0:00:34 > 0:00:39The trees turn colours - Perth is a beautiful city. Yo if you want a
0:00:39 > 0:00:42change in temperature a short walk to the Dewar's centre is where you
0:00:42 > 0:00:46need to be. The world's best bowlers are there and they are turning up
0:00:46 > 0:00:53the heat.
0:01:17 > 0:01:23Hello and a very warm welcome to the Dewar's centre in Perth. Over the
0:01:23 > 0:01:26years, this carpet has seen some incredible players playing some
0:01:26 > 0:01:31wonderful bowls. This week will be the same. The best bowlers on the
0:01:31 > 0:01:36planet are right here at Perth. We can hear all the action live on BBC
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Two. We will be all the way to the final on Saturday lunch time. The
0:01:40 > 0:01:44action got under way earlier this Saturday. Let's show you who's still
0:01:44 > 0:01:47in the competition and who's taking the long walk home.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50Mervyn King is through. Jonathan Ross is out.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55Stewart Anderson is also out. Big shock there. Andy Thomson is
0:01:55 > 0:02:03through. Dawes at the bottom. Darren Burnett, the big Scotsman is
0:02:04 > 0:02:11Jason Greenslade - the number 16 seed, out to Danny Denison. Mark
0:02:11 > 0:02:15Royal is through. The matches a @bottom there are the ones coming up
0:02:15 > 0:02:21live this afternoon. I am delighted to say in the
0:02:21 > 0:02:25commentary box for us this week is David Corkill. Some great matches so
0:02:25 > 0:02:30far. Wonderful ones still to come. Absolutely. Whenever you have the
0:02:30 > 0:02:33likes of the defending champion and then followed by Paul and Alex.
0:02:33 > 0:02:46Let's talk about the Scots as well,. We have Foster and, Alex Marshall,
0:02:46 > 0:02:50who has not got that win yet in Perth.It is only a matter of time.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54We say it every year when it comes to the particular competition.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58Six-time world champion. Do you think it worries him too much? I
0:02:58 > 0:03:04wouldn't think so.Let's talk about Greg Harlow. He's won here twice -
0:03:04 > 0:03:08the last two years, in fact. Defending champion. A guy with such
0:03:08 > 0:03:13an all-round game. He's such a fierce competitor.He plays shots
0:03:13 > 0:03:17with great confidence. It has to be a tough game.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22Neil is 17th in the ranking at the moment. This will be a very
0:03:22 > 0:03:27interesting match.He won against Jason Greenslade and beat Paul
0:03:27 > 0:03:31Foster who went on to win the worlds, of course. Here is a guy who
0:03:31 > 0:03:35knows how to win. He's got so many titles on tour. Knows how to win and
0:03:35 > 0:03:40knows how to keep it going and get to the business end of tournaments.
0:03:40 > 0:03:48He's won titles on the trot before. Three times international winner, at
0:03:48 > 0:03:52Sheffield, one of his favourite venues. Turning out to be a very
0:03:52 > 0:03:58profitable turnment for him.It will be -- tournament for him. Who will
0:03:58 > 0:04:11it be?Probably one of eight or nine. David impressed me. Good to
0:04:11 > 0:04:15see David Gourlay get off to a good start.We know Greg Harlow is coming
0:04:15 > 0:04:24on. Who will he face this afternoon? The guy he's up against is Neil
0:04:24 > 0:04:33Furman. Plays out of the Laguna Beach club in San Diego and won nine
0:04:33 > 0:04:44national titles. Please welcome to play this afternoon, from the US
0:04:44 > 0:04:45it's Neil Furman.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51APPLAUSE
0:04:52 > 0:04:58MUSIC Feeling hot, hot, hot.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Consistent and extremely impressive performances from Greg Harlow have
0:05:05 > 0:05:12put him at world number one. He's won the 12 world bowls title,
0:05:12 > 0:05:15including three back-to-back international open trophies. Can he
0:05:15 > 0:05:20do the same here in Perth this year? Ladies and gentlemen, please give a
0:05:20 > 0:05:30very warm welcome to your defending champion, Greg Harlow.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34APPLAUSE
0:05:35 > 0:05:39MUSIC
0:05:44 > 0:05:49If you are new to this format, let me tell you how this works - two
0:05:49 > 0:05:57sets of nine ends. If it is at 1-1 after that it goes to a tie-break.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06Each player has a 30 second shot clock.
0:06:08 > 0:06:15So this match should be absolutely wonderful. Please welcome to our
0:06:15 > 0:06:18commentary box Paul Mitchell and David Corkill.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25THE COMMENTATOR: Good afternoon. We may be in Perth, but it is
0:06:25 > 0:06:30California against Cambridgeshire to get us under way in this Scottish
0:06:30 > 0:06:38International Open. The defending champion, taking his first steps of
0:06:38 > 0:06:45the tournament in 2017.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Traditionally Greg Harlow gets off to a good start in the first round
0:06:59 > 0:07:09here. Very comfortable out there. Very
0:07:09 > 0:07:20relacked. -- very relaxed. He 's a dangerous player. It will come down
0:07:20 > 0:07:25to his running balls. He's an attacking player. Plays a lot of
0:07:25 > 0:07:31weight shots. If he starts to hit those, kit be tricky. If he starts
0:07:31 > 0:07:39to miss them, well, he'll lose in multiples.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50Struggling a couple of injuries in Perth last season. Didn't stop him
0:07:50 > 0:08:00from winning the title. Some early pressure on his American opponent.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18Looks under the line again.Just trying to check to see what sort of
0:08:18 > 0:08:24bowls he's using. The players do change them quite often. You cannot
0:08:24 > 0:08:29afford to go searching down a narrow line in that hand. You have to come
0:08:29 > 0:08:40outside from the high line into the centre of the rink.
0:08:46 > 0:08:53He'll be happy enough with that there.
0:09:13 > 0:09:19Temptation here to put too much weight on.Well, it hasn't been too
0:09:19 > 0:09:24bad, actually. It is a matter of the line. At the moment he's trying to
0:09:24 > 0:09:28get a good line. That is a decent ball. It should drop back. It's not
0:09:28 > 0:09:34going to. It is interesting if the balls are not dropping, it gives me
0:09:34 > 0:09:43the impression they are narrow bias. The second shot.
0:09:43 > 0:09:48Greg will be looking, a little tap down to make three. The initial
0:09:48 > 0:09:54target's to draw another shot. If he gets the green one, even better.
0:09:54 > 0:10:00Asking a lot of this to get back all the way. But here it comes.
0:10:00 > 0:10:14Yes, just slightly over the line from what he wanted.
0:10:19 > 0:10:28He gets it away. If he's got the weight he's got the
0:10:28 > 0:10:34chance. The bump might have taken it off. It has.
0:10:37 > 0:10:44Defending champion on to the scorecard first.
0:10:52 > 0:10:59Given how it was after two bowls each delivered, I don't think Neil
0:10:59 > 0:11:08Furman will be too unhappy just dropping a single.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16REFEREE: 24.5 metres.
0:11:46 > 0:11:53Again it is a very narrow looking line. If you go chasing those lines,
0:11:53 > 0:11:58just whip across four, five feet and if he's a foot wider, he might be a
0:11:58 > 0:12:02little bit wide, but at least he's coming into the back, so Neil will
0:12:02 > 0:12:15correct that as the game goes on. Greg, well outside in comparison.
0:12:19 > 0:12:30The improvement made by Greg Harlow. A missed chance for Neil Furman.
0:12:30 > 0:12:36Change on to the forehand.
0:13:00 > 0:13:06REFEREE: Gap on your bowl, 16 inches.
0:13:08 > 0:13:16Not a problem from Greg. Should be able to tap it to come inside. Makes
0:13:16 > 0:13:24it a double. Same shot for Neil. Just a tap on his own ball. More of
0:13:24 > 0:13:27an outside delivery. It is only a little bump. It is not a big
0:13:27 > 0:13:35problem. He does it all the time. It is consistent.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40Didn't make the contact, though. Chucking on through a metre.That
0:13:40 > 0:13:44looked a little bit smoother than his last one. Perhaps the bump
0:13:44 > 0:13:50wasn't there to put the brakes on. There you go, a couple of wee bumps
0:13:50 > 0:13:56and settle.The indoor carpet playing as quick as this one - that
0:13:56 > 0:14:02can make a big difference. Greg looking for the target ball -
0:14:02 > 0:14:09the back green one. He's beyond it. Once again another chance for Neil
0:14:09 > 0:14:20just to tap the jack or tap his own bowl. If he taps the jack he makes a
0:14:20 > 0:14:24double.
0:14:31 > 0:14:38Looks a better line. The weight may be the concern.
0:14:38 > 0:14:46Tried to take two-and-a-half feet off and obviously too much, but...
0:14:46 > 0:14:49More inclined with the same bowl again and hopefully get a
0:14:49 > 0:14:58connection. Another couple of chances for Neil
0:14:58 > 0:15:04Furman. Greg Harlow taking the early
0:15:04 > 0:15:09control.
0:15:28 > 0:15:3428-and-a-half metres. Greg Harlow delivers with barely a
0:15:34 > 0:15:41whisper. A smooth delivery.Yes, the vast majority of the top players all
0:15:41 > 0:15:44have smooth, very easy, very relaxed deliveries.
0:15:44 > 0:15:57It's very rare you see one of the players have a bump. Ian, one of the
0:15:57 > 0:16:04few who has managed to overcome that and become a top ranked player. He
0:16:04 > 0:16:12bumps every ball. Doesn't make any difference if you do that.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17Winner of this Al tournament, won it twice. Taking a rest from the tour
0:16:17 > 0:16:22events. Hopefully he'll come back. A good character, a really good
0:16:22 > 0:16:26player.
0:16:32 > 0:16:37That's better for Greg now. By his standards the first two ends
0:16:37 > 0:16:46were a bit lose. That's more like it.
0:16:56 > 0:17:03Just going to go past, I think. Not much.
0:17:05 > 0:17:12A lot of people might think Greg will play the forehand to turn the
0:17:12 > 0:17:17jack in around the corner, but if you get a couple of bowls close you
0:17:17 > 0:17:24stay on that hand if you can. This one needs to hurry a bit. Missed
0:17:24 > 0:17:30that bowl - it would have been very useful.
0:17:30 > 0:17:39Have to put the pressure on his opponent.
0:17:39 > 0:17:48From the beautiful surroundings of Laguna Beach, San Diego.
0:17:51 > 0:17:57Tries its best to get there. The difficulty for Neil is that the
0:17:57 > 0:18:10target bowls are protected by his own green one. So he doesn't have
0:18:10 > 0:18:14much in terms of getting out of trouble.
0:18:14 > 0:18:19He can concentrate putting bowls close to the jack. Well, he's
0:18:19 > 0:18:23looking good again for another shot. Just wants to drift past. Yes, he's
0:18:23 > 0:18:31made it. Just a draw here, Paul. It's not
0:18:31 > 0:18:35pretty because you try and make sure you are reaching on the forehand, it
0:18:35 > 0:18:41just holds off. If you nip it in a little bit, it is a bit of weight,
0:18:41 > 0:18:50it will hook across very quickly. Ten seconds on the shot clock.
0:18:50 > 0:18:56He's going to try and hit this, is he? Goodness me!He's going to have
0:18:56 > 0:19:00to fortunate here. Pull something through.
0:19:00 > 0:19:07Oh, well, the follow through was a key to that, wasn't it? Came through
0:19:07 > 0:19:16on to the jack. Well, he gambled there.
0:19:16 > 0:19:27Tsm strength of his to play, he's pretty accurate with it.
0:19:29 > 0:19:38A big moment for Neil Furman.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49REFEREE: 24.5 metres.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07APPLAUSE
0:20:19 > 0:20:24REFEREE: Inch-and-a-half short.
0:20:33 > 0:20:38THE COMMENTATOR: Neil from the forehand, a more consistent hand for
0:20:38 > 0:20:40his bowls.
0:20:44 > 0:20:57Greg may be tempted to turn himself, turn the jack on the corner.
0:21:04 > 0:21:09Completely a different line to that taken by Neil Furman. Comes
0:21:09 > 0:21:14beautifully back.He's framed it. Neil, he could do worse than have a
0:21:14 > 0:21:22go at this and try and disturb it, move it early.
0:21:22 > 0:21:28Well, sticking to the draw. If forehand does stand up nicely, but
0:21:28 > 0:21:32if you put extra weight on it holds. He's better with this.
0:21:32 > 0:21:47Oh! Gaps, but... Still a good effort.
0:21:47 > 0:21:54Certain things look impossible, but nothing is impossible.
0:21:56 > 0:22:02A change of hand, just wants to come around the back.He knows Neil and
0:22:02 > 0:22:11he knows what his strengths are in his play.
0:22:24 > 0:22:35Just an arriving ball to the jack. He's over the weight this time.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40I can understand Paul, attempting a shot to get there with the yard, but
0:22:40 > 0:22:45it's also a very difficult shot. He's almost better rallying the jack
0:22:45 > 0:22:55all the way through or taking a red bowl out.
0:22:55 > 0:23:03Greg will look to get between the two green bowls if he can. He'll not
0:23:03 > 0:23:08make the trip for that. He's drawn inside.
0:23:08 > 0:23:17APPLAUSE See the weight come again.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36A low percentage shot. Going heavy. . Here comes the drive. Looked
0:23:36 > 0:23:40tight. It might clip. That's the danger. Oh, he's got a maximum
0:23:40 > 0:23:48again. Goodness me!
0:23:50 > 0:23:58Good to see it. He's taken four shots.
0:23:58 > 0:24:07A bit of California magic.
0:24:16 > 0:24:26Almost got a maximum result.
0:24:30 > 0:24:38REFEREE: 26.5 metres.You can only dig yourself out of so many holes.
0:24:38 > 0:24:47He's not been too far away he needs to get close with the first two and
0:24:47 > 0:24:58put the pressure on Greg. He wants him to play those shots. Doesn't
0:24:58 > 0:25:09want to play them too often.
0:25:16 > 0:25:23Interesting choice of hand there - the forehand. Doesn't help them.
0:25:23 > 0:25:29Forcing it out on the outside. Backhand is a good hand, but it is a
0:25:29 > 0:25:44steady hand. Greg playing from the offside of the mat. Always uses
0:25:44 > 0:25:54strong bias.
0:26:09 > 0:26:15Unleashes again and the temptation's there.Two bowls.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19The pattern is set, isn't it?He just has to play those shots and
0:26:19 > 0:26:26play them early. Just can't afford to let the heads
0:26:26 > 0:26:31build up.On target.
0:26:35 > 0:26:40The best thing Greg Harlow can do is pop one back in there and say, OK,
0:26:40 > 0:26:46do it again.
0:26:50 > 0:26:55Missed a chance.
0:27:09 > 0:27:18He needs a close one and it's not bad, but may not be close enough.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30Greg on to the forehappened.
0:27:33 > 0:27:39-- on to the forehand.Lovely line. It will come back all the way.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42APPLAUSE
0:27:43 > 0:27:49Well, I think if I was Neil I would have another go at that. A backhand
0:27:49 > 0:27:54shot just to drive the bowl off. It would be unlucky to be any worse
0:27:54 > 0:28:02off. Could try a little overweight shot, but that's difficult.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06Well, that's what he's trying. I tell you what, you go narrow
0:28:06 > 0:28:11there, you haven't got a hope.No. There it goes. That's low percentage
0:28:11 > 0:28:16shot. Neil knows better than that, Paul, he really does.
0:28:16 > 0:28:21He'll be walking down, thinking to himself, why didn't I drive again
0:28:21 > 0:28:27and whiz the ball off? Take the one. The second he played it, you could
0:28:27 > 0:28:32see it was way underneath him and it was bent before even reaching the
0:28:32 > 0:28:40white spots, which mark out the rink, the centre rink, way before
0:28:40 > 0:28:46those. Well, he's got work to do. An experienced player, international
0:28:46 > 0:28:57player. Outdoor for the USA. Nine national titles in the USA.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15APPLAUSE
0:29:21 > 0:29:27An open run to the jack because Nel's having to -- Neil's having to
0:29:27 > 0:29:39drive his way out of trouble. Once again, it's not a bad one
0:29:39 > 0:29:49around there, but there's an acre of room for the likes of Greg Harlow.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Another shot on cover.
0:30:12 > 0:30:19His problem has often been having to add weight after his first ball.
0:30:19 > 0:30:31Just trying to take some.Close with this one. Neatly done.That is more
0:30:31 > 0:30:43like it. Needs a lot more of those.
0:30:53 > 0:31:08He had got it back again.That hurts. That really hurts.When you
0:31:08 > 0:31:24have played the best ball of the match and your opponent responds...
0:31:32 > 0:31:43Looked lazy.Three inches.Greg conscious of the fact that he does
0:31:43 > 0:31:47not want to leave something jack high. If he is able to pull the jack
0:31:47 > 0:31:52back, that is good, but he certainly won't want to be just up to it and
0:31:52 > 0:32:11fall away. That is as expected. There is not really a lot on here.
0:32:11 > 0:32:31He could drive it. He is just trying to draw it up. Just struggling.It
0:32:31 > 0:32:38is not there.Greg will be happy the way this is going, Neal has taken a
0:32:38 > 0:32:44lot of shots of him during the set, but single every time except for one
0:32:44 > 0:32:51end, just let the ends run out. He will be happy with two more singles
0:32:51 > 0:32:59and the set will be over.Good start for the defending champion. Popular
0:32:59 > 0:33:04Englishman here in Perth, but you got the crowd reaction when Neil
0:33:04 > 0:33:13Furman put in that bowl. They love an underdog in Perth and at the
0:33:13 > 0:33:25moment Neil Furman is wearing that tag. Any significance in the fact he
0:33:25 > 0:33:35is varying the jack a lot?It is usually, the last thing you want to
0:33:35 > 0:33:39do is let a good opponent who does not play indoor very often get into
0:33:39 > 0:33:44any sort of rhythm on the same length. You want to move it around
0:33:44 > 0:33:50very, very slightly, subtly as well, and just force them to make minor
0:33:50 > 0:33:54adjustments. Usually they struggle with the first bowler to do that so
0:33:54 > 0:33:58by that stage you are normally a couple of shots behind. Greg has
0:33:58 > 0:34:09done exactly what the top bowlers do.
0:34:11 > 0:34:16You are always looking to exploit any weakness there is in an
0:34:16 > 0:34:23opponent. The only weakness Neil Furman really has Izzy does not get
0:34:23 > 0:34:28a chance to play on a rink often enough.He does have the advantage
0:34:28 > 0:34:32of playing in California, though! That is why I don't have a lot of
0:34:32 > 0:34:38sympathy for him! Laguna Beach is not really a hardship, is it?!I
0:34:38 > 0:34:47certainly would not mind a go there. It is a nice lifestyle.I was in
0:34:47 > 0:34:52California down near Laguna Beach in the summer, but I got asked to
0:34:52 > 0:35:01leave.I'm not going there, I am just leaving that hanging in the
0:35:01 > 0:35:13air!I think the term juxtaposition was well used.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20Once again, Greg getting an opportunity on his favourite
0:35:20 > 0:35:23backhand, just looking to rest the green bowl all come into the jack
0:35:23 > 0:35:33himself. That is very, very good. Once again he is in a heap of
0:35:33 > 0:35:46trouble and once again it really should be a drive to get out of it.
0:35:48 > 0:35:54I think he is in the area for the jack.Goodness me. That was close
0:35:54 > 0:36:02as, picked one out. Greg will fancy popping this back, though there are
0:36:02 > 0:36:09two green bowls at the back.One read also still on.I think he will
0:36:09 > 0:36:15cover the green spot, really, on the backhand. Takes him into position,
0:36:15 > 0:36:24can still win the set. Even if Neill manages to do anything else, the
0:36:24 > 0:36:32best he can hope for is a double.He is not reaching for it, he needed
0:36:32 > 0:36:40another metre or so. On the line for the respot, just didn't push it.
0:36:40 > 0:36:51Sheik of the head. That is a surprise. Set life of the defending
0:36:51 > 0:37:02champion. -- set lie for the defending champion. Less weight this
0:37:02 > 0:37:08time, bit of a risk, once you go outside, you don't get back. I'm
0:37:08 > 0:37:14surprised he didn't thrashed that through on another drive to shots
0:37:14 > 0:37:23and the first set, Greg Harlow. The opening set for Greg Harlow. He wins
0:37:23 > 0:37:36seven straight ends, scoreline 9-0. He couldn't ask for much more, could
0:37:36 > 0:37:43he? Puts the pressure on, Neil only played a couple of draw shot that
0:37:43 > 0:37:49were impressive in terms of getting very close. Most of the shots he was
0:37:49 > 0:37:55playing were to get out of trouble. Greg Harlow, good bowler, also good
0:37:55 > 0:38:02at hide and Seek, it would appear. Comes back into view.Jack length 26
0:38:02 > 0:38:16metres.He has certainly not been under pressure at all, Greg Harlow.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20A chance the Neil Furman, who takes the jack at the start of this second
0:38:20 > 0:38:40set. Best first ball by some distance.
0:38:43 > 0:38:54The American the matter slightly. -- bought the matter up.
0:39:49 > 0:39:56That is the first time Greg is going to be in a bit of bother with his
0:39:56 > 0:40:12bowl. Interesting he is on the inside of the mat, using a ball
0:40:12 > 0:40:21reaches of a weaker bias. Going deep with that one, not sure about that
0:40:21 > 0:40:25one. Can't imagine he played that deliberately.I was going to say, I
0:40:25 > 0:40:29don't think that is intentional in any way, and that is a fair bit
0:40:29 > 0:40:35through.
0:40:51 > 0:40:56That suggests he was making sure he was reaching the jack, if you missed
0:40:56 > 0:41:00it he was coming into a useful place. But still just explore,
0:41:00 > 0:41:07really.
0:41:20 > 0:41:29That was number two.Greg Harlow has come down for a look. He will look
0:41:29 > 0:41:37at the backhand... Nothing easy about this.
0:41:45 > 0:41:49He could play that shot if you really wanted to, there is a chance
0:41:49 > 0:41:59he could play off his own ball, take two out.We have not seen Greg the
0:41:59 > 0:42:07aggressive as yet, so he may decide to have a little go. He would be
0:42:07 > 0:42:13unlucky to lose more than a two. Beforehand, that is an interesting
0:42:13 > 0:42:18choice of shocked. He is an attacking player. Greg is obviously
0:42:18 > 0:42:22feeling comfortable enough to draw this, the backhand running ball,
0:42:22 > 0:42:29anything have happened.
0:42:33 > 0:42:50Two shops. -- two shots.And it is a popular double in Perth.Get him off
0:42:50 > 0:42:53and running, you don't want to travel all the way from California
0:42:53 > 0:42:56and see a zero scoreline on both set. He is better than that, Neil
0:42:56 > 0:43:06Furman, you really is.Currently ranked 17, previously ranked number
0:43:06 > 0:43:0821 back in 2004.
0:43:17 > 0:43:26He has won two of his last round one matches in WBT singles events. He
0:43:26 > 0:43:40tends to pick on the Welshman.He has done when -- he has done well in
0:43:40 > 0:43:43Wales, as well. Some good performances. Semifinalist in the
0:43:43 > 0:43:48Welsh event in 2004, and he is finding it a little bit better in
0:43:48 > 0:43:54this second set in Perth.
0:44:39 > 0:44:44That is a very good players. Looks like he has made up his mind,
0:44:44 > 0:44:48forehand, forehand, Neil Furman. He will just go around the clock, as we
0:44:48 > 0:44:51call it.
0:45:21 > 0:45:27This is the important one. Get this one in or drag the jack three would
0:45:27 > 0:45:34be brilliant, because Greg may be tempted to run at this. Well...Just
0:45:34 > 0:45:45like the last end, he overcooked his third bowl and he has done the same.
0:45:45 > 0:45:51He has been very conservative by doing this, but, again, he has to
0:45:51 > 0:46:06give it a chance.
0:46:07 > 0:46:12If in Neil Furman could find a way just to take a little touch of the
0:46:12 > 0:46:18jack, he is potentially 5-0 up in this second set. Greg Harlow will
0:46:18 > 0:46:29have right of reply.
0:46:31 > 0:46:36Has he kept the weight? Needs the extra power to get past the front
0:46:36 > 0:46:41ones.Look short, all the way. Greg is looking at that, I just wonder,
0:46:41 > 0:46:49if you tempted to play through on the backhand, he would only lose a
0:46:49 > 0:46:54single. No worse off, really. In fact, it is better. Once again,
0:46:54 > 0:46:58shaping up for the forehand.
0:47:10 > 0:47:20I'm surprised at that.
0:47:26 > 0:47:29It is unusual, we have not seen Greg Harlow play anything other than a
0:47:29 > 0:47:34draw, he is more than capable, we have seen that in the past.
0:47:34 > 0:47:39Especially with only one against him there. He might have lost the two if
0:47:39 > 0:47:42things had gone horribly wrong but it would have been a bit of a
0:47:42 > 0:47:50stretch.Well, it is interesting, you deep into the draw, obviously
0:47:50 > 0:47:55have a plan to do exactly that, but there will come a time when running
0:47:55 > 0:48:01ball is the better option. He hasn't managed to draw himself out of
0:48:01 > 0:48:04trouble in the last two ends.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33Playing forehand all the way, changed to backhand at the longer
0:48:33 > 0:48:41length.A good opener, though, his opening bowls have certainly
0:48:41 > 0:48:43improved.
0:49:08 > 0:49:15Neil Furman draws away, no doubt Greg will ask for the next one.
0:49:21 > 0:49:29The knock on the Green might help. He is asking whose line now. Not
0:49:29 > 0:49:34changed the shop, still draw into the jack with the green bowl. Nice
0:49:34 > 0:49:46to know that the marker fancies your bowl. Just makes you feel that
0:49:46 > 0:49:49little bit better.
0:50:14 > 0:50:20Different line, definitely narrower. Needs to get to the jack, though.
0:50:20 > 0:50:25That will do.
0:50:49 > 0:50:57He likes this, Greg Harlow.He has nailed it.With good reason. Doesn't
0:50:57 > 0:51:04want the bowl to drop, though. Looks like it is going to stay up, but if
0:51:04 > 0:51:14it falls it could go against him. He is going to look at this in the
0:51:14 > 0:51:19forehand as well, just to see if the green ball has gone under the jack.
0:51:19 > 0:51:29And then the red bowl just dropped. That makes it slightly different.
0:51:29 > 0:51:42One green.Confident call.It took a long time for that boulder fall, a
0:51:42 > 0:51:51long time, but for the good. -- a long time for that bowl to fall.He
0:51:51 > 0:51:58could make a three or four out of this.
0:52:11 > 0:52:17It is a bit heavy but if he reaches his own bowl and falls back he could
0:52:17 > 0:52:22make a double. Not the jack... Oh, well, that was not what he was
0:52:22 > 0:52:32hoping to do. So close to giving the shot away here. A whisker away.
0:53:05 > 0:53:09Greg Harlow dominated the first set, Neil Furman taking the first three
0:53:09 > 0:53:17ends of the second. Getting into a rhythm.First bowl, that is the key
0:53:17 > 0:53:22to it every single time. Get close to that first bowl, the pressure
0:53:22 > 0:53:30goes on your opponent.
0:53:46 > 0:53:56The complexion of this match has changed. Greg Harlow finds himself
0:53:56 > 0:54:00with the first set in the bag but a little bit of pressure in this
0:54:00 > 0:54:10second set.
0:55:04 > 0:55:14Change of hand required. Greg has been dropping a few bowls short on
0:55:14 > 0:55:26this forehand. Trying to make sure he is reaching.
0:55:34 > 0:55:42Greg's bowl eight inches, your bowl three inches.He doesn't want to
0:55:42 > 0:55:49make a connection on the forehand but Greg's bowl might force and
0:55:49 > 0:55:51slightly on the wide side.
0:56:17 > 0:56:21Time for the heavy stuff. Very controlled, but he is good at this
0:56:21 > 0:56:35shot. Oh, bad result. Very bad result.
0:56:37 > 0:56:42Gently weighted, could have done with coming just inside that ball,
0:56:42 > 0:56:52rather than catching it.
0:57:12 > 0:57:21I think Greg will risk this. He will have to draw it, 5-0 down, if he
0:57:21 > 0:57:29misses it, still time in the set. If he takes a risk, he has two bowls at
0:57:29 > 0:57:38the back, he could make three out of it. He has to get very close to his
0:57:38 > 0:57:47own ball if he is going to run at it.If it goes wrong and he takes
0:57:47 > 0:57:58his own out, he puts himself behind. I think that is what is in his mind,
0:57:58 > 0:58:05if it went totally pear shaped he could easily have lost 84-macro in
0:58:05 > 0:58:15this end. I think he has made the right decision.
0:58:22 > 0:58:31Sometimes you just have to be cautious. The third ball in that
0:58:31 > 0:58:42tent was the problem, really. Didn't break well the Greg. Cook is above
0:58:42 > 0:58:57all out and left him with one. 5-0, five ends to go.Still plenty of
0:58:57 > 0:59:07time.
0:59:29 > 0:59:35Well, all credit, the first set is what he might want to forget about.
0:59:35 > 0:59:41He has come out very strongly in the second set. The first bowl has had a
0:59:41 > 0:59:45massive improvement.
1:00:24 > 1:00:32Three and a half inches on the shot, ten on yours.Normally he would
1:00:32 > 1:00:37approach it on the left. He has been very conservative in this match.
1:00:41 > 1:00:43It will have to come for hand here.
1:00:48 > 1:00:55It's got a chance. Big chance for the Jack.
1:01:00 > 1:01:06Unlucky, really. He wanted to move the green bowl further away. Now,
1:01:06 > 1:01:10Neil, you have to go on the forehand.
1:01:16 > 1:01:22He can ignore the jack, it is the two red bowls he wants to come into
1:01:22 > 1:01:28contact with.Second time doing this, so he knows the line to take.
1:01:35 > 1:01:40Not going to be much help there.
1:01:45 > 1:01:50Trailing the jack, a little turn of the green bowl away.
1:02:06 > 1:02:12Fighting it with the weight. Has he just overplayed it, all enough for
1:02:12 > 1:02:18the jack?Well, even less weight than I thought. But that was a
1:02:18 > 1:02:25brilliant turnaround.He stopped halfway down the rink to luck. I
1:02:25 > 1:02:39have a feeling he had done it right and he had.Would you just draw, or
1:02:39 > 1:02:43think about driving at the four?
1:02:45 > 1:02:53Playing to disturb.Never gave it a chance. I know that sounds harsh.
1:02:53 > 1:02:59You could see almost immediately he started to get too tight.Forehand
1:02:59 > 1:03:04drive gone wrong. Losing a three, maybe a four. All of a sudden, the
1:03:04 > 1:03:09disappears. -- the lead disappears.
1:03:24 > 1:03:27Greg Harlow, for four.
1:03:32 > 1:03:36Kept it a very wide. Didn't want to mess with the green bowls at the
1:03:36 > 1:03:40front.He dropped it down. He normally would have added that. A
1:03:40 > 1:03:48little miss. But he is back on the card, back competitive in the second
1:03:48 > 1:03:51set. It will be interesting to see what Greg Harlow does.
1:03:56 > 1:04:02Greg Harlow, on the card in the second set. Neil Furman needs to win
1:04:02 > 1:04:06the set to force a tie break. A tired set would see Greg Harlow
1:04:06 > 1:04:10through. -- tied set.
1:04:18 > 1:04:27Jack Lenox, 26.5 metres. -- length. Greg Harlow, so consistent. He's won
1:04:27 > 1:04:3311 of his last 13 events. His last eight in a row. The opening round of
1:04:33 > 1:04:36the singles tournament.
1:04:59 > 1:05:03Sticking with the forehand, Neil Furman. Played it well. Just wants
1:05:03 > 1:05:06to run it out.
1:05:08 > 1:05:11Five inches short.
1:05:39 > 1:05:41One green.
1:05:44 > 1:05:49Really won't want to get into a last end shoot out with Neil Furman,
1:05:49 > 1:05:53because you just don't know what he's going to play. He is an
1:05:53 > 1:05:59attacking player. Greg will want to give himself a bit of a cushion. He
1:05:59 > 1:06:01needs this end.
1:06:26 > 1:06:34That looked better. It wants to full-back. -- fall that.
1:06:38 > 1:06:46The gap is seven inches.No choice, he has to play it. The back and is
1:06:46 > 1:06:48full of danger.
1:06:55 > 1:06:58This is interesting.
1:07:00 > 1:07:05He's going to have to play it wide. We can't afford to get onto the red
1:07:05 > 1:07:10ball. If he gets onto the red ball, it is onto the jack.
1:07:13 > 1:07:14Wow.:.
1:07:18 > 1:07:25Tip your cat to him for that one. That is a brave, brave bowl. That
1:07:25 > 1:07:28was unbelievably dangerous in the position he was in. Just managed to
1:07:28 > 1:07:36get his own ball at the perfect angle. If it hit the red ball, he
1:07:36 > 1:07:44was two down and loads of trouble. Greg Harlow takes a time-out.Green,
1:07:44 > 1:07:46and a measure.
1:07:49 > 1:07:57For all the world, all the danger was there.The end result is good.
1:07:57 > 1:08:05It's going to be a difficult one for Greg to draw. A bit of weight to
1:08:05 > 1:08:09this is the only way out of it, I think.The heaviest he has been so
1:08:09 > 1:08:15far. He's got to strike something here. One out.The green bowl
1:08:15 > 1:08:26blocked. The red bowl spun around. If there was two in it he has
1:08:26 > 1:08:29reduced the count. It is damaged imitation. Unfortunately for Greg,
1:08:29 > 1:08:36he has given the all a lot more room to draw his second shot. This is
1:08:36 > 1:08:39really important here. If he gets a double...
1:08:49 > 1:08:53Greg Harlow missed a chance to add on at the last end. What does Neil
1:08:53 > 1:08:59Furman do here with his opportunity? He is also going to miss. An
1:08:59 > 1:09:03interesting game of bowls.
1:09:11 > 1:09:18He might come on reflection, realised he needed that one in.
1:09:19 > 1:09:23The defending champion. He is still not out of the set, but he is
1:09:23 > 1:09:28certainly under a lot more pressure. Three down, three to play. Neil
1:09:28 > 1:09:31Furman has to win the sets.
1:09:36 > 1:09:44Settled himself well. Got himself back into the event. He has
1:09:44 > 1:09:53tie-break experience on the World Bowls Tudur. That is what he is
1:09:53 > 1:09:54aiming for.
1:11:04 > 1:11:07Well played.
1:11:09 > 1:11:11APPLAUSE
1:11:28 > 1:11:34He certainly made a correction on the weight. All the way down. That
1:11:34 > 1:11:47brings his back bowl into play.Very small gap, an eighth of an inch.
1:11:47 > 1:11:55Well, problems here for Neil Furman. If he hits it, it is a toucher. It
1:11:55 > 1:11:59was to go into the ditch and the jack was resting in the confines, it
1:11:59 > 1:12:07will go into the ditch and not go to the side.Just pushing the bowl out.
1:12:07 > 1:12:10His looking for something just behind the jack to give him an
1:12:10 > 1:12:14option with his last bowl. He has a very good second shot. That helps,
1:12:14 > 1:12:17it gives something to play with.
1:12:21 > 1:12:27The second bowl, the gap is nine inches.Forehand for Greg, he will
1:12:27 > 1:12:28not miss the backhand.
1:12:54 > 1:13:07Well, it is their for Neil. He just needs a little tap.It has also
1:13:07 > 1:13:10widened the target.Close for second, that changes things
1:13:10 > 1:13:18slightly.He will have to use a time-out. There are ten seconds left
1:13:18 > 1:13:23on the shot clock.He's looking to see where the jack is going to go a
1:13:23 > 1:13:28few taps a red bowl. It will scamper along quite quickly.
1:13:31 > 1:13:38He just needs an inch or so of weight. The alternative is to play a
1:13:38 > 1:13:52forehand, off his own green bowled, and he might just get a Nick on the
1:13:52 > 1:13:55jack. Neither of the shots are particularly easy because of the
1:13:55 > 1:13:57weight control.
1:14:04 > 1:14:12Off the backhand he goes.Well, he is certainly trying to arrive at it,
1:14:12 > 1:14:19but it looks under. If he had hit it that hard, the jack would have
1:14:19 > 1:14:24whizzed right through to the red bowl. Would have lost a definite
1:14:24 > 1:14:30two. As it is, Greg will be careful with this.
1:14:42 > 1:14:45Coming down the forehand, just wants to get on the outside, over the
1:14:45 > 1:14:53green bowl. Just tucking it around the corner. Should be a big help for
1:14:53 > 1:14:54Greg Harlow.
1:15:00 > 1:15:07Well, you didn't want to hit the inside one. A measure for two.
1:15:10 > 1:15:18Just making sure that chocs are set in place. Take the red ball away.
1:15:22 > 1:15:29They never waste any time, just get it measured. The calipers will come
1:15:29 > 1:15:39out.A double done -- Dan show. Making sure it is OK. We should just
1:15:39 > 1:15:48call them all Dan. Very accurate. I really like to see the calipers
1:15:48 > 1:15:52coming out.
1:15:55 > 1:16:01Dan McManus is close to completing his law studies. Applying some
1:16:01 > 1:16:09judgment here. It is green. We would say at home, not even close!
1:16:17 > 1:16:24Well, a big end coming up now. Greg Harlow, if he scores, he puts
1:16:24 > 1:16:30himself in a great position. If he loses a shot, he loses one, looking
1:16:30 > 1:16:35to get a three.
1:16:41 > 1:16:47Not exactly the second said that he was looking for. If he gets over the
1:16:47 > 1:16:50line, it will feel like a decent work-out.
1:17:02 > 1:17:06The winner of this match will play Mervyn King. That will be
1:17:06 > 1:17:10interesting.
1:17:11 > 1:17:14Such a good, steady player.
1:17:22 > 1:17:25Came through against Martyn Hett of South Africa, without too many
1:17:25 > 1:17:26draws.
1:17:31 > 1:17:34Just under two feet.
1:17:48 > 1:17:50Minimum of one required.
1:17:52 > 1:18:00-- Martin Head.
1:18:03 > 1:18:09Just before anybody sitting at home and thinking it is not quite right.
1:18:09 > 1:18:14There is always a possibility.
1:18:17 > 1:18:20Bowlers do like to be accurate.
1:18:21 > 1:18:32This opening bowl does need to collect the Nick connect -- it does
1:18:32 > 1:18:35need to connect. He doesn't want to lose a three or four.
1:18:51 > 1:18:55That looked good from the hand. There it comes once more.
1:19:15 > 1:19:30Here comes the weight. It will be on the respot. Allowed a shot. Or we
1:19:30 > 1:19:38should do.He will. The bowls have been picked up, and the jack will be
1:19:38 > 1:19:44picked up by Dan. You will watch where he puts it, because it went
1:19:44 > 1:19:49off the side of the rink.Very beatable.
1:19:57 > 1:20:04Greg knows he needs this one in, he can't afford a drop shot.
1:20:08 > 1:20:10Good enough.
1:20:19 > 1:20:22The only thing about being short is that any tap on the jack makes a
1:20:22 > 1:20:31double. It would make such a difference. Neil Furman, the final
1:20:31 > 1:20:38bowl of the end. Driven.
1:20:39 > 1:20:46He has given a go at this. Not far away from the jack.He's got the
1:20:46 > 1:20:57touch.Middled it.What a recovery. Barring disaster, it will go to the
1:20:57 > 1:21:03tie-break. It is a four shot lead going into the final end.Well, no
1:21:03 > 1:21:07mistake, he played at exactly the right way. As I was saying, Greg
1:21:07 > 1:21:11could not afford to be short because any movement of the jack, he got the
1:21:11 > 1:21:17shot but he was always vulnerable. The smile said everything. It was a
1:21:17 > 1:21:21bit ironic, in some ways. But he knew that bowl coming down was right
1:21:21 > 1:21:27on the jack. It's a horrible feeling.Yes, when you know it is
1:21:27 > 1:21:32happening. This is all about defending now for Neil Furman. Don't
1:21:32 > 1:21:36give your opponent any opportunity.
1:21:45 > 1:21:53Good strike, good draw. Picks up the double. Needs a good first bowl.
1:22:31 > 1:22:33APPLAUSE
1:22:57 > 1:23:05That should stop a foot or two behind.Looks like it's two feet.
1:23:05 > 1:23:11Greg will put another one inside that. I fully expect him to, anyway.
1:23:11 > 1:23:15All of a sudden, the pressure starts to build.
1:23:19 > 1:23:21Number two.
1:23:32 > 1:23:39He will think about this. It is not just the two shots, it is the next
1:23:39 > 1:23:44two to come in. At a really big bowl in here, and that's it.
1:24:00 > 1:24:05He needs this want to run out. Dropping it short. It's not going to
1:24:05 > 1:24:15help the drive either. Oh dear. Is he going to let a four go here? One
1:24:15 > 1:24:17foot into the tie-break.
1:24:21 > 1:24:25All Greg Harlow can do is make no mistake here. Make sure you draw the
1:24:25 > 1:24:35third shot. That is struggling for weight. Is it up? There is the
1:24:35 > 1:24:45mistake.Oh, dear. Greg will be thinking, what on earth? That has
1:24:45 > 1:24:47taken the pressure off so much.
1:24:52 > 1:24:57I can't see Greg making a four out of this. The back green bowl was not
1:24:57 > 1:25:06that far away. He has somehow got to get his own red one up and stay.
1:25:11 > 1:25:19Will there be an added problem anyway? I said, pressure off.
1:25:19 > 1:25:24Pressure off, he draws it.
1:25:26 > 1:25:33It beats the very back bowl, it is close for the other bowl.He is
1:25:33 > 1:25:39looking to try to punch his own bowl through the green, onto the other
1:25:39 > 1:25:42green bowl and hope to get a good result. Anything is possible, I
1:25:42 > 1:25:46suppose. But it's not very probable, the way it is sitting.
1:25:50 > 1:25:55That was OK. It is not going to matter.
1:26:02 > 1:26:08Just one bowl from Bragg. All of the pressure came off. -- from Greg.
1:26:08 > 1:26:14Suddenly it is a tie-break.Well, it was unsettled bowls. Neil Furman, by
1:26:14 > 1:26:21four ends. Greg Harlow scored twice, but was in it until the very end. It
1:26:21 > 1:26:27was his own error that caused the problem and the tie-break.
1:26:35 > 1:26:40They met previously in Wales, 2011. Greg Harlow won both sets 9-4. He
1:26:40 > 1:26:46has lost the second set here, 9-4. That is why we have the tie-break.
1:26:46 > 1:26:55Three ends, a maximum of three ends. A maximum of one shot per end as the
1:26:55 > 1:27:00jack decides to stay on the very edge.28.5 metres.
1:27:06 > 1:27:09Greg Harlow is smiling.It would have been a massive change, he would
1:27:09 > 1:27:14have been able to get his own length and have the last bowl. But Neil
1:27:14 > 1:27:19Furman survives. Once again, a really good first ball.
1:27:29 > 1:27:32Struggling. Again, looked short immediately.Didn't get it away
1:27:32 > 1:27:34well.
1:27:54 > 1:27:57Greg Harlow keeping his eyes firmly on that.
1:28:22 > 1:28:28Going for the correction. Well, it's not bad, but not quite where he
1:28:28 > 1:28:30needs it.
1:28:47 > 1:28:50There's the shot.
1:28:54 > 1:29:02Necessity of a change of handles well. Tie-break time, he could force
1:29:02 > 1:29:04this. You can afford to be aggressive in the tie-break. It
1:29:04 > 1:29:09doesn't matter if you lose three or four shots. That is what he's
1:29:09 > 1:29:17looking for. It looks narrow. Is he going to get a result? Nope, not
1:29:17 > 1:29:25this time.Wasn't far away from it. But he is over on the respot. Watch
1:29:25 > 1:29:30this green bowl. There is the respot on your screen. He's going towards
1:29:30 > 1:29:33it. Greg might have to cover that.
1:29:38 > 1:29:42That is the choice for Greg Harlow. Does he try to get the better shot
1:29:42 > 1:29:46or come wide?He's gone for the better shot but he hasn't pushed it.
1:29:46 > 1:29:53He has turned his back on it. The unintended protector.You can see
1:29:53 > 1:29:59where it is finishing. That makes it very difficult now. He has come out
1:29:59 > 1:30:03of this smelling quite good, actually. He really has. And he
1:30:03 > 1:30:10knows it. The red bowl is vulnerable, but the important bit
1:30:10 > 1:30:20for Greg was the jack is covered. A good bad one.
1:30:20 > 1:30:31There are a few bowlers, not Greg Harlow, to be fair who... Greg
1:30:31 > 1:30:37Harlow there, certainly helping his cause.It has just made the shot so
1:30:37 > 1:30:41much more difficult, it really has. He has to come around the red bowl
1:30:41 > 1:30:46if he plays the forehand. The option is to go for it with the backhand,
1:30:46 > 1:30:53but the respot is alongside it. Making the most of this time out,
1:30:53 > 1:30:56and why not? It is a crucial point of the match.
1:31:09 > 1:31:23It is all down to wait weight. It is very strange there, Paul, to think
1:31:23 > 1:31:32it was Greg Harlow's third bowl that was critical in that end. And it was
1:31:32 > 1:31:39a yard short by accident. Interesting times. Of course, on the
1:31:39 > 1:31:44end before the final end of the second set, it was his third bowl
1:31:44 > 1:31:50that fell short and it damaged him. There, it did him some good, so Greg
1:31:50 > 1:32:01Harlow, defending champion, Leeds 1-0 in the tie-break. One of 11
1:32:01 > 1:32:10former winners of this tournament, none of whom -- nine of whom line-up
1:32:10 > 1:32:16this week. They have not all survived the first round.
1:32:18 > 1:32:27Jack length, 24 metres.Yes, first-round... I wouldn't call them
1:32:27 > 1:32:33shocks, to be honest. Stewart Anderson lost to Michael Stepney,
1:32:33 > 1:32:37who came in as a Wildcard, but Michael Stepney is a very good
1:32:37 > 1:32:42international player, place a lot of qualifiers and that was a tough
1:32:42 > 1:32:51draw. -- played.
1:32:54 > 1:33:04So Greg Harlow taking the opening end. It is all about one shot per
1:33:04 > 1:33:14tie-break end. So Greg Harlow has to -- Neil Furman has to win this.
1:33:32 > 1:33:37He wants that want to run out. It has improved the position. Well, it
1:33:37 > 1:33:43is a target.Yes and no, he has offered him a target but on a
1:33:43 > 1:33:46tie-break end, when you have the last ball, got to be worth running
1:33:46 > 1:33:47the jack.
1:33:58 > 1:34:11Obviously agrees with me. Two bowls out, the jack is going to run away.
1:34:11 > 1:34:19The red Bull will be removed as well because it is off the rink -- Red
1:34:19 > 1:34:32bowl.There was one in the ditch, the touch bowl. And the jack will be
1:34:32 > 1:34:43put on the spot. Neil Furman has checked it and it is definitely on.
1:34:43 > 1:34:49From that angle in the commentary box, it looked a little. The
1:34:49 > 1:34:51American is happy. He is Greg Harlow.
1:34:55 > 1:34:58You can see that red bowl on the forehand, that doesn't help the
1:34:58 > 1:35:04cause. Playing across the rink is difficult, you are looking for new
1:35:04 > 1:35:10line and new weight. And I would expect Neil Furman to draw this.
1:35:26 > 1:35:32Both players with a bowl to play after this.He is struggling for
1:35:32 > 1:35:38weight, but it just sneaked up. I don't think that is going to be
1:35:38 > 1:35:41close enough, to be honest. Not with two goes at it.
1:35:53 > 1:35:58If Greg Harlow draws this, it is a match live.Certainly a lot more
1:35:58 > 1:35:59weight on it.
1:36:04 > 1:36:09Always going to be drawing in towards the jack but it has trucked
1:36:09 > 1:36:13on a bit. That is close.That is really close.
1:36:17 > 1:36:24It is very close, Neil.Looking at it because you don't want that red
1:36:24 > 1:36:32bowl to drop. He will just draw this and then get back bowl choked up if
1:36:32 > 1:36:36you needed.Greg Harlow would love the bowl to fall, keep an eye on
1:36:36 > 1:36:43that.This one is certainly arriving. It is definitely not
1:36:43 > 1:36:50short. He doesn't want to hit the jack towards the red bowl. Has he?
1:36:50 > 1:36:54He has nailed it, good enough. Got the middle of the jack, not the
1:36:54 > 1:37:01edge.Well, it is a game of inches, often, and this particular game is
1:37:01 > 1:37:06going to go all the way to the final end of the tie-break. He needed to
1:37:06 > 1:37:10make sure he got the right contacts and he did. So easily could have
1:37:10 > 1:37:11gone towards the red bowl.
1:37:19 > 1:37:24I'll tell you what, in some game, considering there was just seven end
1:37:24 > 1:37:31s played in the opening set.Great does come out of the blocks quickly,
1:37:31 > 1:37:37but in the second set, Neil Furman upped his game a lot.Jack length,
1:37:37 > 1:37:5127 for five metres. -- 27.5 meters. In round one last year, there were
1:37:51 > 1:37:54six tie-break.All won by the seeded player.
1:38:00 > 1:38:06The last thing you want is something short and in the way. In a tie-break
1:38:06 > 1:38:09situation like this, this is the only end where you can actually
1:38:09 > 1:38:18nominate to destroy the end. Neal's driving has been key in this match.
1:38:18 > 1:38:25So the last thing he wanted was to be down the rink.Greg Harlow knows
1:38:25 > 1:38:32this is a golden chance to really put the pressure on.It is a good
1:38:32 > 1:38:40opener.It is a really good opener. Could be very valuable. Across the
1:38:40 > 1:38:42head a little bit.
1:38:46 > 1:38:50Early days, but I've seen these been hit, jack in the ditch.
1:38:55 > 1:39:04That is where he's going. Once the jack.Bowl second option. Greg will
1:39:04 > 1:39:13put it back. Neal will reckon he was very close to the jack there.Some
1:39:13 > 1:39:20shot and he has also lifted the toucher off the rink, so that will
1:39:20 > 1:39:24take no further part.Two inches away from putting that jack in the
1:39:24 > 1:39:28ditch and staying with it. Then is game over.
1:39:32 > 1:39:36The replacement. Centre rink is what he is looking for, doesn't want to
1:39:36 > 1:39:37drift.
1:39:42 > 1:39:44And even narrower target.
1:39:52 > 1:39:58The thought process, does he go again does he and draw?The draw
1:39:58 > 1:40:02will bring him inside, won't do any harm. Once he gets inside his own
1:40:02 > 1:40:10ball with controlled weight, he will be close to something.He has taken
1:40:10 > 1:40:17the time out, gives him an extra 60 seconds to think about this one.
1:40:17 > 1:40:20Definitely worth playing inside on the tie-break, you have to be
1:40:20 > 1:40:21aggressive.
1:40:31 > 1:40:33He's going for it again.
1:40:37 > 1:40:44Just missed the line.So if you're Greg Harlow, Julie bit longer and
1:40:44 > 1:40:51just go to the back? -- do you leave it long?He has the last bowl, I
1:40:51 > 1:40:57would leave it. He has so much room and if Neil is to go again and gets
1:40:57 > 1:41:03the bowl, Greg will easily draw it with his last one. I can see what he
1:41:03 > 1:41:10is thinking of, because... He's going to call time out. He wants to
1:41:10 > 1:41:16put another one in, even centreline. But then you are taking a risk on
1:41:16 > 1:41:24Neil drawing the shot. The odds are against it back to two drives. So it
1:41:24 > 1:41:29is a possibility. The alternative is to go deep, so if the jack does go
1:41:29 > 1:41:40in the ditch, you still macro you still lie.It is a thrilling end to
1:41:40 > 1:41:48the match.It is a thinking game at this stage, no doubt about that.
1:41:55 > 1:41:57David Gourlay watching with interest.
1:42:07 > 1:42:18So off the forehand, very wide. Covering both deep and the re-spot.
1:42:19 > 1:42:23Well, it is a default shot in many ways. If you are not quite sure
1:42:23 > 1:42:27where the best position is with regards to your opponent and what
1:42:27 > 1:42:31they are going to play, go deep. There is always a chance of the ball
1:42:31 > 1:42:39going under the jack and running through.Time-out called.You make a
1:42:39 > 1:42:43good point, it is hard going back to drawing when you have had
1:42:43 > 1:42:46amber-macro: Drives.I think you will go through
1:42:49 > 1:42:54When you have had two drives.
1:43:00 > 1:43:11It is about big moments and big shots. Can Neil Furman find the
1:43:11 > 1:43:18bigshot required?Is he too wide. --? Looks wide to me. I think Greg
1:43:18 > 1:43:29has managed to get through this one. Greg Harlow has survived. He has
1:43:29 > 1:43:33survived an exceptionally good second set from Neil Furman, who
1:43:33 > 1:43:36played a very good tie-break, Greg Harlow, and the defending champion
1:43:36 > 1:43:39gets his way through past the American, Neil Furman.
1:43:44 > 1:43:48The opening set, 9-0, wasn't competitive. The second certainly
1:43:48 > 1:43:54was and the tie-break was pretty terrific. Greg Harlow by 2-1.
1:43:54 > 1:43:59STUDIO: It was a fascinating game, we knew it was going to be a tough
1:43:59 > 1:44:02one, Neil Furman is a tough competitor, but Greg Harlow got out
1:44:02 > 1:44:07of the blocks really quickly, ball after ball going to their head and
1:44:07 > 1:44:13Neil Furman was just in survival mode, no doubt about that. But the
1:44:13 > 1:44:18second set was completely different as we saw a refreshed Neil Furman
1:44:18 > 1:44:25coming back, having not scored the first set, losing 9-0, to take the
1:44:25 > 1:44:29second 9-4. Greg Harlow, that was the time he scored the three on the
1:44:29 > 1:44:34fifth end to try and make his way back into the set but Neil Furman
1:44:34 > 1:44:40played a perfect bowl on the eighth end, took a four shot lead into the
1:44:40 > 1:44:45end of the set, which was enough to get him over the line. And then
1:44:45 > 1:44:49picked up the jack for an absolutely cracking situation. That was
1:44:49 > 1:44:56brilliant, no doubt about it. But when it comes to tie-breaks, Greg
1:44:56 > 1:45:00Harlow is very, very good and bad third bowl, albeit four feet away,
1:45:00 > 1:45:07was critical for Greg Harlow to win at ten. Neil Furman picks up the
1:45:07 > 1:45:10second end but the third, he just couldn't do enough and Greg Harlow
1:45:10 > 1:45:19gets over the line.Greg Harlow dominated that opening set and in
1:45:19 > 1:45:27the end, not much in it in terms of ends won, but Greg Harlow was the
1:45:27 > 1:45:30more consistent player. The defending champion is through to
1:45:30 > 1:45:33round number two of the Scottish international.
1:45:37 > 1:45:42It is fair to say it is a relieved Greg Harlow standing next to me.
1:45:42 > 1:45:43That
1:45:43 > 1:45:45Greg Harlow standing next to me. That is hard work but you are
1:45:45 > 1:45:49through to the second round. Absolutely, started really well but
1:45:49 > 1:45:54Neil came back strong in the second set and deserved it and it is
1:45:54 > 1:45:58matchplay bowls, tie-breaks could go either way and fortunately for me,
1:45:58 > 1:46:02it was time to scrape through one. Neil, a tough game but the first set
1:46:02 > 1:46:05in particular, he was flying away from you but you got your line and
1:46:05 > 1:46:10length sorted in the second.Yes, I started off a bit scrappy and Greg
1:46:10 > 1:46:21was hot from the go. I realised after five or six ends that that set
1:46:21 > 1:46:24was gone, so I just started trying to calm myself of the second set and
1:46:24 > 1:46:26the tie-break is anyone's game. I put myself under pressure on the
1:46:26 > 1:46:28third end of the tie-break by dropping a short bowl and couldn't
1:46:28 > 1:46:32really see a clean jack. Greg played two really good shots when I took
1:46:32 > 1:46:37the one out. He played very well, he is very hard to beat.We know all
1:46:37 > 1:46:41about that, he is a fine competitor. Let's talk about the second set,
1:46:41 > 1:46:42because in the second set, Neil did
1:46:42 > 1:46:42Let's talk about the second set, because in the second set, Neil did
1:46:42 > 1:46:51get away from you, he was 5-0 up at this point and you got back in with
1:46:51 > 1:46:54a three, it was an important one that maybe could get you back into
1:46:54 > 1:46:57the second set.Neil kept scoring on good ends and I knew I had to score
1:46:57 > 1:47:01really quickly. I played a great conversion here, just turning the
1:47:01 > 1:47:05jack for three and to be honest, I was slightly disappointed with my
1:47:05 > 1:47:10fourth bowl, but it was me back in the set. But still not enough
1:47:10 > 1:47:14obviously to win the set. But it certainly got me back into it.Neil
1:47:14 > 1:47:18your drive on that particular shot, you missed that one but you went on
1:47:18 > 1:47:21to win the second set and you must have been pleased about the way you
1:47:21 > 1:47:25were playing because you seemed to have him on the ropes.On a few
1:47:25 > 1:47:29ends, I put my first bowl just in front of the jack and that makes
1:47:29 > 1:47:33such a big difference, you can put your opponent under pressure and in
1:47:33 > 1:47:36the first set, I wasn't doing that. That's what I was facing most of the
1:47:36 > 1:47:37time!
1:47:37 > 1:47:40That's what I was facing most of the time!Greg, you are through now, you
1:47:40 > 1:47:43have won this for the last two years, you won the International
1:47:43 > 1:47:47open three years in a row a few years back. I know you don't like
1:47:47 > 1:47:51also to look too far ahead, but you are in the second round so there is
1:47:51 > 1:47:55no reason that you can't.At this point in time, five minutes ago, to
1:47:55 > 1:48:00be in the second round, I'm very relieved. I'm certainly not going to
1:48:00 > 1:48:04look too far ahead. Michael had made Mervyn is waiting for me in the
1:48:04 > 1:48:10second round, we have played 50 odd times, it will be a great run.Neil,
1:48:10 > 1:48:12commiserations, great performance but Greg Harlow, congratulations,
1:48:12 > 1:48:17through to the second round.Thank you very much.
1:48:17 > 1:48:21He is such a competitor, he really is, unbelievable. He is through to
1:48:21 > 1:48:25the second round, let's tell you who else is through so far.
1:48:25 > 1:48:26the second round, let's tell you who else is through so far. Jamie
1:48:26 > 1:48:33Szczesny is through, he will play Andy Thomson -- Jamie Chestney.
1:48:39 > 1:48:45Foster and Gale is the match coming up next.
1:48:53 > 1:48:56Well, of course, last year Greg Harlow wonders for the second time
1:48:56 > 1:48:58in a row and he beat Paul Foster. Paul went on
1:48:58 > 1:49:00in a row and he beat Paul Foster. Paul went on to win the world
1:49:00 > 1:49:03championship for the fifth time. He is back here in Perth this year and
1:49:03 > 1:49:07he's determined to do some damage.
1:49:13 > 1:49:17It is always good to relax and play golf. It is not often I get a chance
1:49:17 > 1:49:35to play. My golf compared to my bowls is nonexistent. The Scottish,
1:49:35 > 1:49:38I normally play quite well, the only thing that has given me a couple of
1:49:38 > 1:49:41sleepless nights was a schoolboy error. If I cover the back, the
1:49:41 > 1:49:43championship looks like it is going to be
1:49:43 > 1:49:46championship looks like it is going to be mine.One of these men is
1:49:46 > 1:49:48about to win the Scottish International Open for the third
1:49:48 > 1:49:54time. That has pace and power. But it has not got the accuracy. Greg
1:49:54 > 1:49:55Harlow takes the title.
1:49:55 > 1:50:00it has not got the accuracy. Greg Harlow takes the title.I'm just
1:50:00 > 1:50:08glad to be having the opportunity to go into another final. Obviously up
1:50:08 > 1:50:10against Greg again, a wee bit of a rematch.
1:50:10 > 1:50:13against Greg again, a wee bit of a rematch. Went into the tie-break, I
1:50:13 > 1:50:20played the two tie-break and is very well and won 2-0.Punches the air,
1:50:20 > 1:50:24he has got his fifth title.I haven't won the World
1:50:24 > 1:50:26he has got his fifth title.I haven't won the World Championships
1:50:26 > 1:50:29for six years, since 2011 and things go through your mind, are you going
1:50:29 > 1:50:33to get another one? I did think myself I was capable of doing it and
1:50:33 > 1:50:38I know if I play like I can, I have a chance in any tournament. Emotions
1:50:38 > 1:50:42are pretty high, all the family back home are pleased for me to have a
1:50:42 > 1:50:48world title, so it was a good two weeks.World Indoor Singles
1:50:48 > 1:50:54Championship Paul Foster, MBE.I am one behind Alex now, but it doesn't
1:50:54 > 1:50:57make any difference to me. There are guys who haven't won it once, let
1:50:57 > 1:51:02alone six times. I am very fortunate to be on five. If I get six, if I
1:51:02 > 1:51:07get seven, great. If I don't, I can't complain. I am always looking
1:51:07 > 1:51:10forward to the Scottish open, it being here in Scotland than the
1:51:10 > 1:51:13first tournament of the year. Just want to get off to a good start,
1:51:13 > 1:51:19play well and see how things happen from there. Every year is a
1:51:19 > 1:51:24different year and I always set myself to a high standard. You can't
1:51:24 > 1:51:28look any further than the first round. As I say, I have been in the
1:51:28 > 1:51:33final five times, won twice and lost three. I can't complain what I have
1:51:33 > 1:51:36done in the day and if I get to another final, great.
1:51:41 > 1:51:45Paul Foster with a very smooth swing, you would expect that from
1:51:45 > 1:51:49one of the smoothest deliveries on the World Bowls Tour. Today, he's up
1:51:49 > 1:51:53against the local Chris Gale and Chris is carrying over some --
1:51:53 > 1:52:02something of an injury this week. I am due to run the Manchester
1:52:02 > 1:52:06marathon in April, so I was playing a bit of football, five-a-side, a
1:52:06 > 1:52:10couple of weeks ago. Put my foot in the ground, weight went over the
1:52:10 > 1:52:15knee and the knee went snap, literally heard the noise.
1:52:15 > 1:52:19Originally thought it was just a ruptured, well, not just a ruptured,
1:52:19 > 1:52:23but my knee ligaments and I found out on Friday just before I
1:52:23 > 1:52:27travelled up, it is a fracture of the tibia. Looks like just below the
1:52:27 > 1:52:31knee cap, so a little bit painful, not ideal preparation, but it is
1:52:31 > 1:52:37what it is, I am here to play. This is the third time I have been at
1:52:37 > 1:52:40Perth and every time I have been in the first round, I have played Paul.
1:52:40 > 1:52:46So it is being, they should just make the draw and we will play each
1:52:46 > 1:52:49other every time. We will see what happens but obviously I have a
1:52:49 > 1:52:53slight injury, I am impaired but I think only to make it there, Paul
1:52:53 > 1:52:57should play with his right arm behind his back.Well, he has never
1:52:57 > 1:53:00made it to a final on the World Bowls Tour but his semifinal
1:53:00 > 1:53:05appearance in Perth last year was as the result of some really impressive
1:53:05 > 1:53:08bowling. Chris play set of the Heaton Park club in Manchester and
1:53:08 > 1:53:11is relishing the prospect of going toe to toe with the current world
1:53:11 > 1:53:17champion. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the Dewars Centre
1:53:17 > 1:53:19in Perth, Chris Gale.
1:53:26 > 1:53:31MUSIC: Love Machine
1:53:38 > 1:53:42Having not been out of the world's top six for the last 16 years tells
1:53:42 > 1:53:46you all you need to know about Paul Foster. Strong, tenacious and
1:53:46 > 1:53:49fiercely competitive on the rink and thoroughly nice fit. A fine
1:53:49 > 1:53:56combination. Ladies and gentlemen, give a warm welcome to the current
1:53:56 > 1:54:06world champion, Paul Foster. MUSIC: Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
1:54:17 > 1:54:21This should be a really fine match indeed, Paul Foster is in great form
1:54:21 > 1:54:25and looking very comfortable indeed and Paul Mitchell and David
1:54:25 > 1:54:30Goodwillie will take you through this, open the commentary box.
1:54:30 > 1:54:33You have got to be consistent and repetitive and all of a sudden, you
1:54:33 > 1:54:39find yourself with a cane to help you balance and your whole delivery
1:54:39 > 1:54:43has two change.And if I was David Gourlay in, jukebox, I would help
1:54:43 > 1:54:49him even more, but as it is, David Cordle is here, so he is in trouble!
1:54:49 > 1:54:54He has to find a way to find the rhythm and the balance. We have seen
1:54:54 > 1:54:59players play with a walking aid before, but they have been doing it
1:54:59 > 1:55:07for years, not just a couple of months.Well, it is about with a man
1:55:07 > 1:55:08I have been
1:55:08 > 1:55:10months.Well, it is about with a man I have been watching Chris and he is
1:55:10 > 1:55:15getting the bowl away smoothly but obviously, it is a balance thing as
1:55:15 > 1:55:18well and it could well be a slightly slower game because of the walking
1:55:18 > 1:55:22up and down. He won't be able to visit the heads the same way, that
1:55:22 > 1:55:25is going to be a problem.
1:56:09 > 1:56:13Operating with a stick isn't really a big problem if you are used to it
1:56:13 > 1:56:20and do it all the time, but whenever it has just been introduced into the
1:56:20 > 1:56:27game because of an injury, it makes it very, very difficult. I think he
1:56:27 > 1:56:32is probably doing very well to be out there.Ranking points are
1:56:32 > 1:56:34important.
1:56:40 > 1:56:46And just looking, by the way he delivered that, if this game goes on
1:56:46 > 1:56:51nine ends in the first set and maybe six, seven in the second, he may not
1:56:51 > 1:56:58even make this match.The pain is going to be there, isn't it? That is
1:56:58 > 1:57:02the problem, the pain.
1:57:03 > 1:57:06You know, the painkillers will take care of a certain amount of it but
1:57:06 > 1:57:10he will still get spikes in the pain going beyond what painkillers can
1:57:10 > 1:57:13do. That is where the problem will lie.
1:57:17 > 1:57:21He has given it a go, but it is going to be
1:57:35 > 1:57:40Running bowl, inside, looking for the jack. He will take that every
1:57:40 > 1:57:48time. We may see an awful lot more of that, actually, as well, because
1:57:48 > 1:57:54he can't visit their heads.Paul Foster left a target with his third
1:57:54 > 1:58:01falling short. He has been penalised. So Paul Foster had to
1:58:01 > 1:58:07bowl to the ditch, the green marker on it for the bowl and there is the
1:58:07 > 1:58:17yellow marker there for the jack, where it is located. It looks well
1:58:17 > 1:58:20short.
1:58:23 > 1:58:30That is a surprise from Paul Foster, three or four yard short.
1:58:31 > 1:58:35He was looking for second shot, that is all he needed, he wasn't going to
1:58:35 > 1:58:37risk that, so job done.
1:58:43 > 1:58:54Chris Gale gets on the scorecard. When these players last bed, he took
1:58:54 > 1:59:03the opening end against Paul Foster and then lost 14 shots in six ends.
1:59:03 > 1:59:07When these players -- when these players last met.It will be
1:59:07 > 1:59:10interesting to see what Paul Foster does. When you have an injury, it
1:59:10 > 1:59:15can be quite difficult to play short jack lengths. It will be interesting
1:59:15 > 1:59:21to see if Paul goes short with this. Well, relatively so.
1:59:25 > 1:59:30Certainly not the forehead that Chris was looking for -- the full
1:59:30 > 1:59:32head.
2:00:10 > 2:00:14Paul Foster likes short jack lengths, he is very accurate.
2:00:26 > 2:00:31Both men sporting extra growth on their faces I notice. It's trendy.I
2:00:31 > 2:00:39believe so.It is the year of the beard, David Corkhill alongside me
2:00:39 > 2:00:44sporting the newly fashioned beard. Newly fashioned and suitably grey.I
2:00:44 > 2:00:50was looking for a word that didn't involve grey, but I couldn't find
2:00:50 > 2:00:59one!Last time I had one it was dark, but it's gone grey now.
2:01:06 > 2:01:11Watch Chris play this, you can see where the prog is on the leg. --
2:01:11 > 2:01:14where the problem is on the leg. Everything has to slow down and that
2:01:14 > 2:01:20puts extra pressure on. Anybody with a leg or ankle injury,
2:01:20 > 2:01:26it's difficult to play short jack.
2:01:42 > 2:01:46That's another one coming in. May be tempted on the back hand here to try
2:01:46 > 2:01:54and get into this, take two bowls away, move the jack back.
2:01:58 > 2:02:02Let's it go very smoothly.That's what he was after. The jack off the
2:02:02 > 2:02:09bowl. It's a really bonus that he stuck to it. That was glued to the
2:02:09 > 2:02:14jack on the way through.
2:02:16 > 2:02:23Beautifully played. He got the result. It's being to be hard for
2:02:23 > 2:02:33Paul Foster. All he can do is try and get that dead draw.
2:02:36 > 2:02:45He's given it every chance. Just going to fall short.
2:02:46 > 2:02:54Once again securing the second shot with the last bowl.
2:02:55 > 2:02:59I have a feeling you are going to see a lot of those strong shots from
2:02:59 > 2:03:08Chris. I don't think he has any choice. Paul will continue to put
2:03:08 > 2:03:12them close.
2:03:46 > 2:03:51He is trying thoeld it up T will drift a little bit. It's not -- he
2:03:51 > 2:03:58is trying to hold it up. It will drift a little bit. I will settle
2:03:58 > 2:04:02for it, but that's no marker.
2:04:32 > 2:04:40How is the weight? It's good there.
2:05:01 > 2:05:06That's perfect.That's what Paul's going to do and I think Chris will
2:05:06 > 2:05:12be forced into playing weight again.
2:05:16 > 2:05:20Just drifted around the jack. Left the target.
2:05:21 > 2:05:27Close again. Oh! Well, that's... Pretty horrible
2:05:27 > 2:05:36result in the end. Moving the jack in behind the bowl. But he has got
2:05:36 > 2:05:40second.
2:05:43 > 2:05:52Two green bowls are off the rink, one either side.I think they're
2:05:52 > 2:05:57checking to see about one bowl. Maybe at the edge. They're having to
2:05:57 > 2:06:04get a Pete of apparatus out from the far end of the rink -- get a piece.
2:06:04 > 2:06:09I thought they lifted it out. They are calling for the scope.It's
2:06:09 > 2:06:15going to be hard because they've to put something else in into the
2:06:15 > 2:06:21middle of the rink marker. There is the telescopic sight. Mike is
2:06:21 > 2:06:26working his way around that. Yeah, it's in the middle of the
2:06:26 > 2:06:29yellow to see if that's in or not. I have a feeling it probably is. There
2:06:29 > 2:06:36you go. He takes it out. Why did I say that!Say I thought it was out
2:06:36 > 2:06:44on the way.Absolutely! Of course. Life's wonderful!
2:06:44 > 2:06:48It's only Monday.
2:06:58 > 2:07:06Well, back to the draw game for Chris I think on this occasion.An
2:07:06 > 2:07:10inch in front of the tee and three inches to your right side.Forehand
2:07:10 > 2:07:20then and just try and get a really good close bowl.
2:07:32 > 2:07:36What a great effort. That's a good bowl. Good second. Wonder will Paul
2:07:36 > 2:07:42be tempted here? He has a shot available on the back hand. Not sure
2:07:42 > 2:07:47if he is going to play it. Well, he is walking down. I think it's pretty
2:07:47 > 2:07:52safe on the back hand, he can rest the green bowl, push his own bowl on
2:07:52 > 2:07:57to the jack for potentially three shots. But there's an element of
2:07:57 > 2:08:00risk if he wings it off. He is playing the forehand to take the
2:08:00 > 2:08:03bowls out. Or to get his own. It's really his
2:08:03 > 2:08:09own he wants. And that's... Oh, my goodness,
2:08:09 > 2:08:12that's what I was saying, there was an element of risk, but he got away
2:08:12 > 2:08:21with it. It's been a fascinating game so far.
2:08:21 > 2:08:24Nearly took himself out. A little nick would have brought two or
2:08:24 > 2:08:28three.I think it was the right shot to play, when you are getting off to
2:08:28 > 2:08:34a start like this, you want to take the opportunities to score three or
2:08:34 > 2:08:36four.
2:08:38 > 2:08:43The man who was runner-up last season gets himself on the score
2:08:43 > 2:08:50card.
2:08:58 > 2:09:05They met in round one last season. Foster triumphed.
2:09:09 > 2:09:16That's the first set that didn't take too long. But the second set
2:09:16 > 2:09:24eight ends, 7-3. Chris Gale is a very good player. He plays in a lot
2:09:24 > 2:09:29of competitions. An international standard player. A lot of
2:09:29 > 2:09:35qualifiers, comes over to Belfast on a regular basis to play in them, as
2:09:35 > 2:09:39well.
2:10:26 > 2:10:34He is all over it. APPLAUSE
2:10:39 > 2:10:52Very calm player, Chris Gale. When you are playing the world
2:10:52 > 2:11:01champion, have to stay calm and play your shots.
2:11:03 > 2:11:10A gap of eight inches.
2:11:21 > 2:11:27He is worried he is going to touch this away. You could see it early.
2:11:27 > 2:11:40And he may well have done. Just held on. But realising that he was going
2:11:40 > 2:11:44to play onto his own.
2:11:46 > 2:11:52Paul Foster down the back hand, looking for a little touch on the
2:11:52 > 2:12:01jack. Not going to get there.Just six inches away from the perfect
2:12:01 > 2:12:09bowl. Not really a spare shot opportunity. However, if he comes
2:12:09 > 2:12:17off the red he could tuck the jack around the corner and make a three.
2:12:19 > 2:12:24Just needs to get into the split between the red bowl and the jack.
2:12:25 > 2:12:32Oh, well played. APPLAUSE
2:12:32 > 2:12:43Brilliant draw.Some players might have left it alone, he had
2:12:43 > 2:12:47confidence. Beautifully done.I think it was a good shot, it wasn't
2:12:47 > 2:12:56easy but it was the right shot to play.
2:13:20 > 2:13:23Interesting, given the injury he has had, once all is healed and well,
2:13:23 > 2:13:32whether his football career will come to a halt.Maybe the career bit
2:13:32 > 2:13:35is generous! But he is out there kicking a ball and that's great.
2:13:35 > 2:13:40That counts as a career! Doesn't matter whether you make it at the
2:13:40 > 2:13:45top level, that's your career.I think he might have to have serious
2:13:45 > 2:13:52thoughts about giving it up. It's hard enough to take Paul Foster on
2:13:52 > 2:14:00when you are fully fit. But a monumental task. So he is doing
2:14:00 > 2:14:03well.
2:14:12 > 2:14:14Chris Gale's club hosts the International Open and he is always
2:14:14 > 2:14:22a different competitor when he qualifies for that.
2:14:53 > 2:15:01The adjustment's been made. APPLAUSE
2:15:10 > 2:15:16A snap of the fingers.Yeah, he knows there's something wrong. Don't
2:15:16 > 2:15:21think the line's too bad.
2:15:23 > 2:15:26It's not a bad thing when you know from the mat you are heavy and you
2:15:26 > 2:15:33prove to be.Either that or he is over the line for the yard shot. He
2:15:33 > 2:15:40is certainly in a good position to move the jack.
2:15:45 > 2:15:54Paul will be looking for that bowl to drop. Could be two.Three inches
2:15:54 > 2:16:03past jack high with a gap of three inches.
2:16:18 > 2:16:24A better line.Oh, he got the wrong side. Might just hold up, but then
2:16:24 > 2:16:30his own green bowl bounced back to the red and tapped him out. Definite
2:16:30 > 2:16:39two. A possible three he could lose in this end.
2:16:40 > 2:16:47Paul Foster felt he was on the same line and wanted the result.
2:16:47 > 2:16:49APPLAUSE Should have had his hand held out
2:16:49 > 2:16:55there. But looked good all the way. Wonder if he thought it was not
2:16:55 > 2:17:03coming back. But in it came. And it's three for the Scot.Well, no
2:17:03 > 2:17:11mercy in that one. Again not an easy spare shot to add. But played it
2:17:11 > 2:17:17well. And now we are getting into the very
2:17:17 > 2:17:28short stuff. 25-and-a-half maybe? 25 metres.
2:17:43 > 2:17:48Good opening bowl from Paul Foster. You mentioned that playing Paul
2:17:48 > 2:17:52Foster is hard enough, but I am wondering if the fact that he is
2:17:52 > 2:17:57having to concentrate so much on the balance with the walking aid,
2:17:57 > 2:18:00whether it perversely might be helping him?Two ways of looking at
2:18:00 > 2:18:07it. He is having to factor in a lot of things that he would normally
2:18:07 > 2:18:15take for granted. But you also have to bear in mind Chris is going into
2:18:15 > 2:18:23this match with absolutely no pressure on. Second favourite
2:18:23 > 2:18:28against the world champion, and that's no disrespect to Chris, but
2:18:28 > 2:18:32he knows that himself. He also has an injury, so I think he would be
2:18:32 > 2:18:37saying to himself I can make this competitive, it would be good. So
2:18:37 > 2:18:40far, it's exactly what he has been doing. So, he is in a good place at
2:18:40 > 2:18:48the minute.
2:19:18 > 2:19:27Anything behind the jack for Paul would be perfect. Doesn't want to
2:19:27 > 2:19:35drop back on the green one.
2:19:40 > 2:19:46A gap of seven inches.
2:20:02 > 2:20:10Just over it. Well, again setting up a position at
2:20:10 > 2:20:22the back. Just looks like it's agony out there at times, when he is
2:20:22 > 2:20:30moving around. Probably OK when he is on the go up and down the rink.
2:20:30 > 2:20:35It's the stop-start movements that's the problem.
2:20:35 > 2:20:44Oh, this is close for another. This is a difficult one, because he
2:20:44 > 2:20:50would love to attack it but he only has the one bowl so he can't afford
2:20:50 > 2:20:58to. If he wings his own bowl out he will lose four. So just a draw.
2:21:01 > 2:21:06Again the hand is out saying easy. He is not far away from getting to
2:21:06 > 2:21:15his own and dropping in. He knew he was not getting back in time.One
2:21:15 > 2:21:19shot Paul Foster. APPLAUSE
2:21:19 > 2:21:24Paul Foster goes into the lead in the set for the first time. Credit
2:21:24 > 2:21:30to Paul, he is trying to do most of the kicking back of the bowls to
2:21:30 > 2:21:36save his opponent.Yeah, the guys all know each other and it doesn't
2:21:36 > 2:21:41get to the level of any problems that way and Paul and Chris have
2:21:41 > 2:21:46known each other for years through international play and various other
2:21:46 > 2:21:50events.
2:22:19 > 2:22:27He won that in Belfast, typical Paul Foster.
2:22:27 > 2:22:41Unbelievable is almost every day for Paul Foster.
2:22:43 > 2:22:51He also took the pairs title in the Scottish indoor.
2:22:56 > 2:23:07Two bowls from Paul Foster, getting very consistent.
2:23:19 > 2:23:24Still two red. Once again Paul Foster following down. Big swing on
2:23:24 > 2:23:30his bowls and he always plays off the outside of the mat, Paul Foster.
2:23:30 > 2:23:36He is always coming in off a high line.
2:23:40 > 2:23:50He is urging this one forward.Well, that will force the issue, I think.
2:23:50 > 2:23:55Will drive at this or at least play weight.
2:23:57 > 2:24:09Controlled weight. Front bowl is the problem. Well, not sure if he's
2:24:09 > 2:24:16changed anything.Still three.He must go deep with this, Paul,
2:24:16 > 2:24:24surely.Given the nature that he is 5-4 ahead and given where things
2:24:24 > 2:24:27are, you would settle for two to play and let your opponent do the
2:24:27 > 2:24:31work.Yeah, here it comes.
2:24:32 > 2:24:36And on the other side of the green bowl, which is where we think the
2:24:36 > 2:24:51jack will go. Should be more than good enough, if that jack goes out.
2:24:51 > 2:24:57Well, three has been downgraded to two by Dan McMahon nous. It's
2:24:57 > 2:25:04unusual.Not really sure about it. But this looks under.
2:25:04 > 2:25:08Doesn't want to turn anything around.Two and a measure, I am sure
2:25:08 > 2:25:12Paul will ask for a measure. He has a good eye for this, he is usually
2:25:12 > 2:25:27very accurate. Some players aren't. But we will leave Tom alone. Andy
2:25:27 > 2:25:34well known for not being able to look at measures too well.It's
2:25:34 > 2:25:38always worth getting it measured. Davis will come on to do that.Yes,
2:25:38 > 2:25:45Michael will get it sorted out. Andy's probably watching this
2:25:45 > 2:25:47somewhere and...He will get a chance to get his own back this
2:25:47 > 2:25:58week.He always does. Andy Thomson in action later this
2:25:58 > 2:26:01week.
2:26:05 > 2:26:08Looks like it's back to three again.
2:26:10 > 2:26:16That was well in.Three shots Paul Foster.
2:26:16 > 2:26:21APPLAUSE We are getting to the tail of the
2:26:21 > 2:26:27set. That does make a big difference. Paul Foster saying to
2:26:27 > 2:26:37Chris Gale that he knew that he fancied it.
2:26:44 > 2:26:51He is taking control of this opening set.
2:27:03 > 2:27:08A change in length from Paul Foster. Just a little bit further than
2:27:08 > 2:27:16normal.
2:27:25 > 2:27:31APPLAUSE
2:28:14 > 2:28:18That's a great effort.
2:28:21 > 2:28:26The front bowl, the red bowl will now be... The second shot. That's a
2:28:26 > 2:28:31better bowl for Chris Gale. Paul Foster still staying to the
2:28:31 > 2:28:33back hand. Almost everyone you can think of would have played that on
2:28:33 > 2:28:39the forehand.
2:28:41 > 2:28:48He is just so confident on that side of the rink. And there you go.
2:28:48 > 2:28:56It just looks so obvious to play it on the other side.
2:28:56 > 2:29:02Any bowls coach would tell you, you play on the forehand, if you get the
2:29:02 > 2:29:07jack great, if not you can get the green bowl, all the percentages in
2:29:07 > 2:29:14play.Percentage shot over the perfect accuracy and Paul takes the
2:29:14 > 2:29:19perfect accuracy, he is just very good on his backhand, he likes it.
2:29:19 > 2:29:25It might change with the next one, though.
2:29:25 > 2:29:34A good effort. Just the wrong side. Now, that's a little touch, it
2:29:34 > 2:29:42wasn't much but the bowl can slide on the rink.
2:29:42 > 2:29:45Paul Foster coming for a look.I think he is just saying to himself I
2:29:45 > 2:29:49want to see this and make absolutely sure, but I think Dan's called it
2:29:49 > 2:29:55right. It's really close.It's very slight,
2:29:55 > 2:30:00Paul. Yeah, Paul's asking as well. Which
2:30:00 > 2:30:08he is allowed to do.Absolutely. Time out taken.And I would, because
2:30:08 > 2:30:16generally the guys are very accurate at it. Just want a second opinion.
2:30:16 > 2:30:24If you can't ask shot to play -- you can't ask him what shot to play.
2:30:33 > 2:30:41Yes, dropped this one. Well, there is a little chance here for Chris.
2:30:41 > 2:30:49If he can play this with two feet of weight, pushed the red one out, he
2:30:49 > 2:30:52could lie three.
2:30:56 > 2:31:03Hard to pick out the line and that is where the problem is.He has gone
2:31:03 > 2:31:07underneath, as you can see. The bowl is hardly screaming through but it
2:31:07 > 2:31:08is enough.
2:31:13 > 2:31:18Important one, this. Paul Foster WinZip, first set is over. -- Paul
2:31:18 > 2:31:24Foster wins it.So the calipers come out once more.
2:31:30 > 2:31:43We are talking millimetres here. Well, they are very accurate. We can
2:31:43 > 2:31:47really see how they operate and that was a very quick measure down to the
2:31:47 > 2:31:53green. I think it is want to read when he makes a decision that fast.
2:31:53 > 2:32:03Paul Foster will take the 1-shot. He lost three of the opening four ends,
2:32:03 > 2:32:09bounces back and takes four on the bounce. 3-1, 3-1 and takes this set
2:32:09 > 2:32:109-4.
2:32:28 > 2:32:36Well... It was interesting.No doubt about that.They are looking for the
2:32:36 > 2:32:43lifeboats. Just steady myself up. Anyway, Chris looking for a first
2:32:43 > 2:32:48good one. Longer jack lengths, start of the second set.
2:33:00 > 2:33:04If you were to analyse the opening set, there is not much wrong that
2:33:04 > 2:33:10Chris Beard.Not really. His weight shops were the keys in many ways to
2:33:10 > 2:33:17the ends that he managed to score on. Paul Foster, as expected, was
2:33:17 > 2:33:21put in good close balls in. Chris knows he needs to win that battle of
2:33:21 > 2:33:26the first two balls if he's going to make a dent in Paul.The trouble is,
2:33:26 > 2:33:35he lost 23s and if that happens, you are going to lose multiples against
2:33:35 > 2:33:41the likes of Paul. -- he lost two threes.
2:34:30 > 2:34:36Well, if that is in, it may be tempting for Paul to run this. If he
2:34:36 > 2:34:43can get the jack and the two green bowls. Having a quick look.
2:34:50 > 2:34:54Yes, trying to come across the head for the two green ones. He has got
2:34:54 > 2:35:01his own plant on the way in. The edge of the jack might be enough.
2:35:05 > 2:35:11It was a good shot to play. He was relying on getting the clever cross
2:35:11 > 2:35:14onto the second bowl as well.
2:35:19 > 2:35:2515 inches short of jack Kyle with a gap of nine inches.All the
2:35:25 > 2:35:28percentage is on the forehand, two or three things could happen for
2:35:28 > 2:35:35Paul there. He will be happy enough. Not a particularly easy shot to
2:35:35 > 2:35:35beat.
2:35:39 > 2:35:44I'm surprised he is playing this on the forehand because the backhand
2:35:44 > 2:35:47offers all sorts of opportunities, whereas the red is in the way.
2:35:51 > 2:35:55I'm not sure about that. I think he just made it hard for himself.
2:35:59 > 2:36:02I wonder if it felt that if the caught his own green bowl, there
2:36:02 > 2:36:05wouldn't be enough to push it on. But the danger was there with the
2:36:05 > 2:36:15red bowl.If he had good weight, had to be carrying at least a foot. The
2:36:15 > 2:36:20markers indicate it is pretty close, but he favours one to read. Paul has
2:36:20 > 2:36:25missed the chance.
2:36:26 > 2:36:30There will be a time-out called by Chris Gale, because he has gone up
2:36:30 > 2:36:39to the head for the first time. Thought he had the right of reply,
2:36:39 > 2:36:45of course. It is interesting to see that Paul was just very casual about
2:36:45 > 2:36:49the way he played it, he wasn't trying to do too much, but it was a
2:36:49 > 2:36:54lovely bowl that he played to change things.I think what happened is
2:36:54 > 2:36:59that Paul Foster has been winning all of the ends, rolling the jack
2:36:59 > 2:37:03but he gave the jack to Chris Gale, which surprised me a little bit. You
2:37:03 > 2:37:05normally wouldn't do that, you normally would keep hold of the
2:37:05 > 2:37:06jack.
2:37:19 > 2:37:26Once again, all over it from this direction. That backhand, he can eat
2:37:26 > 2:37:30that up, can't it? Nothing is too difficult on it for him.
2:38:02 > 2:38:04Here he comes again.
2:38:08 > 2:38:15Two touchers. Chris will have a go at this, I'm sure he will drive it.
2:38:23 > 2:38:30Was he under?He looked under, didn't he? The only positive about
2:38:30 > 2:38:37that was he didn't lift his own bowl off the rink, because he nearly did.
2:38:37 > 2:38:42Can't blame him, though, right shot to play. He is good at driving Chris
2:38:42 > 2:38:47Kum always been a good driver and a good striker of the head. Paul
2:38:47 > 2:38:48looking for the blocker.
2:38:59 > 2:39:08Will that offer the protection?May force Chris to go a little bit
2:39:08 > 2:39:14wider.Just a slightly less weight, more controlled. Close. Opened the
2:39:14 > 2:39:19door a bit, that is good, reduce it to one and open the door, gives him
2:39:19 > 2:39:24a chance with his last bowl. I don't think it will matter too much to
2:39:24 > 2:39:27Paul, he will be looking to pop another one in.
2:39:41 > 2:39:52In it comes, want to park behind.I think Chris Gale's own bowl is
2:39:52 > 2:39:57protecting it, he might decide to go again and get the ball is clean. --
2:39:57 > 2:40:07the bowls clean. The fingers that Paul's blocker hides the green bowl
2:40:07 > 2:40:13quite well. Can't imagine Chris being that far off target.
2:40:14 > 2:40:18Going back to the draw, that is hard after a couple of drives.
2:40:22 > 2:40:29He has given it a chance. Just going to fall the wrong side.Good weight.
2:40:34 > 2:40:38I think if he had been able to come up and have a look at that, he might
2:40:38 > 2:40:41have decided on something a bit more risky, but at this early stage,
2:40:41 > 2:40:49probably worth it.Just watching Chris Gale walking down the rink, it
2:40:49 > 2:40:55looks like it is getting harder and harder and harder.He doesn't look
2:40:55 > 2:40:59too good when he's walking down, there is no doubt. All credit for
2:40:59 > 2:41:00having a go.
2:41:38 > 2:41:45Chris Gale made his debut in 2009 worlds, lost on a to Robert Paxton.
2:41:45 > 2:41:52This is his fourth WBT event. You do all of that hard work to qualify,
2:41:52 > 2:41:57you don't want anything to keep you from playing. That is a good
2:41:57 > 2:42:01opening.To be fair, Paul Foster has played really well this match, he
2:42:01 > 2:42:07hasn't done a lot wrong and, you know, if he hadn't been on top form,
2:42:07 > 2:42:09the scoreline could easily be different.
2:42:38 > 2:42:43Really doesn't like that backhand Murch, does he?He has struggled to
2:42:43 > 2:42:46find any great consistency on it.
2:42:58 > 2:43:04He has got this, surely? This looked good all the way down from our
2:43:04 > 2:43:12position in the commentary box. We could see that.Beautifully done,
2:43:12 > 2:43:15just came in, just wanted the little trail.
2:43:24 > 2:43:29Again, he may choose to have a go here.He needs a disturbance but he
2:43:29 > 2:43:36has only got the one bowl. Probably in his mind just to keep drawing.
2:43:37 > 2:43:43I'm just not sure he's going to get back. Not quite, but another one
2:43:43 > 2:43:49there, so that is useful, he might be tempted to run up with the next.
2:43:49 > 2:43:54I'm not sure Paul can do much with this except cover the back. It is a
2:43:54 > 2:43:56nice looking head as it is.
2:44:02 > 2:44:06Yes, go deep, just let it be and say to Chris, if you want to hit it, go
2:44:06 > 2:44:12ahead. The jack will ban sad, I'll get one, we move onto the next end.
2:44:12 > 2:44:14-- the jack will bounce out.
2:44:18 > 2:44:26To shot in it, damage limitation. -- two shops.
2:44:27 > 2:44:31There is an unbelievable result on the drive on the backhand, red bowl
2:44:31 > 2:44:37on the other red bowl takes the other one out and they had won
2:44:37 > 2:44:42between the green ones. There is a gap big enough. Calling a time out
2:44:42 > 2:44:52there.If he gets this high on the backhand side, he could do damage.
2:44:58 > 2:45:06It is away smoothly. He has got something. Now, if that is on the
2:45:06 > 2:45:12re-spot, Paul Foster will pick up... May be two. Depends on how far that
2:45:12 > 2:45:17other bowl has gone. Paul Foster is having a look.It is close, you
2:45:17 > 2:45:21can't tell. There are marks on the rink, you can see the little white
2:45:21 > 2:45:27mark, they will have do check it out, move the jack across onto the
2:45:27 > 2:45:31re-spot. That will indicate it is one definite. He wasn't far away
2:45:31 > 2:45:35with that drive.It was a pretty good effort.
2:45:39 > 2:45:49I think he could see on the high side. Just got it to fall. -- to
2:45:49 > 2:45:57fall. The red bowl work she did go through the gap as well. -- did
2:45:57 > 2:46:04actually go through the gap as well. The telescopic sight is out.Getting
2:46:04 > 2:46:12a lot of use. Brought in in the late 1980s.One shot, Paul Foster.On the
2:46:12 > 2:46:16portable rink, we used to have string, believe it or not. String up
2:46:16 > 2:46:23and down and they were there. And, of course, they get moved and
2:46:23 > 2:46:28shifted about with people walking and things like that. They were not
2:46:28 > 2:46:33a perfect solution. Carry-over from the outdoor game.
2:46:33 > 2:46:36Just a single shot.
2:46:45 > 2:46:50Every time, of this backhand, Paul Foster seems to nail the opening
2:46:50 > 2:46:59bowl.Close again. Just instant pressure right away.
2:48:04 > 2:48:10He has made a correction. Side toucher.
2:48:15 > 2:48:19That is even better news for Paul. Our football short means definite
2:48:19 > 2:48:26backhand. -- half a bowl should
2:48:26 > 2:48:31Our football short means definite backhand. -- half a bowl should.He
2:48:31 > 2:48:40is in the area once more.It will fall back of his own.How about
2:48:40 > 2:48:43that? A little nudge of the green. Not quite enough.
2:48:56 > 2:49:02Took its time to get back down again but couldn't ask for a better second
2:49:02 > 2:49:07shot and with the opportunity pushing the bowl out. Chris is in
2:49:07 > 2:49:13here, he might be lying the shot but he has no command of the head.
2:49:17 > 2:49:20That is actually quite a good bowl.
2:49:28 > 2:49:33Trouble is, I wouldn't put a mortgage on Paul Foster missing
2:49:33 > 2:49:38this.Certainly not. If touched the green bowl away, touch the jack back
2:49:38 > 2:49:47on to read. He has been so accurate. Speak you are just under. Weight was
2:49:47 > 2:49:57good. -- he was just under.Chris can just walk away from this and put
2:49:57 > 2:50:00the single on the card.
2:50:05 > 2:50:09He is searching for a second but it is fraught with danger.
2:50:12 > 2:50:21Gave it a go.He will settle for a single, gets him on the card, gets
2:50:21 > 2:50:23him moving.
2:50:34 > 2:50:41So, Chris Gale, has started the match in the first set well, on the
2:50:41 > 2:50:45card here and he is going to bring the matter up and try and change
2:50:45 > 2:50:49things a little bit. It is no bad thing to do that, the trouble is
2:50:49 > 2:50:55that Paul Foster will face his preferred length, and that is short,
2:50:55 > 2:50:59just in a different position on the rink.
2:51:26 > 2:51:35The problem sometimes can be issue can throw yourself off your weight.
2:51:35 > 2:51:44Decent starter, though.If you are two or three yards through, you are
2:51:44 > 2:51:49throwing yourself off. Paul Foster turns his back on that.Not doing
2:51:49 > 2:51:57bad, though, still snaked up. Green bowl is to feed, Paul is just inside
2:51:57 > 2:52:02that. -- is two feet.
2:52:11 > 2:52:15Looks pretty generous to feet. Certainly does.
2:52:40 > 2:52:49The white marker that was on your screen that disappeared, the red
2:52:49 > 2:52:51bowl in the middle of it.
2:53:07 > 2:53:09Turn the ball over, not quite.
2:53:20 > 2:53:23Just slip that green bowl just enough to make it second.
2:53:35 > 2:53:41He would like to add a little bit of pressure here by drawing another. It
2:53:41 > 2:53:50is good enough.Close for the third one, I would suggest. Paul Foster is
2:53:50 > 2:53:53having a real good look at it.
2:54:07 > 2:54:19Indicating the time out. It is worth another little luck. -- little look.
2:54:19 > 2:54:25Time-out called, so obviously can take the time but... It is a big
2:54:25 > 2:54:31bowl with potentially three against him.Driving the backhand, try and
2:54:31 > 2:54:38take something out, see what result you can get. That is not the best
2:54:38 > 2:54:47result, is it?It is certainly not, it could still be two red with a
2:54:47 > 2:54:51bowl to play.I don't think it is a toucher, so that will go. The jack
2:54:51 > 2:54:59has been moved. Two red and a mountain of room for Paul Foster to
2:54:59 > 2:55:07draw another, so it is going to be three red, 7-1.Even Paul Mitchell
2:55:07 > 2:55:13could draw that.Let's not stress the point. We have to keep our
2:55:13 > 2:55:17skills appear, because we are going to be down there soon enough.If
2:55:17 > 2:55:23someone gives me five yards to draw in, I like to think I can do it. But
2:55:23 > 2:55:30Paul Foster, as you said, absolutely no problem. That is a big swing in
2:55:30 > 2:55:32the match, an hour. Paul Foster really in control.
2:55:39 > 2:55:44Again, almost like the first set, some of the weighted shots not
2:55:44 > 2:55:49falling the way Chris Gale was looking for.Yes, he has been forced
2:55:49 > 2:55:53into the man Paul has done the right thing, doing what he does well,
2:55:53 > 2:55:56draw, draw, draw to the jack and keep the pressure on to see what
2:55:56 > 2:55:57happens.
2:56:13 > 2:56:17Again, the start off the backhand, coming towards the commentary box
2:56:17 > 2:56:19end, is first class.
2:56:32 > 2:56:36Good reply.
2:56:51 > 2:56:55He looks like he grimaced a little bit with that bowl, just over the
2:56:55 > 2:56:56weight.
2:57:22 > 2:57:26Just dropped away. A little bit of weight on it but on another day, you
2:57:26 > 2:57:29might just lock in therefore two.
2:57:59 > 2:58:05If well, chance here, rest his own bowl, dropped in for a number two.
2:58:05 > 2:58:09Really needs to score this end.
2:58:14 > 2:58:18Paul Foster hasn't really played any weight shots of any note that this
2:58:18 > 2:58:25might be the first one.He will come down and let the clock ticked down
2:58:25 > 2:58:29before he calls a time-out.
2:58:37 > 2:58:40What he is looking at is if he is going to play with weight and he
2:58:40 > 2:58:48does get to the jack, just what is going to happen with his own bowls.
2:58:48 > 2:58:57The red sun sitting there but they might disappear. -- the Reds are
2:58:57 > 2:59:05sitting there.He has got the advantage of the one at the front
2:59:05 > 2:59:09being there, so if he does come in a little heavy... He didn't like that,
2:59:09 > 2:59:17the second he left his hand.It doesn't look that far away to me.
2:59:17 > 2:59:28Yeah, that is pretty good.He has just drawn the shot. As if to say, I
2:59:28 > 2:59:34wasn't sure about that, but he has played a perfect bowl.He is his own
2:59:34 > 2:59:39worst critic.He knows best, he's the one who let it go, but it looked
2:59:39 > 2:59:43good all the way down the rink. He must've thought it wasn't reaching
2:59:43 > 2:59:51or something, too heavy.What can Chris Gale do.--? That definitely
2:59:51 > 3:00:05is too heavy.One shot, Paul Foster. Well, that is a big swing. 8-1
3:00:05 > 3:00:11rather than 6-2. And Paul Foster could have it all over in the next
3:00:11 > 3:00:12end.
3:00:22 > 3:00:33Once again Chris had a good end and he lost the shot.You never take
3:00:33 > 3:00:37anything for granted how people play, but I would suggest Chris
3:00:37 > 3:00:42won't be unhappy with the way he's played.I think he's played well.
3:00:42 > 3:00:46The first round I think Paul Foster will be, should be extremely happy
3:00:46 > 3:00:51the way he's played. I thought he played very well in this match and
3:00:51 > 3:00:55he has had to.
3:01:34 > 3:01:41Paul having to change from his favourite backhand. This one is a
3:01:41 > 3:01:45little heavier, a lot of bowls have been dropping short, moving from the
3:01:45 > 3:01:54backhand to the forehand.
3:02:10 > 3:02:14Yeah, that will do.
3:02:32 > 3:02:37Oh, my!There is a connection. APPLAUSE
3:02:37 > 3:02:43Hang on, I might be able to stretch this into another end, all of a
3:02:43 > 3:02:51sudden he puts one in like that. Two inches behind.
3:02:54 > 3:02:59He is having to attack it, no choice. That will go quick.
3:02:59 > 3:03:08Just under the line. Disappears very fast.
3:03:11 > 3:03:16I am sure Paul will leave this alone and just try and come around the
3:03:16 > 3:03:23back. He wants to check that green bowl is in. Looks fine from here.He
3:03:23 > 3:03:29will take a time out, he has loads of them left. Chris might try and
3:03:29 > 3:03:37arrive down at it to take the bowl off clean.Time out called. Paul has
3:03:37 > 3:03:40two time outs remaining.Might not and bad shot to go deep and cover
3:03:40 > 3:03:51the respot so you are not going to lose any more than one shot.
3:04:07 > 3:04:14Covering the two green bowls. If the jack goes out that side he might
3:04:14 > 3:04:21lose one shot. Certainly won't disturb them but it's a match lie so
3:04:21 > 3:04:24he will be very happy.
3:04:29 > 3:04:37Just looks sore, sore, sore. Time out called.Chris has two time outs
3:04:37 > 3:04:40remaining.
3:04:54 > 3:04:59Trying to force it to another end. Beautiful.Played it well. Only the
3:04:59 > 3:05:13one shot to play. And he got it perfectly. Takes a single.
3:05:19 > 3:05:24Played it well. No doubt about that t wasn't an easy shot but Paul
3:05:24 > 3:05:29Foster covered absolutely everything in terms of making sure he didn't
3:05:29 > 3:05:38lose any more than a one. He will be looking to tuck this game away.
3:05:38 > 3:05:42Thinking to himself, you know, happy with the way I played and it's not
3:05:42 > 3:05:48over yet, but it's going to be very hard for Chris Gale to score seven
3:05:48 > 3:05:52shots in two ends.
3:05:58 > 3:06:05Managed to score four in the first end. He's got just a couple here.
3:06:05 > 3:06:09Six shots and he needs seven in the next two
3:06:10 > 3:06:15A minimum of three.
3:06:18 > 3:06:24That's not going to help.
3:07:27 > 3:07:40Beats the green bowl. That's all he needs. That's going to be close.
3:07:40 > 3:07:44Still a chance.
3:08:01 > 3:08:10Needs to come around and stop. That's in. Good bowl.
3:08:19 > 3:08:27He looked to make sure he was up with this one. Round he comes.Needs
3:08:27 > 3:08:34to hang around.Well, just drifted through the gap. It's going to force
3:08:34 > 3:08:42Chris, I think, to play the forehand to try to rest the bowl off. He has
3:08:42 > 3:08:45a couple of time outs left, he is going to need them just to get up
3:08:45 > 3:08:57and down. It's not easy.He's decided he's seen enough and the
3:08:57 > 3:09:12time out is called.Forehand shot. Trying to rest the red one.
3:09:25 > 3:09:31He is being firm.Well, this is interesting.
3:09:31 > 3:09:39It's a shot to nothing. Paul fos certificate through. Chris Gale gave
3:09:39 > 3:09:44absolutely everything -- Foster. He faced a man who found his form in
3:09:44 > 3:09:48the opening round. Paul Foster doing more than enough against Chris Gale.
3:09:48 > 3:09:52Put the pressure on and forced to play a lot of weighted shots. In the
3:09:52 > 3:09:58end, Paul Foster gets himself through. Paul Foster through by two
3:09:58 > 3:10:01sets to nil.
3:10:02 > 3:10:08Paul Foster got out of the blocks very quickly indeed against his
3:10:08 > 3:10:12rather hampered by injury opponent Chris Gale. Chris was forced to play
3:10:12 > 3:10:13weight shots end after end to stay
3:10:13 > 3:10:13Chris Gale. Chris was forced to play weight shots end after end to stay
3:10:13 > 3:10:18in the match. To be fair, he played them very well indeed. When he did
3:10:18 > 3:10:22get the opportunity to play some good draws he played those very well
3:10:22 > 3:10:28too. That was on the 4th end of the first set. To pick up a double.
3:10:28 > 3:10:354-1 in front. But didn't take long for Paul Foster to get back with the
3:10:35 > 3:10:44first of his two threes. That was enough to get him over the line 9-4.
3:10:44 > 3:10:48When it came through for Paul Foster he just kept the pressure going.
3:10:48 > 3:10:54First two bowls, in particular, end after end, and he will be delighted
3:10:54 > 3:10:59with the way he played. Jack out on the respot. No problem for Paul.
3:10:59 > 3:11:04Drops it in. Wins the second set. 8-3 and moves into the second
3:11:04 > 3:11:13rountd. -- round.
3:11:24 > 3:11:35Paul Foster was very consistent.
3:11:38 > 3:11:42Paul Foster consistent in that match. The three 3s, it's very good
3:11:42 > 3:11:46to get the first round out of the way and play as well as that.Who
3:11:46 > 3:11:50you get in the first round, it's always a risk, but there is pressure
3:11:50 > 3:11:54in the first round match, you want to play well and hope you do enough
3:11:54 > 3:11:59to get through. I am happy with the way I played.You are not a man to
3:11:59 > 3:12:04make excuses, but how tough was it playing with a dodgy legIt's tough
3:12:04 > 3:12:08at the best of time playing Paul but with a dodgy leg it's harder, I was
3:12:08 > 3:12:12happy with the way I played. If it was over three ends I think I might
3:12:12 > 3:12:16have won!It was a really good match. Both of you had to play very
3:12:16 > 3:12:21well to get through it.Yeah. You don't get gifted shots in this game.
3:12:21 > 3:12:254-1 down in the first set and didn't think I had done anything wrong.
3:12:25 > 3:12:28Chris played two fantastic conversion shots. Just shows how a
3:12:28 > 3:12:31game can turn. You have to keep digging in and hope you get a chance
3:12:31 > 3:12:37and I managed to pick up a couple of threes which helped massively.
3:12:37 > 3:12:43Chris, your play, you must be pleased with the way you played, you
3:12:43 > 3:12:46have been consistent:Yeah, a couple of the results probably went against
3:12:46 > 3:12:50me. A couple of runners. I know I hit the ones early on in the game.
3:12:50 > 3:12:54But when I was two or three down I still ended up being two or three
3:12:54 > 3:12:56down, you can't afford that against Paul.Absolutely. It was a good
3:12:56 > 3:12:59start to the year for you, Paul. Winning the World Championships for
3:12:59 > 3:13:04the 5th time. In the final of here last year, how big a deal would it
3:13:04 > 3:13:07be to have the Scottish International Open title again on
3:13:07 > 3:13:11the mantlepiece?Just take one game at a time. There is a lot of class
3:13:11 > 3:13:15players left in the tournament. Obviously it's great to win any
3:13:15 > 3:13:19tournament, you can't look further than the end you are in. Delighted
3:13:19 > 3:13:24with the way I am playing, if I take the next game, I have a chance.
3:13:24 > 3:13:29Happy birthday to my son Ethan who is seven today.Happy birthday to
3:13:29 > 3:13:34Ethan, let's all say happy birthday. Congratulations, you can go home and
3:13:34 > 3:13:38celebrate now. Commiserations to you, Chris. Hope the knee gets
3:13:38 > 3:13:45better. All the best, well done. Paul Foster playing incredibly well
3:13:45 > 3:13:50and happy birthday to Ethan, seven today. I hope Paul brings back some
3:13:50 > 3:13:55cake tomorrow! Let's remind us of who is through to the second round.
3:13:55 > 3:14:03This is the way it looks.
3:14:19 > 3:14:29On the second page of the draw it looks tough.
3:14:44 > 3:14:51I am delighted to say David has joined me now. I called you David
3:14:51 > 3:14:55Gourlay earlier, I took years off you!Appreciate that.Great game.
3:14:55 > 3:14:58Looking good.I think he will be delighted with the way he played. He
3:14:58 > 3:15:02will be. He will be thinking to himself as a first round match and
3:15:02 > 3:15:06to get past Chris and Chris was playing well to be fair. But Paul
3:15:06 > 3:15:10put him under pressure and he will be happy.Greg we saw earlier this
3:15:10 > 3:15:15afternoon, started off really well in that first set. Fell away a bit
3:15:15 > 3:15:19under pressure in the second. Showed that determination.Well, yes and
3:15:19 > 3:15:25again it was about the weight shots of Neil Furman. Exactly the way
3:15:25 > 3:15:28Chris Gale did and showed you how close things can get, if you get
3:15:28 > 3:15:35good results.The match behind us about to start. Alex Marshall, David
3:15:35 > 3:15:39Bolt, and David is a guy with lots of experience as well.He's been
3:15:39 > 3:15:42around for years, David, at international level, as well. He is
3:15:42 > 3:15:48a very experienced player. He is also very calm. Alex, well, he will
3:15:48 > 3:15:51obviously be the favourite. He has to be. But he will know he is in
3:15:51 > 3:15:55this, this is a tough draw.Speaking to David earlier he was saying that
3:15:55 > 3:15:58he's hoping to get into the Commonwealth Games team, he is one
3:15:58 > 3:16:01of seven, they're going to take five. He is going to hopefully find
3:16:01 > 3:16:06out later today if he is in there. Hugely important. We know all about
3:16:06 > 3:16:10Alex in the Commonwealth Games, he is good at picking up gold medals.
3:16:10 > 3:16:14It's always nice to have the likes of Alex and David available to you
3:16:14 > 3:16:18plus the other stars like Darren for Scotland. But if David gets into the
3:16:18 > 3:16:26Commonwealth that's a feather in his cap. And he will be really pleased.
3:16:26 > 3:16:32Completely different from the gold coast, outside on the grass, the
3:16:32 > 3:16:34portable rink. He is such a competitor when it comes to the
3:16:34 > 3:16:39portable rink.It won't make any difference, I will be honest,
3:16:39 > 3:16:44because Alex is a very good fast green player and the greens in
3:16:44 > 3:16:49Glasgow were not quick. But he picked up medals.It's incredible.
3:16:49 > 3:16:54What is it about Alex Marshall that seems to be - he is in the World
3:16:54 > 3:16:58Championship, he is a dominant player. On the World Championship
3:16:58 > 3:17:02rink which is the same as this one, how has he managed to be so dominant
3:17:02 > 3:17:10at this point?He is happy at Potters. The venue makes a
3:17:10 > 3:17:13difference when you are happy at the venue. I think really for Alex it's
3:17:13 > 3:17:16just the way it's worked out for him. He is happy there. He plays
3:17:16 > 3:17:20really good bowls from the start there. He needs a couple of rounds
3:17:20 > 3:17:25over in the Scottish.It's great to speak to you. Get you back up to the
3:17:25 > 3:17:29commentary box, we are going to build to this third match of the
3:17:29 > 3:17:35afternoon. It's Alex Marshall against David Bolt.
3:17:35 > 3:17:41A fine player inside and out, David won his first national singles title
3:17:41 > 3:17:45in 2011, the same year he joined the English senior international team.
3:17:45 > 3:17:49He took a first singles title on foreign soil last year in Hong Kong
3:17:49 > 3:17:54and will need to bring that form here today against Alex Marshall.
3:17:54 > 3:17:59Ladies and gentlemen, please give a very warm welcome to Perth, David
3:17:59 > 3:18:11Bolt. APPLAUSE
3:18:19 > 3:18:23And facing David this afternoon quite simply the best there's ever
3:18:23 > 3:18:27been on the portable rink, Alex Marshall. When it really matters at
3:18:27 > 3:18:30the World Championships Alex has lifted the trophy six times, more
3:18:30 > 3:18:36than any other bowler. Could this be the year he picks up the Scottish
3:18:36 > 3:18:40International Open title? Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm
3:18:40 > 3:18:48welcome to the rink here in Perth to Alex Marshall!
3:18:48 > 3:18:56APPLAUSE
3:19:02 > 3:19:06To take you through this one, the final match live this afternoon,
3:19:06 > 3:19:10David Corkhill and Paul Mitchell are still in the commentary box.
3:19:12 > 3:19:17Thank you, Dougie. Alex Marshall has played in 16 Scottish International
3:19:17 > 3:19:23Opens, finalist back in 2005. Four quarter-finals. And a semifinal
3:19:23 > 3:19:31since then. The quest for the title that's eluded him starts here. Not
3:19:31 > 3:19:41an easy opponent that he has picked up in David Bolt. A man from South
3:19:41 > 3:19:48Shields. He has an interesting week ahead, he is due in Hong Kong to
3:19:48 > 3:19:51play in a singles tournament.
3:19:52 > 3:19:57May have to change travel arrangements depending on what
3:19:57 > 3:20:07happens here.Yes, it's always tricky when this event is closely
3:20:07 > 3:20:13linked with the event in Hong Kong. When it comes to timing. Jason
3:20:13 > 3:20:17Greenslade was in the same situation a few years ago and he got to the
3:20:17 > 3:20:21final and had to pull out of Hong Kong with 24 hours to RSPCA. Nothing
3:20:21 > 3:20:25you can do about that. But it's -- 24 hours to spare. Nothing you can
3:20:25 > 3:20:31do about that. It's a risk you take. David Bolt is probably taking it's a
3:20:31 > 3:20:35calculated risk playing against Alex Marshall in the first match, it's a
3:20:35 > 3:20:40tough draw.Hoping to defend his singles title that he won last year,
3:20:40 > 3:20:47David Bolt, there is also a pairs to come in Hong Kong. So he will be
3:20:47 > 3:20:57heading out, no matter what.He is a very good player, David Bolt.
3:20:57 > 3:21:03Genuinely nice guy off the rink. Known David for a long, long time.
3:21:03 > 3:21:09He is veries highly respected around the international -- he is very
3:21:09 > 3:21:14highly respected around the international scene.
3:21:39 > 3:21:43So red is favoured.
3:21:57 > 3:22:05Wanting to make sure. And he will do so.One red and a measure.
3:22:24 > 3:22:32Well played. Shot drawn. Still plenty of danger.Well, there is, if
3:22:32 > 3:22:36Alex can get into the jack in any way and trail it through. Everything
3:22:36 > 3:22:42just slightly on the inside, slightly on the narrow side for
3:22:42 > 3:22:51David Bolt.
3:23:05 > 3:23:12That's what he was trying for.
3:23:19 > 3:23:27David Bolt picks up the opening end. The last of the round one matches at
3:23:27 > 3:23:30the Scottish International Open.
3:23:31 > 3:23:39Some good games, been a couple of upsets as well along the way.Other
3:23:39 > 3:23:43players of course looking for Commonwealth Games selection that
3:23:43 > 3:23:55are playing here. Robert Paxton is in the mix, as well for England. The
3:23:55 > 3:24:01Scottish boys know who's going.Alex Marshall having his 6th Commonwealth
3:24:01 > 3:24:09Games. David Bolt is in the final seven for the English side. And
3:24:09 > 3:24:19there will be an announcement today about Commonwealth Games selection.
3:24:19 > 3:24:29APPLAUSE When you are so close you don't want
3:24:29 > 3:24:35to be player six and seven that has to stay home.Yeah, it's been
3:24:35 > 3:24:40narrowed down through the elite squad system. But still very tough,
3:24:40 > 3:24:45it really is. To not get the nod after getting so close, because it's
3:24:45 > 3:24:53a big event and not only that, but to be in the gold coast, as well.
3:24:53 > 3:25:01Everything is on the go there. Weather-wise it's a great club, big
3:25:01 > 3:25:18club. Alex, two beauties.Greg on the left. Nick Brett to his right.
3:25:18 > 3:25:23Danny Denis son there, as well. He had a big win in his first match.
3:25:23 > 3:25:29Absolutely. He has gone for it. Those are the shots that are going
3:25:29 > 3:25:34to be more difficult for David than they are Alex, because his knowledge
3:25:34 > 3:25:40of the portable rink wouldn't be near Alex's. And they're hard shots
3:25:40 > 3:25:44to play, even with full weight.
3:25:59 > 3:26:08It's three red. Might well have another go. Might cost him another
3:26:08 > 3:26:11shot but if he is trying to draw this, that is tough f he thinks
3:26:11 > 3:26:16about drawing this. Surely he will not. Well, if he is on the
3:26:16 > 3:26:23forehand... Yes, he is trying to draw it off into the two bowls, if
3:26:23 > 3:26:31he can get third shot. Doesn't want to lose a four.
3:26:33 > 3:26:40Slid across, but don't know if it's taken one off or not.Three red.
3:26:40 > 3:26:43It's still three.
3:26:54 > 3:27:00Early chance for the full house.
3:27:04 > 3:27:10It's got a good line. In it comes. Job done.
3:27:10 > 3:27:13APPLAUSE Slight touch of the jack, don't
3:27:13 > 3:27:17think that's going to make any difference. Look at those shots! Oh,
3:27:17 > 3:27:27dear me! Well, just pick that end out as a classic.
3:27:32 > 3:27:35David Bolt, second time at the Scottish International Open and what
3:27:35 > 3:27:40would be the odds of throwing Alex Marshall twice? That's precisely
3:27:40 > 3:27:46what he has done.
3:28:14 > 3:28:18APPLAUSE
3:28:41 > 3:28:49You are about an inch-and-a-half short of jack high.
3:29:22 > 3:29:28Just needs to hold.
3:29:34 > 3:29:40A good place to receive, but it will depend on what Alex Marshall does
3:29:40 > 3:29:45with this one.
3:30:05 > 3:30:17Onto the backhand.He needs to hurry with this one. It needs to run.
3:30:17 > 3:30:24Never looked like it had the legs that were required. So, Alex
3:30:24 > 3:30:31Marshall may decide to follow.Well, the two bowls will also go out. It's
3:30:31 > 3:30:35indicating one to green. But need to have a look at it. It's very close
3:30:35 > 3:30:39to the second. I can play over the weight and just turn the jack as
3:30:39 > 3:30:46well. Going for the two bowls.
3:30:46 > 3:30:51Got some chance. Oh, my goodness me, how on earth did that lock in? There
3:30:51 > 3:31:01was a gap between the two bowls.Hit it almost two square on.Any angle,
3:31:01 > 3:31:07Paul, but given the gap is a factor, quite often that is enough for the
3:31:07 > 3:31:09bowl to spin. If there is only an inch between them, I can understand
3:31:09 > 3:31:16it. Looking at it, had can that happen?
3:31:22 > 3:31:29He has given this ago. Doesn't want to get to the jacket he is lying the
3:31:29 > 3:31:36shot. Unlucky to go through that, very unlucky. Good effort.
3:31:37 > 3:31:40He will take the single.
3:31:51 > 3:32:00So David Bolt with two singles. Going away from the commentary box.
3:32:00 > 3:32:04Lost the four coming towards it. And he knows the bowls going this way
3:32:04 > 3:32:09need to be better. Jack comfortably in.
3:32:49 > 3:32:55That bowl had a very long period of a straight line and then picked up
3:32:55 > 3:33:01the bend again. Almost playing across himself to get that.
3:33:23 > 3:33:26That is the problem, when you have a chance and you are on a good line,
3:33:26 > 3:33:33you don't correct. Fully expect Alex Marshall to drop another one in and
3:33:33 > 3:33:40that just keeps pressure, pressure, pressure all the time.That is
3:33:40 > 3:33:46number two, as expected.Has to force them onto the backhand, which
3:33:46 > 3:33:49is not where he wants to be.
3:34:00 > 3:34:10Can he find the same line? In he comes. Just a tuck in therefore. --
3:34:10 > 3:34:15there. One, read.
3:34:25 > 3:34:29Again, give him the forehand and try and turn the green bowl over.
3:34:52 > 3:35:00Very quick off the mat, David Bolt, doesn't hang around.The bowl is a
3:35:00 > 3:35:02bit quicker as well.
3:35:10 > 3:35:15There is a short there to turn the green bowl out, potentially three.I
3:35:15 > 3:35:21think that is what he is looking for, it is certainly available for
3:35:21 > 3:35:29delete. -- certainly available. Be very unlucky to give a shot away.
3:35:36 > 3:35:39Doesn't have the case.
3:35:49 > 3:35:54Marshall wins the end on the way towards the commentary box here in
3:35:54 > 3:35:57Perth.
3:36:01 > 3:36:05Round one last season, Alex Marshall got past Mark Sanford of Canada
3:36:05 > 3:36:1514-1, 11-3, in what was a fairly comfortable hour and a half for him.
3:36:15 > 3:36:19Yes, Mark Sanford was a player who came back into the game. A lot of
3:36:19 > 3:36:25years ago have, he was a very good player. Took time out.
3:36:41 > 3:36:47David Bolt himself Mr little time playing due to kidney issues. --
3:36:47 > 3:36:52missed a little time. Some serious health problems but back to full
3:36:52 > 3:36:55strength and playing some cracking bowls.
3:37:51 > 3:37:54The short one is a 16 inches gap.
3:38:12 > 3:38:21A little edge would help. It was needed, it didn't come.And he knew
3:38:21 > 3:38:25it as well, of smile on his face thinking a little edge there and I
3:38:25 > 3:38:26was all over it.
3:38:33 > 3:38:39David looking for the edge of his own. That's enough, that helps.
3:38:45 > 3:38:51That was well played, just locked it down. A little clip case.And his
3:38:51 > 3:38:55own ball came through as well, so that is handy.
3:39:10 > 3:39:17Just needs to played with enough to get the jack moved.Good solid
3:39:17 > 3:39:23contact is what looking for. Get enough of it. It is always going to
3:39:23 > 3:39:29get hard to get it from the bowl, he needed the jack, I think. Well, this
3:39:29 > 3:39:35will be through on the backhand. The forehand just offers lots of
3:39:35 > 3:39:37problems.
3:39:51 > 3:39:55Let the bowl do the work, throw it out wide and hope it just drops
3:39:55 > 3:39:58back.
3:39:58 > 3:40:02He is having a look at it but I think it's just going to get the
3:40:02 > 3:40:14edge.One shop, David Bolt. -- shot. His governance at that end of the
3:40:14 > 3:40:22rink continues. At the moment, it is the four that is looming large.It
3:40:22 > 3:40:26is an ugly big four, which was a good four in terms of the quality of
3:40:26 > 3:40:29play but you look at the card and see all of those singles there, it
3:40:29 > 3:40:32was a costly end.
3:40:37 > 3:40:43Jacquelin, 28 and a half metres. -- Jacquelin.
3:41:02 > 3:41:05That is well played, trying to establish himself on the backhand
3:41:05 > 3:41:08that Alex Marshall has played so well.
3:41:15 > 3:41:21Pacey old game, though, isn't it? They don't hang about. I shot clock
3:41:21 > 3:41:28of five might be enough for these guys.Certainly moving on.
3:41:41 > 3:41:47He is trying hard with this one as well. Just got to move through to
3:41:47 > 3:41:53back position. That is there. Alex winking, that wouldn't be a bad
3:41:53 > 3:41:57place to me either -- Alex thinking.
3:42:06 > 3:42:11This is well paced as well. Is it going to run just short? Just held
3:42:11 > 3:42:19up.It is hard enough on that backhand to get them where he once.
3:42:19 > 3:42:23It is on the forehand to try and come off his own bowl or if the hits
3:42:23 > 3:42:28the outside edge, he might push it in towards the jack. It is on the
3:42:28 > 3:42:31running surface, won't take much to punch it in. Certainly got the
3:42:31 > 3:42:35weight. Again, another good effort.
3:43:06 > 3:43:09Alex Marshall has the best back bowl.
3:43:13 > 3:43:16Same shot, just try and turn his own one over.
3:43:25 > 3:43:31Once again, it is about getting down off that high line. Put it on the
3:43:31 > 3:43:35running surface. He is unlucky, is he? Dropped away. That didn't look
3:43:35 > 3:43:43like that was possible.One, red.So unlucky, no wonder there is a shake
3:43:43 > 3:43:47of the head, it looked perfect.On the running side, got the right side
3:43:47 > 3:43:52of it, no reason why that bowl shouldn't have trickled onto the
3:43:52 > 3:43:55jack and I sat down beside it. Unfortunately, fell against the
3:43:55 > 3:44:00bias. Alex will be delighted, because it would have been tricky to
3:44:00 > 3:44:09peak that ball. -- bowl.Looking to come inside that outside green one
3:44:09 > 3:44:14and tucked inside the second one as well. He will just be too far
3:44:14 > 3:44:18through.One shot, Alex Marshall.
3:44:24 > 3:44:31So these two players continue to swap ends. Neither player winning
3:44:31 > 3:44:37back-to-back ends thus far.Just saying to David there, that forehand
3:44:37 > 3:44:43just holding off. Both of them suffered with it a little bit in
3:44:43 > 3:44:52that end. There are slight vagaries within the rink. No rink is perfect.
3:44:52 > 3:45:01It is still a very good rink and very playable, the portable rink,
3:45:01 > 3:45:03and laser level.
3:45:20 > 3:45:28The venue here in Perth is built over the relics of the indoor club
3:45:28 > 3:45:35here in Perth. -- over the rinks of the indoor club here in Perth.All
3:45:35 > 3:45:37very well looked after and protected.
3:45:41 > 3:45:47It is all part of the game, to overcome the difficulties on the
3:45:47 > 3:45:51rink and that is where the vast experience of the top-ranked players
3:45:51 > 3:45:52come into play.
3:46:00 > 3:46:05That is perfect.
3:46:11 > 3:46:13There is a slight gap.
3:46:30 > 3:46:35He's got a chance with this one will stop beautifully inside the red one.
3:46:35 > 3:46:42Just cutting.Good bowl and he squeezes the jack, that's where it's
3:46:42 > 3:46:52going.It is six inches short of jack high.Won't like that much, got
3:46:52 > 3:46:55to be careful about the weight to come off it. He would prefer that to
3:46:55 > 3:46:57be six inches through the jack.
3:47:10 > 3:47:13Just force with a little bit more weight.
3:47:25 > 3:47:28Yes, I waited shot. It is going under but you might get a result of
3:47:28 > 3:47:37his own. That is horrible.That is a shocking result.Absolutely
3:47:37 > 3:47:41shocking, it really is. Dear, oh, dear. I could understand him taking
3:47:41 > 3:47:46one out but he was very unlucky for everything to disappear.Green onto
3:47:46 > 3:47:51green and he didn't even touch the red bowl on the front. He does have
3:47:51 > 3:47:58one bowl to play but it will be four against him when he comes to played.
3:47:58 > 3:48:03-- play it. That was like those old trick snooker shots that John Virgo
3:48:03 > 3:48:08used to do, I am going to do this, this and this and leave... You know?
3:48:08 > 3:48:14Almost impossible, but not quite.As you would expect from Alex,
3:48:14 > 3:48:22absolutely no mercy. And at this stage, 6-3 in the seventh end, he
3:48:22 > 3:48:27has to go over this. It is so hard to draw in, even for third bowl.
3:48:27 > 3:48:29Surely he has to run at it?
3:48:34 > 3:48:41He goes. Big moment. Played it.Oh, and played it well. Touch in the
3:48:41 > 3:48:47ditch, green bowl in the back. He is going to lift up a couple. Big bowl,
3:48:47 > 3:48:54massive bowl.That is certainly amongst the shots of the day. He was
3:48:54 > 3:48:59looking at being 10-3 down and all but out of the set. Trusted the
3:48:59 > 3:49:03drive and a good result. Touch in the ditch and he picks up two.
3:49:17 > 3:49:26Jack length, 29 and a half metres. David Bolt, a subeditor's headline
3:49:26 > 3:49:34come true, lightning Bolt, bald from the blue. That was a cracking bowl.
3:49:34 > 3:49:40It was nothing bowl, get the result, set is very much alive, message and
3:49:40 > 3:49:45the set is gone. Played it really well -- miss it and the set is gone.
3:50:10 > 3:50:17You put a good bowl up to a new length...You are feeling quite
3:50:17 > 3:50:23pleased with yourself, you think, yes, pressure for my opponent.A
3:50:23 > 3:50:27good start and suddenly, bang, back toucher against you. It can be a
3:50:27 > 3:50:29tough life out there.
3:50:36 > 3:50:43Good bowl, turned it over. It is going to be close. Good reply.
3:51:01 > 3:51:08Just needed that contact, the weight was good for it. David Bolt could
3:51:08 > 3:51:12probably place on the forehand again, try and get to the red bowl,
3:51:12 > 3:51:19if he misses it, he gets to the other red bowl.He will likely use a
3:51:19 > 3:51:28time-out. The clock down to 15.He will leave it for awhile, sense in
3:51:28 > 3:51:31using the, wait till single figures.
3:51:37 > 3:51:39David has four time-outs remaining.
3:52:01 > 3:52:07Not far away here. Just the weight more than anything else. The thing
3:52:07 > 3:52:12about that is if you have another three wait of that on that line, it
3:52:12 > 3:52:21will hold a long come a long way. -- it will hold a long, long way. That
3:52:21 > 3:52:24line is not too far away from what he wants.
3:52:28 > 3:52:32Same idea from Alex Marshall, just once a touch on the green bowl,
3:52:32 > 3:52:37force the jack to come through. Coming in now. Just going to sail
3:52:37 > 3:52:52by.Well, another good effort. David just has to try that forehand, a
3:52:52 > 3:52:57little bit more weight to hold it, get the green bowl. Just needs two
3:52:57 > 3:52:57feet.
3:53:05 > 3:53:15Seven seconds on the shot clock. Then to two as he delivers.Cutting
3:53:15 > 3:53:21it fine, but here's a quick player when he is on the map. I think he
3:53:21 > 3:53:27hurried it a little bit. Not really where he wanted. It is a useful
3:53:27 > 3:53:32bowl, don't get me wrong, but it is not ideal. Alex Marshall is looking
3:53:32 > 3:53:40at a strike -- unless Alex Marshall is looking at a strike. There is a
3:53:40 > 3:53:44shot on the back and if he wants to play it and that is, they short
3:53:44 > 3:53:54green bowl onto a shot bowl. -- coming off a green bowl onto a shot
3:53:54 > 3:54:01bowl.It would be brave that 6-5. I think he's going to stick to the
3:54:01 > 3:54:09plan. Close a couple of times.This is different, though, on an inside
3:54:09 > 3:54:14line, off the green bowl and into the other one.Goodness me, how did
3:54:14 > 3:54:23he get through that gap? Well, somehow, some way. It looks like he
3:54:23 > 3:54:30was going to do enough to nudge, but through he went.That edge off the
3:54:30 > 3:54:33front would have been the perfect result, he could have been looking
3:54:33 > 3:54:38at three shots.And the set instead will go all the way to the ninth
3:54:38 > 3:54:44end. And David Bolt becomes the first player to win back-to-back
3:54:44 > 3:54:51ends in this match.Jack length, 29 and a half metres.
3:55:20 > 3:55:22It is three inches past.
3:55:30 > 3:55:36Usually prefers a backhand going this direction but he knows at three
3:55:36 > 3:55:41inches past... Well, it is an interesting choice, bowl or jack.
3:55:41 > 3:55:47Work to do to get back to the jack but got the bowl.It is a brave
3:55:47 > 3:55:52shot, give it a go. And he stayed on, which is to his benefit as well.
3:55:56 > 3:56:00So you are playing this end almost like a tie-break end. Doesn't matter
3:56:00 > 3:56:13if you lose four.Just get one, that is all you want.He will be back to
3:56:13 > 3:56:15the drawn-out and on his favourite backhand as well.
3:56:25 > 3:56:29This is an important bowl because it could put all the pressure back on
3:56:29 > 3:56:32to David Bolt.He has played it well.
3:56:43 > 3:56:45Has to find another good one.
3:56:51 > 3:56:57A lot of work to do to get back from that line. Just didn't look right.
3:56:57 > 3:57:05Wasn't too far away, actually. Another half yard of weight and that
3:57:05 > 3:57:06might have carried.
3:57:12 > 3:57:16Alex Marshall lying. His opponent has want to play once this comes to
3:57:16 > 3:57:17a rest.
3:57:26 > 3:57:34Well, certainly worth arriving down at it. There is a deep red bowl, he
3:57:34 > 3:57:37has to give this a chance to get into his own.
3:57:41 > 3:57:47Slightly different line this time. Definitely on the inside. He has got
3:57:47 > 3:57:52a chance of getting his own bowl over and coming off it at that
3:57:52 > 3:57:56angle.Could take the prize with him.Played it well, not an easy
3:57:56 > 3:57:59shot to play, that one.
3:58:02 > 3:58:10It is a great bowl any game.That is a hard shot, it really is a hard
3:58:10 > 3:58:19shot but it is a set live against Alex Marshall -- a set lie. This is
3:58:19 > 3:58:21not a given, it is just tough.
3:58:23 > 3:58:29The smooth delivery of Alex Marshall, it has never changed.
3:58:30 > 3:58:41Needs to start to work back. Just not coming in.It just didn't break.
3:58:41 > 3:58:47Two shots and the first set to David Bolt.David Bolt takes the set but I
3:58:47 > 3:58:50think Alex Marshall would have expected that to break a lot quicker
3:58:50 > 3:58:55and faster than it did.He let it go and I thought it on a good line,
3:58:55 > 3:59:00this is all about weight. And it just seemed to hold and hold and
3:59:00 > 3:59:06hold. Certainly didn't break back. Not the way most of us expected.
3:59:06 > 3:59:09Alex is still shaking his head about it and I understand that, because he
3:59:09 > 3:59:10wouldn't have changed it.
3:59:16 > 3:59:25Well, he was 6-3 down and he takes the set 8-6 and now Alex Marshall is
3:59:25 > 3:59:29faced with a task of winning the second set to force the tie-break.
3:59:46 > 3:59:54Alex Marshall turned his back on that bowl bed, though you go -- on
3:59:54 > 3:59:58that bowl and yet, there you go. It is not that far away.
4:00:26 > 4:00:34It's a wider line. APPLAUSE
4:00:37 > 4:00:41The margins are so small for people like Alex Marshall, if he is a foot
4:00:41 > 4:00:48away or 15 inches away on the inside he knows it out of the hand. Having
4:00:48 > 4:00:56said that, Paul Foster turns back on one and absolutely nailed the jack.
4:00:56 > 4:01:12A rare misjudgment from Paul Foster. If Alex Marshall can pop this in...
4:01:12 > 4:01:18Three red. APPLAUSE
4:01:18 > 4:01:23Your last bowl, just over a yard through.
4:01:25 > 4:01:32Last time he lost a four, he drove the third bowl, tried to recover
4:01:32 > 4:01:40with the last, it didn't work out. A lot closer this time. A lot closer!
4:01:40 > 4:01:48Oh, yeah, that will drop back. Close now with the shot.Looks good.
4:01:48 > 4:01:53That's a really good bowl. A little vulnerable op the forehand for Alex
4:01:53 > 4:01:59to take it out, but you can only do what was there and he managed to get
4:01:59 > 4:02:06the shot and will be happy with it.
4:02:12 > 4:02:18Now this is all about connections, if he gets back in time. There is
4:02:18 > 4:02:28that hold with the extra weight. Just didn't come in, it was a lovely
4:02:28 > 4:02:38weight to play onto the green bowl to turn it over.Absolutely.
4:02:40 > 4:02:47Alex could be losing a double here, although it's a hard shot this one
4:02:47 > 4:02:51to get an extra.
4:02:57 > 4:03:05He's given it a go.He is not scared, is he? In he comes.That's
4:03:05 > 4:03:11two really, really good bowls! APPLAUSE
4:03:11 > 4:03:15They're not match-changing bowls but they're inspired in terms of
4:03:15 > 4:03:20confidence.
4:03:22 > 4:03:29Ten ends have gone in the game. Alex Marshall has won just three of them.
4:03:29 > 4:03:37That's starting for him to become more of a concern.
4:04:37 > 4:04:43Turned his back early on it. Again it's a useful bowl but he knew it
4:04:43 > 4:04:48was over the weight.
4:05:06 > 4:05:08Well played again. APPLAUSE
4:05:08 > 4:05:16Tempting target. Backhand runner. Two bowls with the jack.The last
4:05:16 > 4:05:23bowl is level.Very tempting target this one.
4:05:29 > 4:05:33Well, the backhand, just struggle to get back if you are over the weight.
4:05:33 > 4:05:39Here it comes! Oh, he is close. He has played it.
4:05:39 > 4:05:41What a good bowl. APPLAUSE
4:05:41 > 4:05:50That's a really, really good bowl to draw that. Didn't even contemplate
4:05:50 > 4:05:56the running bowl.Beautifully done. Trusted himself, trusted the draw.
4:05:56 > 4:06:11And Alex Marshall has come up to have a look at this.Nick Brett
4:06:11 > 4:06:17would have been down saying thank you very much.
4:06:40 > 4:06:50Off the forehand. He is looking for the jack. But dropping under it.
4:07:03 > 4:07:09This was the last bowl. David would have a great shot on it, but will
4:07:09 > 4:07:13have to go slightly defensive. Careful draw.
4:07:25 > 4:07:31Alex watching to see if it will affect the shot he wants to play.It
4:07:31 > 4:07:38won't help it. Let's put it that way. Alex will try to draw on the
4:07:38 > 4:07:47backhand, but if he is a bit tight, certainly keeps that green one in.
4:07:47 > 4:07:53Still available to punch it out, but if he is on the forehand, that's a
4:07:53 > 4:07:57very hard shot he is playing. Couldn't risk the backhand in case
4:07:57 > 4:08:01the bowl flipped over onto the jack. He could lose three but the forehand
4:08:01 > 4:08:08offered very little.Yeah, not there.Not sure how much he put into
4:08:08 > 4:08:17that one, to be honest. It was a difficult head.Sometimes there's no
4:08:17 > 4:08:29point in making things worse. He certainly didn't want to. Alex
4:08:29 > 4:08:37Marshall has to win this set. He is trailing 3-0.
4:08:53 > 4:08:59When David Bolt visited Scotland in 2013 for the Scottish International
4:08:59 > 4:09:05Open he beat Mark Royal in round one. And faced Alex Marshall in
4:09:05 > 4:09:13round two. Alex Marshall through on that occasion 11-6 and they tied the
4:09:13 > 4:09:17second set.
4:09:23 > 4:09:28It's one of those matches if it's thrown up on the draw and you look
4:09:28 > 4:09:33and think, that's interesting.Yeah. Even six times world champion you
4:09:33 > 4:09:41still think that's interesting, because you know it's a tough one.
4:09:45 > 4:09:48Some of the first round matches you are pretty sure what's going to
4:09:48 > 4:09:54happen. But Stuart Anderson was another one, always going to be
4:09:54 > 4:10:04tough.Three seeded players have gone from the tournament, Jonathan
4:10:04 > 4:10:18Ross, seeded 15. Stewart Anderson, and Jason Greenslade lost out to
4:10:18 > 4:10:24Danny Dennison.Got this perfect. Played really well. Danny is an
4:10:24 > 4:10:27interesting character. He's come through the tour card, so he is
4:10:27 > 4:10:31going to get a chance at everything. Tough, tough player. Been around the
4:10:31 > 4:10:37game a very long time. Wins a lot of outdoor events or has done in the
4:10:37 > 4:10:46past. Open events. Down in the Torquay area.
4:10:49 > 4:10:56He put Jason out 13-6, 12-0 so he must have played well.I watched
4:10:56 > 4:11:00some of the game, he played well. Jason a bit unfortunate a couple of
4:11:00 > 4:11:07times with the weight, things not going his way. As Alex Marshall puts
4:11:07 > 4:11:12the pressure on here. As targets go, it's another one.
4:11:12 > 4:11:18It's a very narrow one. It's a bowl-and-a-half and he has no choice
4:11:18 > 4:11:29here but to play it.There is the drive.Not happy with it. Oh! Dear
4:11:29 > 4:11:36oh me! Look at Alex's reaction. David immediately put his hand up.
4:11:36 > 4:11:42Well, Alex Marshall looks to the heavens but I think even the man
4:11:42 > 4:11:49upstairs will be scratching his head at that one.Yeah, dear, oh, dear.
4:11:49 > 4:11:56To be that far off the target. David had virtually given up on it.Yeah.
4:11:56 > 4:12:00Two bowls to disappear, I suppose Alex will be thinking at least one
4:12:00 > 4:12:06stayed in. I am not facing a two shots down position. So he should
4:12:06 > 4:12:13pick up a double.Doesn't want to make a mistake. You wouldn't expect
4:12:13 > 4:12:17it off him either. APPLAUSE
4:12:17 > 4:12:23He may have been expecting a four and he will have to settle for just
4:12:23 > 4:12:29half that.
4:12:32 > 4:12:38Good contender, fluke of the day. You do shot of the day. Should do
4:12:38 > 4:12:44fluke of the day.There's been one or two of those, I have to say.
4:12:44 > 4:12:47There's nothing humourous about it when you are out there and fighting
4:12:47 > 4:12:52back from 3-0 down and you have put a perfect end together. And you see
4:12:52 > 4:12:58something like that happening. David did apologise. It's all part of the
4:12:58 > 4:13:00game.
4:13:03 > 4:13:09Can be the most frustrating of sports.
4:13:31 > 4:13:36Contact with that one. Put the bowl into a very difficult position to
4:13:36 > 4:13:40beat.
4:13:51 > 4:13:59Not a bad bowl there either.
4:14:15 > 4:14:26Oh, dear. That was the one time not to fall short.
4:14:29 > 4:14:33Might not be reflected in the scoreline. Alex Marshall is winning
4:14:33 > 4:14:42the battle of the first two bowls. Needs to come around that.Your bowl
4:14:42 > 4:14:48is six inches short of jack high.
4:15:06 > 4:15:17Well, just dipped away.Two red.No change. Wanted at least second shot.
4:15:20 > 4:15:28No change in the shot planned by Alex Marshall.
4:15:30 > 4:15:36Trying to draw in the backhand, if he misses the green bowl, either
4:15:36 > 4:15:42side, it's very useful. Inside it, he gets a third. Outside it, he gets
4:15:42 > 4:15:46position. Well, with the weight he was using he was definitely going
4:15:46 > 4:15:57for a back bowl. Wasn't even really trying for a draw.
4:16:20 > 4:16:29Looked a little high. Doesn't want to punch the red bowl anywhere.Two
4:16:29 > 4:16:30shots Alex Marshall. APPLAUSE
4:16:30 > 4:16:39Two goes at it. I expected David to get into it with the last one.
4:16:42 > 4:16:45It's been a much needed response for Alex Marshall, having dropped the
4:16:45 > 4:16:55first set. Went right to the 9th end. 3-0 down. He finds himself 4-3
4:16:55 > 4:16:58ahead.
4:17:00 > 4:17:09Quite often when Alex is in a bit of bother he would go to the 24-metre
4:17:09 > 4:17:15jack lengths, minimum is 23, but he is happy to go to 24. Anything
4:17:15 > 4:17:24between 23 and 25 is good for him. But he's kept the jack fairly long.
4:17:24 > 4:17:32Has been playing well, though. Has been lining a lot of good shots.
4:18:01 > 4:18:11And again. Has been playing recovery bowls in this direction. So really
4:18:11 > 4:18:15needs a good second one.
4:18:23 > 4:18:28Still heavy.Yeah, he didn't like it.Third bowl to come, and he will
4:18:28 > 4:18:34have three against him, certain of it.The shot bowl, the gap is two
4:18:34 > 4:18:39inches and it's four inches past jack high.
4:18:44 > 4:18:48Probably quite likes the way it's sitting. He knows if he puts another
4:18:48 > 4:18:54one in he could create a target. It's a fairly small target at the
4:18:54 > 4:18:59moment.
4:19:05 > 4:19:13The choice is now...The last bowl, it's nine inches past jack high.
4:19:13 > 4:19:18Last time he drove this way he was off target and got a great result.
4:19:18 > 4:19:24Nothing to come off this time, though. So he needs a really good
4:19:24 > 4:19:30draw. Going to have to work very hard to get back with this. Still
4:19:30 > 4:19:37over the weight. Well, three goes on the draw, I am inclined to think
4:19:37 > 4:19:43it's not going to happen.If you are Alex Marshall pop one behind, just
4:19:43 > 4:19:46satisfied with the three or put pressure on and say go on then?The
4:19:46 > 4:19:50difficulty is where is the jack going to go? I think that's what
4:19:50 > 4:19:56Alex is trying to work out at the moment. He is thinking do I go one
4:19:56 > 4:20:01side for the drive, knowing that for the jack to go, his bowls also have
4:20:01 > 4:20:08to move? He is trying to work out which side it's going to go. There's
4:20:08 > 4:20:13nothing easy in this one. Or take a chance and draw another one in, try
4:20:13 > 4:20:18and disturb the jack a little bit so it doesn't go through. And take the
4:20:18 > 4:20:27four.Yeah, it's an interesting one. Well, you know, it is there, if he
4:20:27 > 4:20:30crunches into the jack and takes that. There's nothing particularly
4:20:30 > 4:20:34easy about it. That group of bowls at the back are not too clever. But
4:20:34 > 4:20:40it's going to be very hard for those to come into play, unless all the
4:20:40 > 4:20:53bowls disappear.The choice is made. Well, with the weight he is
4:20:53 > 4:20:57carrying, he is going deep.
4:21:00 > 4:21:04If it certainly goes back that one is going to be number one. But still
4:21:04 > 4:21:13not sure if that jack can make it to there.
4:21:15 > 4:21:27You have to think about it that way. Yeah, that's what he is trying.
4:21:27 > 4:21:31David Bolt, three against. He has missed three times.He is not up.He
4:21:31 > 4:21:38is short.Yeah, that was the problem with trying to overcorrect.Three
4:21:38 > 4:21:44shots Alex Marshall. APPLAUSE
4:21:44 > 4:21:50He is losing the battle of the first two and it's causing all sorts of
4:21:50 > 4:21:55problems.
4:21:57 > 4:22:00You can't use big bowls all the time. I think the percentages were
4:22:00 > 4:22:08there to take two of the red ones out on the backhand runner. A
4:22:08 > 4:22:15perfect draw would have been a great bowl to play. But certainly a very
4:22:15 > 4:22:19difficult one.
4:22:29 > 4:22:37It's fair to say Alex Marshall is in a groove.
4:22:37 > 4:22:41APPLAUSE
4:22:56 > 4:23:04That's a good reply.Very good reply.
4:23:13 > 4:23:22He is wondering if he has pushed it.
4:23:43 > 4:23:45Just shorter than intended.
4:23:47 > 4:23:55Yes, he really needs to win this, David Bolt, can't afford to let Alex
4:23:55 > 4:23:58go in front.
4:24:06 > 4:24:15Last bowl is 2.5 feet short of jack high.
4:24:24 > 4:24:37He certainly put more on, no doubt about that. Wrong side.One green.
4:24:41 > 4:24:45He can keep his favoured backhand or he could try the forehand and come
4:24:45 > 4:24:49and rest on the green bowl.Well, it's narrower on the forehand than
4:24:49 > 4:24:53the back. Also, the front plant is there. But you could only get that
4:24:53 > 4:24:56if you play a little bit of weight to it and he will be trying to avoid
4:24:56 > 4:25:05doing that. Just try and draw it, if he can.
4:25:07 > 4:25:21He is looking at it. But it's just not getting back. Centre rink as it
4:25:21 > 4:25:32turned out.It's not an easy extra shot to pick up, but could make the
4:25:32 > 4:25:36world of difference.
4:25:46 > 4:25:49Well, it's all about good weight here. Good weight, he needs to drop
4:25:49 > 4:25:55onto the zone. It's going to fall away. Good effort. Good head of
4:25:55 > 4:26:03bowls, but one bowl stayed there for a long time.
4:26:05 > 4:26:087-4 after six ends.It's been a good game between these two. Alex
4:26:08 > 4:26:18Marshall needs this set to force a tie-breaker. David Bolt, not done
4:26:18 > 4:26:22too much wrong. Possibly the only error he has made today when he told
4:26:22 > 4:26:28me how old he was and got it wrong! Yeah! Maybe he was a little bit
4:26:28 > 4:26:36nervous.He was trying to age himself by a year.Which direction
4:26:36 > 4:26:49did he go I was going to say.39 for David Bolt won't arrive for another
4:26:49 > 4:26:53few weeks yet.
4:26:59 > 4:27:05Looks like a good first bowl but the way Alex Marshall has been playing
4:27:05 > 4:27:09this lptWell, there is that straightener there. He seems to hold
4:27:09 > 4:27:14the bowl up but then it dips. It's not actually a straightener on the
4:27:14 > 4:27:19carpet, but it just goes for a long time and then you know it's going to
4:27:19 > 4:27:32drop away.The mat is up.David was very heavy going this direction the
4:27:32 > 4:27:40last time. And that's a lot better this time.Last bowl is ten inches
4:27:40 > 4:27:47past jack high. Sna Your bowl is 16 inches short of jack high.
4:27:57 > 4:28:04Alex knows this is a better line. He is watching this one all the way.
4:28:04 > 4:28:08APPLAUSE Might force David onto the forehand
4:28:08 > 4:28:19but he has to be careful of Alex's wide bowl. Wasting no time.Doesn't
4:28:19 > 4:28:24like it.No t will go quickly. He tried to play an inside shot with a
4:28:24 > 4:28:34yard. That's incredibly difficult. It really is.
4:28:53 > 4:29:01Gets in amongst those two green bowls, should the jack come through.
4:29:16 > 4:29:22The danger is pushing the red bowl in for another shot. Oh! He was
4:29:22 > 4:29:29close to that, wasn't he?He was a whisper away.Could just about
4:29:29 > 4:29:34manage, if he loses one here, but if he loses a double, well, I think
4:29:34 > 4:29:41that's going to be too much to make up.
4:29:51 > 4:30:03He is watching it very closely. Just not coming in.
4:30:03 > 4:30:08Their husband more than a few times in this match when both players have
4:30:08 > 4:30:13expected their bowl to bend -- there have been more than a few times.Two
4:30:13 > 4:30:23ends to play in the set. Alex Marshall finds himself ahead. He was
4:30:23 > 4:30:29ahead with two to play in the opening set by 6-5. Couldn't close
4:30:29 > 4:30:30it out.
4:30:37 > 4:30:44May be longer than he intended.Jack length, 29 metres.
4:30:57 > 4:31:01He has certainly found the road down with this one.
4:31:25 > 4:31:28Wants to take it with him.
4:31:36 > 4:31:42One of these situations that looks awful from the map but Alex Marshall
4:31:42 > 4:31:46knows that there is space there. -- from the map.
4:31:52 > 4:31:56There is a chance now.
4:32:00 > 4:32:10Any sort of chance, he has to score a double.
4:32:11 > 4:32:151-shot will be enough for Alex.
4:32:37 > 4:32:45Made the adjustments.That's a really, really good bowl under a lot
4:32:45 > 4:32:54of pressure.Four and a half inches past, jack high.
4:33:08 > 4:33:11Asking a lot for this to get back.
4:33:17 > 4:33:20And there is the bowl falling as well.
4:33:42 > 4:33:48Alex Marshall has got three time-outs left available to him. He
4:33:48 > 4:33:50will need one here.
4:33:58 > 4:34:03Cover the re-spot just in case.He can go deeper than that because the
4:34:03 > 4:34:07front plant is pushing the jack all the way through with a touching
4:34:07 > 4:34:11green bowl. For that bowl to continue all the way with it, he
4:34:11 > 4:34:14might have to be a bit fortunate but it is well worth the effort. There
4:34:14 > 4:34:17is no backhand draw on now.
4:34:27 > 4:34:34So, again, a time-out will be called.If he is looking at this the
4:34:34 > 4:34:39way I think he should be, he should be looking at thinking that bowl,
4:34:39 > 4:34:43the green bowl will go through and the jack will move further back red
4:34:43 > 4:34:51that Alex has just played, that may be sufficient to stop everything. It
4:34:51 > 4:34:55was a clever bowl, that is what he's looking for. Looking for the front
4:34:55 > 4:34:56plant.
4:35:01 > 4:35:07Oh, dear.You don't see it often, but it does happen. It is two shots
4:35:07 > 4:35:15to Alex Marshall.It had to be the front planned, really, but the jack
4:35:15 > 4:35:23going forwards is unusual.Well, two taken and the set all of a sudden
4:35:23 > 4:35:31looks comfortable at 10-4. It was anything but. A good recovery from
4:35:31 > 4:35:37Alex Marshall, 3-0 down after two ends. It is an impressive way to
4:35:37 > 4:35:38come back.
4:35:43 > 4:35:54Tie-break situation, three ins, available at each end.It has been
4:35:54 > 4:35:58an adventurous game, I have to say, an enjoyable game. Both players have
4:35:58 > 4:36:03played well, Alex Marshall has dominated the draw shot.
4:36:06 > 4:36:11We also have to remember, David Bolt doesn't get the chance to play on
4:36:11 > 4:36:22the portable rink very often. And he has restricted Alex to 50-50 in
4:36:22 > 4:36:29ends, it must be close to that. David Bolt 18 of a first 11.Alex
4:36:29 > 4:36:33Marshall has won five of the last six -- David Bolt won eight of the
4:36:33 > 4:36:39first 11. He immediately goes after it.It is tie-break, that is what
4:36:39 > 4:36:47you do, it is different. Cumulative shots simply don't matter. It is all
4:36:47 > 4:36:55about taking and getting shot.Now, do you leave it alone? Do you come
4:36:55 > 4:37:03to the back?The trouble from where we are sitting at the moment is if
4:37:03 > 4:37:07he takes the bowl off, it is going to run away so you want another one
4:37:07 > 4:37:11in there somewhere just behind the jack, if possible. At the same time,
4:37:11 > 4:37:15you don't want to set up a target, and that is pretty good.
4:37:22 > 4:37:31Can use lest weight this time -- less weight. Try and control it.
4:37:31 > 4:37:40That is an interesting choice. That is coming off the back and. Not far
4:37:40 > 4:37:47away if it bounces off the back bowl. Good effort.
4:37:57 > 4:38:00Of that is interesting because Alex Marshall will realise that his
4:38:00 > 4:38:05opponent is still capable of drawing it from there.He has got no choice,
4:38:05 > 4:38:09on the forehand, try and cover the green bowl, that is the receiving
4:38:09 > 4:38:11bowl.
4:38:32 > 4:38:38Still going for the draw. So close to the last, you can understand it,
4:38:38 > 4:38:46but still a difficult shot. No, not getting back.
4:38:50 > 4:38:58He will have to think about this one, because... He won't want to
4:38:58 > 4:39:03leave it till the last bowl, there was no reply on the last bowl, that
4:39:03 > 4:39:08is the problem. What he will be looking for here is how can I tidied
4:39:08 > 4:39:12it up in such a way that there is no chance of him getting to it? I think
4:39:12 > 4:39:21he has to draw it, I really do. The best thing to do is just to...
4:39:21 > 4:39:28Time-out called.If he draws it, pops in the jack, just a little
4:39:28 > 4:39:34touch on the jack, or through the gap, then I don't think he's got
4:39:34 > 4:39:36anywhere else to go.
4:39:42 > 4:39:49He won't want to leave this, I know that.David Bolt has proved more
4:39:49 > 4:39:57than capable of taking his chances. Plenty of time on the shot clock but
4:39:57 > 4:40:02a big shop for Alex Marshall. -- a big shot.
4:40:10 > 4:40:16I think that is what he has been trying to do, trying to get into the
4:40:16 > 4:40:22jack and just didn't make it back. I think that is what he was trying to
4:40:22 > 4:40:34do, just try Android in, clutter it up a bit.It makes the draw shot
4:40:34 > 4:40:49look very unappealing.I think Alex Marshall might have made his mind up
4:40:49 > 4:40:55for him. That would be brutally difficult to try and draw inside. A
4:40:55 > 4:40:58hard shot to play with controlled weight but I don't think he has a
4:40:58 > 4:41:09lot of choice. I don't think it is a big Rashid because -- thrash.He is
4:41:09 > 4:41:17set up for a forehand.Don't play beforehand. It is if anything, the
4:41:17 > 4:41:24backhand, you want to use Alex's bowl, the wide one.Changed his
4:41:24 > 4:41:30mind.This is a hard shot he is playing. Just over the weight.Shot
4:41:30 > 4:41:34against him, can he find a way to get through? Just going to drift
4:41:34 > 4:41:41away.That was a hard shot, it really was and the sort of shot on a
4:41:41 > 4:41:46portable rink, low percentage.Just shows the beauty of that opening
4:41:46 > 4:41:52bowl in a tie-break. If you can Aylett. That is what caused all the
4:41:52 > 4:42:00problems -- if you can nail it. Just one shot awarded at the tie-break
4:42:00 > 4:42:07end. Alex Marshall has the advantage here of last bowl at this end.
4:42:21 > 4:42:31David Bolt, in 2012, lost the tie-break against Greg Harlow. Last
4:42:31 > 4:42:34time in Scotland, took a tie-break against Mark Royal.
4:42:38 > 4:42:48Opening bowl so important.Well, back in touch. Well Alex take the
4:42:48 > 4:42:54risk of running the bowl? Not if he is on the backhand.No, just join
4:42:54 > 4:42:56it.
4:43:04 > 4:43:07He has backed himself on that backhand all afternoon. That looked
4:43:07 > 4:43:09a little lazy.
4:43:40 > 4:43:49The question is, does he have a go? I think he has two, just try and
4:43:49 > 4:44:03clear things up a bit. Very close, got a chance.Excellent shot. Alex's
4:44:03 > 4:44:08bowl has rolled on and it is also a touch. Question is, who is lying the
4:44:08 > 4:44:20shot? -- whose life?
4:44:21 > 4:44:26It's not going to be easy to beat, this one. That is why David is on
4:44:26 > 4:44:30the forehand. Having said that, the backhand does hold a lot. He's going
4:44:30 > 4:44:39to have to encourage this one to be up.That looks lazy.
4:44:57 > 4:45:01But the ball down, reset, restart. Plenty of time on the clock,
4:45:01 > 4:45:06although it is now down to seven. Time-out called. There is something
4:45:06 > 4:45:13catching. Something catching Alex Marshall's eye.
4:45:40 > 4:45:54So, Alex Marshall... Just takes his time. It is a key moment.Saying
4:45:54 > 4:45:58about this backhand earlier in the game... He has played it wide, it
4:45:58 > 4:46:04didn't come back, so there is a hold there, so he knows he can get to it.
4:46:04 > 4:46:11He has played this one well. David Bolt has to follow that, I don't
4:46:11 > 4:46:19think you can afford to risk the forehand.Your last bowl? Nearly two
4:46:19 > 4:46:22yards.
4:46:25 > 4:46:30Well, this line has to be so good. He has done this a lot of debris at
4:46:30 > 4:46:37the front. He has certainly pushed this one, no doubt about that.There
4:46:37 > 4:46:43are things to hit.It is his own bowl I'm thinking of. It looked like
4:46:43 > 4:46:52he had played that far too heavy. Alex Marshall comes through the
4:46:52 > 4:46:57tie-break in what was a particularly entertaining game. David Bolt gave
4:46:57 > 4:47:01it all. Alex Marshall lifting the jack into the ditch was the key in
4:47:01 > 4:47:07the tie-break and Alex Marshall goes through 2-1.
4:47:09 > 4:47:14STUDIO: Well, we always expected this to be a very tight game. Alex
4:47:14 > 4:47:18Marshall got out of the blocks with a four in the second end and that
4:47:18 > 4:47:24was perfection, it really was. But David Bolt kept it controlled, got a
4:47:24 > 4:47:29tap on his own bowl to edge it down for shot to keep the pressure on
4:47:29 > 4:47:35Alex Marshall coming into the last end of the first end 6-6. Big drive
4:47:35 > 4:47:39all the way through, my goodness me, and that benefited there. Won the
4:47:39 > 4:47:46first set 8-6. And Alex was just unfortunate on that occasion to get
4:47:46 > 4:47:53another four. It was behind in the second set 3-0. David Bolt started
4:47:53 > 4:47:59to pick up Jackson started to get ends. That was enough to win the
4:47:59 > 4:48:06first set. Alex Marshall came back strongly it again. -- strong yet
4:48:06 > 4:48:10again. And once again, Alex taking the opportunity to drop more shots
4:48:10 > 4:48:16in when he had it. And in the end, ran out of 10-4. Looked comfortable
4:48:16 > 4:48:21but it was not easy, taking the tie-break 2-0.
4:48:21 > 4:48:27The tale of the tape is interesting, David Bolt took eight in the first
4:48:27 > 4:48:3511 but Alex Marshall...
4:48:40 > 4:48:46A very good win for Alex Marshall. David played well as well but Alex,
4:48:46 > 4:48:50I imagine after that, you are very happy to be true.Definitely, I
4:48:50 > 4:48:57thought I played brilliantly today. The first set, I dominated it at
4:48:57 > 4:49:04times, and I should never have been as close in the last end, I said it
4:49:04 > 4:49:08of bank credit to David, he took two shots out of that.You were playing
4:49:08 > 4:49:12well but you played very well as well, you took eight of the first 11
4:49:12 > 4:49:16hens.You played remarkably well. That surprises me because I thought
4:49:16 > 4:49:21I was in and out of the first two thirds of the first set, continually
4:49:21 > 4:49:24cutting that little bit tight and just trying to hang in with Alex and
4:49:24 > 4:49:28I think maybe the last three ends of the first set, I started to string a
4:49:28 > 4:49:32few balls together and put Alex under pressure and managed to naked.
4:49:32 > 4:49:37The most important thing for you, Alex, I guess, when you get into the
4:49:37 > 4:49:39important situations and the tie-break, it is important to get
4:49:39 > 4:49:44that first bowl in and you put the pressure on right from the start.If
4:49:44 > 4:49:48you can get the first bowl in Korea puts pressure on your opponent. I
4:49:48 > 4:49:51did that right away, David tried to run it and missed and then you can
4:49:51 > 4:49:56dictate from there. But the first bowl always puts the pressure on.It
4:49:56 > 4:49:59was a great win, commiserations to you David, Alex Marshall is through
4:49:59 > 4:50:03to the second round of the Scottish International. Well done.
4:50:03 > 4:50:08Yes, what a match, fantastic stuff. Let's tell you what will
4:50:08 > 4:50:09Yes, what a match, fantastic stuff. Let's tell you what will be
4:50:09 > 4:50:12happening in the second round, let's have a look at that. Here are the
4:50:12 > 4:50:16matches so far.
4:50:26 > 4:50:32And then the second half, then the bottom, Robert Paxton is also true.
4:50:41 > 4:50:45We have finished a little earlier than expected but a wonderful
4:50:45 > 4:50:49opportunity to cast our minds back to earlier this year. Paul Foster
4:50:49 > 4:50:52was in the final of the world singles against Greg Harlow. We will
4:50:52 > 4:50:52was in the final of the world singles against Greg Harlow. We will
4:50:52 > 4:50:56pick this matchup in the tie-break, it is the second end.
4:50:59 > 4:51:04A little bit anxious now. A man needs to score the next two ends to
4:51:04 > 4:51:12become world champion.It gets worse when you are watching family.It
4:51:12 > 4:51:16must be terrible.I remember you in the last final, the family were up,
4:51:16 > 4:51:21and the boys were dancing around all over the place.Yes, it is always
4:51:21 > 4:51:27good to have the family support. Back to this game, Greg needs a
4:51:27 > 4:51:28close one, really.
4:51:36 > 4:51:43Greg Harlow has won one end in this direction all game.He hasn't scored
4:51:43 > 4:51:50since the third end and that was a single in the second set. Paul
4:51:50 > 4:51:54Foster has been on a monumental run of shots. He has kept Greg Harlow to
4:51:54 > 4:52:06one. Six ends in this match. Over 21 ends. And Greg Harlow is still in
4:52:06 > 4:52:12with a chance of winning it.Just needs to win at two ends. Paul is
4:52:12 > 4:52:20urging this ball up. One said to hurry right up to the jack. Really
4:52:20 > 4:52:25good bowl and it has managed to sit down as well. Perfect start for Paul
4:52:25 > 4:52:33Foster.I wonder what Alex Marshall is thinking sitting at home.Your
4:52:33 > 4:52:39mate is on the edge of the fifth one and that gets him one closer. I'm
4:52:39 > 4:52:44sure Alex is watching and will be delighted for his pairs partner
4:52:44 > 4:52:46here, in the driving seat.
4:52:52 > 4:52:57Great, careful, just dropped into the ditch. I think he is going to
4:52:57 > 4:53:02drive this.Possibly, although the forehand draw is still open. Two
4:53:02 > 4:53:08inches he is being told, that is not easy to draw. Because he has taken a
4:53:08 > 4:53:13time-out, he's composing himself on the way he is angled looks like he
4:53:13 > 4:53:17is inclined to the draw.
4:53:17 > 4:53:25I think I agree with this, at least one attempt at the forehand draw.It
4:53:25 > 4:53:29is not going to make it. Where is it going to stop is the question?He
4:53:29 > 4:53:36won't like that.It's possible, actually, that bowl will take the
4:53:36 > 4:53:39green out without the jack moving. If it drops, that's totally
4:53:39 > 4:53:44different. Paul Foster on the back and just wants to make it past his
4:53:44 > 4:53:51own bowl.This is not close put anything past is good.
4:53:57 > 4:54:02Greg, decision time, bowl onto bowl or forehand draw?I think you will
4:54:02 > 4:54:08go for it this time. Bowl on to bowl, I have a feeling it is going
4:54:08 > 4:54:14out clean.He has played this shot so well in the championships, he
4:54:14 > 4:54:17must be going on the mat with confidence thinking if I catch this
4:54:17 > 4:54:22good, the Green goes out. He is under.
4:54:26 > 4:54:31Well, I think this is as good a position as Paul Foster could hope
4:54:31 > 4:54:34for, but he does need another bowl in because that green is definitely
4:54:34 > 4:54:40going out.The ball on the right-hand side of the screen, I
4:54:40 > 4:54:45think if Paul beats that, I think that is good.Just in there is what
4:54:45 > 4:54:49he wants because what he is worried about is this bowl onto the green,
4:54:49 > 4:54:52through the gap and not taking the jack.
4:54:56 > 4:54:58Needs this to be third shot.
4:55:01 > 4:55:05Certainly staying away from it, after that red bowl as you said, but
4:55:05 > 4:55:09not getting passed on the inside. He really had one there and I don't
4:55:09 > 4:55:14know about this one.I don't think you meant to put it there, he had
4:55:14 > 4:55:18one there already. Just when slightly heavy. I think this will
4:55:18 > 4:55:23still be a runner again. He must catch the red bowl on the high side
4:55:23 > 4:55:28to take the green bowl out.He has done this so often, forehand on the
4:55:28 > 4:55:35high side. The green bowl will disappear through the gap and his
4:55:35 > 4:55:43own bowl will not end. -- locking. It is possible to get half of it. If
4:55:43 > 4:55:48he hits it solid onto the jack and the other red bowl. It is a 400 and
4:55:48 > 4:55:55what did he say, 400 and if he has a chance.Quite right and I have a
4:55:55 > 4:55:58feeling if he hits this, he will probably not get a good connection.
4:55:58 > 4:56:04I think Paul will have 18 inches to draw with his final bowl.Brave
4:56:04 > 4:56:09call. I don't think the angles are right here.
4:56:15 > 4:56:21Well, he is on the high side. Will it get back? He is close. Just
4:56:21 > 4:56:27missed it. Paul Foster punches the air, he has
4:56:27 > 4:56:31got his fifth title, that is what he was looking for over the last few
4:56:31 > 4:56:35years and he has managed to do it and to be honest, he has been great
4:56:35 > 4:56:41value for that win, he played really well.Yes, deserve to win this game
4:56:41 > 4:56:46today. Greg went off on the second half of the game but well played,
4:56:46 > 4:56:50Paul Foster, delighted for you.Yes, he dominated the match, no doubt.
4:56:50 > 4:56:54Lost one count in the first set and that was enough for Greg Harlow to
4:56:54 > 4:57:03come over the line but he kept Greg Harlow -- Greg Harlow to one shot.
4:57:03 > 4:57:09Five times world champion.
4:57:10 > 4:57:14Well, that was recorded earlier this year when Paul Foster won the world
4:57:14 > 4:57:16title against Greg Harlow Bud live here at the Dewars Centre in Perth,
4:57:16 > 4:57:22Paul Foster and Greg Harlow are through to the second round after
4:57:22 > 4:57:24some great performances today. And
4:57:24 > 4:57:24through to the second round after some great performances today. And
4:57:24 > 4:57:27this is the way it lines up...
4:57:46 > 4:57:47David Corkill has joined us from the
4:57:47 > 4:57:49David Corkill has joined us from the commentary box and some really
4:57:49 > 4:57:54delicious and tasty ties to, this week.Absolutely, especially when
4:57:54 > 4:57:58you see Danny Denison going up against some of the big boys. It
4:57:58 > 4:58:01will be interesting because Danny has won the tour card, so he gets a
4:58:01 > 4:58:09go at everything. He will be delighted.We have just seen a Alex
4:58:09 > 4:58:14Marshall win, he has never won in Perth, has he got the game to win
4:58:14 > 4:58:19it?He will always have the game, no doubt, he just needs the odd break.
4:58:19 > 4:58:23The last time he was in the final, everyone thought he would cantered
4:58:23 > 4:58:27through. Ian Bond even said, why am I going to turn up? And Ian Bond
4:58:27 > 4:58:33one. No one expected that. It is a hard draw against David Bolt.
4:58:33 > 4:58:37Certainly and he played very well. We are looking forward to the rest
4:58:37 > 4:58:38of this week but that is all modes
4:58:38 > 4:58:38We are looking forward to the rest of this week but that is all modes
4:58:38 > 4:58:42it from us. -- almost it. We will be back with
4:58:42 > 4:58:44it from us. -- almost it. We will be back with highlights tonight and
4:58:44 > 4:58:48then the live action gets under way with the second round at 1pm, all on
4:58:48 > 4:58:51BBC Two Scotland. It has
4:58:51 > 4:58:52with the second round at 1pm, all on BBC Two Scotland. It has been a
4:58:52 > 4:58:55truly fantastic day here at the Dewars Centre in Perth. Thank you so
4:58:55 > 4:58:58much your company and join us for the highlights or live tomorrow.
4:58:58 > 4:58:59Goodbye for now.