0:00:10 > 0:00:20MUSIC.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32Hello, a warm welcome to Perth, the backdrop for the Scottish
0:00:32 > 0:00:35International Open where the best of the best are now in the
0:00:35 > 0:00:44quarterfinals. In our first game, England's Les Gillett, the slayer of
0:00:44 > 0:00:50six time world champion Alex Marshall does battle with Darren
0:00:50 > 0:00:56Burnett. Familiar faces in the final eight, but new blood, also. Jamie
0:00:56 > 0:01:00Chestney will seek to claim his first Scottish title and he has the
0:01:00 > 0:01:05reigning world champion Paul Foster in his way. Others will look to
0:01:05 > 0:01:10capture former glory. Mervyn King knows about winning. It has been
0:01:10 > 0:01:16awhile since he picked up any titles. Michael Stepney is aiming to
0:01:16 > 0:01:21start his collection for his trophy cabinet. It is all to play for as we
0:01:21 > 0:01:28notch up a gear in the race to become Scottish International Open
0:01:28 > 0:01:34champion, 2017. This is the way the quarterfinals lined up at the start
0:01:34 > 0:01:40of play. David Gourlay facing Nick Brett and Les Gillett against Darren
0:01:40 > 0:01:44Burnett. Jamie Chestney had to face Paul Foster King up against the
0:01:44 > 0:01:51qualifier Michael Stepney. What are the added spices? You probably
0:01:51 > 0:01:55noticed every single one was Scotland against England. Let's go
0:01:55 > 0:02:00to the first one, Darren Burnett against Les Gillett. When you knock
0:02:00 > 0:02:04the six time world champion out of the competition you know you want
0:02:04 > 0:02:10doing something right as Les Gillett did to Alex Marshall yesterday. One
0:02:10 > 0:02:14of the most consistent bowlers in the world, Darren Burnett has grown
0:02:14 > 0:02:19in confidence all week. Deadly with the draw and equally incisive when
0:02:19 > 0:02:24weight is required. We will join the match in the eighth
0:02:24 > 0:02:27weight is required. We will join the match in the eighth end in the first
0:02:27 > 0:02:27set.
0:03:07 > 0:03:13APPLAUSE COMMENTATOR: Neither will want to
0:03:13 > 0:03:20take too many risks in this end and having said that the jack highball,
0:03:20 > 0:03:31tempting to run the bowl, or the jack. -- high bowl. He is watching
0:03:31 > 0:03:44it, it must be close. Oh, very nearly the maximum. Toucher in the
0:03:44 > 0:03:49ditch, that will be marked, it will stay alive. The jack will go on the
0:03:49 > 0:03:59re-spot.Two red is fairly inconsequential.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16Interesting choice for Darren to come across it. A lot of players
0:04:16 > 0:04:23have played the opposite side.He is playing here is backhand. It is a
0:04:23 > 0:04:28longer length. He can play across his body slightly and hold the bowl
0:04:28 > 0:04:32up a long time before the bias takes effect.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43It is only breaking now.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53Yes, he secured the shot.
0:05:04 > 0:05:05That looks a lot wider.
0:05:10 > 0:05:18I think it is fair to say it came out the wrong way. He did not like
0:05:18 > 0:05:24it from the second it left his hand. He has the advantage of having a
0:05:24 > 0:05:25bowl to play.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35If that had been his last it would be a simple draw in for two.
0:05:43 > 0:05:50He is even wider and now it breaks. Good weight in behind the jack is
0:05:50 > 0:05:58the perfect bowl. I think Darren will go for this. We has a chance of
0:05:58 > 0:06:03the two going out. And a gap, as well.
0:06:09 > 0:06:15He has a double shot available. What he is really looking for, just as he
0:06:15 > 0:06:19was putting his foot down, I was going there. He is obviously
0:06:19 > 0:06:25thinking the way I am and that is always a good sign. Take the two out
0:06:25 > 0:06:33and you end up in a situation where this bowl here will come into play
0:06:33 > 0:06:40and also, the one over here, that will come into play. If he plays it
0:06:40 > 0:06:44right, he has a chance of getting two shots out of it and the angle is
0:06:44 > 0:06:45good.
0:06:55 > 0:07:03This is very much a Darren Burnett type of shot.Firm weight, watches
0:07:03 > 0:07:14it all the way.What a result. He was on the wrong side of the bowl.
0:07:14 > 0:07:30Dear, oh dear. The crowd may be clapping, but, well...From his
0:07:30 > 0:07:48opponent's point of view, it is the one shot. Always the opening bowls
0:07:48 > 0:07:49set the tone.
0:07:54 > 0:07:59I think he got a bit of that last end. Yes. You cannot go there all
0:07:59 > 0:08:00the time.
0:08:10 > 0:08:19Les Gillett does not like this either.Just a little bit over.
0:08:19 > 0:08:20Still, better there.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35These players have such high expectations of themselves, they
0:08:35 > 0:08:37know what they are capable of.
0:08:54 > 0:09:06A correction made. Almost two feet past jack high.Looks like he has
0:09:06 > 0:09:07covered the jack.
0:09:21 > 0:09:30He has been playing so well, nothing will faze him. And why should it? A
0:09:30 > 0:09:37super shot, no doubt. Sitting on the edge in terms of the backhand.
0:09:37 > 0:09:45Darren can get to it. It just sneaked itself down. On the drop.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Darren will be aiming for that.
0:09:58 > 0:10:12He is watching this. He knows he is close. A touch on his own. One red.
0:10:12 > 0:10:18You almost feel it would not be a bad result to draw on this set
0:10:18 > 0:10:21because they have both contributed to a super game and played great
0:10:21 > 0:10:27stuff. It would be unfortunate if one of them lost it with all their
0:10:27 > 0:10:28efforts.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Time-out called.
0:10:47 > 0:10:53It still looks difficult. Les will do well to get to jack high, maybe
0:10:53 > 0:11:03two feet away. Certainly do not want to be any closer.Time-out taken. He
0:11:03 > 0:11:05is very wide. Rightly so.
0:11:08 > 0:11:18Still has a bowl to come.Always useful to have one, just in case. I
0:11:18 > 0:11:22cannot imagine Darren going to heavy at this because he has no position.
0:11:22 > 0:11:28He might try and slide his own bowl across the rink an inch or so, that
0:11:28 > 0:11:35might be enough.No heroics involved or he could give the set away.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Drawn the forehand. It did not really matter which side.
0:11:52 > 0:12:00It is going to fall short. An intriguing situation here for Les,
0:12:00 > 0:12:06because it is very dangerous, if he wants to try to add another. Well,
0:12:06 > 0:12:14there you go. That is interesting. Prepared not to go for it. That is
0:12:14 > 0:12:25how dangerous it was.The opening set is shared between these two fine
0:12:25 > 0:12:29players. STUDIO: Into the second set. Burnett
0:12:29 > 0:12:38needs as we return for the fourth end.
0:12:38 > 0:12:39-- Burnett leads.
0:13:12 > 0:13:17A good opening bowl from Darren Burnett. Not seen too many of his
0:13:17 > 0:13:22openers right on the jack.This is close, as well.
0:13:31 > 0:13:39In many ways it proves the longevity of some of these players. Darren
0:13:39 > 0:13:44winning in 2001. He has been around a long time. To have the ability to
0:13:44 > 0:13:53win back then. Les Gillett won the International Open in 1997. 20 years
0:13:53 > 0:14:03ago. He is still about.Still playing top class bowls. He fell out
0:14:03 > 0:14:10of the top 16, found his way back in. What amazes me sometimes is not
0:14:10 > 0:14:20the players have to keep it up such a long period of.Absolutely. Les,
0:14:20 > 0:14:29red on a fine line to holes that. -- to hold it. Not much.
0:15:11 > 0:15:19Is that jack moving? If you touch your own bowl. If it does, you have
0:15:19 > 0:15:24a slight problem. If it is a clean bowl passed the jack, then it is
0:15:24 > 0:15:25just sitting perfect.
0:15:30 > 0:15:38Have you got the weight this time? A lack of weight.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19Wide line. Again, Darren does not want to hit his own bowl too hard.
0:16:19 > 0:16:26The jack will come out into the open. He has probably made one more
0:16:26 > 0:16:31shot. He wanted to hit it just a little bit further. He has offered
0:16:31 > 0:16:39up a target Les will come right at it.He wanted it to be firmer to lay
0:16:39 > 0:16:48the jack behind the two green bowls. I was more concerned about him
0:16:48 > 0:16:54hitting it four feet away, not too hard, but that was not hard enough
0:16:54 > 0:16:59and Les will definitely come into this. I do not think he can take his
0:16:59 > 0:17:07own bowl out without taking others. So pick your hand, pick your weight.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21The odds are on the backhand.
0:17:26 > 0:17:32Bending very quickly. That went fast. Wow. Hard to believe you
0:17:32 > 0:17:39missed the target.If you caught the edge, it could have been worse.He
0:17:39 > 0:17:46was definitely down the wrong side. He wanted to be on the high side.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50STUDIO: Burnett continued to turn the screw, picking up five more
0:17:50 > 0:17:57shots for a 10-2 lead with two to play and in a hopeless position
0:17:57 > 0:18:03Gillett elected to put his bowl into the ditch and concede the match.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08Congratulations. Some great play. The first set was scratchy. I think
0:18:08 > 0:18:15the draw was a fair result and kept as both in the match. I just did
0:18:15 > 0:18:19enough in the second set.It was quite a game because in the first
0:18:19 > 0:18:24set you were both playing great shots and both losing your way a bit
0:18:24 > 0:18:31but exciting to watch.Like Darren said, it could have gone either way.
0:18:31 > 0:18:40I hope to for two on the last end in the first set. In hindsight, should
0:18:40 > 0:18:45I have gone for two? May be. He put me under pressure and I tended to
0:18:45 > 0:18:54use the green a yard short. I do not know why.Darren punish me and all
0:18:54 > 0:18:58credit to him. If you have the first bowl, stick it on the jack, your
0:18:58 > 0:19:08opponent will always be in trouble. That disappointed me first set. The
0:19:08 > 0:19:14only pleasing thing I can take out of the game is I need to get the
0:19:14 > 0:19:18first two bowls working.Who else would go through? Nicky Brett, a
0:19:18 > 0:19:24former winner here, faced off against David Gourlay. They had met
0:19:24 > 0:19:31each other nine times previously with Brett heading head-to-head 5-4.
0:19:31 > 0:19:39Gourlay took a tight first set. The world number two came out firing in
0:19:39 > 0:19:42the second set. Three dice draws on the third gave him an early
0:19:42 > 0:19:48advantage. Brett is a two-time winner of the tournament, first
0:19:48 > 0:19:55taking it in 2013 and again the following year while Gourlay's best
0:19:55 > 0:20:02result was runner-up in 2006. Gourlay kept in touch for a crucial
0:20:02 > 0:20:06single. Six of the previous eight meetings have gone to three sets and
0:20:06 > 0:20:12by now Brett was full of confidence and the seventh end, he took on this
0:20:12 > 0:20:21draw with his final shot, taking the match into a tie-break. Gourlay took
0:20:21 > 0:20:26the first end and with his last of the next he played this runner,
0:20:26 > 0:20:32barely skimming the jack, but moving it enough to have match lie. It left
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Brett needing something special with this final bowl.
0:20:39 > 0:20:44But it was not to be and the jack was re-spotted and Gourlay have the
0:20:44 > 0:20:49shot and a place in the semifinal, the furthest he has made it in this
0:20:49 > 0:20:57competition since 2010. David Gourlay will play Darren Burnett in
0:20:57 > 0:21:01one of the semifinals, but who will play in the other? Paul Foster and
0:21:01 > 0:21:08Jamie Chestney went toe to toe. From the outside looking in, Jamie
0:21:08 > 0:21:12Chestney winning the International Open was something of a surprise but
0:21:12 > 0:21:17for those in the know, anything but. Picking up trophies is something
0:21:17 > 0:21:22Paul Foster does with alarming regularity, 16 times winning on the
0:21:22 > 0:21:27World Bowls Tour. We join this in the six end of the first set. The
0:21:27 > 0:21:29score, 5-3.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31COMMENTATOR: Another one in, that is the pressure.
0:22:36 > 0:22:49Jamie might have a pop at this. The two bowls will go.Yes, weight shot.
0:22:49 > 0:22:54That is going to make it interesting.It opens things up.To
0:22:54 > 0:23:05the edge of the ditch.Both players will see a mark as to where the jack
0:23:05 > 0:23:08is and that is where you have to then go.
0:23:16 > 0:23:24A nice wide line. Coming back, it needs to stay on. A perfect bowl.
0:23:24 > 0:23:33What a shot from Paul Foster. Jamie Chestney has no choice but to try to
0:23:33 > 0:23:37draw with this one. He cannot afford to rest it off because there is
0:23:37 > 0:23:42another green bowl down the rink. That is two shots, so that has been
0:23:42 > 0:23:52disposed of.It is such a hard shot, playing right to the edge of the
0:23:52 > 0:24:01ditch.He has also marginally protected the green bowl. This
0:24:01 > 0:24:07really looks like it is there. Paul Foster needing to tap the break. And
0:24:07 > 0:24:19he has. Wow. He permits himself a little smile. That is so difficult
0:24:19 > 0:24:23to do, but that is a man at the top of his form.
0:24:29 > 0:24:35He is going to play them off if he can. It is a hard shot, he did not
0:24:35 > 0:24:41want to lift his own out.That was the problem, he will give Paul
0:24:41 > 0:24:47Foster another shot.It will be a third shot because the green bowl in
0:24:47 > 0:24:58the picture will count. Paul Foster gets three shots and the lead.
0:24:58 > 0:25:07STUDIO: Jamie Chestney took a single to make it 6-6 with two to play.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11COMMENTATOR: It is hard to pick a winner of this set, given the way
0:25:11 > 0:25:14they are both playing.
0:25:24 > 0:25:29Just thinking back to the last end when Paul Foster put a position bowl
0:25:29 > 0:25:34in and he knows exactly the way Jamie blaze. He knew he would go for
0:25:34 > 0:25:42that, even though it was dangerous. -- Jamie plays. He was prepared to
0:25:42 > 0:25:45lose one, maybe even two.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10That is excellent again. It widens the target, which might make Paul
0:26:10 > 0:26:24Foster have a go.Well, it is two bowls wide. Two bowls will go. The
0:26:24 > 0:26:29jack can go anywhere but it is worth moving into it now. A lot of drives
0:26:29 > 0:26:37have been missed.Another one. Paul Foster knew when that was down it
0:26:37 > 0:26:41would not what he wanted.
0:26:47 > 0:26:57A lot of drives miss and controlled weight s missed. Some have been off
0:26:57 > 0:27:08target and managed to get results. It is hard enough to play that shot.
0:27:08 > 0:27:22He is committing himself.Trusting himself. He is going under again.
0:27:26 > 0:27:31Well, Jamie is weighing this up. The logical shop would suggest he comes
0:27:31 > 0:27:39and covers the green bowls, just in case. -- the logical shot.He can
0:27:39 > 0:27:44cover green and the re-spot at the same time. It is just whether he
0:27:44 > 0:27:50wants to play it or not. He is certainly wider.
0:27:56 > 0:28:05He is more or less putting the bowl back again. That is three shots. He
0:28:05 > 0:28:08is not even covering anything really, he has just drawn another
0:28:08 > 0:28:16shot.Interesting.He is taking a risk and saying, Paul, if you get
0:28:16 > 0:28:19it, you get it. This will be quick.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30That is as fast as we have seen this week, and scatters absolutely
0:28:30 > 0:28:40everything. There is not a bowl on the rink. I can't remember that, I
0:28:40 > 0:28:44really cannot remember that in all the events where everything has gone
0:28:44 > 0:28:51off.Absolutely unique, once more, from Paul Foster. Well, he splits
0:28:51 > 0:28:58jacks, knocks things off the rink. That is the first no score end I can
0:28:58 > 0:29:03remember, and both players smile. What a shot from Paul Foster.
0:29:10 > 0:29:16He does manage to create some very interesting situations, Paul Foster.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25Well played, Jamie Chestney. Great opening bowl.
0:29:53 > 0:30:00This is now a big end for both players. The set at stake. This will
0:30:00 > 0:30:07be played like a tie-break end. And that is basically saying, hit me.It
0:30:07 > 0:30:17definitely is.Jamie Chestney has put Paul Foster under considerable
0:30:17 > 0:30:24pressure in this set.It has been fabulous. He liked that. It just
0:30:24 > 0:30:31went the wrong side.He has kept his own bowl on the rink, which is fine.
0:30:31 > 0:30:39But he knows that it's a 1-shot situation. So it doesn't matter if
0:30:39 > 0:30:41he loses two, three, or four.
0:30:51 > 0:30:57You just try to see what will give you the best chance of success.If
0:30:57 > 0:31:01you are lying two, you go deep just in case he goes again. The trouble
0:31:01 > 0:31:05with Paul Foster is that he could just play this draw the shot. I
0:31:05 > 0:31:12don't think he will, because he the last bowl. I think he needs a bit
0:31:12 > 0:31:17more space, so he wants to open it up.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32Oh, it stuck to the bowl. But he has opened it up and that is very
0:31:32 > 0:31:38beatable on the draw.That was what he wanted, to give himself a chance
0:31:38 > 0:31:48with his last bowl, and he has done so. Jammed the red bowl across.This
0:31:48 > 0:31:50has been a great match.
0:32:01 > 0:32:08Jamie is aware of the fact that he needs a close-up bowl. Well, it is a
0:32:08 > 0:32:24bit closer. Paul will try to draw this clean.He has played five heavy
0:32:24 > 0:32:29bowls in his last seven. This, for the set.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44He is certainly wide enough. If he has good weight, he will come back.
0:32:44 > 0:32:51Paul Foster, for the set. There is a reason why he is world champion, and
0:32:51 > 0:33:00that is the reason. A stunning set of bowls, ended with a drive and the
0:33:00 > 0:33:05draw. And Paul Foster, the narrowest of margins. Put it out beautifully,
0:33:05 > 0:33:14judged the weight, and takes the first set of his quarterfinal tie.
0:33:14 > 0:33:19STUDIO: The high-quality bowls continued into the second set. We
0:33:19 > 0:33:22head back for the eighth end.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36COMMENTATOR: Both players desperate to score at this end, with
0:33:36 > 0:33:45ramifications for the final end. Paul Foster can afford a tide set.
0:34:01 > 0:34:09Just tucked it around the corner little bit. Still a good bowl. Just
0:34:09 > 0:34:16may get that little bit harder.Paul has changed to the backhand.
0:34:44 > 0:34:55Once again, he is in the area. He has picked up the jack. Goodness me!
0:34:55 > 0:35:02That is a great bowl, that really years. Four bowls, at this stage in
0:35:02 > 0:35:05the match, to play them like that, it is just hot stuff from both
0:35:05 > 0:35:22players.Played it beautifully, got the contact he wanted.He might have
0:35:22 > 0:35:28to play down at this, front plant. The danger is that it is a toucher.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42That front plant has a toucher, so he can't afford to play too much to
0:35:42 > 0:35:43it.
0:35:56 > 0:36:05Oh, no! Not the jack!Dear, oh dear! This is fantastic! Very unlucky.
0:36:05 > 0:36:15Very, very unlucky. But he still has a bowl to play. It was the falling
0:36:15 > 0:36:22back that caused the problem. REFEREE:Thank you, ladies and in
0:36:22 > 0:36:28common, quiet please. -- ladies and gentlemen.
0:36:33 > 0:36:39Goodness me, this is a very tight head. Just looking to get to the two
0:36:39 > 0:36:44green bowls and drop back. Just over. The weight was very good,
0:36:44 > 0:36:50perfect in fact. I wonder whether Paul Foster will play this or not.
0:36:50 > 0:36:57If he wants to play it, it is very much available. Green bowl on to
0:36:57 > 0:37:04read, the jack should move but it will come to him. That is sweet, the
0:37:04 > 0:37:13wait is sitting. -- the way it is sitting. He is playing for it.
0:37:18 > 0:37:28He has got it.What a bowl. He watched it all the way and he knew
0:37:28 > 0:37:34it was going to get a result, but what a result. Connection on the
0:37:34 > 0:37:42front green to nip out the red. Well played.You could see at a mile off,
0:37:42 > 0:37:48but in the context of the match that was incredibly important.Time-out
0:37:48 > 0:37:52called by Jamie Chestney. He has to think about this. He has the best
0:37:52 > 0:37:54back position.
0:38:06 > 0:38:16He just got the edge. What an effort!
0:38:37 > 0:38:43This has been outstanding.
0:38:49 > 0:38:54It has been a quarterfinal being played at the standard of a final.
0:39:03 > 0:39:09The problem for Jamie Chestney is he needs a double.Good start, don't
0:39:09 > 0:39:15leave anything short, give yourself the chance.The way he has played
0:39:15 > 0:39:18today, it has taken the world champion to be in absolutely
0:39:18 > 0:39:21brilliant form to stay with him.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33Nearly there.
0:39:54 > 0:39:59He needed to pick up the jack. He can't afford to draw this cold,
0:39:59 > 0:40:05because he needs more than one. That weight is perfect for the job.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08Foster does not like this.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21Well, it is best back bowl, the only problem being, he was not looking
0:40:21 > 0:40:30for best back bowl. Well, it is engrossing.This match has whizzed
0:40:30 > 0:40:34through. It has been such high quality.
0:40:38 > 0:40:43The little tap of the back foot usually means he is close.
0:40:48 > 0:40:55Again, the wait is perfect for what he once. He knows he can't afford to
0:40:55 > 0:41:01nip that line, it will dive across. But it is a match lie against, at
0:41:01 > 0:41:14the moment.Paul Foster's got the back position covered. And both
0:41:14 > 0:41:19sides are no good. If we look at the recent pop position, that really
0:41:19 > 0:41:26doesn't work for Jamie. Nor does that. So what does Paul Foster do?
0:41:26 > 0:41:31The perfect shot, the absolute perfect shot for Paul Foster, would
0:41:31 > 0:41:36be to draw on the forehand, his forehand, and drop in here, if he
0:41:36 > 0:41:40can. That way, any Trail of the jack, he could get the shot. He
0:41:40 > 0:41:46could play it on the backhand as well. It is available both sides. He
0:41:46 > 0:41:53is on his favourite backhand for it. He wants something to drop behind
0:41:53 > 0:42:05the jack and stop that Trail. He is very close.That is in a very, very
0:42:05 > 0:42:11useful place.Either side of that red bowl was going to be very, very
0:42:11 > 0:42:21handy. In front of it would have been perfect. What has Jamie got
0:42:21 > 0:42:30available? Nothing on the forehand. The jack, re-spot position? Hard to
0:42:30 > 0:42:37tell.Little Trail of the backhand and bring your second one out. It is
0:42:37 > 0:42:41hard, though.The trouble is, playing with the weight ball, coming
0:42:41 > 0:42:45into there, what you want to do is get the jack over here. If it goes
0:42:45 > 0:42:50over to re-spot, with more weight, those two red bowls might come into
0:42:50 > 0:42:54play. Either way, it has to be a slightly overweight shot on the
0:42:54 > 0:43:00backhand. He looks like he's going strong.
0:43:11 > 0:43:20Something put him off, so they will stop the clock.It's only for a few
0:43:20 > 0:43:22seconds, but they need to get their breath.
0:43:31 > 0:43:42It's not enough. What an effort. But Jamie Chestney is unable to defeat
0:43:42 > 0:43:50the world champion. He gave it his absolute all. Consolation, hand on
0:43:50 > 0:43:53the shoulder from Paul Foster. But it is Paul Foster who goes through
0:43:53 > 0:43:59to the semifinal.What a match that was, incredible shots from both
0:43:59 > 0:44:04players. You must be happy to get through.To be honest, I said when
0:44:04 > 0:44:11we shook hands, I think I stole it. He out drew me most of the game, his
0:44:11 > 0:44:14runners were good and mine were struggling. I had a lot of good ends
0:44:14 > 0:44:19but I did not play as well as I have in the last couple of days. Luckily
0:44:19 > 0:44:23enough, I managed to get over the line.I think our commentators said
0:44:23 > 0:44:27that on another day, if you played as well as that you would not only
0:44:27 > 0:44:31beat Paul Foster, you might win a tournament. But you were up against
0:44:31 > 0:44:35a guy today who was doing the conversion shots. But you played so
0:44:35 > 0:44:41well.I feel gutted, in all honesty. I did not feel I could play the last
0:44:41 > 0:44:46couple of ends of the first set any better. But that is no disrespect to
0:44:46 > 0:44:51Paul, because he played two great bowls with the drive and then the
0:44:51 > 0:44:57draw. I don't feel he stole it, he played great as well. I can't be
0:44:57 > 0:45:00disappointed with my disappoint -- with my performance, but that is how
0:45:00 > 0:45:06it goes.You have to feel for him. Paul Foster was just that little bit
0:45:06 > 0:45:10better. But who will he face in the semifinal? Mervyn King or Michael
0:45:10 > 0:45:18Stepney? A former winner of the British Isles singles title, Michael
0:45:18 > 0:45:22Stepney has represented his country on the international stage 27 times.
0:45:22 > 0:45:26The last time Mervyn King took a singles title on the pro tour was
0:45:26 > 0:45:31here in Perth in 2010, but don't let that gap for you, he is a master of
0:45:31 > 0:45:37the draw game. As we join the first set, Stepney has a 5- for lead,
0:45:37 > 0:45:40going into the eighth end.
0:45:52 > 0:46:00Michael Stepney, unseeded wild card entry into the tournament. Hethat
0:46:00 > 0:46:10is based on previous performances. Obviously, the local man helps, too.
0:46:10 > 0:46:17But he is more than justified for the wild card selection. We noticed
0:46:17 > 0:46:21him play against Andersen and I was thinking, that is a very tough draw
0:46:21 > 0:46:24for Stewart Anderson, on a wild card.
0:46:31 > 0:46:38Stewart Anderson on the tie-break in round one.
0:46:50 > 0:46:57Michael played one of the best bowls of the event to win that match,
0:46:57 > 0:47:02forehand of the centre of the rink in towards the re-spot position,
0:47:02 > 0:47:12took out Stewart Anderson's bowls clean as a whistle. It is
0:47:12 > 0:47:15top-quality, this, no doubt about it. Some very good bowling.
0:47:30 > 0:47:38That dropped in probably about 12, maybe 13 inches behind the jack, and
0:47:38 > 0:47:47not a murmur.Tough crowd! Expectations are high, it is fair to
0:47:47 > 0:47:48say.
0:48:05 > 0:48:08Mervyn, running for cover.
0:48:13 > 0:48:22Choices here. He needs a little tap on the bowl on the backhand to move
0:48:22 > 0:48:27the jack. A tap on the jack on the forehand, or rest the bowl off for a
0:48:27 > 0:48:42double. Can't afford to be too heavy, or it will scamper through.
0:48:42 > 0:48:47Just over the wait. He was tapping his leg on the way down the rink.
0:48:47 > 0:48:55Such a difficult shot to play.Both players have one still to play.
0:48:55 > 0:49:01Mervyn King does not want to disturb it. Nor does he want to leave it to
0:49:01 > 0:49:11chance that his opponent won't play. The first time out taken by Mervyn
0:49:11 > 0:49:20King.What he is worried about is this area. The re-spot position,
0:49:20 > 0:49:24which is over here, is not really a concern at the moment. But the jack
0:49:24 > 0:49:29could end up that way if Michael goes heavy at it. He wants to split
0:49:29 > 0:49:32into that area of three green bowls.
0:49:46 > 0:49:52That's not bad. He's come across a little too far in my opinion. He
0:49:52 > 0:49:56really wanted to be about a foot wider than that, because Michael is
0:49:56 > 0:50:02looking at the re-spots.
0:50:08 > 0:50:13The drives, well, if he drives that and the jack goes out, I think the
0:50:13 > 0:50:20problem for the drive for Michael is that if he hits into this bowl, his
0:50:20 > 0:50:24own two green bowls will disappear, the jack will go on the re-spot and
0:50:24 > 0:50:29he could easily be a couple down. At the moment, he is only one, so he
0:50:29 > 0:50:33has to think about this. One is not a disaster.
0:50:40 > 0:50:48Well, he went for it. He has got a good result. He got the plant. He
0:50:48 > 0:50:52did not want the bowl on the inside, because it would have taken his two
0:50:52 > 0:50:58out, but the plant might be profitable. It looks like a shot.It
0:50:58 > 0:51:12could be two.It is two.Good shot. STUDIO: Stepney went on to take the
0:51:12 > 0:51:17first set. When we rejoin it in the second set, he is trailing 6-5 going
0:51:17 > 0:51:20into the eighth end.
0:52:02 > 0:52:07Well, Michael, if it is one shot here, it will be a one end shoot out
0:52:07 > 0:52:13for the set, for Mervyn, and for the match for Michael.
0:52:17 > 0:52:24He would love to get a double, though. That's a good bowl.
0:52:31 > 0:52:34REFEREE:Your bowl, 18 inches.
0:52:50 > 0:52:55Well, that is not where you want to be because you might be thinking
0:52:55 > 0:53:00about a running bowl. You can see by Mervyn's face. Oh, no, that is not
0:53:00 > 0:53:04going to help if I had to attack it. And at the moment, that is quite
0:53:04 > 0:53:05likely.
0:53:15 > 0:53:20That's another good shot. The pressure is well and truly on now.
0:53:20 > 0:53:26And even someone with the skill of Mervyn King, to try and draw his way
0:53:26 > 0:53:32out of trouble this time is going to be very hard. It really is. The
0:53:32 > 0:53:40trouble is, a running bowl, with his front one, does not help either.
0:53:40 > 0:53:44Hence why he is playing to try and draw it.
0:53:51 > 0:53:58Desperately trying to come round. That just locks Michael's bowl in
0:53:58 > 0:54:03even more. I'm not sure Michael can do an awful lot with this. He has to
0:54:03 > 0:54:09make a decision whether he wants to play it again. He is lying three.
0:54:09 > 0:54:13Mervyn would need a three in the next end. Maybe he will try and draw
0:54:13 > 0:54:14another one.
0:54:24 > 0:54:29There's only one thing important, to make centre rink. He does not want
0:54:29 > 0:54:34to leave and hedge. Oh, he has left a shoulder. Well, it is not bad
0:54:34 > 0:54:40because it is just behind the jack, but it is not where he wanted it.
0:54:40 > 0:54:44That is why I always think, and we have seen this before in other
0:54:44 > 0:54:47matches, be very careful about being greedy about things, because that
0:54:47 > 0:54:53just makes it so much better for Mervyn.He knows it, too. He does
0:54:53 > 0:54:59not want to watch, but he will. Mervyn King, a big recovery bowl
0:54:59 > 0:55:06required.Inside the line, looking to use the shoulder. He has taken
0:55:06 > 0:55:11his own closest away. It is for macro shots. So close to getting it
0:55:11 > 0:55:19right. But Michael played the bowls to put him in trouble. I think he
0:55:19 > 0:55:26got away with that last one.He has, because Mervyn King did not strike
0:55:26 > 0:55:34it the way he wanted.The Scottish train keeps moving forwards.A
0:55:34 > 0:55:38turnaround for Stepney, and he went on to seal the set 10-6 in the final
0:55:38 > 0:55:41end, the first unseeded player to make the semis since Robert Paxton
0:55:41 > 0:55:48seven years ago. A fantastic performance from Michael
0:55:48 > 0:55:52Stepney, the wild card, who has knocked out big names along the way,
0:55:52 > 0:55:55including Mervyn King, despite valiant efforts. Congratulations.
0:55:55 > 0:56:02Thank you. I thought I played even better today than in the other
0:56:02 > 0:56:07games, and I knew I had to get the bowls pretty close. I did that quite
0:56:07 > 0:56:11a lot in the game against Mervyn.I guess that is the thing on the
0:56:11 > 0:56:16portable rink, Mervyn, the early bowls and putting pressure on is so
0:56:16 > 0:56:21important.Definitely. He deserved to win. We played better than me.
0:56:21 > 0:56:25When I did get my game together, he just took me off. Can't do nothing
0:56:25 > 0:56:32about that. Good luck to him.Having all the shots is important. Drawing
0:56:32 > 0:56:36well is important, but having conversion shots as well, and you
0:56:36 > 0:56:40seemed to be able to do that comfortably today.I wouldn't say
0:56:40 > 0:56:45was comfortable but I managed to get them. Mervyn got a lot of good bowls
0:56:45 > 0:56:51in, and luckily I got some of them out.You have never played him a
0:56:51 > 0:56:54singles before but you have played in international matches in the
0:56:54 > 0:56:58pairs and the fours. You know his game outside and in. Do you think he
0:56:58 > 0:57:04can do all the way?Of course, if he plays like that. If he can play
0:57:04 > 0:57:07those shots like today, it is anybody's game, and he is capable of
0:57:07 > 0:57:12doing that. You never know with bowls.
0:57:12 > 0:57:15For the first time since the Scottish International Open came to
0:57:15 > 0:57:27Perth, four Scots in the final -- -- four Scots in the semifinals.
0:57:27 > 0:57:31Some truly incredible shots here today, but which is the best? Corky
0:57:31 > 0:57:41has a tough choice.My shop of the day comes from the match with Jamie
0:57:41 > 0:57:45Chestney and Paul Foster. I had a whole list from this match. In the
0:57:45 > 0:57:49first set, Paul Foster got over the line 7-6, but in the second, Jamie
0:57:49 > 0:57:53Chestney turned it on and was guiding his way towards winning it.
0:57:53 > 0:57:58In the eighth end, he was lying one, already one up on the end and
0:57:58 > 0:58:02thinking, I could pick up two or three. Until Paul Foster played this
0:58:02 > 0:58:10shot. It is perfect. Controlled weight on the backhand. This is so
0:58:10 > 0:58:15difficult to play on the portable rink. He needed the ball, single
0:58:15 > 0:58:19target onto the red, taking the other one out. Jamie Chestney had
0:58:19 > 0:58:23another bowl to come but could do nothing about it. If Paul had
0:58:23 > 0:58:27missed, Jamie could have turned the jack around the corner for three,
0:58:27 > 0:58:32but that gave him absolutely nothing to play with his last bowl. It was a
0:58:32 > 0:58:36beautifully executed shot, total perfection, total control, and put
0:58:36 > 0:58:41him in the position of winning that set and the match.
0:58:41 > 0:58:45Paul Foster was fantastic today but what will he be like tomorrow? You
0:58:45 > 0:58:54can find out. It truly has been a great day.
0:58:54 > 0:58:59Please join us for the semifinals. They will be wonderful. From all of
0:58:59 > 0:59:02us here, thank you for your company. Goodbye for now.