Day 3 - Live

0:00:31 > 0:00:36The flags of St George and St Andrews brought together by an act

0:00:36 > 0:00:41of union in 1707. Today in Perth the matches might not be so unified

0:00:41 > 0:00:45because we have representatives from both nations, best of friends off

0:00:45 > 0:00:56the rink, but best of enemiesen to.

0:01:25 > 0:01:31Hello. A warm welcome to the Dewar's Centre in Perth. The draw has worked

0:01:31 > 0:01:36out with all the match this is afternoon live here on BBC Two

0:01:36 > 0:01:38Scotland, are England against Scotland. How do you like that? It's

0:01:38 > 0:01:41going to be wonderful. The players are brilliant. They've been

0:01:41 > 0:01:44wonderful the way they've got so far to the second round and the matches

0:01:44 > 0:01:48will be brilliant. No doubt about it. Earlier this morning we had a

0:01:48 > 0:01:53match here and it was an all-England affair. Let's tell you what happened

0:01:53 > 0:02:03in that one. Danny Dennison against Nicky Brett. Dennison had already

0:02:03 > 0:02:07got through the first round but Brett was in no mood to allow

0:02:07 > 0:02:13another upset. The winner of back-to-back titles in 2014 and 15

0:02:13 > 0:02:17in Perth Brett took the first set and got off to a great start in the

0:02:17 > 0:02:21second with singles in the first two ends followed by a double in the

0:02:21 > 0:02:26third with this nice draw. An English international with 35

0:02:26 > 0:02:29caps to his name, Dennison won his tour card at the European Masters in

0:02:29 > 0:02:33May this year. He got off the mark in the next end before putting

0:02:33 > 0:02:39himself in pole position in the fifth with this finely judged shot.

0:02:39 > 0:02:42Brett produced a better response to convert another single and retain

0:02:42 > 0:02:45the advantage with four ends left to play.

0:02:45 > 0:02:49And although Dennison grabbed a double in the next, it wasn't enough

0:02:49 > 0:02:53to turn the tide. With Brett taking the next two ends, with that the

0:02:53 > 0:03:00match. Final score, 8-7, 8-3.

0:03:04 > 0:03:15So just confirmation of that result.

0:03:29 > 0:03:32David Corkhill has joined us, he will be in the commentary box this

0:03:32 > 0:03:34afternoon. Before the live action let's talk about something that

0:03:34 > 0:03:38happened yesterday. It was unprecedented scenes, a smashed

0:03:38 > 0:03:42jack. It was a result of Paul Foster playing in his match. Interesting.

0:03:42 > 0:03:45Let's talk through this.

0:03:46 > 0:03:50The decision and how they came to it.It was clear where the jack was

0:03:50 > 0:03:53going, it was going to the left into the side ditch. It would have been

0:03:53 > 0:03:58on the respot. Paul was to score two. Finally the decision was made

0:03:58 > 0:04:02to do that because really Mark had already said, and made it clear,

0:04:02 > 0:04:06Paul was going to get two. Different sets of rules but the reality is

0:04:06 > 0:04:11world bowls tour have their own set of rules as well. They don't

0:04:11 > 0:04:14necessarily go to the crystal mark set and the spirit of the game was

0:04:14 > 0:04:18very much in evidence and two shots was awarded to Paul Foster.Because

0:04:18 > 0:04:22Mark did say in the next end he would have given two to Paul anyway

0:04:22 > 0:04:26to save that happening.Exactly. It would have looked a real farce to do

0:04:26 > 0:04:31that. But the truth is the guys handled it and handled it very well,

0:04:31 > 0:04:35as did officials. The game moved on. To be truthful, I think it's time to

0:04:35 > 0:04:40put it to bed.I agree. We had to chat about it because it's been a

0:04:40 > 0:04:42big controversy because it's never happened before. Let's hope it

0:04:42 > 0:04:47doesn't happen this afternoon. We have some fantastic games.

0:04:47 > 0:04:58Particularly the next one. The six time world champion Alex Marshall

0:04:58 > 0:05:04against Les Gillet.Alex always keen to do well here but Les is a fierce

0:05:04 > 0:05:07competitor and left-hander. His lines to the jack are slightly

0:05:07 > 0:05:12different. I wouldn't be surprised if it goes down to a tie-break.It's

0:05:12 > 0:05:16all Scotland and England this afternoon as well which adds extra

0:05:16 > 0:05:20spice.It always does, let's be truthful about it! More importantly,

0:05:20 > 0:05:23for me, it's not just that England and Scotland, it's the quality of

0:05:23 > 0:05:28the players. We really have some great talent.David, thank you, we

0:05:28 > 0:05:32will let you get back to the commentary box as we turn our

0:05:32 > 0:05:37attention to the first live match. Alex Marshall and Les Gillet. 2002

0:05:37 > 0:05:41was the last time Les picked up a singles tournament win on the world

0:05:41 > 0:05:48bowls tour. A few months ago along with Jason Greenslede he won the

0:05:48 > 0:05:52pairs trophy. He is here in top form. Ladies and gentlemen, please

0:05:52 > 0:05:59give a warm welcome to Les Gillet!

0:06:00 > 0:06:10APPLAUSE

0:06:14 > 0:06:19His good friend Paul Foster may be getting closer but in terms of world

0:06:19 > 0:06:22indoors singles title no one can live with Alex Marshall. Six times

0:06:22 > 0:06:26he has won it. Who knows how many more he will pick up over the coming

0:06:26 > 0:06:29years with his ability? Will this be the year he picks up the Scottish

0:06:29 > 0:06:34Open title for the first time? Ladies and gentlemen, please give a

0:06:34 > 0:06:41huge Perth welcome to Alex Marshall!

0:06:44 > 0:06:53APPLAUSE

0:06:55 > 0:06:58Should be a wonderful match. Joining David in the commentary box is Paul

0:06:58 > 0:06:59Mitchell.

0:07:01 > 0:07:05Thank you, Dougie. Good afternoon everyone. This should and cracker to

0:07:05 > 0:07:15get us under way. Les Gillet gets ready with the jack.

0:07:15 > 0:07:21He will turn 47 later this month. A familiar figure here at the Scottish

0:07:21 > 0:07:31International Open. Been in this competition for the 14th time.

0:07:33 > 0:07:39Yes, a fresh looking Les Gillet, certainly has lost a bit of weight

0:07:39 > 0:07:45and looking quite fit. He is a very talented player. He really is. He is

0:07:45 > 0:07:50a great drawer to the jack. He can play the weight shots, he is good at

0:07:50 > 0:07:58them. A lot depends, if Alex Marshall gets out of the blocks

0:07:58 > 0:08:04quickly.

0:08:35 > 0:08:39A feature of Les game, he steadies himself, he is not quick. He slow it

0:08:39 > 0:08:43is down. We noticed this about 12 months ago. He has slowed down his

0:08:43 > 0:08:52time on the mat before he delivers the bowl.

0:08:59 > 0:09:02The gap is two-and-a-half inches.

0:09:10 > 0:09:13He is not hanging about.

0:09:14 > 0:09:18A little bit of pace.Interesting choice of shot that. I didn't expect

0:09:18 > 0:09:24that to be honest.Not with bowl number two.Thought he might have

0:09:24 > 0:09:32trickled in for a good second to develop something. Les is just

0:09:32 > 0:09:38taking his time, gets to about 22 seconds before he starts to get into

0:09:38 > 0:09:42his movement, his delivery.

0:09:57 > 0:10:03Alex might be tempted to draw this one.

0:10:04 > 0:10:09Looks like he is going again, yeah, he is indeed. That's a surprise.

0:10:09 > 0:10:13Certainly better with this one. Got the jack. Yeah. Good contact as

0:10:13 > 0:10:23well. Really solid and off to the side of the rink.Some controlled

0:10:23 > 0:10:28aggression at the start of this match. I can't remember seeing Alex

0:10:28 > 0:10:32Marshall start a first end, all the years, all the matches, that I have

0:10:32 > 0:10:37worked on with Alex Marshall playing and I can't remember him starting

0:10:37 > 0:10:37like

0:10:39 > 0:10:43He played that end almost like a tie-break end.He wasn't hanging

0:10:43 > 0:10:49around.Setting the stall out. He is going to be prepared to attack

0:10:49 > 0:10:56early.

0:11:02 > 0:11:09Left-hander's forehand.It's harder to hold the bowl up, there is a hold

0:11:09 > 0:11:17just inside the hoardings. And he has used it well.

0:11:20 > 0:11:26Really good delivery where it's finished.Alex has a couple of

0:11:26 > 0:11:31choices, but safety first perhaps and first things first, don't lose a

0:11:31 > 0:11:38three.A draw for second.

0:11:53 > 0:11:58Has given that an excellent go. Just going to fall in exactly the same

0:11:58 > 0:12:00line.

0:12:03 > 0:12:07An interesting opening end.

0:12:21 > 0:12:25A couple of unusual things from Alex Marshall in this tournament, the

0:12:25 > 0:12:29time out before the first bowl yesterday, or Monday. That was of

0:12:29 > 0:12:38interest. And there, going with weighted shots.Well, two weighted

0:12:38 > 0:12:43shots, then he was able to play the perfect draw. If Les' bowl hadn't

0:12:43 > 0:12:47been there that would have been on the jack, so he is obviously feeling

0:12:47 > 0:12:53in good form. Again this 1.00 match is ideal for the players. They've

0:12:53 > 0:12:59got that half hour before to practise and the rink doesn't change

0:12:59 > 0:13:03within five minutes. Just as we come on air and the players are

0:13:03 > 0:13:09introduced. So they're well in touch.

0:14:03 > 0:14:09No connection.Three-and-a-half feet.Alex knows he will get around

0:14:09 > 0:14:10that, three-and-a-half feet.

0:14:12 > 0:14:18Take a metre off. Even if he drops in jack-high, just to secure the

0:14:18 > 0:14:23shot. He is still going a little bit.

0:14:23 > 0:14:34Goodness me. This is very odd.Two green.

0:14:36 > 0:14:40Wouldn't be surprised if Les is going to change to the other side

0:14:40 > 0:14:47here. I think he let the second one go and thought he was closer. A

0:14:47 > 0:14:50change of hand.

0:14:54 > 0:15:02No change of result, though.Three green.Well, they're not very far

0:15:02 > 0:15:11away. But there's still plenty of room.

0:15:15 > 0:15:2118 inches is always handy to have, but at this level they're very

0:15:21 > 0:15:31beatable. This looks better. APPLAUSE

0:15:31 > 0:15:39One red.Too many chances.

0:15:44 > 0:15:49He has to see - what side he wants to come around.If he taps his own

0:15:49 > 0:15:54bowl down that will be enough. He can't afford to play anything over

0:15:54 > 0:16:03the draw. The jack goes back, and he is in a heap of trouble. He has

0:16:03 > 0:16:09given this a go. Oh! He needed a clear road. He

0:16:09 > 0:16:18definitely had the weight to make it.One red.

0:16:36 > 0:16:46Backhand draw.

0:16:48 > 0:16:57Beautifully done. Two shots. APPLAUSE

0:16:57 > 0:17:01No mistake on the spare there. I think when you get chances like that

0:17:01 > 0:17:10in a match that's going to be so tight you have to take them.A good

0:17:10 > 0:17:13pick-up by the Scot.

0:17:15 > 0:17:23Interesting to see the first delivery of Les gillet, having had

0:17:23 > 0:17:28four bowls short of the head.

0:18:14 > 0:18:19Well played. APPLAUSE

0:18:19 > 0:18:21About a quarter of an inch gap.

0:18:23 > 0:18:27Yes, three inches short.That's perfect, he can use his own bowl to

0:18:27 > 0:18:33come off the right angle. Bowl or jack would be good. Oh! Wow, missed

0:18:33 > 0:18:42the line there and it punishes you. Even Alex Marshall can do that.

0:18:55 > 0:19:04That's interesting. Alex Marshall going up to have a look. Very

0:19:04 > 0:19:08different approach from Alex this time.

0:19:09 > 0:19:15I think he is aware if he goes a bowl wider, might struggle to get

0:19:15 > 0:19:25back into the head. So he might decide to go quicker at this.

0:19:29 > 0:19:36Sticking with the draw for now. Got away very gentle. But it's looking

0:19:36 > 0:19:45good. A touch should be enough. Goodness me! Any touch on that and

0:19:45 > 0:19:53the jack was moving.The red bowl was ready. Les made a mistake with

0:19:53 > 0:20:01his last bowl falling short. Doesn't want to repeat that.

0:20:08 > 0:20:19Wide line.Not a lot of choice, he had to go deep. Split the red bowls.

0:20:26 > 0:20:32No change to the shot for Alex Marshall.

0:20:43 > 0:20:50This is on the inside. The margins are so small at that length for that

0:20:50 > 0:20:57type of shot. When do you ever see Alex lose two bowls like that?They

0:20:57 > 0:21:01were identical bowls, so the line must have been the wrong side and no

0:21:01 > 0:21:05more, but see how you are punished for it.Almost like a shelf there, a

0:21:05 > 0:21:08bowl wider he would have been perfect, but you have to go

0:21:08 > 0:21:15searching for it, it's not an easy shot.

0:21:20 > 0:21:29It's a really good effort.If he drops he has a chance.

0:21:32 > 0:21:36So one shot out.

0:21:38 > 0:21:48Yeah, I think that touch was just enough to straighten and pass it

0:21:48 > 0:21:52before it fell.

0:21:55 > 0:22:01Two each in the opening set.

0:22:05 > 0:22:17A tight start to the match that we expected.

0:22:48 > 0:22:53APPLAUSE

0:23:00 > 0:23:10Both these players will be using strong bias bowls. Stronger the

0:23:10 > 0:23:23bias, the better.In it comes. APPLAUSE

0:23:23 > 0:23:31Two inches. Your short gap is four inches.It's all very precise, four

0:23:31 > 0:23:37inches, two-and-a-half. But these players...That's what they work to.

0:23:37 > 0:23:43Les will know if he play as similar bowl, just that little bit extra

0:23:43 > 0:23:48weight, he can drop back on the jack.

0:23:52 > 0:23:56Just through.

0:24:03 > 0:24:12The gap is four inches.Alex knows the bowl is five inches wide. So he

0:24:12 > 0:24:16is conscious of the fact that he could give the shot away on the

0:24:16 > 0:24:22backhand by dropping back on the jack. So, playing through on the

0:24:22 > 0:24:30forehand, hoping to miss the green bowl. Interesting. Well, it's a good

0:24:30 > 0:24:31protector.

0:24:32 > 0:24:41There are a few benefits to be gained on that hand. Perhaps the

0:24:41 > 0:24:46unintended one, but it has worked and Les is having to give it some

0:24:46 > 0:24:55thought. Forces him to the other side.

0:25:00 > 0:25:08It's not there.

0:25:24 > 0:25:30Back to the backhand.

0:25:37 > 0:25:47It's not carrying either.

0:25:51 > 0:26:01Les has to be very precise. That's the problem he has. Alex just has to

0:26:01 > 0:26:06be very careful.

0:26:09 > 0:26:14Certainly is reaching this one. Yeah, another good effort, just over

0:26:14 > 0:26:18it.

0:26:22 > 0:26:29Alex won't want to use up a time out. It's a low percentage shot to

0:26:29 > 0:26:41add another one. He will try it on the high side. Try and drop around.

0:26:49 > 0:26:55It's coming around. He is giving it every chance. Going to slip by.Very

0:26:55 > 0:27:01good effort. But again it wasn't a spare shot opportunity.

0:27:01 > 0:27:06APPLAUSE He gave it a go.He also played it

0:27:06 > 0:27:15in such a way he wasn't going to risk giving it away.

0:27:54 > 0:27:58A shorter length favoured. Alex Marshall.

0:28:27 > 0:28:35APPLAUSE

0:28:40 > 0:28:48Lovely smooth action of Alex Marshall, it's never changed.

0:28:51 > 0:28:57APPLAUSE Around it comes.

0:29:00 > 0:29:09The gap is seven inches.That tells Les that any touch on his own bowl

0:29:09 > 0:29:15would be enough to get the shot back again. Another player with a

0:29:15 > 0:29:21beautifully smooth delivery.

0:29:27 > 0:29:31Giving this every chance. Just will slide past.With that weight he had

0:29:31 > 0:29:35to get his own bowl, if he touched the jack it would have tucked it

0:29:35 > 0:29:42into the red and that would have been really difficult.

0:29:51 > 0:29:53Alex keeping his hand.

0:29:55 > 0:30:01He dropped it underneath again.

0:30:02 > 0:30:06Seven bowls in this direction, a shorter jack length, and that's

0:30:06 > 0:30:16three that have gone wayward. That's really not like him. Not an easy

0:30:16 > 0:30:22situation, obviously.But it's not like him to see them go across so

0:30:22 > 0:30:30much. Some light refreshment.

0:30:43 > 0:30:48Giving it a chance again, does not want to touch the Jack the Ripper.

0:30:48 > 0:30:51Straight across to Marine again.

0:31:18 > 0:31:32Alex aware of the two green bowl's at the back.That's very wise. The

0:31:32 > 0:31:36problem for Leslie is he has tried that little touch down and shot

0:31:36 > 0:31:41twice, just missed it. Will he go stronger this time and take the

0:31:41 > 0:31:45chance at the two reds you could go out, which he could, the way they

0:31:45 > 0:31:49are sitting at the moment. Definitely playing it with more

0:31:49 > 0:31:56weight, on the inside line, that will kick away very quickly.One

0:31:56 > 0:32:00shot, Alex Marshall.APPLAUSE Surprised to did not play with more

0:32:00 > 0:32:02weight.

0:32:07 > 0:32:12It's a very tempting shot because you want to move the jack just a

0:32:12 > 0:32:16yard or so but occasionally you have to be more positive and take a

0:32:16 > 0:32:19chance on the two reds going out instead of going for the perfect

0:32:19 > 0:32:31shot. The green bowl onto the jack.

0:32:37 > 0:32:42The 17th Scottish International Open. 12 years since he was in the

0:32:42 > 0:32:44final.

0:32:53 > 0:33:04Alex Marshall was absolutely unbelievable the way he was playing

0:33:04 > 0:33:09that year his opponent got through to the final and asked why is he

0:33:09 > 0:33:13turning up? He is playing so well, I will turn up and give him again if I

0:33:13 > 0:33:18can. As it turned out, Alex's form went down slightly, Ian's came up

0:33:18 > 0:33:29and he took the title.

0:34:00 > 0:34:15Not hanging around this time. We'll be re-spotted. Stays intact. I think

0:34:15 > 0:34:20we are OK with this one. At that weight there was no chance that

0:34:20 > 0:34:27wasn't happening to it. Good strike, bang on target. Les does play the

0:34:27 > 0:34:39shot is very well. He's a very good shot player and more than bubble --

0:34:39 > 0:34:47of wrapping things up.Some of the bowling to the re-spot has been

0:34:47 > 0:34:57unbelievable.Once again more evidence of how close these guys can

0:34:57 > 0:35:05get to it.

0:35:15 > 0:35:20Just letting the arm flow a little before he delivers the bowl.

0:35:24 > 0:35:28Trying to keep it up as long as possible before it starts to bend,

0:35:28 > 0:35:32playing across his body a little bit. Just doesn't have the power to

0:35:32 > 0:35:40make it, the wine was good. -- the line was good.

0:35:42 > 0:35:44Both players with a bowl to play.

0:36:05 > 0:36:13Slightly wider line. Coming back. APPLAUSE

0:36:13 > 0:36:16Perfect.

0:36:28 > 0:36:31Side touch as opposed to coming behind it and bringing the jack

0:36:31 > 0:36:38towards the green bowl. Les cannot afford to drive this because no

0:36:38 > 0:36:52guarantee they will not bring in the short red.

0:36:54 > 0:37:01Safety shot.That was good, because it gave himself the option to get

0:37:01 > 0:37:11the back ball and reduce it to a single.Well played from Les

0:37:11 > 0:37:13Gillett.

0:37:22 > 0:37:26Winning ends, Alex Marshall, but not getting away. Three up, three to

0:37:26 > 0:37:34play in the opening set.I think he would have been very happy to take

0:37:34 > 0:37:39this at the start of the match. By the way, Alex, what do you fancy

0:37:39 > 0:37:43going out there, six ends played and you are three up? I think he would

0:37:43 > 0:37:49say I will take that every time.He would take it.It's a hard game to

0:37:49 > 0:37:56score shots, no doubt about that. Both players playing very well.

0:37:56 > 0:38:00Conversely, Les will not be happy. You are never happy if you're behind

0:38:00 > 0:38:13but losing singles, not been a threat a massive counted so far.

0:39:22 > 0:39:36Keeping a keen eye on this. Again, it's the weight that is in question.

0:39:36 > 0:39:46Slightly longer jack length is guaranteed to push the ball out of

0:39:46 > 0:39:51it wider.

0:39:58 > 0:40:08Underline again is what he is indicating.Commentators curse.

0:40:08 > 0:40:13Laid-back he knew it immediately. I cannot remember Alex missing a line,

0:40:13 > 0:40:25he's a very good line player. He usually just throws them out and let

0:40:25 > 0:40:29them get back in. The margins must be very tight on this side, if you

0:40:29 > 0:40:41get it wrong you are punished. I think the ways is inside it.

0:40:48 > 0:40:55Struggling going away from the commentary box at the moment. Better

0:40:55 > 0:41:11line.Yeah but he dropped it short.

0:41:20 > 0:41:25This is a big bowl for a Les Gillett in the state of the match.Slightly

0:41:25 > 0:41:30stronger weight, going underneath, a lot of bowls been lost on the inside

0:41:30 > 0:41:35on this side of the road. Something is not right because the players are

0:41:35 > 0:41:44frightened to go outside the line. That is a fair point. It is not like

0:41:44 > 0:41:49they are risking pushing it further out, playing that tide line.They

0:41:49 > 0:41:55are searching for a hold which is thusly available by the margins are

0:41:55 > 0:41:59very tight and they know if they go outside and they will not get back.

0:41:59 > 0:42:10Which is unusual I have to say.

0:42:12 > 0:42:19Technically two ends of the set to play, but if Alex Marshall

0:42:40 > 0:42:46just watching Les Gillett to see if the movement before each bowl is

0:42:46 > 0:42:52identical, little touch on the back, little touch on the shirt.It's all

0:42:52 > 0:42:56very deliberate, he steadied himself and get himself ready for the

0:42:56 > 0:43:04concentration of the delivery. Watching David Gurley, he tucks up

0:43:04 > 0:43:13the legs of his trousers, always the same way. It's habitual.

0:43:17 > 0:43:23Trying to encourage this one forward.

0:43:37 > 0:43:47Just a quick look at Alex's bowl, he does not want to tap it. If he

0:43:47 > 0:43:58touches the jack it makes a double. Well played, Les

0:43:58 > 0:44:07touches the jack it makes a double. Well played, Les.

0:44:37 > 0:44:45He is puzzled.We might find out after the match but there certainly

0:44:45 > 0:44:51has been a few things out there which have been difficult, things

0:44:51 > 0:45:05are changing, as they can do, very quickly. Little touch to make three,

0:45:05 > 0:45:12that guarantees it. Good end for Les and an important time to do it. This

0:45:12 > 0:45:22is tricky now. Because he has one ball relatively close, knows he can

0:45:22 > 0:45:38take out two green.He will have to take time out here. A problem he has

0:45:38 > 0:45:45got is if he hits onto his own bowl, where the jack is going, back down

0:45:45 > 0:45:56to this position, if he wants to play it that way, the green bowl and

0:45:56 > 0:46:01take two out, it is damaged limitation and gives strong position

0:46:01 > 0:46:06going into the last end. But there is nothing easy about it which is

0:46:06 > 0:46:16the problem.

0:46:19 > 0:46:31Looks like he's got a bit of extra weight on the draw.

0:46:33 > 0:46:41I understand why he played it. A really good would have taken his own

0:46:41 > 0:46:52bowl out. The running shot was not very attractive. Big chance now for

0:46:52 > 0:46:59Les Gillett. It will be 7-5 as it stands. He has taken a time-out.He

0:46:59 > 0:47:10knows how important this is.

0:47:15 > 0:47:29Looks under. That is a mistake. If you had offered him three shots

0:47:29 > 0:47:37before this end he have taken it. But he had to be greedy.It was a

0:47:37 > 0:47:41definite spear shot opportunity. Now he is looking to get something out

0:47:41 > 0:47:46of the set where as if he had scored format he might have been looking to

0:47:46 > 0:47:52win the set. Now a draw would be a fantastic result for him. That's the

0:47:52 > 0:48:01difference one bowl can make.

0:48:06 > 0:48:15Has been involved in the only tight set so far in the tournament.

0:48:18 > 0:48:22The thing about 9-9 in the second set is quite often you don't even

0:48:22 > 0:48:26play your last bowl in that situation. You are happy enough to

0:48:26 > 0:48:33play for the tide set. He was not going for it. I quite like tight

0:48:33 > 0:48:37sets in the first set because then you have a one sector shoot out.

0:48:37 > 0:48:45Winner takes all.

0:48:49 > 0:48:57Looking at this, he doesn't like how that bowl stopped there. You're

0:48:57 > 0:48:59already Dara Khosrowshahi always taught by the open hand but these

0:48:59 > 0:49:04guys are so good they can get past anything, but he is going with the

0:49:04 > 0:49:05open hand.

0:49:46 > 0:49:54Two short bowls when you are looking to pick up the double.He has found

0:49:54 > 0:50:09playing away from the commentary box problematic in terms of short bowls.

0:50:12 > 0:50:20It is still there but no chance of winning the set.Needs a really good

0:50:20 > 0:50:32bowl year to set up the chance for getting a draw.

0:50:34 > 0:50:42Cannot afford to be behind the red. Does just enough.Absolutely. A fine

0:50:42 > 0:50:52effort.

0:50:57 > 0:51:08Might have taken time out here, because it's an important bowl.

0:51:08 > 0:51:15Trotting down after it. Doesn't fully happen unless he thinks he's

0:51:15 > 0:51:25very close, and he is. Goodness me.

0:51:32 > 0:51:36Just did not get enough to take it with him. Still going to take pretty

0:51:36 > 0:51:47good draw here.

0:51:49 > 0:52:05Somethings not right. Having said that... He knew he was slightly

0:52:05 > 0:52:16overweight but it might be in two. Came back better than he thought.

0:52:16 > 0:52:21Two green.It was the weight more than anything else, knew he was out

0:52:21 > 0:52:29on a wide line but I bet he thought he was half a yard through.Alex

0:52:29 > 0:52:39will take a time-out.

0:52:43 > 0:52:46If he plays the way Chuckie might get the outside green one if he

0:52:46 > 0:52:55stands up a little bit and that would be enough to secure the set.

0:52:55 > 0:53:08The other option is to draw the shot and that's not easy.

0:53:08 > 0:53:14Going to disturb something, he needs a hit. Things tied as things stand,

0:53:14 > 0:53:21has he got the green ball out? He hasn't.Thought he was a bit low

0:53:21 > 0:53:30wide on the delivery and he will be so disappointed. Wow. Explain that

0:53:30 > 0:53:39to me.To pick up three and then two, all credit to the Englishman

0:53:39 > 0:53:44for the fight back. It is a tide set and disappointment for Alex

0:53:44 > 0:53:47Marshall.Alex Blair did exactly the right way, slightly on the high

0:53:47 > 0:53:54side, getting back. Just held off enough to get the outside of the

0:53:54 > 0:54:06green and not the inside. Small margins.

0:54:16 > 0:54:27Winner takes all second set.

0:55:26 > 0:55:29Can really see how wide Leslie is pushing the ball out from that

0:55:29 > 0:55:31angle.

0:55:35 > 0:55:50APPLAUSE The gap?Three inches.Sometimes you

0:55:50 > 0:55:53watch it and you see the tide lines of the southern hemisphere, going

0:55:53 > 0:55:58down with more than maybe two or three feet of width, Alex once again

0:55:58 > 0:56:10going early. Nice.

0:56:24 > 0:56:31I'll was thought there is more art to the wide arcs.Bowls is a game of

0:56:31 > 0:56:36being able to push the bowl out it come back in a wide arc. A lot of

0:56:36 > 0:56:43people's opinion, not just mine, but a lot of people do not like the

0:56:43 > 0:57:00straight bowls.Brilliant from Les Gillett.Controversial! No, I must

0:57:00 > 0:57:04agree, I really do not like them, and the fact that these guys play

0:57:04 > 0:57:09with big, wide bowls proves the point. Alex looking from across the

0:57:09 > 0:57:14ring, enough weight to punch and stay or get the jack clean, how

0:57:14 > 0:57:26close is he?Got it! Applauded by his opponent for that as well.That

0:57:26 > 0:57:32was brilliant.

0:57:40 > 0:57:42Les just hours to appreciate it, nothing you can do about that!

0:57:42 > 0:57:54Excellent stuff really good bowling.

0:57:54 > 0:58:02So close. People might think you should not allow the bowl to go into

0:58:02 > 0:58:05the ditch like that but it made no difference because the jack is

0:58:05 > 0:58:12gripped in the ditch by plastic prongs, that is the marker, you

0:58:12 > 0:58:18cannot beat it on the draw but the touch could have gone in. The jack

0:58:18 > 0:58:24just cannot come out of the prongs once it is in there. In a lot of

0:58:24 > 0:58:32normal clubs if you let a bowl go into the ditch and hit a jack it can

0:58:32 > 0:58:37move.For the encore Alex Marshall trying to draw to the edge of the

0:58:37 > 0:58:46ditch.He has done enough with the previous one.Pretty good effort to.

0:59:44 > 0:59:47APPLAUSE

1:00:43 > 1:00:51My goods in, very steady at that distance. -- my goodness.It looks

1:00:51 > 1:00:55like he has fallen out with his bowl, the way he parted from it,

1:00:55 > 1:01:02straight to the other side! And around it comes.

1:01:02 > 1:01:12APPLAUSE Left-hander, of course, you really

1:01:12 > 1:01:17can't follow his line.

1:01:33 > 1:01:41It's better. APPLAUSE

1:01:41 > 1:01:49He is probably thinking to himself, I made that look easy! It's anything

1:01:49 > 1:01:56but to get the right line. Les has to be careful here. A draw to the

1:01:56 > 1:02:02red one, doesn't want to move the jack.

1:02:13 > 1:02:21That might influence Alex Marshall's thinking.

1:02:24 > 1:02:27Interesting to see if he goes for this because if he plays another

1:02:27 > 1:02:32bowl the same as the last he will draw it for two, but the forehand

1:02:32 > 1:02:41offers up a chance of touching the jack for four.

1:02:47 > 1:02:53That's where he's gone.He is very close. He has made the double. Inner

1:02:53 > 1:03:01edge and he had the jack.Two red.

1:03:04 > 1:03:11May just have to be the perfect draw. He is having a look. Will have

1:03:11 > 1:03:17to spend a time out.Time out called.Well, the danger is the jack

1:03:17 > 1:03:26movement. I think that's where the problem is. He doesn't want to move

1:03:26 > 1:03:30the jack...

1:03:34 > 1:03:40He might have to try to draw this.

1:03:48 > 1:03:54Yeah, sticking to the draw. Trying get an edge off his own bowl to come

1:03:54 > 1:04:03between the two reds. Needs an edge! Oh! That's close. Thinner edge would

1:04:03 > 1:04:14have guaranteed it but he is close to the shot anyway.

1:04:22 > 1:04:24One shot Alex Marshall. APPLAUSE

1:04:24 > 1:04:32Interesting end that one.It's been an interesting battle. Another

1:04:32 > 1:04:37single for Alex Marshall.

1:04:41 > 1:04:46Lost the first set in the opening round of the competition. Took the

1:04:46 > 1:05:06second and won the tie-break. Some good bowls in both sets there.

1:05:20 > 1:05:29APPLAUSE

1:05:54 > 1:05:58APPLAUSE

1:06:14 > 1:06:24Again he is trying to encourage it forward but just dropped away.

1:07:04 > 1:07:09Les is looking... Two shots here. But if he can get a touch on the

1:07:09 > 1:07:18jack. Alex knows where the danger is.

1:07:22 > 1:07:27Looking for it to come back. Is he going to make it? Oh, just. Goodness

1:07:27 > 1:07:33me, I thought it was going to drop the other way.Certainly could have

1:07:33 > 1:07:43caused problems for him.

1:08:01 > 1:08:08Needs to run. The line was good enough for what he wanted.Just

1:08:08 > 1:08:13lacked the energy there.

1:08:15 > 1:08:25Gives Alex Marshall a chance to plug that little gap there.

1:08:42 > 1:08:52Off the backhand this time. Will come around it.

1:08:53 > 1:08:58Just didn't make it back. Still a chance for Les. Anything on his last

1:08:58 > 1:09:03bowl to get the shot, any movement on the jack he makes two, maybe

1:09:03 > 1:09:08three.

1:09:11 > 1:09:21Not even bothering. Going for the runner. Solid bowl. He looked to be

1:09:21 > 1:09:28very, very close to the front plant that he was probably after.

1:09:30 > 1:09:36It's down to just the one. Definitely after that front plant he

1:09:36 > 1:09:40will move the jack back, but it was a good effort. It's really, that's

1:09:40 > 1:09:44not like Les. Normally he would try and draw that and turn the jack for

1:09:44 > 1:09:52the treble. A good effort, though.

1:09:56 > 1:10:08A good start to this second set for Alex Marshall. Three singles. Lost

1:10:08 > 1:10:16four ends of the 12. The first set tied. He needs the second.

1:10:20 > 1:10:28Semifinalist in this event last season. Trying to find a way into

1:10:28 > 1:10:32the quarter-finals. Another good opening bowl.

1:10:32 > 1:10:40APPLAUSE

1:10:55 > 1:10:59Has been a quarter-finalist on four occasions in Scotland, never gone

1:10:59 > 1:11:11further than that. Such a dangerous player.

1:11:57 > 1:12:02Just slipped away. Two more inches would have been enough to hold it

1:12:02 > 1:12:05up.

1:12:12 > 1:12:16Red bowl definitely shot.

1:12:34 > 1:12:41Les will take a time out here.

1:12:43 > 1:12:51He is looking to see what way he can make an adjustment here. Well, his

1:12:51 > 1:12:55backhand could come in there. The front red one, chances are the other

1:12:55 > 1:13:03one will go out. Not a lot Back On Top the backhand for him, ex-- sorry

1:13:03 > 1:13:09his forehand. Being a perfect draw. But I can't see anything else. Only

1:13:09 > 1:13:13good thing is he is doing it with his third bowl. He has one after

1:13:13 > 1:13:19this, so if it goes wrong and he hits it he has a recovery bowl. The

1:13:19 > 1:13:29forehand, well, this has to be absolutely inch-perfect.

1:13:30 > 1:13:41He is still watching it. He likes it. Around it comes. He has a

1:13:41 > 1:13:44chance. APPLAUSE

1:13:44 > 1:13:54Well, even if he gets a shot at this he's been a little unlucky.

1:13:57 > 1:14:04Any touch on the jack and he made three with that one.Three. Time out

1:14:04 > 1:14:10called. Alex has two remaining.He asked how many time outs he had, he

1:14:10 > 1:14:16was going to take one anyway. Doesn't matter, I will take it! Five

1:14:16 > 1:14:27seconds or something. Again it's a really difficult shot for Alex.

1:14:30 > 1:14:35It's got to be the backhand draw. Nothing really else there. You know,

1:14:35 > 1:14:47the danger is if he holds out and leaves a catch.What do we know!

1:14:47 > 1:14:47This is

1:14:51 > 1:14:54The backhand doesn't offer anything so he is actually going for the

1:14:54 > 1:14:58blocker... Or if he is not he is trying to draw it on the forehand.

1:14:58 > 1:15:04Oh! That would have been outrageous. Would have been outrageously good! I

1:15:04 > 1:15:09thought he was going for the blocker. I really did.Also tells us

1:15:09 > 1:15:16a lot about the backhand, that he didn't fancy it there. The hand he

1:15:16 > 1:15:22started off on.That's why I thought he was going to go for the blocker

1:15:22 > 1:15:27because of the drive. He has got the shot out of it.Looks like it. The

1:15:27 > 1:15:39bowl to the side. It's guarded by three red bowls.A bit of fortune

1:15:39 > 1:15:44about it, no doubt. I reckon he believed he could take all three

1:15:44 > 1:15:52bowls out with that runner. That's why I thought Alex was blocking it.

1:15:52 > 1:15:58Just felt Les would drive it. Entertaining stuff.Nor good end of

1:15:58 > 1:16:04bowls. Lots to talk about, lots to debate. Interesting to see how the

1:16:04 > 1:16:15players are reacting.

1:16:54 > 1:17:00APPLAUSE

1:17:26 > 1:17:34Your bowl is ten inches past jack high. Alex's bowl is just sat down.

1:17:34 > 1:17:45Still one down.The view not much to look at when you see two bowls in

1:17:45 > 1:17:51line. There is that width of the bowl as it comes back in, you can

1:17:51 > 1:17:59see it bending. Here it comes. Just over the weight.

1:18:03 > 1:18:10On that side ten inches past jack-high. Ten.

1:18:12 > 1:18:17Enough room between the two bowls to draw it, no doubt about that. If you

1:18:17 > 1:18:23are a little bit heavy, and I think Alex will make sure he is reaching,

1:18:23 > 1:18:28you will get a good position bowl.

1:18:34 > 1:18:38That's handy there.

1:18:50 > 1:18:56Les very co-ordinated today. The shoes have green bottoms on them, to

1:18:56 > 1:19:03go with the green shirt!Style is everything. Substance too, in it

1:19:03 > 1:19:10comes. It's going to drop a little bit short. Yeah, there it goes.Hit

1:19:10 > 1:19:24the seem of the carpet as well. Needed a tad more to take him over.

1:19:34 > 1:19:41Again the forehand, ideally, for Alex Marshall.

1:19:42 > 1:19:49This is going to be slightly overcooked as well.

1:19:49 > 1:19:57He is still surprised those bowls didn't get back so he uses a big

1:19:57 > 1:20:02bias bowl. An interesting choice here for Les, he has the front plant

1:20:02 > 1:20:09if he wants to play weight. Yeah, going for it. He is in the area for

1:20:09 > 1:20:16the plant. Oh, just enough. A little bit unlucky to take his own bowl on

1:20:16 > 1:20:28the way through. Solid bowl is worth a lot more.One green.

1:20:31 > 1:20:36Enough to get the single. But solid bowl was definitely a lot more

1:20:36 > 1:20:47profitable. He could run the jack through here for four. That's what

1:20:47 > 1:20:55he is going for. Jack through for four. Now will he get back to it

1:20:55 > 1:21:05nicely? The jack... Where did the bend come from?One shot Les Gillet.

1:21:05 > 1:21:10He actually could have clipped that off to the side, rather than taking

1:21:10 > 1:21:14it. Might not have been advantageous either.The two players are talking

1:21:14 > 1:21:23about that, it got extra whip on it, it surprised me.Five ends played,

1:21:23 > 1:21:30five shots, all singles all the way, after a tied first set.

1:21:35 > 1:21:42So little to choose between these two players. The next four ends will

1:21:42 > 1:21:49be very, very interesting.

1:22:16 > 1:22:33Easy relaxed action of Les Gillet. APPLAUSE

1:22:50 > 1:22:54APPLAUSE

1:22:59 > 1:23:06Very close.

1:23:24 > 1:23:34Same line, additional weight. Gives Alex the chance.

1:23:43 > 1:23:52That one kicked out as well. Alex will be bemused to say the least.

1:23:52 > 1:23:55Wondering at what point does he abandon that hand? It's the one most

1:23:55 > 1:24:08players have been favouring. But today it seems to be misbehaving.

1:24:23 > 1:24:29Les thinking he can get back better on this side. It's making centre

1:24:29 > 1:24:35rink OK, just over the weight, that's all.

1:24:39 > 1:24:46Does he change to the forehand? Certainly would be safer. You can

1:24:46 > 1:24:51see the trouble with the backhand, second bowl didn't make any real

1:24:51 > 1:24:59move back. But first bowl was pretty decent. And this certainly looks a

1:24:59 > 1:25:19lot better.A shot coming in. APPLAUSE

1:25:23 > 1:25:27Well, that was a bowl that stopped the jack going back at the angle

1:25:27 > 1:25:32that Les was looking for. He might decide to try to get the two red

1:25:32 > 1:25:38ones here.Les has one time out remaining.It's available to him.

1:25:38 > 1:25:41Don't get me wrong, it's not easy, but if he gets into there he could

1:25:41 > 1:25:49take into the other red bowl and push that one, get into the shot red

1:25:49 > 1:25:58bowl. The jack on the respot is good for red, as well. If he gets the

1:25:58 > 1:26:02jack over.

1:26:08 > 1:26:14He is playing with a lot less weight here. This is... Well this is a

1:26:14 > 1:26:19really hard shot he is trying to play. He is trying to play just

1:26:19 > 1:26:29inside the red bowl to move the jack. Didn't have enough weight.

1:26:29 > 1:26:39Second shot... Yeah, a shake of the head. He wanted to be reaching that.

1:26:43 > 1:26:49Some conversation between both players, they know each other well.

1:26:49 > 1:27:01Met in the World Championships in round two in January.

1:27:12 > 1:27:15Settling for the one.

1:27:16 > 1:27:25One shot Alex Marshall. APPLAUSE

1:27:25 > 1:27:29The singles theme continues.

1:27:35 > 1:27:38Both players are chatting, Paul. That's the thing, obviously they're

1:27:38 > 1:27:42discussing the rink and the difficulties about playing certain

1:27:42 > 1:27:47types of shots. Les would have been probably punching into that earlier

1:27:47 > 1:27:50in the set, but it's such a tight game. If he was looking for second

1:27:50 > 1:27:55shot on a draw, he certainly wouldn't have been playing that

1:27:55 > 1:28:07shot. A few strange things going on out there.

1:28:39 > 1:28:45Six years since these players met in this tournament. Les Gillet, 2011,

1:28:45 > 1:28:51dropped the first set, won the second and won the tie-break. Put

1:28:51 > 1:28:59out Alex Marshall in a round one match.

1:29:16 > 1:29:20APPLAUSE

1:29:22 > 1:29:28A little bonus dropping back on the jack, brings the front bowl into

1:29:28 > 1:29:37play.The gap on the shot bowl, four inches.

1:30:10 > 1:30:15This is massive, this end. 7th end of nine. The player behind on the

1:30:15 > 1:30:20score card really needs to score in this one. Otherwise, he will be

1:30:20 > 1:30:28chasing the last two ends. When you are chasing looking for shots, you

1:30:28 > 1:30:34make mistakes.

1:30:48 > 1:30:54He is going to run it. That's what Alex thought would happen.

1:30:54 > 1:31:08Got it too. Good hit. It'ser in good

1:31:08 > 1:31:11Bang on target but the re-spot was never going to be in his favour

1:31:11 > 1:31:22either side. He has got the last bowl of the end. Would expect Alex

1:31:22 > 1:31:25to get pretty close, the pressure is on.

1:31:41 > 1:31:53Years stalking it. Staring at it. Satisfied by it.They can be very

1:31:53 > 1:32:03happy with that. Going to have to try to draw this.

1:32:09 > 1:32:1214 seconds on the shot clock, does not want to waste his final

1:32:12 > 1:32:16time-out. Get this away comfortably enough.

1:32:22 > 1:32:32Boosted wide, although starting to bend now. Very close. Really close.

1:32:32 > 1:32:40Super shot.APPLAUSE What a ball from Les Gillett.

1:32:44 > 1:32:47Terrific set this has been. It's been intriguing and entertaining.

1:32:47 > 1:32:56That is high-quality.If Les wins the set and the match that was a key

1:32:56 > 1:33:01bowl. Appreciated by Alex Marshall.

1:33:05 > 1:33:11Would not have wanted to see it but...No... The guys have been

1:33:11 > 1:33:24really good out there, appreciating each other's bowls.The opening set

1:33:24 > 1:33:27tide, winner take all second set.

1:33:47 > 1:33:53The only way to guarantee there won't be a tie-breaker is if

1:33:53 > 1:33:59Marshall drops a shot and it goes to 4-4. Then it would be a shoot out,

1:33:59 > 1:34:09winner takes all.

1:34:24 > 1:34:37That will change Les. Hardly any point even asking. He asked but I

1:34:37 > 1:34:45don't think there was any point, always going to have to change. He

1:34:45 > 1:34:52will move over onto his forehand.

1:35:59 > 1:36:05Looks a very good line, doesn't have the width to carry it?Oh dear. Not

1:36:05 > 1:36:25going to help Alex's shot but... Alex will use a time-out here.Got

1:36:25 > 1:36:30down to the event as much as possible.

1:36:45 > 1:36:52Is this worth a run?There is a shot on the back and for the jack, if he

1:36:52 > 1:36:56comes slightly inside he gets his own bowl or the green one. It's the

1:36:56 > 1:37:00sort of shot that can win you matches, no doubt about that. Cannot

1:37:00 > 1:37:05see an awful lot to go wrong. Same shot on the forehand that he wants

1:37:05 > 1:37:09to play it but either way they are attacking and the alternative is to

1:37:09 > 1:37:13draw an top Gear own dome. Two or three opportunities here, different

1:37:13 > 1:37:21options available. If he gets onto his own bowl arrests the green at

1:37:21 > 1:37:26absolute perfect. Just holding off, got a good back bowl and that is

1:37:26 > 1:37:27handy.

1:37:32 > 1:37:38If you're Les Gillett do you cover the back? Because one or two you're

1:37:38 > 1:37:50going to the end.

1:37:56 > 1:38:15That is where the dangers are. That is what he was trying to play.Alex

1:38:15 > 1:38:19again will be looking does he want to get into that bowl, but if you

1:38:19 > 1:38:22cannot he will get into the jack. The other alternative would be to

1:38:22 > 1:38:28get round to the green but the jack, ideally, if he can get the jack back

1:38:28 > 1:38:39there he guarantees a double. Interesting, he will not have a

1:38:39 > 1:38:48time-out on the ninth end.So many complications to this even the

1:38:48 > 1:39:00backhand runner, the forehand run are not guaranteed either.

1:39:00 > 1:39:10Controlled weight on the forehand, big percentages. Controlled weight.

1:39:10 > 1:39:19Keeping anionic. The result coming? No.There were so many things she

1:39:19 > 1:39:24could've gotten by hitting that bowl, he just turned his back on it

1:39:24 > 1:39:31and thought, goodness me. Any edge of the jack, bowl on to anything. He

1:39:31 > 1:39:41hit what he was looking for.Just went straight through.Lets see the

1:39:41 > 1:39:48reaction, goodness me. Put that down five times you'll probably get

1:39:48 > 1:39:55something four times.

1:40:03 > 1:40:14Alex Marshall needs to win the end, it really is that simple. Single for

1:40:14 > 1:40:21Alex Marshall and we are looking at the almost unprecedented two typeset

1:40:21 > 1:40:25and the tie-breaker.It has happened before but it is such a rare

1:40:25 > 1:40:29occasion which is why I think it's more of a one end shoot out in many

1:40:29 > 1:40:44ways. Les really will go for this.

1:40:45 > 1:40:56Opening bowl to set the tone.

1:40:57 > 1:41:04His wife might be watching, three girls, I imagine the school, but

1:41:04 > 1:41:10they will see their dad playing some very good bowls again up in Perth.

1:41:10 > 1:41:16Very much a family man, Les Gillett.

1:41:20 > 1:41:33Very small gap, Alex.Make decided to run this.

1:41:41 > 1:41:52When you get such a good opening bowl...Closing his eyes and trying

1:41:52 > 1:42:04to refocus on what he needs to do. Coming around for the re-spot, you

1:42:04 > 1:42:17can see the white dot on your screen. Very close to it.Prepared

1:42:17 > 1:42:28to have one go.

1:42:28 > 1:42:34Really good effort and in a good place. That's going to be hard to

1:42:34 > 1:42:47cover because Les has to get very close to own bowl.

1:43:05 > 1:43:14Turning the jack for two. That's where the problem is her Les, he

1:43:14 > 1:43:20knows he cannot really get that close to cover the red bowl nothing

1:43:20 > 1:43:31he can do if Alex plays this perfectly. Certainly not the man I

1:43:31 > 1:43:41would want to be out there against. Very close. Want to disturb the

1:43:41 > 1:43:51jack.

1:43:53 > 1:44:02Obviously thought he was right on it.This is where the problem really

1:44:02 > 1:44:10is for Les, he's got things covered. He really wants to be in this

1:44:10 > 1:44:17position, but he wants his bowl to be. The jack on a re-spot, that's

1:44:17 > 1:44:26not a particular problem. The other spots covered as well. Again that is

1:44:26 > 1:44:29covered, he knows Alex is going to play in on the forehand, he changes

1:44:29 > 1:44:36to Alex Lees bowl, he will try to draw in here and move the jack if he

1:44:36 > 1:44:48possibly can enter this position. Let's see what Les Gillett does.

1:44:48 > 1:44:59Match in his hands at the moment.

1:44:59 > 1:45:06Still only need one shot to get the tie-break bowl.It is all are

1:45:06 > 1:45:15nothing.He's trying to get to the red bowls but trying also, no,

1:45:15 > 1:45:24almost there.

1:45:24 > 1:45:34You'll like the angle is just not right. Alex Marshall, over to you.

1:45:34 > 1:45:39He has the reputation, quite rightly so. Six time world champion, can he

1:45:39 > 1:45:48find his way out of the hole? He is watching this one closely.Trotting

1:45:48 > 1:45:53up after it and its holding. It's just not getting back, almost the

1:45:53 > 1:46:06same bowl again. Great effort but not there.It is not to be for Alex

1:46:06 > 1:46:09Marshall and Les Gillett takes the scalp of the Scotsman in what was a

1:46:09 > 1:46:17cracking match. Alex Marshall and Les Gillett share the first set, Les

1:46:17 > 1:46:22Gillett took the second 6-4, Les Gillett progresses.

1:46:23 > 1:46:27STUDIO:

1:46:28 > 1:46:32We expected a tight game and that is what we got, Alex Marshall sitting

1:46:32 > 1:46:40at his game early with his attacking shots. Able to follow up with

1:46:40 > 1:46:48perfect draws as well. Moved nicely into a 7-2 lead with just two ends

1:46:48 > 1:46:56to go and then Les suddenly came alive, picked up the three. Then

1:46:56 > 1:47:10two. Got a drop, 7-7 and onto the second and Alex Marshall played the

1:47:10 > 1:47:16most brilliant bowl in the first end to put the jack in the ditch. The

1:47:16 > 1:47:19standard very high, appreciation from both players during this match

1:47:19 > 1:47:24for their opponents ability and Alex kept it tight all the way. Once

1:47:24 > 1:47:30again getting to a 4-4, just two ends to go. Les Gillett the perfect

1:47:30 > 1:47:41draw. After a drive as well. Once again he was keeping the pressure on

1:47:41 > 1:47:48Alex all the way. In the end the very difficult shot could not be

1:47:48 > 1:47:51played, I think it was maybe impossible to play that shot, Alex

1:47:51 > 1:47:58Marshall is out.What a tight game it was.

1:48:07 > 1:48:09Enough for the Englishman to take his place in the Scottish

1:48:09 > 1:48:16International Open quarterfinal. STUDIO: First blood to England this

1:48:16 > 1:48:16International Open quarterfinal. STUDIO: First blood to England this

1:48:16 > 1:48:19afternoon, Les Gillett through to the quarterfinals, great game, well

1:48:19 > 1:48:27played.Yes it was fantastic, me and Alex always seem to have epic

1:48:27 > 1:48:31encounters and I would not say we both bowled to our full potential,

1:48:31 > 1:48:34it was a bit tough at times with some of the hands but you do what

1:48:34 > 1:48:39you can and we got a good performance.You certainly did, Alex

1:48:39 > 1:48:44it was a great match to watch. Quite hard for both of you, both seeing

1:48:44 > 1:48:48you are struggling with line and length and the carpet?Fantastic end

1:48:48 > 1:48:53but quite a few loose ones as well, kicking myself in that first set for

1:48:53 > 1:48:57losing it from being where I was. Two very loose ends but credit

1:48:57 > 1:49:08delays he played two very good ends. I was in control of the second set.

1:49:08 > 1:49:13Let's talk about the first set, you must have been thinking let's get

1:49:13 > 1:49:20this over and done with and get off the second but great to get the

1:49:20 > 1:49:25half?I had consoled myself losing the first set and relaxed because of

1:49:25 > 1:49:30that probably. Just about snuck into it. I had to bowl some fantastic

1:49:30 > 1:49:35stuff just to get the tie out of it, where it came from I don't know.One

1:49:35 > 1:49:39thing we will show you is the start of the second set, we thought this

1:49:39 > 1:49:39was how

1:49:39 > 1:49:41of the second set, we thought this was how it was going to go, the jack

1:49:41 > 1:49:46had been moved and you drew to the bowl, fantastic shot, you must have

1:49:46 > 1:49:55thought this was a cracker?I played two good first good bowls, put it in

1:49:55 > 1:49:59a great place, I said to Alex it was a lovely spot Andrea fantastic bowl.

1:49:59 > 1:50:07I almost thought perhaps he will miss one but it wasn't to be, an

1:50:07 > 1:50:10absolutely fantastic bowl, could not have bowled it any better and I

1:50:10 > 1:50:14shook his hand because it was so great.It was a cracker, did what

1:50:14 > 1:50:14you had to do.

1:50:14 > 1:50:17great.It was a cracker, did what you had to do.It was fantastic but

1:50:17 > 1:50:22it was the only way I could get the shot, sit and stay run the jack into

1:50:22 > 1:50:26the ditch. Great shot to keep me in the game.Another one you mentioned

1:50:26 > 1:50:30the seventh end of the second set when you put the jack out to the

1:50:30 > 1:50:31side and you were sitting

1:50:31 > 1:50:32when you put the jack out to the side and you were sitting short and

1:50:32 > 1:50:38it required a fantastic shot from Les and that would you delivered.I

1:50:38 > 1:50:47think Alex played two really good first bowls, all I have is a draw

1:50:47 > 1:50:51and I always back myself to get too close and I could not have got any

1:50:51 > 1:50:57better.And a round of applause for you as well, the match was

1:50:57 > 1:50:57better.And a round of applause for you as well, the match was played in

1:50:57 > 1:51:02terrific spirit.It was a fantastic shot, you have to applaud your

1:51:02 > 1:51:05opponent when they do that but the next again and was a killer, I

1:51:05 > 1:51:09thought my last bowl was perfect to get the result but I took my own

1:51:09 > 1:51:15bullet. But the breaks will go sometime.Commiserations but Les,

1:51:15 > 1:51:21through to the finals, you must be confident?It's a great achievement

1:51:21 > 1:51:26to beat Alex, one game at a time. Top opponent next, either Darren or

1:51:26 > 1:51:32Rob, I will have a good nights sleep, I checked out this morning

1:51:32 > 1:51:36because I did not have much hope of staying so I will have to sort that

1:51:36 > 1:51:41out as well!Great to see you both here playing so well, Les Gillett

1:51:41 > 1:51:47through to the quarterfinals! APPLAUSE

1:51:47 > 1:51:52Let's see what that does to the quarterfinal line-up.

1:52:00 > 1:52:11Darren Burnett and Robert Paxton up next.

1:52:14 > 1:52:18Let's turn our attention to the next match, Darren Burnett against Robert

1:52:18 > 1:52:19Paxton.

1:52:30 > 1:52:33First-round is always difficult, first event of the year makes it

1:52:33 > 1:52:38extra difficult so I was pleased in the first round, played well.I love

1:52:38 > 1:52:44coming up here, always do well, I broke up here. Gives you confidence

1:52:44 > 1:52:49and it's nice coming up to be a Scottish player here.Last two years

1:52:49 > 1:52:52he's quite the rankings and rightly so so I will have to play well to

1:52:52 > 1:52:56beat him. We have played each other a couple of times and it's 50-50 so

1:52:56 > 1:53:01I look forward to it.Got through the first game which isn't great,

1:53:01 > 1:53:06performance wasn't great but win is win so that's fine. Just got to

1:53:06 > 1:53:11bring the game today.Everyone is playing for themselves and there

1:53:11 > 1:53:16will always be a bit of that, it's bout focused on playing your

1:53:16 > 1:53:20opponent.To win any title is fantastic, so many players about

1:53:20 > 1:53:26that can win titles on tour. It's a game at the time. If you look that

1:53:26 > 1:53:30far ahead generally you are in the car on the way home.I must say I am

1:53:30 > 1:53:35looking forward to this, great players.Without a shadow of a

1:53:35 > 1:53:38doubt, they are coming up after a great match as well and that's not

1:53:38 > 1:53:45easy.Absolutely not, that the fact lies and Alex put that great game,

1:53:45 > 1:53:50they will not have known, they will have been sitting at the back

1:53:50 > 1:53:53waiting to do their practice ends, what a great finish to the last

1:53:53 > 1:53:58match.It was super, and I think Alex will be sitting up there

1:53:58 > 1:54:03thinking that forehand, my goodness, three times, probably thinking to

1:54:03 > 1:54:07himself and not sure this is possible but he had to play it. I

1:54:07 > 1:54:10noticed that the NT said sometimes I will get a break and he's right,

1:54:10 > 1:54:14because quite often he plays against a player just pulls out the

1:54:14 > 1:54:24brilliant bowl to get over the line. Let's see what happens next, we'll

1:54:24 > 1:54:28let you get up to the commentary box as we turn our attention to the live

1:54:28 > 1:54:33match. Nothing but not consistent recently, an extraordinary four

1:54:33 > 1:54:37quarterfinal finishes last season. The policeman from our boy winning

1:54:37 > 1:54:42the single title in 2014. The type of game which could do serious

1:54:42 > 1:54:47damage here this week. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a very warm

1:54:47 > 1:54:53welcome to the current Commonwealth singles champion, Darren Burnett!

1:54:53 > 1:55:02APPLAUSE

1:55:10 > 1:55:16Robert Paxton is fond of Perth, the venue of his first singles title on

1:55:16 > 1:55:20tour and he got to the semifinal here last year. He has all the shots

1:55:20 > 1:55:24in his locker and is always a very tough opponent. Ladies and gentlemen

1:55:24 > 1:55:29please give a very warm welcome to the former Scottish International

1:55:29 > 1:55:41Open champion, Robert Paxton! APPLAUSE

1:55:47 > 1:55:49And

1:55:54 > 1:56:01COMMENTATOR: Always going to be a tight game, you know these players

1:56:01 > 1:56:06very well, we have to put you on the line, who's going to win?Good first

1:56:06 > 1:56:12question. I'm going to sit on the fence! Both of these are world-class

1:56:12 > 1:56:19players. Darren one of the best runners of the game, the draw is

1:56:19 > 1:56:29tidy under pressure. I am probably going to just sneak... Tie-break,

1:56:29 > 1:56:332-1 but I don't know the winner! CHUCKLES

1:56:33 > 1:56:37That was like getting blood out of a stone! But I am with you on it, I

1:56:37 > 1:56:42really am. I am unsure who's going to win this match but having said

1:56:42 > 1:56:47that I think you're right. Paxton is a great draw, good hitter and a

1:56:47 > 1:56:53great draw and was Darren doesn't have the big drive he does have the

1:56:53 > 1:56:57conversions shot which does a lot of damage.Lots of damage on all the

1:56:57 > 1:56:58stages.

1:57:04 > 1:57:08Very small gap, Darren.

1:57:25 > 1:57:36Darrin, first bowl. Front touch. Definitely a great start, you would

1:57:36 > 1:57:53take it first time.They have only had two practice ends.

1:57:55 > 1:58:08Decent reply.Gap of three and half inches, Rob is a gap of just over

1:58:08 > 1:58:15four inches, your side bowl is a gap of two inches.That's a lot of

1:58:15 > 1:58:26inches!A lot more than I used to!

1:58:28 > 1:58:31No need to come down and look at it when you get that sort of

1:58:31 > 1:58:42information thrown at you. That's a handy bowl.Might go early year,

1:58:42 > 1:58:57Paxton. He might indeed, he has the last bowl of the end.

1:59:02 > 1:59:08In the area for something. Jack well through. Red carries through, going

1:59:08 > 1:59:18to rely on a couple.Paxton will be pleased with the result, to be fair.

1:59:18 > 1:59:30Darren would have liked the red one to roll another yard.

1:59:49 > 1:59:53That's not going to be easy to beat and cannot really afford to try and

1:59:53 > 1:59:57beat it either.Rob will just be looking to hit a good second I

1:59:57 > 2:00:06think. Certainly will not want to protect in. -- to put it in.

2:00:17 > 2:00:22Per I thought he might have gone a bit closer than that.He did take

2:00:22 > 2:00:33away the two silly ones.Is a good start for the man from Arbroath.He

2:00:33 > 2:00:40got a result out of his first two bowls there. A world-class start.

2:00:40 > 2:00:44Rob gave himself a chance but wasn't able to take advantage with the last

2:00:44 > 2:00:46one.

2:01:38 > 2:01:43Any short bowl starters, you know you're going to be in trouble.Both

2:01:43 > 2:01:48would have liked to have been a touch closer with this end.He's not

2:01:48 > 2:01:53sure with this one, but we will see. There have been a few players who

2:01:53 > 2:01:58have been very unsure about their bowls and they haven't been too bad.

2:01:58 > 2:02:06He knew that wasn't up, but he is still two feet away. We have seen it

2:02:06 > 2:02:12around this week, I don't know why. But... People thinking they are

2:02:12 > 2:02:15maybe half a yard away and in the end they are close. This looks

2:02:15 > 2:02:28better.Yes, all the way back... APPLAUSE

2:02:40 > 2:02:46He's really watching this one, so it must be close.Always down the right

2:02:46 > 2:02:55line, it is.Automatic changeover now.

2:03:13 > 2:03:23Very hard, from what we can see, to get off the line with anything more

2:03:23 > 2:03:27than a foot.Anything over pace, it does not come back.It seems to be

2:03:27 > 2:03:31different this year, I don't know why, just holding a little bit.

2:03:31 > 2:03:35Everybody is using very strong bowls. I imagine that is what Robert

2:03:35 > 2:03:46is doing, the maximum bias.I believe he's using his XPs. He has

2:03:46 > 2:03:58finished a foot under the line but not come back to jack I before.He

2:03:58 > 2:04:03can rest the read out, turn the jack.

2:04:16 > 2:04:21Once again, just not making back.

2:04:36 > 2:04:43A good solid start for Darren. He'll be more than happy with 3-0.

2:05:21 > 2:05:26It is an interesting time for a lot of Scottish bowlers, who are trying

2:05:26 > 2:05:31to get representation all around the world and they are up against

2:05:31 > 2:05:35Foster, Marshall, Burnett, the key three in many ways. You can add to

2:05:35 > 2:05:39my players to that and you have a plethora of high-quality Scottish

2:05:39 > 2:05:45players to come in two major events, Stuart Anderson etc. But it must be

2:05:45 > 2:05:51very hard when you have those three players that are ever present.

2:05:51 > 2:05:57Scotland are at this point blessed with probably a dozen players that

2:05:57 > 2:06:03could represent them if they played -- and if they played for another

2:06:03 > 2:06:07country, would probably all be playing in the Commonwealth Games.I

2:06:07 > 2:06:15think so.Including the manager. Yes, certainly, David Gourlay is a

2:06:15 > 2:06:25high-performance coach. I think he makes sure they are fully prepared

2:06:25 > 2:06:31for everything that they have to face.I think he takes care of what

2:06:31 > 2:06:39they need, and makes sure they are prepared right in their own way.

2:06:39 > 2:06:44Absolutely. Now, can he sneak round this Green ball? A little touch on

2:06:44 > 2:06:55the jack would be a bonus. That is good.

2:07:06 > 2:07:12He seems to like this one.Well, he has every right to. It is not that

2:07:12 > 2:07:23far away. Second shot.

2:07:25 > 2:07:31It's a tough audience out there, isn't it? Is not a lot of clapping

2:07:31 > 2:07:35going on. It started like a house on fire and no one has really made a

2:07:35 > 2:07:44murmur yet.Seven inches away from the jack and...That engrossed, I

2:07:44 > 2:07:50think.They probably are, but you go to some other tournaments, and they

2:07:50 > 2:07:55are almost taking the rafters off with bowls of this quality.You are

2:07:55 > 2:08:01probably right - probably a tough audience. They are used to bowl macs

2:08:01 > 2:08:08on the jack -- balls on the jack all the time.

2:08:23 > 2:08:28I'm surprised he still went up again.I thought he made have played

2:08:28 > 2:08:31beforehand to touch the red ball down and cover things up a little

2:08:31 > 2:08:35bit, but he obviously feels confident on the backhand, and

2:08:35 > 2:08:38that's the reason why. APPLAUSE

2:08:38 > 2:08:53They liked that one.That is a very good effort. I suppose, with a good

2:08:53 > 2:08:58pace, he wasn't going to turn Robert's in, so...

2:09:05 > 2:09:12Robert just looking to try and shuffle things around a bit. Bang on

2:09:12 > 2:09:16target, and gets a result. APPLAUSE

2:09:16 > 2:09:22Yes, perfect result.

2:09:29 > 2:09:34Well, he couldn't have hit it better. That bowl was always coming

2:09:34 > 2:09:38in. After spinning around a bit, you're not really sure where it's

2:09:38 > 2:09:42going to go, but having said that, he couldn't have played it any

2:09:42 > 2:09:47better.No, just hit the target when he wanted to. This spinner didn't

2:09:47 > 2:09:53get too much of the jack. It's been a good start.

2:10:06 > 2:10:15A predictable change of length from Robert.Yes, and he's right on the

2:10:15 > 2:10:21outside edge of the mat to help his very strong bias bowls get back.

2:10:21 > 2:10:28It's certainly not the easiest on this length to find a good one. But

2:10:28 > 2:10:34that is certainly a good starter. Yes, right at the centre line.

2:10:51 > 2:10:57That's a great reply as well. That's good stuff.I think they've both

2:10:57 > 2:11:02come out with the mentality that they've both got to play well.

2:11:02 > 2:11:06Which, at this stage, you would expect, but it doesn't always

2:11:06 > 2:11:14happen.No, it's all on the day, but we love to see two players on top

2:11:14 > 2:11:26form, because it makes it a monumental battle.REFEREE: The gap

2:11:26 > 2:11:32at the back is five inches, the gap at the front is seven inches.

2:11:45 > 2:11:48At the centre line again, but anything just over the weight, you

2:11:48 > 2:11:55just don't get back.No, perfect pace or nothing, I think, today.

2:12:05 > 2:12:14He's down again.Just got back on his pace being good enough.It's a

2:12:14 > 2:12:27good bowl. A confident call. Green. I won't be surprised if Darren has a

2:12:27 > 2:12:33pop at this.Looks like he's lining up for the forehand runner. Right on

2:12:33 > 2:12:47cue...Short jack length, didn't give it time to move. Surely Robert

2:12:47 > 2:12:52will go deep now.You would think so. I don't think there is a contact

2:12:52 > 2:12:58that gets rid of all three greens without moving the jack.

2:13:23 > 2:13:42Well, both re-spots covered by this back bowl. It is damage limitation.

2:13:42 > 2:13:48His own two could disappear, I suppose. That would be very unlucky.

2:13:48 > 2:13:55He nearly followed for the spot. Looking to see if his own bowl is

2:13:55 > 2:13:59going to follow.That may not be too far away. It's close, from what we

2:13:59 > 2:14:05can see.That would be an unbelievable result.It's certainly

2:14:05 > 2:14:17better than it was.Bang on target, but you can't really have

2:14:17 > 2:14:21anticipated the follow-through.No, he was just going for a damage

2:14:21 > 2:14:35limitation, and he certainly done that.It was his own bowl...

2:14:46 > 2:14:54The umpire, Mike Davies, just getting out the marker. That is well

2:14:54 > 2:15:07in. A big result, a good hit, as you say.Robert will certainly...I

2:15:07 > 2:15:11think Darren would be happy to come out second in that particular

2:15:11 > 2:15:16situation. A turnover of four shots there, that's big.It wasn't too

2:15:16 > 2:15:21much luck because he had exactly what he wanted. But Robert, he would

2:15:21 > 2:15:24think he was all covered there.

2:15:34 > 2:15:49UMPIRE: Jack length 29.5 metres.I think this is going to be a game of

2:15:49 > 2:15:57two different lengths.I think you're right.

2:16:03 > 2:16:08It sometimes happens that way - players come on with maybe a slight

2:16:08 > 2:16:14game plan, but that is adaptable as the match develops. Robert

2:16:14 > 2:16:20definitely going for the short jack length at the moment.And played a

2:16:20 > 2:16:24good end, but you can't stop Darren's last bowl, can you?

2:16:30 > 2:16:34A remarkable career, Darren Burnett, when you look through it. I have

2:16:34 > 2:16:41numerous times. So many titles in there, it's scary stuff.There isn't

2:16:41 > 2:16:48much he hasn't won, is there?Very little. British Isles, on the

2:16:48 > 2:16:56domestic front, which a lot of professional players haven't. He has

2:16:56 > 2:17:02won the British singles a couple of times, I think. I certainly remember

2:17:02 > 2:17:06at least once.Yes.I was on the wrong side of it, that's why I

2:17:06 > 2:17:18remember. Commonwealth Games, World Championships... The world indoor

2:17:18 > 2:17:26Council for times. Scary stuff. -- four times.He has definitely got

2:17:26 > 2:17:30most of the things on his CV that you would want.Absolutely.

2:17:44 > 2:17:50Well, that's actually not bad, because there are holes and gaps.

2:17:50 > 2:17:55Robert's not got much. Perfect draw, and he has got to fill in a gap for

2:17:55 > 2:17:57his last one.

2:18:11 > 2:18:14Robert's dropping short. He's going to leave himself absolutely nothing

2:18:14 > 2:18:23to play. Surely he won't risk having a drive at it.It could be dangerous

2:18:23 > 2:18:29if he gets a bowl onto the jack and one of his doesn't follow. Unless

2:18:29 > 2:18:33Darren tucks it round the corner, then he might have no option.

2:18:41 > 2:18:45Oh, dear! He turned his back. I wonder why. The line doesn't look

2:18:45 > 2:19:00too bad. Yeah, he knew out of the hand.I don't know whether he got

2:19:00 > 2:19:09disturbed or something. He knew virtually from the hand.Robert,

2:19:09 > 2:19:16trying to make a connection on the draw shot. Must be careful not to

2:19:16 > 2:19:21over correct. He's on the wrong of it.He certainly was making up for

2:19:21 > 2:19:26the ones he was short with.

2:19:32 > 2:19:41Is probably not the front Green, that's interesting.Darren certainly

2:19:41 > 2:19:46bossed the first to bowls on his length. That's leaving Robert in

2:19:46 > 2:19:54trouble at the moment.The differences, if Darren got out of

2:19:54 > 2:19:59trouble -- Darren got out of trouble in the last end, and Robert hasn't

2:19:59 > 2:20:02been able to, this end. It makes a tremendous difference to the match.

2:20:02 > 2:20:086-1 down, if he had got the shot, it would have been 4-2, and all of a

2:20:08 > 2:20:16sudden, 4-2 is nothing in a match like this. When it is this close,

2:20:16 > 2:20:217-1, a long way back.It certainly is. Darren has a good runner, so if

2:20:21 > 2:20:28you give him a five shot cushion, you will only get a one when you

2:20:28 > 2:20:39have played a really good end. UMPIRE: Two shots, Darren Burnett.

2:20:39 > 2:20:49It might only have been one before Robert's last bowl.

2:20:56 > 2:21:01is very difficult to have a career and play top-level bowls, indoor and

2:21:01 > 2:21:08out door. You know all about it. It is a difficult mix. And with family

2:21:08 > 2:21:13there as well. I know your family are involved in bowls, but it is

2:21:13 > 2:21:19still tough.Yes, it is very time if you're going to hold a standard.

2:21:19 > 2:21:23Darren's shifts as well would have been even harder.He's a policeman,

2:21:23 > 2:21:30of course. No 9-5 there.

2:21:35 > 2:21:40With Scotland's commitments in World Championships, Commonwealth Games,

2:21:40 > 2:21:51Test matches...Yes, it's very tough, no doubt about that. A lot of

2:21:51 > 2:21:56other sports, at this level, you can make a very comfortable living.

2:21:56 > 2:22:02Sadly, not in the sport of bowls.

2:22:11 > 2:22:18Anyway, I think he likes being a policeman.I hope so - he's been

2:22:18 > 2:22:29doing it a while.He has. The only police man in Scotland to get

2:22:29 > 2:22:36special leave during the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.What can I say?

2:22:36 > 2:22:42Everyone else was on duty, and he was winning a gold medal.But he did

2:22:42 > 2:22:53but he was there to do.Absolutely. APPLAUSE

2:22:53 > 2:22:57Well, Robert really needs to get hold of this jack and change the

2:22:57 > 2:23:08length.He's still got time, but... He can't afford to lose any more

2:23:08 > 2:23:16shots. Five behind is doable, but... O.Any more than that, the games

2:23:16 > 2:23:24start to run away.This is one of those that these to be added. I'm

2:23:24 > 2:23:34sure Darren won't get that gap next time round. -- that needs to be

2:23:34 > 2:23:44added.It's a clear one, and he's got it. Good stuff, good bowl. We

2:23:44 > 2:23:51may see a heavy shot coming out here. Darren Burnett's trotting

2:23:51 > 2:24:01back.He's looking forward to this one.Two bowls will go. The jack, if

2:24:01 > 2:24:06he gets it all the way through, he will definitely get a shot.The way

2:24:06 > 2:24:12the angles are set, all the bounces go that way as well.Looking at two

2:24:12 > 2:24:23bowls now. Onto the re-spot. Very predictable.As we said at the top

2:24:23 > 2:24:29of the game, he's got one of the best runners in the game. Two of the

2:24:29 > 2:24:33three times it has been on show, he has hit pretty much exactly where he

2:24:33 > 2:24:41wanted to. Just enough to hold a nice line and gets it away.

2:24:56 > 2:25:06He's looking for this just to stop. It's running a shade. Well... Is it

2:25:06 > 2:25:19dropped back. It might just make it, but it's very close.

2:25:23 > 2:25:31Took one away. That's not counting, so measure for shot. Once again,

2:25:31 > 2:25:37it's an important measure.

2:25:44 > 2:25:52Though, this is close. Equi distant. That would just such fine.It is

2:25:52 > 2:26:05tighter than it looks, to be fair. Oh, the red bowl. That would have to

2:26:05 > 2:26:09go down as a badness at this level. Definitely, I would be disappointed

2:26:09 > 2:26:14with that. -- Robert would be disappointed with that. Certainly,

2:26:14 > 2:26:19as the scores stand, 6-2 and 7-1 is a huge difference between those with

2:26:19 > 2:26:30only three to play.UMPIRE: Jack length 29.5 metres.Once again, he

2:26:30 > 2:26:34is facing the longer jack length that Darren prefers.And Darren's

2:26:34 > 2:26:45first bowl has been going pretty good. And he hasn't let us down

2:26:45 > 2:26:51again. APPLAUSE

2:26:51 > 2:26:58he's definitely nailed the line length.Obviously, the early start

2:26:58 > 2:27:02this morning suits him.

2:27:12 > 2:27:16He would normally do a shift of work and then come down.That's what he

2:27:16 > 2:27:17did today.

2:27:27 > 2:27:40Doesn't look so good, this one.It might help Robert -- it won't help

2:27:40 > 2:27:49Robert, ferrets finished.Certainly not.UMPIRE: Last bowl, 15 inches

2:27:49 > 2:27:58short of jack. -- where it's finished.

2:28:04 > 2:28:16Can he hang around?Opened the door. Kept his own bowl on the rink, which

2:28:16 > 2:28:23is good.He certainly changed it. He would've been hoping for a bit more

2:28:23 > 2:28:28positive contact on the jack,.

2:28:33 > 2:28:38He should be able to get inside that. I know it is a longer jack

2:28:38 > 2:28:42length, but we are seeing a lot of players being able to hold the bowl

2:28:42 > 2:28:50up.That spot is still accessible, but...I want to see where it

2:28:50 > 2:28:53finishes, because Robert might well be forced to change onto the

2:28:53 > 2:29:00backhand.I would say that would force him onto the backhand.

2:29:07 > 2:29:15It would be an unusual spot to finish. I don't imagine many players

2:29:15 > 2:29:20would practice a re-spot under the line.

2:29:20 > 2:29:27APPLAUSE On the thin side. Certainly not

2:29:27 > 2:29:30coming across in the wider arc.

2:29:36 > 2:29:46Well, certainly a better line with this. Is chucking through a good

2:29:46 > 2:29:48weight as well.

2:29:54 > 2:30:09UMPIRE: 15 inches. 15 inches.No choice but to just draw away.He has

2:30:09 > 2:30:14had a siteer with his first one, if he can get this a bit wide, and it

2:30:14 > 2:30:21doesn't look like it is going much wide.He is underwritten now. Once

2:30:21 > 2:30:27you go under, you have no chance of staying in. It is this set is

2:30:27 > 2:30:37sliding away rapidly. Robert's not playing badly, but he's just that

2:30:37 > 2:30:44little bit behind. I think that key drive earlier...He played a good

2:30:44 > 2:30:48length on his own length but that is the only time he has that chance to

2:30:48 > 2:31:00buy it. And Darren has dominated the first bowl.

2:31:21 > 2:31:33Well, a very rare close to a full links.That is true but Rob still

2:31:33 > 2:31:38needs to get seven in two which is a big ask.Will be trying to play

2:31:38 > 2:31:46himself into the next set.

2:32:06 > 2:32:09Well, it's not where he wanted it and Rob has to be careful not to

2:32:09 > 2:32:19touch it. But he could start off and get a double.He could create a bit

2:32:19 > 2:32:31of pressure.Missed a chance.Yes, he's missed a big chance there.

2:32:31 > 2:32:38Seven in two is difficult anyway, but... In front torture there. All

2:32:38 > 2:32:45of a sudden you get a sniff of a chance of a three -- a front

2:32:45 > 2:32:49toucher.

2:32:53 > 2:33:10Too many chances.He certainly can't give Darren three chances.Has to

2:33:10 > 2:33:14try and squeeze this jack through to try and get something out of it.

2:33:14 > 2:33:19He's going for the runner. Trying to squeeze the jack against the ball

2:33:19 > 2:33:26and bring it back for three. Front ball didn't help obviously.Wasn't

2:33:26 > 2:33:37far away, but...Go for cover and leave it.I would suggest Darren

2:33:37 > 2:33:41goes the cover. Robert will still play the same shot, he's got nothing

2:33:41 > 2:33:49else, really.

2:33:55 > 2:34:06Aiming for the three green bowls at the back.He's trying to encourage

2:34:06 > 2:34:11it forward. He may have inadvertently covered it by stopping

2:34:11 > 2:34:21it.Yes, I think so. That's probably about pre-feet away -- 3-4 feet away

2:34:21 > 2:34:30from where he wanted it.

2:34:45 > 2:34:54That's going to make the scoreline look, well...!I don't think there's

2:34:54 > 2:34:59any doubt that Darren deserved to win the set.Probably by, maybe

2:34:59 > 2:35:03three or four shots, I would have said. That scoreline is going to

2:35:03 > 2:35:14look really odd at 11-1. Good value, Darren. One key bowl made all the

2:35:14 > 2:35:18difference.Certainly did and he powered and from there. I think the

2:35:18 > 2:35:31first bowl was from knocker -- a front knocker. He's not let Robert

2:35:31 > 2:35:35settle. Every time Rob has played a good one, he's almost beaten it next

2:35:35 > 2:35:43bowl.

2:35:57 > 2:36:00Yes, it's the confidence also of having the first set in your back

2:36:00 > 2:36:07pocket. Guaranteed a three end tie-break. It's always a nice

2:36:07 > 2:36:11feeling.It's one of those way you don't want to relax too much and let

2:36:11 > 2:36:20your opponent back in. If you can win 2-0 it's easier than playing the

2:36:20 > 2:36:31tie-breaks because they can literally go either way.

2:36:32 > 2:36:39It was a tight battle this morning. To be fair, Danny probably deserved

2:36:39 > 2:36:46to win the first set. Somehow, and I'm not sure how, removed all three

2:36:46 > 2:37:02bowls without removing the jack. He managed to get it tight, which

2:37:02 > 2:37:09managed as to sneak over the line.A good bowl from Robert but again,

2:37:09 > 2:37:18he's dropping short. Any movement on the jack is good here. UMPIRE: Your

2:37:18 > 2:37:30bowl is 11 inches past jack high.

2:37:30 > 2:37:36COMMENTATOR: Rob is going to be in big trouble if there's one good bowl

2:37:36 > 2:37:42from Darren here. He's just out there, about good spot.That's

2:37:42 > 2:37:51building up. He needs another one in.It's almost worth giving this

2:37:51 > 2:37:58one a chance if it finishes past. Yes, there is a perfect gap there,

2:37:58 > 2:38:04if you can make that onto the red. Once again just holding off. Still,

2:38:04 > 2:38:10useful.It's not too bad a spot.

2:38:14 > 2:38:19Darren will be looking for a straightener off the shot bowl, just

2:38:19 > 2:38:26to get him back to the jack.

2:38:37 > 2:38:47Darren, have you pushed this enough? Yes. Enough for the shot.He didn't

2:38:47 > 2:38:53think he had.He probably thought that was a bit shorter. A wry smile

2:38:53 > 2:39:00which probably gives you the... Yeah. He got a bit more out of it

2:39:00 > 2:39:06than everybody expected.

2:39:20 > 2:39:25Now, Rob, can you get back into this?Doesn't look too bad.Just a

2:39:25 > 2:39:31matter of stopping on the back bowl. That should be enough. It's going to

2:39:31 > 2:39:38be very close. A little clap from Darren on his leg, but... He's

2:39:38 > 2:39:45asking for the measure. He's pretty good on these, actually.It was a

2:39:45 > 2:39:50good bowl live from Robert though. It was a case for do that with his

2:39:50 > 2:40:00third bowl really, which would have put him in the ascendancy.Measure

2:40:00 > 2:40:08the shot.In the context of the game this is a big measure, for Robert to

2:40:08 > 2:40:13try a different jack length.It's about the opportunity of casting the

2:40:13 > 2:40:21jack to your length. He really needs to get this.The old adage of the

2:40:21 > 2:40:24umpires go to the one they think is the nearest first.That's what they

2:40:24 > 2:40:31normally do.Always worries me when it's not mine they measure first!

2:40:31 > 2:40:39LAUGHTER They go to the opposition bowl and you go, oh, that's that.

2:40:39 > 2:40:48Although, it might be green.One shot, Robert Paxton.Maybe they've

2:40:48 > 2:41:00changed their MO.Just to confuse us of course because we automatically

2:41:00 > 2:41:10think the other way.It's not a big surprise. This is almost identical

2:41:10 > 2:41:23to where he played the end before. Jack length 25.5 metres.

2:41:43 > 2:41:50Great start.It's just what he expected, playing down into his own

2:41:50 > 2:41:57length.It shows what the difference between some length than others but

2:41:57 > 2:42:02players prefer. That goes for all of us. We've all got lengths like that.

2:42:02 > 2:42:07Absolutely.

2:42:19 > 2:42:22Well, he was about to change... The anything with playing the back

2:42:22 > 2:42:26candidacy has to be a little bit careful.He certainly doesn't want

2:42:26 > 2:42:31to get his own. You do all the hard work for Darren after getting the

2:42:31 > 2:42:39first.He was trying to encourage that one forward. He knew he was

2:42:39 > 2:42:46just a bit on the edge.To be fair, you need to be. Because if you're

2:42:46 > 2:42:50heavy, it doesn't get back.

2:43:03 > 2:43:18That will have moved it an inch or so... Has to play beforehand. -- the

2:43:18 > 2:43:23forehand.

2:43:26 > 2:43:36I'm not sure he's all the way up, is he?Struggling.Well, it's not an

2:43:36 > 2:43:44absolute protector but it will help. A little tap on the ball to spring

2:43:44 > 2:43:48the jack across... Depending on what Darren does, there's a shot for the

2:43:48 > 2:43:57red bowl but he's got another one before then. He doesn't seem to like

2:43:57 > 2:44:07it.Well, he's not that far away, I don't think. Well, there we go.

2:44:07 > 2:44:17Found out why. I think he was just lacking a foot to carry him past it.

2:44:17 > 2:44:23He's left himself in an ugly spot here. If Robert can add another one

2:44:23 > 2:44:25in somehow without giving Darren Mutch, there's not much to hit

2:44:25 > 2:44:32there.

2:44:43 > 2:44:50A clear road would be better... That might have been second back again.

2:44:50 > 2:44:58Yes, still close on the screen, but...Darren has given it a good

2:44:58 > 2:45:11look.And Darren has still got the draw to touch the green for one.

2:45:11 > 2:45:15It's what he is prepared to do. Is he prepared to take a risk of

2:45:15 > 2:45:21getting his own bowl onto the backhand on the green and losing

2:45:21 > 2:45:27one?Top red gets rid of both reds, doesn't it? And that this second

2:45:27 > 2:45:34end? Tap the bowl, try and get the shot. But he'd probably look the

2:45:34 > 2:45:39other way and try and get the three greens!LAUGHTER I wouldn't be at

2:45:39 > 2:45:43all surprised. He does things sometimes a bit different, but it's

2:45:43 > 2:45:52early days. There we go. He's going for what we think is the right shot.

2:45:52 > 2:45:59Definitely. It's a lot safer, if you play a good one you can win the end.

2:45:59 > 2:46:12Just didn't push it enough. Guaranteed to second. Good bowl.

2:46:12 > 2:46:20There wasn't much set that guaranteed him a good result. But

2:46:20 > 2:46:26that could have got a bad result. Everything seemed to be splitting

2:46:26 > 2:46:31away from staff.I'm sure in days before we've all played shots like

2:46:31 > 2:46:36that. But most of them have gone against, I would say. Certainly I

2:46:36 > 2:46:44know I have.I think when you get into the position where you have to

2:46:44 > 2:46:52play them...He had choices there. 1-0 isn't a disaster.

2:47:33 > 2:47:37Well, that's interesting. A long way away.Different hand, different

2:47:37 > 2:47:45length.

2:48:00 > 2:48:04I wonder whether Darren will go early for this, or just keep drawing

2:48:04 > 2:48:11away.They're holes and gaps, but take one away, jack through, he is

2:48:11 > 2:48:22so confident and his weight shots. He certainly doesn't miss many.

2:48:28 > 2:48:32In the ditch, and it's going to stay alive in there.That's finished in

2:48:32 > 2:48:45an awkward spot as well. Right in the corner.

2:48:50 > 2:48:58Will probably play across this. He's gone down the narrow side.He's only

2:48:58 > 2:49:08got to beat the centre bowl to start with.There's nothing easy about it,

2:49:08 > 2:49:16though.Definitely not. That's nearly as good as you can do. Unless

2:49:16 > 2:49:26you dare go a bowl wider.Five feet. He knows that's going to be very

2:49:26 > 2:49:39hard tobeat. The closer you get to it the more you bend.Hence he's

2:49:39 > 2:49:57going the other side. If he runs the length, he's got a chance. We'll

2:49:57 > 2:50:03wait for confirmation.It's a secret.It is a secret, we aren't

2:50:03 > 2:50:14being told.With the angle it probably is one red.

2:50:19 > 2:50:35Keeping us all guessing at the moment.Only just...Well, it's

2:50:35 > 2:50:40there. Certainly looks like the shot. But again, not a lot of

2:50:40 > 2:50:48reaction.Would Darren go for the two bowls here?It's so hard for him

2:50:48 > 2:50:54to draw that...He's only two feet from the ditch with his first. Any

2:50:54 > 2:51:00tighter he's into the front green. We'll see. Looks like he's running

2:51:00 > 2:51:20at it. It's close... Clean as a whistle. Wow.One shot, Darren

2:51:20 > 2:51:28Burnett.That was a great bowl.He certainly got the one he wanted.

2:51:36 > 2:51:41But once again, Robert Paxton got an opportunity to go on his jackknife

2:51:41 > 2:51:46and Darren Burnett has got the shot, albeit with a great bowl. Now we go

2:51:46 > 2:51:51back to the long jack length.Robert has got to compete and Darren's

2:51:51 > 2:51:59length, that's the key. If Darren misses with the first, Robert has

2:51:59 > 2:52:06got to get in.Yeah.

2:52:14 > 2:52:18Well, I don't think he's going to make the link. It's a good bowl,

2:52:18 > 2:52:26though. -- make the length.That's an OK start. It'll give you

2:52:26 > 2:52:30something to work with, no matter what your opponent does.You must be

2:52:30 > 2:52:37a tough skip to play with!Some would say yes!LAUGHTER You put one

2:52:37 > 2:52:42within ten inches of the jack and you say that's said OK start!Get

2:52:42 > 2:52:49the next one up!

2:53:36 > 2:53:41He's not playing too many loose at this length, is he?He's certainly

2:53:41 > 2:53:46not. Right from the start he was on it, right from the word go, wasn't

2:53:46 > 2:53:51he?

2:54:00 > 2:54:13It's OK, only moved it a little bit. It's a good bowl.Your nearest bowl

2:54:13 > 2:54:23has a gap of four inches. Five inches.He's just trying to work out

2:54:23 > 2:54:29what the he wants to play with an extra bit of weight here. Put the

2:54:29 > 2:54:34bowl onto the green bowl?He's playing the hard shot but there's

2:54:34 > 2:54:39more reward if you can get it.But it is difficult. If he misses a

2:54:39 > 2:54:46green one he'll get positioned. He may not be too unhappy with that.

2:54:46 > 2:54:52Rob is in a tricky position here. It's definitely not easy to add

2:54:52 > 2:54:55another. Almost certain Darren is going to run at the outside red with

2:54:55 > 2:55:08the last what.Run for cover. Has to go cover.

2:55:16 > 2:55:24There's the cover bowl. Darren Burnett, well...It's a good bowl

2:55:24 > 2:55:28from rock to be fair.If he's looking at that sort of shot, there

2:55:28 > 2:55:37is always a good chance if he gets the jack down to there.I think

2:55:37 > 2:55:46he'll be a bit quicker this time. Always a chance of picking the green

2:55:46 > 2:55:55one off on the edge as well. He's in the area.Oh dear, didn't quite see

2:55:55 > 2:56:03that happening!Robert was always in a difficult position there. There

2:56:03 > 2:56:12were loads of contacts, and he's jammed it in difficult as well. His

2:56:12 > 2:56:16back bowl has come into play for a different reasons.A bit of reaction

2:56:16 > 2:56:21there but not much. He was bang on target in terms of getting

2:56:21 > 2:56:24something, it's just where the bowls finished and blocked ten is the bit

2:56:24 > 2:56:33that hurt more than anything else. It wasn't a fluke.He's forced

2:56:33 > 2:56:40Robert into the difficult... That's hard to get back, really hard to get

2:56:40 > 2:56:52back from there. Nine out of ten Miss White, I'm afraid.Only one

2:56:52 > 2:57:06shot involved.It's still anybody's at the moment.Quite often I would

2:57:06 > 2:57:09say about the shot that gets a fortunate result, it's not really

2:57:09 > 2:57:15the result if you've got a bowl to come. It's where the bowl finishes

2:57:15 > 2:57:20is the key. Off you're left with nothing.If he falls down,

2:57:20 > 2:57:23completely different shot. Absolutely, and you would expect him

2:57:23 > 2:57:29to get it.

2:57:48 > 2:57:57He was back on that very early. Again, not too bad.About a foot

2:57:57 > 2:58:00away!Compared to the standard he set its probably further away than

2:58:00 > 2:58:05he's been but I'd be happy with that start.It's a very good start. Any

2:58:05 > 2:58:15touch on it will bring it closer. Here comes the touch...Not quite.

2:58:15 > 2:58:21You've got a ten inch gap.Ten inch gap, he wasn't happy. He's a tough

2:58:21 > 2:58:32man.That's probably how you get to his level.

2:58:49 > 2:59:06This is where Rob needs to get in. Yes, good. Good with that.A good

2:59:06 > 2:59:16bowl, that.One inch past.He's got his own bowl to go there and turn

2:59:16 > 2:59:20the green one out as well. We really want to see this as being a

2:59:20 > 2:59:29top-notch...It must be wide because he certainly got enough weight.We

2:59:29 > 2:59:35really want to see this being a top-notch game, every end getting

2:59:35 > 2:59:41in. Conversion shots, everything happening. It has quality written

2:59:41 > 2:59:47all over it. The first set scoreline doesn't show that. The quality was

2:59:47 > 2:59:53certainly Darren's in the first set. His first two dominated, a couple of

2:59:53 > 3:00:01good runners and the scoreline probably didn't quite suggest...

3:00:01 > 3:00:05This has been a rare occasion that Robert has dominated and Darren's

3:00:05 > 3:00:11favourite length.But Darren has still got the backhand runner coming

3:00:11 > 3:00:17up.He has. Backhand runner take something away. He's got the back

3:00:17 > 3:00:22bowl waiting for it. It's not a toucher so the green bowl can go in

3:00:22 > 3:00:32the ditch. Goodness me, I'm surprised.I'd have lost a bet

3:00:32 > 3:00:42there.

3:00:42 > 3:00:54He has gone into his own bowl. I'm surprised at that.I would have put

3:00:54 > 3:00:56money on him playing the backhand runner, but he personally felt that

3:00:56 > 3:01:02he was in good enough touch to just get over it.He's also opened it up

3:01:02 > 3:01:07to give Robert a chance for Ray three.Another six or eight inches

3:01:07 > 3:01:23to get into. -- for a three.

3:01:23 > 3:01:41No mistake. The best end for Robert Paxton, I would say.

3:01:59 > 3:02:03Robert will be looking for a good first bowl.

3:02:27 > 3:02:36Once again, another good start. He hasn't been able to capitalise in

3:02:36 > 3:02:45terms of scoring with these short jack lengths.Not as yet.

3:03:19 > 3:03:30A slight protector, but he was actually after the red bowl.Not bad

3:03:30 > 3:03:34position, depending on whether Darren can find the winner. And he's

3:03:34 > 3:03:45not far.Waiting for the green bowl to fall, but at the moment, it's

3:03:45 > 3:03:54hanging on. It must move, now, surely.It will force Robert to

3:03:54 > 3:04:03change hands.It has two.With an air of, I must just be passed.I can

3:04:03 > 3:04:07see what he's worried about. He will take a time-out here. He gets the

3:04:07 > 3:04:16green bowl, that green one could come out into the open. It's

3:04:16 > 3:04:22understandable. He gets any connection onto there, the jack

3:04:22 > 3:04:26could easily just bounce out into this sort of position, then you're

3:04:26 > 3:04:30in trouble, because then, you're looking at a trail shot to the red

3:04:30 > 3:04:35bowl.Ideally, he would love to miss the green, just sit passed, in

3:04:35 > 3:04:40between the jack and the back red bowl. Being greedy, he'd like it to

3:04:40 > 3:04:47count as well.That's why he will be playing that. The forehand is just

3:04:47 > 3:04:50full of danger.

3:04:53 > 3:05:06Can he miss... ?No, that's a brilliant shot, that really is.

3:05:06 > 3:05:13Yeah, played it very well.He had to get so close to the front red bowl.

3:05:13 > 3:05:21He missed it by a fraction.He would have been quietly concerned from

3:05:21 > 3:05:25hand, because it wasn't quite as wide as he would have liked.I bet

3:05:25 > 3:05:33he was quietly concerned. Forcing Darren into playing the green bowl

3:05:33 > 3:05:37onto the jack. That's very difficult, although he is coming

3:05:37 > 3:05:42probably to a very good place. He will have to cover that.Without a

3:05:42 > 3:05:48doubt. Again, Darren has got the runner.

3:06:15 > 3:06:19He still needs to stretch it a little bit. That's good, split the

3:06:19 > 3:06:23red ones.He has covered the touch but he is still down on the spot. He

3:06:23 > 3:06:29could do both, I suppose. # He couldn't do both, I suppose.

3:06:29 > 3:06:40The front green is bad for Darren.I still think he has to play it. -- he

3:06:40 > 3:06:45couldn't do both, I suppose. Now, what happens with the green bowl

3:06:45 > 3:06:57going through? Yeah, stayed on. Good strike, not easy.Yes, hit it well.

3:06:57 > 3:07:01Unfortunately for Darren, the green bowl went with it. On another day,

3:07:01 > 3:07:06he would have locked it on his own red and it would probably have been

3:07:06 > 3:07:16two reds.

3:07:19 > 3:07:24Interesting set of - 6-2, three ends to go, and it is still anybody's.

3:07:24 > 3:07:29Yes, either of them...

3:07:58 > 3:08:05Goes without saying, that's the best start.He's almost like a different

3:08:05 > 3:08:16player at the short length.

3:08:18 > 3:08:23Oh! Sat it out.What a shot!

3:08:35 > 3:08:40Interesting that he changed hands, because the red one past the jack,

3:08:40 > 3:08:45that he just played.It looks like the jack is coming into the red won

3:08:45 > 3:08:48by playing the backhand. He really wanted to be deeper than that. It is

3:08:48 > 3:08:54a bit of a wasted bowl in many respects.It's not going to be the

3:08:54 > 3:09:07ideal spot for him.The pace of this game is really quite slow now in

3:09:07 > 3:09:10comparison to some other matches, yours included, Nick, of course. You

3:09:10 > 3:09:16were one of the faster players. Everyone has got their own pace,

3:09:16 > 3:09:22haven't they? Mind's quick. Not as quick as Jamie, but still pretty

3:09:22 > 3:09:33quick. -- mine is quick. It is one of those games where you don't want

3:09:33 > 3:09:36to do something wrong because it's going to make a difference from now

3:09:36 > 3:09:38on, isn't it?

3:09:49 > 3:09:52I don't know whether Robert's just trying to set something up rather

3:09:52 > 3:09:58than just play something.He had to do...He had to be passed with one

3:09:58 > 3:10:04of them.Now he has two options - he can push one out or push the green

3:10:04 > 3:10:08bowl onto the jack. At least he's set something up for himself. That

3:10:08 > 3:10:20is where the second bowl hurt a little bit.Darren's sort of staying

3:10:20 > 3:10:25out the way, I think.He is more or less saying, go ahead and play it.

3:10:25 > 3:10:33If it goes wrong for you, I'm sitting waiting.Yeah. He got a clap

3:10:33 > 3:10:45for it, anyway!Happy to play them there all day and get a clap. Well,

3:10:45 > 3:10:50now, Rob, I can't see what you're after here, apart from to drop back

3:10:50 > 3:10:55on the jack.Certainly unusual tactics.I just don't think he'll

3:10:55 > 3:11:01play the shot that he would play. If he needed two shots, to win the

3:11:01 > 3:11:04match, he might be tempted to play the bowl on the jack. Other than

3:11:04 > 3:11:13that, it's not worth it, really.He looks like he might, you know.Wow,

3:11:13 > 3:11:27that's an interesting one.He didn't hold back!He didn't at all. He

3:11:27 > 3:11:32could have flicked his own out and lost three there. Probably forced

3:11:32 > 3:11:39him slightly on the inside, to be fair.Rob almost sort of gave in,

3:11:39 > 3:11:45didn't he? He didn't play up the forehand where he had the option to.

3:11:45 > 3:11:50Almost happy to take the one down. Darren said, I am happy to drop a

3:11:50 > 3:11:58foul-mac here, or get a two.The set would have been over and into a

3:11:58 > 3:12:20tie-break, effectively. -- dropped a foul-mac here. -- four.

3:13:04 > 3:13:14Well, Darren's got another chance to get one in tight. The body language

3:13:14 > 3:13:21would say it's not the best.Do you think? ! He's not bad. He's just

3:13:21 > 3:13:34over it. He knew he was three or four feet heavy.

3:13:45 > 3:13:55A chance with this one.It needs to stand up.It looked good all the

3:13:55 > 3:13:57way.

3:14:14 > 3:14:18Body language would suggest that he's not where he wanted to be.He's

3:14:18 > 3:14:27even further this time. What do you do?Do you put another one in order

3:14:27 > 3:14:36you cover the back? -- do you put another one in, or do you cover the

3:14:36 > 3:14:50back? I think he is going for the cover. Or is he?Needs to hurry a

3:14:50 > 3:14:56bit if he's going to add another. Well, the crowd are clapping it, but

3:14:56 > 3:15:06it looks like two.It is probably nailed on the backhand runner now.I

3:15:06 > 3:15:15think so. He might as well play it, hope to get the connection right.

3:15:31 > 3:15:34Oh! Whether he's got a shot or not, he will be very disappointed with

3:15:34 > 3:15:45that result.That is a bad result. The jack in the ditch was perfect. I

3:15:45 > 3:15:59think it's pretty close. Jack in the ditch, he was lying four shots. Wow.

3:15:59 > 3:16:08He'll certainly be very disappointed with that.Really good strike, bang

3:16:08 > 3:16:15on target, and got a horrible result. Robert, you want to draw

3:16:15 > 3:16:17this but you don't want to touch the jack.

3:16:17 > 3:16:28APPLAUSE Well, that's number one, obviously.

3:16:28 > 3:16:38UMPIRE: Match tie-break.We did suggest it might pay a tie-break at

3:16:38 > 3:16:43the start.It had that sort of look about it. 8-3 doesn't really show

3:16:43 > 3:16:49what sort of set it was. It was a closer set than the score suggests.

3:16:49 > 3:16:52The three down there when Darren sort of refused a backhand runner,

3:16:52 > 3:17:01if you want, and played hard shot, if he puts that in the ditch, you

3:17:01 > 3:17:03are still almost level.

3:17:11 > 3:17:17Interesting to see who one might be toss.UMPIRE: Jack length 24.5

3:17:17 > 3:17:32metres. -- who won the toss.The thing about the short length is that

3:17:32 > 3:17:38Darren's ability to play the conversion shots is so good, he's

3:17:38 > 3:17:42probably quite happy to go with a short jack length and have the last

3:17:42 > 3:17:49bowl.He will certainly like that just there, because it has made a

3:17:49 > 3:17:56target pretty big. Even though I believe he will draw with this one.

3:17:56 > 3:18:01He's looking at it. Surely he's not thinking about it from that

3:18:01 > 3:18:06distance. Well, he's on the backhand. Just a draw, though.

3:18:12 > 3:18:23It's not the widest line.

3:18:25 > 3:18:31Robert will look to hide round the back of that is, nibbled the jack

3:18:31 > 3:18:34round his own green.

3:18:52 > 3:19:04Only just...Eight curled in -- a curl in.

3:19:10 > 3:19:22Is he arriving? Well, it's another chance here, isn't it? And Robert

3:19:22 > 3:19:25will know he's got to beat that last red, because if you lead that

3:19:25 > 3:19:31sitting like that, he has got two Mo goes at it, I know, but...He could

3:19:31 > 3:19:42get plucked out.Yes. -- two more goes at it.

3:19:49 > 3:20:03He's going to push it on, isn't he? He's not up but he's just enough. Ho

3:20:03 > 3:20:11Ho Ho... There is still that little stunning shot, but lots of

3:20:11 > 3:20:18difficulties with it. We have seen many players try to play that inside

3:20:18 > 3:20:23backhand line and just whip across. I had a go earlier, very

3:20:23 > 3:20:36unsuccessfully.This one's going. Yeah. It is the same with Alex in

3:20:36 > 3:20:40his game, he played a number of roles backhand down the inside line.

3:20:40 > 3:20:53The margin of error must be so small.It is a difficult shot to

3:20:53 > 3:21:02play on this surface, as a rule, but that hand in particular, there is

3:21:02 > 3:21:09about an inch line where you are wide or tight.Now, Robert, this

3:21:09 > 3:21:17looks like you're going deep. He only needs one green. It's a

3:21:17 > 3:21:20tie-break. He just needs to score and win the end, doesn't matter how

3:21:20 > 3:21:30many shots. That looks like it covers both. It does cover both

3:21:30 > 3:21:35re-spots. This is a problem for Darren.He could hit either of his

3:21:35 > 3:21:39reds and do some damage, or he could still draw the shop. There is ample

3:21:39 > 3:21:44room. A different length, I know, but he was doing it in the first

3:21:44 > 3:21:56set. Either red bowl solid would be dangerous.Yeah. This is a tough

3:21:56 > 3:22:01one, and you can tell how difficult it is, because Darren Burnett, like

3:22:01 > 3:22:07all the top players, can work these things out very quickly. There's

3:22:07 > 3:22:11nothing pretty about this.I think he was hoping for a better result

3:22:11 > 3:22:17with his third bowl, but he didn't make it very good at all.On the

3:22:17 > 3:22:19backhand.

3:22:30 > 3:22:38Goodness me! He got a result. Well, he was on target, but I think it's

3:22:38 > 3:22:43fair to say it was rather fortuitous when it bounces off a bowl like

3:22:43 > 3:22:50that. He took so long about working out what to do. You hit a bowl like

3:22:50 > 3:22:54that and then you squeeze it against another, and it happens to finish

3:22:54 > 3:23:00beside your own.No matter where Robert had covered, he wasn't going

3:23:00 > 3:23:06to cover that side of the red one. Definitely not, but in the area, got

3:23:06 > 3:23:11the result. Takes the single.Rob will be pretty disappointed with

3:23:11 > 3:23:24that. He can't do any more, to be honest. Personally, if I was going

3:23:24 > 3:23:28to play the runner, I would probably have played up the other hand onto

3:23:28 > 3:23:33my two reds.It would help to shuffle things around when the jack

3:23:33 > 3:23:40moved. He wanted to get the bowl onto the jack, and that's what he

3:23:40 > 3:23:46played. From that perspective, it was a very good bowl.He probably

3:23:46 > 3:23:48hit the angle he wanted to.

3:23:57 > 3:24:01But it's a tremendous help to get that first end, because you can bank

3:24:01 > 3:24:07that away knowing that you can take a risk on the next end.And you know

3:24:07 > 3:24:11you've got two chances.

3:24:29 > 3:24:39That's a good start.

3:24:52 > 3:24:58Darren is trotting up after this, so he must think he's close.It doesn't

3:24:58 > 3:25:02look like it is past his red. It may have been enough to sneak him in if

3:25:02 > 3:25:14he had missed.He will have worked out that even at this early stage,

3:25:14 > 3:25:23the green one has been taken out. You can see it.Robert will be

3:25:23 > 3:25:28dreading any runner after the last one.Very much so. He needs to hurry

3:25:28 > 3:25:36with this, though. He needs to take away that plant. It blocks up the

3:25:36 > 3:25:44jack, maybe, but it doesn't stop the plant shop. It still looks like it

3:25:44 > 3:25:48can be drawn, though.If he can find six engines on his last, he will be

3:25:48 > 3:26:05close. -- six inches on his last. He thinks he's quick.He's trying to

3:26:05 > 3:26:11bring it back. He's not far away from the bowl, though. Got it.

3:26:11 > 3:26:17Dropped in.Good enough.Only because that bowl was sitting out on

3:26:17 > 3:26:24the side, and that is a match live. Robert Paxton has two bowls to

3:26:24 > 3:26:32recover the situation. Still the forehand draw for him.

3:26:51 > 3:27:01Just hanging off, is it? Is it good enough? Yes, it is. Good bowl.That

3:27:01 > 3:27:06is a good end of bowls for this stage. They will both be pretty

3:27:06 > 3:27:12tense.That is good stuff, really is. Hard to draw in that situation,

3:27:12 > 3:27:17but I think Darren has that forehand runner and he has to play.Like I

3:27:17 > 3:27:22said, he has won the first end, so to a degree, it doesn't matter. If

3:27:22 > 3:27:32he gets to the green one clean,... Always harder to draw the shop the

3:27:32 > 3:27:38second time. And it's sitting off to the side, which means that if he

3:27:38 > 3:27:42gets a little hold off the centreline...There is not much

3:27:42 > 3:27:48danger being tight, either, I don't think.

3:27:59 > 3:28:09Forehand drive. He's watching it. UMPIRE: Second end, Robert Paxton.

3:28:09 > 3:28:19It is a 2-1 tie-break.Absolutely. And Robert was just about to give

3:28:19 > 3:28:26the jack, I think, to Darren.I don't think he'll be doing that.No,

3:28:26 > 3:28:32Darren likes to have the last bowl.

3:28:53 > 3:28:56Robert just watching that jack go up to see if it gets to where he needed

3:28:56 > 3:29:03to be. It may be a yard more...He has found a bit of adrenaline there.

3:29:03 > 3:29:12Is just a yard more than what he wanted.

3:29:23 > 3:29:32Not a bad one.A good start-up. Dropped over onto Darren's favourite

3:29:32 > 3:29:38backhand.

3:29:49 > 3:29:55Oh, he's close with this.

3:29:59 > 3:30:06The rules change, of course, and at the end of tie-break, you can

3:30:06 > 3:30:10nominate to destroy the end and play it over again in the same direction.

3:30:17 > 3:30:22That's the place you didn't want to be.That's position a for you didn't

3:30:22 > 3:30:36want to leave it.No drive shot to get a trouble, then. -- treble.

3:30:44 > 3:30:48A bit quicker?Yes, I think he wanted to get to the green ball.

3:30:48 > 3:30:53Just wanted to drop on it, secure it. A bit further than what he

3:30:53 > 3:31:05wanted to be. Still, better there. Interesting to see what Robert plays

3:31:05 > 3:31:10with this because he really has to be there.I think he will still try

3:31:10 > 3:31:20and draw but reach.You know what that means...Not bad.He's having a

3:31:20 > 3:31:23look at it. You just don't know if it's going to get back. As soon as

3:31:23 > 3:31:31you put the extra weight on... There you go. Looks good for so long, and

3:31:31 > 3:31:38then...It's definitely the hardest shot. He's got two or three seconds

3:31:38 > 3:31:41depending on what Darren does. Probably tighten it up and go a bit

3:31:41 > 3:31:53quicker.Darren drawn the green bowl, try and block the red bowl if

3:31:53 > 3:31:59he can. Definitely needs another one in. I do think he can afford just to

3:31:59 > 3:32:11leave that. He has the last bowl anyway.He has two to come.

3:32:17 > 3:32:25Nearly a blocker.He's going to be trying to get to the front of this

3:32:25 > 3:32:29green one anyway. Dropped it. As you say, it wasn't meant to be a

3:32:29 > 3:32:36blocker.Good track.Perfect line. Big decision here.Had to move

3:32:36 > 3:32:42quicker.Narrow it down and go quicker, you can't afford to just

3:32:42 > 3:32:53drift past it.Tanner calls. -- time out called.It's harder the less

3:32:53 > 3:32:59amount of pace you use.

3:33:02 > 3:33:10He's sticking to the draw. Goodness me, this is brave. Really brave.It

3:33:10 > 3:33:16some shot if he gets up.He liked the last one, but is he reaching? I

3:33:16 > 3:33:23do think so. He's dropped it. He went for the perfect draw, didn't

3:33:23 > 3:33:30quite make it. Darren Burnett holds a single. Wins the match 2-1. A very

3:33:30 > 3:33:34good game and it was well worth the crowd staying on to see it.

3:33:34 > 3:33:42Definitely. Darren was outstanding in the first set, first to bowls but

3:33:42 > 3:33:49Robert just got over the line.

3:33:51 > 3:33:55Well, always expected a tough game between these two players. That was

3:33:55 > 3:34:02exactly what we were getting. He got out of the blocks very quickly and

3:34:02 > 3:34:06everything Robert Paxton put in front of him, he was able to get out

3:34:06 > 3:34:12of. Robert forced into playing weight shots. Everything was going

3:34:12 > 3:34:20right to Darren. Jack out the side, his own bowl runs through and gets

3:34:20 > 3:34:25it on a measure. And once again, Jack out to side, and he's loving

3:34:25 > 3:34:36the shot. Absolutely perfect. His weight shots were so good. Robert

3:34:36 > 3:34:41coming back strong, making the treble on the fifth end in the

3:34:41 > 3:34:54second set. Yet again drops in for a double. Darren gets a boost on the

3:34:54 > 3:35:04first end of the tie-break. Robert draws the shot. He levels things as

3:35:04 > 3:35:07we go into the last leg of the tie-break and Robert couldn't make

3:35:07 > 3:35:14it on the draw. Darren Burnett is through to the quarterfinals. Well,

3:35:14 > 3:35:18the stats were always going to look a bit hard with regards to 11-1 in

3:35:18 > 3:35:29that first set. The big story was the long Jack Cummings against the

3:35:29 > 3:35:36short Jack Link. Darren Burnett just gets over the line -- the long jack

3:35:36 > 3:35:40length over the short Jack length. A fine win but my goodness you had to

3:35:40 > 3:35:44work hard for that, Darren. Absolutely, you always have to work

3:35:44 > 3:35:48hard against Robert. I started really well and then for some reason

3:35:48 > 3:35:52I went off a bit.In that second set in particular you started to really

3:35:52 > 3:35:58nailed the Jack in the first and second bowl.First set down, first

3:35:58 > 3:36:03to bowls were inaccurate throughout. I just had to begin in the second

3:36:03 > 3:36:08set which I did. Tie-breaks, it's a toss of the coin really.It was a

3:36:08 > 3:36:12real battle because you lost a bit of your weight but that was all done

3:36:12 > 3:36:15to the pressure he was putting you under.Absolutely. I played really

3:36:15 > 3:36:21well first set but within myself didn't feel I was 100% knowing where

3:36:21 > 3:36:25we were going. That seems a strange thing to say but I knew Robert would

3:36:25 > 3:36:29come back into it.You must be pretty pleased with the way you

3:36:29 > 3:36:33played and you were able to get back in into that second set.Yes, I was

3:36:33 > 3:36:36disappointed with the result obviously but I was pleased with the

3:36:36 > 3:36:41way I played in the second set. Forcing the tie-break in the second

3:36:41 > 3:36:45set was good.Let's talk about the tie-break. It's fair to say in the

3:36:45 > 3:36:51first end of the tie-break, you had a bit of a break.I had a dead rod.

3:36:51 > 3:36:55I needed a bit of luck and I certainly got that. The Jack could

3:36:55 > 3:37:02have gone anywhere to be honest. You get some of these and you take them

3:37:02 > 3:37:07and run what we thinking at that point?I was hoping for a backhand

3:37:07 > 3:37:12draw to be honest. There's loads of options and it jammed nicely fit

3:37:12 > 3:37:19Darren. He was on target, it was just a great result for him.

3:37:19 > 3:37:25Quarterfinals for you. What are you thinking?It was good to get a run

3:37:25 > 3:37:28here. It's our home tournament, always good to get a run. It's going

3:37:28 > 3:37:33to be tough. I've got to take my form and maybe take it a level

3:37:33 > 3:37:39further because it's going to get harder and harder.Thank you very

3:37:39 > 3:37:46much Robert Paxton. Commiserations to you. Darren Burnett through to

3:37:46 > 3:37:49the quarterfinals, well done. So, let's have a look and see what that

3:37:49 > 3:37:57does to the second round results.

3:38:07 > 3:38:11Darren Burnett needed some fortune in the tie-break to knock out the

3:38:11 > 3:38:17number six seed Robert Paxton. What a game that was. Absolutely

3:38:17 > 3:38:20wonderful stuff here in Perth. We're hoping the next one will be the

3:38:20 > 3:38:26same. Mark Royal is up against a fellow who so technically gifted and

3:38:26 > 3:38:39works as a coach for Scotland as well, David Gourlay.I'm happy to be

3:38:39 > 3:38:43back here in Perth. This is an amazing venue for the Scottish

3:38:43 > 3:38:46International open. The crowds are beginning to pick up, the atmosphere

3:38:46 > 3:38:50is picking up. In the first round I beat Damian Dublin. He's qualified

3:38:50 > 3:39:04many times and he knows the rink. That was a potential banana skin. Up

3:39:04 > 3:39:09next, Mark Royal. Market can be as good as anybody on the tour. To be

3:39:09 > 3:39:14honest I think he's any good place at the moment. He's enjoying his

3:39:14 > 3:39:18work and enjoying life and that all helps. He is playing really well.

3:39:18 > 3:39:21I've had a few bottles with Mark and I expect this one to be no

3:39:21 > 3:39:26different. I'm currently ranked number five in the world and I still

3:39:26 > 3:39:31think it is possible to win one of these events. Each year it gets more

3:39:31 > 3:39:35difficult. You're maybe not as sharp as you used to be. The opposition is

3:39:35 > 3:39:39getting better. I think the last two or three years I've got to the

3:39:39 > 3:39:45semifinal on three occasions. If things go right on the day you've

3:39:45 > 3:39:49got a bit of luck and a break up the right time then I think I still have

3:39:49 > 3:39:53the potential to win. Having other commitments within the sport can

3:39:53 > 3:40:01make playing the game challenging. Being the head coach with Bowl

3:40:01 > 3:40:05Scotland can be quite difficult and challenging, balancing it with

3:40:05 > 3:40:09playing at this level. You're trying to put as much commitment and time

3:40:09 > 3:40:12and effort into the job that sometimes you sacrifice your own

3:40:12 > 3:40:17playing ability. I love the role I've got, I love the job I do. I

3:40:17 > 3:40:27practice as much as I can so it's a fine balancing act.David Gourlay at

3:40:27 > 3:40:31the River Tay in Perth. He's about to come out onto the rink at the

3:40:31 > 3:40:35Dewars Centre but who is he going to face this afternoon? It's Mark

3:40:35 > 3:40:40Royal. The list and a drop in form has forced Mark Royal down to 13 in

3:40:40 > 3:40:43the world rankings but now he feels like he's back in the groove at

3:40:43 > 3:40:47Perth.

3:40:51 > 3:40:55Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to the former winner of

3:40:55 > 3:41:02the Welsh international open, Mark Royal!

3:41:03 > 3:41:12MUSIC

3:41:17 > 3:41:20It's an extraordinary achievement that David Gourlay joined the pro

3:41:20 > 3:41:27tour 23 years ago and has been in the top 16 ever since. Technically

3:41:27 > 3:41:30gifted and fiercely competitive, David is a very tough nut to crack

3:41:30 > 3:41:36on the rink. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a very warm welcome to

3:41:36 > 3:41:39the former world singles champion, David Gourlay! APPLAUSE

3:41:39 > 3:41:49MUSIC

3:41:59 > 3:42:03David Corkhill and Paul Mitchell in the commentary box. COMMENTATOR:

3:42:03 > 3:42:09It's been a great afternoon so far in terms of exciting bowls and looks

3:42:09 > 3:42:13set to continue as well as Mark Royal and David Gourlay go

3:42:13 > 3:42:19head-to-head.

3:42:23 > 3:42:32Mark Royal has opted for the beard this year.It's all the rage,

3:42:32 > 3:42:43somebody told me!A year ago I would have said that this match was very

3:42:43 > 3:42:49much in favour of David Gourlay. Mark Royal hadn't been well for a

3:42:49 > 3:42:54while and just managed to keep playing. But he's back to full

3:42:54 > 3:43:04fitness. That makes him a very, very dangerous opponent. Especially on

3:43:04 > 3:43:08the draw shots. He can play the weight shots but he's a master draw

3:43:08 > 3:43:14of a ball.

3:43:20 > 3:43:25David was very impressive in his first game. I thought he played

3:43:25 > 3:43:38particularly well. Damian Dublin is a very good player, one of the

3:43:38 > 3:43:41younger players who has come through on the tour and trying to make his

3:43:41 > 3:43:48way up through the rankings. He's a talented guy. Good scoring for

3:43:48 > 3:43:58David.

3:44:23 > 3:44:35Getting off to a very good start, Mark Royal.

3:44:58 > 3:45:05See it coming in but it's almost an identical bowl.This isn't the first

3:45:05 > 3:45:18end that David Gourlay wanted.Mark Royal simply wants to draw another

3:45:18 > 3:45:24one here.

3:45:31 > 3:45:38The problem is the front bowl blocking their way in from the

3:45:38 > 3:45:47running bowl. He has to try and rest the bowl here and drop in. He's

3:45:47 > 3:46:01certainly wide enough. That's the problem with short bowls. You tried

3:46:01 > 3:46:12over correct and it through.It has done so. As you mentioned, the

3:46:12 > 3:46:20second and third bowls being short really set the David Gourlay.After

3:46:20 > 3:46:24you've been waiting all afternoon and you get two ends, this is

3:46:24 > 3:46:28probably the most difficult match of the whole day. Simply because you

3:46:28 > 3:46:33would have practised this morning and really that was a long time ago.

3:46:33 > 3:46:38The rink will have changed and the crowd coming in and out after the

3:46:38 > 3:46:52other matches, there's nothing easy about this particular draw. Mark

3:46:52 > 3:47:01Royal, left-hander. One of the few about the place. Another well-known

3:47:01 > 3:47:23one is Les will it. -- Les Gillett. Used to tell me it was cutting edge.

3:47:32 > 3:47:39Better from David Gourlay.

3:47:48 > 3:47:55Beautifully done.

3:48:04 > 3:48:14Forehand runner. That is get out of jail card shot, no doubt about that.

3:48:14 > 3:48:27The first end he couldn't play it because of his own bowls.

3:48:35 > 3:48:39The left-hander will be able to hold his bowl up for a long time before

3:48:39 > 3:48:50it breaks. Here it comes now.

3:49:04 > 3:49:11Look at this for a reply.

3:49:22 > 3:49:26Draw it or try and pick it out? He'll certainly have enough weight

3:49:26 > 3:49:30to do it. The danger is picking his own bowl. He'll have to be a little

3:49:30 > 3:49:39bit careful. Very close to it.He's on a good line. There it goes.A

3:49:39 > 3:49:50little bit unlucky to get a contact with the jack.Really good bowl.

3:50:02 > 3:50:12He's certainly pushed this one wide. It's a perfect track. His weight is

3:50:12 > 3:50:31looking decent as well.A fine bowl. Top-class stuff from both players.

3:50:50 > 3:51:01If you want to get quickly on the card... He's done so.

3:51:09 > 3:51:17It's not that bad in the end. Trying to push it.

3:52:19 > 3:52:30Identical bowl from Mark Royal.

3:52:50 > 3:52:54He's got a good line.Certainly taking the hard way in. It's a

3:52:54 > 3:53:04difficult draw. I think he might have been tempted to drive the two

3:53:04 > 3:53:16bowls out. Whereas now he's in a bit of bother.

3:53:28 > 3:53:34Wants to get round. He has done so. No matter what way you look at this,

3:53:34 > 3:53:43it's damage limitation. He has to run into them.Mark, this is so

3:53:43 > 3:53:54difficult.Well, if he draws it well and good.He believes he can do it.

3:53:54 > 3:54:07He's certainly a lot closer.If it falls back it would help...

3:54:07 > 3:54:11Definitely one, two might be a possibility.The rule is 30 seconds

3:54:11 > 3:54:16after the ball has had forward movement. You wait 30 seconds to see

3:54:16 > 3:54:30if the bowl actually drops.Just the single.It was a good bowl by Mark.

3:54:30 > 3:54:34More of an indication of his confidence in the draw shot but

3:54:34 > 3:54:42three bowl coulds a yard behind.

3:54:43 > 3:54:49He decided the higher risk and potential high reward wasn't worth

3:54:49 > 3:55:00it Amat occasion. But -- on that occasion.

3:55:58 > 3:56:08Just running all the way out.

3:56:22 > 3:56:33Held up for a while but it's going to bend across.

3:57:03 > 3:57:08Well, this time Mark going for the weight shot. Drop inside, try and

3:57:08 > 3:57:14get the two Reds. The jack will do as well. Well, took one out and

3:57:14 > 3:57:18moved the green one. Probably the second shot. He has, it's not too

3:57:18 > 3:57:28bad.

3:57:31 > 3:57:35David Gourlay back to the matter quickly. Plenty of time on the

3:57:35 > 3:57:42clock. -- the mat quickly.

3:57:57 > 3:58:07To read and a very narrow target. The difficulty is he's got his own

3:58:07 > 3:58:14bowl there. If he edges that, it's going to cost him another shot.

3:58:14 > 3:58:18Losing a couple is fine but you don't want to give your opponent a

3:58:18 > 3:58:30gift one. If he can get into that bowl, now that will take the other

3:58:30 > 3:58:37green bowl out. Sorry, the other red bowl out. The difficulty there is

3:58:37 > 3:58:43that will be removed. The any difficulty is if he gets his own

3:58:43 > 3:58:48bowl pro, the back red one will score. It looks like he might be

3:58:48 > 3:58:58playing it. He's going for it.The jack may go out to the right...

3:58:58 > 3:59:05Careful of his own bowl. Well, he's got his own bowl robot managed to

3:59:05 > 3:59:09take one of the Reds out at the same time. In the end it didn't matter

3:59:09 > 3:59:20but it was always a risk.The second green bowl pro didn't hang around.

3:59:20 > 3:59:28-- the second green bowl didn't hang around. David Gourlay with a couple

3:59:28 > 3:59:39of singles and a double to find himself level once more.

4:00:00 > 4:00:10Into rhythm with his first bowl, David Gourlay. Mark Royal had a poor

4:00:10 > 4:00:27season by his standards last season. Round two of the International open.

4:01:04 > 4:01:09Spell that bit on the negative side, drug-taking a few short bowls and

4:01:09 > 4:01:34creating problems for himself. -- just taking a few short bowls.

4:01:35 > 4:01:40It looks unappealing from the mat, the head.

4:01:55 > 4:02:07Here he comes.Just made it, by the looks of it. Certainly very close.

4:02:07 > 4:02:12David's back position here and the front plant is also available if he

4:02:12 > 4:02:16wants to play slightly over the weight.

4:02:24 > 4:02:29Going strong. Here's the plant, and there is a green bowl gone, but I'm

4:02:29 > 4:02:34not sure it's going to work out. His own bowl has managed to travel

4:02:34 > 4:02:40through, but he has probably cut the shot out of it.It was certainly

4:02:40 > 4:02:50close there, Mark. A check on the re-spot. One to come for.-- one to

4:02:50 > 4:02:54come for green.It was the striking bowl following through. Watch

4:02:54 > 4:03:03this... One coming all the way through towards the spot. The marker

4:03:03 > 4:03:06just favours the red.

4:03:12 > 4:03:18He sort of try to hold that back a little bit, and his arm went under a

4:03:18 > 4:03:28bit quick.It needs to apply the brakes now. And it hasn't done so.

4:03:28 > 4:03:32It has run out. And he knew that as soon as it left his hand. It was a

4:03:32 > 4:03:53little bit on the quick side.They will call on the umpire to measure.

4:03:55 > 4:04:02The one red against the two greens. The box measure has been around for

4:04:02 > 4:04:13a long time in different forms, but they have never managed to find any

4:04:13 > 4:04:20more brakething more accurate or easy-to-use. -- they have never

4:04:20 > 4:04:23managed to find anything more accurate or easy-to-use. They want

4:04:23 > 4:04:29to check all the measurements and make sure it hasn't moved.Green

4:04:29 > 4:04:37bowl at the front.Mark will be relieved.Evil stick with it. The

4:04:37 > 4:04:47final bowl, just lying and no more. -- key will stick with it. He will

4:04:47 > 4:04:55be glad to get back on the card, having lost the last three games.

4:05:23 > 4:05:31Increased jack length from Mark Royal. It hasn't helped his opening

4:05:31 > 4:05:44bowl.Once again, as I was saying about Mark's short bowls, they are