Semi-finals - Live Bowls: Scottish International Open

The Stone of Scone, upon which the

ancient kings of Scotland were

crowned. Very soon, a few miles from

here, another Scot will reign

supreme.

Managed to knock a couple

of the seeds out. Here's hoping we

can carry on.

Delighted to get to

the semifinal. Playing well, not the

best quarterfinal, but I'm going to

do my best.

You have to be prepared

to battle. You can't play well every

civil time. It's about getting over

the line on a tough day.

When it

gets down to tie-breaks, one shot,

it can be very difficult and

sometimes things fall for you.

Paulista at the top. Is there for a

reason. Here's hoping he may be has

an off day and I have a good day.

Don't underestimate Michael Stepney,

a top-class player.

He's one of

Scotland's top players and you don't

get that accolade lightly.

Darren

has the ability to win games when

he's not playing well. When he's on

top, it's almost impossible to beat

him.

It's another game. You have to

go out there and play the best you

can. Every game is final.

Everybody

knows if I could play the game I can

plate then I will be hard to beat.

The semifinal is probably the

hardest to lose because you are just

one game away from the final.

And

all Scottish semifinal.

Four men

standing.

Go along or go home.

Bring

it on.

Bring it on indeed. Both

matches a battle royal to see will

be crowned the next King of

Scotland. The

be crowned the next King of

Scotland. The first semifinal coming

up is Michael Stepney, the

qualifier, against five-time world

champion Paul Foster MBE. The second

one, a little later this afternoon,

Darren Burnett against former world

champion David Gourlay. Hello and a

very warm welcome to the Dewars

Centre in Perth for the Co-op

funeral care Scottish International

open. Only four men standing. This

is the first time ever here at Perth

in the International open that we

have had four Scotsmen in the

semifinal. They all playing very

well. David, I have to say the

standard we have seen this week

equals the best we have seen, if not

better.

There have been some great

games. I thought Jamie Chestney was

outstanding and Michael Stepney

stood up past.

We'll devote to the

first match, Michael Stepney against

Paul Foster. Let's look at the

Gourlay match, against a Darren

Burnett, who will be the player

playing at the Commonwealth Games,

trying to regain his gold medal. But

David Gourlay is his coach for that

competition. Today they go toe to

toe.

He is his coach, but he will

make Darren be aware of everything

he has to do, no more than that. You

will not tell him how to play shots,

believe me. To get the opportunity

for years later to defend gold is

very rare. That's a great accolade

for him.

Let's talk about the match

coming up. Paul Foster seems to be

the man playing the most incredible

shots all week. Playing shots other

people don't seem to see or attempt.

Absolutely. But Paul has one of the

fastest drives in the game. Pushing

the other ball onto the Jack and it

splits. We knew where it was going.

If he hit the jack clean with his

own bought it would have split into

a million pieces and nobody would

have known what to do. Look at the

power. So quick and so fast. And so

accurate.

This was the pinball

Wizard shot that cleared the rink.

But there is much more to Paul's

game. It's not just drive and, he

has a beautiful draw as well.

As the

core of all the players. Those shots

look great, they are spectacular,

fun, and they raise the crowd. But

the reality of winning is all about

the draw shot. That's exactly what

these players are so good at.

Michael Stepney has been hugely

impressive, knocking out big names

along the way and he deserved to be

in the last four.

Absolutely. I have

known Michael a long time in the

international series. He came up

through the Belfast qualifiers. He

is popular and came into the

tournament and you think, he's not

just one of these qualifying or wild

card players. Michael Stepney can

battle with the best.

David, off you

go to the commentary box. It will be

a fantastic afternoon of bowls. We

also have the ladies final coming up

after these semifinals. Let's get

the gladiators out onto the rink.

Paul Foster against Michael Stepney.

When Michael knocked out the seventh

seed, Stuart Anderson, in the first

round, others might have been

surprised, but not those around

Scottish bowls to no -- who know how

good this man is. Ladies and

gentlemen, please give a very warm

welcome to the former British Isles

singles champion, Michael Stepney.

Picking a shot of the day, esteemed

commentator David Cork Row has

struggled to see beyond Paul Foster.

Some of the shops this week have

been nothing short of miraculous. It

seems he has every shot in his

armoury and knows how to execute

them. Ladies and gentlemen, please

give a huge welcome to the reigning

five times world champion, Paul

Foster.

To take you through both semifinals

this afternoon Paul Mitchell joins

David Corkill. COMMENTATOR: Good

afternoon everyone. Few people have

enjoyed Perth more this week than

Paul Foster. Has played

exceptionally well. Making headlines

with shots and making yet another

semifinal. It's only the third time

in bowls history it's an all

Scottish semifinal line-up. Paul

Foster has been in all three. The

first time it has happened at the

Scottish International open.

Both these players will be playing

with strong biased balls. And that's

the reason why. You want to get back

into the central rink.

It will not help Paul Foster with

the backhand, the way the ball has

dropped. That's why he's moving to

the forehand.

Just short, and he knew it quite

quickly.

Better line, just drifting behind.

One green.

Pulls up short again, the same bowl.

Michael might be tempted down the

backhand's gap there. Just day in

himself on his own. Controlled,

doesn't want to be too heavy. --

just stay in himself. Has to run a

bit to get past the green to this

line. I think you probably could

have used more weight than that.

Paul Foster on the card first.

Scottish international, playing for

a place in the Scottish

International open final.

Klinger the quarterfinal tie against

Jamie Chestney, at the first end of

the match, uncharacteristic. It was

a terrific game yesterday.

In when you

in many ways Michael Stepney has

achieved what he wanted to do,

making it to the latter stages of

the competition. Everything from now

is a bonus. He will be thinking of

the ranking points and how to

accumulate them.

The ranking points

make up the top 16 and the top 16

are automatically invited to the top

singles events. It's the place to

be.

And the chance to play in the

world pairs as well. And if you are

in the top eight you get a chance to

play in the mixed pairs.

Lots of prizes for making your way

up into the elite.

Not like Paul to drop that one. The

third jack is usually very

effective. -- the third bowl is

usually very effective. He needs to

hurry a little bit to get past the

green. That's more or less closed

down the draw, I think on the

backhand. Paul struggled to get to

it. He could come round it,

actually, looking at it from that

angle. It's available both sides.

They both have problems in terms of

getting close.

It's all just a matter of how much

he can pull back. Just didn't make

it in time. This would go down as a

chance because both red bowls are in

the past. He can play this with some

confidence.

The Queen draw is the way to go but

the red bowl is there as well.

Kept

it wide. -- the Queen draw. -- the

clean draw.

Might have dropped back

in. It's hard to tell. Paul Foster

is pretty good at this.

Might sound harsh, but a little miss

there.

Yes, it was a good

opportunity. Wasn't particularly

easy, but there are some players who

are extremely good when it comes to

measuring. And there are some who

are just not as good. Quite often

the players will ask for an opinion

from the marker as well. Because

they are usually more accurate.

Alan Thornhill is the marker this

afternoon.

Three officials are involved, the

shot clock operator, as well as the

umpire.

Yes, it takes quite a number

of officials and they operate very

much as a team.

This is what Paul Foster will be

looking for. Michael, he has the odd

Lucent and Paul Foster will be

hoping to pick up the shots on

multiples. But Michael Stepney has

all the shots, can get himself out

of trouble.

It's his jack length,

once through and one short. Has to

be better. It comes.

Now a change from Paul Foster. Draw

onto the red bowl and fall in.

Didn't even need the shoulder.

Michael Stepney might come in to hit

this.

Two green.

Would be very

unlucky to take out his own bowl.

Certainly worth hitting.

The first

waited back shot of the match.

Into

the green it goes. There is always

that possibility, but he has taken a

poll out. -- taken a bowl out. Hit

very solid, so the other two

disappeared. He really wanted into

the jack but he was probably going

to lose the double.

APPLAUSE

Two shots, Paul Foster.

Interesting to see what length Paul

Foster goes here.

Jack length, 25 metres.

He's going

to his default length whenever

things are tight. Last time he put

for bowls within inches of them.

He's gone to that jack length that

he's so good at. It's a good

starter, but he probably won't be

happy with it.

runs that out.

Onto the forehand for Paul Foster.

He has turned his back on it.

On

your bowl, the gap is half an inch.

Well, a chance here. Michael, if you

were very confident you would play

beforehand, turn it around the

corner, so Paul doesn't have the

chance to cover. If he leaves it,

can't blame him. Playing the

backhand because he has put two good

bowls in. The only danger with that,

you're leaving Paul the chance again

on the forehand. When he gets into

his own bowl and taps it down, it

will leave it a lot better. That's

almost just as good. A back touch.

Nothing really here for Paul Foster

to strike. He's going for the timing

shot. Must think he can get around

his own bowl.

Just an edge, but not

enough to move it out.

It looked

very narrow. The best result was

probably the front bowl into it.

Just move that jack forward the inch

or two at his last bowl. A draw for

three, any touch on the jack and he

will make four.

All Paul Foster can

do is watch. It's starting to come

round. He has enough. Jack high

ball.

Three shots, Michael Stepney.

Neither player can afford to have an

off end in this game.

Foster, Stepney, Foster, Stepney, so

far. The players struggling on their

own jack.

Jack length, 25 metres.

Third consecutive 25 metre jack.

Just enquiring to see if it was jack

die. -- jack high.

Beautiful

receiving position, opposite the

opportunity to play either side

forehand or back. That struggles to

get back. Michael might be tempted

with this. Played across with the

forehand.

I think it's only one

still.

If he is looking to play the

backhand, he will look to just

nipple into the jack. -- nibble into

the jack. Dives away very quickly.

We were talking about the shots over

the last few days.

They look like

the right shot, very tempting, but

in reality on a portable rink, it's

a low percentage.

Foster trying to come in a little

bit more than the previous ones.

Might help the second bowl.

The

difficulty Michael has is that he

only has one bowl in there against

three. If it's only one shot, if

it's close the second, if he feels

it is true, then he will hit this.

Would be very unlucky to take his

own bowl out and not come back to

the jack. This sort of weight has to

be very accurate to get back into

the jack. Might just nip in that

way. Beautifully played.

A choice of

his own, or to come in off, that's

an exceptional result.

That's so

hard to play. Deserved everything he

got for that.

He will be elated after that.

Close,

it's just a matter of stopping in

time, get second. He had the right

line, just chucked through.

Looks

like two.

Two shots, Michael

Stepney.

3-1 down to six Ivan 3-up. A good

couple of ends for Michael Stepney.

A Scottish international player for

17 years, playing in this tournament

for the very first time.

The first unseeded player to reach

the Scottish International Open

semifinal was Robert Paxton in 2010.

Robert lost that semifinal. Came

back to Perth 12 months later and

took the title.

It's quite remarkable when you think

of Paul Foster, five-time world

champion, current world champion, up

against a wildcard coming into the

event. If you ask anyone in the

know, they would say it's going to

be a close game.

Going for the

takeout.

One away. Can't think of

many sportswear that would be the

case.

They are very few. There is

such a depth of talent, certainly in

Scotland. Elite players like Paul

Foster, Alex Marshall, Darren

Burnett, Stewart Anderson. But

underneath that, just underneath, a

raft of top players.

Paul looking for a close bowl.

But

is not doing much. Down two choices

again, do you go close and take a

risk? Well, there is the guys, we

might have mentioned they were from

Dalkeith last year and they have

been getting ribbed because of it. A

lovely handwritten note from Frank,

very rare to see such nice script,

actually. Welcome again, guys.

Dalkeith, leave them alone, they are

nice blokes.

They are from the

Borders! What can Paul Foster do

with this? Taking his time to work

back in. Good bowl. Really good

effort.

Looking for shot.

Set score, 7-3 after three ends.

Reputation, laid-back player,

laid-back guy, not fazed either

crowds here.

He has played in a

world pairs final, quite

intimidating. That venue, knows all

about it. Just the fact he is such a

natural player.

Paul Foster will always go in as

favourite in virtually every match

he plays, actually.

Paul Foster and Alex Marshall. The

winners in that final. Back in 2011.

That's in a nasty position. He has

to play the open hand here.

Seventh

end of a nine end set, this is the

one to win if you are in front.

Really puts the pressure on the

opposition.

Play the bowl off. Thought he was

going to tap it down, looks as

though it might still be moving.

Really doesn't want it to fall.

It's not up, I'm just wondering, if

it was going to be a protector but

the line was too good in many ways,

he's made centre rink. Paul Foster

has an interesting shot, will he

play this with more weight? Very

difficult shot.

Certainly down on a very narrow

line. Going to push through it.

That was a big moment. Michael

Stepney. Has control. Two ends to

play.

He has won the first set in all

three matches he has played this

week. Beating Stewart Anderson 9-3

in the first set of that match,

Perry Martin, and Mervyn King, 8-4.

Jack length, 25 metres.

The qualifiers, sometimes, you are

not quite sure of their experience,

for the guys have come through. Most

of the time they are very good

players. Perry Martin proved that,

others have over it the years. They

may not be international standard.

Whereas with a wild card, they have

been selected on the basis of having

a pedigree of qualifying in events

over the years and the history

behind them. And that's what makes a

wild card very dangerous.

From memory, if an Lendl won

Wimbledon as a wild card or was it

Michael stick? Absolutely

incredible.

Someone, I have no doubt, they will

find out who it was, all the group

through Mac. -- gurus.

It was Goran

Ivanisevic. The Croatian.

Goodness

me. Fortunate. That was one for your

quiz. All? Should have gone with

that. The director would have got

it. Because he is a genius.

It's come through for Paul Foster,

little chance, he might want to come

round the back.

Well... The danger

with this is if he hits it too hard,

it goes to the back and Paul Foster

gets this. Close it down to one

shot, if you don't get the one, just

make sure you can't lose any more.

This single, clear road is better

for him. That's actually very

useful.

That's in a good, good

place. The most Paul can't hope for

is a double. -- can hope.

He needs

this to keep the set alive.

One

shot, Paul Foster.

Good end from

Michael Stepney, really close did

down.

Paul Foster needs a four and while

it's not impossible, it's unlikely.

An all Scottish semifinal line-up

for the first time in the Scottish

international open.

Jack length 29

and a half metres.

Just to finish our tennis analogy,

it's one thing to note that even

these of each one as a wild card but

even impressive, you -- he knew who

he beat in the final.

We will be

getting advice all directions from

that. Richard Krajicek has been

mentioned. Please tell me it's

wrong!

I do lighted to tell you is

wrong.

Thank goodness for that!

You

can raise the roof for Pat Rafter,

an Australian.

The Aussie. Even our

director does not know everything!

Paul Foster... Tried to set himself

up for a potential four.

Well, he's

in a good position in terms of those

two bowls. If he's feeling brave, he

will drive them, but he's not, he

will draw. You do not want to start

driving and miss and put yourself

under that sort of pressure. This

one has got a bit of work to do to

make the distance. Oh dear. Oh dear.

Fuzzy will drop another one in.

Surprised that Michael Stepney.

Playing negative to that. No reason

he shouldn't be playing through it.

Just by even two feet.

He may decide to come up a little

bit firmer.

He has two take a bowl

out, any connection. Goodness me!

How on earth do you go through that?

He had to actually touch the bowl to

make this space.

Now... Saloon door.

It becomes very interesting. Part

one is Paul Foster has to draw the

shot, he cannot make a mistake, that

is a little heavy.

He has missed it.

The last bowl will not be played.

First set, Michael Stepney.

APPLAUSE

Paul would have made that. So did

he, to be fair, did all the hard

work to set that up. His opponent

made the mistake with the heavy

shop. The underdog gets the first

bite in, wins the first set 8-6.

Well, the thing about Paul Foster,

he is so experienced. He will talk

that away and not think about it too

much. Probably realised the damage

was done earlier in the set. Four

ends. Lost seven shots.

Jack length

24 and a half metres.

Would still

have preferred to ask the question

of his opponent.

This set is gone, we move on.

That's more the jack length I

thought Paul Foster would have in

looking for. Different for Michael.

Dropped against the bias, that's

unusual.

Short ball, is it, in

relation to the jack?

It is jack

high.

Certainly playing the arriving bowl,

can he get back to it? Clean Jack

would be good. A little further than

what he wanted but good change.

Paul

Foster watching this closely.

Forehand shot coming in.

Trying to

put the brakes on but I think it is

good enough.

Looked good all the way. A

controlled wedge shot. That's great

stuff, the man on top form. Paul,

looking for the gap on the backhand

to come through to the jack. Hard to

pick out the line. It's cost him

another shot, I think.

That was the

danger, to come across.

Two shots,

Michael Stepney.

APPLAUSE

Jack length, 26 metres.

Paul Foster has looked unbeatable in

his first three games, hasn't

dropped a set. In round one, Mark

Dawes, in round two, the score line

10-5, 10-3, doesn't reveal how close

it was. Beat Jamie Chestney in the

quarter, really good game.

Struggling here.

APPLAUSE

The thing is he's not playing badly.

He's struggling on the scorecard.

He's just not getting it on the

card. A strange sort of game that

way. Mark Dawes played here well and

Jamie Chestney, well... On that

particular day he could have won the

event, the way he played. More

credit to the champion that Paul

Foster is that he gets through those

games. Playing so well. But he has

to dig deep in this one.

That's under. That will dive away.

Yes, missed the line, off the mat

rather quickly as well.

You are

holding one, sorry, one green.

Going

looking for about a little bit on

the inside but he did not have the

weight to carry it, Michael Stepney.

Let's see if Paul can close the door

on him.

Coming back on a good line

now, does not want to take it too

far.

Well... He's opened the door a

bit, he's opened the door a bit and

can get a clean view now, Michael

still had a good shot.

The front red

bowl slightly closer than I thought.

Has he got the weight to get to the

jack or the bowl? Good second, but

well, now, Paul Foster has a chance.

He moves the jack through, he could

score quite well here. Sorry, folks,

some technical things playing silly

today.

Just wants to come and turn the jack

round. If he does so, he will take

the reward. But that's short.

I find

that amazing, I really do. I thought

Paul Foster would have been playing

that with two feet away. And now,

the change of ends.

He is on the

card.

Paul Foster wants to look up the

jack length. You may go further,

Sheikh things up a little bit.

Jack

length, 29 and a half metres.

He has

gone full length.

You change it, you want a good first

pole-macro. Another couple of feet

running there.

Turned his back on that one. Hasn't

pushed, maybe, but it's still not

that far away. Paul Foster knew it

was the same bowl.

Your bowl, two

and a half feet.

He's not convinced by it. Not bad.

There was a little grimace.

I bet he

played that and he thought he was

two feet through. It stopped very

quickly.

Second shot, a couple of feet short.

Impressive stuff. It is. A target

there, Paul Foster would normally

reach into these two, yes, that is

what he is playing. But it looks

under. Yes. Well... Does not look

happy out there in comparison to the

last three matches, he is down on

farm. -- down on form.

This is a set

he has to win, the jack length, he

changed it. From 25-29 one half

metres.

Paul Foster thinks that is in. I

think it was.

Didn't even wait until

the bowl finished and that's not

unusual. When they see a bowl coming

in, they just take some

of the bowl away.

Pensive,

thoughtful, work to do. Jack length,

24 and a half metres.

He has been in

worse positions than this, Michael

Stepney wants to keep things steady.

Some of these opening bowls have

been pretty good.

Michael Stepney

has been finding a way to

he thought he was short, he was

right.

Watching this all the way, Paul

Foster. A little move in his hand,

thinking that should have been

dipping in in front of the jack, not

getting the bend back that he wants,

that is now a target for Michael

Stepney. Michael, not going as heavy

as I thought he might, just trying

to draw it off. He has two pick the

line. That might be enough, the bowl

has fallen. It's just fell down. As

if to say, no, thanks. Sometimes you

just need a little break! I wonder

is this it. This end?

Don't think that's going to make any

difference, he will just plough into

this and see what comes out of it,

hopes he misses his own

gets the jack.

That is a great hit,

he is going to lose one but that is

a fantastic drive.

Hit it spot on,

Jack will go into the re-spot but

Paul Foster has a bowl to play and a

green bowl sits to the right of the

red bowl, hanging around.

Brilliant

strike, right bang on target.

One

shot, Paul Foster!

APPLAUSE

Set to score, 5-2 after four links.

It's only halfway the set, he was

looking at a possible three, four.

The throwing of this Jack is

important. He has brought the mat

right up.

Jack length 24 metres. No

danger.

That's as far as we've seen him this

week, all in Perth.

Hoping to find a different line. A

foot and a half.

Hoping to upset your opponent's line

or weight.

He didn't. I thought the

jack was a little heavy, I think he

picked it up on the way past but all

credit to Michael for being there.

If he had missed, he probably would

have been two feet behind. Foster

draws the show.

1-1.

He's gone under. He might get in the

way.

The gap is three inches.

It's

not easy, but at the same time he's

only looking at a single shot.

It's dipping under the line as well.

The weight wasn't bad. Don't really

think he has set much up for his

last bowl. He has covered the green

one.

Well played Paul Foster.

Wee smile from the world champion.

Trying to see how he will get out of

this. The front plant of the red

bowl onto the red might get a sneak

off the green, but I don't think so.

Oh my, he's trying to draw this, and

has probably been forced into it.

Given it a chance. It looked a

little heavy. Might have nicked one

away.

That's a very good bowl. Paul

Foster looking at it, hasn't said

anything.

One out on the measure.

Really good effort. Not easy.

Every shot is important, Paul Foster

fancied this. Is he right? Nope,

it's not be.

The jack on the tee.

Jack length, 23.5 metres.

If you are going to miss, be deep,

be short.

This is what I was saying, Paul

Foster isn't playing badly. He's

playing some very good bowls but has

been on the wrong side of the

scorecard. That's all credit to

Michael Stepney for managing to do

that. He's played a very good game.

Two green.

Paul Foster, will he

change his hand? He might try to get

the little tuck around the corner

before his opponent does.

Three shots, doesn't give him the

cover he needs. Michael might be

attempted to play to this. He is,

and he's in the area for the jack.

Wants it to stay... It's off. Wanted

it to stay in the ditch.

It went

off, it will go on the re-spot. Both

players will have a look. It's what

he wanted.

The big advantage about

the jack staying in the ditch, Paul

Foster would have been three down.

The matter where he put the ball,

Michael Stepney would have been

after it for a count. Now it comes

down to the fact he has to save

shots. If he needed four shots,

there is a great shop on. I don't

think you can afford to play it.

Playing the draw, coming across the

head. He wants to beat the two green

bowls.

That's the first job done.

Can he get the shot, that's the

second idea.

Still a good bowl.

Does

the job.

Foster is making his way

back.

He takes the mat wondering once

more. I wonder the secrets of Paul

Foster's success so far, losing

singles coming into today. 13

singles.

Jack length, 23.5 metres.

Losing by two and above is always

bitter.

It's been a great game of tactics as

well as superb play. The mat has

been all over the place. The jack

has been short and long. That was a

little bit on the quick side. Paul

Foster, a chance of turning the jack

himself.

That's what he's after.

It just dipped away.

He set up a

shot to take out the red bowl. He

will play it. Michael needs another

wine. -- another one in.

Beautiful weight. Paul Foster

realises if he plucks it out, he has

no back position, but he will lie at

least three. He has the draw shot to

turn around.

Time-out is called.

It's the first of the match.

He's

looking at, can he get the jack to

bear on the backhand? If he doesn't

like that, there's a very good shot

on the forehand available to take

out the bowl. He removes that, the

other bowls come into play.

We will

see what he wants to do. The

forehand.

Doesn't matter which side.

The thing about playing the backhand

was, you could take out the bowl and

run off the gap. With the forehand,

you're getting the bowl running into

the jack. That's why he played it on

the backend. Didn't really matter,

the same shot by indicated. That's

the reason why he played it. The red

bowl going through nicely.

That's not a spare shot. That's a

tremendous bowl.

It makes a massive

difference in the game as well.

That

was a super bowl. In terms of the

impact on the game, it was a

wonderful shot.

3-up with two to play. The Scottish

International Open final weights. --

awaits.

This is interesting now. Michael

Stepney, if he can get a single shot

here, they are shaking hands. Paul

Foster, realistically has to have

two.

Just not finishing off that

hand for him.

It looks good.

Paul Foster, five-time Scottish

international Open finalist. Has

been forced to work exceptionally

hard here. Falls down.

I expected

the jack to move to red.

The gap on

your bowl is half an inch.

Good old-fashioned stuff. None of

this five millimetres, or anything

like that. Half an inch.

That'll do.

He is close.

He's closing their

heads down. He still has a shot to

get the shot, but outside green ball

will budget across. It's making Paul

Foster's life really difficult, to

get more than one. Going for the two

bowls, I'm not surprised.

That's

brilliant.

Really good bowl. In many

ways it was the only shot he could

play. That was a knob over to

Michael on the way past. -- that was

a nod over to Michael. Does it have

the weight? Looks like it's

struggling. Therefore a second. Well

played by Michael Stepney. It's a

really good bowl. Once again the

questions have been asked.

And he is

answering consistently. Paul Foster,

a little draw, would love to take

the jack back a touch. Might just

rest against the red bowl.

Plates to extend it. Plate to move

across for three.

What an

Plates to extend it. Plate to move

across for three.

What an.

The last two ends were Michael

Stepney has added a shot. Defended a

position and played two absolutely

cracking bowls. That's put him in

this position. Without those two,

Paul Foster would have been in the

driving seat.

The list for shot of

the day is getting longer. We have

seen plenty of them. Shot of the

championship might be impossible.

That's true.

Short bowls don't help

you. When your opponent leads three,

don't drop them short.

Michael Stepney went into the last

end four shots up and nearly lost.

Is the same thing going to happen

again? He doesn't want to give Paul

Foster chats for three.

Good place but not safe.

Michael needs another good bowl.

Will he use a time-out? He hasn't

used any.

Time-out, Michael has four

remaining.

It really should be a

draw. But you never know sometimes

with Michael. Playing to that, if he

misses, come across to the green

ball. If he gets a lock on the green

bowl, that would be perfect.

Rivellino running shot available.

Will he get back on that line again?

That's the one he wanted. Drop that

one in and it will be really

difficult for Paul Foster to develop

three shots out of this.

He will

take a time-out in a second or two.

Time-out called. Paul has three

remaining.

What he's looking for

here, and I think this is the only

way, to be truthful with you, come

through the forehand, on the edge of

the bowl, and progress it if you

can. Onto this one, that will take

out to bowls, they will both

disappear.

You are looking and

wondering.

He's looking for the edge

of the red bowl onto the other one.

He has done so much this week. Is

there a final touch of magic left?

Very nearly.

The second set and the

match to Michael Stepney.

A nice

moment. Michael Stepney, the

wildcard coming into the event,

finds himself in the final of the

Scottish international Open. He has

put out the world champion. Paul

Foster has been sparkling this week,

and is defeated by Michael Stepney.

As I said before, look at somebody

like Michael Stepney, and he doesn't

really fall into the category of a

qualifier. He is a wildcard when he

comes into the event, but with great

credibility, and he played well in

this match. Time after time after

time, keeping the pressure on. When

you can play bowls like this, that

is absolutely perfect. It was a

fantastic shot. The world champion

Paul Foster could get what he needed

on occasions. That was a last bowl

opportunity at the last end of the

first set. Michael took it 8-6,

picking up a big cab, three to go

5-1 in front. Paul Foster, after

Michael hit it, gets a good bowl in.

And that was a key shot at the

seventh end for a double from

Michael Stepney. Played it really

well. I have to say, Paul was very

good in defeat. Didn't reach the

standards of his previous game but

step in played really well.

What a

match for Michael Stepney. Paul

Foster won more ends, but eight of

those ten were only singles. Two

threes picked up Stepney. He had the

advantages in the touches. What a

match, and what a week it has been

for Michael Stepney, a finalist at

the Scottish international Open of

2017.

Michael Komula about the five-time

world champion.

It's unbelievable. I

have seen Paul play a lot better

than today, but that was not the

real Paul Foster there today.

Paul,

we have seen you play this week and

the quality you are capable of. It

wasn't the best game from you by any

means, but Michael put pressure on

you.

I'm not going to stand here

criticise myself. Michael deserved

to win. It was a poor performance

from me. I didn't know what I was

doing, they were going all over the

place towards the commentary box.

Going away from the commentary box I

was fine. Michael deserves his win

and I have no complaints whatsoever.

APPLAUSE

You must be particularly pleased

about how you have gone through this

week, knocking out Stuart Anderson

and then Mervyn King, the swerve.

You came here with a good game, and

it seemed like the occasion didn't

get to use.

I had to stick to my

game plan, which is to get your

bowls as close to the jack. It

worked today. Had a couple of good

runners to keep me in it, kept me

going. Delighted.

A little bit of

analysis. The seventh end of the

second set. You had a draw for two.

It was such a great

second set. You had a draw for two.

It was such a great shot.

I was

trying to get inside the green bowl

to touch the jack Tabb might have

made three. It held off, like it was

doing quite a lot through the game.

Paul, quite an unusual situation for

the Scottish international Open to

have a wildcard in the final.

Extraordinary. But you know Michael

and the quality he has. What's he

like as a player? He's pretty good.

I have known Mike for a number of

years. Played against him in the

international singles and he's in

the Scottish team. He's a class

player. Didn't underestimate him.

The players he has beaten a one-way,

top players, but Mike can beat

anybody on his day. A class act, and

I wish him all the best in the

final.

Michael, that's it, you are

in the final tomorrow. Darren

Burnett against David Goodwillie.

You know them as well.

It's just

another game, bring it on, one more.

Michael Komula attitudes and to

stick. Commiserations, Paul. Michael

Stepney, you are through to the

final. There's the semifinal

graphic, Michael Stepney,

confirmation of the result. Michael

Stepney knocking at Paul Foster MBE,

2-0. The next one coming up very

soon, Darren Burnett against David

Goodwillie. David Gourlay, Paul

Foster and Darren Burnett will be

going to the Commonwealth Games on

the Gold Coast. It's on the back of

a great Commonwealth Games in

Glasgow just a few years ago.

So

many happy memories of Glasgow.

Quite often I feel myself drifting

back to some of them.

The memories

at Kelvingrove will last for ever.

An amazing event, to play in your

own country, the Commonwealth Games,

and to have a gold medal in the

singles is something I will never

forget.

Glasgow was probably the

best ever, not just because it was

in my home country, Scotland, but

coming away with gold medals in my

own backyard, you can't beat that.

It'll never happen again in my

lifetime, the Commonwealth Games in

Scotland, to have the home crowd,

your family there, and then picking

up two gold medals, it's a dream

come true.

We're looking forward to

going to the Gold Coast. The team

has been announced and ratified by

Commonwealth Games Scotland. It puts

us in a good place. We can send a

message to say we are confident,

this our team and we have chosen

quite early compared to some other

countries. We are confident in the

team we have chosen and we can't

spend the next six months fine

tuning it.

David Gourlay is back

with us. A professional at the bowls

and being professional. He looks

after as well and leaves nothing to

chance. We will be well-prepared and

hopefully it will be another good

games.

The Gold Coast is an

incredible place to play bowls. The

venue is one of the best in the

world. The Greens will be

challenging, the conditions will be

challenging. I think the Aussies

will make sure it's as quick as

possible. They will maximise home

advantage, as we did in Glasgow.

It'll be a challenge for northern

hemisphere teams to win down in

Australia. But we have some of the

best players in the world and will

be well. Everybody is really up for

it.

Not long before we had to the

Gold Coast. Something to look

forward to. It was always going to

be hard for David to pick because

there are so many class players in

the elite squad. So many guys have

been unfortunate, and some will be

very happy. The five guys that are

there, it will be a very hard team

to beat.

To be part of the five-man

squad to go to the Gold Coast,

especially after what we did in

Glasgow, getting gold medals in the

pairs and the fours, I can't wait.

The Commonwealth Games is a huge

challenge for our sport. It's like

the Olympics of our sport. There are

no top teams missing. There are no

other sports where maybe China,

Russia and America are missing.

Nobody is missing. We are playing

the best countries in the world. The

conditions will be difficult and it

will be a challenge.

And here is the

Scotland men's team that will be

going to the Gold Coast next year

after great success in Glasgow a few

years ago.

That's going to be the focus for

those boys next year. But for two of

them, the focus is all about the

Scottish international Open in the

next hour and a half. Let's get them

onto the rink, David Gourlay and

Darren Burnett. Darren Burnett was

consistent if not spectacular last

season. He's used to getting to the

business end of tournaments and his

form this week has been incredibly

impressive. Ladies and gentlemen,

please give a warm welcome to the

Commonwealth medallist, Darren

Burnett.

APPLAUSE

Responsible for coaching the

Scottish Commonwealth meant to gold

and glory, David has again taken on

the responsibility for team Scotland

in the Gold Coast. Despite that

commitment he remains one of the

most technically gifted players in

the world today. Ladies and

gentlemen, please give a huge

welcome to the former world

champion, David Gourlay. APPLAUSE

The first semifinal was an absolute

cracker. Michael Stepney through.

Who will join them? David Corkill

and Paul Mitchell will take you

through this one. COMMENTATOR: The

question is, does David Gourlay have

the best walk on music? More Than A

Feeling, what a great tune. Paul

Foster comes onto Eye Of The Tiger,

also highly rated.

23 metres, the

minimum distance, David Gourlay on

the first end. That's an interesting

challenge in itself. The crowd is

still settling down. David, the

first bowl, no shot clock.

Excellent start from Darren Burnett.

Especially on David's Jack length.

Absolutely. Pulling the weight back

in touch.

Pretty good adjustment.

The gap is seven inches.

Well down again.

Close for two, David. Close for two.

David made himself available for the

home International Series. To be

held in Paisley in March. That'll be

interesting.

APPLAUSE

Who can resist the lure of Paisley

in March?

Very close, Darren. Very close.

Measure. Excellent bowl.

Just under the line that time.

Yes,

he did not want to get the outside

of the green bowl. That is for the

danger was. Forced it on the inside.

Unforgiving, let's put it that way.

Good end, though. That is the taste

of things to come. This will be

pretty good.

Looking for the merest of touches

against the bowl. Round he goes.

Oh,

that is very close.

I wonder if Redd

Hazard just buy a whisker.

Normally

it is the bowl sitting down with the

bulge going towards the jack, that

is the favourite.

One shot, Darren

Burnett.

Lovely overhead camera

work. By the camera crew here.

And

lovely work by the umpire.

Is that you trying to get back on

his good books?

Absolutely. Well

done.

Somebody text him!

Jack length, 28 and a half metres.

Can never tell from the facial

reaction of Darren Burnett.

You would have thought he popped out

in the Acer Inc next door.

He winces

every now and again, not quite sure

of what is happening. But he is a

police man, after all.

You will get

no argument from me. What a reply!

It's touching your bowl, yes. Your

bowl isn't, no, David's poll,

quarter of an inch off.

This is the

difference between a top-flight

outdoor and a top-flight indoor. The

margins are so small in doors. You

don't have all of the weather

conditions and everything else. The

outdoor is a different challenge,

hard to compare the two.

It's very good.

APPLAUSE

Clever place to be.

A slight danger, he would probably

have liked it to have travelled

further. Darren can use that to come

off if it is a bit wide. Ideally, he

can use his own bowl.

In many respects, that has helped

David's bowl by turning it round the

corner. Quality staff. Five folds

down, further one, less than a foot.

Through by four or five feet, that

must be very deliberate.

He's trotting up after this, he must

be very close to his own. Once a

little tap on it!

So close, David

Gourlay will not play his last.

Set score, 1-1 after two ends.

The marker will go up and delivered

the bowl down. Back onto David

Gourlay.

Well up again, in fact,

absolute minimum on the mat but the

advantage about playing this, he has

three metres behind the tea. Jack

length, 23 metres. A margin of

error.

It is interesting with David

Gourlay, he is head Coach, not to be

coaching the likes of his team. He

will put in place everything that

they need to bring them forward.

Make sure the preparation is

absolutely perfect and that will

include dieticians, biometrics,

sports psychologists, there will be

a fitness regime to make sure the

injuries are taken care of.

He is an

excellent sounding board, somebody

to talk the game through, the

players trust implicitly.

That is

the advantage of someone like David,

he brings with him instant

credibility. That is important at

that level, you must have got that

credibility otherwise it is very

difficult for players to take any

advice.

There goes the forehand.

APPLAUSE

Two green. He may have to follow

that.

Tempted by this, Darren is a

very attacking player.

Ten inches,

jack high.

He is an attacking

player. Going for it.

Back into

drive, bowler Jack, Jack would be

preferred.

A distance away from it.

Not going to be easy to get to. That

is what I thought, right on the

inside edge, yellow marker. The red

marker for the bowl, allows the

players to see where things are. A

hard place to trot to.

Come to cut

across.

You want to get as close to

the front green as you possibly can.

To enable the bowl to get up to the

jack without going off the edge of

the rink and that is very good. More

than good. Superb.

Such a difficult bowl to beat.

Burnett, trying hard.

Sorry? Third shot, red bowl.

David

knows he needs another bowl in. Has

to be a little bit careful, a little

bit wider as well. Does not want the

red bowl to drop in. That's good,

that protects his own bowl and third

shot. Depends what Darren will do.

Play it, trying to run the short

bowl off.

He allowing it to bend a little bit,

very controlled, close. Fractions.

Not far-away.

Has been really good. Set score,

1-2, after three ends.

We will take

this for another half a dozen ends

in the set.

Jack length, 26 and a half metres.

He's going early, inside his own

bowl.

Perfect. He is in with that.

Living right next door to it. That

is the extra bonus, hit it right in

the middle, followed it, no chance

of beating it.

Couldn't ask for anything better.

The advantage of having the heavy

shot available in your armoury. The

best he can do is try and trundle up

beside it. Yes, that's a decent

second.

He's gone very close to the edge.

You get to a stage, once you are

half a bowl away, it will drag you

in. And his eyes just got wider and

wider! He realised where it was

going but he is in a safe position,

it's so difficult for David to get

on the lip of the ditch and he has

to do that to get the shot.

The

crowd joining in with that one.

Another good bowl.

APPLAUSE

Does he draw them or does he try and

plant them off?

There is no benefit.

He would not

stay, would he? He does not have an

another shot past now.

He would need

to be holding forth shot.

LAUGHTER

he has done it again.

He hasn't

pushed it. Well, he will take it.

Absolutely. That's what happens, the

only time, when a big, swinging bowl

is a disadvantage. It is rare. For

it to be in at that angle.

No more than singles conceded.

Burnett playing his first Scottish

international open semifinals since

2015. Excellent game against Greg

Harlow, split the first set 9-9,

Greg Harlow took the second 10-7.

APPLAUSE

14 inch gap.

Slap of the leg by David Gourlay, he

realised that was in this.

Yes, one

of the things you focus on in that

situation. The first bowl is in, the

second bowl really needs to be

there.

He's been given another chance.

The shot clock hasn't moved, there

we are, we are off and running.

These two or so quick.

The clock is required, when you know

the players are playing cricket, you

wonder five.

David needed an edge

there, but a bit more of a solid

contact, two shots, nothing

particularly easy to be able to get

round this. Plant to the front but I

do not think Darren will play that.

Very narrow, isn't it, to try and

get a reward?

Yes, he's trying to

draw it on the Whiteside, that was

the right shot, OK, no doubt about

that but I don't think he has pushed

it, turned his back early.

Two green.

David taking no chances, playing

through on the forehand.

Three

shots, David Ole.

Jack length 27 metres.

Once again, the first bowl is in.

Very good, really good second bowl.

Tempted to go, tempted to go for the

bowl and the jack.

Ten inches past

jack high.

He could draw second,

possibly the shot on the forehand,

such an attacking player, not sure.

Again...

There is a result.

Just need to pop this one bag on.

Needs to run.

Just made it. That was

his target, get the shot.

Stop the clock.

There is movement in

the stands. That's why. They have

stopped the clock for now. They may

wait for a moment or two. A couple

of members of staff in the centre,

just in the stand, checking that a

lady, I think is feeling slightly

unwell with the heat in the

building. Obviously, the most

important thing at the moment.

Darren Burnett will just have to

wait.

Darren might be better, just

to come up, have a look, and come

back. They have stop the clock, they

have to do that. Might be wise to do

that. The way the head is sitting,

they want to finish the end. The

officials are just having a little

chat about what it is.

They may

choose to take the players off the

rink for a few minutes. Darren

Burnett and David Gourlay, it is

difficult for them.

Yes, they try

and avoid that. The rules are

continuous play. And they really

don't want to have to replay the end

again. But... Obviously, it is a

duty of care, is the first priority.

The markers going off to have a chat

with Darren.

Let's go to the balcony

and have a word with a man who has

reached his first Scottish

international final, Michael

Stepney.

You are a very happy man up here.

Michael, how are you feeling, 20

minutes, half an hour?

Trying to

take it all in, get through all the

messages on my phone, about 20, and

about 40 on messenger, get through

them and then I will get to watch

the rest of the game.

I guess the

good thing, you have gone into these

matches as the underdog, the

pressure is off totally, you are in

the final, that brings an added

pressure in itself?

Hopefully not,

we will see tomorrow. I will try and

keep myself down, go through it as

if it is another game, go out and

play like I have an playing, I will

not be far-away.

You know Paul very

well, he couldn't have spoken about

you high enough, it was great to

hear a guy like that who has been so

successful speaking about you in

such high regard.

We have both had a

few battles over the years in

Scottish competitions, Paul is up

there, I would classify him as the

best player in the world. He wasn't

playing at his best today, gives me

a chance in the final tomorrow. He's

a top, top class player.

You know

Darren and David on the rink at the

moment. David is obviously the

Scotland coach for the Commonwealth

games but he has such an amazing

game.

Oh, yes, I have played him

twice and he has beaten me both

times, very close games. Doesn't

matter which one you play, it is

another game, try and keep my game

plan, see what happens.

I guess

that's the thing, then you play

these guys so well, you play with

them on the international circuit,

they are team-mates of yours on the

album for game as well, you know

them, you know what they can do, you

know you want to beat them.

You have

to put that aside and play a game,

concentrate on your game, let it

take its course.

You wouldn't be

bothered who will get into the

final? No, not one bit. How can you

prepare now, everyone is phoning

you, leaving messages, how difficult

will it be for you to look ahead to

tomorrow and get the game right?

I

will try and get through all the

messages and then watch a little bit

of the bowls and take it easy, have

a nice bite to eat and maybe a few

pints.

Don't have too many. You are

busy tomorrow. Listen,

congratulations, we will see you

tomorrow. We will hand back to the

commentary team.

COMMENTATOR: thank you and

congratulations again to Michael,

what a performance. Darren Burnett,

there was a long pause here in play.

Yes, the concentration levels will

have dropped, there is not much you

can do about that, the fortunate

thing for Darren is that he has

another bowl to come.

A lady finding

the heat it little bit too much

helped out by the excellent staff

year. She will be well looked after.

The same problem for David, up to a

point, cropped short on that. That

just happens, nothing anyone can do

about it. The important thing is

that the spectator is being cared

for.

One against him, the backhand. Looks

like there is plenty of room to draw

but given the delay... Just want to

get that level of concentration

back. Giving it a chance, trying to

come round but it will be one for

David Gourlay.

Set score, two sets

after 6 cents.

David Gourlay wastes

no time, the mat down, the jack

away.

Yes, he is a fast player, I

had a long conversation with him

earlier in the week about the

Commonwealth games. Preparation for

it. Great venue, no doubt about

that, but the preparation for the

Commonwealth Games teams, very

interesting stuff.

Scotland will be

hoping to repeat some of the success

of Glasgow 2014. Be hard to match

it, certainly on the mend's side.

Good squad going out.

Very good,

very strong. Men and women. The

plans are put in place. There are

and professional as it needs to be.

Medals are very important for

funding.

Darren's bowl, five inches.

Did not tell me anything

confidential, of course. Not that it

would matter, I'm not involved in

preparing any team for the

Commonwealth Games. Would not make

any difference.

I think we all know

what to do to get teams ready.

Good

effort.

Commonwealth games gold, singles

winner, Darren Burnett.

May just be the one. Close second,

definitely one, close for second.

No time wasted, will he hold up? No.

A weighted shot from David Gourlay.

He has missed a few of those

forehand runners this week. Happy

enough to do it if he keeps winning

matches.

Five inches.

No change.

Couldn't afford to go again. Just

trying to draw.

Touching his own

bowl might be enough. Dropped out.

It will be one red, definitely. A

bigger problem here for David

Gourlay. Yes...

Darren Burnett is

sizing the sub, there is a shot and

he needs it.

Very much so, bearing

in mind the position at the moment.

He's just putting his foot down to

look at the ankle and things. Two

things are possible, if he gets that

onto the jack coming through is

good, but also, if he gets the

outside of the red bowl he could

take the other two green falls out.

I think he has to play this.

Going for it, lying shot but he

wants it once more, the front red

bowl, will it send the jack through?

Did the green bowl moved

sufficiently? I think he was hoping

for three minimum. One out. Yes, his

own bowl got caught. That is where

the slight disappointment on

Darren's face. Definite two shots,

keeps him in the hunt.

Two ends to play.

Jack links, 28 and

a half metres.

Good contest in terms

of Jack placement. David Gourlay has

also been bringing the matter up.

Just pulling up short.

Just checking

my notes. Scored on the last end.

Darren Burnett would have been

looking for a minimum of two, maybe

three.

Did not fall as he wanted.

Making sure she is up for this.

Sorry, your last bowl, almost two

feet.

Has been a bit of a feature.

Speaking to a couple of the players,

they have been saying the same

thing, not quite sure why. Almost

like they are at a different weight

from different lines. This is an

short.

It's a decent position for David in

terms of picking the shot.

David is looking a bit quick again.

Goodness me.

One shot, Darren

Burnett.

David Gourlay could not

keep the weight off.

That last bowl from David Gourlay's

perspective was almost the one to

win the set. He would have been in a

very strong position. For as two,

that is a lot different.

On the longest side... Turning the

jack left.

It is a good ball, but again, the

short ones are there.

Your ball is

five inches short of jack high.

Weight six shots for Darren, not all

of them have managed to reach jack

high.

Adding a touch of weight...

These

guys are so good, you wonder, is the

surface changing a little bit? It

can do that, especially between

matches.

It was very warm out there

yesterday, it's warm again today.

Just hanging off slightly...

It's a

good weight.

It's the usual, at 105...

The

warmest place in Perth!

Dave was on

the wrong side, he wanted to turn

that jack around the corner.

It's

all a bit strange at the moment, as

we get to the last few balls of the

set.

Darren Burnett needs to score

two. Just trying to get that green

ball off. I'm surprised he's gone

for that in some respects...

There's

a big chance of him getting his own

ball... That is exactly what has

happened. He must have felt that was

the only ways he was going to

achieve what he wanted to do.

Picking up not one, not to, but

three. It matters not. Any school

was going to see him over the line.

Black-and-white, 9-4 looks like an

easy set but it was anything but.

It's always a bit weird looking when

you see a 9-4 scoreline, watch this

very tight set like that... The last

ends were very odd, in some

respects. The last was in 2006 in

the Scottish International Open.

Darren Burnett and David Goodwillie

met in the final in 2002. -- David

Gourlay. Darren Burnett won the year

before. The second set gets

underway...

Just with how it is sitting, I would

be surprised as he switches back to

the hand again, there's no need to

change it.

He will be happy that he stayed the

way he did.

Last bowl, 15 inches

from jack high. Two.

Once again, Darren Burnett playing

the running ball early in the end...

He opens the door...

A couple of times he has gone with

the second ball, and why not?

Two green. One inch past.

It is going again. He knows if he is

a bit wide, he could get the second

ball.

On the re-spot, his own ball

is going off the rink but he will

have the last delivery at the end.

He has had a bit of work to do in

this match. Decided to go again...

The result to the re-spot.

The re-spot is almost unbeatable.

Two green, meaning Darren cannot

just take the ball off, trying to

draw in for second.

Easily in for

second, no great threat to the

shops... -- shots. Gourlay picks up

the opening end. David Gourlay, some

players like to carry the cloth with

them, they find it gets a little hot

but occasionally he bowls with it in

hand, other times he throws it away.

Generally he throws it away then on

the last ball, if his opponent has

another bowl to come, he keeps it in

hand, if he wants to go up. Not

everybody uses the cloth but it is

very hot out there.

The line is looking good. Gourlay

comes around his own ball.

Traditionally, Darren in this match

has been quite aggressive, but he

just joins it this time.

It looked a

good line all the way... Three goes,

and a shake of the head.

David, trying to get between two red

ones. He may just come across, that

hasn't changed anything.

The back

red was the ideal one to rest on.

Two seconds.

If it is that, he might

be tempted...

Careful he doesn't

take his own two balls out, the

backhand whips like mad, the

forehand may stay a bit more but he

gets the red onto the jack.

Giving

it a chance. One away.

Two seconds,

that's all he had to do. The extra

bonus would have been to get the two

of them. He whips it out, clean as a

whistle.

Two red... A ball each to

play.

David is tempted with the same sort

of shot. Looking for the Red

Bulls...

Damage limitation...

-- the red balls.

The first shot is drawn...

That was

not easy, he did very, very well.

For the first time in either set,

Darren Burnett has the lead. He took

the opening end, and then dropped it

back to David Gourlay, went all the

way. The ladies final coming up

later today. Caroline Brown, just

waiting to go on. A very experienced

player.

And Furyk is her opponent, taking to

the rink after this.

It will be

interesting to see, third year in

the final... It will be a good game.

16 inches from jack Kite. -- jack

high.

He plays beforehand this time.

A longer jack lank, maybe he favours

this side.

Continuing off the backhand. The

eighth consecutive year for Darren

Burnett in the top ten on the world

Bowls tour. Always looks like he

would come across and pushed the

jack towards the green ball. David

cannot afford the forehand now.

Touching the red ball in closer to

the jack.

Any movement of the jack, there's a

chance of it coming a foot behind.

That's where he was asking who was

second. He looks slightly under...

That would have been Gourlay,

drawing for three with one ball, for

Darren Burnett to reply, he was on

the inside. If he got the front

green ball, it was likely he was

taking the back one as well. Their

routers, David Gourlay. Simply

drawing on the back ball.

Giving it

a chance to get to be red.

Dropping

back, it looks like two. Hoping it

would drop the other way for a

three.

Nearly... It might spin away.

He has given it every chance...

Slicing it the other way.

I think he

has got second.

This will bring David onto the

forehand to touch his own ball down.

The backhand was a little dangerous.

Trying to encourage it forward... It

needs to drop. But refused.

Set to score, 2-2 after three ends.

Sticking to the tie-break in the

quarterfinal against Nick Brett. Won

the first set but dropped the second

by eight shots but won the

tie-break. A very good week here.

When you get to the quarterfinal

semifinal stage, everybody is happy

with their ranking points and

performances, putting in a lot of

good players in this event.

Drop it under again.

Still looking for the correction.

Still red. Slightly stunned by that.

Certainly looked, the angle that

we've got, so can't Darren Burnett

change things? He's going through.

Interesting.

It's hard for us to

tell sometimes. Depends on the last

bowl. Has to be at the very least up

to the jack.

Maybe a time out coming here as

Darren Burnett is taking his time to

look at their head.

Certainly taking

his time, if he goes driving at it,

always the potential for taking his

own two bowls out but I think that

would be desperately costly.

He has a good over the weight shot

under the jack and punch it through.

Keeping a close eye on it.

One shot, David Gourlay.

APPLAUSE

Score, 2-3 after four ends.

Made

sure of taking one away.

Jack links, 27 and a half metres.

The first set, the key end was

arguably the fifth, when David

Gourlay picked up a three. Started

to carry him away. Also a set Darren

Burnett has to win.

Two good opening bowls from David

Gourlay.

This is struggling by some

distance. It won't be in the way but

the players but once again, that

backhand takes its toll. I just

wonder sometimes if he goes slightly

outside the line, just a little bit

slower.

Ideal if he picks the jack up.

Put a little bit of weight into it.

Let's see what Darren decides to do.

Will take the jack if he could.

Alternatively, if you go through

gaps and miss them all.

That is what

happened next type shot.

That gap,

that gap. Wouldn't have made any

difference if he had taken his own

bowl away. Little age would have

been enough to get the jack.

Well, that's different now if he

takes his own bowl away. And at 3-2,

that never clever. Forehand, could

take everything away with regards to

the green ones.

Clean Jack, he's looking for.

Goes

again, plenty of weight, watches

after it. Going to be four.

There

was a danger. He knew the danger,

prepared to accept that.

Could

happen. Four shots, David Gourlay.

If he picks up the jack, it's 3-3.

That is a key moment in the match.

Yes, David was lying through, if

he'd been lying one, maybe two,

Darren would have been trying to

draw it.

Jack links, 23 metres.

He

worked on the basis that it was just

one war shot.

Well, might be.

Forehand shot.

Been a bit too canny with that one.

Darren, any touch on the jack, he

could make two.

It's what he wanted.

Well, that was

the perfect result. Gives him the

double. Again, Darren has a shot to