. That is the shot. Good follow-up. There is the connection

for Mark Royal if you want to go slightly more narrow. The danger of

going on the draw line is that it hangs off with extra weight. If he

has got the weight he should did inside for the bowl, or at the jack.

Or, in this case, the gap. That was a hard shot to play. So difficult to

play. It looked like it was perfect. Then, as if to say, now you have

gone past, the red ball phones. If he had fallen already, he would have

knocked against it. It seemed to wait until the green ball was away

and then decided to close that door. That doesn't really change anything.

That was already in a good position, the green ball. He was just trying

to match it. It is all down to whether Mark wants to play more with

or tried the same ball again and hope the gap has been played down.

Trying for the same shot again. It is difficult. It really is. He is

giving it a good go. He is close. Surely this time. Got it this time.

A lovely shot. Kept the faith. He got his reward. That is tough. That

really is a tough, tough shot to play. You ask any of the top players

how easy it is to play a yard or two yards on, the drop jack is through

and they say it is in no percentage shot.

Darren attacking. Oh, dear. It is a four. Well, if you had a shot of the

day for the worst result, that has two yet. -- has to be it. View more

frustrating things than handing your opponent the shot. To take all three

of his own out, that seemed impossible. Darren Burnett, more

like Derren Brown. Magical mystery. Does not happen often. Never dull

and quarterfinal day. Jack length 26 metres. You could pick up two shots

for the shot of the day, the last bowl from Mark Royal in the last one

from Darren Burnett. Both pivotal. It has changed the complexion of the

second set. We talk about the shot of the day,

tends to be really positive, superbly played, looking at the

impact, such a massive impact. Incredible turnaround, really is. To

have three ball so close, take them out, almost criminal to do that. No

offence, Darren. To take battery out, and during one to stay as a

result of the connection. Let's see what effect it has on the match.

From 4-1, if he had missed, not a disaster, 6-1, a whole lot

different. Good first bowl from Darren Burnett, good second one to

follow. Players are so good about putting away the disappointment of a

previous end. Here he comes again. Another good

place. Yes, well, unfortunately for Darren, that is where he needs one,

he has to get very close to the jack to do it. He is a confidence player.

Slight adjustment on his previous bowl.

Just watching to see if he can get on the jack, passed it. Gently,

gently. I said that, because I thought he was going to bend in an

fall back on the jack. Great bowl, really years. That will make up Mark

Royal's mind. Just watch this bowl. Just a little wiggle. Almost like it

was going over the seam of the carpet. Royal should be attacking

this. That has to be under. It held up for a moment or two, but you

could yet drifting away. Darren will have to be very careful about this.

Any touch on the line old, it will drop back, giving the jack to the

green bowl. Needs to get the jack on the Greenside, you like. On the

front side. Cannot afford to come round on his own. Even the backhand

is not clever either. If he makes it three, I know where that shot is

going. He has to be careful, he has been.

Albeit, about 10-12 inches from it. Good effort. Undoing some of the

damage from the last end. Four Good effort. Undoing some of the

to play in the second set. -- four ends. Darren Burnett would be happy

to tie the set, that would see him through. These two players, three

times in the last nine years winning the International Open. World

quarterfinal in 2011, or the last time they met on the world tour, the

semifinal of the Welsh, the second set won by Mark Royal. The dates of

the clashes are critical in many ways. Especially in Wales, he was

flying high, always played good bowls down there.

flying high, always played good travel. -- the bowl getting in. You

never think he is happy. He is playing so well. Really years. So is

Mark, to be fair. Playing really good quality bowls in this match.

Just to prove a point, here he comes. Like this. Look at that,

brilliant, absolutely brilliant stuff from both players. Two men at

the top of their game. Mark Royal using the red bowl, nestling it back

towards his own. Darren Burnett will take the time out here. Almost get

to say the shot looks like this coming through their, just trying to

see if there is any danger from Darren, taking his own bowls out.

Surely he has to do. The recent opposition is there. Any bounce of

the jack to bring it into position would be really good. At least he

would be reducing the count down to a single. He still has another bowl

to come. Always a chance of the jack going forward. Nothing nice about

this. No guarantees, no matter what way he hit this. He's going to get

the shot. Playing it anyway. Forward weight, picking up the green bowl,

taking it through. Oh come on. Wow. No guarantee where that was going to

go for us he comes out with three shots, bang on target. Beautiful

run-through. The back bowl. If that had not happened, he was gunned

down. -- he was one down. That is massive in the context of that. You

would not bet against him. In the area. Oh, yes. Will it run-through?

Don't know it stayed in. If he has, he has got the one. Looks like one

green. Brilliant. Brilliant, brilliant bowling. What an end of

bowls that was. On target running bowls, great, maximum 100% results.

Without that he was two down. Just now. That is him trying to get the

jack with the edge. Nice smile from Darren, what an end of bowls that

was. Terrific stuff. Well, 3 ends to go, still no tie-break, but the

quality is fantastic. If you are hearing any noise coming

through from the arena, might be having a slight shower were out

there. Yes, Abigail has arrived. We can hear it in here. Almost

soundproofed. They have decided to name all the storms. Abigail the

lucky name we have come up with for this one. It is that time of year,

we expect a bit of rain. Even in Perth. I have to say, living in

Scotland, not a time of year we don't expect a bit of rain. Tell me

about it. We are right beside you, know the feeling. Trying again.

Fairly adjacent. You have to love matches like this, you really do.

Just not running there. Massive end of this one is, 7-4 wrap, turning

the jack round the corner, making it difficult for Darren, putting

yourself in prime position to win the set. Darren is so good getting

out of trouble. He has left it now, outside. Good bowl, useful bowl.

Just something about Darren's ability to get out of trouble,

drawing this shot. It needs all the help they can get, going into a

pretty similar place. Another chance for Mark Royal to close this out. He

has a chance for this one to turn the jack. Going through. Not sure

that is counting. Just missed it by a fraction. Darren Burnett looking

at all sorts of things at the front. You can imagine why. He's looking at

the plant, red on red. I am sure he will draw that. Different if they

were touching together, but they are not. The only thing is, he is

driving so well, might go for damage limitation. At 7-3, really needs

this shot. Maybe he will have to draw this. Think that is the right

shot to play. All down to the connections now. Just arresting the

jack, gets the single. He has missed the gap, don't believe it. His turn

to find the hole there. That looked perfect. Two out, looks like three.

Three shots, Mark Royal. It is over, pretty much. Any touch on the jack

all the bowl enough to stop them. Dear, oh dear. The right shot to

play from Darren, looked like had played it perfectly. Made sure he

was arriving, on the right line. The difference between 7-4, and 10-3.

Tie-break looming. Jack Lang, 27 metres. -- Jack length. Mark has

been really good in this set, there has not been seven shots between

these players, maybe one or two, certainly not heaven. -- certainly

not seven. If this goes into tie-break mode, it will go up a

level, I can assure you. Darren Burnett, almost a feeling of playing

the set out here. Needs to read to giving seven chance of four at the

last end. Don't think that is going to happen. Almost has a startled

look. Not Mark Royal's best end. How often

does this happen? Unfortunately more than you think, carrying a heavy

lead. Play a poor end, Darren Burnett looking to add another. That

is good enough for two. Two not enough for is -- enough for him.

Tempted to have a go, the way the edges sitting. He has been playing

this hand well, with the arriving draw. Very little danger. Got it

away nice and gentle, will it get back in time. Certainly changing the

whole end. Overused term, but that is a great bowl.

Never gets flustered. Kept his cool. Darren Burnett took the opening set,

going to lose the second. Not a lot he can do about this. Almost

impossible to generate the weight to turn the green bowl out. Does not

really matter. Academic. Mark Royal picks up the single. He

sees off Darren Burnett in the second set. Again the scoreline does

not tell you the story. Mark Royal and Darren Burnett tied at one set

each for a place in the semifinal. We go to a tie-break.

It has been a super game, really has. This has been one of the best

of the tournament. Three in tie-break, single-shot per

end. That is the way to start. Good reply. Gives him something to

work off. He will have to start to attack this at some stage. Two of

the last three meetings have gone to tie-breaks. Mark Rule winning both

of them, 2-0. The cover of all going in already, surprised it is as deep

as that. Looking for the re-spot, rather than the full-back position.

Maybe a bit of a flyer. Trying to drive this off, getting

connection on the jack. Needed to move it somehow, but somehow going

down the side. Well, pretty horrible gap to make. The edge of the red

would've taken the green out. Didn't really matter.

Right beside the re-spot on that side. Darren looking for the edge of

the green bowl. If he misses this one, a blocker is required. Darren

more than capable of edging this one-off. Here he comes again.

Interested. That is why. It did not go to the re-spot. Jamming it

against the bowl. Going all the way. Very good strike. He is a toucher,

he will stay there. That could have easily bounced off the green one at

the back. Bang on target, absolutely middling the jack. No guarantee

things go through whenever you get one like that. Desperately unlucky

with the previous one. Time-out called. Mark Royal with his first

bowl, 1 inch behind the jack, exactly where you want to be. This

is a disaster, in terms of trying to get to it. Nothing on the narrow

side, no chance of playing in a narrow side. Hoping to sneak past,

probably on his forehand. The way this pair have played, you would not

bet against him. He has the give it a chance, no point being short. This

looks heavy. His opponent looking at it, expecting it to drop in the

ditch. Was heavy, did not come back as much as he thought it would.

After the perfect opening bowl to a tie-break end, Mark Royal was undone

by the perfect driving bowl from Darren Burnett. Advantage to the

Scott. He lost the last two tie-breaks to Mark Royal 2-0.

Back few years ago, those statistics, 3-0, would have been

more like 2-1 from me, without looking at it. Since then Darren

Burnett has really been playing super stuff, reflected in his World

Championships, the successes at the Commonwealth Games. Always picking

up titles. Four times world under 25s champion. His roll call of

honours is impressive. Mark Royal, last winning a WPC event in 2011.

Not been beyond the quarterfinals in his last 12 event will stop -- last

12 events. Has it all to do now. A good line. Just dropping inside.

Good starter from both players. On the line again. Again dipping

inside. Nicely done. That will change the end. Narrow target.

Advantage Darren. Carrying that one end, can afford to take a risk. The

re-spot covered on one side. Got to be looking for the two bowls, with

his ability to drive accurately. Going for the two bowls. Once to

leave the jack. Well, that is OK, that is the other option, balancing

the jack to the re-spot. Bit of a distance. Mark Royal has two bites

at it. Mark Rule would have been relieved seeing the jack connected,

not bouncing into the ditch. Also the two bowls did not disappear.

Harder to draw within one foot. Now has 3.5 feet around the jack.

Coming off the forehand. The line looks OK, does he have the power for

it? Yes, he does. That is close enough, it really is.

We will see how far away that Bowden is. It is beatable. He could drive

the jack is. It is beatable. He could drive

try to draw it. He has lost that. Lost that. You could see he was

going to go, can't blame him. He had to go very wide. It is rare that it

happens, but he had no choice. If he was going to play bad side he had to

get very close to the side ditch. You could see he is trying to screw

at the very, very edge. -- skirt. It is annoying because he probably

thought he was close. is annoying because he probably

shots, some unfortunate results. He would like that one back. The last

place you want to be is right in front of the jack. Just in case you

have to drive or your way out of trouble. That was perfect protection

for Darren who will not want to leave and nothing. He will come

behind the green ball. Three or four inches away. It is a very good

single shot at this stage in the match. It is beatable, but it takes

a special ball to beat it. Mark Royal will want to do it with this

one. I don't think it will reach. He is asking it to hold. I thought it

was always on the short side. Some effort, mind you, some effort. There

is not going to be a destroyed end here. There is no way to drive the

jack. Mark Royle will be forced into trying to drop this. You'd be

tempted if you were Darren Burnett to drop one short and force them

onto the other hand. The trouble is he could play it both ways. Even if

he drops this one in, or Royle can play it on the other side and drop

his green ball down. He is trying to get one right on it, but will he

leave a shoulder? I don't think Mark Royle will try to chip the ball out.

That might just be enough behind jack high to stop the shorter

working perfectly. Even if he rested against it and felt it might not be

enough. Here is Mark Royal. His last ball at the end. Going for the

perfect drop, pushed it out really wide. Good with. He has got a

chance. He is close. It is not enough. I think it is one to read.

He hit it just a little bit thick. I think he had just a little bit

thick. He needed to get it a little bit thinner. A little bit thinner

and he was definitely coming in off the back ball. This is interesting

because it is not up to Mark. He knew it wasn't enough. You don't

often see that at an eight level, except with the very top

professionals. What a match between Darren Burnett and Mark Royal.

Top-class bowling, top class result for Darren Burnett. He is the

highest seed left in the tournament and he is in the semifinal. Ten out

of ten from me for that. Got it this time. Oh dear. Well, it was a great

match, no doubt about that, going all the way to the last ball. Darren

Burnett won the first set it-5. He had little between him and his

opponent at the end. It was a fantastic game, no doubt about it.

Good sportsmanship at the end, I have had to say, by Mark Royal to

concede that, because he didn't have too. That is typical of these

players at this level. Yes, quite a bit of buzz after that much. An

incredible match, all came down to the last ball. Darren Burnett is

through to the last four of the Scottish International open. Hard

work. It was always going to be hard work. We have been watching his

games and he has been at top form and he is hard to beat, very

consistent and I just had to dig in. You were consistent today. You must

have been happy with how you played. Really happy. Early on I ran to

much, it is not my style and I decided halfway through the first

set I will try to improve might draw a bit and I am happy with how I

played. Let's talk about the drop. Your fourth ball, which is important

for you, toddlers through that one. I just missed with the third ball

and it was a tough shot to get and I got it perfect. That put Durham

under a lot of pressure. Hard for you to watch that. Absolutely. I

thought he may get it and he put me under a lot of pressure. You had to

play a big shop and it was fairly disastrous for you. I could have

just tried to touch it, but it is hard on the carpet, so I tried to go

bigger and took four balls out. You must not have expected that one. I

was happy to get the two, but I don't think Darren missed the rest

of the match. I felt battered and bruised after all that.

Congratulations to him, he is a wonderful player and he plays all

the shots. The most important thing is when you go into the tie-break,

to get the first end and pressure your opponent and you played one of

the big shots in that to win it. Mark played a fantastic first ball.

The connection was unreal. I don't know how the jack and ball ended up

in the same place. Once in a million. A tough one for you.

Following the jack into the ditch. That is hard to bear. Heartbreaking.

I did not think I could play up the ditch side and told up and it was a

tricky, tricky shot. It went in the worst possible place. It was

certainly very tough. You said you are feeling bruised and battered.

Tremendous sportsmanship from this fellow at the end. Could have gone

to a measured and he decided it was not with that. It was your match and

fantastic. Absolutely. We had a fantastic last effort. I had to ask

the marker if he was quitting his mortgage on us. It was millimetres

in the game. It was a fantastic much. It is great to see you back

playing cricket balls, it is great to see you smiling as well. Darren

Burnett, congratulations, through to the semifinals of the Scottish

International. Well done. Absolutely fantastic match. A brilliant much.

It could have been either one of them. Millimetres in that match.

Darren Burnett is three. Now, how do you get to beat the semifinalist, or

even a winner at these major tournament. Posture is very

important. I want to look at people who have slight injuries. Knee

injuries, hip injuries, possibly back injuries which we have a lot of

those problems in the UK. What you want to do is not fight your way

through it, not put yourself through the pain barrier. Use a static

stance. Bring your knee out, like that, hand on it. First leg

forward. Luck is solid and use your arm. Just like that. It is a single

movement, very straightforward, you do not about putting pressure on

your knee or your bike and a debate that strange for some people, but

believe it or not it looks very well. The second that I want to

discuss is about how to get consistency when you are coming off

the map at the other end of the rink. Stepping out your foot. On the

delivery, first point, that goes out. That is your mark. That is your

consistent mark. Second delivery, people make a mistake. That is that

they go further. Suddenly, you are there. The next delivery, quite

often, same ball, still trying to draw, get the delivery, step out and

they go short. This is not unusual, they just do not know they are doing

it. They think they will need to stretch a bit further. On the

delivery, step out and suddenly that is your mark. That it ought ten

inches from your foot transfers to the rink and it can be as much as

three or four feet with three or four different balls. You have to

get the start right. Get the consistency. The way to do that is

to practice it. Just try to get it to be consistent, you will take the

benefit later on. That is all that visited. I did not know if you can

hear her again Abigail. We are delighted we are inside. The noise

is even biblical. Jason Greenslade, Darren Burnett are through to the

semifinal. It will be either Johnny Ross or Greg Harlow to join them.

This is new territory for Jonathan Ross. He has never been beyond the

second round before. In fact, he has never won an event on the ward bows

to. The Northern Irishman living in Paisley as the talent to win his

first tour title and it shouldn't be too far away. It is seven years

since Greg Harlow tasted success here in Perth and five since he

stood on top of the world. He has been pretty impressive this week,

knocking six time world champion, Alex Marshall out of the

tournament. He has won a of titles, but his memory of them not too good.

I have won once here before. I believe I might have lost in a final

once before. I've lost first round last year, but I don't do stats. I

haven't got a clue. I don't do statistics. I couldn't even tell you

what you buy one. I got the early success, but I think Greg dominated

me in recent years. We will see what happens. I am as good as anybody on

the tour and I think within the 16 antibody could beat anybody. I just

look forward to the next opponent and I try to concentrate on my game

rather than what the opposition will do. He is a confident player with

the running shots, but he can outdraw antibody as well. If he gets

the first and second balls it will be up to me to play the attacking

shots. If I am lying one or two then Greg will play a lot of those. I

will need to be sharp. This is the first ranking event of the season

and you had to do well to get the points on the board and to try to

win the title. There is a long way to go in this tournament. Ladies and

gentlemen, please welcome our final two borders. First up, multiple

winner of the British Isles singles championship, Jonathan Ross. And

playing Jonathan this afternoon, former Scottish National open and

world champion, Greg Harlow. Paul Mitchell is still in the commentary

box and he is joined by Robert Paxton. Greg Harlow looking for his

seventh semifinal in Perth. By contrast, Jonathan Ross for the 10th

time looking to get into the semifinals for the first time. He

has been a good singles player. He had a good tournament in Blackpool

at the end of the season. That has given him confidence. We will see

where he can go. Jonathan Ross doesn't get to the latter stages too

often. We will see if today can change things.

You mentioned it to me a moment ago, this is the first time you have not

found yourself in the quarterfinals. I love coming up to Perth, lovely

place. Unfortunately, lost to a better man yesterday in an

interesting game, I suppose. It certainly was a little bit of to and

fro. Greg Harlow facing Jonathan Ross. The winner will face Darren

Burnett in the semifinal. A good opening ball from Jonathan Ross.

APPLAUSE That is a good place as well. If he

finds those today, it will put Greg under a bit of pressure and it could

be a good, game. Promotion wouldn't do any harm.

There we go. It is a dull afternoon when you are waiting, the third game

of three. It can be hard. How did you prepare for situations like

this? It is tough. Every player is different. Different venues are

different. Here are your hotel is further away from the venue, so you

are here a little bit earlier. I know Greg watched a couple of games

this afternoon. John drove in because he is local, so it is an

everyday game of bowls for him really. Greg Harlow was close with

that. There is an early chance for John. A perfect bowed down

beforehand to make it three. The opening end to Jonathan Ross. In

terms of seating for this one, seed ten coming into the competition.

Jonathan Ross seeded at 11. Jonathan Ross opened up against Gary

Pickering of Canada. The biggest margin of the week, 30-1. The

Canadian qualifier couldn't do much. In round to the beat Jimmy Chesney.

That was on a tie-break. That was a great game of bowls and Jonathan

played some great bows to get himself into the tie-break and to

get himself over the line. This could be another fine quarterfinal.

Just fallen slightly before jack high. He might be a little bit

tempted here. Not a bad result, one out. You mentioned that he is not

afraid to go to the running shots early. Definitely not. You can play

it like all the guys can on the tour, might as well get it out

early. If you do miss, you can put yourself under a bit more pressure.

That is a great effort. He has made it a double. Jonathan Ross wants a

look at this. Played it perfectly. Second ball, the

look at this. Played it perfectly. third shot, the draw.

look at this. Played it perfectly. hard shot. Just looking to turn the

back red ball. That is his play, he is a drawing player. A chance for

Greg to step in and make a three-year. -- make a 3 here. He is

looking good. Perfect. APPLAUSE

It is unusual to see players going down after the second bowl. With the

shop clerk now, it makes a difference. -- shot clock. A little

running shots again. That just opens things up. Greg was able to play,

Jonathan with two. -- Greg with a ball to play. The players have

adapted to the shot clock pretty well. Five-time time out available.

60 Seconds time-outs. Here comes Jonathan Ross. Still plenty of room.

John might be tempted into this, depends how many seconds he's got

down there. Any Jack or bowl movement. Just playing that hard

shot. It's starting to cut across. Best he can hope for is promotion of

his own. Doesn't look like enough from here. Tricky to play. Yeah, the

inside shots are pretty hard, John a couple of times has been caught. As

to move away so quickly on this portable rink. A good start to the

match for Greg Harlow. In good form. Last season he was upset in round

one of this tournament. Semifinalist in the world is round two in the

International open. -- worlds round two. Former winner of this

tournament, former runner-up as well, of course. Beaten by the man

on my left. In another topsy-turvy game. We seem to get a few up here.

Six inches. Very well played, no change for Greg

Harlow. The early exchanges here have been a good start. Down on the

line again. Clipped his own. He's just gone narrow.

The backhand seems to be favoured on that side coming down towards the

commentary box, by the players. Everyone is slightly different, that

backhand has suited him this week. A slightly better finish. Good effort,

it's close. A very good measure, Greg.

Not a great deal of adjustment to make on his last, Greg. He's going

with a little bit of pace. Certainly in the ballpark. Good connections

now. You would expect it to be Jonathan's drawer, you'd expect him

to put it back. You always concerned when you've only got one ball in the

head, you think, can your opponent work it out somehow? John was 18

inches, just over, to draw this. It repeat of his last two deliveries.

Sure he thinks he's got through this a little bit. I think he has. He's

looking at it with disdain. It's a missed chance. Having played so well

with his second and third. One shot, Greg Harlow. Not sure it's

a proper word, but I think he is being Harlowed at the moment. He

puts you under tremendous pressure, that is why he has won what he has

in the game. As soon as he builds pressure, more pressure, he makes

one mistake, then you are dropping eight count. He starts building a

lead. -- dropping eight count -- he has two or three ends to get

himself back into it. Jonathan Ross, so successful, two

Irish indoor titles, nine Irish outdoor titles.

Came across to Scotland to Blake and he's played internationals indoors

and outdoors for Scotland and picked up the singles outdoors, which is no

mean feat. We're happy to accommodate. -- Scotland to play.

Surprising he's never had the real breakthrough of a tournament win on

the circuit. Looking at three things, you know, he's looking to

reach his first ever final. It's not like he's got to that hurdle and

fallen a couple of times, he's never even got there and he's been around

a while. Made his debut in Scotland in 2004 in this tournament, reached

the quarterfinal, that's the best he's ever done.

If he was to get the final, I wonder if it would be the spark for others

to follow. You never know, it's one of those things, if you get one bit

of success, often success follows. It has shown with Mickey the last

couple of years, as soon as he got his first win on the tour, it picked

up for him. When you get those runs, you've got to take advantage of

every little bit you get. Nicky Brett. The world number one. Clare

Greg Harlow has been the world ranked number one, in 2006 and again

in 2012. A loose end this time, I keep

waiting for somebody to drop in on the jack. That will be the shot.

Pressure bowl for John here. Plenty of room. From two or three down, it

does add that bit of pressure to the arm.

It's all about the running, the line is decent. He's tracking, isn't he?

He's just got through it again. You can see the four green bowls, the

line was good. That's costly. That was a bad miss from Jonathan

Ross. It's easy to be critical, but we try to put it into the context of

what he's capable of and he will know himself that was a mess.

Definitely. Greg will feel let Ofcom he didn't have the best of ends,

probably 14 or 16 inches to draw the winner. You would expect most

players to be drawing that. He has made sure he is up. If you do that,

not get him back... Just two. Two shots, establishing a

nice little lead. A nice little run of ends. It sometimes what you

want, to keep scoring, keep scoring. Greg is nicely away here. The more

ends you score, the less your opponent will. If you win all of the

ends, you are laughing. You have to keep your opponent out. John will

have to start chasing as well. You can lose your weight control if you

draw. Greg has had experience on the carpet. He's going to be relentless

putting the first two bowls close. INAUDIBLE

Clare we're sorry, we're having some technical difficulties with the feed

from Perth. As you may be aware, the weather conditions are very bad

indeed. And we've temporarily lost the pictures from our satellite

feed. We'll play you some music for the meantime and hope to go back to

Perth as soon as possible. It looks like our transmissions from

Perth are the current victims of Abigail, but we hope to get back to

the transmission as soon as per over. -- as soon as possible.

Let's keep our fingers crossed, we'll do our best to get back to the

programme. Let's see what's happening.

COMMENTATOR: Welcome back to the Dewars Centre in. Abigail obviously

isn't a Rolls fan, she tried to take out our satellite link. -- isn't a

bowls frown. Jonathan Ross is in a heap of trouble. Robert Paxton

alongside B. The short bowls will kill you every time. Absolutely.

John hasn't been playing badly, but he has a chance if he can draw the

perfect bowl. He has to get back on the ball at this end. Just out on

that quick line. Not turning it back for him. Well...

Gold goes one, old goes two. -- outgrows one, out goes two. Outside

it has been torrential rain and stormy, inside its hurricane Harlow

that is hitting Jonathan Ross at the moment. And he's blowing him away,

it's been very steady from Greg and Jonathan just lost his way little

bit. It's just the pressure he's put under. John might have to change his

tactics. Go a little bit earlier. First set almost out of his reach

already. What we have concerned Jonathan, he's not making great

work. That's the main thing, he hasn't put him under pressure,

always chasing himself. -- Jonathan is not making great work. If you get

a single on this, it's the end of the first set anyway, that's all

John will be thinking about. He needs to change the tactics. And

start well in the second. That is the beauty and the joy of set play.

When the first set gets away from you, you double down, concentrate

once more. And try to take the second.

When your opponent is playing as Greg Harlow is playing, it is a

little bit soul destroying. Four inch gap.

Five inches short of jack hi. They'll be looking to build this

head, get the set over as quickly as he can. Just carry the momentum into

the second. It's holding up, he can knock that one away. He says, thank

you, I'll take that. Close again, but slides past. We

could be having a look at eight we spot here. -- looking at a respot.

They've called time-out. Greg has four time-outs remaining. If you are

trying to close down the set, why not use the time-out is available to

you? He has to work out what different angles thereafter John,

what he could be playing. 30 seconds, no point rushing it. Just

looking to get past the spot. You can see the little white dot,

that is the respot, that's where he's come to. John has a chance of

the other hand now, if he drives the front read on to the Jack. Jack gets

on the other we spot -- gets on the other respot. He needs a little

something here. He's trying the hard shot. He's

trying to get He's trying the hard shot. He's

Two ends to spare. Good news for Jonathan is he will get the Jack to

start the second set. It is comfortable and comprehensive, as

the scoreline suggests. It'll be interesting what John does here.

There will definitely be a change of length. Brought the mat up another

couple of yards. Jack length. Brought the mat up another

with what is in front of you. And you've got to grind a result out

now, basically, for John. Great second ball. From Jonathan

Ross. And even better one from Greg Harlow. Further out than he wanted.

But what Greg has to keep doing, putting John under pressure, playing

the big bowls. A good shot by John. Good response.

The way Greg is playing, I've think he'll be drawing this one. -- I

think he'll be drawing this one. Needed to rest on the green ball, he

would have fallen in. He'll be happy enough. It's one of those ones, you

start looking left, right, up, down. John needs another one in here. I'm

sure Greg will be having a little chase for the green bowl. He's

certainly up, John. He's overplayed that. Or will Greg be tempted? Will

he be tempted to try and rip the green belt? Looks like the forehand

runner, he'll try to clip the edge. -- tempted to try and rip the green

out. Read ball solid. Wasn't far. -- red

ball. Greg Harlow wants to have a look. Jonathan Ross gets on the card

at the start of this second set. Much for him. Again, he'll take the

mat up the green, as he looks to win back-to-back ends for the first time

in the match and try to put a halt to Greg Harlow.

Jack Link 25.5 metres. -- Jack length. He has to grind out end by

end. Needs to get the first and second

goals working for him again. -- bowls. Willett

not bad, but not good enough at the moment. He won't defeat Greg Harlow

in this form. Two red balls you can see on your

screen to the left hand side. Any drop now he's pretty good. APPLAUSE

We're seeing these scrappy ends now, almost what's John needs, opens

the game up a little bit. Not much else for Greg to do here other than