World Singles Quarter-Final Bowls World Indoor Championships

Welcome to porters, a little later than Scheduled. We're not the semi-

finals of the World Indoor Bowls Championships. This afternoon we

have a blockbuster in store for all World bowls old guard are rolling

back the years. John Price still has a fire and the belly, despite

the fact he was world champion two decades ago. It is a long time ago,

1990. I was really pleased, I had a few big Mrs in tournaments. I was a

nearly man, but I finally needed, and it was a great moment. -- I had

a few big Mrs. David Gourlay has had a stellar career, but like him

has always struck once at the World Championships, and that is when he

was a fresh-faced newcomer. 1996 was the one and only time I won the

world title. I entered the competition as a rank outsider. I

was a wild card entry, was not expected to do well, but I went on

to win the tournament, it was the most amazing experience of my life.

Scotland's bowls coach has already claimed one half of the mixed pairs

title this week. John prices also enjoying a resurgence. He stopped

the clock against Ross Owen in the first round. It seems as if these

two have known each other since time began. I have known him,

played a couple of big games, and I managed to get over the line

against him a couple of years ago in Scotland. I think it will be a

good game, I have to play my best game but I have a good chance.

Price and I have played a couple of times over the years. He is a tough

competitor. He is deaf -- very difficult to beat so I am expecting

a tough game. Which of these time travellers can turn back the clock

travellers can turn back the clock and journey to the semi-finals?

Here is the line-up for the quarter It is John Price and David Gourlay

for us this afternoon, and the match is already under way. We are

in the 9th of the first set, and David Gourlay has the advantage.

Greg Harlow and David Corkill are wide of the target, and John Price

sitting down and saying, I have had Price, sitting down on the brink. -

- on the rink. To be fair, John has been dead unlucky with his last

bowl. David has a reasonable target. Still, a lot of pressure. David

Gourlay missed the drive with his third bowl. Most unlike him, he is

normally very reliable. A lot of David Gourlay, he will reset

That is a marvellous result for David Gourlay, are really good

strike on his reliable forehand. He will take a double load of that. --

a "of that. -- double out of that. unlucky to have opened ahead. 8-3

does not really reflect matt said. after that first set, very

interesting bowling, no doubt about it. David Gourlay was edging it all

the way through to the last end. John Price played his best end of

this match so far. Four actual -- very long time, John Price. David

Gourlay not far behind him. 45, again has been at the top level for

won his world title in 1990. It was just a matter of time, we knew it

would happen. We just do not quite tournaments and that stages one of

1 outsider. A very tough first- round match, he came through when

think a few people had a couple of shekels on him at 100-1, but no one

expected him to win it, Greg. It is very difficult in your first

tournament to call the way through and win. It has not been done many

relatively easy to draw the short. -- draw the shot. Always easier

it would have helped their. Criminal. Any touch on the jack was

for a touch for three, misses the touch and slips through the gap and

it does not even count. The line is All about pace. I tell you, it

needed to sit. Then the reaction along with his daughter are season-

ticket holders for Swansea City. They are doing very well. Great

football fans. His daughter has always enjoyed going to the

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leaving an inch for John to try and opportunity for David known. -- for

John is looking at the angles in case he wants to hit this. It looks

to be sitting next, doesn't it? does, if you get it right, it all

depends on the ankles. He is coming down for another look. Will he

aimed for his own? Yes, I think he will aim for his middle read. --

middle red. The Jack will almost certainly spring, when it goes, we

two down, will it be risky to plough into his own two, or safer

unlucky. Very unlucky, he hit the target area. You will be further

away on occasions and get better results than that. I do think it

was probably a forehand runner, but I know he prefers the backhand,

that is probably why he chose the backhand. He hit the target well

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shots in this. Four shots to David Gourlay. He has been punished

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their first bowls. They will hope to make a correction with their

well on this event so far. He is a happy boy, the way he has been

playing. We will see him later again today against Jason

Darren Burnett, another Scot who is going well. He put out to the

Scottish champion last night. It was a very strange game, Robert

Paxton. Robert Paxton from England, who won the Scottish-English

International Open. He lost the second set 13-0, having not scored

for 10 consecutive ends, then won the tie-break 2-0. It is a strange

game, Greg. I had a chat with Darren, he said that last night. He

is still having massive problems with his tooth. He said every time

he bent forward massive pains. He just wanted to get rid of the bowl.

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blue. Brian Porter beside her, the Great attempt. John is puffing his

cheeks, and it looks like a strongly biased ball. -- biased

bowl. He does not like St bowls. -- be too disappointed. David Gourlay

wants to keep things nice and tight all the way through to the latter

championship, with draws opening up as a lot of favourites drop by the

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that hurt the opposition. It is very rare we get to a stage where

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there are only three players and the jack was good. He has have

covered the backhand shot for John Price. -- almost covered. He can

still make it back, but not as easily. He may be forced on to the

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forehand. Price gives a shake of John will be looking at all the

angles to see if there is any murdered in attacking this. He has

two bowls on the jack, but there does not seen anything set up to

get the Jack going in that direction. It is not ideal, but it

-- if it is only one shot, he might be tempted to aim for the green

bowl. Yes, he might be able to hit the bowl away. Also, if he is a

little wide he might be on his own bowl, he might get off the screen

one, and come across. It is not ideal, it is not perfect. The ankle

is still bringing him on to the jack. He has to be tempted. I think

so. It -- even if he gets the green bowl solid, he will not be much

worse. It is a tough call. Parents know clear cut shot available.

think he has been pretty good with in the corner, unfortunately for

him about three metres away. Not a toucher, both of those ended up in

the ditch and were taken away. The jack is just in front of David

Gourlay, as he stepped away. It is just inside the peg on the back.

David is asking how many second bowls he has. He is thinking of

driving the shot out. At 4-2 up, I thought you would just go down and

draw the shot. I am very surprised at that. If he has three a seconds,

he could take the bowl out. Really, that is a draw for one for me. I

think he is shaping up for it. He is psyching himself up for it. I

think his team manager would suggest his player draws the shot.

It is such an easy draw. Don't look comes. That's the right play.

Straight forward single. And that's the right shot. He's so attacked

minded and he did fancy taking it out for three, but he knew if he

missed he was gifting John a one think he can let this set drift any

fantastic! A wonderful reply. Just remaineding David four lay that he

is capable of causing him trouble. as his first and he will win the

an edge? Just under. Just a few inches away, but a good bowl.

had a smile on his face there, he knew he was just a couple of inches

short. But he knows he's got great position. Any ideas John? He has no

position at all. Possibly forehand and try and drop the foot past and

get a position in. Very difficult for John this. Swapped to the

is decent. That's not too bad. good. Perhaps gone a bit too much.

I'm a bit surprised he was looking at this in the forehand, but it

will work either side. If he wants to be tidy it is a backhand draw

just to Nurdle it through. He was looking at the forehand drive.

Looks like he is shaping up the red bowl away. Well he's still

watching. A bit tentative for weight. I'm surprised at that.

Thought he would have had another yard or two or that. John lays the

shot, but it has nowhere to go. Can't afford to draw in himself,

because any touch would give it time. John, what are you doing? Yes,

he wanted a bit less than his second delivery and it is a bit of

a wasted bowl for David Gourlay, he is good at these turn over shots.

He has so many options, he is struggling to pick which one. He is

going for the forehand again. Probably the same line as the last

interested in this. Too solid a connection. Not sure if John will

even bother with his last bowl. There is probably just room on the

forehand. David said, do you want your bowl? He said yes. That is why,

sometimes you have to walk away and say that is fair enough. I will

take the single. There is Robert Weale watching. Before the match we

had three players putting their stickers on, Jason Greenslade,

Robert Weale and John Price. Those three have dominated Welsh bowls

for 25 years. Young players coming through of course, but it has been

the three of them. Slightly before that, well about that time as well

was Steve Rees, who is John Price's old partner in the pairs. But

Wealey will be happy. He is doing well. Another warm looking jacket.

He has got the glasses on now. Looking very academic there.

will not enjoy that. Checking the racing results! The old Silver Fox!

Doesn't like to be seen with the glasses on, does he? Another bit of

an opportunity to wind him up. The fourth person of the great Webb

players over the last two or -- Welsh players over the last two or

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bowl. That would put the pressure finding dead pace. Any weight on

will drift past. Is he going to drop in? David's taking a moment.

He will be happy with the answer. One to green. And he knows if he

can just drop round his own bowl, certainly he will be in charge of

made the gap. Oh! Well when you make a gap like that, you sort of

think to yourself, just maybe, maybe this might be my day. A big

moment in the match now. 5-3 down on the score board, two down on the

end. He's looking at the runner again. There are some good

connections this time. I can't glaim blame him. I think he thought

he was close with the previous bowl. John's got all the position behind.

Looking to run into the two greens and get a touch on to the jack.

going to get the result? Oh that was unlucky. He has pushed his own

bowls out of the head. That's made it worse. Still two green, but it's

left David Gourlay a chance. treble. That is what you do when

you put the pressure on - force opponents into making errors. David

Gourlay's extremely good at that. Yes, that is No 3. That is the

and co-ordinator for Bowls Scotland, following a bit of a disas aer the

they had at Delhi in the common wealth games, where their team

didn't do well. -- disaster. He has been appointed not only to help

with a variety of coaching and mentoring roles, but to bring that

element of credibility to the post and to the role. The confidence of

knowing the players and their strengths and weaknesses and of

course their all know David, which helps. -- they all know David,

which helps. I expect them to do well in Glasgow at the next

Commonwealth Games. John Price himself has a development role

within Wales, a part-time role to qualified people for those

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David. The road is fantastic. The weight looks pretty good. That's

the winner. Yes that's a good one too. Couldn't have played that any

better. Hid the jack, hid his bowl. John price in heaps of problems

here now. He's so good at the recovery shot, David Gourlay. Plays

the game really well. Good attacking bowler. His forehand in

particular. I can only see one shot available for John, that is the

forehand draw and try and move the Just over. Can't blame him wanting

to reach of course. Fpblt great try. Now David Gourlay can add another

on to the bottom red second shot straightened them up and possibly

closed down the forehand and once again another bowl is in the way

for John Price. He is looking at the forehand strike, which is a

single bowl of his into the two green. The thing is now John price,

strike the open red bowl, take the two reds away for one. Can I not

see how he can get any more than one out of this end. But he must

score this end to stand any chance. Got the deepest bowl as well. He

needs a good strike and a good bit of fortune. This is a tough one I

It wasn't too far away, but David Gourlay still scores a single. Took

one away. It is a difficult challenge now for John Price, 9-3

behind with two ends to go. David Gourlay has been very consistent in

this second set. He's kept the pressure on John Price. To be

honest if you would wave the white flag, John would be waving it.

There is a few hits that haven't gone right, but that is inevitable

when you're chasing the game. You sort of feel that it is sometimes

John won't give up. It is still on Johnny, you have to go out

fighting. A little shake of the head. But I have a lot of

admiration for David Gourlay for the way he goes about his business.

A very tough competitor, a thinker at this and move the jack back. He

is not going to score a three where have liked. That was played with a

view to keeping the bowl on the rink. Wouldn't afford to risk the

bowl in the rink. David will just still available to John Price if he

can make the gap between the two green balls. Yes that is all he has

position, David would do well to match those two. He will split the

back two and then John will have no soon as he splits them, it is all

over. That is just about it. John Price has to manufacture a three

out of this head. It is absolutely inch perfect, he could just get to

get into the others. Well David Gourlay, no doubt deserved that win.

He was just too strong on the day for John Price from Wales. The 45-

year-old from Glasgow was very consistent. Took the first set 8-3,

takes the second set very comfortably and it was one of those

things for John Price, he happened to meet David Gourlay when he was

playing some of his best stuff. Interesting game. Good to see

Pricey get into the last eight. the first set. Three shots behind.

there's the jack bouncing out and that saves the first set. Gets the

double. And David Gourlay's got an opportunity for the big count on

the second end. Here it comes. All the way down. For four shots.

David gourlly was too consistent for John on the day. RISHI PERSAD:

John, looking at those stats, they told the story, you only won a

third of the ends that is because your opponent was on fire? Yes I

thought David played better. I couldn't get in at the start and I

couldn't get my first bowl. But he always had the edge. You must be

pleased with what you have done this week? Yes my form has been

good. I'm disappointed, but it is something to work on. Always

looking ahead. David, back in the semi final here? How does that feel

It is amazing. It has been a long time. I knew it was going to be a

tough game. Maybe we didn't play as well as we could. But just happy to

get through. I think you have come into this tournament saying you

perhaps didn't have the ideal pripration. But your practice here

has been getting better. -- preparation. Do you think you're

playing better every round. Every game you play helps you. I have

been here two weeks and been on almost every day. Having won the

tournament now a long time ago, what chances of this long weight

for another ending? I'm taking as they say, each game at a time. The

guys who are left in, they're top class bowlers. So it will be

difficult. Well done. Commiserations to John Price. Hs

out, but David is through to the semi final. We have the next

quarter final coming up on the red button at 10 past 3 this afternoon

between Wayne hog and Jason Greenslade. But we have time for

the first quarter final that took place earlier today. That was

between the former champion Andy Thomson and the man who beat Greg

Harlow and that was nbgy Brett. We pick this up after they shared the

first two set and it goes to a tie- break. With commentators, John

break. With commentators, John Price and Greg Harlow. GREG HARLOW:

He has played a few better bowls, but Nicky Brett has gone off his

first delivery, nicky Brett. His body language is lacking quite

moved on to the forehand. He was disappointed with the first one,

a matter of staying to the jack. Has he got enough pace to just hold

on to it? Oh yes, he has indeed. That's the single he needs. That

was a good adjustment, that's not easy to do. Weight and line on that

sure if he has pushed it, though. I don't think it is going to make it.

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It is dipping under. It has gone. blowing of the cheeks, he knows

that is not good enough. It has been a scratchy game. I actually

felt Nicky played very well in the first set, he dominated. The second

set has been scratchy, as you say. It has brought Andy back into the

game. The tie-breaks so far have been scratchy, as well, to be

honest. Nicky had full command of the first set up to the sixth end,

playing great bowls, then had a total walkabout and lost a four.

get the feeling on these tie-break ends, the first player to play one

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quite be enough to win the end. In could not possibly have thought he

was going to come out like that. Of his own bowl, of the red, off to

the jack. That is an unbelievable result. Fair play, he hit the

target, he was catching the edge of the short bowl, but then the rest.

And it is a toucher. I expected to be close with this one. Running the

bowl at the jack. He has got it perfect. The reaction was very

positive, as well. That will be the end of that particular game. There

is a live bowl on the green, and I think he has forgotten that. He has

conceded a shot forgetting he had a live bowl on the green. Having said

that, it was a very, very slim chance. He has just seen an deeply

a fantastic shot and said, that is good enough, well done. -- he has

just seen it and deeply. -- Andy play. Great bowl. A especially

after Mickey had the great result, he settled himself down, used all

his experience and played a perfect running bowl. 1-1. Jack length, 29

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Babak toucher, somewhat more difficult. Things change and the

rules on a tie-break, you cannot kill the end. Yes, but I don't

think he has dominated. That is good, but did he nominate the

killed? I don't think he did. Price just keeping an eye on things

before his quarter-final game. The jack has gone on to the re- spot

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position. Bowls players, two bowls, Thomson, it really is. 12 inch gap.

It is beatable. Nicky is thinking for second. It looks second on the

screen, David. We cannot see from here, we're blinded in the corner,

we cannot see, but it looks second on the screen. He needed a

direction on the bowl or the jack to stop them. I think he thought he

was getting the corner of the jack. One bowl to save this match. Andy

Thomson will almost certainly try to put another one in so the ball

Matt -- bowl cannot be driven off. But he does not want to put it

alongside to give Nicky the target of the two bowls. We don't ask for

Get that is not second bowl, Nick Brett will have the chance to drive

the bowl off. It is two red. Andy thinks it is two, it must be.

Draw within 12 inches for a place Brett, the man who put out Greg

Harlow. All credit to Andy Thomson, the 56-year-old from London. He is

really throwing back the years here, he is into the semi-final of the

Fred Olsen World Bowls singles. He takes the match two sex to one. --

two set to one. This is how the Of course, those semi-finals are on

BBC Two, and that is coming up tomorrow afternoon. We look forward

to seeing how those unfold, and that starts at 2:30pm on BBC Two.

It has been an up-and-down week for former champions, we lost five by

the time the second round was completed. Three still remain, one

World No. 7 Robert Weale might be a dark horse for the tournament. He

certainly has the pedigree to get past the winning post. So far, he

has already made the pairs final with Jason Greenslade, but they

were beaten in the final furlong by Scottish thoroughbreds Alex

Marshall and Paul Foster. Robert Weale saw off Simon Skelton for the

second year running. He is now into the semi-finals. I live in Hereford

at the moment, due to work, but I play all my bowls in Wales. I

travel back to Wales, that is my home. My passions outside of bowls

would be football, I am a massive Wolverhampton supporters. I get up

there when I can, when the bowls does not get in the way. I love

watching the team. And would like to have a little flutter on the

horses, as well. I go to the races when we have local meetings, I

travel around a little, I watched other meetings when I can come at

Chepstow and the Welsh National. I was lucky enough to pick the winner

this year. Bowls is massive to me. I first got into the game because

my father started playing. I actually started playing the same

night as my father did, and it has rolled on from there. I have had

good success. It is a massive part good success. It is a massive part

of my life, without it I don't know My main achievements in the game

would beat the world indoor singles championship. That was 2,000,

definitely the pinnacle. Outdoors, I have probably had more success,

at the Commonwealth Games I picked up a couple of gold medals. That is

really important to me. It is important my family play bowls, as

well. My brother has been fortunate enough to win 7 National fours with

the boys in Wales. The man standing in his way is Darren Burnett. Last

night he put out the Scottish Open champion, Robert Paxton. Robert

Weale is in fine form himself and will be confident he can pick his

spot in the semi-finals. ambition would be to go as far as I

can. I goal in every year thinking I can go all the way. This year is

no different. Touch wood, I can play my best bowls, put people

And you can see how Robert Weale get on against Darren Burnett in

the quarter-finals in our the quarter-finals in our

highlights tonight at 1:20am. It we have action from the Europeans

figure skating championships in Sheffield at BBC to -- on BBC Two

on Sunday at 1pm. We have lost a lot of our professionals, we only

lot of our professionals, we only have two in the semi-finals.

have more or less wiped out the last decade, that is not a bad

thing, it shows there is plenty of talent left. Form on this rink is

extremely important when it comes to the pressure moments. Yes,

especially when you think of people like Andy Thomson coming through.

He was great today, but he was gritty. Robert Weale, a dark horse,

maybe. Andy Thomson really got over the line when he maybe shouldn't

have. Robert Weale is always a hard competitor. David Gourlay was

playing very well and consistently and knocked out John Price and a

consistent and did away in terms of the quality of play. David, thank

you for your time. Another wonderful day of action here at