Day 3 Bowls World Indoor Championships

Into the final week of the 2014 World Indoor Championships and two

trophies have been won. Paul Foster and Alex Marshall succumbed to their

rivals in the a mixed pairs. Yes, welcome to Potters. Two titles

won. To still more are still up for grabs and this afternoon we have got

action from both competitions and first up, a men's singles match

featuring a Commonwealth and world champion who had to battle hard to

make it through the first round. The first game was a big game for

me. It was a game I had to win really. I was happy with the form. I

played some good bowls there. I'm looking forward to the next game

now. It is a tough draw and it is a tough game. Stewart Anderson played

really well in the first game as well. It probably doesn't get much

tougher. Stewart has a great all-round game, but his drawing to

the jack. He seems to get a lot of bowls around the jack and put

pressure on the opponent. I find myself enjoying the games under

pressure. I will maybe play a few drives and see what happens.

APPLAUSE It has probably been too long since

Wales lifted this trophy. Last time it was myself in 2000. Hopefully one

of us can do it this year. We have great memories and a long time ago,

but I have kept my form over the years and form is temporary

probably, but the class is there. I still think I can do it and

hopefully I'm going to prove that. Well, to prove it, he is up against

none other than the defending champion, Stewart Anderson is

standing in the way of Robert Weale in the last 16 match. I have been

joined by John Price. Another former Welsh world champion. Stewart

Anderson has come into this tournament as the defending

champion. The last two defending champions went out in the first

round? Yes, he will be relieved by that. Today's opponent is very

experienced so he needs to go up a level and I expect to see a tough

match. About today's opponent, Rob, you

know Rob very well. He hasn't been at his best. He had that injury

playing skittles which set him back. How much did that first round win

give him a boost? A dangerous game skittles. He is back to his best. He

will get a lot of confidence and he has been here and done it before and

he is a top player. You are going to be in the commentary box this

afternoon. Who is going to come out on top? Well, that's unfair with a

Welshman there. It will be close. It could go one set to a tie-break.

Because I'm Welsh I'm going to favour Robert. No surprise there!

Thank you, John, I will let you go up to the commentary box. Robert

Weale is up against Stewart Anderson.

Stewart Anderson. APPLAUSE

Well, yes, it is time to meet the players and after winning countless

Commonwealth Games gold medals, it is no wonder why our first player is

rated as one of the best in the sport. Ladies and gentlemen, former

World Indoor Singles Champion. Give it up for Robert Weale.

And Robert takes on twice world under 25s and the defending World

Indoor Singles Champion, ladies and gentlemen, it's Stewart Anderson.

Well, this a cracking match and John Price has printed up into the

commentary box. I will give John a moment or two to

get his breath. He is not as fit as he used to be. He is panting away.

He needs a little drink. You will be OK in a moment, John. We're really

looking forward to this. Robert Weale hovering at the top end, top

16. He has been around a long time, Robert Weale. Great success indoors

and outdoors. But Stewart Anderson is some 20 odd years younger. He is

one of the new breed. Very, very good draw shot player.

So two sets, nine ends. Three end tie-break if required.

The shot clock will be in play. 30 seconds to play the bowl. Four

time-outs in the first two sets with an extra one come the tie-break, but

you can carry the time-outs into the tie-break if you need to do so.

Robert needs to put five or six feet on his last bowl.

He doesn't really want to offer Stewart Anderson the opportunity of

lying two or three shots in the first end, John. No, that's right.

One of the points I would make, but if Stewart gets out of the blocks

fast he can blow you away very, very quickly. He needs to stick in there.

Robert might be tempted to have a go at this. There is no easy draw in.

It is not an easy strike either. There is nothing really inviting

there, Dave. I would have thought if he was going to draw this, he would

have moved to the forehand. A little tap on his bowl, but he wants to

make the correction. Another foot or so.

Players really don't like to have to play the running bowl first end.

They want to get into a rhythm. He has got second out of that. Well, it

is confirmed as two red. Stewart Anderson just trotting up as

the clock ticks down to ten seconds. Well, there is still that little

half-running shot, but he was very close for the draw on the backhand.

Yeah, I think he will stick with it, Dave. Well, there we go. He is

playing the runner in the forehand. He is trying to get on to his own

bowl. Oh dear, unlucky. It doesn't make any difference. Still the two

shots. APPLAUSE

Stewart Anderson has been involved in the Scottish elite squad for the

Commonwealth Games later this year in Glasgow. And it is bringing

another complication for the coach as to who he is going to select in

the key position for the singles. But Stewart by his own admission

hasn't really got an outdoor CV that would compare with some of the

others. No, I would be surprised if Stewart made the singles team. The

man on the mat will be defending his Commonwealth title, that's Robert

Weale. Won gold in India. This is a tidy little head of bowls.

Robert needs to pass the red and that will help. A clean jack would

have been better, but second-best. Just a little bit over weight. A

good spot at the back there. Robert could lie a very good three.

He needs to move the jack a few inches. Is he going to run? A good

try. Yes, that's good bowling though. Both players now finding the

range. We are just on the second end.

He needs to just hurry. Oh, it has dropped away. Yeah, it is a good

second. It makes it difficult for Robert to get in there. He certainly

can't get on to the jack on the front end of the jack anyway, Dave.

He doesn't want to sit back on it so he has got a problem here. Push the

red bowl out on the wide line and let it drift back in again. Down to

two seconds on that delivery. I don't think he would be terribly

worried about it. Yes, that's why he is on the high side. Understandably,

take the single. This is a wonderful arena at Potters

Leisure Resort. We hope to see a big crowd in as usual. Fantastic

facility for offices behind the rink which houses the press, the players

lounge and the director's office and of course, we're up here.

We are right behind the rink. A super view. Well, Robert is just

struggling in the early ends in this direction. The first bowl was short

and it is well down the green again. He will be aware, David, he doesn't

want to leave too much space for that first bowl because Stewart is

so monotonous. He really is a good frontrunner.

APPLAUSE And that's a good correction. You

are right John, Stewart Anderson once he gets into a rhythm he is

very, very hard to put down. He really can't afford to drop short

bowls. I can see what the intention was to

drop on to the red bowl. He just overplayed it.

Well, he hasn't made the correction. He is certainly arriving at the jack

or the bowl, but any weight at all and you're going to struggle to get

back. Robert switched sides, back on to the backhand side. Yes, I think

he was surprised he was just so heavy with the previous bowl. But

this has a bit of work to do. Here it comes. Not really.

I wonder would Stewart Anderson be tempted with a little runner here on

the inside line? He might get the two bowls and just draw it and try

and turn the jack. The saving grace for Robert is that short bowl is

covering the two greens. He is down on the inside line to try and get

the two green bowls. A bit of work to do for this to get back to them.

Close. Well, he managed to get one. A very good effort. Very controlled

weight. Stewart Anderson's dad, Billy, is

get Is his place on the front row. He comes to the events to give young

Stewart support. It is a good start by Robert. This

is what he needs to do. Just ask a few questions of Stewart.

This is a great reply. When your opposition gets one so close, you

are just delighted to be within five or six inches yourself. That's a

good second by Stewart. That's a descent start to the game. Both

players finding good weight, good line.

That's the right idea from Rob if you're going to play that, make sure

you're reaching up to the shot bowl. If you miss it, you come around

behind. Well, this has got a chance. Well,

that's beautiful. That really brings his back bowl into now. That's a

receiver. Yes, he couldn't have put this anywhere better. A brilliant

bowl. Using weight, Stewart Anderson. He is looking for a

connection. Well, that's good. Opened it up, Dave. Well, it is one

bowl singles now. He got a good solid contact. The jack has popped

down into the ditch. The green bowl will lie. There is a mountain of

room there. It is going to be hard to get close to t John, but he will

have to go down the narrow side. Yeah, distance isn't a problem, of

course, it is the space you have got on the board. The jack is well

across to the corner of the rink. Robert's not flirting too much with

the side ditch. That's pretty good. It is beatable,

but it is a descent bowl. The difficulty for Stewart here is that

he has got three shots against him and he cannot afford to really flirt

with the ditch. He may play the conservative shot. Yeah, he doesn't

want to be too over ambitious. You drop in a loose three. Second is

first priority. If he does beat the green bowl, it is a bonus. It is

going to be on the edge if anything. There it is. That's a confident man.

He is confident in his ability. A lot of players would have dropped

that bowl four or five feet short and would have been happy with

second, but not Stewart Anderson. Excellent recovery. Hit and draw.

There is Greg Harlow and his wife Kay. They are enjoying the game.

Greg playing later today. These two players, could have, David

will know each other very well because Stewart played for a couple

of seasons down in Wales and was a member of Robert Weale's indoor club

so they have probably played with and against each other on a number

of occasions so nothing new there. And Robert's game going very well.

Yes and somewhat different priorities for both players. Stewart

Anderson defending champion, of course, but well up the ranking list

and Robert Weale hovering at number 16. So a little bit of pressure

there. In a way I think Robert was unmore

pressure in that front -- under more pressure. Stewart is the bookies

favourite for this one, but Robert has got so much experience and he

will know being under dog might suit him. But saying that, you have got

to be able to play the bowls and he won't be happy with that.

Yes, all the players below Robert Weale on the provisional list, Simon

Skelton, all the players that could have bounced up in front of him have

gone. So at worst I reckon he will stay at number 16.

Robert is too experienced David, I think, to let that worry him. You

can't come on the green worrying about your ranking position. You

sort of tighten up and don't play your normal game. You have got to

relax and just play a normal game of bowls. That's easier said than done!

Stewart is not too happy with that. Well, he is not that far away. A lot

of head shaking on that one, Dave. He thought that one was well away.

Well, there is nothing easy for Robert here. It just has to be a

clean draw. If he drops it out, he could be in with a chance of a two

or three. That's the sort of aim, just draw to that back red bowl. It

is a big line there. The weight will have to be good on that line. Now,

he just overplayed it and disappointing really from Robert.

Well, certainly not big scoring, five ends played, a total of six

shots scored. Stewart Anderson two up. There is plenty of time for both

players. You might say it is cagey at the

moment, David, rather than spectacular. Yes, it is a steady

game. It hasn't really livened up. Both players staying away from the

running bowls. It is a chance to try and tidy up.

He needs to try and have a go at this.

Try and push it through. The short ball might come into play. There is

lots of options there. He is resisting the temptation of

looking at the drawing line. He's playing it back hand, underneath the

short balls. -- bowls. It is his personal preference. I

think it was the right shots to play. He needs to change is part a

little bit. I think you have to play weird shots to shake things up

sometimes. I talked to Rob at last week about the injury he had. --

Robert. He said he was not quite as confident as he would have liked to

have been. A bit of stress on the leg.

APPLAUSE. Stewart locked in behind the first bowl. He needs to up his

game a little bit. He is not reaching with this.

Very intelligent bowling from Stewart. It will be a bonus if he

gets another shot. He gets another shot. He's not too worried.

He was persevering with the draw shot.

It is easy action from Stewart Anderson. Good, consistent weight

with every bowl. And I think he was looking for the green. I think

Robert will have to look at hitting this now. Nothing much on the draw

bear. He has no choice. He has to play

through this. Hope for a good result. He is narrow. That is

virtually the first set,. -- that is virtually the first set gone.

The question was, coming into this, has he played enough bowls to match

Stewart? Stewart Anderson has played a lot of competitive matches.

It puts a lot of pressure on your opponent when you were surrounding

the jack. He is looking to make a slight

correction on his previous delivery. He is in the area. He needs a double

to continue into the last end. I can't see Robert getting any more

than one out of this. Stewart is very tactically astute.

He's a great player. Very calm, considered. I have got to say, he is

at the top of his game at the moment and he is certainly the man to beat.

Robert Weale played some good bowls, but Stewart was really doing

what he does best, John. Putting the pressure on his opponent. I felt

Robert had a chance, but I am a bit worried now because he needed to

start one. Stewart has control of the match, and it will be very

difficult for him now. Very difficult. It is not over until the

fat lady sings, David. He has been allowed a little bit too

much space. Ten inches away. Ten inches is

pretty good. There he goes. It is a highly trained working dog,

actually. I think the dog, like Robert, is a

bit too relaxed at the moment. He needs to do something.

Alarm bells are ringing for Robert Weale.

He was looking at the angle. Players have learned how to use it to their

advantage. They just have to get back in time.

I don't think he is comfortable using weight at the moment.

Stewart will take advantage of every opportunity. He is trying to keep

the scoreboard ticking over. Towards the respot position. That should be

close enough. Robert is being careful. He is

looking at whether the jack will bounce. If it bounces, it could come

off in the respot. He can't afford to be wide here.

He doesn't need a lot of weight on the indoor surface, though.

That full crotch delivery is not helping. -- that full crouched

delivery is not helping. He felt he was ready to come back. I

reckon he is about 70%. I do not think he is fully fit yet. It was a

nasty hamstring injury. As Robert is not hitting well, he

has sort of relaxed a little bit. Now he has decided to take a few

risks, put the pressure on. He's playing some decent balls. --

he's playing some decent bowls. Dropping short, but look where it

has finished. I don't think he would have expected to be this far clear

at this stage. That's short bowl forced Robert out

a little bit. He is getting somebody you out of it. -- he's getting some

value out of it. The problem is the weight control is not good enough.

Any extension on the jack and he was good. It was close.

is going to be really difficult. He's much too classy give that away.

He will be thinking this is damage limitation for Robert. That is about

as good as it is going to get at the moment. Just relax, and hope it gets

better. One loose one. The second one is

adjusted. There is still a chance for Robert

to get in. He hasn't had too many really good touchers. Oh, this is

struggling for weight. It is just not happening.

It is really difficult to see him getting back into this unless he can

lift his game. It is not great from Stewart, but it

is blocking the way in from the striking area.

A loose end. He is very quick on the delivery. The head is coming up and

he doesn't seem to have a feel for the carpet this afternoon.

Well, there is still a bit of room. That would be a very loose two at

this level. He got that one away a little bit

better, Robert. It is all about pace on that line. He has to negotiate

his own front ball. A solid connection would help. It is a good

weight, but he will take everything he can.

APPLAUSE He needed that, Robert. He will be

relieved to get on to the card in this set.

At the moment Robert is not playing well. He needs to take advantage of

that. He needs a three to get him back into the set. It is a little

bit better, but not enough to keep Stewart out and the difficulty is

John, when you go walkabout like this, it is hard to find a way back

and especially if you have got an injury because you have a tendency

to fall back on that a little bit and be careful with it. But I think

the opposition is the problem here. Stewart Anderson is so consistent.

Yes, Stewart is. You know Stewart is going to play a better second bowl

then. At this level of bowls, certainly

from the last 16 onwards you have got to be at your best. Mediocre

doesn't win you this championship. It can happen to anybody. If you get

an off day, you are it blown off the rink. It is a fact of life at top

level sport. Yes, there is no way back from that situation, but I

always think when it is going pear-shaped like this, when you try

and shake things up, you start and play running balls with your

secretary delivery, it -- second delivery, it may go wrong, but it is

only about have you got the opportunity to do that? There is no

running shot this end from Robert, he has to draw it and the way he is

going, well that's not going to happen. Stewart plays a poor first

bowl. He gets the second bowl in. The third bowl is coming in behind

the jack. There is no target. Robert can't run at anything here. He just

has to try and draw within an inch of the jack. It has been a while

since he managed to do that. Well, he is down on a good line

here. Will it get back in time? Just struggling a bit. That's a good

effort. Stewart doesn't really need to be too ambitious here. The old

high line drift. A really comfortable position in this match.

He can see it out now. Well, he will keep his

concentration. He realises he is no the over the line yet. One big ball

from Robert Weale will act like a switch from him. He wants to keep

the pressure on. He wants to keep scoring. That's a good effort.

You must keep operating. One more shot really for Stewart

Anderson will make it relax a little bit and keep it tight for the next

end and he should be through to the quarter-finals.

Well, there is always one, isn't there?

Yes, I have got the Swansea up here as well. A season ticket, John

Price. That canary is looking as sad as our swans are at the moment.

That's what I was thinking. I think you will both be safe. I wouldn't

bank on that. You don't know much about football, David. That's true!

Oh Robert. That is not what we expect from you. No.

You have got to say Stewart played well, bhu really he -- but really he

had very little to do. Nothing is coming back the other way. He is

playing really well. He has just been relentless Stewart Anderson and

Rob, well he just hasn't been at his best. He has been forced into these

running balls which he feels incredibly uncomfortable playing.

I think that's sensible, get the time-out. It won't look any better

when he gets up the top end. It is a really nasty line. Not much of a

target there, Dave. Look at the green bowls, they are little

policemen down the rink. Well, even if you are playing really well to

filter through those bowls and get to the red would be a tremendous

shot. The forehand, he has been pushing it out wide on the last

couple of occasions. Once again, Robert Weale facing a

difficult position. He was a good ball wide from the

target he was after and on a day like this, that's going to happen.

Stewart is just having a bit of a laugh on the way past because

whenever you get to this stage in the match, John, you sort of banter,

don't you, because you know it has all gone? Well, it has certainly

gone pear-shaped for Robert. He is taking solace with Sandra, the

umpire. He is probably saying to Sandra, "Go down and play the last

bowl for me." It looks like it could be number four and that would be a

situation that Robert plays his last ball and misses, it is going to be

all over. Oh, it is in front as well. That's a

cracking bowl. Deliberate or not, that's a cracking ball right in

front. Stewart is just smiling there.

APPLAUSE A time-out. Why not? When you get to

fours, 13-1. So there is no way back from that.

The best he can do is score three fours which there is no chance of

happening. Well, he is going for it. It looks

lying he is better -- like he is better, but it still looks a bit on

the wide side. Yes, the last bowl of Stewart's was good.

Three shots to Stewart Anderson. 12-1 after six. A nasty reading from

Wales? It is surprising bearing in mind Robert didn't play badly in his

first round. I think Stewart has played very very well, but you know,

I just felt he lost control of the match in that first set, the back

end of that set and he never recovered. Yes, from 5 had -2,

really losing the three and the two and that sort of set the tone.

Stewart got better and Robert has fallen off even more. Well, he has

fallen off really badly and in the set and you would expect a bit more

and that's not a criticism. Robert is a top champion. He is very, very

experienced and a good player, but he hasn't been at the races today.

It can happen to anybody, but it is a bad place to happen on the

portable rink in the World Championships and it is unfortunate.

That takes nothing away from Stewart's performance.

This is looking good again. Pops it in there. There we go. It is just

relentless. Well, with Robert Weale you just have to sit back and admire

it. He hasn't been on form todayks but all credit to Stewart Anderson

for keeping his concentration. The crowd are encouraging this bowl

forward. Once again, just falling short of a good bowl.

I think we are at the exhibition level now. He is on autopilot, isn't

he? Sandra is enjoying the banter with Stewart, but it is all over. We

know that. Robert is turning his back on this.

And really it has all gone. Well, I think it is over this end

happen. It happens to all of us. It has happened certainly in the past

and for me anyway, but you just sometimes go out there. You don't

find it. Your opposition is decorating the jack and it just goes

wrong. Just shake their hands and say all the very best. Good luck.

Oh, look at this. There we go. Number four. Oh dear, oh dear.

That's it Robert, just drop it down there. He is experienced to know

this is a one off match. Oh, he is looking at it coming back to the

jack. Is it going to make it? Oh, I don't believe it. There you go. He

gets the last big cheer, Robert Weale.

APPLAUSE It is one of these things, it

happens, but Robert Weale just had a tough day at the office. Stewart

Anderson takes the first set 10-2 and the second 12-2.

Defending champion cruises his way into the quarter-final and does so

in some style. So Robert Weale's efforts just to

save things, but missed in the last, well at the eighth end.

Once again Stewart Anderson just showing how well he has been

drawing. Pops another one in. Very little coming back his way. Stewart

Anderson taking full advantage by dropping another one in front. He

takes a three at that end to go 12-1 and it was just all too easy for the

defending champion today. The stats will show that. Ends won

11-4. The average shots per end, well it was double. Look at the

total shots scored, 22-4. Now, we wouldn't have thought that would

have happened in this match. It was just Stewart Anderson on top form

and Robert Weale just suffering a little bit.

A majestic performance from Stewart Anderson. How do you feel you

played? I was really pleased with my performance. It was another step up

from the first round because I was really nervous in the first round

and I just settled into my game and enjoyed it. Rob wasn't at his best

and he struggled to be at enjoyed it. Rob wasn't at his best

title, how do you feel that's going? Well, in a way I feel for Robert

because Robert came through a lot of injuries and I do put my hands up to

Robert and he will be back stronger. I have to keep it going. You can't

let it slip away because you know he will come back strong. The way you

played today, people will find it hard to think that you could get

better. Do you feel you could get better? Yes, I think I can get

better every performance. I play against my opponent, that's all I

do. Well, you did a pretty good job. You are through to the

quarter-finals. Well done. Let's look at how the last 16 are shaping

up. Stewart Anderson is through. Greg Harlow is to play Darren

Burnett later this evening. There is lots more to come here at

Potters. Here is how you can follow the bowls on the BBC.

As well as Human Rights on BBC Two and the -- highlights on BBC Two and

the Red button, we are live and the -- highlights on BBC Two and

always a chance to catch up using the BBCi player. You can contact us

on social media, Twitter and Facebook and not forgetting hashtag

BBC bowls and don't forget to follow the BBC Sport website for the latest

news. The World Championships are well

underway here at Potters. Tomorrow, we are on the Red Button at 10am for

Andy Thomson against John Price. That's round two. Both men the

senior men in the tournament. 58 Andy Thomson against 53-year-old

John Price. Both are former champions. Tomorrow afternoon, it is

the ladies final and that's at 1pm on BBC Two. So the World

Championships are progressing, but it is an important year for the

sport with the little matter of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

2014 is a bumper year in the sport of bowls. As well as the World

Indoor Championships, several bowlers are looking forward to the

Commonwealth Games where the sport will be one of the most popular

events. We met up with some of the potential home nation participants.

The Scottish team for Glasgow will not be finalised until March, but

the depth of talent presents a fob for the head coach and selector. As

well as many high cla out door specialist, David can call on the he

2013 world singles champion, Stewart Anderson. Former Welsh Open winner

Darren Burnett is in the mix. So the coach has big decisions ahead.

Scotland is blessed with having a huge talent pool. That's where the

selection process is key and really important. So from the very

beginning we is the out a -- we set out a selection criteria. It is a

challenge, but it is a good challenge to have.

David is still a high ranking player on the circuit himself. How

difficult is to remove himself from the friendships of the bowls

community? In many ways, it is a good thing because it gives me an

insight to the guys. I get to know, you know, how good, they are in form

at any time. I know their strengths and weaknesses. I have grown up with

a lot of these guys. In many ways, I think it is an advantage rather than

a disadvantage. We have got to separate, you know,

your emotions from selecting the team. I always said I would select

the best team as if my life depended upon it and the guys know it, but

the backing I have got from other players has been amazing. Being

centre stage and Scotland will be a special moment for the most seasoned

bowls campaigners. Foster and Marshall have won pretty much

everything in the game, but this summer will have the adrenalin

pumping like never before. The Commonwealth Games in Scotland will

be huge. Everybody is talking about it now. There is still a couple of

months left to see who gets selected. There is plenty of guys in

the mix. We will see what happens. You can't get a bigger spectacle

than playing the Commonwealth Games in your own country. If I get to

play, I will come away with a medal, but gold would be icing on the cake.

It would be a great achievement for myself to get into the first

Commonwealth and the expectation and all the players will be so high and

really looking forward to it. The top quality facilities sit at

the heart of Glasgow City centre and in the shadow of the impressive

museum and art gallery building. Come July, this location will be

packed with home support. It is a great stage to show case the sport.

Where is the stand going to be? It is going to be bigger. They are

going to have a stand up there and there will be seats around here. How

many people sf 5,000. It is going to be amazing. This venue is probably

the best bowling venue I have ever been to anywhere in the world and

even coming here today in January, it gives you goose bumps when you

look at architecture and the history of this place. We are in the heart

of Glasgow here and we have got six bowling greens. It is amazing. The

support we will get from the Scottish public will be incredible.

So we're really looking forward to it. Obviously the home support, they

will have high expectations of the Scottish team because we have done

so well in other years. We are in the firing line. Those who get

picked, there will be added pressure on because everybody knows Scotland

is a top, top nation at bowls. This is our Olympics. The strongest

nations in the world will be competing in the Commonwealth Games

at bowls. That's not necessarily true for all sports, but it is true

for bowls. In many respects, we are still considered a minority sport

even though we are probably the second biggest sport and governing

body in the UK. This is a shop window for our sport and if these

guys win any medals, they will be national heroes overnight.

The 2014 World Championship wasn't the best week from a playing point

of view for David, but he will be keeping a close eye on the

performances of his elite team squad members. A win at Potters would do

no harm at all! Well, a man with experience of the

Commonwealth Games is David Corkhill who has joined me. Corky, just

explain for the life of a bowler in the year there is the World

Championships and the Commonwealth Games, how important is that? It is

multi-sport. You are part of a large organisation and there is different

demands upon it as well. It only comes around once every four years

as well. Scotland in particular had a monumental disaster in India and

they have brought in David. That steadied the ship. A good

appointment and they are going to be, well I would say they are a

target of two medal. Four or five they might be on for. Reflecting on

the match that we have seen, the Commonwealth Games champion, Robert

Weale, way below his performance this afternoon. How good was Stewart

Anderson? Well, Stewart was excellent today. The difficulty for

players when your opponent isn't playing well is concentration.

Robert will be disappointed. He did his best. He has a few ranking

points. But he will be fit for the Commonwealth Games and that will

make a difference. Alison Merrien is taking on Katherine Rednall. Let's

take a look at the ladies semifinal line-up. Rebecca Field against Julie

Forrest from Scotland. Katherine Rednall is taking on

Alison Merrien. That's our next match on BBC Two. It is time to get

things going with our MC. Well, making her WBT debut

appearance this year is this young 18-year-old from Suffolk, the 2012

national Champion of Champions, ladies and gentlemen, Katherine

Rednall. Now to a lady with many world titles

to her credit. Last year's finalist and the 2011ed ladies match play

champion, your appreciation please for Alison Merrien, MBE.

Fascinating game in front of others. Katherine Rednall is a prodigious

talent. She certainly is. If sheep uses the form -- if sheep producers

the form which she has been showing this week, it will be a tough match.

I think it is fair to say Katherine is moving up a level against a

world-class player in the shape of Alison Merrien. Alison has been

around for a long time. Alison is still on form. Not many people can

touch her. She is dominance. I have got the fortunate task of coaching

the Jersey team in the Commonwealth Games. I am looking forward to that.

Talented squad, both the men and the ladies. Hopefully, they will do

well. Good opening holes here. -- good opening bowls here.

Two really good bowls from Katherine. She doesn't appear to be

suffering from any nerves, does she, David? I haven't noticed anything

which indicates that she struggles with the atmosphere. She is lapping

it up, loving it. Alison looks like she is winding up

here. She will be happy with that, Alison.

It was a good strike but not a very good result. No, no.

Her strength will be getting close to the jack, particularly in the

first few bowls. They are all struggling to come back

to the centre here. I think Katherine has to be careful and not

underestimate Alison here. If she alleges the jack, that would

be a bit of a bonus. -- if she ages the jack.

I would expect Alison to try and tickle the jack. She's on the

backhand. She has enough weight to make the damage on the red bowls.

It is one of those teasing end, isn't it? Alison is experienced

enough. Nine times out of ten, they do not come off. Katherine looks to

be not running with this one. Probably quite wise.

There is Katherine's dad and ground. -- dad and grandma.

That was a missed chance, because it has left a door open. It certainly

has. Alison's parents, watching from the players lounge. Perfect view.

She could have made two or three there.

A chance for Alison to score a double.

Hasn't really swathed interaction gets. There are signs of some very

good bowling. Both players are playing quite well. They will both

be reasonably happy with the start. We are eating jelly babies. Well,

you are. I am an athlete, you were just a commentator.

Thanks to Natasha for the jelly babies. It was a great big buckets

of them. They will keep you going for the rest of the week, I think.

If you play against a player with a lot of natural talent, but in many

ways, relatively little experience, you move the jack around. Sometimes

it is very subtle. It shakes them up a little bit. I think that is

exactly what Alison is doing. She has seen how talented cartoonist. --

she has seen how talented Katherine is.

She's more confident on the forehand side.

She is in the area. I could see what she was after. Damage limitation.

She's been quite clever at the moment, which is quite right. Using

all her experience. Katherine needs a good bowl to settle her down a

little bit. She is showing a lot of maturity. If

a player has the last bowl at the end, they do not need to play it.

Any movement on the jack here must be good for Alison.

Impressive CV for an 18-year-old. She is an outdoor under 25 winner,

also senior international. She used to play a lot football. She

decided to go down the bowls way. You can travel the world with bowls.

I have a daughter myself who is about to do a test. She will be

expecting a car, I am sure. Dad John, sitting in the back row,

quietly out of the way. Business end of the set now. The

last two sends, five all. Good first bowl.

Better bowl here from Katherine. Yes, that wins it. Just got enough

of the jack to touch it round the corner and fall back. That's not

going to be easy to beat. If you are going to win these sort

of matches, those are the sorts of bowls you have to play. Alison has a

chance here. Nearly. Changes things a little bit. Given her a shoulder

to come off on the forehand. Important Katherine puts another

bowl on the head here. I think that last bowl will force

Alison now into an attacking bowl. Try to remove both the red bowls. A

backhand runner here. That's what she's playing. With a

little bit of power. Straight bowls should hold for a long time, but

it's just coming under now. I don't think that's going to make any

difference, the angle wasn't right. The bowl was on the narrow side.

That's when the narrow angle bowls really do struggle. Harder to play

that type of shot. The bigger bias bowl will allow you to come back to

the centre easier. -5 to Katherine, one end to go.

This will be an interesting nervy last end for both players, but who

can hold those nerves the best? Katherine has got no nerves. It's

the joy of being a teenager, Andy, she just doesn't seem to feel the

pressure. No, I don't think she does. That is a good opener, exactly

what she wanted. I have seen experienced international players

with 10, 15 years behind them at the top level, struggle in the portable

rink. No sign of it with this lady. Wide and heavy from Alison.

Chasing the two deep bowls are never going to go amiss. That's another

good bowl here from Katherine. Good stuff. Unfortunate just to stay jack

high. That's what you need, in in the middle of the afternoon. Banana

to keep you going. This bowl running through, it looks tuberculosis. She

pulled that across her body. Doesn't need all the weight. -- tight.

She needed that a little bit deeper really. Not bad though because it

covers the respot. She's going again. This is

high-risk. Oh, dear. Not sure about that weight, Andy. You want to keep

the bowl on the green. To score two now, it's almost going to be

impossible, if Katherine puts a deep bowl in. She's got the respot

covered. She wants to cover the ditch. She's line two. Well, it's

going to be tough. The crowd are buzzing there because I don't think

they really agreed with that shot either. Katherine, have you gone

deep? Oh, I'm not sure. Oh, Katherine this is a big, big

mistake. Why is she coming into the head? She should have been the

deepest bowl. That is not what she wanted. The crowd are clapping. Jack

in the dish, Alison scores two here. Less weight and try and control it

and run the jack with her bowl. Not easy the way it's sitting. It looks

like she is going heavy again. I think she's pulled it again. Well...

I have to say, that's not good driving. I don't think it was the

right tactics either. Katherine gave her a chance. However, it's the

first set to Katherine Rednall. Referendum four shots and the first

set to Katherine Rednall. COMMENTATOR: Katherine Rednall

played steady bowls and kept the pressure on when Alison was moving

the mat and the jack all around. She succeeded the last two ends, a four

and a two. 11 shots to five, in the first set. The young lady from

Ipswich. REFEREE: Jack line, 27.5 meters.

COMMENTATOR: Slight disturbance. Alison just taking her time. Yes,

the clock was stopped as well. It's down and running.

That's a beauty. She's not letting go. Rightly so.

Came strong in the second part of that set, did Katherine, she wants

to just continue it. At the moment, Alison's just lost her way a little

bit. Alison had a very good win in the first round, or the previous

round, against Karen Murphy, 7-7 the first set. On sebgdcond 12 shots to

three. -- on the second, 12 shots to three.

APPLAUSE What a find she has been. Just

decide enter, have a go. Here she is looking very good indeed. Hopefully,

that will encourage more women to have a go. A chance here to play in

the portable rink. It's not only that, Andy, selectors

see that sort of performance, not just the performance, also the way

she is handling the pressure. There are very few international bowlers

who actually play in front of this sort of crowd? You are right,

exactly. Almost 1,000 spectators here almost every day. It's big

pressure. She's handling it really well, is Katherine.

Well, it's a good blocker. I don't think it was intended to be there.

It's given Alison problems. She will have to play it on the forehand. The

backhand is out of action. Her weight shots have been rather off

target. If she's playing the forehand it must be weight. Much

more controlled weight. Allowing the ball to drift a little bit. Drifting

too much. The red bowl turned out to be not so much in the way.

Katherine Rednall will not be in the running for the Commonwealth Games,

Andy, the England team have a very strong ladies team, I think, for

Glasgow. They certainly are talented team, is the England team. Not

announced yet. I think it's a few months yet. It's in the mix. Down to

their elite squad, 10 men and 10 women at the moment. The women did

well. The men not so well. The strength is in the women's side, at

the moment, at that level. Alison will not be there, by the looks of

it. No, she hasn't gained enough points with the Guernsey

Commonwealth Games system. Slightly controversial that was.

I'm sure all my Gurnsey friends will be sending me letters about that.

Why don't you shut up about Alison's selection. It's certainly a

controversial area, but I always Luke hear both sides of the story

before I start making comments. Katherine changes her hand and draws

the shot. It's early days. Alison should just

be thinking about popping a few bowls into the head, wait for the

opportunity. Pick up a count. She's just not drawing well enough with

the first two deliveries. , her game has gone off.

Once again a good first bowl, not fold up with a second and a third.

Leaving the door open again. Alison's just not at the moment

grouping the bowls together. Facing problems.

Katherine, can you take advantage here and add another. I don't think

she's running. Well that was a chance. Yes, a missed chance,

indeed. Alison's going to try and fade inside her front green one.

Nothing else available. She has chances here David, push the red

bowl out, put the jack deep. Here we go. Again, it's a tight line bowl.

It may hamper her a little bit. Once you go wide, I'm afraid, like this

bowl, you will not get back. That particular manufacturer that the

bowls are made by have a variety of models which do bend. Surprised

she's going for that particular fine line model. She was happy in the

first game with the bowling. She did lean with them. She feels

comfortable with the bowl. Occasion Ali, shots are more difficult with

them. Right away, Katherine is getting a little bit of a lead here,

3-0, second set. -- occasionally. She's getting there with the second.

Keeping the pressure on. Really, Alison hasn't really got that first

bit going, the first two bowls. The last three or four ends Alison has

struggled to get anything within a foot of the jack. Not quite

comfortable here on the carpet. That's better. That wins it. A lot

better. Forcing Katherine into, shall we

say, the more difficult shot. I'm surprised a little bit. I thought

she might have changed onto the forehand.

The backhand is OK, she can tap her own bowl. Bringing the jack into the

green one. She played it four feet away. If it stops any time now it

will get in the way. That's the forehand out of

commission. REFEREE: One green.

COMMENTATOR: It will be interesting to see what Katherine plays here.

She is attacking. Oh, that's a hard shot, Andy, that sort of weight.

I think that might have been trying to draw that and hope to touch the

red bowl. I've been with Katherine quite a bit. We talked about the

shots to play in. I think she will realise that that's a difficult one.

Just a draw here for Alison. Try and draw another.

It's going to be difficult enough to drift it back in time. It's coming

back. It will still struggle. Just a little bit heavy. She's on the

board, in the second set, is Alison. REFEREE: One shot, Alison Merrien.

COMMENTATOR: 3-1, after three ends. All very cagey at the moment.

COMMENTATOR: That didn't look right, out of the hand. She's making the

recovery with the second bowl. She wants to get that first bowl going

again. As does Alison really, the first bowl puts a lot of pressure on

the opposition. A chance now for Alison to put the

pressure on, close the door, get a really good bowl in.

Struggling. She's going to have a bad end here. Already three down.

I'd expect another one to be added. Not Katherine's best end.

Carrying a little bit. I thought it was number four. It's probably going

to push that one out. Dropped away herself. I wonder if it's only the

two now. REFEREE: Two green. A poor bowl by

Alison. Certainly was. She was a little bit heavy with that one.

Katherine just needs to find a yard on her previous deliveries. Second

bowl, she'll be happy with that. Push it out on a good line. It looks

better. A lot better. Here it comes. Second shot.

APPLAUSE She walks down the rink and says -

why could I not do that with the other three? Exactly.

That was another opportunity for Alison Merrien there. Lying three,

trying to draw for four, bang it in close. We are not saying that

Katherine wouldn't have drawn the same shot, it's different with four

against you than it is two? If Alison had put a good close one in

there, Katherine was under a lot more pressure. Only facing two down,

it's not quite as much. REFEREE: 29. 5 meters.

COMMENTATOR: Now back to 29.5. Going back to the tactics used earlier on.

Changing the length. It's important to get that opening bowl in.

You're very harsh. 10 inches away from the jack, a full length. Great

starter. This is even better. I'm a hard task master. Yes. You must be a

tough skip to play for. That's a lovely line coming down

here. Is it just carrying a little bit? It is.

Once again, very close again. Stay on the high side. And, she has.

Perfect. Oh, that's two great bowls. A different jack length as well. I

think we might see Alison here with the heavy one. Here we come.

Close. Very. Great strike. That will go on the respot. I think she's

getting a good result out of this. Pushed her green bowl through. The

jack, we can see, is off the side. Check these two bowls, one of them

is a toucher, yes, the red one. That stays in the ditch and is live. The

jack is outside the confines of the rink, which is the yellow marker on

the bank. So that comes into the are respot position. A good strike and a

good result. She hit the target and got fortunate pushing her own green

bowl across, but it's a good strike. You're going to have to play across

the rink. She looks narrow. A bit light on it

as well. It might stop Alison playing the forehand.

REFEREE: About four feet. COMMENTATOR: Amazing the different

term ocean we have, Andy, in the sport. I made my way to the

commentary box today and who gentlemen stopped me and talked

about the cot as the jack. Yes, certain parts of the country have a

name for the jack. Well played. Got to be worth reaching. A good

draw for second. Very useful when you are 4-1 in front. Much better

line with this. Is she too heavy? Too wide. The weight is keeping her

out, Andy. It will dive towards the end. Here it comes. Yep. As you say,

it was a bit too wide as well. Two great bowls from Katherine Rednall,

ends up losing the double. REFEREE: Jack line, 26. 5 meters.

Changing it again, Alison Merrien. 26. 5 meters. The variations

continue. COMMENTATOR: Alison has decide to

forego the backhand and change to the forehand. Katherine is always

going to play this side. Good change in tactic.

Just lacking that 2-macro feat. That would've been merely good.

It is a counterweight. -- it is all down to wait.

This is a good shot opportunity. Stretch her away little if she gets

a double. " Jack. -- her family would not be happy if they do not

see her scoring again. 28 metres is allowing Alison Merrien

delivered on. Alison has to be really careful

here. Any movement on the jack will not be to have advantage.

She's close here. Very close. Oh, well played. APPLAUSE.

She pushed the ball onto the jack. It was a confident shots. She played

it well. Katherine Rednall is to up. -- two

up. Two to play. She needs to get at least one shot

here. I agree. She is almost in the final.

This has got a bit of work to do to combat. -- come back.

Alison is faced with an awkward situation.

Katherine not sure where to put this last bowl.

Realistically, anything down there is good. She's going in for the kill

if she done for this. That was a good seat option. --

gutsy option. She's forcing Alison into playing a very difficult shots

here. I think you have got to take a

gamble, Alison. It is a struggle for the bowl to get

back of the centre. Neither very good start. Katherine

will run for cover. Katherine has played very well.

She has certainly played a very mature much.

It looks on as impossible to score a four year.

What a feeling this must be. Great feeling. It must be great. There she

goes. Well, Katherine, congratulations.

Alison is taking her time, rightly so.

There is nothing there for her. I cannot even see anything. There is

just nothing there. She knows she won't score a full. --

four. A smarm are from the 18-year-old. --

a smile there from the 18-year-old. Katherine gets a single. She takes

the match. Her stats are fairly comprehensive.

The drawing ability of Katherine Rednall really did win the day.

There is Katherine Rednall. She's the youngest finalist this

competition. How good does that sound? Yes. Really pleased to have

got to the final. I played some of my best bowls. Alison was great as

well. How much did yesterday help you today? The mixed players final

was brilliant. Another close game. I think it did help in front of the

crowd and the cameras. What was the pressure like playing in front of

your family as much as anything else? There is no pressure with her

family. Really? No. That got the day off work and I am really pleased

he's here. How did you manage to get the day off school? I was meant to

be in school this week but my headteacher has been really good and

said I can have as much time as I need. Congratulations and well done

on becoming the youngest finalist. Thank you. Congratulations to

Katherine. Big day for her. Hopefully, she will get more time

off school. We will ship in the final? We will look at who was she

has got. Rebecca Field is up against Julie Forrest.

We will pick this up at the start of the second set. Rebecca comfortably

won the first. There is Alison Merrien, looking

forward to her semifinal this afternoon.

Bad results, Rebecca. She will be disappointed with that. A chance for

Julia. An opportunity to tighten it up.

Rebecca has played a lot of good bowls.

It is one of these shots that pop up every now and again.

Basically, Rebecca needs to work on her second bowl.

She is left in a position of no real position.

I am sure there must have been a game that was singles every

thing-macro. Once again, the last end, it was it

is certainly different this time, you just feel that Julie is

loosening up. She needs to shake this game up. Julie changed her

tactics on the last end and did not score a shot but Julie needs to up

her game. They are playing neat bowls. You just feel that Julie is

chugging along in second gear. She really needs to ratchet it up a bit.

Changing her hand, good tactic. The opening two deliveries were not

close enough. Let's give this hand a go. A decent swing in this hand. She

is good with this one. It needs an edge and she has got it, that is a

winner. Struggling with pace with this one.

Now, Julie, spare shot opportunity. Merely needs to take this. -- really

needs. It is a nice good, high Road. She

has a chance with this one. It will be a measure for the first double in

the match. My feeling is we will be heading for another single.

That's quite close. Yes, and the bowl sitting down, you normally go

with the one with a bulge on it and that is a red one. It might be just

the one. Hard to tell. From our position, it looks just like one.

I would put a measure on it, I really would. They are coming out

with a measure. It is not always easy to check out. Sandra will

confirm one way or the other. UMPIRE: One-shot, Julie Forrest. She

missed her chance. We thought it was only the one on the rings.

A lovely arena here at Potters Leisure Resort. You can see where

the tournament office is, the players' lounge. And we are in

darkness which is the best way to keep us. We get a great view from

the commentary box. Just keep us out of vision, David!

A face for radio, is that what you are saying?

The first time that Rebecca has led on the backhand side. Opening ball

of Julie Pozner forcing her onto the backhand side. -- opening ball of

Julie's. We have not seen too much grouping

of the bowls. That is better from Julie. Once again, it has forced

Rebecca onto the backhand side when she hasn't played beside a lot. --

played this side. Julie needs another one in behind the jack for

cover. I am assuming the depth was

deliberate. She was definitely trying to get a back bowl. Probably

didn't need to go as deep as that. Always helps to have the deepest

bowl. Rebecca is playing a narrower line, a more positive shot and I

think she will go under. That hasn't really helped. I think she is now

two shots down. The danger is, will be two

cabbages... I think they are just about level with each other, the

deep ones. Excellent bowl. A really good bowl,

she needed that. Three down, quite a big target,

here. You would expect Rebecca to hit something here, take some of the

bowls out. A big drive, some interesting

terminologies for the drive, call it what you will. A case of hitting the

target. What a bowl. Maximum results, and

it. She picked up a treble. Hits the

target, all three balls cleared out of the head, what a result. Good

weight. That is possibly a matchwinner for Rebecca Field.

There is my mixed pairs partner, Catherine, ready for her big game

this afternoon. Players watching in the players lounge.

A massive six shot turnaround there. That was a big turnaround. From

three down to three up. I think Julie could take a bit of

confidence from that. It was a good end. She just needs to repeat that.

It will be interesting to see how Julie Forrest response to that. The

first time that she has really had a good position, a lovely played

weight shot, it shows the damage you can do. Exactly, if I was Rebecca, I

would agree. She should take confidence from that end.

Has it knocked her confidence? We'll have to see.

This bowl could cause Julie some problems.

Three shots but they are all two feet away. I would expect Julie to

be better with this one. She just needs to push the ball out and it is

a big hand, this backhand. Gently on the jack... Goodness me,

did that pull away quickly? I think she has got the shot. The trouble is

she is still underplaying the line and now there is a chance for

Rebecca to move the jack a couple of inches. Readily available on both

hands but she has been preferring the backhand.

She gets a shot. Good enough, she will be happy enough. The last bowl

has been very effective from Rebecca. This match would have been

totally different except for three or four last bowl deliveries.

Rebecca has played a lot of big last bowls. But Julie must draw the shot

here. She has got it. Into-macro oh, yes.

Well played. Massive bowl.

UMPIRE: One-shot, Julie Forrest. A wider line, just had enough weight

to sneak up to the red bowl and drop-in for number one.

UMPIRE: Jacklin 28.5 metres. -- jack length.

A different tactic here from Julie. Slightly longer length. I think she

is still thinking here on the rink. She is a good tactician, Julie.

Good correction here from Rebecca, excellent bowl, well played.

Corrections were needed, and the big bowl when required. That has been

the difference, Rebecca has played the big bowls when required.

Great shot. She was a bit unlucky there.

That has got her down to one. A match last night and a lot of bowls

were played like that by layers where everything seems to go wrong.

Good bowl but did not get the shot. I think in those's case I don't

think he got the run of the green. Are intended to call that shot in

the future a Les! He was so unlucky last night, it was unbelievable. I

think Jonathan Ross deserves a little break now and then. Julie,

not a great head you are facing. Difficult to see how she will score

here. That is exactly the situation if you pick up the jack and it

bounces to the opposition, left virtually nothing. She had better be

quick. Wow. One second to spare. She is in the area, will it get back?

No. Try to peel the ball out clean. One second, I honestly thought she

would lose that one. I was looking forward to hearing the bus this

morning, David. It picks me up. -- hearing the buzzer. Another single.

Rebecca happy with the one. It has been a very tidy, professional

performance by Rebecca Field. The large crowd here have certainly

appreciated this match. Obviously, we will be very fair but the local

woman will obviously have the extra bit of support. The majority will be

favouring the Norfolk girl. The crowd just want to see good bowls.

They are a fair crowd. It is the big end seven. Julie you

feel probably needs to score here. Seventh end, a key end in the nine

end set. One that the player who is trailing needs to score. And it is

essential that Julie Forrest get something out of this. Good bowling,

Andy, but not many really nailing the jack. Not much grouping together

of the bowls, shall we say. Lots of big bowls, most of them played by

Rebecca. She is just not getting the weight.

Just overplaying it. She can put a lot of pressure on Julie here if she

has a good close bowl. There is room here for Julie, after

that slightly heavy shot. Given a third batch of the Cherry and she

really shouldn't have been allowed that. -- third bite of the cherry.

I think she is still one down. It had just run through.

Another chance for Julie Forrest. She is three down so there is lot of

pressure on this bowl. If she fails here, I think the game

is all over. She plays off the wide line all the

time with the position of the mat. It will have to stop quickly.

She scores another single on this end.

Lots of discussions about who would be the best player, it is hard to

tell because there are some fantastic players in the southern

hemisphere. Jo Edwards from New Zealand. Yes, currently one of the

top players. I would agree, they have been many good players.

Outdoor, Karen Murphy. Super player outdoors, and going back a bit and

Julie Forrest's CV is amazing. Julie will be first to admit that perhaps

it has not been her year. It does not look as good here, but I agree,

talented player. She has perhaps not played her best bowls on the

portable rink. Norma Shaw, she was a fantastic player for England. Or

Margaret Johnson from your neck of the woods, another talented player.

It is hard to tell the generations as well. It really is.

And then you are looking at this, the indoor, outdoor situations.

Melee talented lady players -- many talented. But things are not looking

good for Julie here at the moment. Rebecca sees the finishing line now.

You just feel that she has lost her way.

Rebecca is going to have a look at this head.

I think she would do well to block the way in for Julie and stop I

think she is putting a position bowl in here, and covering the inner

spot. Julie being left with a difficult

shot once again. She is in heaps of trouble. Four

yard short on the forehand might be useful and forced Julie into trying

to draw the shot. That runner, Julie's green bowl was blocking her

out. In a lot of trouble. It looks like probable last end of the game

here. UMPIRE: Time-out called. Three

time-outs remaining. Hasn't used one yet so she can take all four in one

go if she wanted. She knows that she is in a very good position. Even for

Julie to draw, it would be very difficult. Doesn't matter what she

does here, but don't put it anywhere near the head. They are asking each

other what they think. Custer's last stand comes to mind! A bit late to

be thinking what you think at the end!

This is difficult for Julie. I think tried to draw the shot. There is no

other shot on, and nest she plays a backhand bowl onto the jack, bounces

it up the ring. This is just so difficult to get out of this.

UMPIRE: Time-out called. The backhand runner might be the only

way because there's nothing on the forehand except an absolute draw to

within an inch of the jack. So difficult. The jack may come in

in a different direction. It is all over. Rebecca Field picks

up the double and I have to say, the defending champion really did play

well in that match. Very consistent drawing but pulled out some really

big bowls when needed. Thoroughly deserves to win. An amazing match in

some ways in the first set, Andy, because all the singles that were

played. The majority going to Rebecca, and I would agree with you,

without doubt, Rebecca was the better player on the day are due to

their second final, she will be delighted.

Defending champion is through to the final once again and she will play

Catherine read Noel in the youngest ever line-up for the women's final.

These two met a couple of his ago in the other 25, edition and Catherine

came out on top and that is live tomorrow.

There is one match that we haven't brought you news on so far It. Part

in the men's competition, took place last night between Les Gillett and

Jonathan Ross. Ross leads 3-2 having won the first set.

COMMENTATOR: Jonathan Ross, the man from outside Belfast, now living in

Paisley. He got over the line in the first set. He played good o bowls in

the second set. Good drawing, good conversion shots.

We have thought for many years that Jonathan Ross has under performed,

as regards to his overall ability on television events. Maybe it's his

year. Up against this man, Les Gillett,

well-known to both of us, John, and to many of the top players on the

circuit. Really good player. Trying to

reestablish himself. He has just found it a little difficult, when he

has had the chances in recent years on the portable rink, he hasn't

quite lived up to the expectation. There is no doubt in his class,

David. I don't think anybody would want to draw Les. His defeat of his

opponent in the first round proves that. Sets wise, 8-3, 2-8 and 2-1

the tie-break. Wasn't much in it, David Gourlay would have realised

that Les Gillett was a very dangerous opponent.

Doesn't want that. That's a bad result. Thought it might have gone

in on the openside then. Always the danger of turning that green bowl

in. Yes, Les was unlucky to lose the

first set. Jonathan managed to get the edge off his shot bowl, push it

off the jack. Little touch on the jack. That will

bring it out into the open, just a little bit more. UMPIRE: Two green.

COMMENTATOR: Les is in a bit of bother now. He was looking good at

one stage. Dropping a second bowl in. Hits the green one, now he has

two against him. When he gets to his last delivery he's likely to have

three against him. This is looking good for the third.

He's left a shoulder. Les really should be attacking this. Not a

great last bowl, it isn't. He's going for it. Lots of opportunities.

He's in the area. How's his luck? Hasn't got any. Hasn't got any. Some

days it doesn't pay to get out of bed. Unbelievable.

Definite two and a measure for the third. That's a few times now that

Les has been in the area for running bowl and got absolutely nothing out

of it. The umpire will come out and sort this out.

UMPIRE: Two shots, Jonathan Ross. APPLAUSE

UMPIRE: Backlength, 28. 5 meters. -- jack length, 28. 5 meters.

APPLAUSE COMMENTATOR: Another good opener.

Problem for Les now, he can't afforded to see Jonathan stretching

away in this set much he has to hang in there. Next two ends probably

crucial, needs to score. Another good bowl onto the green. It's just

not happening at the moment for Les. Yes. He's been very close on a lot

of occasions, but a little bit of luck has gone against him. It's a

bit like driving a car with one flat tyres and he mansion to get one of

the tyres that does have a puncture. It keeps going. He's been a bit

unlucky, that's all. He's going to have to start stepping

up a gear because he's running out of time.

Not in good shape here. Two not bad bowls, but they're short of a

length. If he tucks one under in front of that jack, he's in big

trouble. Has a bit of work to do this bowl.

He's got a chance though. Here it comes. Gently, don't drop back on

the jack. Oh, he's hung onto it. I thought if that jack had of moved to

the green bowl, I would have said Les, think about the white flag.

That's a beauty. He's in there. Les is on the old energy drinks. Not

sure about that, mate, energy drinks, 240 volts might not go amiss

on occasions, just to inject a little bit of something into his

veins because he is a talented player. You just feel, if he comes

out with one really big bowl, he could change everything in this

match. Good effort by Jonathan. Jonathan

hasn't got the shot. He is making it very difficult for Les to add

another. He is closing everything down, isn't he?

Didn't push it through. Better to get the jack, play safe. Get the

single. Track in hand. He can change things. He's a flow player. If he

can get into a flow, he can make things very difficult, but really

needs to start score next couple of ends. Start taking this match to

Jonathan Ross. That is what happens with Jonathan Ross, actually, if

he's allowed freedom he will play and play well. When you start

putting him under pressure, that running bowl starts to become

inconsistent. You are probably right, Dave. You know Jonathan

better than I do, you have long association through the Irish team

with Jonathan. Talented player, he hasn't really got close to a final

in the events. He had a semi-final many years ago. He will be keen to

do well. That's what Les needs to do. Another foot on that, it would

have been a really good bowl. Just leaving a little bit of room.

It's also the fact he has been left out of the Scottish International

Indoor team this year. He has been playing with them for the last few

years. I think Jonathan has a little edge in his game. He wants to prove

the fact that the selectors were wrong to do that. Good run here.

Might help. Large teams of course and six rinks

of four players. 24 players. When you take into consideration how many

bowlers there are, it's quite an elite group. Yes Scotland is

strength and depth. Not many poor players in Scotland.

If that drops, it's got a chance, just holding up. UMPIRE: It's about

11 inch. COMMENTATOR: That would be Les

changing, I would have thought, onto his forehand.

APPLAUSE. Good bowl. Got to be tempting for

Jonathan now to run the two off. Decent size of target. Still got an

open draw on his backhand side. He doesn't favour running on his

forehand. He might stay away from that. He's deciding to draw. Prefers

the weight shot on his backhand. He's got a chance. Just the wrong

side of the red one. UMPIRE: One, red.

COMMENTATOR: Really, Les has option, he could play the same bowl, Dave,

draw it in and close it out on the backhand side. If he turns the jack

six inches he could make a four out of it. Certainly worth a chance to

get to the back green bowl. Forehand, he can come in on the wide

side. This bowl will take a big heavy dip at the end. Not quite

enough. Looks like a decent line, for

Jonathan. Oh, is he going to make the gap? It will be one. 5-4, three

to go. Les Gillett fighting his way back in

this second set, 5-2 down. Now 5-4. Three ends to go. The mat is well up

the rink. 24 meters, let's see how Les gets on with his first delivery.

APPLAUSE That is not a bad start.

UMPIRE: One, red. 10 inches your bowl.

COMMENTATOR: Les playing his backhand. Needs to hurry with this

one to get in front of the green. Just making it.

APPLAUSE. Jonathan coming down to have a look.

There are choices for Jonathan Ross, he will have a look to see what the

angles are like. He can draw either side, not a particular problem with

that. There is also a temptation, that is onto the green bowl. He will

take a time out. I fancy the runner on this. He's been playing them

pretty well, getting results from them.

Well, deciding on the draw. This has to be very accurate.

Always useful, if he didn't want to play that split with the next bowl.

All three bowls will certainly disappear. Les will be trying to get

one just behind the jack, if he can, we usually find this is the key end

for any player that's in front. Win this and the opposition is really

chasing things. I don't think there will be any mess

being this time. He has to hit this. He has three bowls wide, 24 meters.

He's on his favourite backhand for hitting.

Oh, what a result. Oh! He ended up with a front toucher and the back

position. That's what you call a maximum result. Les must be thinking

to himself - what have I got to do? He has left Les absolutely no shot

on this. Absolutely, no shot. There is nothing there for him. What a

result. Poor, Les. He's smiling, he is sort of thinking to himself - my

goodness me, this is not my night for this.

That is an unbelievable bowl. UMPIRE: Les has two time-outs

remaining. COMMENTATOR: He couldn't have

anticipated a result like that. Unbelievable. He did. He hit the

outside red, then the green. I'm thinking to myself... I thought he

was going to end up two down, but... I think that's a bit cruel on less

leshgs to be honest. Les might have to cover the shot. He has to. Trying

to draw. Oh, no, no, Les. Jonathan could win this. Could win it on

this. Any movement on the jack through the rink. He has to play

this. It there is no reason why he doesn't play it with weight. Whizz

the jack through to there. He will bring in his other two bowls, his

own bowl will probably run through. It looks like he's drawing. H,

Johnny. Drawing on the backhand. Well, I have to say I'm surprised. I

think that was a chance. UMPIRE: One shot, Jonathan Ross.

COMMENTATOR: He could have been brave there.

I have to say that you talk about the rub of the green, whether that

being in bowls, snooker or various other things, the reality is that

Jonathan Ross has definitely had the luck in this match.

Realistically, he's probably only one shot away from a place in the

quarter-final. Yes, I think you're right there, Dave. Just needs to

score this end. That's why I thought he might have

played that shot on the last end, it was a big opportunity. That's a good

start. Jonathan's last quarter-final in

singles play was the International Open in Wales, three years ago.

CROWD GROAN. You have to go back to 2006 for another International Open

quarter-final. The last quarter-final in the World Singles

is now 10-years ago. So, it's a big hurdle for him. UMPIRE: Two greens.

The gap is 9 inches. It's five inches past. Still drawable. They

are in a line so... Les needs a really big bowl, John, to have any

sort of a chance. He's underplayed this. It's not

going to be with this one. I think that's pretty hard to beat

that situation, John. Jonathan has to be careful here because he

doesn't want to leave a shoulder. If he can draw in and just turn that

front green down, he's underweight, missed his line.

I think Les will have to attack this. That's virtually a match lie

against him. In fact, it is a match lie against him. He has to play into

it. It looks like a left hander, his backhand would give him better odds.

A chance of getting the short bowl into the jack with the two green

bowls clean. Not an ideal position. He could end up half in one of those

bowls and going away and he's still in trouble. Difficult. Not easy. No,

I think he has to play it. Yes. Runner. It looks narrow to me.

Doesn't want to get his own bowl this could be a disaster. It is.

That is a nightmare. Well, poor old Les. It isn't happening Razor. I

should explain that Les's nickname is razor, it's not that he hasn't

shaved for a day or two. Now, he's in deep trouble. It's

going to be very difficult. He's only got a dead draw now. Jonathan,

really should be going deep with this. Anything past the red bowl is

good. It's not bad. Covered the respot. I think he has to go again,

John, because bowl onto bowl, he's got a chance, he will stay in with

the red. It's so difficult to draw that shot the way it's sitting.

It's not a good position. I think he's going to try and draw the shot.

Good on him for trying the hard shot.

I don't think he's going to make it for weight. He's going to lose the

double. Match over. Two shots to Jonathan Ross. He takes the second

set, 8-4, having won the first set 7-6. Jonathan Ross from Paisley in

Scotland who is through to the quarter-final. Indeed

congratulations to Jonathan Ross. He's through to the quarter-finals.

Also there Stewart Anderson, Robert Paxton and Mervyn King.

First of all, from today's action Stewart Anderson looked good? Very

comfortable. He wasn't under too much pressure. . Robert didn't get

going. He looked relax. His odds yesterday, they will have gone down

a bit. You tipped him. The ladies final tomorrow, the youngest ever

line-up for that, 18 and 24. How good does that feel for the sport?

It's great for the sport especially as one of the players came through

the qualifying. Katherine Rednall came through the qualifying. It's

open to anyone. Anyone can join in and have a go. She qualified. It's

in a final. Wonderful for an 18-year-old to have that level of

exposure. The let us remind you of what is to come on the BBC. We have

highlights on BBC Two at 00.20 am. Tomorrow, on the BBC, we are on the

Red Button from 10.00 am, Andy Thomson against John Price and the

ladies fine Rebecca Field against Katherine Rednall, the youngest

line-up ever. We look forward to that. It's been a great day for the

defending champions, Rebecca Field is in the final of the ladies

Stewart Anderson is through to the next round. From all of us here,

goodbye.