Day 2 - Live

0:00:29 > 0:00:44Two great friends warming up at the Dewar outback Centre in Perth. But

0:00:44 > 0:00:49soon there will be doing battle at the Scottish International Open.

0:01:11 > 0:01:15Good to have you with us. The first match coming up is Greg Harlow

0:01:15 > 0:01:20against Mervyn King. Two wonderful players. That should be a cracker. I

0:01:20 > 0:01:33urge you to stick around. The action got under way at the do -- Dewars

0:01:33 > 0:01:35centre yesterday.

0:01:40 > 0:01:44A battle of the generations, Thomson is more than twice his age. Chesney

0:01:44 > 0:01:47won his first event at the International Open in Blackpool, and

0:01:47 > 0:01:51the younger man took the first set. A key moment in the seventh end,

0:01:51 > 0:01:56when this slightly fortunate weighted shot gave Chesney a triple.

0:01:56 > 0:02:00It's ten years since Andy Thomson won the event, beating Mark Royal in

0:02:00 > 0:02:062007. The luck seemed to be going against him. This shot squeezed

0:02:06 > 0:02:10through an impossible gap and helped Chesney establish the advantage.

0:02:10 > 0:02:16Both players had quite different first-round matches. Chesney had an

0:02:16 > 0:02:20easy first set win, while Thomson needed a tie-break to see off his

0:02:20 > 0:02:26Australian opponent. By now, Chesney was turning the screw and this

0:02:26 > 0:02:33lovely drawer in the eighth end gave him the match lie. Final score, 8-6,

0:02:33 > 0:02:399-3. Chesney into the quarters.

0:02:40 > 0:02:46There is confirmation of the result. We are just about to see Greg Harlow

0:02:46 > 0:02:49against Mervyn King.

0:03:06 > 0:03:09In the country box all week, as ever, David Corkill. Some

0:03:09 > 0:03:15interesting games coming up. Let's talk about this morning. That win

0:03:15 > 0:03:19for Jamie Chestney. Andy Thomson out of the competition?Yes, to be fair,

0:03:19 > 0:03:23the first set was the key bowl where Jamie got a fortunate result. He

0:03:23 > 0:03:28upped his game in the second set, but almost everything Andy played

0:03:28 > 0:03:33did not work for him. Having said that, Jamie looked like he was

0:03:33 > 0:03:41getting better and better.He is now in the world top 16. He is looking

0:03:41 > 0:03:47to do some damage?He is. He doesn't want to be a player just in the top

0:03:47 > 0:03:5016, he wants to win events. He proved he can do that. Everybody

0:03:50 > 0:03:53knows how good he is. It is just a matter of the breaks. He got a

0:03:53 > 0:03:57little break this morning. Having said that, he played very well in

0:03:57 > 0:04:01the second set.Let's talk about the live matches. Greg Harlow addressed

0:04:01 > 0:04:12his good friend Merv the Swerve. This should be great?They know each

0:04:12 > 0:04:17other very well, but if you look at the seeding, Greg is first, and

0:04:17 > 0:04:23Mervyn is 14. Disregard that, it will be very close. Greg will of his

0:04:23 > 0:04:26game from his previous match, no doubt about that. Mervyn will do

0:04:26 > 0:04:30what he does best by drawing close all the time.One thing I must ask

0:04:30 > 0:04:34you about, we know that these are all amazing bowlers and when the

0:04:34 > 0:04:37bowl leaves the hand, they think they know what is going to happen.

0:04:37 > 0:04:42There was an amazing moment with Paul Foster, playing against David

0:04:42 > 0:04:45Stock macho I can't remember his second name, David Bolt.

0:04:47 > 0:04:54Talk us through this.When you get that reaction coming he knows he's

0:04:54 > 0:05:00probably two feet away. Watch where it ends up. At this point he's

0:05:00 > 0:05:04thinking, my goodness me, what on earth has happened. He draws the

0:05:04 > 0:05:09perfect bowl, two shots against. It was a great moor, but he apologised

0:05:09 > 0:05:14to his opponent because he thought it was so bad. -- it was a great

0:05:14 > 0:05:19bowl.He is in action today?Yes, he is looking good. He usually gets out

0:05:19 > 0:05:23of the box pretty quick. Always a dangerous opponent. He has being a

0:05:23 > 0:05:29Sony times and won that.Lots of live action coming up. -- he has

0:05:29 > 0:05:32been here so many times.

0:05:33 > 0:05:40David Corkill, thank you very much indeed. Let's look ahead to the

0:05:40 > 0:05:44match coming up behind us. It is Greg Harlow against Mervyn King. He

0:05:44 > 0:05:51is the master of the draw game, but recent seasons have been barren by

0:05:51 > 0:05:54his standards. A drop down the rankings to 14 reflected the drop in

0:05:54 > 0:06:06form, with six titles under his belt, though, Merv is certainly no

0:06:06 > 0:06:09joke. Please give a warm welcome to Mervyn King.

0:06:32 > 0:06:35There is something about Perth that really suits Greg Harlow. He is the

0:06:35 > 0:06:39current Scottish open champion and world number one. He is good friends

0:06:39 > 0:06:45with today's opponent, but that will be forgotten when the first bowl is

0:06:45 > 0:06:48thrown. Please give a warm welcome to the Scottish International Open

0:06:48 > 0:06:50champion Greg Harlow.

0:07:15 > 0:07:19To take us through this one, Paul Mitchell and David Corkill.

0:07:21 > 0:07:27This ought to be a cracker, Greg Harlow looking for a third

0:07:27 > 0:07:31consecutive title in Scotland against Mervyn King.

0:07:36 > 0:07:452010 he won it. Both of the players have their name engraved on the

0:07:45 > 0:07:49trophy and both are seeking a quarterfinal place.

0:08:04 > 0:08:11It will be in Greg's mind to keep his form from the first set of his

0:08:11 > 0:08:13previous match. Goodness me, he is going to have to up his game from

0:08:13 > 0:08:20the second set. He was one bowl away from going out of the event. Mervyn

0:08:20 > 0:08:29King will be a very stern test.He got a bit of a shock, Greg Harlow,

0:08:29 > 0:08:33against Neil Furman yesterday. Great first set.

0:08:35 > 0:08:41Your bowl is 12 inches sword. -- short.

0:08:48 > 0:08:52Greg, forced onto the forehand.

0:08:54 > 0:09:03That short jack length, you have to have a strong biased bowl to make

0:09:03 > 0:09:08sure it gets back again. The back just holds off a little bit.

0:09:19 > 0:09:23That is just hanging on to the line. It looked good for a long, long

0:09:23 > 0:09:24time.

0:09:43 > 0:09:46Forehand again for Greg Harlow.

0:09:51 > 0:09:55It looks a little bit lazy.

0:10:03 > 0:10:12First-round match. Playing with red bowls, having to make the switch.

0:10:18 > 0:10:22That certainly looked better on the way in.

0:10:32 > 0:10:37Looking like he is arriving at this. His own bowl to push in. If he makes

0:10:37 > 0:10:40the gap coming to trail the jack.

0:10:46 > 0:10:50I think he realised that just wasn't there on delivery. You can almost

0:10:50 > 0:11:00see him reacting.

0:11:04 > 0:11:12Keeping it well wide, a chance to come in and push the red bowls in.

0:11:12 > 0:11:22That is what he is really good at. Picking out the line. He left that

0:11:22 > 0:11:25flow out on a high line, letting a drift back. The high line drift

0:11:25 > 0:11:31shot. Knowing that he wasn't going to do any damage to his own bowl and

0:11:31 > 0:11:36giving himself a chance to score jack high.Which it did. Well

0:11:36 > 0:11:47played, Mervyn King.That is why we call him The Swerve.

0:12:11 > 0:12:16He has gone for a longer length jack.

0:13:01 > 0:13:04APPLAUSE

0:13:08 > 0:13:19Just slightly in front of the jack. Greg didn't attack very often, he

0:13:19 > 0:13:22has to play these ones earlier. I think that was a problem for him

0:13:22 > 0:13:25before. There are the things I think we will see a lot more of in this

0:13:25 > 0:13:29game. I thought he was quite negative in the first match and

0:13:29 > 0:13:36played a draw, draw, draw, constantly. Sort of let Neil Furman

0:13:36 > 0:13:38into the game.

0:13:44 > 0:13:50Interesting to see if it was a deliberate tactic just to get in and

0:13:50 > 0:13:58wait, trusting his drawing game to see him through.He will know

0:13:58 > 0:14:02against Mervyn. It's going to attack a lot more.

0:14:07 > 0:14:11Great clear out all played by Greg Harlow. Responding with a draw.

0:14:24 > 0:14:32That is the benefit of picking up the jack. Would have been very close

0:14:32 > 0:14:41to drawing the shot.Picking that up was a real bonus.Mervyn King has

0:14:41 > 0:14:45played three excellent bowls.

0:14:50 > 0:14:58A waited shot by Greg Harlow, engineering the change.It bit of

0:14:58 > 0:15:07work to do to get it back. It needs the band and it needs to drop. Four

0:15:07 > 0:15:18really good bowls by Mervyn King.

0:15:20 > 0:15:33He is having a little waited run at this and why not? No great danger.

0:15:33 > 0:15:43He drops a shot.A good percentage shot. Bowl on the bowl would have

0:15:43 > 0:15:51worked, bowl on the jack would have worked. Mervyn King but four bowls

0:15:51 > 0:15:58within six inches. A damage limitation on Greg's side.Could

0:15:58 > 0:16:05have worked out even better with a great fourth bowl from Mervyn King.

0:16:05 > 0:16:21Billy Reid against the defending champion. -- an early lead.

0:16:31 > 0:16:35That is interesting from Mervyn King, he played two really good

0:16:35 > 0:16:39bowls off the forehand, last time going away from the commentary box.

0:16:39 > 0:16:44He feels the backhand is the better hand for him and he starts that out

0:16:44 > 0:16:50first.The jack has lengthened a couple of metres and the longer you

0:16:50 > 0:16:55go with the backhand, the longer it comes if you're bowls are not very

0:16:55 > 0:16:59trendy. Unfortunately, it almost works the opposite way if you have a

0:16:59 > 0:17:02big bending bowl and you go full-length in that direction, you

0:17:02 > 0:17:15have to go out wide and sometimes it does not make it.

0:17:33 > 0:17:39Here it comes again, nothing is safe this afternoon.That is why Mervyn

0:17:39 > 0:17:46King is known as one of the best draw bowlers there has been for a

0:17:46 > 0:17:58very long time.Again, a weighted shot. A good result.Yes, two bowls

0:17:58 > 0:18:12on target. Movement of the jack behind the red. I think the two

0:18:12 > 0:18:15bowls Queen would have been really good but the movement of the jack,

0:18:15 > 0:18:26that was very tidy.A good second shot, preferably a little bit

0:18:26 > 0:18:41behind. In low for Greg Harlow.

0:19:17 > 0:19:25He is putting full trust in his weight here. Certainly, the line is

0:19:25 > 0:19:40right. Dropped back, good second. Cracking effort.

0:19:58 > 0:20:10A little bit too much from Greg Harlow. Walking up.

0:20:14 > 0:20:18One thing is for certain, David, they have not wasted any time in

0:20:18 > 0:20:23finding their form.The advantage of a second-round matches, you have

0:20:23 > 0:20:28time to practise on the rink. First rounds always a bit nervous, it does

0:20:28 > 0:20:37not matter who you are, you just want to get the first game over. And

0:20:37 > 0:20:40again, the first match in the afternoon, it you get that half-hour

0:20:40 > 0:20:45before and that is really good because you know first exactly what

0:20:45 > 0:20:50time you will be on and you get a place on the rink. The second and

0:20:50 > 0:20:54third match, you only have two trials and you are not sure how long

0:20:54 > 0:21:01the previous match is going to last season have to hang around a bit. --

0:21:01 > 0:21:06so you have to hang around.

0:21:30 > 0:21:33Greg Harlow got the Open hand.

0:22:06 > 0:22:13This forehand has just been hanging off slightly. Very accurate with the

0:22:13 > 0:22:26line to make the centre of the rink. A lot of jack hi bowls.

0:22:27 > 0:22:36Should not be in the way.

0:22:48 > 0:23:04Number one. Six inches past jack high.

0:23:04 > 0:23:10He might be tempted to run this. Bowl out, jack in a ditch. He going

0:23:10 > 0:23:26for this. Relatively wide targets. Oh, dear. Yes, well... I don't see

0:23:26 > 0:23:37it going off the green that often.

0:23:38 > 0:23:43Just those little things that happen in a match.You get a slightly good

0:23:43 > 0:23:46result from a running bowl and a slightly poor result even though you

0:23:46 > 0:23:57are on target. In a match like this, those sorts of things could be the

0:23:57 > 0:24:05telling points. Greg. Not where he wanted to put that, I can tell you.

0:24:05 > 0:24:17Set up the target, he knows it.The target is there, but he has the

0:24:17 > 0:24:28advantage, a bowl in the ditch. Well, that is just typical Mervyn.

0:24:28 > 0:24:36He is drawing weight.It is hard to guarantee to get act in this hand,

0:24:36 > 0:24:41it really is, he has to have good weight to slip around. It did not

0:24:41 > 0:24:54drop.It certainly cut out any question of a good shot. Are they

0:24:54 > 0:25:02going to put global -- the little Robert Rock under the bowl? Not much

0:25:02 > 0:25:12point, it has been conceded. Greg Harlow. He see some self level. --

0:25:12 > 0:25:20he will see himself level. Mervyn only had the 16 macro but, at the

0:25:20 > 0:25:25same time, most people would have played it.It was a way to target,

0:25:25 > 0:25:29Andy had a bowl in the ditch already.Greg but it was a wide

0:25:29 > 0:25:35target with his reaction. A little bit surprised but typical of Mervyn

0:25:35 > 0:25:49to try to draw it off but the jack in the ditch was worth two.

0:26:11 > 0:26:17It is about an inch short of jack high.And in short, still playable,

0:26:17 > 0:26:22he does not really want to move off his favourite backhand.

0:26:39 > 0:26:44A tough audience!I think they have got used to what they have seen

0:26:44 > 0:26:52already. Not good enough.It just is not there! That is just a

0:26:52 > 0:27:01rangefinder.They say comedians don't like to play Glasgow,

0:27:01 > 0:27:12sometimes bowlers don't like to play Perth. And little bit of pace on

0:27:12 > 0:27:21this to try and disrupt things.I think that is probably more of a

0:27:21 > 0:27:27reaction to the last end when Mervyn probably thought, I should have just

0:27:27 > 0:27:32hit it.

0:27:47 > 0:27:59Perfect again. It does look harder. It is certainly no easier to draw so

0:27:59 > 0:28:07he might go again. That looks down on the narrow line.It did hold, it

0:28:07 > 0:28:18had the weight to hold it.Only just, half inside jack. Yes, he was

0:28:18 > 0:28:24moving across and you could see the centre line marks. That is when you

0:28:24 > 0:28:33judge it from. Greg will draw the shot, no doubt about that.The jack

0:28:33 > 0:28:37is on the ditch, there is a mark-up above it to allow Greg Harlow to see

0:28:37 > 0:28:43exactly where he is bowling too.He will not worry too much, only six

0:28:43 > 0:28:51inches inside the rink boundary line so he will try and draw as close as

0:28:51 > 0:29:05he can. To tempt Mervyn. Defeated on the draw or rested on for a double.

0:29:12 > 0:29:21The draw is more likely.It is just how wide he can go. He really played

0:29:21 > 0:29:27that across his body to try to hold up the bowl as long as possible

0:29:27 > 0:29:33before the bend takes effect. Certainly wider than Greg's. It is

0:29:33 > 0:29:44all a matter of stopping. He has played it.Nicely done.I could see

0:29:44 > 0:29:48the way he delivered that bowl. He really played it across his body. He

0:29:48 > 0:29:59was obviously using the mat, just to hold it up before it started to

0:29:59 > 0:30:03bend. Good use of the mat.

0:30:29 > 0:30:33Very little between these two players at the moment. Last time

0:30:33 > 0:30:39they met in Scotland was 2008, the quarterfinal. The opening set of

0:30:39 > 0:30:50nine ends featured nine shots. Mervyn King winning 5-4.

0:31:10 > 0:31:17Hard to believe that Mervyn King is number 14 in terms of the rankings.

0:31:17 > 0:31:21He is a much better player than that. It only takes a couple of

0:31:21 > 0:31:27events to go wrong for you and you start sliding down.

0:31:39 > 0:31:42In 2017, he went out in round one of the International Open. An early

0:31:42 > 0:31:43exit there.

0:32:17 > 0:32:22An identical weight to the first one.

0:32:49 > 0:32:53Eight inches past jack high.Is that deliberate from Greg to come round

0:32:53 > 0:33:01the back or a miscalculation?He pushed it through. That's all. With

0:33:01 > 0:33:06Mervyn, he knows the forehand just holds up. He would also like to

0:33:06 > 0:33:13arrive at Greg's bowl to take it out. He played outside the line.

0:33:13 > 0:33:17More weight to try to get to the red bowl. Look at that hold, it didn't

0:33:17 > 0:33:24even get close to it. I'm not surprised that Mervyn is shaking his

0:33:24 > 0:33:30head. When he let it go, he probably thought it might be a shade wide but

0:33:30 > 0:33:35I am making contact with the bowl. By the end, he missed by 15 inches.

0:33:35 > 0:33:37It is holding a lot.

0:33:40 > 0:33:44A bit of a let off for Greg. Good chance to add another.

0:33:56 > 0:34:01Potential for an four Mervyn King if he picked up the Red Bull. Instead,

0:34:01 > 0:34:06he says that two will go against it. -- if he picked the red bowl. Loses

0:34:06 > 0:34:11the end and the lead in the set.

0:34:18 > 0:34:2315 inches all round the jack for that one. You can see the two

0:34:23 > 0:34:26players chatting about it afterwards. When you know each other

0:34:26 > 0:34:30this well, when you have been good friends for such a long time, you

0:34:30 > 0:34:33will chat throughout the game.

0:34:38 > 0:34:43That is a little. Has gone longer.

0:35:18 > 0:35:23A lot of players would have changed onto the forehand, because you can

0:35:23 > 0:35:29see the edge of the jack can probably get the shot. Mervyn, it is

0:35:29 > 0:35:32more a matter of stick to the hand you know and try to get ahead a

0:35:32 > 0:35:37little bit. Not reaching, but that is what would be going through his

0:35:37 > 0:35:38mind.

0:35:59 > 0:36:09Just the one, an inch gap. Your bowl, 15 inch gap.Time to move. Any

0:36:09 > 0:36:16touch on the red bowl and it brings the jack into play.

0:36:19 > 0:36:22Gentle, gentle, to get back from there.

0:36:36 > 0:36:43Greg Harlow senses an opportunity here. One shot back.

0:36:47 > 0:36:51Doesn't want to widen the target, but does want to come in here. And

0:36:51 > 0:36:58he has done so.That means any touch on the forehand, on the jack, will

0:36:58 > 0:37:05bring it to that bowl. Mervyn is going to try to use that as a

0:37:05 > 0:37:11shoulder to drop off. Well, not even going for weight. This is a

0:37:11 > 0:37:12difficult shot.

0:37:17 > 0:37:21Well, I tell you what, he wasn't far away from getting what he wanted.

0:37:21 > 0:37:28But that movement of the jack is a major bonus for him.He was also an

0:37:28 > 0:37:33inshore two from disaster, if that just stopped. If it touched the red

0:37:33 > 0:37:38bowl, there were three against him. He can look to the heavens, but I

0:37:38 > 0:37:42think it has been kinder than he realised.A lot better than what he

0:37:42 > 0:37:45thought when he got to look at it.

0:38:08 > 0:38:15I am sure that is in. Just missed the line slightly. The weight wasn't

0:38:15 > 0:38:17bad.

0:38:25 > 0:38:32One red and a measure.The time-out is about to come.

0:38:36 > 0:38:40Well, draw on the forehand or the backhand, play a risky one down the

0:38:40 > 0:38:47runner. Three different chances. Would fancy two, from the

0:38:47 > 0:38:51indications of the rings.If it is, I would be inclined to think about

0:38:51 > 0:38:54playing through it. Even a front planned, if it gets onto the jack,

0:38:54 > 0:39:00it might be one down. It might just stop on the green bowl. It is a hard

0:39:00 > 0:39:08effort to draw this. Going for it again. Not surprised. Just needs to

0:39:08 > 0:39:15drop down on the inside. Run-through and a touch of the jack. That might

0:39:15 > 0:39:21make the double. Goodness me.

0:39:22 > 0:39:28He holds up his hands in apology, I'm not sure he had to. He got a

0:39:28 > 0:39:33fortunate result, to an extent, but he was online to make something

0:39:33 > 0:39:42happen.I'm with him on the apology, any run-through bowl is hard to

0:39:42 > 0:39:55judge. There is normally a bit of run-through. Just a quarter bowl, I

0:39:55 > 0:40:03think. It is just run-through. You can't gauge a run-through. They are

0:40:03 > 0:40:07lovely when they work for you. But they hurt.

0:40:10 > 0:40:19That looks like it's clear. That is a big two.

0:40:24 > 0:40:27What a turnaround that is.

0:40:31 > 0:40:35Mervyn's last two bowls, he will be hoping to keep that going.

0:40:40 > 0:40:48Greg Harlow is trailing to Mervyn King. King leading 6-5. For a man

0:40:48 > 0:40:56who prides himself on his draw shots, he is already at half a dozen

0:40:56 > 0:41:00weightier bowls at seven ends, that is unusual from Mervyn King but he's

0:41:00 > 0:41:02getting the results.

0:41:15 > 0:41:18APPLAUSE

0:41:19 > 0:41:22Full-length jack.

0:42:03 > 0:42:06Just need to hurry with this, dropping a little bit short.

0:42:37 > 0:42:48Greg Toler layer little bit on the weight as well. -- toiling a little.

0:42:48 > 0:42:52That green bowl, I guess he decides to attack it.

0:42:55 > 0:43:03Still struggling for weight. Any better? It's been an interesting

0:43:03 > 0:43:11choice for Greg. One against, doesn't want to go into the last end

0:43:11 > 0:43:17two down. There is a forehand attacking shot down, red into green.

0:43:17 > 0:43:23That does suit his style of play. Right on the front left edge, to try

0:43:23 > 0:43:26to hold the bowl up as long as possible on the narrow line. He is

0:43:26 > 0:43:32close.Getting a result, the red one goes through and out.That is

0:43:32 > 0:43:37horrible. That is a shocking result.

0:43:44 > 0:43:51That green bowl would not be moved. Exactly. It has probably only cost

0:43:51 > 0:43:58him one more shot. It has given Mervyn King an opportunity to get to

0:43:58 > 0:44:03the red one.

0:44:05 > 0:44:08Time-out called.

0:44:12 > 0:44:17He would normally play the backhand, because he prefers it. The trouble

0:44:17 > 0:44:20with the forehand is that it does hold out a little bit. That might

0:44:20 > 0:44:25work in his favour. The red bowl is wide of the jack.

0:44:42 > 0:44:51It needs to run.That did not even touch the other green one down. Greg

0:44:51 > 0:44:59is back to draw hand shot and if he does lift the jack, he could make

0:44:59 > 0:45:06two and he will be on the outside of the mat. That is it. Left foot off

0:45:06 > 0:45:14to try and help the bowl back on the travel.There it goes. Yes, he has

0:45:14 > 0:45:21got the early bend.This is looking good. The weight is the problem, not

0:45:21 > 0:45:28the line.It depends if it holds, that is the thing. He has taken one

0:45:28 > 0:45:44away. It needed fall over. Greg Harlow needs two to tie this.

0:45:44 > 0:45:51Advantage Mervyn King. It has been -- he has been a quarterfinalist in

0:45:51 > 0:46:02this tournament just once in the last four years, that was last year.

0:46:02 > 0:46:09Full-length jack. Final end of the last set.Not surprised he is going

0:46:09 > 0:46:21long. Well, he reckons he has missed something here. He must be slightly

0:46:21 > 0:46:25over the line because the weight does not look too bad. Yes, that is

0:46:25 > 0:46:33the margins Mervyn works too. He knew that was outside, a shake of

0:46:33 > 0:46:43the head.

0:46:48 > 0:47:02Greg Harlow stopping for a second. Not sure what caught his eye. He got

0:47:02 > 0:47:07down to play the backhand but maybe he has had a second thought about

0:47:07 > 0:47:15it. That would not be a first, to have a time-out before you actually

0:47:15 > 0:47:23play your first bowl.It could be. Sometimes in a tie-break, you would

0:47:23 > 0:47:27think it is a possibility because you going to play a risky shot, but

0:47:27 > 0:47:36he stepped off and changed his mind and moved on to the forehand. And

0:47:36 > 0:47:41Mervyn, this is risky. He has to get very close to that red bowl to make

0:47:41 > 0:47:53the gap.He has kept it in wide. Really not a lot better than his

0:47:53 > 0:47:56first bowl. I am surprised at that, I thought he would have played the

0:47:56 > 0:48:06forehand.

0:48:18 > 0:48:25It has been played over the weight. He needs a two, Greg Harlow, the

0:48:25 > 0:48:40tide the set.He is not well set up at the moment to do so.

0:48:54 > 0:48:57Mervyn would have been looking for something close to the jack on the

0:48:57 > 0:49:05forehand, to keep Greg awake. Greg is thinking to himself, can I get a

0:49:05 > 0:49:13draw in the set? Not even trying to win it. Does he draw the shot? The

0:49:13 > 0:49:19way it is sitting, does he run the green bowls?

0:49:19 > 0:49:22That is the alternative, just draw it in and take a chance on the next.

0:49:22 > 0:49:26The other alternative is if you really want to play it, the two

0:49:26 > 0:49:34green bowls. They are sitting here, you look at those from the mat and

0:49:34 > 0:49:39that red doesn't look clever but the two are better be taken out. I still

0:49:39 > 0:49:46think it is a draw shot. -- the two bear to be taken out.

0:49:50 > 0:49:57I think if he is in a position to pick up two or three shots, the next

0:49:57 > 0:50:02bowl, he might go for the two green. He is down on a narrow line, he

0:50:02 > 0:50:09needs a connection.He played that quite deliberately. He was

0:50:09 > 0:50:12deliberately playing slightly narrowed to get his own bowl, and if

0:50:12 > 0:50:18you missed that, he would get the jack. He just did not push it.The

0:50:18 > 0:50:24danger is not over for Mervyn King. He ideally would like a bowl just

0:50:24 > 0:50:31left of the jack. Nothing that can be taken out with the other two.The

0:50:31 > 0:50:39backhand shot, split the two red. And say to Greg, if you run the jack

0:50:39 > 0:50:45through, the best you can do is one shot. If you drag the jack a yard,

0:50:45 > 0:50:50you might get two, but that is harder than driving it. That is a

0:50:50 > 0:51:00clever bowl. There is still an over weight shot. Half a jack, two or

0:51:00 > 0:51:06three yards of running, if he wants to play it. The way he is winning

0:51:06 > 0:51:13his arm, that would normally mean he's going to hit it. Looking for

0:51:13 > 0:51:19the two bowls.That is a hard shot, what can he get?Yes, two out, it

0:51:19 > 0:51:34was worth two. Did not even attempt to go for the set win.

0:51:34 > 0:51:45Greg Harlow bows down to Mervyn King. Both players forced into

0:51:45 > 0:51:48plenty of weighted shots which made for great entertainment, and it is

0:51:48 > 0:52:01Mervyn King who emerges victorious in the opening set.

0:52:54 > 0:53:00Almost two beat short, the green one.

0:53:00 > 0:53:07He will be in action in a little while, Paul Foster. Stay with us for

0:53:07 > 0:53:12the afternoon, cracking bowl to come.It is a tough game at for

0:53:12 > 0:53:21Paul.Mark Dawes is standing in his way.Won a very good international

0:53:21 > 0:53:30standard player, making his way up the rankings. -- Mark Dawes is a

0:53:30 > 0:53:32very good international standard player.

0:53:49 > 0:53:55Shot is drawn, two loose bowls from Greg by his standards in the second

0:53:55 > 0:53:58set.

0:54:08 > 0:54:11The game, just dropping.

0:54:21 > 0:54:25I am a little bit surprised Mervyn is playing the forehand, he

0:54:25 > 0:54:32struggles to get back.The backhand was open for him, as I have said a

0:54:32 > 0:54:36couple of times. If you go in the forehand, Greg can make up his mind

0:54:36 > 0:54:49whether he wants to drive them out or just draw.

0:55:09 > 0:55:18It looks better. The shot is drawn.

0:55:25 > 0:55:32Greg is thinking there is no point in taking the two bowls out because

0:55:32 > 0:55:37Mervyn will just draw it in. Backhand. There is a shot here, if

0:55:37 > 0:55:43he wants to play better bowl out, he may aim for two or three. It is hard

0:55:43 > 0:55:59to make the line.He does not want to promote the right way out.

0:56:00 > 0:56:06Macro -- Greg Harlow save that time by a good final bowl.

0:56:12 > 0:56:17Greg Harlow, a set he has two win to force the tie-break, takes the

0:56:17 > 0:56:27opening end. From the delivery of jack, it looks like he will go

0:56:27 > 0:56:30shorter again.

0:57:20 > 0:57:31And that is Greg.He reckons that Mervyn's bowls not as strong as his.

0:57:31 > 0:57:37He is trying to guarantee Centre rink with his deliveries for Mervyn

0:57:37 > 0:57:49to hold off. He got it away too gentle.Interesting switch of hands

0:57:49 > 0:57:55as well from Mervyn King. Back to the backhand which he has been

0:57:55 > 0:58:06favouring.That is coming back this time.He stayed on the mat a long,

0:58:06 > 0:58:13long time after he delivered that, that is not normal for Mervyn. I

0:58:13 > 0:58:18think he was searching down a different line. He banned it, that

0:58:18 > 0:58:20is the important bit. -- she found it.

0:58:26 > 0:58:34That looks better, didn't it? Spot-on.

0:58:47 > 0:58:50Had it been two, I think Mervyn would have been searching for it. He

0:58:50 > 0:58:53has missed the line. That is what he was thinking about with his last

0:58:53 > 0:59:00bowl. If you go halfway bowl tip, you are just punished so much. That

0:59:00 > 0:59:03is what the short track length does to you.

0:59:07 > 0:59:11Greg really should be looking for cover here. He might think that

0:59:11 > 0:59:15Mervyn will try for the jack.

0:59:21 > 0:59:22Deep cover bowl.

0:59:36 > 0:59:42That is the reason why. Stronger weight. Got a chance with this one.

0:59:42 > 0:59:48That is a horrible result. That just went all wrong.

0:59:51 > 0:59:55Wanted to be on the high side of the jack and ended up pushing it onto

0:59:55 > 0:59:58the low side of it.

0:59:59 > 1:00:03Going low, instead of getting the bowl clean, the jack moved.

1:00:08 > 1:00:11No result for Mervyn King there.

1:00:14 > 1:00:16It was 3-0.

1:00:26 > 1:00:29There have been a couple of those were, for both players, to be fair,

1:00:29 > 1:00:36slightly weighted shots have brought not just bad results, but

1:00:36 > 1:00:43unexpectedly bad?It cost him another shot. It is the right shot

1:00:43 > 1:00:49to play, it is just that they are hard to get absolutely perfect. You

1:00:49 > 1:00:54always look to see what the positives and negatives are. If it's

1:00:54 > 1:00:58going to cost you an extra shot, sometimes you go for it anyway.

1:01:15 > 1:01:18These next couple of bowls from Mervyn King will be very

1:01:18 > 1:01:19interesting.

1:01:26 > 1:01:29You can tell he is not totally comfortable.

1:01:39 > 1:01:42Doing the right thing, leaving the backhand alone.

1:02:04 > 1:02:13Certainly an adjustment on weight. How close is he going to get?

1:02:13 > 1:02:19About a foot short of jack high.

1:02:30 > 1:02:37Gaye Chance off his own bowl. -- a chance.

1:02:42 > 1:02:48Slid past that. Not far away as he had dropped.

1:02:53 > 1:02:56Doesn't change the shot that Mervyn King was going to play.

1:03:01 > 1:03:05Really pushed that one out very wide.

1:03:08 > 1:03:13Had won there, didn't need another.

1:03:13 > 1:03:25Greg plays this slightly on the inside, he can ease that bowl out. I

1:03:25 > 1:03:29don't blame him, he's having a look at it. Just need to be half a bowl

1:03:29 > 1:03:33outside the normal line. Playing a forehand, that is interesting.

1:03:44 > 1:03:47Close to drawing it.

1:03:49 > 1:03:51APPLAUSE

1:03:56 > 1:04:09That is the shot. You would think! They are absolutely centred.The

1:04:09 > 1:04:12ring is close, the market who is closer than we are thinks it is

1:04:12 > 1:04:20close. Interesting shot by Greg. Seemed to be more on the backhand,

1:04:20 > 1:04:27with the two red bowls. Just picking the green bowl out, not with great

1:04:27 > 1:04:31force, but enough.This is good.

1:04:32 > 1:04:40Going to get a touch on the jack. Think it is just the one. Greg will

1:04:40 > 1:04:43scoot around.

1:04:47 > 1:04:52One shot, Mervyn King.One it was. A bit unlucky, didn't get a chance to

1:04:52 > 1:04:53measure.

1:05:00 > 1:05:04An important bowl from Mervyn King. It is likely he will take it back to

1:05:04 > 1:05:07full length, with no messing about.

1:05:30 > 1:05:34A five metre difference from the previous end.

1:05:43 > 1:05:46APPLAUSE

1:05:51 > 1:05:54The gap is four inches.

1:06:02 > 1:06:05That is a good starter. But on a match of this quality, you almost

1:06:05 > 1:06:08expect Greg to beat it.

1:06:16 > 1:06:20Making sure he was arriving and he certainly was. Didn't want to take

1:06:20 > 1:06:24any chances.He wasn't hanging back with that one. But a chance for

1:06:24 > 1:06:26Mervyn King.

1:06:36 > 1:06:38APPLAUSE

1:06:43 > 1:06:46He doesn't like it. It represents a target that might not come into play

1:06:46 > 1:06:52immediately. Greg is not hanging around.

1:06:55 > 1:06:59He is underneath, but it is just how much underneath of his own bowl.

1:06:59 > 1:07:03That is the one I was looking at, at the back. Goodness me.

1:07:20 > 1:07:27Well, Greg's first two bowls off the rink. Mervyn dropping in for

1:07:27 > 1:07:30another. He doesn't want to leave a target, but he would love to turn

1:07:30 > 1:07:35the jack around the corner. He is not going to.Greg will go narrow.

1:07:35 > 1:07:41That has made the target so much wider. Going to end with the jack in

1:07:41 > 1:07:50the ditch.Mervyn wants that back, it is fair to say. Greg, did you

1:07:50 > 1:07:55pull that again? He came way under. You have just witnessed something

1:07:55 > 1:08:03very rare, two wayward weight shots from Greg Harlow.On the forehand.

1:08:03 > 1:08:07You would lose money all day long betting on that one. He did seem to

1:08:07 > 1:08:10go a little bit faster than normal.

1:08:13 > 1:08:22Greg is very dangerous, with that very controlled weight shot. I don't

1:08:22 > 1:08:25think he's got an awful lot of choice. He might have to go again.

1:08:25 > 1:08:28Take the risk of losing a four.

1:08:32 > 1:08:43Well, he doesn't have a bull on the rink.He is going for it.

1:08:50 > 1:08:53It didn't really matter, in some respects. Unless he touched the

1:08:53 > 1:08:59jack, it was taken off. He is going to lose three anyway.Three shots,

1:08:59 > 1:09:06Mervyn King.Indeed he did. With Hayes bowl not being a toucher, it

1:09:06 > 1:09:12is lifted out. The three on the right, the green bowl was not a

1:09:12 > 1:09:15toucher. He loses the end and he loses the lead.

1:09:21 > 1:09:23Strange end of bowls.

1:09:27 > 1:09:36Greg Harlow will have two pop that out of his mind. The first triple we

1:09:36 > 1:09:38have had in that match.

1:09:54 > 1:10:00APPLAUSESuperb aplomb.

1:10:04 > 1:10:11Just dropping back to the unintended consequence of driving his own bowl

1:10:11 > 1:10:14off commitment he had nothing at the back. If he played a similar shot,

1:10:14 > 1:10:17he would have lost one, rather than three.

1:10:26 > 1:10:31Always very dangerous whenever you roll with the second bowl and take

1:10:31 > 1:10:34your own out. To be fair, he probably thought he couldn't do it

1:10:34 > 1:10:38on the shot he was playing, because he is normally so accurate. Again,

1:10:38 > 1:10:43Mervyn is all over the jack. Second bowl and he is in the cover

1:10:43 > 1:10:45position.

1:11:06 > 1:11:10Seeking improvement, but not finding it.

1:11:24 > 1:11:31With two to go, Greg will expect to draw a close.

1:11:35 > 1:11:41That is certainly very beatable. A forehand, just drawing away. A good

1:11:41 > 1:11:42second.

1:11:54 > 1:11:57I'm surprised. Some at the front edge I thought, is he going to go

1:11:57 > 1:12:08again?That is eye of the needle stuff.To be fair, it was a bowl

1:12:08 > 1:12:15inside it. He was not far off target. Take a green bowl out. But

1:12:15 > 1:12:19again, if you miss, you are in trouble. Thought he would have drawn

1:12:19 > 1:12:20that off.

1:12:25 > 1:12:31Off the inside edge and he could have got a good result.Not far from

1:12:31 > 1:12:33it, but far enough.

1:12:45 > 1:12:52Well, Mervyn slots another one in. That certainly stops the doubt. If

1:12:52 > 1:12:58Greg wants to go again, it is a much wider target.He could certainly get

1:12:58 > 1:13:03a result that time. I tell you what, he might have to use one of these

1:13:03 > 1:13:07time-outs. It is fairly critical for him.It is a big shot. That is what

1:13:07 > 1:13:12he is looking for. He is putting his foot down.

1:13:16 > 1:13:20What he wants to hit, really, is getting into there. The danger with

1:13:20 > 1:13:26that is if the jack goes over here, is he in a position that this bowl

1:13:26 > 1:13:33has to stay on the rink? The bowl he's pushing into my take out the

1:13:33 > 1:13:37red one, and that means he is losing on two or three shots again.

1:13:40 > 1:13:47I still think he has to play it. He is on the front inside edge again.

1:13:47 > 1:13:50That usually signals he is playing with a little bit of weight. Drawing

1:13:50 > 1:13:56at this time. Goodness me. This is massive.

1:14:01 > 1:14:06In the context of the match, this is so important. He makes the contact

1:14:06 > 1:14:12on the bowl. Well done. I thought he would have played that with his

1:14:12 > 1:14:18third bowl. Well done. Big recovery. Well rescued, keeping him firmly in

1:14:18 > 1:14:20the match.

1:14:29 > 1:14:33With the third bowl, I understand why you go in early with the third

1:14:33 > 1:14:35one. It goes wrong and you have a recovery bowl.

1:14:41 > 1:14:50A fascinating contest so far. Mervyn King with the difference in the

1:14:50 > 1:14:58second shot. Not playing any weighted bowls whatsoever.

1:15:06 > 1:15:15Half a metre short of full length, the jack, the first bowl. As loose

1:15:15 > 1:15:26as you will see from Mervyn King.

1:15:36 > 1:15:44Always better to reset yourself. That is what Greg Harlow has done.

1:16:07 > 1:16:12Mervyn must think he is right on the edge for weight because it is

1:16:12 > 1:16:16struggling.

1:16:36 > 1:16:43That is a funny old end.Funny peculiar. Yes.

1:16:49 > 1:16:55He has had two attempts and here comes Mervyn King's bird.A good

1:16:55 > 1:17:01line. Close to his own bowl and he wants to hit its solid. That will

1:17:01 > 1:17:12do. Though out the way, but it is still a shot.On the backhand. The

1:17:12 > 1:17:18preferred route now for Greg Harlow.

1:17:29 > 1:17:34That is well played. Yes, number one.

1:17:38 > 1:17:45There is a shot for Mervyn if he wants to play inside but if he gets

1:17:45 > 1:17:49to the jack, it could cost him an extra shot. It is hard enough for

1:17:49 > 1:18:01Greg to add another. This is not easy. Well, he's going for that

1:18:01 > 1:18:05runner, trying to guarantee the bowl out and if he gets a jack, he is

1:18:05 > 1:18:10going to follow with it. Has he got the whole? He has. Another good

1:18:10 > 1:18:27running bowl. Making a gap. Yes. That is the reaction, unsurprisingly

1:18:27 > 1:18:34some. I would love to have see it hit because I would not be sure it

1:18:34 > 1:18:40would make the shot. Greg trying to wrest the green bowl.

1:18:46 > 1:18:55The green bowl to the right. It is quite well out and working hard to

1:18:55 > 1:19:11get back.It was not an easy one by any means.After six ends played,

1:19:11 > 1:19:195-4, Mervyn King. After the first set, it was 5-4, Greg Harlow. Greg

1:19:19 > 1:19:32Harlow has to come from behind in this to force a tie-break.

1:19:48 > 1:19:54Greg putting a lot of thought into where to place the mat. He is going

1:19:54 > 1:20:00to go short again and pushed the jack three. The little white marks

1:20:00 > 1:20:05are a metre apart. That is what enables the umpire to work out the

1:20:05 > 1:20:12jack length. Just in case people at home with thinking he just guesses

1:20:12 > 1:20:23it!It would be very accurate if he did.Not terribly, located when you

1:20:23 > 1:20:29have the white spots there. That complicated. Use will for us, as

1:20:29 > 1:20:40well. -- it is useful for us, as well.He has tidied up his opening

1:20:40 > 1:20:45bowl, Greg Harlow, after a couple of loose ones.

1:20:53 > 1:21:04That is a better one again.

1:21:14 > 1:21:20That is not a pretty target for Greg Harlow. A great picture of what he

1:21:20 > 1:21:34can see, effectively, from the mat. Single bowl target. That won't help

1:21:34 > 1:21:35Mervyn.

1:21:38 > 1:21:43You what about six inches short of jack high.

1:21:48 > 1:21:55Interesting way to describe that. The closest edge to Mervyn is about

1:21:55 > 1:22:03six inches short. The jack. But the distance is only one inch. That is

1:22:03 > 1:22:11obviously enough for Mervyn.Well, he liked what he heard. Beautifully

1:22:11 > 1:22:21played again.

1:22:22 > 1:22:26Now, that target is a horrible one. He has no choice because he really

1:22:26 > 1:22:33does not want to lose the two or three.He has to go for it. I think

1:22:33 > 1:22:41he knew that, from a couple of yards away, from the mat, the look on

1:22:41 > 1:22:49Greg's -based told me he realised he was getting half of his own. This is

1:22:49 > 1:22:58really difficult now. I don't think he can get the two bowls without the

1:22:58 > 1:23:07jack going.Both Greg Harlow's bowls have gone off the rink. The one you

1:23:07 > 1:23:19can see is the only one he has on the rink. And that is a great place

1:23:19 > 1:23:35to put it.Counting, by the looks of it. At least, very close to it.

1:23:35 > 1:23:40Given that he does not even have the advantage of last bowl here, Greg

1:23:40 > 1:23:44Harlow, it is a horrible situation he finds himself in. It certainly

1:23:44 > 1:23:52is.Time-out is called. He has only got one bowl and if he takes that

1:23:52 > 1:23:56out, he is looking at losing a four. He is working out where on Earth he

1:23:56 > 1:24:01can but it is to help things. He is putting his foot round for the jack

1:24:01 > 1:24:08around about this sort of area, but if the jack goes into this area, he

1:24:08 > 1:24:19is going to lose three shots. I think he is in so much trouble here.

1:24:19 > 1:24:27He is minimum two down. The third could be close. The best result

1:24:27 > 1:24:32would be to draw the bowl off and to lying. But goodness me, that is

1:24:32 > 1:24:45hard. It is all about connections on the outside bowl, that is what he is

1:24:45 > 1:24:51looking for. Well, if he was not going to make a connection, that was

1:24:51 > 1:25:00the best he could do. Guaranteed to take that back bowl out. He will be

1:25:00 > 1:25:05thinking, if Mervyn makes a slip, I only lose two.There is every chance

1:25:05 > 1:25:11he is going to be four down, with two to play, in a set that he must

1:25:11 > 1:25:17win. Can Mervyn deliver here?

1:25:21 > 1:25:29This could change the complexion.He is playing in wide to try and get

1:25:29 > 1:25:41Cheptai.Beautiful.He plays that so well. It is proof that those in wide

1:25:41 > 1:25:46drifting shots work because you don't have to get to the jack, just

1:25:46 > 1:25:51closer than the nearest of the opposition. People become to jack

1:25:51 > 1:25:56focused and Mervyn is an expert at avoiding that.The defending

1:25:56 > 1:26:08champion is in a heap of trouble. Now Mervyn King needs to manage this

1:26:08 > 1:26:15out.Creeks and puddles, the mind, no doubt about that! A lack of

1:26:15 > 1:26:28paddles. He really has to look at a three and a two.

1:26:29 > 1:26:35Mervyn can really take his time, no shot clock on the first bowl. Every

1:26:35 > 1:26:49single bowl now for Mervyn is important.

1:26:56 > 1:27:06A good start.

1:27:28 > 1:27:33His win here in 2015, Greg Harlow, was his first singles win. He

1:27:33 > 1:27:40defended last year. Now he is in a heap of trouble. And he doesn't want

1:27:40 > 1:27:43to be short.

1:28:21 > 1:28:30A piece of fortune. I tell you what he needed it.That could be really

1:28:30 > 1:28:38important in the context of this match. Straightens it right up onto

1:28:38 > 1:28:49the jack.

1:28:49 > 1:28:53Mervyn King looks to keep the pressure on here. There is something

1:28:53 > 1:29:00not quite right with this one.It did not look good, it was short.

1:29:00 > 1:29:03This gets Greg into a situation where he can capitalise on that

1:29:03 > 1:29:09little bit of fortune and get another one in. Probably on the

1:29:09 > 1:29:13forehand, I would have thought.

1:29:22 > 1:29:24It is important that Greg Harlow gets this one in. He wants to force

1:29:24 > 1:29:34Mervyn King. He is going to have to use it to stop, because he is over

1:29:34 > 1:29:42the weight.He knows that is a mistake. Really needed that one in.

1:29:45 > 1:29:47That was the pressure bowl.

1:30:10 > 1:30:12This is different.

1:30:17 > 1:30:20It's not going to drop, is it? It is trying its best.

1:30:24 > 1:30:29Greg is looking at a minimum of two shots. He has to score two to give

1:30:29 > 1:30:35himself a chance in the last end to get three. One, well you are looking

1:30:35 > 1:30:40for a four against Mervyn King.Yes, that is not likely. Mervyn King

1:30:40 > 1:30:47knows he is simply defending. Time out, Greg Harlow, his last one. Does

1:30:47 > 1:30:52he follow on the backhand? The green bowl has fallen. It has just fallen

1:30:52 > 1:31:00over.That is massive. That is a match lie.Not only that, it is very

1:31:00 > 1:31:04difficult to get out now.I don't think he can, unless he takes the

1:31:04 > 1:31:10two bowls out clean. He is going for the drive, trying to get the two

1:31:10 > 1:31:17bowls clean and hope he is lying with the back one.Well, he might

1:31:17 > 1:31:23have managed to get a result out of that.A bit of Harlow Magic.

1:31:23 > 1:31:25Pinball, anyway.

1:31:29 > 1:31:32He has got red. Not far off the target.

1:31:35 > 1:31:41It keeps him in touch.

1:31:51 > 1:31:56The green bowl sat there for a long time. You are thinking, I've still

1:31:56 > 1:32:00got a chance. It drops down, left him with virtually no shots. You can

1:32:00 > 1:32:04see what he was trying to do. It was almost hit and hope and see what

1:32:04 > 1:32:05happens.

1:32:08 > 1:32:12Came out with one. A very close to getting two out clean.

1:32:24 > 1:32:28It has been a highly entertaining game for lots of reasons.It has

1:32:28 > 1:32:32been terrific stuff. Good conversion shots, good drives and drawers. A

1:32:32 > 1:32:37little bit of fortune for both players. So unfortunate stuff as

1:32:37 > 1:32:45well.One of two gaps that were found. He knows now.

1:32:52 > 1:32:59Four coming his way.Not unless Mervyn has a really bad and.

1:32:59 > 1:33:05He's going to put two or three inside that front bit. Greg is just

1:33:05 > 1:33:10sort of looking at him now and saying, thanks very much for that.

1:33:10 > 1:33:14Not very sporting of him.He could have left it to the last one. That's

1:33:14 > 1:33:21it. Thank you. Very sporting. Mervyn King.Very sporting of Greg, he

1:33:21 > 1:33:29realised there was no chance. He has been a professional a long time. 11

1:33:29 > 1:33:33consecutive wins in Scotland, two titles came with them. Today, Mervyn

1:33:33 > 1:33:38King has been too much for Greg Harlow. The defending champion is

1:33:38 > 1:33:42out. Mervyn King gets his scalp. Greg Harlow is out. Mervyn King

1:33:42 > 1:33:44through to the quarterfinals.

1:33:50 > 1:33:54We knew it was going to be a sensational game. It turned out that

1:33:54 > 1:33:59way. A lot of close stuff going on. Mervyn King was on fire at times.

1:33:59 > 1:34:03Playing some beautiful draw shots. Keeping the pressure on. It was just

1:34:03 > 1:34:08a matter of who was going to get the run-in towards the end. Greg Harlow,

1:34:08 > 1:34:16setting up positions. Mervyn King was just so good at the end of the

1:34:16 > 1:34:21game. One shot, two shots, with his last three ends, even though Greg

1:34:21 > 1:34:27was still fighting harder the middle of the set. Then things changed. A

1:34:27 > 1:34:31little punch and the run-through for a double, an acknowledgement, a

1:34:31 > 1:34:41little bit of luck. And Greg, well, it just didn't go his way, did it?

1:34:41 > 1:34:46The red bowl went in and he started losing the count. Niven had turned

1:34:46 > 1:35:00up the wick. -- Mervyn. We see a three arriving for Mervyn King,

1:35:00 > 1:35:04pushing us all the way through. Very sporting, realised it was a short

1:35:04 > 1:35:09call. Shake hands and move on, Mervyn King through to the

1:35:09 > 1:35:17quarterfinals. Great game.Greg Harlow won three of the last nine

1:35:17 > 1:35:22ends in the opening set. In the second set, two threes were key for

1:35:22 > 1:35:26Mervyn King. The reigning champion dethroned by the new king. Greg

1:35:26 > 1:35:31Harlow is out of the Scottish international.

1:35:32 > 1:35:35The defending champion is out to his good friend.

1:35:40 > 1:35:42Congratulations, good stuff? Delighted to get a win. I think we

1:35:42 > 1:35:47both could have played better, to be honest. In and out, some brilliant

1:35:47 > 1:35:51shots and some poor. Glad to get over the line.In the second set in

1:35:51 > 1:35:54particular, you seems to be struggling a bit for your line and

1:35:54 > 1:35:59length to be consistent?I didn't get into my rhythm. I just didn't

1:35:59 > 1:36:05get going. Merv played well and was a worthy winner. I hope he goes on

1:36:05 > 1:36:10to win the title, that would be nice. Scrappy stuff, but he played

1:36:10 > 1:36:16by far the better bowls, really tight bowls. That was the massive

1:36:16 > 1:36:20distance delivered a difference.The most important thing if you can get

1:36:20 > 1:36:23your first one in, you are always going to put pressure on your

1:36:23 > 1:36:27opponent. Doing a fairly regularly? That is the key, to try to get your

1:36:27 > 1:36:31first bowl as close as you can and put pressure on the opponent. I did

1:36:31 > 1:36:35most of the time, but there were times when I didn't.We know you as

1:36:35 > 1:36:39the master of the draw shot, but you are playing with weight, unusually,

1:36:39 > 1:36:43the seventh end of the first set here. Hugely important and turning

1:36:43 > 1:36:45things around?

1:36:48 > 1:36:53I played more weight today than I have in the past 25 years. I thought

1:36:53 > 1:36:58I would go for some shots. I played one and got one, and I thought I

1:36:58 > 1:37:03would try it again.Quite hard to sit and watch that, Greg, but he did

1:37:03 > 1:37:07rather well?I have played him hundreds of times. He plays this all

1:37:07 > 1:37:12day long in club matches, county matches. For some reason, on the

1:37:12 > 1:37:16world tour, he has not played as many shots. I know he's capable and

1:37:16 > 1:37:19I'm not surprised to see it coming down. He's capable of getting those

1:37:19 > 1:37:27shots.Quarterfinal, Mervyn. You must be feeling pretty confident.

1:37:27 > 1:37:32Reasonable, take each game as it comes. If I play as well as that, I

1:37:32 > 1:37:37have got a shout.Commiserations. Always good to see you here. No

1:37:37 > 1:37:41three in a row, but I am sure you will be back and picking up

1:37:41 > 1:37:43trophies. Mervyn King, congratulations. Through to the

1:37:43 > 1:37:44quarterfinals.

1:37:45 > 1:37:46APPLAUSE

1:37:50 > 1:37:53Mervyn through to the quarterfinals. We also know that Jamie Chestney is

1:37:53 > 1:38:00through as well. He knocked out Andy Thomson earlier this morning. Mark

1:38:00 > 1:38:03Dawes and Paul Foster coming up. Harry Martin and Michael Stepney

1:38:03 > 1:38:05coming up as well.

1:38:16 > 1:38:20So, let's look ahead to the next match. They are warming up on the

1:38:20 > 1:38:23rink behind me. Mark Dawes against Paul Foster.

1:38:33 > 1:38:36Obviously to win the title twice is great. To lose three finals is

1:38:36 > 1:38:40disappointing. I can remember all three finals and I did make

1:38:40 > 1:38:45mistakes. But you can't take it away from Mickey and Greg. I'm always

1:38:45 > 1:38:49hungry for more titles and I still feel I have got something left in

1:38:49 > 1:38:55me. I don't see why not.I probably still see myself as a little bit

1:38:55 > 1:38:59trying to win the first round, to get through that. I've been trying

1:38:59 > 1:39:02to tell myself, once you get through the first round it is about getting

1:39:02 > 1:39:05later into the tournaments and winning the next couple of rounds,

1:39:05 > 1:39:09getting through to the quarterfinals, rather than winning

1:39:09 > 1:39:13points just to stay in the top 16. Here's a fantastic player. You've

1:39:13 > 1:39:19got to look at him one day at a time, any tournament. I think I

1:39:19 > 1:39:23played him last year in the last 16. It might have been a tie-break.

1:39:23 > 1:39:29Dangerous player, not a top 16 players for no reason. I've got my

1:39:29 > 1:39:34work cut out, but I'm happy and we will see what happens.A fantastic

1:39:34 > 1:39:37player. If you want to win these tournaments, you've got to beat

1:39:37 > 1:39:42those players. I've got to bring my a game and, hopefully, Paul might

1:39:42 > 1:39:46have a bit of a poor day, and that gives me a chance to step in and

1:39:46 > 1:39:51take advantage.I am really looking forward to these ones. We know that

1:39:51 > 1:39:56Paul Foster can do marvellous things on the portable rink. Mark Dawes is

1:39:56 > 1:40:00a wily campaigner.He has been around a long time. He has moved

1:40:00 > 1:40:04down onto the rink and he is a very, very tough competitor. He will put

1:40:04 > 1:40:09Paul Anderson pressure.What is the best thing about Mark's game? We all

1:40:09 > 1:40:14know about Paul.His draw game. He handles the pressure very well. He

1:40:14 > 1:40:18also had a good running bowl. He was a crown green player and they are

1:40:18 > 1:40:25very accurate. He has been around at a long time at international level.

1:40:25 > 1:40:31Thank you very much indeed. David, thank you very much indeed. You are

1:40:31 > 1:40:35not going to the commentary box, we will join you in a couple of

1:40:35 > 1:40:35minutes.

1:40:36 > 1:40:43Let's get the players into the rink. The bowler from Blackpool earned a

1:40:43 > 1:40:48place in the top 16 in 2015 and has steadily moved up to 12 in the last

1:40:48 > 1:40:53couple of years. He made it into the second round after a nail-biting

1:40:53 > 1:40:55tie-break victory over Graham McKee.

1:40:57 > 1:41:03Give a very warm Perth welcome to Mark Dawes!

1:41:19 > 1:41:21You know you are something special when your list of achievements

1:41:21 > 1:41:30spreads across three pages. Paul Foster has picked up titles across

1:41:30 > 1:41:33the globe. The victory at the world singles is his fifth, earning him

1:41:33 > 1:41:39legendary status in the bowling world. Please give a very warm

1:41:39 > 1:41:42welcome to the current world champion, Paul Foster!

1:42:05 > 1:42:08Up in the commentary box, Andy Thomson has joined Paul Mitchell.

1:42:12 > 1:42:15Interesting talking to Mark Dawes. In the top 16, but not happy. He has

1:42:15 > 1:42:18been there and he wants to start moving forward and beating better

1:42:18 > 1:42:23players. That starts today.Of course. He is a quality player and I

1:42:23 > 1:42:27would agree. He's good at the first round, but he has to take the next

1:42:27 > 1:42:31stage. The players between eight and 16, that is what they've got to do,

1:42:31 > 1:42:34beat the big players like Paul Foster, and he's got a chance.We

1:42:34 > 1:42:37will see how Mark does against Paul Foster.

1:43:00 > 1:43:04He has played him a couple of times already in his short career. I am

1:43:04 > 1:43:08not saying that the novelty has worn off, but he has played against

1:43:08 > 1:43:12better players. He has to think, after every chance he has, he has to

1:43:12 > 1:43:20put any nerves to the side.Equality leader, he is used to playing

1:43:20 > 1:43:23experienced players like Paul. I don't think you will be overawed.

1:43:23 > 1:43:27Some players might be, playing Paul. I don't think that Mark will be.

1:43:27 > 1:43:28Good start.

1:43:42 > 1:43:47Played Chris Gayle and won both sets. Both within eight ends.

1:43:50 > 1:43:52Fine form.

1:44:45 > 1:44:58Paul Foster just checking which of the first bowl is lying first shot.

1:45:01 > 1:45:07Well, he kept that quite wide, he did not want to comment.I don't

1:45:07 > 1:45:14think he is counting, but Mark does not want to face two or three in the

1:45:14 > 1:45:21first end so I think it will be the first backhand draw. That is his

1:45:21 > 1:45:30strength, the draw. I think he likes the look of this one, does it have

1:45:30 > 1:45:40the running?

1:45:48 > 1:45:57Foster asking if it is two or three. The little nudge on the red might

1:45:57 > 1:46:08have left him in danger for the second shot.A click of the fingers

1:46:08 > 1:46:22suggests it is heavy. He has pushed that one through.One bowl out.

1:46:30 > 1:46:36Mark taking his time to make his mind up and calling for the umpire

1:46:36 > 1:46:50is the right thing to do.Yes. Dennis comes out.

1:47:05 > 1:47:20Doing a little check. One short.I think Mark Dawes will be quite

1:47:20 > 1:47:25relieved. At one stage, it looked like he could be dropping a three or

1:47:25 > 1:47:28a four so he will be quite pleased, losing a single was never a

1:47:28 > 1:47:34disaster.Paul Foster on the card first. He started so well yesterday

1:47:34 > 1:47:38and really came out of the game well.I was really impressed with

1:47:38 > 1:47:45him and I thought he played well, he never plays below 26. I was see

1:47:45 > 1:47:51between 24 and 26 from him all the time, I think. He plays the shot

1:47:51 > 1:48:01well.

1:48:03 > 1:48:08The consistency of the opening two bowls that Chris Gale found hard to

1:48:08 > 1:48:15cope with in round one.That is the key for Paul, if he gets his first

1:48:15 > 1:48:22two in, he is going to be winning most of these games. Not a bad

1:48:22 > 1:48:32opener from Mark.

1:48:42 > 1:48:53It is good again, perfect.

1:48:56 > 1:49:00If Mark Dawes did not realise that his A-game required, he will have

1:49:00 > 1:49:05done by now.Yes, he it is going to have to be a plus here at the

1:49:05 > 1:49:10moment, I think.

1:49:18 > 1:49:25The temptation is to change hand, just to come to those two red bowls.

1:49:34 > 1:49:40Alternatively please, just dropped another shot.Yes, that is just

1:49:40 > 1:49:44perfection, basically! Not much more you can say, but Mark has to hit

1:49:44 > 1:49:48this, it looks to be a backhand runner. I think he likes it. Oh,

1:49:48 > 1:49:57good strike.He takes two away, the third locked in. That is excellent.

1:49:57 > 1:50:02Always good when you're first weight shot hits the mark.Yes. He played

1:50:02 > 1:50:11the backhand runner well. He hit the target, two bowls out. Paul has to

1:50:11 > 1:50:16be careful here, he has only got one ahead and he also haven't nothing

1:50:16 > 1:50:23behind the jack so this is awkward, Paul cannot cover everything that he

1:50:23 > 1:50:25also has nothing behind.

1:50:28 > 1:50:35That is the deepest bowl so a chance for Mark to gamble and try to remove

1:50:35 > 1:50:45the Paul Foster shot.It will be hard to see how... If he could pick

1:50:45 > 1:50:51his own two outcome you would be exceptionally lucky to spin away.I

1:50:51 > 1:51:02think he has gone back to the trawl. -- the draw. He is giving this a

1:51:02 > 1:51:06chance and Paul Foster is already indicating. Paul Foster had said,

1:51:06 > 1:51:15well played. He was unlucky.Paul still looking at the gap to see how

1:51:15 > 1:51:20on Earth that escaped through.Paul Foster was already indicating, well

1:51:20 > 1:51:34played, Mark. That is very unlucky. From Paul Foster's point of view, he

1:51:34 > 1:51:41played a couple of great bowls to start, one off the other hand to lie

1:51:41 > 1:51:45three, but only picking up a single. He will be pleased with himself the

1:51:45 > 1:51:51way he has started, he is looking confident and comfortable. Playing

1:51:51 > 1:52:02the rink well.Some people can have the wrong association with the word

1:52:02 > 1:52:07swagger and can see it in a negative way. I don't see that in the wrong

1:52:07 > 1:52:12way, he has a swagger when he plays, Paul Foster. He carries himself and

1:52:12 > 1:52:16you know he is into the game and into the groove.Exactly, he just

1:52:16 > 1:52:21looks confident on the green. I have seen Paul in good and bad times and

1:52:21 > 1:52:26sometimes when I have seen him struggling a little bit, he gets hit

1:52:26 > 1:52:33up, but he looks comfortable on the screen at the moment. A good reply

1:52:33 > 1:52:36from Mark Dawes.

1:52:54 > 1:53:06He has given that a great chance, just drawing short.

1:53:23 > 1:53:29It was not far away, Andy, but he is annoyed with himself.Yes, I think

1:53:29 > 1:53:35Mark could have drawn another so forcing Paul onto the forehand and

1:53:35 > 1:53:40not reverting to the weighted shot yet. He bills confident enough to

1:53:40 > 1:53:52draw. He has picked a line, it is all about his weight. One red, so

1:53:52 > 1:54:04difficult for Mark to get any other bowl to the head here. Both hands

1:54:04 > 1:54:10are blocked out! I would be suggesting a back bowl here.

1:54:10 > 1:54:22Difficult to add another. Or else you are just going to get wrecked.

1:54:22 > 1:54:32He has found a gap. Always difficult to add another.Either hand for Paul

1:54:32 > 1:54:42Foster. He could move his own.Not a great head for Paul and if he plays

1:54:42 > 1:54:54with too much weight, one of the red bowls could come through so easy --

1:54:54 > 1:54:57he is going to have to draw it.

1:55:00 > 1:55:10Working hard.I been a clear run. I think he had drawn that.Just not

1:55:10 > 1:55:14enough and even if he caught it in the middle of the bowl, it would

1:55:14 > 1:55:18have moved the bowl over rather than just a little clip at the side.A

1:55:18 > 1:55:23clear run, it was good. Difficult for Mark to score with this bowl,

1:55:23 > 1:55:27but he is on the board.

1:55:35 > 1:55:41Trying to keep it wide, but it is fighting. It doesn't have the

1:55:41 > 1:55:53weight. And he will be happy with that.

1:55:53 > 1:56:03Mark Dawes, who spent a couple of years at number 16, now up to world

1:56:03 > 1:56:17number 12,. Out of Blackpool, Newton Hall.A big and popular place. Yes,

1:56:17 > 1:56:22we had the International Open there in March. Mark always enjoys it

1:56:22 > 1:56:27there, on your own green. There is a big gap between forcing himself into

1:56:27 > 1:56:33that top eight, you have to beat players like Paul Foster to get into

1:56:33 > 1:56:45the top eight so he needs one or two big wins.Paul Foster himself former

1:56:45 > 1:56:57world number one, dropped down a few places, currently number four. Doing

1:56:57 > 1:56:59well again.

1:57:42 > 1:57:55He has found his line, Paul Foster.

1:57:55 > 1:58:01I think Mark is contemplating a running bowl or sticking to the

1:58:01 > 1:58:08draw. Reasonably wide target. I think he likes it.Oh, he is

1:58:08 > 1:58:12unlucky. He asked if the two were touching, the significance being?He

1:58:12 > 1:58:17probably thought if he caught one, he could take them both out but he

1:58:17 > 1:58:22was unlucky, he caught the shot bowl so unlucky result. He hit the target

1:58:22 > 1:58:27at the end. He catches the shot bowl. If he had got the other bowl,

1:58:27 > 1:58:33he could would have removed two, but Paul has got him to remove another.

1:58:33 > 1:58:40I think they have stopped the shot clock.

1:58:47 > 1:58:53It looks like he is going to pop it back in.Exactly, exactly what it

1:58:53 > 1:59:06was.Well, will it be deja vu? Knowing your opponent has the right

1:59:06 > 1:59:12of reply.Yes, Mark will be feeling, what happens if I do strike this? I

1:59:12 > 1:59:20can't see him getting a bad result. I don't think any of Paul's touching

1:59:20 > 1:59:25so looks like he is shaping up for the draw. Playing the run-up,

1:59:25 > 1:59:29playing the same bowl.It looked tight out of the hand, it held up

1:59:29 > 1:59:39with the weight.He was underneath, so he is still two down. The way

1:59:39 > 1:59:45Paul Foster is playing, he has got 14 inches but you expect him to draw

1:59:45 > 1:59:49another here.Yes, pop it right on top, never mind get it close, the

1:59:49 > 1:59:53way he has played that hand.

2:00:04 > 2:00:12I don't think he has let us down. It is number three. Brilliant bowls.

2:00:12 > 2:00:18Perfectly done. Four bowls.

2:00:22 > 2:00:28The final one coming in here. 14 inches to draw. Perfect start. Great

2:00:28 > 2:00:30ball in.

2:00:34 > 2:00:40Paul Foster, bringing with him a beard to Perth this year.That is

2:00:40 > 2:00:44the fashion these days. I noticed your co-commentator also has one.

2:00:44 > 2:00:50What do you think of that one?I am going to put you on the spot. It is

2:00:50 > 2:00:52a nice shade of grey.

2:00:55 > 2:01:02Looking very smart.He actually suits the beard.

2:01:07 > 2:01:10I did sport a beard for a while. It was quickly removed after

2:01:10 > 2:01:19instructions from my good lady. To be fair, I also looked ridiculous.I

2:01:19 > 2:01:22think I will steer clear.

2:01:32 > 2:01:34Good reply.

2:02:01 > 2:02:04Arguably improve things for his opponent.

2:02:26 > 2:02:32This looks like a tempting target for Paul Foster. I would not be

2:02:32 > 2:02:36surprised to see this one bowl or jack.

2:02:48 > 2:02:55That will go on the respot. Paul Foster, a toucher. It stays on

2:02:55 > 2:03:02anyway. It will turn into basically a drawing contest.Man has the

2:03:02 > 2:03:08advantage, two apps to Paul's one. He will certainly be in with this

2:03:08 > 2:03:13bowl. I don't think any of these will count. I don't think it really

2:03:13 > 2:03:14matters.

2:03:26 > 2:03:28Judged it to perfection.

2:03:35 > 2:03:39A draw from Paul. It will just be a drop.

2:03:50 > 2:03:57Certainly a wider line.It certainly is, a lot wider than Mark. Will it

2:03:57 > 2:04:03get back?In it comes.Come on. You have not drawn it?

2:04:04 > 2:04:11That is outrageous.Come on, give us a chance.That is just brilliant.

2:04:12 > 2:04:17Mark will be thinking, what is going on here? He thought he was too wide?

2:04:17 > 2:04:22He was right on the very edge of the ditch.

2:04:22 > 2:04:25That is a work of art.

2:04:27 > 2:04:33Time-out called. That is the first for Mark Dawes.

2:04:42 > 2:04:47Man has to take a chance on the backhand, trying to run the short

2:04:47 > 2:04:51bowl out. The danger is removing your own short bowl. He has to take

2:04:51 > 2:04:56a chance on school.Just getting to that point in the set, four down.

2:04:56 > 2:05:01You don't really want to be five or six down.Playing backhand across

2:05:01 > 2:05:03the head.

2:05:07 > 2:05:12The line looks fair. He is having a look.Gave it every chance and then

2:05:12 > 2:05:14it goes.

2:05:21 > 2:05:24Right to the respot. That brings out the best in some players. We have

2:05:24 > 2:05:28just seen three exceptional bowls. Fantastic.

2:05:32 > 2:05:36Rightly so, I think he is taking his time. It is important he tries to

2:05:36 > 2:05:43shake Paul off. I am not sure what length.I can understand him taking

2:05:43 > 2:05:44his time.

2:05:48 > 2:05:57What an end that was. David Corkill's shot of the day, getting

2:05:57 > 2:05:59replaced by his new shot of the day.

2:06:08 > 2:06:12Gone full-length jack.

2:06:20 > 2:06:21Good effort.

2:06:42 > 2:06:47Began, good reply. -- again.

2:06:58 > 2:07:00APPLAUSE

2:07:05 > 2:07:09The standard at the moment is incredible.Both players playing

2:07:09 > 2:07:11well.

2:07:19 > 2:07:20Might not be outdone.

2:07:43 > 2:07:46Your bowl is eight inches short of jack high.

2:08:03 > 2:08:05Voice command on his bowls.

2:08:13 > 2:08:22Getting quickly back to the mat, trying not to use a time-out.

2:08:41 > 2:08:45That covering bowl.

2:08:46 > 2:08:53I wondered if Paul Foster fancied that shot on giving him some room?

2:08:53 > 2:08:56Probably. I think it has been indicated it is a measure. It

2:08:56 > 2:09:01probably does favour.

2:09:08 > 2:09:11Sticking to the draw.

2:09:24 > 2:09:32That is a miss and he knew it.On the portable rink, you just can't

2:09:32 > 2:09:38play that shot. We all think, what kind of shot should I play? You can

2:09:38 > 2:09:42see it looks a nice shot. But the hand doesn't allow you to play it.

2:09:42 > 2:09:44Very frustrating for players at times.

2:09:54 > 2:09:57The weight is better this time.

2:10:00 > 2:10:07So we will now have a look. Looking perfect for Paul Foster.I think he

2:10:07 > 2:10:10fancies he has got a shot.

2:10:11 > 2:10:13Spot on.

2:10:20 > 2:10:26Three ends to play, Paul Foster. A three shot lead in the opening set.

2:10:33 > 2:10:3917th appearance for Paul Foster. He has come to Perth looking for his

2:10:39 > 2:10:40fourth final.

2:10:43 > 2:10:44Shorter length again.

2:11:01 > 2:11:02APPLAUSE

2:11:45 > 2:11:49Paul Foster, watching this all the way.I think he is reaching.

2:11:52 > 2:11:59A chance here. Looking at the screen, I think it is still the

2:11:59 > 2:12:03backhand draw.15 inches short of jack high. 12 inches short of jack

2:12:03 > 2:12:05high.

2:12:09 > 2:12:15What do you trust?I think it is the right side. Still a path, I think,

2:12:15 > 2:12:17inside Paul's last bowl.

2:12:20 > 2:12:28Needs to avoid Paul Foster's second bowl. That is good. Good second

2:12:28 > 2:12:33shot, I think.Sometimes, people get caught up withdrawing to the jack

2:12:33 > 2:12:39all the time. It puts a bit of pressure on. All might have a go at

2:12:39 > 2:12:44this.Yes, a bit of pressure on Paul. Quite a wide target. I

2:12:44 > 2:12:47wouldn't be surprised if he attacks this one.

2:12:51 > 2:12:59Going to be two shuts down. That is quite a wide target.

2:13:02 > 2:13:06Paul would expect to get something here. Both the drawers are blocked

2:13:06 > 2:13:14out by his own bowl smacker. -- both of the draws are blocked out by his

2:13:14 > 2:13:16own bowls.

2:13:19 > 2:13:27It is quite a wide target. You could go into the ditch or remove the red

2:13:27 > 2:13:31bowl. So, that is the second-best result.

2:13:39 > 2:13:46Again, some thinking for Mark to do. Again, he could just continue off

2:13:46 > 2:13:51the backhand.His third delivery, sorry, second delivery.

2:14:14 > 2:14:17Wasn't far getting around that.

2:14:21 > 2:14:28Once or twice he said well played, Mark, and he just missed the gap. I

2:14:28 > 2:14:30think Paul could be positive again on the backhand.

2:14:39 > 2:14:48That is a chance, his bowl, jack. As he played that underneath shot? He

2:14:48 > 2:15:03may get a result here yet.Off his own. He did not hang around.

2:15:05 > 2:15:09Big Six macro coming up for Mark Dawes to be one down with two to

2:15:09 > 2:15:15play.I think Mark would have taken that, he has kept close to Paul,

2:15:15 > 2:15:26that is what is important.

2:15:26 > 2:15:40Clear run scores, well played.No doubt about it. Commonly done, he

2:15:40 > 2:15:47knew exactly what he wanted to do. -- it was commonly done. It has been

2:15:47 > 2:15:54fantastic between the two of them. Paul Foster taking a three on the

2:15:54 > 2:16:00fourth end is the major difference between them.Once again, Mark is

2:16:00 > 2:16:14very undecided. He is tending to lose the end in this direction. He

2:16:14 > 2:16:28has yet to win consecutive ends. Mark has always had an answer. Think

2:16:28 > 2:16:34you don't want to do is put yourself off.That is often the way. Yes, I

2:16:34 > 2:16:38think he realises Paul is getting in first all the time in this

2:16:38 > 2:16:43direction. I think that is why you can understand. That is a little bit

2:16:43 > 2:16:51loose from Mark. He knows that that will probably get punished.

2:17:01 > 2:17:05In a really good place. You do feel the pressure when your opponent is

2:17:05 > 2:17:09constantly out bowling due with the first bowl committee feel you are on

2:17:09 > 2:17:15the back football the time.Yes, that is why Mark has been very

2:17:15 > 2:17:19undecided as to where he wants the mark to go. This looks a better

2:17:19 > 2:17:30correction. The shot is coming in. That is the added bonus of looking

2:17:30 > 2:17:45the way as well.Yes, Paul would not be playing this bowl by choice.

2:17:52 > 2:17:56It looks red from up here. Yes, it does.

2:18:16 > 2:18:22That is a good bowl and it keeps Paul just drawing, I think. It looks

2:18:22 > 2:18:29like it protects the jack. Paul Foster looking to make that little

2:18:29 > 2:18:47adjustment in weight.This needs to run. Oh. I don't think Paul liked

2:18:47 > 2:18:54that one.He mentioned he thinks the forehand is able little heavy, the

2:18:54 > 2:18:56forehand coming towards the commentary box, the little harder to

2:18:56 > 2:19:01gauge.Yes, I think so, it is not his hand by choice, I think he

2:19:01 > 2:19:04prefers the backhand and that is why he was not sure and slightly

2:19:04 > 2:19:15indicated he didn't like the bowl. But a nice finish. Mark might have

2:19:15 > 2:19:22to gamble here, it looks like a running two -- running bowl. No

2:19:22 > 2:19:29guarantee he will get the shot but he is going to have to run at this.

2:19:29 > 2:19:35Foster has a bowl to play as well and he has the runner, he could play

2:19:35 > 2:19:39the backhand into his own.I think you have called it. He is sticking

2:19:39 > 2:19:47to the draw, he just didn't think he could get a good result. His hand...

2:19:56 > 2:20:00I just wondered whether he would play that off the backhand because

2:20:00 > 2:20:05just a little pinch of weight and he could have turned his own in or

2:20:05 > 2:20:11finished between the two green bowls. The danger is if Paul finds a

2:20:11 > 2:20:16way to move that.Yes, basically, he would win the first set. I agree,

2:20:16 > 2:20:22Mark could have been more positive. Paul will be looking to move this

2:20:22 > 2:20:28bowl to win the opening set.Just over, not by much.He got the weight

2:20:28 > 2:20:32he wanted. Yes, that was good. I have been coming here for many years

2:20:32 > 2:20:38and that hand has always been like that, it has never changed! Such a

2:20:38 > 2:20:41beautiful hand. You would think some years, it might be different. Every

2:20:41 > 2:20:51single year is exactly the same.A good end of bowls. Mark Dawes finds

2:20:51 > 2:20:57himself needing a two the tie. He has picked up a couple of doubles

2:20:57 > 2:21:08against Paul Foster. So Mark Dawes, who got past David Gourlay on a

2:21:08 > 2:21:14tie-break, a measure on the final end saw him through and you could

2:21:14 > 2:21:19see he fancied himself in the measure.Always nerve-racking. Yes,

2:21:19 > 2:21:27it is and he was something like 8-1 up in the second set. Came back

2:21:27 > 2:21:36really well.The percentage success rate of Paul Foster's opening bowl

2:21:36 > 2:21:41is astronomical.Yes, very good. Making it hard for Mark to score a

2:21:41 > 2:21:48two. Two is always achievable. You cannot fault that and that gives him

2:21:48 > 2:21:54a chance may be later on.

2:21:57 > 2:22:05The ideal bowl for Paul Foster is a foot or two behind.His hand in his

2:22:05 > 2:22:10face, he knew that was not a good one.If anything, it may act as a

2:22:10 > 2:22:23protector later on.He is not happy with that. With every reason. Yes.

2:22:23 > 2:22:35Do you gamble and try to go for the jack?

2:22:37 > 2:22:43He is rounded. And again, it may not be the shot that is a useful bowl.

2:22:43 > 2:22:47He has got a good position here, Paul has got to be careful, I don't

2:22:47 > 2:22:55think Paul will be short with this bowl.

2:23:01 > 2:23:04The information gathered, he processes it.

2:23:08 > 2:23:15Trying to split the two red bowls will be the target. I don't think he

2:23:15 > 2:23:19will be happy with that, certainly not happy with that. Still gives

2:23:19 > 2:23:26Mark a big chance here. Any movement of the jack and Paul realises this

2:23:26 > 2:23:34is giving him a chance. If he trails a jack, he could be lying two or

2:23:34 > 2:23:48three. He is positive. It looks under.It is a little under and it

2:23:48 > 2:23:53is a bad result from that point of view. He is going to have the find a

2:23:53 > 2:24:04drive.This is nervous. He catches Paul and pushes his own back and

2:24:04 > 2:24:10this is an awkward heady for Paul. You cannot cover everything, Mark

2:24:10 > 2:24:21has three deep bowls.The bowl to the right is still in. And that is

2:24:21 > 2:24:25going to be awkward for him. He has called a time-out. You see the

2:24:25 > 2:24:29position of the bowl on the right-hand side. Paul Foster. It

2:24:29 > 2:24:35looks difficult. Because he will work out where he thinks it is

2:24:35 > 2:24:40likely to go. And I think you just ignore the bowl on the wing.This

2:24:40 > 2:24:44will certainly be true but I think there is going to be a change is

2:24:44 > 2:24:52here for Mark Dawes the school at least two. -- to score. I think if

2:24:52 > 2:25:05he slices that jack on the other angle, he schools two or three. The

2:25:05 > 2:25:09dot on the right-hand side of the screen, if he slices that jack into

2:25:09 > 2:25:17that area, he will certainly score two, possibly three.Paul Foster

2:25:17 > 2:25:23watches his opponent.Oh, he has missed it.Yes, he doesn't like it.

2:25:23 > 2:25:33He never gave it a chance and Paul Foster will take the opening set.

2:25:33 > 2:25:38Well, the scorecard tells one story, the actual story of the match in the

2:25:38 > 2:25:42opening set was different. A lot closer than that would suggest. Paul

2:25:42 > 2:25:51Foster takes the opening set by 10-5.

2:25:51 > 2:25:56I am with a very interesting spectator, Jamie Chestney, you will

2:25:56 > 2:25:59play the winner of this match and we were uncertain what is happening at

2:25:59 > 2:26:00the end.

2:26:04 > 2:26:09Probably the best set of bowls we have seen all week, both players

2:26:09 > 2:26:14playing brilliantly. Paul getting good bowls in and Mark playing great

2:26:14 > 2:26:17conversion shots so you would probably say Paul just about

2:26:17 > 2:26:23deserved to win the first set.A great game. Paul won so many things

2:26:23 > 2:26:26around the world but a bit of pressure at the end and a bit loose

2:26:26 > 2:26:32in the final end, is that a fair comment?Maybe his third bowl he

2:26:32 > 2:26:37should have got past the jack. To be honest, he put his first two in

2:26:37 > 2:26:40close and he put Mark under pressure to play running shots against I

2:26:40 > 2:26:44don't think he will be too disappointed Mark had to hit the

2:26:44 > 2:26:50head and get a result, there was no guarantee.Paul would be reasonably

2:26:50 > 2:26:54happy. What about yourself, you not Andy Thompson out in our commentary

2:26:54 > 2:26:58box this morning, it playing well, you must be looking forward to the

2:26:58 > 2:27:02next round and one of these two guys?I am, it was a good game this

2:27:02 > 2:27:06morning. He told me he should have won the first set against me but I

2:27:06 > 2:27:12am anxious to play better in the second and go over the line. So

2:27:12 > 2:27:14enjoying it, yes, just looking forward to playing whoever comes

2:27:14 > 2:27:18through this match.I think I know your answer, which one would you

2:27:18 > 2:27:25prefer?We are all champion fence sitters so whoever gets through get

2:27:25 > 2:27:29through and it will be a good game whoever I get through.It is good to

2:27:29 > 2:27:30speak to you and all the best tomorrow.

2:27:30 > 2:27:31Thank you.

2:27:38 > 2:27:41Jamie Chestney definitely avoiding answering the question! You could be

2:27:41 > 2:27:44a football manager with answers like that, we don't mind who we get as

2:27:44 > 2:27:50long as it is at home.He told me he would sit on the fence regardless of

2:27:50 > 2:27:55what happens. He already warned me about that! He plays well, Jamie,

2:27:55 > 2:28:02coming into a very good game. If this man wins, Paul Foster, he and

2:28:02 > 2:28:11Jamie Chestney will be a very good quarterfinal. Paul is not there yet.

2:28:11 > 2:28:22A lot of work still to do. Again, the right way from Mark Dawes.

2:28:27 > 2:28:31He seems to have the temperament, Mark Dawes, that he just gets on

2:28:31 > 2:28:40with the game.Yes. A fairly quiet character. A very good temperament.

2:28:40 > 2:28:45Paul is asking how many time-outs he has got left so I think he is coming

2:28:45 > 2:28:53up here. I think he is going to wait until the clock runs down. I don't

2:28:53 > 2:28:56think he is going to like what he sees here, this is going to be

2:28:56 > 2:29:00difficult to get the result.

2:29:00 > 2:29:05The front green ball protects in some ways. Off the back, perhaps

2:29:05 > 2:29:11just knocking the jack. It is almost a draw. It might just spring the

2:29:11 > 2:29:13jack through.

2:29:21 > 2:29:24He still looks interested.

2:29:29 > 2:29:32Great bowl. That is so difficult, that shot.

2:29:38 > 2:29:44Beautifully done.Such a hard shot, and he played it perfectly. The red

2:29:44 > 2:29:45COMES THROUGH.

2:29:55 > 2:30:03That is attacking. He likes it. Playing into it. Well played.

2:30:05 > 2:30:11He is going to end up with one.A superb bowl again. Onto the respot.

2:30:11 > 2:30:14One shot gathered.

2:30:22 > 2:30:27Well, the lie changed three times for the final bowls.Jamie Chestney

2:30:27 > 2:30:37already called it the first set, the best we have seen.

2:30:40 > 2:30:47Paul Foster has won all three. He took the first set 10-4 last season.

2:30:47 > 2:30:54A stunning comebacks by Mark Dawes to win 11-2. Paul Foster over the

2:30:54 > 2:30:57line on the tie-break.

2:31:06 > 2:31:14Again, a good first bowl.I think that is the key to good games. If

2:31:14 > 2:31:23both the first bowls, you're getting those good, you're going to get a

2:31:23 > 2:31:31good head. It means we don't get scrappy games.A perfect example.

2:31:31 > 2:31:33Two players, both with good bowl!

2:31:36 > 2:31:40It opens up a world of possibilities.It gives players the

2:31:40 > 2:31:43shots to play and take bowls out.

2:32:27 > 2:32:28Will it end? No.

2:32:33 > 2:32:36I fancy green.

2:32:47 > 2:32:57Urging this bowl up. Looks a perfect line.Well played.

2:33:03 > 2:33:06Again, judged to perfection.

2:33:12 > 2:33:17He has got a bowl about a foot away and two against.Still just

2:33:17 > 2:33:20beforehand draw. Looks slightly narrow. I think you have to have a

2:33:20 > 2:33:22bit of running to hold this one up.

2:33:28 > 2:33:30Not far away.

2:33:36 > 2:33:46A safer shot for Paul Foster, the forehand. To rest the red bowl out.

2:33:46 > 2:33:49He favours the backhand. He might feel he can still draw around his

2:33:49 > 2:33:56own shot bowl. I think he favours this side of the confident. --

2:33:56 > 2:33:59carpet.Chose how confident he is.

2:34:13 > 2:34:16Two shots, Paul Foster.

2:34:16 > 2:34:17APPLAUSE

2:34:25 > 2:34:30I am not exactly sure, Paul does not seem like he has controlled the jack

2:34:30 > 2:34:38in this direction too often.Hugh Orde consecutive ends to open the

2:34:38 > 2:34:42first set. He then won consecutive ends to end the set, but nothing in

2:34:42 > 2:34:48between. He has not been building things.I can't recall him throwing

2:34:48 > 2:34:52the jack a lot in this direction. It seemed like Mark was the one

2:34:52 > 2:34:57controlling the jack length. Paul has gone slightly longer than

2:34:57 > 2:35:02normal, I would say.More mid-length, at 27.

2:35:09 > 2:35:14Mark has had more success away from the commentary box.He has. He

2:35:14 > 2:35:19always seems to be in control of the jack in this direction.

2:35:44 > 2:35:46Foster, again, beautifully done.

2:35:53 > 2:35:59A well-known fan of Glasgow Rangers. Mark Dawes is also a football fan. I

2:35:59 > 2:36:02asked him who he supported, expected Manchester United or somebody like

2:36:02 > 2:36:08that. Radcliffe FC, he reckons, in the eighth tier of English football.

2:36:08 > 2:36:16Good one!I am glad you weren't going to ask that question. I

2:36:16 > 2:36:20thought he might be a Blackpool supporter, from that area.He loves

2:36:20 > 2:36:22his non-league football.

2:36:27 > 2:36:30Paul also likes Arsenal, that is his English team, from what I can

2:36:30 > 2:36:31gather.

2:36:34 > 2:36:38Just dropping a bit short. Protects it a little bit.

2:36:47 > 2:36:56It is common amongst the bowlers, that they like other sports,

2:36:56 > 2:36:59football, a bit of golf.

2:37:05 > 2:37:11Featured in the programme yesterday, playing at Troon, a nifty little

2:37:11 > 2:37:15putt.I wasn't sure he played much golf.

2:37:15 > 2:37:17Good effort.

2:37:30 > 2:37:34Another good head again. Room for Paul to draw another.

2:37:52 > 2:37:55The crowd like that.

2:37:59 > 2:38:00Really good.

2:38:05 > 2:38:10You could argue so far the only loose end that Paul played was the

2:38:10 > 2:38:16ninth, the final end of the opening set, when he left a couple of bowls

2:38:16 > 2:38:23short. But apart from that...Happy with the way he's playing.

2:38:24 > 2:38:27Market is playing well, but he's being forced into shot after shot.

2:38:27 > 2:38:32If the weight is good, you will draw.

2:38:43 > 2:38:49Paul is still having to put his foot to the floor.Yes, one or two from

2:38:49 > 2:38:53him and it is going to be hard for Mark. He will have to score quickly,

2:38:53 > 2:38:54I think.

2:39:09 > 2:39:15Foster, winner in 2017, the Scottish Indoor Singles, The English Singles.

2:39:15 > 2:39:22He has had a terrific year.I am sure he is looking forward to the

2:39:22 > 2:39:23Commonwealth Games in a few months.

2:39:32 > 2:39:41The Gold Coast in Australia awaits. That sounds very inviting. Are you

2:39:41 > 2:39:47going down?Sadly not, not on this occasion. They are going for

2:39:47 > 2:39:49Australian voices more than Scottish ones, sadly.

2:39:58 > 2:40:05The gap on your bowl was quarter of an inch, the gap on Mark's is an

2:40:05 > 2:40:12inch and a half.That indicates that Paul will not be going near this.

2:40:24 > 2:40:26Good bowl.

2:40:37 > 2:40:41Such is the way that Mark Dawes has been playing, you won't be surprised

2:40:41 > 2:40:46if he draws into this.He needs to touch Paul's bowl, that would

2:40:46 > 2:40:52probably give him the shot. He just missed his line slightly.A

2:40:52 > 2:41:00difficult head for Paul. Happy with the one. Defend the one.This

2:41:00 > 2:41:06presents the challenge. Players of your experience, Paul's experience,

2:41:06 > 2:41:12it is learning where the likely movement is to be.He is happy with

2:41:12 > 2:41:16one, he knows that the jack is only going to go back. He doesn't want to

2:41:16 > 2:41:19give mark a bigger target. That is why he is keeping this deliberately

2:41:19 > 2:41:20wide.

2:41:24 > 2:41:28As we can see, if Mark touches this shot, he is still going to be down

2:41:28 > 2:41:32unless he moves at an inch. This is not an easy one for Mark.

2:41:38 > 2:41:44The way that Paul Foster has played, increasing the risk should something

2:41:44 > 2:41:51go wrong.On the tight side, that is where he will get a bad result.

2:42:02 > 2:42:09Foster, whereof the shot clock. -- aware of.

2:42:20 > 2:42:25This is a clever bowl. This is basically a blocking bowl. We don't

2:42:25 > 2:42:26see many of these.

2:42:30 > 2:42:37That is good. That will certainly catch the eye. No doubt about that.

2:42:37 > 2:42:43I think he is saying, good luck!

2:42:43 > 2:42:47I think it is still just a draw from Mark.

2:42:51 > 2:42:55If he was to hit that hard, it would only get worse, you suspect.

2:42:58 > 2:43:01This looks a better line.

2:43:07 > 2:43:10Good try, isn't it? On the right side.

2:43:13 > 2:43:18Arguably, Paul Foster's final bowl forced him out of that little bit.

2:43:18 > 2:43:26Yes. That is what the blocker is intended for.It doesn't need to be

2:43:26 > 2:43:32hit. Some people think the blocker has to be hit. But it is just the

2:43:32 > 2:43:36effect it has two movie round.It forces your opponent out.

2:43:44 > 2:43:46Foster, started to dominate the second set.

2:43:53 > 2:43:56The winner of this tournament twice.

2:44:01 > 2:44:03APPLAUSE

2:44:23 > 2:44:26APPLAUSE

2:44:32 > 2:44:39He is hanging in, isn't he? Just.It is so difficult. Look where Paul

2:44:39 > 2:44:45Foster is. He pulls out a great bowl, there. But Paul is not far

2:44:45 > 2:44:49away and he begins to build a dangerous position. No matter what

2:44:49 > 2:44:53happens in this game, Mark Dawes has played exceptionally well. But, as

2:44:53 > 2:44:57he says, he needs to take that next level. The next few ends will be

2:44:57 > 2:45:01very interesting.

2:45:01 > 2:45:07Stating the obvious, but he has got the score in this end.He has given

2:45:07 > 2:45:13himself an exceptional chance.Great bowl. We knight see a drive from

2:45:13 > 2:45:19Paul. He has got to hit this.He hasn't brought the weight out too

2:45:19 > 2:45:27often.Playing a running bowl rather than the very fast drive, timing it.

2:45:27 > 2:45:3550%, happy with that, he takes one away.If he had nudged that jack

2:45:35 > 2:45:40out, these two green bowls were in good receiving position.Talking a

2:45:40 > 2:45:47millimetre. Yes, exactly. Mark will try to replace the last bowl. Trying

2:45:47 > 2:46:00to put a bit of pressure on Paul's final delivery.

2:46:04 > 2:46:09Paul is one down, this will be back to the draw.

2:46:27 > 2:46:32An unusual not reaching bowl from Paul Foster.Yes, shall we be

2:46:32 > 2:46:37critical of him for that?He knows where to find us! He obviously did

2:46:37 > 2:46:44not intend to do that. That is David Gourlay who will be involved in

2:46:44 > 2:46:46Scotland's clash with Scotland for the Commonwealth games as we were

2:46:46 > 2:46:53talking about earlier.Yes, he will be happy that his player, Paul

2:46:53 > 2:46:57Foster, is playing well. A chance for Mark to score a double, this

2:46:57 > 2:47:03looks good. Very well played, Mark Dawes.Superb stuff, it keeps him in

2:47:03 > 2:47:13touch. He lost three straight ends and it gives him a chance to set the

2:47:13 > 2:47:18mat. That is causing some discomfort at the moment.He is very undecided

2:47:18 > 2:47:28really. Where do I put this to put Paul Foster off? I think it will be

2:47:28 > 2:47:42long. Jack delivered very gently. Yes, it is short, really short. That

2:47:42 > 2:47:48is a good move, we have not had many as short as this, if this is up.

2:47:48 > 2:47:58Just the bare minimum.Paul would normally like this length. Good idea

2:47:58 > 2:48:02from Mark, a good tactical change.

2:48:11 > 2:48:15Always good when you change the length and get that opening bowl

2:48:15 > 2:48:18close, but Mark probably realises that is not going to be close

2:48:18 > 2:48:23enough.It doesn't look bad from that particular angle. But you just

2:48:23 > 2:48:31get appealing it is good enough. -- get the feeling.

2:48:36 > 2:48:40Put added pressure on to your next bowl.

2:48:47 > 2:48:58There is the improvement.

2:49:02 > 2:49:10He has turned his back already on that one. It needs to lie. Yes, it

2:49:10 > 2:49:15immediately.

2:49:20 > 2:49:27He thinks that is in his draw so he is going to come the other way, Paul

2:49:27 > 2:49:34Foster, in his fourth International. He made his debut in 2014.It falls

2:49:34 > 2:49:40on, it is a two. Well played, good recovery from Mark and it might

2:49:40 > 2:49:54force Paul in two weight. He doesn't hang about.Close. He likes it. A

2:49:54 > 2:50:00particularly kind result for him. It does open things up. And he still

2:50:00 > 2:50:09has a bowl to play.Yes, he hits the target. Two stay in. Still two down.

2:50:09 > 2:50:14Mark should play a third shot here.

2:50:18 > 2:50:23In a way, he may be doesn't want this to go to close because it gives

2:50:23 > 2:50:33Paul a target. Interesting to see where this finishes.Very good, very

2:50:33 > 2:50:41good. That is the way to do it. Paul Foster did have the best back bowl

2:50:41 > 2:50:46so if he had left that either side, it might have been a tempting

2:50:46 > 2:50:52target.Paul looking at a runner here, I think still a backhand draw.

2:50:52 > 2:50:58Difficult to get a shot, but he should be able to get a second. He

2:50:58 > 2:51:04is going to drive.Oh, it is full-blooded. The jack is broken!I

2:51:04 > 2:51:10have never seen that before!That is coming out of his paycheque!What is

2:51:10 > 2:51:17the ruling, Paul? I don't think I have ever seen that!Part of the

2:51:17 > 2:51:24jack remained on the rink and another part is off the rink.That

2:51:24 > 2:51:29jack surely must go off and onto the spot.Surely! That is superb! He

2:51:29 > 2:51:35treated it like Play-Doh. That is unbelievable! I would have thought

2:51:35 > 2:51:45the bigger half would have counted. Surely that goes onto the respot, I

2:51:45 > 2:51:53would think.Absolutely.It has got to, hasn't it?Well, they are going

2:51:53 > 2:52:01to put the jack onto the respot and then it is going to be a measure.I

2:52:01 > 2:52:07think Paul will score two on the respot.Wayne Davies is checking.

2:52:07 > 2:52:13Paul is not happy with that. That is not right, surely, it is not a

2:52:13 > 2:52:19dead-end.I think he is appealing that.I would agree with Paul, that

2:52:19 > 2:52:25jack was going off to that side, surely that cannot be?A conference

2:52:25 > 2:52:30of the officials. There will have to consult the rule book as to what

2:52:30 > 2:52:36happens.I think Paul is arguing and he is right to argue, that jack was

2:52:36 > 2:52:43going off. They are going to check. Yes, I would agree with that, it has

2:52:43 > 2:52:49got to be the respot.Yes, quite right. That is the right call.Paul

2:52:49 > 2:52:56was not happy and I think he was right not to be happy.Paul Foster

2:52:56 > 2:53:03knows his bowls. To be fair, the umpires here first class and they

2:53:03 > 2:53:10were happy to listen.We see this strike again. That was definitely

2:53:10 > 2:53:16going off.To be -- to me, the majority of the jack is in the ditch

2:53:16 > 2:53:22and it has to go on the respot. 100%. I think they have eventually

2:53:22 > 2:53:26got it right. At one stage, they were calling it a dead-end. It

2:53:26 > 2:53:35couldn't be a dead-end.If they are savvy, they will get Paul Foster to

2:53:35 > 2:53:41autograph both parts of that bowl Ashley Judd macro and auction it

2:53:41 > 2:53:50off. -- both parts of that jack and auction it off.That is the first

2:53:50 > 2:53:54time I have seen that.I have never seen that. And it is not like it

2:53:54 > 2:54:00split in half. It was like a quarter of the top came off.And it wasn't

2:54:00 > 2:54:06even a direct hit, it was basically bowled onto the jack that split the

2:54:06 > 2:54:14jack. It has had everything, this one!There is always something new.

2:54:14 > 2:54:22Yes. They have just got to compose themselves again.We will hear from

2:54:22 > 2:54:30both players at the conclusion of the match and I am certain the

2:54:30 > 2:54:33conversation will turn its way towards the split jack.Paul was not

2:54:33 > 2:54:39happy when they were indicating a replay basically and I think Paul

2:54:39 > 2:54:44was right. Because it was going off. There we see it! It is the top part,

2:54:44 > 2:54:51as you say.To be in the majority -- and so to me, the majority was

2:54:51 > 2:55:00there. Great work by the camera crew here in Perth.Normal service

2:55:00 > 2:55:09resumed here, Paul Foster on top of the jack again.Mark Dawes.Well

2:55:09 > 2:55:18played, Mark! Has the jack stayed on?!He has poked it into the ditch.

2:55:18 > 2:55:28He hasn't even split it in any way! We hope not!No, it is...It has

2:55:28 > 2:55:39remained intact!A great weighted shot. The last time this pair went

2:55:39 > 2:55:52to the respot, it was tremendous.He has done that again.Brilliant, just

2:55:52 > 2:55:57brilliant! You could put that jack on pep High Street and Paul Foster

2:55:57 > 2:56:02would find that.I will be interested to hear in the interview

2:56:02 > 2:56:06how well he begs he has played because I don't think I have seen

2:56:06 > 2:56:11him play so well, just fantastic! As you say, Mark Dawes has played well.

2:56:11 > 2:56:16And he's continuing to do so, it might have slipped by. That is a

2:56:16 > 2:56:26cracking effort.

2:56:30 > 2:56:38Plenty to talk about! That is the shore.Good idea of yours, the sign

2:56:38 > 2:56:43that jack.Yes, I think it would be great.One from each player,

2:56:43 > 2:56:48probably.Yes, get a little display case, that would be great! Here he

2:56:48 > 2:57:01comes again.That is good. That is very, very good. Yes, makes it

2:57:01 > 2:57:07awkward for Mark as well, probably just a draw.That is a hard bowl to

2:57:07 > 2:57:24hit.A time-out call. Not much on apart from the draw for Mark.Well,

2:57:24 > 2:57:34he gets himself back and he gets ready. The rink is beautifully

2:57:34 > 2:57:37level, it is laser level. And Mark Dawes may field this afternoon he

2:57:37 > 2:57:45has been going uphill. He tries it. Two. Paul Foster is now in full

2:57:45 > 2:57:55command.

2:58:02 > 2:58:11Well, this could be the final end. Paul Foster. In great control of

2:58:11 > 2:58:18this second set. He dropped the first end and since then, won six of

2:58:18 > 2:58:26the seven.

2:58:43 > 2:58:48Just brilliant!He is making it look too easy!Just fantastic, just

2:58:48 > 2:58:58fantastic! It has just been great. Lots of people watching will be

2:58:58 > 2:59:04enjoying a display that Paul Foster has been putting on. Anybody who has

2:59:04 > 2:59:12ever played the game, just a couple of ends at their local club, able

2:59:12 > 2:59:19know how difficult it is to be consistent. Paul Foster is just

2:59:19 > 2:59:29repeat, repeat, repeat.That might be worth a hit. Yes, Mark will be

2:59:29 > 2:59:34conscious he probably cannot afford to lose his bowl so anything still

2:59:34 > 2:59:39gives him a chance. He needs to score at least three to keep this

2:59:39 > 2:59:42game going so it is quite right to keep the bowl on the green at the

2:59:42 > 2:59:49moment. The score is not going to look good for Mark, but he has

2:59:49 > 2:59:51played his part in this game.

3:00:11 > 3:00:14-to-very well played.

3:00:21 > 3:00:26Very good split. He needs to score a three though to keep this game

3:00:26 > 3:00:33going.

3:00:50 > 3:00:57That's way short.I don't think it was meant to be there.You can count

3:00:57 > 3:01:03of number of poor balls he's played on one hand.Yes, not a lot. A

3:01:03 > 3:01:07chance here for Mark. Touches the green ball. Could score three. Keeps

3:01:07 > 3:01:17this game alive.

3:01:19 > 3:01:32Trying to push this green ball out. Looks high.Looks high.

3:01:34 > 3:01:45He came up against a man in stunning form. Paul Foster looks through into

3:01:45 > 3:01:52the quarterfinal. The scoreline looks harsh but Paul Foster wins it

3:01:52 > 3:02:01by 2-0. It was some match for Foster. Consistent as could be. His

3:02:01 > 3:02:14first bowl was terrific. That's what Mark Dawes was doing. Converting to

3:02:14 > 3:02:22a two. Exceptional. Paul Foster rarely looked hurried. He's drawing

3:02:22 > 3:02:28particularly off the backhand either side and it was top class. Mark

3:02:28 > 3:02:35Dawes never gave in. A couple of poor shots that cut across. Paul

3:02:35 > 3:02:38Foster, well, the jack didn't like this. Watch the split. Absolutely

3:02:38 > 3:02:44incredible. Never seen that before. It was eventually put on the respot.

3:02:44 > 3:02:49He got a couple. It was an uphill struggle for Mark Dawes. Paul

3:02:49 > 3:02:53Foster's a man in form. He's going to be hard to beet in Perth this

3:02:53 > 3:03:01week. The set score a little hard on Mark Dawes. Paul Foster, 11 ends to

3:03:01 > 3:03:066. The touchers. Out-gunned there. The total shots scored tells the

3:03:06 > 3:03:11story. Paul Foster's through to the semifinal of the Scottish

3:03:11 > 3:03:17international Open. Paul Foster's through. Without doubt, that was the

3:03:17 > 3:03:22best match we've seen here all week. Paul, congratulations. Well played.

3:03:22 > 3:03:26Yeah, once again delighted how I played. All credit to Mark. He got

3:03:26 > 3:03:32stuck in. I couldn't have played any better in the first set. Once again,

3:03:32 > 3:03:37I'm delighted how I've been playing. It was incredible Mark. You played a

3:03:37 > 3:03:41wonderful match. Many other players would be out and you'd abstanding

3:03:41 > 3:03:47next to me looking ahead to the quarterfinal.I'm a little

3:03:47 > 3:03:51disappointed to be honest. When Paul missed, it wasn't often. I didn't

3:03:51 > 3:03:56get in. Paul will play very well. I'm reasonably happy with how I

3:03:56 > 3:04:01played but I have to play better to beat Paul.He puts such a lot of

3:04:01 > 3:04:09pressure on, particularly with that first bowl.The two timesI missed

3:04:09 > 3:04:13he put through three N you can't leave them that far away.You

3:04:13 > 3:04:19certainly can't. We should talk about the great play. Did the

3:04:19 > 3:04:22controversial moment and Fawking point of the match, Paul Foster, is

3:04:22 > 3:04:27the split jack. Talk us through it. I wasn't going to run on it. There

3:04:27 > 3:04:32were no touchers. I drove. Chance of high ball on to ball. I wasn't

3:04:32 > 3:04:37expecting the jack to crack. Just looking for a couple out. Hit the

3:04:37 > 3:04:44jack solid. It is not often you see that happen.The first call was for

3:04:44 > 3:04:47the end to be played again. But that, you agreed that was wrong,

3:04:47 > 3:04:53Mark?II genuinely don't know what the rule is. The jack did look as if

3:04:53 > 3:05:00it was going out this side. I was more disappointed I was let a good

3:05:00 > 3:05:04three to get back into the set. I didn't know what the rule was. So

3:05:04 > 3:05:09happy with what the umpire said. Have you ever experienced that about

3:05:09 > 3:05:14of?Never seen it. Never done it. There are hard hitters. You don't

3:05:14 > 3:05:18expect jacks to crack like that. I'd never cheat anybody in bowls but the

3:05:18 > 3:05:23jack was only going one way. When I say it as a replay, then, you saw

3:05:23 > 3:05:29the look on my face, a turning point in the match. I think everybody in

3:05:29 > 3:05:33the auditorium throughout it was going that way. It was only fair.

3:05:33 > 3:05:38You agreed with that?To be fair, it was going that way. I genuinely

3:05:38 > 3:05:42didn't know what the rule was. Fair enough for Paul. I would have gone

3:05:42 > 3:05:45over and spoke to the umpires and say, look, if the rule's not

3:05:45 > 3:05:49clarified and we have to go with that, I would have said, Paul, have

3:05:49 > 3:05:55you a two. He was on the spot.Good man. A fine fallow. Thank you. Paul

3:05:55 > 3:05:59Fosster, playing incredibly well. Now through to the quarterfinals. I

3:05:59 > 3:06:02would imagine you're quite pleased with that the way it's going this

3:06:02 > 3:06:05week?You come here, first tournament of the season. You want

3:06:05 > 3:06:10to play well. Gives you confidence not just for this event but the

3:06:10 > 3:06:14forthcoming events. The World Championships in Blackpool. My

3:06:14 > 3:06:18form's great. Happy and hope to keep it going.Mark, you played a

3:06:18 > 3:06:23wonderful match. Commiserations to you, but Paul Foster, through to the

3:06:23 > 3:06:27quarterfinals. Well done. APPLAUSE

3:06:27 > 3:06:31This is how the quarterfinal line-up will look. So far we know Jamie

3:06:31 > 3:06:34Chestney is already through. He knocked Andy Thomson out this

3:06:34 > 3:06:41morning. Greg Harlow was knocked out earlier today by Mervyn King. Mark

3:06:41 > 3:06:48Dawes been knocked out by Paul Foster in an incredible display. The

3:06:48 > 3:06:52games in the bottom half of the draw will be live tomorrow. Now, we turn

3:06:52 > 3:06:58our attention to that fourth one in the list.

3:07:05 > 3:07:11I don't really know a lot about Mark. Nev come across him before.

3:07:11 > 3:07:15We've played internationals but never played against him. Saw a bit

3:07:15 > 3:07:22of his game against Stewart and he was very good.I've seen him when he

3:07:22 > 3:07:26won the British aisles, the English singles. Knew he won that. He's

3:07:26 > 3:07:32obviously a great player. He managed to qualify through the tour card.

3:07:32 > 3:07:37You have to play well if you qualify through there.I think the ring is

3:07:37 > 3:07:41different to every rink you play on. I couldn't believe how different it

3:07:41 > 3:07:49was. Even practising the pace it different. On a sinkle rink. At

3:07:49 > 3:07:56home, you're on a six ring rink. The more you play on it, you'll play it

3:07:56 > 3:08:00better. Have you to know it.You forget about any games you've played

3:08:00 > 3:08:03before and get on with how you play. It is down to what you play

3:08:03 > 3:08:07yourself. If you know you can play your good bowls, you'll have a good

3:08:07 > 3:08:13chance.I might be a bit loud on occasions. Roll me eyes, huff and

3:08:13 > 3:08:18puff.I'm quite laid back. They probably won't meet many people as

3:08:18 > 3:08:22laid back as me on the bowling green. That's just me.

3:08:25 > 3:08:28The auditorium are getting their breath back after that match.

3:08:28 > 3:08:32Looking ahead to the final match today. These are two guys we don't

3:08:32 > 3:08:36know too much about in terms of the world bowls tour but they are very

3:08:36 > 3:08:45fine players.Absolutely. I know Perry Martin from other games. I've

3:08:45 > 3:08:49known Michael for a long time. A very good performer and

3:08:49 > 3:08:53international bowler.Perry's such a young guy. Coming through and

3:08:53 > 3:08:58showling pretty good form as well? When you come throat UK qualifier,

3:08:58 > 3:09:02you're always a good player. They're very dangerous. Michael came in as a

3:09:02 > 3:09:07wild-card. Took out steward Anderson. That was an evens game to

3:09:07 > 3:09:13me. That that's you highy respected Michael Stepney is.This will be a

3:09:13 > 3:09:17tough match?There's little in it. I think Michael's experience just

3:09:17 > 3:09:21gives him the slight edge. I wouldn't be surprised if this goes

3:09:21 > 3:09:25all the way.It will be fantastic. You get back up to the commentary

3:09:25 > 3:09:31box. This should be a wonderful game. First up, the joiner from El

3:09:31 > 3:09:35drecks in, no stranger to this portable rink in Perth having played

3:09:35 > 3:09:41in the champions of champions final on two occasions. Michael his

3:09:41 > 3:09:44representedries country 27 times and won the British Isles singles

3:09:44 > 3:09:50champion in 2010. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a very warm

3:09:50 > 3:09:54welcome to our two bowlers this afternoon. First up, it's Michael

3:09:54 > 3:09:59Stepney.

3:09:59 > 3:10:05APPLAUSE

3:10:11 > 3:10:16Now t may have needed a tie-break but Perry Martin's win over Jonathan

3:10:16 > 3:10:19Ross in the first round was very impressive. The 24-year-old won his

3:10:19 > 3:10:25tour card this year and is picking up huge experience against the big

3:10:25 > 3:10:32guns on the WBT. Ladies and gentlemen we can former holder of

3:10:32 > 3:10:37the British Isles under-25 singles title. Perry Martin.

3:10:44 > 3:10:48APPLAUSE

3:10:51 > 3:10:57Up in the commentary box, David Corkhill. What a match the last one

3:10:57 > 3:11:06was. Let's see if Perry Martin and Michael Stepney can continue.

3:11:06 > 3:11:11Really, the superb quality that we've seen. This is big for both

3:11:11 > 3:11:16these players. Don't underestimate this match. Not only is there a

3:11:16 > 3:11:19place in the quarterfinals at stake but there are ranking points at

3:11:19 > 3:11:27stake as well. That can mean so much in the entry route to the top 16.

3:11:27 > 3:11:32Perry Martin, the 24-year-old up against Michael Stepney.

3:11:38 > 3:11:43Both these players upsetting seeded players to get here.

3:11:45 > 3:11:51A wee touch of nerves about. There's a lot at stake.

3:11:55 > 3:11:59Michael Stepney, well known around the qualifying circuit. Comes over

3:11:59 > 3:12:06to Belfast a lot for the qualifiers as well. Always a hard competitor.

3:12:06 > 3:12:12Very highly respected player from Elgin.

3:12:16 > 3:12:19And the quality that's around in the qualifiers at the moment, quite

3:12:19 > 3:12:26scary.Well, the talent's there, no doubt about it. It's also difficult

3:12:26 > 3:12:33to go through five matches minimum. Sometimes six on the one day. By the

3:12:33 > 3:12:37time you get to your fourth match you're starting to feel a bit jaded.

3:12:37 > 3:12:41You also don't get much opportunity to eat or anything else during those

3:12:41 > 3:12:46matches. Quite often they're back-to-back with no breaks. It is a

3:12:46 > 3:12:50tough day.

3:12:54 > 3:12:57A little edge more than enough to bring him in.Take the little

3:12:57 > 3:13:01borrow.

3:13:29 > 3:13:32Yes, one green.

3:13:48 > 3:13:58Running through a little here. That's for Michael Stepney.

3:14:12 > 3:14:19A little running shot. Plenty to hit. That's the short ball that's

3:14:19 > 3:14:32left ahead.Reaction there, a very good ball.Certainly looked like it.

3:14:42 > 3:14:45I think it's probably two but it's close.Very accurately done. Not

3:14:45 > 3:14:55easy either.Yeah. Michael Stepney can't reply. He wants to side red

3:14:55 > 3:15:05balls. Beautifully done.Two excellent drives. The pretty hot

3:15:05 > 3:15:09stuff for the first end.Excellent. Always a measure of players, how

3:15:09 > 3:15:13confident they are, with their weight shots. For both of them to

3:15:13 > 3:15:17get results from their first weight shot is excellent. That's a really

3:15:17 > 3:15:25good two to pick up for the Scotsman.

3:15:30 > 3:15:37Solid, reliable, international player.An international player for

3:15:37 > 3:15:4717 years.That is why I think he is slight favourite. There is an

3:15:47 > 3:15:52element of flamboyant about his game as well, but the portable rink is

3:15:52 > 3:15:56different and it puts an element of fear and doubt in players who have

3:15:56 > 3:16:04not played on it before. What shocked and shoes? Quite often you

3:16:04 > 3:16:09have to pick a shot that is the better one to get the percentage. It

3:16:09 > 3:16:17will be interesting to see how he goes in this match. Played in the

3:16:17 > 3:16:26civil service team as a touring tame. I know he is a very good

3:16:26 > 3:16:29player.

3:16:56 > 3:17:00Not a bad effort.

3:17:09 > 3:17:16There have been a few familiar faces around this week. Both these players

3:17:16 > 3:17:21are relatively new to the people watching. It is interesting to watch

3:17:21 > 3:17:34the delivery of Martin because he does not use his left hand at all.

3:17:34 > 3:17:39Wasting no time. A big part of his game is the ability to play accurate

3:17:39 > 3:17:49drives. The jack will go on the re-spot.Another good weight shot

3:17:49 > 3:17:53played.

3:18:23 > 3:18:32That is a great effort when you have to find a new line.Going back to

3:18:32 > 3:18:36the draw.

3:18:42 > 3:18:46Difficult to get your weight down from playing the drive.

3:19:07 > 3:19:14He needed a rest on the bowl. A bit heavy. A missed chance. Those will

3:19:14 > 3:19:20stack up. A spare opportunity and you have got two feed all around the

3:19:20 > 3:19:31jack and it is effectively four feet to get inside.It could have been a

3:19:31 > 3:19:33double.

3:19:44 > 3:19:53Perry Martin beat Willie Jackson to clinch this card. He will play in

3:19:53 > 3:20:00all three WBC singles events.That is key, coming in on a one-off event

3:20:00 > 3:20:06is not enough. You need to have the three opportunities. If you win a

3:20:06 > 3:20:11couple of matches, it goes a long way.

3:20:20 > 3:20:23Two from the quarterfinal and you will not be far away from slipping

3:20:23 > 3:20:26in between 16 and 20.

3:20:42 > 3:20:46A good opening hole from Michael Stepney.

3:21:28 > 3:21:40Doing its best to get back.If he goes to the backhand that will be

3:21:40 > 3:21:48interesting. Has to look down narrower line.

3:21:55 > 3:22:06Very well played. What an effort that was.The shot was available

3:22:06 > 3:22:11both sides. I thought he might have stayed on the forehand.REFEREE: It

3:22:11 > 3:22:21is half an inch short.It is hard to get back of a high line. He does not

3:22:21 > 3:22:27want to get to the jack, he wants to get to the bowl. That red one would

3:22:27 > 3:22:36be perfect. Dropping down. That is a very good bowl. A chance to run the

3:22:36 > 3:22:38jack through.

3:23:04 > 3:23:10And an edge would have been much better. He will be very unlucky to

3:23:10 > 3:23:13give this shot away.

3:23:33 > 3:23:39Just needs to drop inside, he does not want to touch it down. He could

3:23:39 > 3:23:43have given the shot away now. I thought he would have played it a

3:23:43 > 3:23:51bit stronger, try and take the boat out.He has given it away. It just

3:23:51 > 3:24:01needed a little bit more.It used to be what we used to say arriving at

3:24:01 > 3:24:08that head with a guaranteed weight. That little bump on delivery is

3:24:08 > 3:24:15always there, it is constant. This is a gracious push delivery. He does

3:24:15 > 3:24:22not use his left hand for balance, but a lot of players do not.

3:24:22 > 3:24:28Possibly more just how the left arm does not seem to engage at all.

3:24:28 > 3:24:33There is no touch on the leg or anything like that.Well, he is

3:24:33 > 3:24:41young! There is that. He will get away with it for a long time until

3:24:41 > 3:24:45it comes to the stage where you have to use the balance of the left hand

3:24:45 > 3:24:54to steady up the knee is a little bit! Michael Stepney is a very quick

3:24:54 > 3:24:59player. Others will struggle to keep up with him.

3:25:31 > 3:25:37That is where the strength of Perry Martin is, no doubt about it. It is

3:25:37 > 3:25:41getting in those first two bowls which will be key to him in this

3:25:41 > 3:25:43match.

3:25:54 > 3:26:05Weight shot that he has not connected with. Two good opening

3:26:05 > 3:26:09bowls from Perry Martin.

3:26:24 > 3:26:33Confident to go again.Interesting he chose to play it on the backhand

3:26:33 > 3:26:37because he probably thought his own Bolt was more protected there. He

3:26:37 > 3:26:41nearly took it out anyway. That is what he was saying to Perry on the

3:26:41 > 3:26:54way down! He thought it was safe.

3:27:07 > 3:27:12Good connection. No choice, has to go again.

3:27:17 > 3:27:27Steady play from Perry Martin. Great draw work.The chances are his own

3:27:27 > 3:27:35green one will lock into the bottom red. There is a bigger risk on the

3:27:35 > 3:27:44backhand. Let's see what he does. Yes, forehand. Good strike. And look

3:27:44 > 3:27:49where his bowl has gone on the re-spot. Oh, my goodness me! A big

3:27:49 > 3:28:05result.A good hit.REFEREE: 1-shot, Michael Stepney.A perfect drive,

3:28:05 > 3:28:09bang on target. No doubt about that.

3:28:14 > 3:28:29There is the difference between 5-2 down and three up.

3:29:08 > 3:29:15Michael is not getting that first bowl. He needs to get in and have a

3:29:15 > 3:29:22foot on the jack. Martin is putting him under pressure.

3:29:39 > 3:29:41Once again he will be facing a double.

3:30:05 > 3:30:11Funeral CareHe was encouraging that one up. He's disappointed he's

3:30:11 > 3:30:14dropped it so short. The weight advantage has to come from Michael

3:30:14 > 3:30:20Stepney.Still short but still lying two. Ultimately, there's always a

3:30:20 > 3:30:29danger in terms of trying to correct. It's certainly a help but

3:30:29 > 3:30:30still a distance away

3:30:30 > 3:30:34correct. It's certainly a help but still a distance away.

3:30:43 > 3:30:48Just try to come round to the further forward green ball.

3:30:50 > 3:30:57Yep, that's in. REFEREE:very close. Two red and a

3:30:57 > 3:31:03measure.Two and a measure. No guarantee on the draw here. So far

3:31:03 > 3:31:06away, you think, you can draw that shot, you don't need to try and hit

3:31:06 > 3:31:09it.

3:31:11 > 3:31:15I say so far away, Paul, I mean a foot away.In context, yes.

3:31:15 > 3:31:24Absolutely.It's cloyer. -- closer. Michael Stepney would fully expect

3:31:24 > 3:31:28to draw this shot.Yeah, needs to drop back to guarantee. Yep, he's

3:31:28 > 3:31:36there. Last bowl heroics.

3:32:01 > 3:32:05Over the weight this time. REFEREE:one shot, Michael Stepney.

3:32:05 > 3:32:09APPLAUSE

3:32:12 > 3:32:19REFEREE:set score 2-4 after five ends.It's been pretty close,

3:32:19 > 3:32:25Michael Stepney with the opening two. But singles there after.

3:32:28 > 3:32:35An interesting group. Jimmy Chestney, Nicky Thomson. All

3:32:35 > 3:32:38international players. Andy Thomson's probably telling Jamie

3:32:38 > 3:32:46what he needs to do in the next match.I'm sure they'll appreciate

3:32:46 > 3:32:52the advice.Can't overlook the silver-haired legend. You really

3:32:52 > 3:32:55can't.

3:33:09 > 3:33:12Michael Stepney playing the Scottish international Open for the first

3:33:12 > 3:33:20time. He has won here in Perth during international Open week. On

3:33:20 > 3:33:23the Scottish indoor bowling association champion of champions in

3:33:23 > 3:33:332015. His club mate Andrew Barker. REFEREE:eight inches short.Go well

3:33:33 > 3:33:39together as a pair, the two of them. Played very well in the world pairs

3:33:39 > 3:33:49a few years ago.Down by Marshal and Foster which is no disgrace.I know

3:33:49 > 3:33:59the feeling! Andrew is a character from Elgin. He really is. He enjoys

3:33:59 > 3:34:03his bowls.

3:34:22 > 3:34:27Well, that's not going to help the weigh in.Looks like it will cover

3:34:27 > 3:34:34the forehand.Needs to push his own ball. Get the reds solid. If you

3:34:34 > 3:34:41miss it, keep your bowl on the rink. Down on a track. Looks slightly

3:34:41 > 3:34:52inside. Yeah. Now, will the ball stay? It has. Not a bad place.Just

3:34:52 > 3:34:57to the side of the re-spots.

3:35:07 > 3:35:17Being played for cover.The only thing really, Michael can't afford

3:35:17 > 3:35:22to be too tight and get the red ball on to the jack. But I think it's

3:35:22 > 3:35:29worth playing again. He has a back position bowl. Yep, trying for it

3:35:29 > 3:35:37again. Just slightly wider this time. Certainly a lot closer.

3:35:42 > 3:35:47Didn't have the weight to make the connection.

3:35:50 > 3:35:57Need to be a bit more positive with that one, Paul.Bit more punch?Jess

3:35:57 > 3:36:01a wee bit. The front bowl under the jack needed to have sufficient to

3:36:01 > 3:36:06move it. He barely turned it over half a turn. That was never going to

3:36:06 > 3:36:16be enough.It will affect the shot choice of Perry Martin who, having

3:36:16 > 3:36:22seen Michael Stepney give a shot away at the final end of the last

3:36:22 > 3:36:29ball decides to go nowhere near it. REFEREE:set score 3-4 after six

3:36:29 > 3:36:37ends.Six ends played, seven shots awarded.They don't mess about, do

3:36:37 > 3:36:47they? Everything's gone so quickly. They are barely getting lifted at

3:36:47 > 3:36:53the other end before the jack's lifted and the ball's coming towards

3:36:53 > 3:37:04them. REFEREE:jack lent 28. .5 metres. --

3:37:04 > 3:37:11Jack length 28.5 metres.We might see something happening to it if

3:37:11 > 3:37:16Michael gives one of his big drives. You see jacks split in half

3:37:16 > 3:37:22sometimes but not having the top sliced off like a boiled egg.I've

3:37:22 > 3:37:25seen them almost disintegrate, believe it or not. That would have

3:37:25 > 3:37:29been a much harder decision to make. The fact the jack was going off the

3:37:29 > 3:37:39rink at that angle made it an easy decision. That was the Paul Foster

3:37:39 > 3:37:44match against Mark days. We've plenty of jacks.Lots of jacks

3:37:44 > 3:37:54just... I don't think Stepney likes that one. When the jacks split into

3:37:54 > 3:37:59a quarter and three quarters, the three quarters smashed it's way into

3:37:59 > 3:38:05the side.It was definitely going that way. Fortunately, I was covered

3:38:05 > 3:38:07by television so we could analyse it. Good ball. Really good

3:38:07 > 3:38:16direction. Well done. Integrity of a jack is key when you think how much

3:38:16 > 3:38:22of a battering they take. Did try and drill them at one stage and put

3:38:22 > 3:38:29a camera into them. It wasn't really a bright idea. For lots of reasons.

3:38:29 > 3:38:33The fact they lost a lot of cameras whenever the jacks were destroyed

3:38:33 > 3:38:38didn't help. But no-one had actually worked out if you hit the jack, the

3:38:38 > 3:38:43camera goes into the carpet.OK. You're not going to get much out of

3:38:43 > 3:38:47that.Plus it needs to be an almost perfect position. Not as if it's

3:38:47 > 3:38:54always going to be facing front. Worth a try. Here comes Perry Martin

3:38:54 > 3:39:00again. Little touch on that.Even better. Even better. Got around it

3:39:00 > 3:39:05nice and clean. He'll look at this sand say this has to be worth coming

3:39:05 > 3:39:12into. Two down, seventh end. Yeah. No waste of time with this one.

3:39:12 > 3:39:22Looks under. Follow-through and shot drawn. What did we say about the

3:39:22 > 3:39:26follow-throughs, Paul? You just can't gauge them. He did put his

3:39:26 > 3:39:31hand up right away.Seen a couple of them this week. The unexpected. See

3:39:31 > 3:39:41it stunned then it came once more. Wow! That hurt. Played two beautiful

3:39:41 > 3:39:46bowls and the fluke has got it.

3:39:49 > 3:39:58Trying hard with this one. Very close to the jack. Just needed to

3:39:58 > 3:40:10peak. Anything past that and he was there. Well, so close.Got past it.

3:40:10 > 3:40:16It was drawing the shot. Michael Stepney has given one away with the

3:40:16 > 3:40:22last bowl. Will have to be canny here.He'll not give this one away,

3:40:22 > 3:40:34I can tell you. Seventh end, key end.

3:40:37 > 3:40:43REFEREE:one shot, Michael Stepney. APPLAUSE

3:40:49 > 3:40:55For consecutive singles. A singles winner in 2009. Strong international

3:40:55 > 3:41:00player. Trying to make his breakthrough in the World Of Bowls

3:41:00 > 3:41:19Tour. Two up, two to play. REFEREE:jack length 16.5 metres.

3:41:48 > 3:41:53He's not doing enough with those first two bowls, Michael Stepney.

3:41:53 > 3:41:58Getting there but most of the time, Perry Martin's getting in first. Now

3:41:58 > 3:42:03he's got a chance.

3:42:21 > 3:42:31Only just. Must do a fair bit of travelling, Paul, from Elgin, when

3:42:31 > 3:42:35you're playing bowls up there. Nothing really that close.Nice part

3:42:35 > 3:42:42of the world, though?Beautiful. Enjoyed a couple of days in Elgin

3:42:42 > 3:42:47before. Beautiful in the sunshine. Just not enough sunshine sometimes.

3:42:47 > 3:42:53REFEREE:one green.We all suffer from that in the UK.

3:43:00 > 3:43:05Yet another chance to get a really close ball. You don't normally get

3:43:05 > 3:43:11three goes at itA loose end from both players given the way they've

3:43:11 > 3:43:19been playing. Likely two green.

3:43:31 > 3:43:36He's calling this one. He knows it's just on the edge in terms of pace.

3:43:36 > 3:43:39Yeah, that will be shifting Michael on to the other side. But three

3:43:39 > 3:43:44short balls. If Michael can pick up the jack on this on the draw, just

3:43:44 > 3:43:50needs to move it a little bit. REFEREE:two green.He will be in a

3:43:50 > 3:43:56very, very strong position.

3:43:58 > 3:44:08Try and draw the shot.

3:44:09 > 3:44:11It will be a set lie. Not bad with this

3:44:11 > 3:44:15APPLAUSE

3:44:18 > 3:44:23REFEREE:three green.Lies three.

3:44:31 > 3:44:39Needs to save the set.Yeah, big drive. Well, I don't know if he's

3:44:39 > 3:44:54made it. . Definitely two. Will be looking at the third.Umpire,

3:44:54 > 3:45:07please.The umpire's been called. Just wide.Off target.Nicking

3:45:07 > 3:45:13happen.A bit fortuitous. Could have hit the ball and straight through

3:45:13 > 3:45:23the head. Having said that, he was in the area.

3:45:23 > 3:45:31It is a measure for the set effectively. It looks like he has

3:45:31 > 3:45:45managed to save one.REFEREE: Two shots, Michael Stepney.Michael