Highlights - 11/11/15 Bowls: Scottish International Open

Hello and a warm welcome to highlights of the Scottish

International Open. Here at the Dewar's Centre, there were

heavyweights of world Bowls. Stuart Anderson, champion of the

world. The razor is looking so sharp. Toe

to toe with one of the game is true fighters. Another brave battling

performance. There is no one fine Defense of Marriage Act -- no one

fine. This is what it looked Let's turn our attention to the one

we were looking forward to, defending champion against Stuart

Anderson. These two 41 years old, 30 for Anderson, first in the world

against nine, runner-up in 2010 but world singles champion in 2013.

Currently we have a defending champion in Brett in this match.

Nicky Brett started the better of the two in this match.

I cannot see Nicky resisting this. Stewart Anderson knows it.

He is in the area again. Perfect result. Perfect result, good hit.

Defending champion is in pretty good form. He played that well. Such a

difficult shot. It wasn't a full outdrive. Controlled weight.

Stewart going for the two bowls or the jack. He is close, too. He got

them. Super. You will not see any better than this in this tournament.

I don't care who is out there! This is absolutely brilliant.

Calling the ball to get down under the jack. No matter where Nicky puts

this, Stewart will be after it if it is a shot.

He is close. Wants to be behind. It comes across. It needs to stop and

it hasn't. It looked like the brakes would go

on. A chance here for Stewart Anderson.

You might wonder why Stewart is playing the backhand, it is safer.

He did not want to have any touch on the jack. Space on the backhand to

draw another shot. Job done. APPLAUSE

There is going to be one man in the audience watching carefully. I can

tell you that. John Price. The manager of the Scottish elite squad.

He will be keeping a very close eye on how Stewart Anderson is playing.

It is known as price's corner and you know he is there. He is writing

his notes and taking advice stop his wife is on the stock market is

checking to see where all the money is going! How the investments are

working. Port Talbot's best, John Price.

Just outside. You are almost looking this is a loose head.

Just going to fall behind. Sometimes dropping a little bit.

A slight inconsistency on the pace. I was chatting earlier to Paul

Foster and he felt the same. Yesterday's match, they were chasing

up after the bowls and players of that calibre do not do that unless

they know they are close and dropping a couple of feet. They must

be some inconsistencies there. APPLAUSE

It wasn't exactly root a but he will take it. You don't always have to

use the front door, sometimes you climb through a window. I don't

think Nicky will attempt to draw this.

Well, he is and I am a bit surprised because... Two green

he has another bowl left but the greens were available. He needs an

edge here. Got it. He got the edge but did not drop back. Looks like

second shot. Good bowl. I fully expected him to play the runner. He

has one bowl left. Giving Stewart a good target to aim for.

Just needs to run... Needs to hurry. I think that has dropped short. It

is going to be close for the second. The marker is having a look. That

doesn't help the forehand draw so Nick might be tempted to run into

this. The way it is sitting. If he is two down he would be lucky to be

more than that if he hits it. He said everything he has aimed for

so far... Respot position. Oh, dear. That will not work out well. A

horrible results. A spot on drive. That is not a good result.

The bowls will be propped up, long measure required. A bit of a shake

of the head and I can understand why. The jack bounced off. It was

his own back bowl. He wanted it to go to the ditch. If that happened he

would be scoring a double. His own two bowls stayed on at the back. As

soon as it went off the side he was always in trouble. Very unlucky.

Yes, a really great turnaround for Stewart Anderson. Let's rejoin for

the final end of set one. Just not mailing the jack in this

direction on the forehand. Nick Brett, more to come from him.

He has been relentless, dropped only two sets of reaching the final, and

each of the last Scottish International Opens. Three final

appearances, he has been deadly through the rounds.

APPLAUSE Stewart Anderson has the advantage.

Touching the jack making the double. Just hold off a little bit, this

forehand, the shorter jack length over the weight, struggles to get

back in time. I think he has no choice, he had to make another shot.

He cannot afford to leave it to his last ball so he must pop this one

in. He wants to avoid the jack because

it brings it towards the green bowl. Gentle gentle. Gentle, gentle! Just

running. Well... I fancy Stewart Anderson will close this down now.

Should be better with this one... In it comes. Stewart Anderson...

APPLAUSE Well, it is a beauty. It really is.

I thought he was made the adjustment, she had the line.

It will leave a tricky shot for Nick Brett trying to wrest into the green

bowl and fall over. Well, he decided to go for the edge of it. That is

tough. It is coming across. What will it punch? Well... He will lie

one shot but the red is so far away, it makes no difference. It wasn't

what he was after. As soon as the jack moved he knew he was in

trouble. I know one or two people in our technical crew that could draw

this second shot. It might be a stretch for one or two of them

but... You did not mention your

co-commentator. This is academic... Stewart Anderson, ...

APPLAUSE Stewart Anderson battling his way to

the first set. Let us ahead back into round five.

I have been asked to give a prediction for the 2015 Scottish

title winner. Good luck!

It says the person is asking me rather than to give iPod suggesting

he could not tip a waiter. That is unkind. That is harsh. -- Doug Juve

pond. -- Dougie Vipond. I have been

impressed with Darren Burnett so far.

There are too many good players in there.

You would not be surprised to see the name on the trophy.

Well, he needs this one. Struggling to get back. Here it comes now.

Gentle, gentle. The jack really moves. Unlucky. A very unlucky.

Stewart looking to play the same bowl. He has got it.

APPLAUSE Top class.

A brilliant bowl. Looking for the split. Read bowl first then the

jack. The touching ball was helpful. Two down. Again, will he be any

worse off? He could be because there is another green one to come. Two

touches against him. If he hits this wrong, he could easily lose a three.

He probably has no choice. He has got himself into the lead. Playing

very controlled. Trying to make a disturbance and hope he gets a good

result. That is good. That is as good as he

could hope for. Played it well. He will say to his opponent you can

draw it from there. What a great end of bowls.

That was a brilliant conversion shot. He was in so much trouble

there. Unbelievable. Stewart Anderson... It would not surprise

you if you pop this straight on it. Then it comes.

APPLAUSE Arguably the best end of the

tournament so far. By the time they reach the eighth end, Brett was two

shots ahead. Great respect out there between the two players.

APPLAUSE That is a bowl that has been

struggling with Nick on the forehand away from the commentary box, the

first delivery. Mailed it with a second quite often. The first one

puts pressure on. What a couple of ends these could

prove to be. Stewart is all ready up there and Nick is following this

one. It must be close. He wants to get the green bowl and dropped

back. Unlucky. That is really unlucky. Well, that is an unlucky

result which could cost him this match.

Horrible result, green bowl dropping back, prime position, the jack in

the open, give the shot away, but if Stewart Anderson Trail is this

jack... Nick Brett is in a heap of trouble.

He has not pushed it. Well, he is coming now. The weight wasn't bad.

It needed to be further out. Two more.

Now, recovery time. There is a determination about Nick Brett,

there really is. He is a very focused player, as you expect but he

is close to this. Got it! Well done. Well done, Nicky. A bad position

turned into a positive one. He knew he was close. A missed opportunity

by Stewart Anderson. You cannot leave them lying around for Nicky

Brett. Bowler jack Runner. Will it hold? Yes.

APPLAUSE Beautiful wait for the shot. Exactly

what he looked for. Read bowl to be dug out. He could play something

similar and take the two green out. It is available on the forehand as

well to come off the wall. It will not be easy to draw this.

He is looking at the forehand. He has his own to pump in and the jack

available. The backhand, well, he can take one green out on the

backhand all the jack. Up off the backhand with weight. Nick Brett are

looking for the ball. He played it well.

APPLAUSE Two green would have been worth an

extra shot. A great end of bowls. The defending champion Nicky Brett

went on to win that set 9-5 which meant a tie-break.

Three ends in a tie-break. Maximum score...

Will it get back in time? Forced a way through the gap. It has opened

the bowl up a little bit more. He may change his shot onto the

backhand. Stewart will be aiming for the two Reds.

This is the bowl you want to do it with. He has missed it under. A hard

shot. Stewart Anderson lies short having

played two. Nick Brett has played three. Trying to think what your

opponent might do. He will not worry about the respot because respot, I

do not think the red one is anyone near it. Drop in on the red, Nick

will be attacking it. Stewart Anderson goes to try and

lift out the red bowl. A brilliant reply by Stewart Anderson. Beautiful

control. First set, Stewart Anderson. This is one heck of a

shot. Clean, out it goes. Stewart Anderson, literally jumped for joy.

You see his reaction, absolutely and so you should. That was a really

top-class bowl. Anyone who wants to know how to play a singles game just

watch this one. Jack Lang, 29 metres. -- length.

Stewart Anderson, in recent times has lost some tie-breaks, Paul

Foster, Alex Marshall, Andy Thomson and Darren Burnett. He has had some

great games. That is a very good opening. He is not losing to anyone

of bad quality is the? If you're going to lose, lose to those names!

-- is he. This is the sort of match you want

to see in the final. Not exactly what you would say a waste in the

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

Given that neither player was severely tested in the round one

games, they have matched each other right throughout this round to

encounter. He needs to get his own bowl and rock back hard. That is

close. That is the shot. He was making sure he was arriving so there

was a chance of picking the jack up. Just overplayed it. Choice here for

a neck whether he goes for cover or tries to draw it in a game. Stewart

has only got one bowler left but is more than capable of drawing the

shot. He is on a wider line, which is sensible but he does not want to

get to the green bowl and that is why he is up. He was being careful.

It is a backhand draw now for Stewart Anderson, if he wants to

play at, the difficulty is if he plays weight and gets his own front

bowl it will open things up very wide. Stewart Anderson will take the

time out to consider and have a look. He has a look and thinks, I

will take my shot. The shot has been decided.

Needs to start to work now, Stewart Anderson, has he ran it out? Nicky

Brett -- Nicky Brett was right but the champion is on the verge of

going out. It was a brilliant bowl and that was the problem. The last

bowl of Nicky Brett's he dropped short and did not take that shot

away from Stewart Anderson and Stewart Anderson, that is what he

does so well and now Nick Brett is left with one bowl to get within

three inches to save his title. 11 straight wins in Scotland, final

list the last three years. Is he going to get back in time? I think

he is too heavy, he is close. Got the edge! What a game. Nicky

Brett's romance: Comes to an end and Stewart Anderson out of the last

four years in this stage will get through into the quarterfinal, what

a match between Nicky Brett and Stewart Anderson, Stewart Anderson

threw in the tie-break and takes it too - zero. What an extraordinary

incredible game of bowls between two very fine players, Stewart Anderson

and Nicky Brett, the defending champion is out of the competition,

but if you're going to lose a match, lose a match, lose much of

well. I know you will be disappointed, but you played very

well. Obviously I am very disappointed, Stewart Anderson

played well, he kept beating me on the first bowl because that is

annoying, that happened last time. He beat me in first bowl and I was

forced to play a few runs and some went right and some did not. You

played incredibly well, it was a magic game from your point of view

and we have seen you play here before, but I do not know if you

played that well before, you were on fire today. Thank you. I knew coming

into the event I was playing well this year and to be fair, the past

couple of years have been very poor by my standard, but I am glad I got

over the like. Wonderful performance from Stewart Anderson,

congratulations, through to the quarterfinals. Let us see who else

goes through between Robert Paxton and Les Gillett. Robert Paxton raced

into an early lead, his final bowl on the third and put him 8-0 in

front. That lead had been extended to nine when Les Gillett's drive at

end five summed up how the early stages were going for him. While the

2011 champion was relentless. Wrapping up the first set in less

than 25 minutes. But the news that heralded a new lease of life for the

experience Les Gillett starting with an eye-catching three at the first

end. And the veteran from Leicester notched up another three at M2 in

what was turning out to be a topsy-turvy contest. When Robert

Paxton's drive backfired for another three, Les Gillett was 9-0 ahead and

the match was heading for a tie-break which was confirmed after

eight ends with Les Gillett ahead. An air by Robert Paxton handed the

initiative to Les Gillett. He pressed home that advantage with his

third shot of the second end -- mistake. Robert Paxton had a final

chance to stay in the match but when he took out his own bowl, Les

Gillett was through to the quarterfinal. And I'll come which

looked rather unlike weight less than an hour before. -- an outcome.

Les Gillett through to the quarterfinals by the skin of his

teeth but through nonetheless. Congratulations to him. Next, Mark

Royal and Paul Foster. Mark Royal only 40 years old, Paul Foster two

years his senior, Paul Foster was the champion here twice with four

world singles titles and four world pairs are just the Welsh Open

Championship for Mark Royal. Paul Foster struggled for a line and

length in the first set. He continued to pile on the pressure on

the multiple world champion and Mark Royal was 5-2 ahead and we will join

the match in the second set. He is out on a wide line. Paul

Foster will never use anything other than those bowls. He is a wide base

ballplayer. Shorter than what he would like.

It is not there and he knew it, turned away.

Just not working out for Paul Foster at the moment. He does not want to

fall for macro shots down with three to play. That has been told to hurry

as well. It is not bad, though. APPLAUSE. It is not like Paul Foster

to offer as much room as this. To his opponent.

Three short bowls, you do not see that very often. Not for Fozzie, you

certainly do not. It is just not going right at the moment and the

danger for him, apart from the fact he is down on the head, the back

position is against him, he needs to push things through. He needs a

really good draw shot. There is nothing there to hit anyway. Only

one down. I expect this to make it a double. The signs are he is going to

be two down. The danger is if he runs through it, he will take out

his own bowl. Terrific stuff from Mark Royal. Said he was playing well

coming into the tournament. His good run is continuing. Good bowling, no

doubt, but he is being given the room to do it at the moment, three

ends after this, Paul Foster, has a sharp available to come in for the

two bowls on the backhand, the danger is he has his own bowl

lurking and if he makes contact with that, he loses another shot. Some

magic is required from Paul Foster. He is in the area. Oh yes, oh yes.

All very much yes! That was brilliant. That was brilliant. As my

letter from Paul Foster, that is the Fozzie we know. That is the rabbit

out of the hat moment that he was desperate for -- a little smile

there from Paul Forster. Liz two there, he was in so much trouble,

five down with three to go, we did not fancy his chances --. Massive in

the context of the confidence of Paul Foster. That was a very

difficult shot. Decent opener as well, at full

length. The sender is very important now for Mark Royal, he cannot afford

to lose a shot here, thinking to himself, that was a brilliant bowl

by Paul Foster, but I need to get back onto the card again.

He stood up very quickly on Matt, I am getting the impression there is

something not right about it. It looks quick. It is not that quick!

That is a number of times he has played a bowl and has not looked as

if he liked it, look at the reaction on his face. I called it as heavy,

he thought it was heavy, it ends up a foot away.

He has got a little bit of confidence back, Paul Foster.

Unfazed. Mark Royal. Trying to follow that.

He likes it, he is asking it to hold but it will drift in to green. He

might have turned it over for another shot as well, yes, he has an

that is exactly what he did not want to do. The cover shot for Paul is on

the backhand. Anything past his own green bowls is

good. Here he comes. That is a good place

to be. Very nearly dropping in for another one and the danger here for

Mark Royal is if he plays his own front green bowl onto the red one

and that holds off, but if he gets this wrong, he is going to be four

shots down. He has to think about this, do I really want to commit to

it or am I happy enough to Liz two shots and go into the last two ends

level? -- to Liz two shots. -- lose. He has gone for the rescue, has he

got it right? He wants the jack. He has got a good one out of that, he

hit it right on target, he called for the jack and that is what he was

aiming for and he got it absolutely right. I think it has won the red.

Big turnover, massive bowl. The last bowl is providing us with such great

entertainment at the moment. He got the bounce but even without the

fans, watch where the red bowl is going. His own Red Bull would have

come through anyway, as soon as he got on to the jack, that was just

more difficult than you would really think of, because of the danger

involved -- red bowl. It was a massive bowl. Paul Foster has to

score here. One shot for Mark Royal and he is

through. After Alex Marshall going out and Nick Brett going out, if

Paul Foster goes out, goodness me, this is opening wide open. It has

been a big day is just a little bit of movement there. Paul Foster, just

resets. Good opening bowl from Mark Royal, Paul Foster, needs to find a

way. APPLAUSE.

Did not put him off much, did it? It is one of the best bowls he has

played in this length. Mark Royal stamping his foot there which gives

me the impression there is something wrong with this. I think he has not

pushed it, that is the problem, the line was good. How often do you see

this happening? Within a grasp of a big win, and he drops two bowls

short. Short bowls. No use to anyone. And the majority of

situations, not close enough to hit with any great certainty. One bad

end for Mark Royal and he is back in trouble for the last end. Two short

bowls, this one has to reach, cannot afford to drop it short again. Has

he over corrected? No, he has not, he has played one. He is sitting

down as well, still a chance for Paul Foster to move on to the

forehand to bring the jack back for three. Half inch short. Avenue in

short, better on the other shied, run the jack through. -- half an

instant short. -- better on the other side.

Starting to work back now. He is close, Pettini is a little bit of

extra. Mark Royal will be doing well. It would be best to go deep.

The chance of the red bowl going out and he would get four shots, the

angle is right. Even if he gets jack, it is worth three. I think

Mark Royal has to take a chance here, put another one end.

-- put another one in. I'm not sure about that, Paul Foster, you can

feel you cannot take liberties. If he can sit in and gets it right, he

will pick up three or four shots. This is the proverbial all or

nothing. Paul Foster needs a result with this or else it is Mark

Royal's match. He is watching it, he must think it is close if he is

watching it. Here comes Paul Foster, if set, he has got it! Paul Foster

at his absolute bears and Mark Royal, who was walking through the

door, into the quarterfinal, has to haul himself back -- absolute best.

You cannot leave those for Paul Foster, you really cannot. He is

going to punish you. He wanted another turn on it, I think he felt

he needed another one, but you just cannot leave those. I think you're

right, he was an inch or show away from getting a third shot.

right, he was an inch or show away Tactically, Bill, you cannot cover

everything in life, but if Tactically, Bill, you cannot cover

popped another bowl in with his Tactically, Bill, you cannot cover

could have a tie-break. Paul Foster needs two to force the tie-break.

Couple of feet through with that. He has put himself under a lot of

pressure here, Mark Royal claim this last end. -- playing. He is getting

there with that bit of pace. Yes. This is the kind of game, if you do

not win, if you are Mark Royal, it will live with you for a little

while. looks like it is there, it is. That

is a much better shots. Going to make it very difficult for Paul

Foster now, but he has to pull the jack back to his own green bowl,

probably will have to move the backhand to do that, cannot see it

on the forehand. Yes, he is on the back. Slightly inside the line, an

extra two macro of weight. The sort of player who is more than capable,

is getting back in time, here it comes. Does it get the jack? Mark

Royal has defeated Paul Foster, a finalist here for the last three

years. It is an unusual early exit for Paul Foster from the Scottish

International Open but Mark Royal, played some great shots and he goes

through by 2-0. Markey must be delighted, you are through to the

quarterfinal and played a very fine game. I was very pleased with how I

played. When you play Paul you do not book a hotel for the night, so I

had better do that now. He has beaten me many times and it is nice

to get one back. Paul you are staying at home this week. Is it

heard to say, you were scratching around a little bit, hard to find

your length? I will take anything away from Mark, his first bowl was

deadly, he put me under pressure and I do not know what is wrong. My game

has gone to pot. Very uncomfortable in the ring, did not know with the

bowls were going, at times I thought it was good and it was not. A poorer

performance, but I will not take it away from Mark, he deserved his

victory. The four-time world champion out of the competition but

Mark Royal did play the better bowls and he deserves to be in the

quarterfinals. Jason Greenslade was also up against Graeme MacDougall.

Jason took the first set but he had led 8-2 and it was a similar story

at the start of the second, with the Welshman taken into early, and

towards the ditch at end for. He was under pressure and miss the chance

to pull shots back at air and five. Nothing was working for the former

merchant Navy man. He was 9-2 down after this shot. An unusually loose

end from Jason Greenslade opened a chink of light for the Scotsman but

he failed to take full advantage, a loose final delivery for him but he

needed a free -- three. Five shots down with two ends left, McDougall

needed something special, his final bowl at end eight left him lying

three. But Greenslade's Drive settled the match and he claimed his

place in the quarterfinals with an end to spare. Some intriguing

matters today, some wonderful shots, but which one is the best,

Corky will tell us now. My shot of the day comes from Mark Royal. He is

playing really well and he won the set, he is 5-2 up and Paul Foster

has got to shots against him with his last bowl. Wait till you see the

shot, it is perfection. Backhand very controlled, it did not look to

me as if the head with the deeper the perfect split, there it goes,

the bowl runs through, and that is so difficult to play on the portable

rink. Takes the single and he is back in the frame and look at that,

Paul Foster even smiled at that and that is unusual, he knew that was

something special, but of the stay of execution for Paul Mark -- he did

not win to go through to the tie-break but Mark Royal was superb,

but in this match, it was my shot of the day. Really fine shot indeed

from Paul Foster, but not enough to get through to the quarterfinals.

This is the way that will tomorrow. -- they will line up tomorrow.

Should be absolutely wonderful, some very good players, it is live on