Final - Live Bowls: Scottish International Open

MUSIC: "Rolling In The Deep"

by Aretha Franklin

LAUGHTER

It's almost time for the final,

ladies and gentlemen. Last Saturday,

32 bowl is representing ten nations

came here to be Dewars Centre in

Perth, and it has all come down to

this. An all Scottish affair in the

final, it's Michael Stepney against

David Gourlay.

Hello and a warm welcome to Perth.

It's been an extraordinary week of

bowling, and these two guys have

been the best players of the week.

They are top the pile, and today's

final will be a cracker I urge you

to stick around.

It is amazing how these boys got to

the final, but they have been

playing so well week.

The big names

have dropped at the hands of both

finalists, particularly Michael

Stepney, coming in as a wild card.

Hasn't he done well. Incredibly

well. We know all about David

Gourlay, he has been in the top 16

since 1996, so he knows what to do

to pick up trophies.

That's the year

he won the world singles,

provisionally number two in the

world. No matter what happens, that

is where he will be for the next

event. Really, Michael Stepney, of

course, he is now in the top 16

provisionally.

Extraordinary. Look

at David, he is the Scottish coach

now as well. Huge experience, and

also, he might be looking at Michael

for future Commonwealth Games, but

David is a guy who knows how to win

tournaments.

Absolutely. The only

problem for David is he can't pick

himself, that is where the

difficulty is. He is more than good

enough, we know that. But he is a

finalist specialist, he has been

there so often, he knows how to

handle pressure, but what is

pressure to Michael Stepney.

At the

start of the week, he knocked out

Stuart Anderson, and Stuart is a

great player. We know about him.

Lots of seeds have been knocked out

on the way to the final, including

Paul Foster.

That is the key to it.

Michael handles really well. Once

you get past Paul Foster, Juneau you

can win. That is where everything

evens up, it is a wild card against

a top see, but the reality is it is

an evens much.

I looked at the odds,

bookmakers usually know what they

talking about, and it is an evens

match. The betting is so tight.

11-2

in his first match, we all know it

was much tighter than that. If you

guys got their Christmas presents

paid for on that on the basis of

11-2, but they have woken up to it.

It is going to be tight, fantastic

and wonderful, but how did both of

them get here? Have a look at this.

It was a game of two halves, the

first set, I played really well, got

really good on the short ends. He

lengthened the jack a little bit,

and I struggled a little bit, but he

played really, really well. Then we

got into the tie-breaker, and it is

anybody's game in a tie-break.

He is one of the rising stars of the

sport, he has qualified through the

qualifying process many times,

runner up before, I knew it was

going to be tough. Thankfully, the

short jacks didn't suit him on the

day. I was happy with the way I

played.

A game, you have to try to get in

and get the bowls as close as you

can. You have to do as best as you

can to keep the pressure on your

opponent. I thought I did that very

well against Perry, keeping him

under pressure, and I managed to

sneak through both sets.

I knew it would be a tough game

against Mark, but again, the short

jacks seemed to help me. I was happy

to be in the quarterfinal.

That was my best game. I was getting

better and better each game as it

went on. I thought I played a

really, really solid game against

Mervyn, and put him under a lot of

pressure.

He was more consistent than me, but

a good conversion shot at the right

time, and that saw me over the line.

I have played poorly few times now,

and you know what you're going to

get. You get a dog-eared game.

Unfortunately for him, he struggled.

He struggled on his line. But I had

to keep going, get my bowls in and

put pressure on.

COMMENTATOR:

Beautifully played.

Darren is one of the hardest players

to play against. He never missed a

drive.

COMMENTATOR: That is a result.

A couple of bad results for Darren,

a four and a three through a gap,

and that was the difference in the

game.

David is a class act, and has been

for many years. I have played him a

couple of times, and unfortunately

come out the wrong side twice. Very

close games, and hopefully, I can

get one back.

Never underestimate Michael Stepney,

he is one of the best players in

Scotland, if not one of the best

players in the UK, and he has proven

it this week. He is a hard and

fierce competitor. It will be a

great atmosphere today. Really

looking forward to it.

It's an all Scotland affair in the

final,

It's an all Scotland affair in the

final, let's remind ourselves how

they got there in round one, Stewart

Anderson was put to the sword by

Michael Stepney, then Perry Martin

in the second round. Mervyn King in

the quarterfinals, and five-time

world champion Paul Foster yesterday

in the semifinal.

For David Gourlay, it looks like

this, Damian Doubler in the first

round, Mark Royal in the second,

Nick Brett, a great quarterfinal,

and Darren Burnett in the semifinal.

Nick Brett, a great quarterfinal,

and Darren Burnett in the semifinal.

Both players playing amazingly well

on their way to the final this year.

If you look at that, it is a

slightly easier route for David

Gourlay, but nonetheless, playing

some big players.

Exactly. Nick

Brett has been in the final 2-3

times and Darren Burnett did a

superb champion. In some respects,

because David has been a top-ranked

player, there is nothing between

them. We will focus on Michael being

the wild card and coming through all

the top seeds.

How will this go?

I

am with the bookies on it, it is

even. A lot of people talking to me

asking who I think will win and I

cannot pick a winner. The only

slight difference may be that David

is used to the final. It is balanced

out by Michael being a cool guy and

pressure doesn't faze him.

Not at

all. Talking for ages might get them

in a state, should we get them out?

I think we should.

Thank you to

David Corkill, let's get the

gladiators out onto the rink here at

the Dewars Centre in Perth for the

final of the Co-op Funeralcare

Scottish International Open 2017,

David Gourlay and Michael Stepney.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

A wonderful patriotic start in

Perth, this should be a wonderful

match. David Corkill is in the

commentary box

match. David Corkill is in the

commentary box.

DAVID CORKILL: What a battle between

two Scots, the first all Scottish

final in the Scottish International

Open since 2002, when David Gourlay

and Darren Burnett got his only

title win here in Scotland in this

event.

David Gourlay gets us underway,

Scottish International Open final of

2017.

APPLAUSE

That's not a bad way to start to

afternoon's work.

Michael Stepney has been coolness

personified this week. He had to

bring that to the final as well.

Yes, it will be essential that

Michael just put everything behind

him now, the big wins, big successes

of the week, concentrate on this

one. It won't make any difference

with Michael, he really is a calm

guy. David Gourlay will test him

today.

APPLAUSE

Both these players starting off on

the backhand, which has been

preferred by most, heading away from

the commentary box, and that's why.

Pushing it through. It was just

going to see it around.

Unfortunately, he got the jack.

He walked back very quickly after

watching that one go up. He realised

he was short. Does he get in the way

of the draw?

Change of hand, two, four Michael

Stepney. -- change of hand, too,

from Michael Stepney.

Is onto it.

That won't help his next

ball.

There's two in it, Michael would be

attacking, but with just one shot,

he might decide to put a little on

his last, to try to draw this off.

He's gone under.

REFEREE:

Taken, Gourlay.

APPLAUSE

A steady start, one shot, it won't

disturb the guys too much. Just

won't want to lose big counts,

that's all.

As you can see from the

graphic there, its 11 ends. The

matches, the first 30 of them up to

the final, from rounds one, two,

quarterfinal and semifinal, nine and

affairs. The final extended to 11.

Normal for most world tour events to

have the final over a longer

distance. Normally 25 ends is a

potential there. It is an

opportunity to destroy the ends, so

it could go even further. We could

be in a strange way in for 26 ends.

Settled in and ready to go.

Should

be more than enough to separate two

players.

APPLAUSE

That's not bad either, you know.

This could be a terrific final.

Just a little short.

Michael doesn't let much disturb

him, no doubt about that. As we have

said many, many times, he's focused

on the game. He doesn't worry about

anything, just gets on with it.

APPLAUSE

Well, he is really locking the bowls

in. There is a shot on here for

David if he wants to play it, not

particularly easy, but it's

available to him if the backhand is

only a draw, but if he really wants

to play to get something out of this

head, he can play on the forehand,

tap that bowl, the jack would be

extended from where it is at the

moment through to the bowl, and that

is where it would sit. It would be a

safe shot, he would be a lucky if

anything went wrong. He could hit

his own red bowl, and knock the

other one out. With the backhand,

everything has to be absolutely

perfect. More of a margin of error

on the forehand.

Players get time

outs so they can choose to play.

David Gourlay has just used his

first one.

That's what he's going

for.

This is going to be interesting.

Oh... He's unlucky. He's really

lucky to come out of that two down.

He was two down already, he's two

down now, but the problem is there

is more room for Michael Stepney to

add a third. It was a really good

effort, too.

It's the extra tap on

the green bowl, that is what it was,

on the way through.

Michael's waving at this, it's

trying its best to get back. Not

quite. That's a chance missed.

On

the card in the final, but it's a

two, but a three was potentially

there.

REFEREE:

Jack at 35.5 metres.

An experienced player.

Yes, and a

well-established player at the back

end of the rink as well. He's got

all the shots.

APPLAUSE

Good adjustment. The last end was

the key to scoring, getting the

first two balls in. That's going to

be the case for most players, put

the pressure on early.

Dropped it short.

REFEREE:

The gap is about 8.5

inches.

He's dropped that under the line. We

have seen that a couple of times,

off the Mata and up the rink. -- off

the match. Work for this one to come

back. He wants to fall in on his own

bowl, which would be good.

The two players are chatting away at

the middle of the end. This is when

you know your opponent so well.

Better this time. He got a chance on

his own bowl.

APPLAUSE

That's going to change things,

because the backhand is really out

of commission now. The red ball on

the jack is going to come onto the

other red bowl, by the look of it.

But there is a gap on the forehand.

It's interesting, because that's the

second time out David Gourlay's

taken. Now, we're only three ends

incomer four remaining.

There is a

shot there. The problem with that

shot is, you need everything

precise. The backhand offers a shot,

just to move the bowl and get a

cynic on the jack. But again, it is

very tight and narrow.

David Gourlay juggling the bowled

before he plays it.

Going for the

forehand.

He's pulled it across. It

depends on what gets hit up.

I think

he's come out of this OK. He's waved

a hand. It's a fortunate result, and

he knows it.

He's got the short.

Have a look at this angle. From our

angle at the far end, it looked like

he did enough for the short. Michael

Stepney will be relieved to see it

is a one for him.

Hard to tell the angles, when the

jack is getting moved around like

that.

He didn't get the result he

wanted, but good, entertaining

bowls.

Some of the young players.

One of them has disappeared out of

the arena, and he will be terribly

disappointed not to get on the

television.

Timing is everything.

Wonderful, it has been set up to get

kids involved in the game of bowls

from 10-17, so much interest in

bowls. One of the players whose

birthday is today, John Mackay is

11, and he wanted to spend it at the

polls.

There he is. Give us a wave.

You are allowed a wave.

They are

always generous, because they bring

down some of the lovely tablet for

us.

Got to keep focused.

We are focused

on the match, but it has been sent

down for us, and the crew.

The crew

haven't had any.

Blame the umpires.

David Gourlay, once again, after a

good start.

This is where he once this incomer

just to apply the pressure, come

around the corner, it is a really

good place.

Normally, Michael

wouldn't waste any time here, he

would go for the two bowls, but it

is a small target. Going for it

anyway.

Not wasting any time, looks

accurate, got the strike.

Wow, good

strike. Bang on target, no argument

about the result.

So the jack will

go on the respot, and a smile stop

REFEREE:

Two read.

He is from the head, but plays out

of the Elgin club, nine miles away.

He puts it on his profile. Elgin is

the largest club closest to him.

Away down the side and all the way

in. Very good, David.

Beautiful

bowl. I live in a small village,

back home. But I am really on the

Bagnaia area no one has ever heard

of the village.

Good reply after a

full drive. That is accurate, it

really is.

Such a difficult shot to play, and

to an offset jack.

Final ball of the

end, David Gourlay.

He's looking to

see if he's protected here, because

if he is, he'll go for it. And he

has.

It is just going to go past.

REFEREE:

Set score 4-1 after four

ends.

I marked my card with an association

pen.

So, Michael Stepney Chloe Melton he

is from Burkett, famous for the

burning of the Claffey, which takes

place on the 11th of January, they

take barrels and make a big bonfire.

The pieces are taken to put in your

own fireplace to ward off evil

spirits for the year ahead. I know

that because the local paper

reported that him and his partner

back in time for the celebrations

when he made the final. It is a big

deal up that way.

A lot of evil

spirits, that's what it is. You have

to get rid of them...!

I could

probably do with a piece of the

firewood myself.

Needs to stay up a

bit with this one. Slightly onto the

line.

APPLAUSE

Didn't want to tap that jack. He got

just a fraction of it, but it didn't

move.

Down again. It is going to be

David's term to think about cutting

this early.

Not hanging about.

There we go

again, onto the recent opposition.

Just as well we are not allowed to

destroy these ends any more, or we

would be here all day. That is one

of the reasons why the was brought

in, because the games were taking a

long time -- it is one of the

reasons the respot was brought in.

That will probably not make its way

back. Paul will keep that one.

A

nice little souvenir.

David has certainly push this one

out wide. It's a beauty. This is

quality stuff.

This is hard now for Michael

Stepney.

That doesn't make it easy for David

to make the double.

UMPIRE: 12

inches short.

There has been a

breakdown in communication between

the Glaswegian and Dan Blewitt, from

England.

That was not an easy shot.

All the way down the side.

APPLAUSE.

Excellent stuff again from both

players.

He has improved. Good stuff.

Dan

Bluett watching on.

It does

influence the shots they played, the

information they get.

They have a

massive input into the game at this

level, because they know where to

stand and they anticipate the

questions. And of course, they are

very accurate when it comes to the

measures. If they make a mistake,

the whole world can see it, so it is

a tough place to be.

That is going to be difficult to get

to. He is going for the two bowls.

He has moved one of them. That opens

a pathway.

David Gourlay will also

be aware of back position.

Well, the back position is there,

but it's very close.

Michael has to be a bit careful.

David is having a good look. If he

is not sure, it will be measured.

Good call by Dan Bluett.

Whenever these guys do make a

mistake, they go back to their home

clubs and they just get ribbed

mercilessly about it. People rarely

miss an opportunity to have a little

pop. Good-humoured, of course.

Absolutely. I go back to my own club

in Edinburgh and they tell me I am

not as good as I try to sound, which

believe me, I am not. Everyone is a

critic.

David has been reliable with

this backhand in the last couple of

days.

Stepney, playing his first Scottish

International Open. He will be

reasonably happy with how he has

started. It is getting to a stage of

the match where if either player

gets ahead, even by small margins,

it is hard to get back.

David has played with four different

sets of bowls in this event.

David Gourlay has already used a

couple of his time-outs. He didn't

want to use another.

Well, he got into the head and he

knew if he got to the jack, he had

to follow through. He had no back

position. He is no worse off than he

was before he played it.

He saw his

own bowl getting trapped on the

green one. Four ends to play.

Good

stuff, a lot of good shots being

played here. It's a good final.

Both

these players have won the opening

set in every match they have played

in. Something will have to give.

If there is any big difference to

the semifinal at the moment, the way

David Gourlay is playing, his first

bowl is better than it was against

Burnett in the semi.

This is the

second match with these bowls and

David feels very comfortable

earlier. I was watching him practise

earlier. A few folks were talking to

him and he was going back and

playing again and still getting

close.

He is asking more questions of

Michael Stepney with the first two

bowls than almost anybody has in the

tournament so far. That is a very

difficult target.

The bowl felt a breeze as it went

past. Didn't miss by much.

At the moment, Michael is two down.

David will run for cover, but his

third bowl shot is only eight inches

away. Any draw shot is going to be

difficult to play, so he might as

well have another go.

Gourlay has

just covered the respot.

Another

good drive. Although David has

covered the respot, Michael has

opened up the opportunity. Very

difficult to be that accurate all

the time. Shows what a good bowl

David Gourlay's third was.

He flirts with the side again.

I am sure Michael will have a go at

this.

Time-outs taken.

As soon as

you ask, are they touch us, you know

what he's going to do. If he gets

the green bowl onto the jack, there

is a deep green bowl which is a

toucher. He is still going to be two

down. He has to take the two of them

off. Good number -- damage

limitation bowl.

That was three

heavy bowls he had to play because

of the opening bowls of David

Gourlay.

David Gourlay's last Scottish

International Open final was in

2006. His opponent won six of the

opening seven ends.

David has been playing his first two

bowls consistently. Michael really

need to score this end.

Keeping a close eye on this one.

Still made centre rink.

That is what has been happening a

lot.

He is sticking to the draw. That is

a difficult shot.

He must feel that

shots two and three are beatable.

A

bit unlucky. It is a good bowl. He

is obviously a bit frightened of

taking his own two bowls out.

It is such a low percentage shot.

Two to play. Worrying for Michael

Stepney. Five straight games, he has

dropped. He's being forced into the

creative shots.

Yes, he has been

sucked into that conversion shot as

well a couple of times. It is not a

great shock to play.

He wants to stay away from those and

try and come up something else. --

try and conjured up something else.

It is always good to see a

knowledgeable crowd in. People

travel to this final. And they are

certainly watching a very high class

match.

It is also good to see that

the final sold out well before

yesterday.

There is a chap therein a

blue shirt in the background. That

is Mackenzie, who travelled down

this morning from Inverness. He goes

to the World Championships every

year as well. Always good to see

Alan coming down. Hopefully, I will

get a chance to go up in the next

year or so.

You could do a couple of

masterclasses for him.

He needs this end. This is a big

bowl.

If David Gourlay slots one in here

to match the red ones, it will be

very hard for Michael to get

anything out of this end.

He was not convinced by that.

He

wasn't happy when he let it go. Some

in the crowd think that is a good

bowl, but it is nowhere near what he

wanted and Michael might try to try

and pluck this bowl out.

A side from

David Gourlay.

He knows this could

be costly.

That is a shocking results. Dear,

oh, dear. He wanted a thin edge.

He

was playing for just the edge to

send it across. Just too much.

Even

the jack through to the ditch would

have been good. He would have picked

up a single. But credit to David

Gourlay for keeping the pressure on.

What a run of shots.

Set up by the

good opening bowls.

Two time-outs in the first three

ends are looking like a wise

investment now.

Absolutely. David

will look at that and think, let's

get off to a good start, keep it

tight. There are plenty of time-outs

available. An extra one, of course,

for the 11 end final.

He has done that in the last few

ends. Just finished behind David

Gourlay's opening bowl.

It's fairly academic, this end, with

Michael Stepney seeking four shots

to tie.

That's why he's deliberately

playing heavy, although that one is

a bit far away. I don't think he

meant to put it there. There is a

smile. David will split the two

bowls.

There will need to be some divine

intervention for Michael to get

something out of this.

Nothing he could do, not when you

are looking for four.

It is a lovely

situation for David Gourlay, though.

He can relax, he has got the first

set in the bag.

Whatever shot Michael Stepney plays,

it is a practice shot.

So, as he has done all week in the

Scottish International Open, David

Gourlay takes the opening set of his

match.

And Michael Stepney finds

himself in a different position. He

had won the opening set of his first

four matches to get to the stage. He

now has to come from behind. Good

opening set.

There has been a big

crowd here all week. There are the

young players. The crowds have been

good this week.

It was packed

yesterday, and again today. And they

are not being disappointed by the

quality of the play. David Gourlay,

world indoor winner in 1996. Since

then, he has played in 17 World

Bowls Tour singles finals.

He was

getting worried at one stage that he

wasn't going to win another although

he kept going to semifinals. But in

doing so, he was cementing his place

in the top five or six in the world,

year after year. And he is able to

keep it going when he doesn't live

in Scotland most of the time. It is

testament to his ability.

He enjoyed a four year spell playing

in Australia. That will benefit

Scotland as well when it comes to

the Commonwealth Games, the

knowledge gleaned out there.

Yes, he

was based in Sydney. That is a good

start by Michael. Decent cover bowl.

Seven ends in a row. Michael Stepney

hasn't won an end. This is looking

good again for David.

APPLAUSE

I was getting ready to say it is the

first time Michael Stepney's had a

decent lie after the opening four

bowls, but David Gourlay didn't even

give him that.

It's as good as I've

seen David play. And he's had some

very good performances lately. You

know, very unlucky in World

Championships as well. He could

easily have made a final in the last

couple of years.

Looking for a

similar touch...

Probably two down

now.

A rare ball falling away enough.

Jack high, far enough away not to

offer any help to David Stepney,

because he would have been looking

at the backhand. Now changing to the

forehand to touch the jack around

the corner. He had a shot before

that to punch his own bowl over.

Trying very hard with this one.

Oh... Is it there? Not quite... So

close. Yet, so far. It was too

difficult given his last bowled.

He

has a look.

Definitely two, we think it is two.

Looking at the back green bowl,

that's close.

Time out called.

Narrow margins. One thing is in

David's head, if he gets onto his

own front green bowl, can he tap it

down and made a three? If he misses

it, that's fair enough. He's not

even attempting to play it.

No, he's

thinking of the next end. That's

what he's doing. He picked a spot.

He's thinking of the next end. He

put that down to play a longer jack

length. We know where the jack is

going.

Michael Stepney having a wee

word, saying, "Come on, what are you

afraid of?" Now, at the moment, he

is in a groove. Eight straight ends,

Michael Stepney needs to find a way

to get his hands on the jack will

Michael Stepney needs to find a way

to get his hands on the jack will.

There is the long Jack Lang. That is

why David played his last bowl to

that length. Taking a bit of chalk

off the mat.

28.5 metres for David Gourlay.

APPLAUSE

His last bowl singles title came in

to 15, beating David Chestney.

I guess, David, it is all about

stepping up, but this is the best he

has played so far this week.

Oh,

without a doubt. He has played some

very good matches. He's consistently

getting the first bowl in. And

that's been the difference, really.

It has in this match.

Looking to try to come around.

Again, well played. APPLAUSE

It's a constant bombardment of close

first two bowls, Michael. Moving to

the forehand, and as I said before,

beforehand, you can often drop short

on it after playing the backhand. --

the forehand. Yeah, there it is.

Yeah.

It's been a feature, and it's

happening all the time.

Anything behind the jack for David

Gourlay. Just doesn't want to drop

jack hi.

The second shot, 18 inches, he must

be trying to draw, then. Well...

Looking to add the weight inside the

green bowl.

Hasn't made it.

REFEREE:

Three green.

Not 1 million miles away, but three

inside him.

Not like Michael.

Anything up to his own bowl,

anything through, would have given

him position. David Chouly will go

through with this one. He has to go

deeper this time. -- David Gourlay.

He will only expect Michael to hit

this.

A useful bowl, no doubt about that.

Surely, Michael will play right up

at this. All sorts of things can

happen to reduce this.

A bagatelle

may be in order here.

Move the jack Ford on one of his

drives. Let's see what happens here.

A spin of the bowl, took one out.

REFEREE:

Two shots, David Gourlay.

APPLAUSE

Slightly symbolic, because he's

spinning around at the moment,

trying to find a way into this

match. David Gourlay is keeping him

firmly at bay.

4-0 at the start of this second set.

Just looking back, David, 11 finals,

ten finals we have had here. I am

trying to see if anyone has gone on

a similar run.

Well, there have been

some, thinking back to the Greg

Harlow and John Price in their

final, that would probably be the

only one that could get close to it.

Greg Harlow lost only one end in the

second set. One of the sets, 16-1.

John Price had been to reflect up to

the final. -- terrific up to the

final. In many ways, that event,

kept him in the World Bowls Tour.

He hadn't been having a good couple

of years, then suddenly it went

right for him. Although he lost in

the final, it was a major, major

performance for John at the time. It

kept him going. And he's going to

the qualifiers now. He's decided to

try to get back in. Good on him.

We

wish him well, always a popular

figure, especially up here in Perth.

Once again, David all over it with

the two bowls. John Price, five

games in qualifying, tough going.

Our commentary partner at the

Commonwealth Games in 2013.

I'll not

say anything else about his age,

going through the qualifiers. He

will send me a text.

Many a bowler will be feeling how

Michael Stepney is feeling at the

moment, and that is, how do you get

back into a game when you are not

playing particularly badly, and your

opponent is certainly outperforming

you.

That was a double opportunity

for David Gourlay, make sure you get

the red bowls. If you don't get

there, you get deep. Close to his

own two.

He is in a heap of trouble. The only

good thing for Michael, slightly in

his favour, he has a longer set to

play.

Enjoyed good success in Perth, with

a tournament won here in Perth. Some

happy memories for him. Scottish

Champion of champions on a couple of

occasions, two on this portable

surface.

Sensible bowling in behind.

Well, you can't cover everything.

The respot is against him, the two

bowls going out, one red. Jack on

red, maybe two. Worth going again

with weight.

He needs this, Michael

Stepney. Got the jack.

Good bowl.

The green bowl will go off, it will

be two red, I think. One might be

close, but I still think it will be

two.

Two shots.

REFEREE:

Two shots, Michael Stepney.

Good strike shot from Michael

Stepney. Bang on target.

Nine straight ends scored by David

Gourlay comes to an end.

Yes, and it

was with another drive where David

was lying two shots.

All were

weighted shots, the fifth end of the

opening set have come from Michael

Stepney.

Love the way Michael plays

the game. Still has a smile on his

face, chatting to David. Good, hard

professional player with a good

attitude on the rink. I've played

against him myself, I know what he's

like.

APPLAUSE

Excellent player to play against.

Good friends back in Elgin will be

watching. They might be in the club

watching, Andrew Barker, with a Diet

Coke in his hand. And Graham

Donaldson, of course, who is

celebrating winning his event here

this week.

He did well, Graham

Donaldson, took it to the tie-break.

That was at Elgin Bowling club. 230

members playing in the top division,

men's and women's sites. They will

be cheering that one on -- men's and

women's sides.

That is what he needs

to do more of in close. First two

bowls, a decent sized club, a couple

of hundred members, very

competitive. I think we have got

about 1500. Chaos even trying to get

practice time! It really is!

Good effort. Look where that is.

Of

course, we're not in Elgin, where in

Belfast, there is a nice pool of

300,000 people to come in.

Slightly

bigger than Elgin, just...

Elgin is on my list, one of the

football grounds I am yet to work

at, I have most of them under my

blog.

I will call in at Elgin

one-time, see if I enjoyed it. I am

not sure I would survive an evening

with Michael, Andrew and Graham, but

it would be worth it...

David Gourlay again going close.

Still one shot for Michael Stepney,

one bowl each to come.

When you get

a you want to it up pretty quickly

with another shot. Michael, full of

concentration on this one.

Just needs it to pull back inside.

Yeah, he's looking good. Well

played.

APPLAUSE

Well played. Difficult job for David

Gourlay here. You might think about

playing a shot to it.

He's got

options, he has the best back bowl,

that red bowl. He can push it

through, I don't see him being worse

off.

A good strike on here for David

Gourlay, lots of options.

Got it away well. Likes it.

Took one out.

One away.

That's why it's so important to get

the extra shot in.

25.5 metres missed last time, it is

the way he played it, brought the

mat up. Trying to find a slightly

different line.

REFEREE:

Jack length 25 metres.

Important Michael Stepney got on the

card, it was threatening to get away

from him.

A good day of sport on the BBC. The

Scottish International Open, the

best indoor players around. David

Gourlay proving just that.

APPLAUSE

Later, Scotland and the first of the

autumn internationals, taking on

some more. -- taking on 2-1. I am

glad I am commentating on this,

rather than the players from Samoa.

Good stuff, Michael is fighting

hard, as we expected.

Two bowls touching, and David knows

if he pushes the red bowl, his own

bowl will go out quickly. Needs the

jack. Well... Not the best

connection, obviously. He didn't get

the shot, but he has pushed it into

a position where he can have a go at

it with the next one. Bit unlucky

not to pick it up clean.

Yeah. Disappointed, but not a

disaster.

That is what it looks like from the

overhead television camera, but it

looks different from the mat.

Worth

coming down at it to do something.

If he can take one away, that would

be good. My goodness me, he is

coming out of this very good.

He can

score two, I think it is three. What

a result, onto the respot. It is

three.

To take out any thing is

good, but to take out the jack at

that angle with his bowl.

When we

look back at turning point in the

final, that could be a big one.

That

was a massive result.

Michael Stepney had really fought

his way back into the set, and now

he's behind again.

After two, 7-3 down after five,

David Gourlay taking the opening set

9-4.

APPLAUSE

He gets to look after the mascot,

yes.

He is hiding behind it. You can

see him. Jack Green is the mascot,

not a boy.

We knew that was the

mascot.

John McKee, what ever way

you want to pronounce it. The

11-year-old celebrating his birthday

here.

He is certainly enjoying what

he's ceiling. The crowd really

enjoying this one.

The players love playing in front of

a big crowd, and a very

knowledgeable crowd. They appreciate

exactly what they're trying to do.

David Gourlay back to putting his

first two or bowls close again. --

first two bowls.

Michael is trotting up after this,

which is unusual with the second

bowl. He must think he's close. And

he is. It's going to drop. Second

bowl.

David Gourlay looking to join in

bond and Brett, players that have

won the Scottish International Open

on two occasions. Greg Harlow has

now won it three times.

Michael Stepney looking to become

the 12th player to win this title,

but he's got a lot to do.

Off the forehand. Again, just a

little bit like, unless you can move

it. But not enough. Just under,

wasn't it.

Always pulls up a little

bit more than you think. You think

your there, but you are half a yard

short. You can end up jack hi.

Needs to be wider, I think, unless

he has enough weight to carry it.

Has he? He has! He wasn't sure about

that, because there you go. You can

see, he thought he was inside the

line, and I thought he was, too,

looking at his body language. But he

seemed to get a kick out. By moving

the jack, he has taken the front

part of way. Look at that, he didn't

know for sure.

Wasn't sure.

He just

said there, it just stood up.

Time-out taken. There are certain

things you don't want to see. That's

not the kind of bowls that gives you

many options.

This could be costly

for Michael. If he plays a running

bowl, his own closest one good pop

out and he will leave three. If he

goes hard at it, he could manage to

clear more than that out of the

head.

That's what he's trying. It

rattles just wide.

If he had the

other front red, it was costly.

David's strike shop was profitable,

and Michael hasn't been able to save

-- strike shop.

His opponent replied

and picked up five -- strike shot.

David Gourlay methodically making

his way to the title as things

stand.

They have played a couple of times

before, in Wales, in 2007. One shot

in both sets in favour of David

Gourlay. They met at the

International open earlier on in

2017. Michael Stepney took the first

set, David Gourlay took the second,

9-6. He described it as daylight

robbery, and won the tie-break 2-0.

Different surfaces, of course.

That tournament was on the normal

carpet. As opposed to the portable

rink.

Which makes this performance by

Michael Stepney to get to the final

even more impressive.

Yeah.

Now, once again, David in which the

first two bowls. It has been a major

part of his success today.

Clear road he needs.

He got past.

David Gourlay was always going to

get in with his second shot.

He has just asked for the state of

play for the moment. Goes for two.

Needs the gap. Without that touch,

he would have been very close to the

shot. And he knows it.

Pushing the ball might have slid him

into second position, but once

again, David Gourlay's got position.

Bowls in the head.

Takes a time out.

Getting back up with nine seconds to

spare.

Fit guy, David. Looks after

himself, why wouldn't he, where he

lives. Many hours spent walking the

dog on the beach.

Not a bad way to

be. So he's going to say, he's

happy. He will come around the back,

in case of the respot as well.

I

don't know if Michael can afford to

attack this. If he gets the jack, he

will be further down. He has got to

try to draw it.

Go goodness me. Well played. That

was brave. That was really brave. He

was an inch away from that jack is

going onto the college-macro.

But he took the shot. And with it

comes a glimmer of hope.

Typical

Michael Stepney, of course.

But my

goodness, that was brave. That was

almost a mad shot.

It keeps him in

it.

He needs six shots in the next four

ends without conceding to force a

tie-break.

Certainly the way David

Gourlay has been playing, that is

going to be a difficult target.

The

last four Scottish International

Open finals have gone to a

tie-break. 2012 was the last time we

didn't have one.

Good opening bowl.

He hasn't failed

too much with one, if not both those

first deliveries. This one is all

over the jack now.

If he has got the

feeling it is not his day, he is

certainly not letting it show.

So much damage being done with those

first two bowls. Creating havoc for

Michael Stepney. Once again, it

looks like it might be a forehand

shot. He could attack it if you

wanted to, but he must be thinking

to himself, give me a break, David!

There is a shot there if he wants to

play it. Second at this stage isn't

good enough. There is a backhand

running bowl if he wants to play it,

but that is also difficult.

Trying to make the gap.

It was hard.

You can see what he wanted to do.

He

knows it is a hard shot. It is a low

percentage shot, but you have to

play it. No choice. He has nothing

on the backhand.

David Gourlay is looking to add a

third here. He is not leaving any

form of target.

He has to get under his own bowl.

Excellent play.

Really good bowl. He

might have just made the jack if it

had been a bit tighter. It was a

very good second bowl.

David Gourlay

walks up the rink, bowl in hand, and

just said, how do you play that? The

ends are running out.

David Gourlay is looking to add to

those seven titles. If my research

is right from last month, he has

never won a World Bowls Tour singles

title. He has never won it in an odd

year. Others even years, 96 setting

the tone. Can he win in an

odd-numbered year? He has played so

well and so steady.

He is just on the outside. If he

scores a two or better here, David

Gourlay, the final is over.

Well, this is a rare situation for

Michael Stepney. Unfortunately,

there is still plenty of room.

He is watching this one closely.

Quite often, Michael has been a foot

away and David has had a couple

inside it. Looking for a turn of the

jack here. He is very close.

Great effort.

Things are working out very well for

David Gourlay.

He will be happy enough.

Mike on a

pickle of the jack to make three.

Earlier in the match, he might have

been tempted, but he can't afford to

play like that any more. So he will

try and draw it. Oh, no. No,

Michael.

If he is going down, he's

going down in a blaze of glory. Man,

what a bowl! I can't believe he

played that. He has played it well.

Not only has he played it well, he

has given himself a massive chance.

Well, he has had a few unlucky ones.

But he will take that. He wasn't

sure at first.

They were shaking

hands anyway. It is funny how this

game can change around. That could

have been 11-4 and the game all but

over.

That was incredible.

The

circumstances of the match meant

that he played the runner. Good lad,

Michael. Well done.

It is a packed house here, and it is

good to see it. We have had all ages

as well, from kids from the Grampian

area all the way through. They have

been watching bowls for a long time.

There you go, you are on the big

screen! Hello! A wave and a smile.

That was coordinated. Nudge, nudge.

David Gourlay, looking to close the

match out here.

Well, four shots need in two ends.

That is possible.

Even if David closes it down to one,

he will be quite happy because going

into the last end, where Michael

needs to pick up a three, the last

end was the only time he scored a

couple in the last match. It was a

very risky shot to play.

Onto the backhand.

I think Michael will have to play

this.

He will take a time out here.

If he

draws it, that is fine.

There is nothing easy about this

one.

My goodness, Michael, you have

played the shots that I thought you

might play.

He is annoyed at

himself.

You just get nothing on the

inside. He is tapping his head.

Didn't mean to do it.

As soon as it

came out of the hand, he realised he

was a bowl or a bowl and a half

tight, and there is no way back.

One

against him. If he finds the shot

here, he wins the title.

No heroics

needed here, just a really good,

perfect draw shot. And he is close.

David Gourlay has won it!

What a

shot.

Brilliant by David Gourlay.

What a week it has been for Michael

Stepney. But for the first time

since 2002, David Gourlay rules in

Scotland. What a performance by the

Scottish coach.

Well, the crowd are really enjoying

this. What a performance by David

Gourlay. We expected everything from

these two players and that is

exactly what we got. Michael Stepney

was all over the jack at the start

of the match. David Gourlay under

pressure. In the second end, once

again Michael Stepney found a

perfect bowl behind the jack. And he

was able to play the heavy shots,

but it didn't always come off. David

Gourlay now had started to put the

pressure on and Michael were

struggling to get anything out of

the first set. Another hit that

time. Picked up a double, but David

Gourlay could also play the white

shots. Got the edge, picked up a

three in the fifth end of the second

set and that put him into a good

lead, but he was playing superb

bowls, David Gourlay. Thoroughly

deserved his wing. He was the man on

the day. What a champion.

Due to the

victory was the winning of nine

straight ends, mostly singles and

doubles. But he did so well and that

was what got him away.

He is the champion, but what a final

it was. Ladies and gentlemen, give a

huge round of applause for our

finalists this year in the Scottish

International Open of 2017! And let

me introduce you to the presentation

party from the tournament sponsors,

Co-op Funeralcare, the director of

operations in Scotland and Northern

Ireland John Williamson and director

of the royal bowls tour, Martingale!

And the fellow who has been playing

some wonderful bowls all week and

entertaining as thoroughly. Please

give a warm welcome to the runner-up

this year, Michael Stepney!

But the window and Co-op Funeralcare

Scottish International Open Champion

2017, David Gourlay!

CHEERING.

Well done, beautiful stuff. 11 years

since you won it. You have taken a

while to win it again.

Congratulations.

Yeah, a few grey

hairs since 11 years ago. But it is

really special to win it here in

Perth in front of a Scottish crowd.

That is always special. I knew I

have to play well today to beat

Michael. Thankfully, my first bowl

but Michael under pressure. He was

unlucky in the first set. It could

have gone either way. Probably one

of the best games I have played.

It

certainly was. Michael, if you are

up against David Gourlay, you are

going to have to work pretty hard.

He was outstanding from the first

bowl to the last. He was always

there. Most ends were deadly. He put

me under pressure.

David, the first

bowls are hugely important and you

were just peppering the jack.

It

takes a lot of pressure off yourself

if you get the first bowl in,

particularly on this rink, because

it can be pretty lonely out here. So

I was putting Michael under

pressure, but what a week Michael

has had. Broke through to the top

16. This is no surprise to any of

us. He deserves to be in the top 16.

He does. Michael, you were supposed

to play in a club match today. You

might get dropped now.

By good

fortune, I am the manager!

Picking

yourself. You can't pick yourself

for the Commonwealth Games. Looking

ahead to that must be exciting.

It

is going to be a special year. In

Scotland, we have a great talent

pool. The guys and girls we have

picked are some of the best players

in the world. So it is all focusing

now at the Gold Coast.

What you want

is players who can show a lot of

guts on the final bowl, exactly what

you did in this final. You played

the perfect bowl to pick up that

trophy. It is on the big screen

there.

In the back of my mind, I'm

thinking, if I lose one, I'm OK but

there was danger here.

I knew it was pretty close, but it

depended what happened at the end.

Pretty nice way to finish off.

It

was an outstanding bowl.

I know you

will be focused on the Gold Coast,

but you are up to second in the

world rankings now picking up this

title. My goodness, it's

extraordinary. You must be going

from strength to strength.

There is

a danger that if you put too much

focus on the coaching, you can lose

your own game. But I have been

playing more in the last four months

in Scotland that I have played in

the last ten years and it is paying

dividends. I look forward to the

World Championships.

It has been

unbelievable week. Michael, for you

to come last Saturday, will the

people you've knocked out along the

way, playing some amazing bowls and

having a great smile on your face,

you have been wonderful. David

Gourlay, always good to see you

here. That was the best I have ever

seen you play on this rink at Perth.

You deserve to be the Scottish

champion of 2017!

Here's a delighted man, David

Corkill.

And he should be. David Gourlay has

played some last matches -- great

matches in the last year, but having

played in Scotland in the last few

months has made the difference. I

said to him after the first game, it

has been a long time since I have

seen you play that well, and he was

delighted. But that was the best

game I have seen him play for many

years.

It is amazing to think that

David is 51 now. He has been in the

top 16 since 1996. He is so

consistent, but to still be picking

up trophies with such style and

ability is astonishing.

It is, but

quality is always there. It is all

to do with, have you got the time to

practise, have you got the drive and

the will to win?

That is what David

has had all his life. Let's talk

about Michael Stepney. He has

entertained us this week. He had an

incredible drive in the seventh end

of the second set, when you were

saying this was the wrong shot to

play, but he turned it around.

It

was in the ninth end. He was in

trouble. He was so close to being

able to turn the jack with his third

bowl that I thought he would repeat

it, but he decides to go for it. If

he had hit the front bowl onto the

jack, they were shaking hands. There

was no way there was any way back

after that. But by not taking his

own bowls out, that was amazing. A

little bit of luck, but very brave

and typical Michael Stepney.

And

thoroughly entertaining. He will now

be in the world top 16.

Yes, he is

firmly in there in terms of the

provisional list. Michael is a good

guy. I have known him a long time

and never can I remember having any

problems with him on the rink. He is

just one of those blokes who enjoys

bowls and enjoys life and he

deserves everything he gets.

He will

be disappointed he has not been

selected to go to the Commonwealth

Games, but that selection was made a

while ago. Amazing for David

Gourlay. If you need to have any

respect from your team, being the

Scottish International Open champion

when you are paying these bowlers

what they should be doing, they are

going to be listening.

They will

listen anyway, but David will put in

all the factors that will help them

play their best. From the point of

view of the players, he knows what

they need, and that is the key to

it. He's not just some manager who

will make sure they turn up on time.

He will have a major impact in

putting all the bits and pieces

needed to facilitate the players to

play the best they can on the day.

It is going to be amazing. David

Gourlay has been fantastic this

week. He is the deserving champion

in Perth. There was a match earlier

this morning, and it was a fantastic

match. It was the junior Scottish

Masters. It was between Rebecca

Houston and Stuart McAleese.

Rebecca Houston taking the first

set. Playing very good bowls, both

these players. Beautiful action. We

will see Rebecca's delivery later.

She takes her back league behind her

front leg, which is lovely to see.

Makes room for the arm to go

through. Much more of an outdoor

delivery and a traditional big step

forward for Stuart.

It has been a gamer some quality,

Paul. We have already had some

excellent bowls.

Both players

settled into the mat quickly. They

have a chance to practise on the

blue portable rink. Both have found

a good line and length.

Stewart will be looking to make a

good start to this set.

She knew exactly what to do.

That was close. A lot of power from

the 16-year-old.

So often when you see younger

players, they drive much too

quickly. But with these two, they

have only been using the power when

absolutely necessary.

That is a really good bowl.

Very

impressive.

Even if he removes one, it is damage

limitation. It is a hard draw.

Going for the draw.

Third shot would be a decent result.

Just going to slip by, though.

That

was a tough shot, to be truthful

with you. He was so close on the

running board, I thought he might

have popped it again. -- running

bowl.

Stewart taking the first set, a

near-perfect start to the second for

Rebecca.

So, Rebecca Houston's mum and dad

just seeing themselves on the big

screen. They know we're talking

about them.

Just glancing over to

the big screen at the same time,

warps, big smile.

Yeah, big smiles.

Daughter is doing well. -- whoops.

When you get two finals, especially

in this event, which is highly

regarded, it brings you to the

notice of selectors of the ability

to play. Under 18 and under 25

level, always looking for talent

that is coming through. Nurture that

talent all the way through to senior

internationals.

That leg tucked in behind the front

leg on it is just a beautiful

action. Especially for the indoor,

it is fast surfaces, it makes room

for the hand to follow all the way

through. She's been playing the

backhand very well. I have been

surprised playing the forehand.

Well, he thought he had left that

short. You can tell by his reaction,

it is a missed opportunity. As you'd

expect Rebecca to draw in here.

Well, a bit of an off end for both

players. These are dangerous ands.

-- dangerous ends.

Puts the breaks on...

So, another measure.

These are ends

that you can lose two or three and

it is a very cheap end. Needs to

just get the shoulder behind this

one a little bit more. Line's good

enough.

Yeah, knew that was better.

APPLAUSE

One of the rare loose ends.

A lot of Paul Foster about that

delivery.

Certainly is. One of his

bowling heroes, Paul Foster. He's

taken too much weight off.

A scratch of the head there. A loose

end. There is at least one, and

opportunity. He has not made it with

his first bowls. Stuard not getting

where he wanted to be. -- Stewart.

APPLAUSE

Yes, both players playing very well

in this direction. Look at that.

Goodness me.

APPLAUSE

Good touchers, first two bowls. That

is his mother, goodness me, she

looks nervous.

She certainly does.

Always more difficult for the

parents.

Chance with this. Just

needs a little tap. Oh, yes. Oh,

yes! Three perfect deliveries.

And

acknowledged by her opponent as

well.

Stay on the backhand, come around

the red bowls, drop in behind would

be good.

Well, a mixed junior event, can you

imagine these two playing?

It would

take something to stop them.

This is

good again. But those three perfect

deliveries.

Certainly, none of the top players

in the world would have played that

end any better than Rebecca has. And

Stewart's in the area here.

He will

take the shop bowl out.

He's got it.

The Jack moved. Without the jack he

was lighting on three.

Exactly why

should Rebecca put her bowl round

there.

It was a beautifully placed

position shot. Bowl on to bowl,

without the jack, line three,

Rebecca in trouble, and now she has

a chance to add another.

Beautiful. I love to see that.

Absolute, complete follow-through,

no whipping of the arm across her

body. Goes with the flow, and the

angle of the bowl pops another bowl

in.

Yeah, that's lovely. APPLAUSE

Well, I've watched a lot of women

players in the last number of years,

coach and manager, and she is

certainly one of the best I've seen.

Well, if she wins this title or not,

she will be, I'm sure, marked down

as a future senior internationalist.

Got a chance with this. He's played

it. He's played it well. Is he going

to drop? No. It is enough for number

one. That is a brilliant end.

That's

the way to play bowls at this level.

Fearless from both. Great response.

I could use all eight of those bowls

of eight coaching masterclass of how

to play the game of singles. Perfect

end from both players.

The question now for Stewart McAlees

is Jack length, then getting the

first one onto it. Needs to start

applying a bit of pressure.

APPLAUSE

That's a good opener.

Just tap that ball. Without that, he

was all the way in. Narrowed down

the angles, Rebecca moving to the

backhand. She knew that was over the

hand. Struggling a bit more, coming

in this direction. Stewart can

capitalise, pop another one in.

Just needs to stop. I think it's

just trucking on a bit. Yeah, again

she knew that. You could see by her

body language. This is a chance for

Stewart. In the first set, he was

able to fight his way back in,

mainly going this direction. He was

playing some very good stuff, just

away from the commentary position.

Gently off the backhand. Just want

to try to draw in a third.

He's waving at it to come back in

again. But it was always going to

make centreline.

Looks like the recovery bowl.

Second shot.

APPLAUSE

Very good.

REFEREE:

1-shot, Stewart McAlees.

Set school, 4-2 after six ends.

He was going to take the game up.

Just watch Paul Foster, big step

forward. Arm still extended. Big

step forward, arm still extended.

It's quite similar, isn't it.

It's

obviously been an influence, because

everyone's got their own delivery.

You can just see it there, it's

very, very like Paul Foster. Who can

complain about that? Absolutely.

He's going the right way. Results

have been very good, too.

As you say, Paul, Paul Foster has

been one of his heroes. And no

reason why not.

His other inspiration is John

Fleming Junior, who is a very, very

good player.

REFEREE:

Ten inch gap.

The only difference with the left

hand is Paul Foster doesn't use is

left hand for balance. Stewart does.

He's played this well.

APPLAUSE

Humming this direction, the bowling

has been a lot tighter on occasions.

REFEREE:

Ever so slightly short.

Your bowl was a gap of ten inches.

Rebecca Houston checking exactly

where things are.

Out of Prestwick club, lots of

talent coming out of there,

including Darren Weir.

Took the under 18 bowling

Championship last year in Scotland.

A lot of players from that area as

well. It's full of world champions

from the past as well. That's out of

Scotland.

Going strong at this. An edge and

that would have been useful. It was

OK to do that with the third bowl.

Very risky to play it with the next

one. It made contact, you have the

recovery of the last bowl, but the

jack back isn't good to her.

The

position of against it at the back.

-- up against it.

Just wanted it to run out. APPLAUSE

It has made the double.

Well, there's nothing easy about

this, but he thinks he needs to play

it on the forehand. If she gets the

jack, she goes through with it. If

she gets the bowl, great. Not an

easy situation, but I don't think

she can afford it. Either way, she

must make contact with a bowl.

Backhand or forehand, it is

available. She could come off the

red bowl and come in, or hit it off

her short bowl. Either way, she

cannot afford to hit that jack too

hard.

Two shot, but the potential for

losing more is there. Yeah, that's a

good decision.

Now just a matter of getting back

down again to the centreline. Just

holding off. Well, it was the right

shot.

REFEREE:

Two shots, Stewart McAlees.

Nothing rash, and that was the

important bit.

REFEREE:

Set school, 4-4.

Tying things up at 4-4, it has been

a good fight back will -- fightback

from the young man from Inverclyde.

REFEREE:

Jack length 26 metres.

Forehands, she struggled the last

time in this direction. The jack is

a bit shorter. A really good bowl

with her last delivery on the

backhand. See where she starts.

The backhand, it is good. It is an

open hand, but a slight correction

on the four. This line's different.

They look different from this end.

Over correction problem. It happens

so easily, but she's sneaked up and

is close for a shot.

REFEREE:

It is very close.

Straighter ball.

Stewart McAlees

from Inverclyde looking to follow

Michael Stevenson, who won this

title last year. Also in Inverclyde

junior player.

Really should move on

to the backhand now, because jack to

move. Good tactics. She knows what

she's doing.

APPLAUSE

I thought she should be on the

backhand in the first place. She's

played it well. Stewart has a back

position. And you are a good driver,

I have seen him hit a few.

Again, an open draw still available

on the forehand, and two bowls with

the back position. He is going for

the draw. 50-50 choice, one is as

good as the other. He is close. Just

needs a run... He probably had the

running.

I think he did, just

getting killed on his own one there.

George second shot.

Close to making the second shot. It

needs to stop.

That's a very good spare shot to

hit.

A lot of room to draw it, but

she did so with three ends to play

in the first set already in the

bank. Rebecca Houston, re-gains the

lead.

Prestwick ladies champion, 2016-17,

the youngest ever.

I'm not

surprised.

Absolutely.

15 years old

and able to do what she is doing.

Not only that, great understanding

as well of the game. At that age,

she's been very, very well looked

after. She must be playing with and

against top-quality players.

APPLAUSE

Noh Rebecca's mum and dad, they must

be delighted with the way she is

going. Just behind there is Marie,

Stewart's mum.

A lot of senior players will look

out for the young ones coming

through to see how they can help in

their development. And quite often,

try to play in competitions with

them. Well done again.

APPLAUSE

Stewart's already a regular in the

Inverclyde men's team.

Plenty of players around him able to

help.

There's Michael Stepney of Elgin.

He

looks suitably relaxed and chilled,

doesn't he.

Ahead of a very, very

big final.

Just drop it this bowl on

the short side. Wanted in the same

as the last one.

REFEREE:

An inch past.

We have got

some very good young players at the

club in Belfast. I played the

qualifiers with young Robert

Kirkwood. I played lead, he skipped

away on that, and we just lost out

in that qualifier. Two international

players. Stuart Bennett and Mark

peat will represent Ireland in the

world pairs in January.

I was only disappointed for Robert,

not myself. You know, I really

wanted him to get there, but we'll

have a go next year.

An excellent

effort falls down.

Robert is in Hong Kong at the

moment, so an interesting, nature,

those two. I don't think they played

too many competitions, though, the

brothers.

Sometimes it is success,

other times not.

You have to be fairly laid-back in

temperament, though.

He's trying very hard on this line.

That's a real good effort.

Still

think it is one to red.

REFEREE:

1-shot, Rebecca Houston.

A really good pick up. Two to play.

So four shots required, going this

direction, Rebecca's been playing

the forehand. Mailing it much better

with her third and fourth bowl.

Playing on the backhand. See how she

starts. Didn't look too confident

with it.

Here comes the correction. Is it

enough? Just trying to push it up.

He has got the line, has he got the

legs?

That is not going to help over the

next bowl either.

Both players are coming up to their

last bowl. This is looking good.

That is the number one shot. This is

also the shoulder for Rebecca to