Day 5

:00:38. > :00:43.Welcome to the programme. We have had three titles decided already

:00:44. > :00:48.this week. One more is still on the line. The event of the turn and.

:00:49. > :00:50.We're looking forward to the water finals today. Is barely a spare seat

:00:51. > :01:44.in the house. -- there is. it has long been established that

:01:45. > :01:46.Scotland has been a hotbed for the best Balls talent. This afternoon,

:01:47. > :02:06.we are in for a tartan theme. Marshall is a class player. Five

:02:07. > :02:11.world title says it all. A great friend to me on and off the green.

:02:12. > :02:17.It should be a cracking match. It should be a huge task. I know what

:02:18. > :02:23.he can play. I know his strengths. E doesn't have many weaknesses. At the

:02:24. > :02:32.quarterfinals, I go up a gear. If I am at the top of my game, I can beat

:02:33. > :02:36.him. At the end of the day, it is the quarterfinal of the World

:02:37. > :02:50.Championship. This will go down to the wire. It will be a real test of

:02:51. > :02:55.strength. It will be tough. At the end of the day, it is my mate that I

:02:56. > :03:06.am playing. I am sure the best person will win. Four Scottish

:03:07. > :03:17.players and four of the best whereas in the world. Darren Burnett is

:03:18. > :03:21.playing first. Nine world titles between Alex Marshall and Paul

:03:22. > :03:33.Foster. No time to welcome the players. -- now time. It is always a

:03:34. > :03:44.pleasure to welcome the open champion, the world number seven,

:03:45. > :04:09.Darren Burnett. MUSIC.

:04:10. > :04:13.And in only his fourth world turn on top Balls journeyman, years already

:04:14. > :04:24.gained the respect of his peers. The defending world indoors singles

:04:25. > :04:34.champion, Stewart Anderson. -- his fourth WT B turn and.

:04:35. > :04:56.MUSIC. Time to head up to the commentary

:04:57. > :05:02.box. We are all looking forward to the

:05:03. > :05:17.sessions this afternoon. Stewart Anderson without doubt a fantastic

:05:18. > :05:31.talent. He will be heavily backed to win this. He came out of nowhere,

:05:32. > :05:42.didn't he? He did. He was fantastic when he made his dead view. --

:05:43. > :05:51.debut. Four years later, he has returned. This will be an awkward

:05:52. > :06:02.game. They are doubles partners. They will know each other's game

:06:03. > :06:05.inside out. They are on the elite squad for the Commonwealth Games as

:06:06. > :06:10.well. They will have spent a lot of time together. It is not a big issue

:06:11. > :06:14.playing against someone who you know well and are friends with. See that

:06:15. > :06:21.the Paul Foster and Alex Marshall, but just occasionally, it brings a

:06:22. > :06:33.little edge to a match. Bash we see that. -- we see that. Darren Burnett

:06:34. > :06:40.is down to Number Ten in the rankings. Ranking points to be

:06:41. > :06:47.fought for here as well as a place in the semifinal. Could start by

:06:48. > :06:59.both players in and around the area. -- good start. Very slightly past

:07:00. > :07:05.jack high. Both players in good form. I have a sneaking feeling this

:07:06. > :07:06.game could go down two conversions and whether or not they will pay

:07:07. > :07:29.off. Stewart Anderson had a comfortable

:07:30. > :07:37.win in the second round. Darren Burnett played well in the first

:07:38. > :07:44.set. In the tie-break, there was a bit of luck. Sometimes it is a bit

:07:45. > :07:49.of a toss-up. Absolutely. It is anybody's game in a tie-break.

:07:50. > :07:58.Darren had a small break and that was the difference. He has had

:07:59. > :08:12.another one there. Came off the front bowl. Not a total fluke. I am

:08:13. > :08:26.always impressed that Darren Burnett is in the area and doesn't miss too

:08:27. > :08:34.many running bowls by wide margins. In touch on the jack is good. Needs

:08:35. > :08:50.a bit of help. Not quite. Close, though. Darren is still short. He

:08:51. > :09:07.might take the one. If he is going to play at, it will need to be wide

:09:08. > :09:19.on the backhand and safe. He was not worried about only having three

:09:20. > :09:25.seconds left. He has given it a go. Always on the safe side. One-shot to

:09:26. > :09:48.Darren Burnett. Jacqueline, 27 metres. -- jack

:09:49. > :11:15.length. Virtually all players prefer the

:11:16. > :11:35.backhand misdirection. -- in this direction. This is more consistent.

:11:36. > :11:49.The gap is four in jeans -- in cheese. -- inches. The hand allows

:11:50. > :12:43.you to draw around short bowls. Darren might be tempted now.

:12:44. > :12:54.Forehand, reasonable strength runner down to the red to take it out. He

:12:55. > :13:05.is good at these as well. Early chance.

:13:06. > :13:18.This looks like it will swing away. I thought he might have played that

:13:19. > :13:35.a little quicker. With the gentle weight it does swing quickly.

:13:36. > :13:53.Only played one good bowl there. His father, Billy, watches on.

:13:54. > :14:08.Both players will be quite happy. A single each gives them a score on

:14:09. > :14:13.the cards. It doesn't matter how experienced you are, there are

:14:14. > :14:39.always nerves. This will settle them down.

:14:40. > :14:45.These players would not play against each other to offer them unless they

:14:46. > :14:55.were drawn. Occasionally with the Scottish and is and so on, but not a

:14:56. > :15:26.regular occurrence. -- Scottish nationals.

:15:27. > :15:51.Might be an early runner here. Two down and the draw locked. --

:15:52. > :15:57.blocked. Not a bad result considering he came off his own.

:15:58. > :16:18.Darren is always in the area. Good shot. Opens the head up.

:16:19. > :16:33.Darren is back to the draw again. Yes, target with this bowl is to

:16:34. > :16:40.draw second. If he manages to get the shot, it is a bonus. Great line

:16:41. > :16:48.in, great attempt. That is a great bowl. Fantastic. He hit the shot

:16:49. > :17:01.when he was in trouble. It looks close.

:17:02. > :17:44.If anything, but has pushed it closer.

:17:45. > :18:42.A gentle start. Good bowling with good hit -- hits and draws. The

:18:43. > :18:51.quarterfinal is always the best day to come. Value matches. The players

:18:52. > :19:53.are well in the groove. Darren just looking for a small

:19:54. > :20:08.correction. He knows he is not close enough at the moment to win the end.

:20:09. > :20:12.Six inches. I thought Darren had been struggling on the portable rink

:20:13. > :20:21.over the last year, but he is settling down. Chatting to him, he

:20:22. > :20:31.feels like he is playing a lot better. That surprised me. Players

:20:32. > :20:38.have been avoiding beforehand. The pace does not seem to be as

:20:39. > :20:58.consistent. Darren rolls another one in here. Stuart Kuttner be in a heap

:20:59. > :21:15.of trouble. -- Stewart could be in a heap of trouble. Again on the

:21:16. > :21:32.forehand. Should make a correction on this one. I am not sure about the

:21:33. > :21:40.pace. The first one I could understand, but not the second. I

:21:41. > :21:46.couldn't understand either. He has been playing backhand all week and

:21:47. > :22:18.playing well. Darren needs to get the pressure on.

:22:19. > :22:31.Quite simple for Stewart. Backhand draw, forehand drive. The side which

:22:32. > :22:49.won an play it with confidence. -- decide which one.

:22:50. > :23:05.Three shots to Darren Burnett. Most unlike Stewart Anderson to play

:23:06. > :23:21.three short bowls in a row. Darren Burnett took full advantage.

:23:22. > :25:28.That is better from Stewart Anderson. What we expect from him.

:25:29. > :25:33.Yes, and this time there is no real drive shot available to Darren to

:25:34. > :25:40.open this up. Looks like there is only the draw available. Slightly

:25:41. > :26:02.safer position for Stewart this time.

:26:03. > :26:20.Two red. Critical bowl for Stewart Anderson. Darren Burnett played the

:26:21. > :26:27.third bowl last end and took the momentum away from Anderson. That

:26:28. > :26:40.will force him inside with a little bit of weight.

:26:41. > :26:58.I think he will be looking to get just under the last bowl. Nestle in

:26:59. > :27:06.there somewhere. Can he get one out? Never really liked the look of that

:27:07. > :27:14.sort of weight. I think it was damage limitation. He wasn't looking

:27:15. > :27:20.to score of the shot without. -- with that. Just enough room for

:27:21. > :27:34.Stewart to add another. Get right back into the set. This will be all

:27:35. > :27:52.about avoiding his own third bowl. Right on the middle of it. That is

:27:53. > :28:58.what we say in all smack. Closes the gap to 5-3 after five ends.

:28:59. > :29:15.That first bowl just loosened up a little but. An opportunity to

:29:16. > :29:41.capitalise. Darren was under pressure in the last end. Darren is

:29:42. > :29:57.sticking to the backhand, looking to draw a good second. Not bad. A

:29:58. > :29:58.little bit unlucky. Backhand is still available for Stewart

:29:59. > :30:26.Anderson. No reason to change. He is on the forehand which

:30:27. > :30:38.surprises me. Here's looking to tighten it in. -- he is looking to.

:30:39. > :30:41.I am not convinced about that. Darren will be attacking with that

:30:42. > :30:57.bowl. Prior to that, it was virtually a

:30:58. > :31:12.single bowl target. He would love to see everything moved here.

:31:13. > :31:25.He would have expected at least to disappear. It is even harder now.

:31:26. > :31:30.Yes, it is not situated to good for Darren, to be honest. I think

:31:31. > :31:47.Stewart will try and add another. Ideally, you would like to just sit

:31:48. > :31:56.in front cover the jack little bit. Can he get to the green bowl? He was

:31:57. > :32:03.through on the inside. There has to be careful here. He will still reach

:32:04. > :32:14.but it will be more about delicate shot. Yes, try and drop inside his

:32:15. > :32:20.own bowl. Plenty of time wanted gets on the mat within ten seconds, he is

:32:21. > :32:29.fine. -- once he gets on the mat. Still, quick but it looks narrow

:32:30. > :32:41.this time. The problem there was he was worried about his own bowl. Yes,

:32:42. > :32:50.didn't want to take his own. Two doubles, brings the deficit back to

:32:51. > :33:14.5-5. Those first two bowls made all the difference in the world.

:33:15. > :33:24.Doesn't look like we are going to get too many short jacks. That is

:33:25. > :33:25.the preferred option, only go short of they want a dramatic change in

:33:26. > :34:54.tactics. He misses the chance to close the

:34:55. > :35:47.door. Just need the same pace. Drop inside

:35:48. > :35:52.his own bowl. I thought he got more of it. Anyway, it's a good bowl

:35:53. > :36:05.there. It is in receiving position if the jack moves.

:36:06. > :36:11.Just the trial available. Plenty of room either way. -- just to draw

:36:12. > :36:36.available. This is looking so good. Stunning

:36:37. > :36:53.bowl from Stuart Anderson. Perfect line, perfect weight. I always

:36:54. > :36:58.wonder how foot rollers can miss a penalty by not being on target, from

:36:59. > :37:06.only a few yards away, and these guys are within millimetres. --

:37:07. > :37:08.footballers. Darren looking to repeat his third bowl. Trying hard

:37:09. > :37:17.for the edge. What a great effort! Quality stuff, and Stuart Anderson

:37:18. > :37:50.takes a single. I think we would have a better

:37:51. > :38:22.chance of scoring a better chance of scoring the goals they would!

:38:23. > :38:30.It is the key to his game, no doubt, Stewart. If you keep doing it, you

:38:31. > :38:39.don't have to go searching for the big bowl too often.

:38:40. > :39:35.As the crown green guys would say, these lads can chuck a few up! Is

:39:36. > :39:42.that what they say? I have heard them say it! And they are right!

:39:43. > :39:51.Close again. Any touch... Any touch... Perfect!

:39:52. > :40:04.Super, super bowling from both players.

:40:05. > :40:12.Both want to win this end, they know how crucial it is.

:40:13. > :40:21.Stewart Anderson looking from the comfort of a three shot gap, Darren

:40:22. > :40:25.Burnett trying to score at least one to make level. He might get second

:40:26. > :40:39.out of it, though. Didn't drop! That's a problem now for Stewart. I

:40:40. > :40:46.would expect Darren Burnett to put another one close.

:40:47. > :40:57.Darren, jogging down the green there. Nice to see.

:40:58. > :41:02.He satisfied their commie didn't like that from delivery. -- slapped

:41:03. > :41:16.his thigh there. The crowd, just clapping that bowl

:41:17. > :41:24.because it's the bowl, its imposition. I don't think Stewart

:41:25. > :41:25.will be playing a runner, though. Just watch this delivery, it's so

:41:26. > :41:40.smooth. So easy, so relax. -- relaxed.

:41:41. > :41:47.Stewart, certainly giving this one a chance.

:41:48. > :41:57.He will be happy with that. I think that will push Darren back to the

:41:58. > :42:06.backhand. That will be his target, to draw to the last bowl, turn it

:42:07. > :42:12.over for three. There is the target, just drop that bowl down and then

:42:13. > :42:21.Darren's green bowl, which is in third position, will come into play.

:42:22. > :42:26.No real sense in playing beforehand. He has called a time-out, saving

:42:27. > :42:31.himself the job. Important bowl, this. He knows, hence he is taking

:42:32. > :42:57.the extra time. He has certainly pushed it out. If

:42:58. > :42:59.he clears the front, he is in. I don't think he's going to clear the

:43:00. > :43:14.front. Level at 6-6, it's virtually anyone

:43:15. > :43:24.in the shoot out. Doesn't matter how many shots you score, the single

:43:25. > :43:27.will do. Might take a slightly different attitude to this, you

:43:28. > :43:39.might see a early aggression, see where the jack goes. First time, go

:43:40. > :43:42.short. Not a bad tactic. As you say, it effectively a shoot out end.

:43:43. > :43:57.Change everything. Darren will be searching for a great

:43:58. > :44:10.opening bowl. Put the pressure on. Hasn't found it, though.

:44:11. > :44:16.If he gets into trouble, he has bottoms of that already. -- blocked

:44:17. > :44:40.himself out. Both players know how important it

:44:41. > :44:48.is, first one onto the jack is going to be favourite for the end. Good

:44:49. > :44:53.line from Darren. He has a bit of work to do to get back into centre

:44:54. > :45:01.rink. Here it comes. Not bad. Just a little bit far away stop --. Stewart

:45:02. > :45:10.Anderson, two bytes on this on the forehand. He is trotting up after

:45:11. > :45:12.this one, he must like it. The bowl should bend all the way back in from

:45:13. > :45:43.there. This could win him the end! Good effort by Darren. Not far away.

:45:44. > :45:49.Stewart will be aware of that full stop he will be trying to cover just

:45:50. > :45:56.past his own bowl. I think you will be trying to draw even close, try to

:45:57. > :45:59.just eat his own bowl. -- beat his own bowl. Not going to make a target

:46:00. > :46:20.on the forehead. -- forehand. The stitching it forward. -- urging

:46:21. > :46:24.it forward. Anything behind the jack would have been better rather than

:46:25. > :46:27.going to the exact shot because he has left themselves open and he is

:46:28. > :46:33.shaking his head. That's the risk you take when you're looking for

:46:34. > :46:37.absolute perfect bowl. That is what Darren needs. I think you be tried

:46:38. > :46:48.anyway to, I think he needs perfect rule. -- draw. One bowl to save the

:46:49. > :46:57.set for Erin Burnett. He is down on a decent line. It's all about

:46:58. > :47:04.weight. Will he get back? Too much. Good effort, very good effort.

:47:05. > :47:06.Stewart Anderson will take the first set, 7-6. Very little between the

:47:07. > :48:02.two players. Full concentration needed at the

:48:03. > :48:44.start of the second set. All about good pace and dropping it

:48:45. > :48:59.inside. The target is the back bowl. If you

:49:00. > :49:04.are not reaching that, you are going to get very close to the jack. Needs

:49:05. > :49:21.to stop. A little bit loose, the opening end

:49:22. > :49:26.of the second set. First one to drop onto the jack is broadly going to

:49:27. > :49:32.win the end. Pushing it forward as if to say, I'm not there. Not too

:49:33. > :49:52.far away, but it is short. Straightforward backhand draw. Looks

:49:53. > :50:19.to be plenty of room to add another shot. Here comes number one.

:50:20. > :50:26.Darren just looking to draw a good second here. Doesn't want to drop

:50:27. > :50:37.account on the first end. Could even win the shot. Could even win the

:50:38. > :50:43.shot! Fantastic. It is unusual for a bowl to stand up when it touches the

:50:44. > :50:52.front. The gist managed to get the age and worm his way round. -- he

:50:53. > :50:59.just managed to get the edge. He has made the single. I think it is a

:51:00. > :51:11.drive now for Stewart. A big drive. He is looking at the angles on this

:51:12. > :51:18.but the best one really is to get onto the green bowl, that's going to

:51:19. > :51:24.ring everything through. That green bowl will disappear, his own bowl

:51:25. > :51:31.should look in. If it is removed, he could be in a bit of bother. He has

:51:32. > :51:39.to think about this, it's possible he could take is going to read away.

:51:40. > :51:46.-- his own comrades. He's playing it very controlled weight. He is

:51:47. > :51:53.looking just for a connection on the front bowls to make the plant. Just

:51:54. > :52:03.didn't make it. Lacked a bit of conviction that one, for me.

:52:04. > :53:39.Still, one shot, not a big issue at the start of the set.

:53:40. > :53:45.He has been around a long time, Darren. Stewart Anderson very much

:53:46. > :53:51.of the new young breed that is coming through. A lot of good young

:53:52. > :54:04.players in the 25 to 30 age group. Darren has presented his country at

:54:05. > :54:11.the Commonwealth Games and other championships. -- represented his

:54:12. > :54:17.country. Of course, he is in the mix for Glasgow. Didn't like this one,

:54:18. > :54:22.though. His reaction was not good after he delivered this one. The

:54:23. > :54:29.line will dip into centre line. Good that he knew it out of the

:54:30. > :54:42.hand, though. Straightforward raw option for

:54:43. > :54:56.Stewart. -- draw option. Line certainly good enough, has he

:54:57. > :55:18.sent it? Again, not quite pushed it. Certainly plenty of room available

:55:19. > :55:35.to school second shot. No reaction from Darren that time,

:55:36. > :55:47.so this time should be quite close. It's gone.

:55:48. > :55:56.Stewart may well at actors, think he has got three seconds. -- may well

:55:57. > :56:06.attack this. I don't think he can go wrong with this. It's a really good

:56:07. > :56:07.chance to pick up the count. Yes, playing positive, looking for his

:56:08. > :56:11.own red bowl. He got it. Always looked good. It

:56:12. > :56:34.was executed to perfection. Great conversion shot, clean as the

:56:35. > :56:38.proverbial whistle. Great conversion shot, Darren had two extra chances

:56:39. > :56:46.to get another one in, he Robbie Keane self at leaving that one

:56:47. > :57:25.available. -- he will be kicking himself.

:57:26. > :57:30.After the great conversion shot, boost of confidence and a great

:57:31. > :58:41.opening bowl. He needs to get to the shot bowl and

:58:42. > :58:51.replace it. Has he got enough running? Hillocks under again. -- he

:58:52. > :58:57.looks under. Been so close, but inside the line.

:58:58. > :59:24.Once again, both players are using a strong biased bowl.

:59:25. > :59:30.Positional bowl therefrom Stewart. 30 good. Didn't want to make the

:59:31. > :59:36.head any bigger there. He could still play it and try and

:59:37. > :00:03.remove the two read. Look straight on the Mac, here comes

:00:04. > :00:12.the big drive, what has he got? Not bad, reduced it to a single. He's

:00:13. > :00:18.already had two bowls. Yet again, Darren Burnett in the area.

:00:19. > :00:26.Slightly unlucky with that. Could easily have got more of the first

:00:27. > :00:36.red which would have taken them both away. Straightforward backhand draw.

:00:37. > :00:55.Would like to get in on top of the jack.

:00:56. > :01:06.The crowd really enjoying this match. Big crowd as expected for a

:01:07. > :01:13.quarterfinal. The drivers the shot he wants to play but it is a gamble.

:01:14. > :01:32.He could easily take his own two green balls out. -- bowls out.

:01:33. > :01:41.The trouble is the back position is against him. As you say, it is a

:01:42. > :01:51.risky one. If he doesn't want to take the risk, he just draws. He

:01:52. > :01:55.wants to play the drive. It is a case of being brave enough and

:01:56. > :02:07.taking the gamble. Needs to get read on to read.

:02:08. > :02:27.-- red on to red. Perfect shot. Ten out of ten. It was a brave shot.

:02:28. > :02:36.Great shot. Total commitment. Full marks for taking the shot on an full

:02:37. > :02:46.marks for the result. 4-2 after three ends.

:02:47. > :03:33.High quality stuff, no doubt about that. We would expect that from

:03:34. > :03:49.these two players. That was the second three that

:03:50. > :04:16.Darren Burnett picked up. Just enough room to get another one

:04:17. > :04:46.in. These players are popping these from

:04:47. > :04:54.80 feet away and they are drawing within a couple of inches. This one

:04:55. > :05:14.certainly needs the treatment. Jack on the respot, lots of room.

:05:15. > :05:50.One red. That was a bit of us like one from

:05:51. > :05:55.Stewart there. He is very disappointed because he is leaving

:05:56. > :06:05.Darren Burnett a lot of room. He has another bowl left, though. Darren

:06:06. > :06:26.wants to hide his bowl behind the two red once. -- ones.

:06:27. > :06:36.Well worked out. Not totally hidden. He will be looking down the forehand

:06:37. > :06:38.now. The first stop will be to take the green out and the second shot

:06:39. > :06:58.will be to take it to the ditch. Darren got away with that little

:06:59. > :07:01.bit. Just a little bit. It doesn't say that on the scorecard, though.

:07:02. > :07:44.It just says one green. Darren has got out of jail over the

:07:45. > :07:53.last couple of ends. He now needs to get his trying act together. -- his

:07:54. > :08:09.drawing act together. This is such a good game. There has

:08:10. > :08:13.to be a lot of people very interested. The players are always

:08:14. > :08:16.keen to keep an eye on things as well as spectators. Paul Foster and

:08:17. > :08:54.Willie Wood are looking on. There he is, Willie Wood, the

:08:55. > :09:01.legend, MBE. Something like seven Commonwealth Games. Incredible.

:09:02. > :09:09.Medals at most of them. Amazing career. He was robbed in the 1984

:09:10. > :09:19.world championships in Aberdeen in the final of the singles, Willie

:09:20. > :09:31.Wood. Peter Bell put a bowl down like a bouncing bomb.

:09:32. > :10:08.Will it stop in time? We were just talking about the Commonwealth Games

:10:09. > :10:19.with John Price at lunchtime. Another title went down the Swanee.

:10:20. > :10:43.Really needs a good close bowl. The line is good. It is really good.

:10:44. > :10:53.Just went close enough. Normally you expect Stewart to draw the short

:10:54. > :11:01.quite easily. A lot of pressure on this bowl. The second set is

:11:02. > :11:08.slipping away if he doesn't get this in. He thinks he is on a good line.

:11:09. > :11:28.Has he got enough weight. It is struggling. He didn't get number

:11:29. > :11:29.one, but he got to number two. Danny Denison is up there getting some

:11:30. > :11:48.advice. Danny Willett and to all advice

:11:49. > :12:15.given to him. He won't take it, but they will listen to it!

:12:16. > :12:28.Danny played very well against Paul Foster. Darren Burnett is really

:12:29. > :12:36.putting Stewart Anderson under a lot of pressure. I think that is the

:12:37. > :13:07.best opening bowl that he has played. Good time to play it.

:13:08. > :13:47.Now the battle was on. I would've thought he would go for the respot

:13:48. > :13:54.on the right-hand side. He will go for cover were the referee standing.

:13:55. > :14:30.-- where. That's what I would call fairly

:14:31. > :14:35.impressive. Stewart attempting a little not short of the backhand.

:14:36. > :14:43.This is a very low percentage shot. He has left himself in a bit of

:14:44. > :14:52.bother here. Two shots. Back position covered. I think I would

:14:53. > :14:57.try and slide a yard past in case Stewart attacks. I certainly

:14:58. > :15:22.wouldn't build the target up. Doesn't want to be a good target.

:15:23. > :15:31.More or less saying to Stewart, if you hit this you're going to be in

:15:32. > :15:38.trouble. I think the forehand draw is the only shop available. A little

:15:39. > :15:55.touch on the bowl to spring the jack would be good. It needs dead pace.

:15:56. > :16:06.Darren takes a double. 8-2. Looking very strong for the second set. It

:16:07. > :16:17.has been high-quality. We are looking forward to this match

:16:18. > :16:25.lasting as long as possible. A lot of good conversions and strategy.

:16:26. > :16:43.Jack length, 27 metres. Fee thing about bowls is -- the thing about

:16:44. > :17:24.bowls is unique to get inside your opponent's head. -- you need.

:17:25. > :17:38.Small adjustment needed from Darren. Good effort. Just lacking a touch.

:17:39. > :17:46.It is also in front of the jack. It as a guard for Stewart Anderson to

:17:47. > :17:51.use if he can slide his bowl around the green one. Needs to stop. That

:17:52. > :18:09.is good for double. The line has been good for the first

:18:10. > :18:25.two. Just needs to find a good piece. -- pace.

:18:26. > :18:41.Massive chance here for Stewart to get act in this set in one end. I am

:18:42. > :18:54.not so sure about this one. He is getting encouragement. That the

:18:55. > :19:04.stone is a massive missed chance. Two was bad enough, but three is

:19:05. > :19:18.trouble. Darren knows the line. He has to find a good piece. -- pace.

:19:19. > :19:31.He really fancies this one. How good is it? It is perfect. Stewart

:19:32. > :19:38.Anderson missed the chance to close the door. Darren Burnett box right

:19:39. > :19:50.through the door and says I will have a piece of that, thank you.

:19:51. > :20:04.Great pressure ball. -- bowl. Locked in. He is on a good line. It needs

:20:05. > :20:16.to creep past the front. Great to try. Perfect weight. He was let down

:20:17. > :20:24.by his third delivery. He played three really good bowls at that end

:20:25. > :20:27.but managed to lose a single. We should be one end away now from a

:20:28. > :21:04.tie-break. The way Stewart Anderson has been

:21:05. > :21:12.playing at this event, you would have put two in as favourite against

:21:13. > :21:13.Darren. If only for his mega consistency, but Darren has been

:21:14. > :21:45.playing very well. Darren once again really didn't like

:21:46. > :21:57.that bowl. From where I am sitting, it looks OK.

:21:58. > :22:26.Just watching the line. It has to hurry to make it past the green one.

:22:27. > :22:32.That was the problem. The line was perfect, but it didn't have the

:22:33. > :22:40.weight. Darren still needs to get another one in.

:22:41. > :22:59.Just a touch wider with the same pace. Everything looks right. Very

:23:00. > :23:06.well played. That is the set one. Can Stewart Anderson not play passed

:23:07. > :23:17.this on the forehand? The large crowd are really in drawing less. As

:23:18. > :23:33.much as we are. -- enjoying this. Controlled weight looking for the

:23:34. > :23:40.red bowl. Shake their head. It was a great bowl, but I think it has just

:23:41. > :23:57.run off. I thought he was going to get it absolutely clean. One red.

:23:58. > :24:08.Still has to get one close now. Looking to draw another one into the

:24:09. > :24:25.head. As soon as it gets past the red and stops, that would be good.

:24:26. > :24:35.One green. Stewart need at least three here to force this last end.

:24:36. > :24:49.Outside chance, play onto your front red bowl and play on to the green.

:24:50. > :24:50.Very much an outside chance. Either that or play the forehand, that is

:24:51. > :25:19.the other option. Great to try. Gets the single, but

:25:20. > :25:36.the set is over. There we go. Hasn't been a tie-break for oil. Were going

:25:37. > :25:44.to enjoy this one. -- for a while. We are going to enjoy this one.

:25:45. > :26:00.Three ends tie-break, the rules change. We are not getting much out

:26:01. > :26:09.of Stewart Anderson' father, Billy. He keeps very cool until the match

:26:10. > :26:16.is over. Darren turned his back on that one very quickly. He knew it

:26:17. > :26:46.was heavy. Both would have liked their opening

:26:47. > :27:15.bowls a little closer. Perfect. Now the back bowl comes

:27:16. > :27:34.into play. The spray shot indicates that it is a touch. -- toucher.

:27:35. > :27:45.That gives them a chance. He can start to seriously think about

:27:46. > :27:58.edging the bowl off. This is good stuff.

:27:59. > :28:05.Darren decided to play forehand to this. Didn't want to keep to the

:28:06. > :28:24.backhand in case he moved to the jack -- he moved the jack towards

:28:25. > :28:29.the red bowl. Not bad. Now, Stewart, are you prepared to play the runner

:28:30. > :28:42.and take the bowl off? I think it is the percentage shot. Time-out

:28:43. > :28:58.called. I think the percentage is to try to push the green away. He was

:28:59. > :29:15.so close with the last one. He is going for the take out. Controlled

:29:16. > :29:22.weight. He has not got it clean. That would have been perfect. Now,

:29:23. > :29:30.Darren, you really need another bowl. The back position has changed,

:29:31. > :29:35.though. Stewart now has the respot on one side. And also the best back

:29:36. > :29:53.bowl. He is playing a block, I tell you.

:29:54. > :30:14.That is a risky shot. He hasn't made it. He has actually played a guide.

:30:15. > :30:16.I didn't see that coming. Stewart either needs a touch more green or a

:30:17. > :30:39.touch more piece. -- pace. He has got something. He

:30:40. > :30:51.got the inside edge. Doesn't matter which way you get it.

:30:52. > :31:10.Both of us thought that Darren needed another bowl in.

:31:11. > :31:14.Could shot selection from Stewart, he went with his third, gave him a

:31:15. > :31:17.good guy to go again with his fourth. Didn't leave him with just

:31:18. > :31:28.one attempt. Looking for a great opening bowl,

:31:29. > :31:38.pressure is on. Darren Burnett won the toss, needs

:31:39. > :32:14.to run a little bit. Front bowls don't help to get out of

:32:15. > :32:20.trouble. Again, they are not bad openers but neither of those bowls

:32:21. > :32:21.are going to win the end. Small correction from Stewart here.

:32:22. > :32:28.Totally in control. Line is good. Chance for Darren, wants this one

:32:29. > :32:45.in. Is he up? Has he sent it? Well, he

:32:46. > :33:17.has sent it enough. Yes, he has! He has never be sent 90% of his

:33:18. > :33:41.bowls on this forehand. -- probably sent.

:33:42. > :33:45.He had the gap from about a metre out. That will give Darren Burnett

:33:46. > :33:58.something to aim for if he wants it. I think you will realise he needs

:33:59. > :34:03.another bowl in the head. He needs to do it this time. Going to use one

:34:04. > :34:16.of his time-outs here just to study the head.

:34:17. > :34:21.The ideal thing for Darren Burnett is get something in this sort of

:34:22. > :34:27.area. The problem with the forehand is if he plays the bowl, on the

:34:28. > :34:34.forehand, and just dropped of it into this area and leaves the

:34:35. > :34:38.shoulder, that is highly dangerous. Darren has preferred the backhand in

:34:39. > :34:45.this direction. Percentages are on the forehand but he has preferred

:34:46. > :34:48.the backhand all game. That shoulder is therefore Stewart Anderson as

:34:49. > :34:58.well, so it's not an easy one to get out of. Use looking for the back

:34:59. > :35:03.touch. He certainly has! Unlucky, though. That's what I'm talking

:35:04. > :35:11.about contempt of dropping off the red bowl, he dropped off his own.

:35:12. > :35:18.If I was a coach, I would say, you were so close to drawing the shot

:35:19. > :35:27.last time, draw. But there is a good runner available.

:35:28. > :35:33.If he comes in there, if he gets it absolutely perfect, he is in good

:35:34. > :35:39.shape, if he doesn't, this bowl comes into play. The re-spot is also

:35:40. > :35:45.available if the cheque bounces somewhere over here. So lots of

:35:46. > :35:56.different options. Or we could draw the jock jack on the backhand. He is

:35:57. > :35:59.going for the draw. If he is successful, he will leave Darren

:36:00. > :36:06.absolutely no shot. The line looks good. Need to hurry. Looks like it

:36:07. > :36:14.is coming across a bit quick. That was the only danger with it. The

:36:15. > :36:38.forehand runner, he was assured of making the head. That has cost him.

:36:39. > :36:44.It is big quality stuff all the way. -- it has been quality stuff all the

:36:45. > :36:58.way, as we expected. The next one is really tasty as

:36:59. > :37:01.well. Paul Foster and Alex Marshall face off against each other, nine

:37:02. > :37:05.world professional singles titles between them. Doesn't get much

:37:06. > :37:17.better than that. It will do well to live up to this

:37:18. > :37:31.one, this has been a great game. Decent starter.

:37:32. > :38:29.If you kill the end and don't nominate, the Jack will go on the

:38:30. > :38:35.re-spot. I think Stewart Anderson will be very tempted to do just that

:38:36. > :38:57.at the moment. He will go for the time out and try and kill the end.

:38:58. > :39:08.That was unlucky. You would have this bigoted the jack to have spun

:39:09. > :39:14.away a couple of yards. -- expected to Jack. Slight advantage for Darren

:39:15. > :39:15.now. I would say he has opened up enough, I don't think that bowl will

:39:16. > :39:29.win the end. Four bowls to come, I think the

:39:30. > :39:49.winner will come from one of those four.

:39:50. > :39:57.Wonderful crowd, really enjoying this match. I don't think he has

:39:58. > :40:20.nominated the kill, David. Darren has got to put one on the

:40:21. > :40:30.re-spot. Darren, think about it, if you don't put them on their, you

:40:31. > :40:36.lose, mate. If we look forward to what Stewart Anderson is going to

:40:37. > :40:43.do, it's more than likely he will be playing into the bowl.

:40:44. > :40:51.This is where the problem is, it over here. If the Jack was over

:40:52. > :40:57.there, that bowl becomes key. That is where the problems are. It is

:40:58. > :41:16.also possible to take the two green bowls out as well.

:41:17. > :41:19.Only one bowl left after this so we're going to know very soon who is

:41:20. > :41:37.going to the semifinal. The crowd, responding to that. No

:41:38. > :41:41.re-spot position available, he has to kill the end. This will be a

:41:42. > :42:01.third drive in the row. Let's see what he does.

:42:02. > :42:18.It looked a bit under to me. He loses his title. A wonderful game of

:42:19. > :42:23.bowls, no doubt about that. So little between the two players.

:42:24. > :42:28.Deservedly, getting a great operation from the crowd here.

:42:29. > :42:32.Stewart's father, Billy, just clapping. Stewart played very well,

:42:33. > :42:34.he defended his title all the way to the quarterfinal but it's Darren

:42:35. > :42:58.Burnett who is going through. There is the second delivery from

:42:59. > :43:03.Stewart Anderson. That was enough to secure the first set. Darren, just

:43:04. > :43:12.missing his last bowl. This is the drive from Darren

:43:13. > :43:21.Burnett, he took two red bowls around. Stewart Anderson, just

:43:22. > :43:23.missing on the last bowl, Darren Burnett, the policeman from

:43:24. > :43:30.Arbroath, through to the semifinal. Not much in the stats to separate

:43:31. > :44:03.these two players. Super performance from Darren

:44:04. > :44:07.Burnett, first, a word from the defending champion, Stewart. Any

:44:08. > :44:13.excuses or did you just run into a man at the top of his game? No, I

:44:14. > :44:19.think the best player one. I wish him all the best. Find events of

:44:20. > :44:22.your title. Darren, this your day. The guys were saying they don't

:44:23. > :44:27.think they have seen you playing better than this afternoon. It's a

:44:28. > :44:31.good few years since I can remember playing like that. He is a truly

:44:32. > :44:35.great world champion and I am sure he has many more to come if he keeps

:44:36. > :44:43.that level up. He brought the best out of me today. Darren, you got to

:44:44. > :44:47.the semifinals in 2011, you are back into the semifinals, in terms of how

:44:48. > :44:53.you are playing then and now, do you feel you're better player? I have

:44:54. > :44:59.come into this game with little form, to be honest, and I have

:45:00. > :45:03.enjoyed it. I am playing slightly better each round, hopefully that

:45:04. > :45:09.continues, I am delighted to still be around. Congratulations, well

:45:10. > :45:14.done to Darren Burnett and commiserations to the champion,

:45:15. > :45:18.Stewart Anderson, he is out. Let's just remind you what is coming up,

:45:19. > :45:31.highlights tonight at least likely earlier time of five past midnight.

:45:32. > :45:36.We have seen some terrific polls this week from some of the best

:45:37. > :45:43.players in the world. Perhaps it is enough to get you inspired! The

:45:44. > :45:46.decision to make the women's world Matchplay tournament qualification

:45:47. > :45:50.event for the first time this year has proven a great successful stop

:45:51. > :45:55.the final has been dominated by an 18-year-old newcomer, the new queen

:45:56. > :46:01.of potters. Also in the competition was the even younger competitor and

:46:02. > :46:06.the oldest qualifier, it goes to prove top-class bowls can be a game

:46:07. > :46:13.for all ages. Last year these twins lit up the competition but in to

:46:14. > :46:16.make the cut this year. Kelly will be playing for Wales in the

:46:17. > :46:20.Commonwealth Games, though. However the girls have been spreading the

:46:21. > :46:26.gospel to youngsters in Newport in South Wales. They are part of a

:46:27. > :46:33.campaign to get more people playing for health and enjoyment. See what

:46:34. > :46:42.the youngsters are doing, see how they are progressing and seeing how

:46:43. > :46:51.to bring the fun factor into bowls. Come on then! A big one this time.

:46:52. > :46:54.People perceive it as an old person sports we are just rang to get the

:46:55. > :47:01.youngsters involved, it clearly isn't, because a lot of youngsters

:47:02. > :47:06.today were really interested. Former world champion John Price is head of

:47:07. > :47:09.development for the sport in Wales and knows the importance of getting

:47:10. > :47:15.people on the rink and inspired by the game. The Welsh Federation is

:47:16. > :47:20.looking to sell the games are all ages, we are looking at youth

:47:21. > :47:23.development and also the middle age, people coming out of other sports

:47:24. > :47:29.and people coming out of retirement, it's a great game for anybody, any

:47:30. > :47:34.age. Having the girls down today, they have done really well since

:47:35. > :47:37.they came into the game, it's nice that the youngsters are involved in

:47:38. > :47:42.the coaching side and involved in the clubs as well, we want to

:47:43. > :47:48.encourage that as well. We want to produce young ambassadors who will

:47:49. > :47:50.do the job for us. For Kerry and Kelly, involvement in bowls has

:47:51. > :47:59.proved to be a life changing experience. They came to the sport

:48:00. > :48:06.almost by accident. Every Sunday we used to go and do swimming, table

:48:07. > :48:11.tennis, badminton, we both had a pound left in our pocket so we asked

:48:12. > :48:17.what we could do for a pound. They said you could do bowls. We looked

:48:18. > :48:21.at each other and said, what's that? So they took us to the back of the

:48:22. > :48:24.stadium, you would never know it was there, we went in there and they

:48:25. > :48:31.were so friendly, they said, come on in. So we have done it ever since.

:48:32. > :48:38.We have been playing internationals. We love it, it's an enjoyable sport.

:48:39. > :48:43.The great advantage of the sport as anyone can give it a try at any age.

:48:44. > :48:46.So we invited Nathan cleverly to drop in Newport bowls club and have

:48:47. > :49:00.a go, if he was hard enough! Not bad, not bad. Nathan is a

:49:01. > :49:06.Cardiff University maths graduates who knows a thing or two about

:49:07. > :49:11.accuracy. Enjoyed it, it was great. It was different from the intensity

:49:12. > :49:17.of toxin. Getting the angles, getting the weight right, it's part

:49:18. > :49:25.and parcel of the game. I picked it up quite well.

:49:26. > :49:30.It's a really good game for people coming in from other sports, if you

:49:31. > :49:36.want to keep competitive, it's a great game. One of the most famous

:49:37. > :49:46.bowlers was once of Boxer, he is a very good player, it shows you can

:49:47. > :49:54.come in from another sport. Sport is a massive factor in growing up, it's

:49:55. > :50:01.a massive factor in their lives. It played a massive part in my life. So

:50:02. > :50:08.is passed on, our hobby, to keep your mind active, keep physically

:50:09. > :50:15.fit, it's very important. I would say, definitely give it a go. I

:50:16. > :50:23.would, see what you think. It's a really good sport. Everybody gets

:50:24. > :50:29.together and have a good time. It's refreshing to have some youngsters

:50:30. > :50:33.coming through. Perhaps it will inspire other youngsters to get

:50:34. > :50:39.involved. I just tried it and it's good fun. Get inspired is all about

:50:40. > :50:40.having a go, and enjoy whatever sport you take two at any standard.

:50:41. > :50:54.Check out the BBC website. Alongside me is a man who knows more

:50:55. > :50:59.than most about bowls, the ABC commentator. Since we started

:51:00. > :51:05.working on the bowls, I haven't seen such a young players coming into the

:51:06. > :51:09.game. How strong is the young influence in the sport at the

:51:10. > :51:15.moment? It's on the growth, there was a lull, but it is building and

:51:16. > :51:20.Wales have a very young section in particular. But England as well, the

:51:21. > :51:26.under 25s are full of immense talent. In terms of work being done

:51:27. > :51:31.to get young people involved, how much are you involved in that? What

:51:32. > :51:35.happens is television in many ways is a shop window for that. It's

:51:36. > :51:40.important that people are here to show everything that is available to

:51:41. > :51:44.young players. We are lucky, we have a massive club in Belfast, the

:51:45. > :51:51.biggest in Europe, we have a lot of good young players. How good was

:51:52. > :51:55.Darren Burnett delay? I heard you saying you have never seen him play

:51:56. > :52:02.better? It's a long time since I've seen him play as well. He is one of

:52:03. > :52:07.those players who is a flow player, he needs to feel good. He felt he

:52:08. > :52:12.played well to get past great last night, especially in the tie-break

:52:13. > :52:19.and first set, and that is a big cuddle, to get past someone like

:52:20. > :52:23.Stewart Anderson. Looking forward to the next match, Alex Marshall

:52:24. > :52:29.against Paul Foster. It's amazing, I'm putting champagne out for the

:52:30. > :52:30.front row! With nine singles titles between them, my goodness, it's

:52:31. > :52:39.going to be amazing. Paul Foster was in the New Year 's

:52:40. > :52:45.Honours list, currently ranked number one. The amount of titles

:52:46. > :52:52.between them is unbelievable, two of the most decorated players in the

:52:53. > :52:58.game, how do you see it going? The little edge is with Alex because he

:52:59. > :53:02.loves this venue. He rarely wins outside the Potters, where is Paul

:53:03. > :53:05.Foster wins everywhere. So it is tightly different. But I haven't

:53:06. > :53:10.seen Alex play at the top of his form yet, he is nearly there, as is

:53:11. > :53:16.Paul, I think one more day from either of them and that's who the

:53:17. > :53:25.winner will be. Who will it be? Give me a break on this! I have just an

:53:26. > :53:32.inkling for Paul Foster, I think he has just got the extra shot on the

:53:33. > :53:36.draw in his locker. This is probably one of the most anticipated matches

:53:37. > :53:42.of the week. The players are ready to come out.

:53:43. > :53:49.First, to one of the game 's most feared opponents, five world indoor

:53:50. > :54:17.singles and reigning International open champion, Alex Marshall, MBE!

:54:18. > :54:26.And now to one of the game's finest. Four times a world indoor champion,

:54:27. > :54:52.the lean, mean bowling machine, Paul Foster, MBE!

:54:53. > :54:56.If you like bowls, as the young people say, you're going to be up

:54:57. > :55:05.for this one. There is so little between these two

:55:06. > :55:23.players, very hard to call. You always loved to sit on the

:55:24. > :55:31.fence, time you gave a good honest opinion! So what is yours? It's fair

:55:32. > :55:36.to say that Paul has been playing the better bowls but Alex is such a

:55:37. > :55:39.tough competitor, you never think he is going to roll over. I will go for

:55:40. > :55:46.a tie-break, Paul Foster on the tie-break. That's really where I am

:55:47. > :55:51.as well. I still think both players have an extra gear. Alex Marshall

:55:52. > :56:09.just loves playing in this venue. He has played good stuff in other

:56:10. > :56:15.places, he played very well in Blackpool but not on the portable

:56:16. > :56:22.rink. He will be defending his title up there. He has never really

:56:23. > :56:27.enjoyed Wales that much for some reason. Never settled in the Welsh

:56:28. > :56:35.international Grand Prix. But it has gone now.

:56:36. > :56:42.I just feel as though Alex has probably got to make a good start in

:56:43. > :57:29.this set. Alex, not happy with this delivery.

:57:30. > :57:38.A bit of movement. The club has been stopped. -- clock. As soon as a

:57:39. > :57:40.player reset again, the clock goes come as a player reset again, the

:57:41. > :58:28.clock" fair enough. This is not what any player wants to

:58:29. > :58:36.face. Three down with a last bowl to play, a lot of pressure, even on the

:58:37. > :58:39.opening end. He either comes wait on the act, which he probably doesn't

:58:40. > :58:47.want to, but the forehand holding off is that the court. Looks like

:58:48. > :58:54.backend with weight. It's a percentage shop.

:58:55. > :59:05.Dear me, look at the bowl spinning! Took his own bowl out, can't believe

:59:06. > :59:06.that result! I think he realised he was in the target area but

:59:07. > :59:19.unfortunately got a bad result. Alex was standing there, going,

:59:20. > :59:23."What's happened?" MARKER: Two green and a measure.

:59:24. > :59:34.He was bang on target and got nothing for it.

:59:35. > :59:41.Any movement in this jack from Paul and it's a four.

:59:42. > :59:47.That was unlucky. He needed the bowl solid. Could be two. There is a

:59:48. > :00:08.possibility of three. Not a disaster, two shots. Alex will

:00:09. > :01:24.be reasonably happy with that. 28 metres. How long will it be

:01:25. > :01:29.before somebody goes down to 23? Well, both players are liable to

:01:30. > :01:33.during this game if things develop badly.

:01:34. > :01:48.Both players are happy on the short length.

:01:49. > :02:30.Alex Marshall cruised past Gary Smith, the English international

:02:31. > :02:33.skip. That was in the last round. Gary wasn't catching it for some

:02:34. > :02:37.reason. He is a very talented player. Alex was doing a very

:02:38. > :02:56.professional job. Paul did a very professional job

:02:57. > :03:10.against Danny Denison. Paul played exceptionally well.

:03:11. > :03:39.A chance for Alex again to rest on his shot bowl, possibly lie a three.

:03:40. > :03:50.Paul has to be careful here. He can't afford to too much weight and

:03:51. > :03:54.take his own bowl out, though it is very close to the head. He would be

:03:55. > :03:58.unlucky to take it out without moving something. These are the

:03:59. > :04:02.worst heads for players to play to, David. You know you have to reach,

:04:03. > :04:08.but it is so difficult to play the shot.

:04:09. > :04:26.That's a really good bowl. Alex Marshall has a bowl left. I don't

:04:27. > :04:31.think he will bother playing it. MARKER: One red.

:04:32. > :04:35.Well, good bowl from Paul. Alex is going down to play it. I would agree

:04:36. > :04:37.- there is no way he is going near this head. He is taking the one.

:04:38. > :04:54.This is a practise throw. He's picked the ball up and he is

:04:55. > :05:03.not bothering. MARKER: One shot, Alex Marshall.

:05:04. > :05:10.APPLAUSE Alex Marshall's wife, Diane.

:05:11. > :05:20.Always here to support Alex. Always sporting a good tan as well! She

:05:21. > :05:23.always looks healthy. She likes her sun holidays. She does! They like to

:05:24. > :05:29.go to Mexico. They are very fond of Egypt.

:05:30. > :05:41.Anywhere that is sunny! The short jack length is never going

:05:42. > :06:46.to disturb either of these players. It is almost their default jack

:06:47. > :06:50.length. Yes. I thought Alex's tactic would have been longer. That is a

:06:51. > :07:02.good correction. Very well played. That is why it is so interesting to

:07:03. > :07:08.see them playing against each other, Andy. Any difficulty with opponents,

:07:09. > :07:13.they revert back to the 23 metres, 24. They are confident that their

:07:14. > :07:18.bowls will come back at all lengths, which is important.

:07:19. > :07:25.MARKER: One red. Both players are using Greg Harlow's

:07:26. > :07:29.bowls. Greg has a big say on the carpet here.

:07:30. > :07:34.MARKER: Two inches. It is hardly the bowls from another

:07:35. > :07:45.company. Same company. They are Greg's own bowls.

:07:46. > :08:50.Alex looking to draw another one in. A touching jack would be a bonus. It

:08:51. > :08:59.is not arriving. Well, it's going to be awkward for

:09:00. > :09:04.Paul Foster to do much more than draw. The front bowls make it very

:09:05. > :09:29.hard to remove the red one. It is struggling for pace.

:09:30. > :09:42.MARKER: One shot, Alex Marshall. APPLAUSE

:09:43. > :09:46.Steady stuff. Both players would be quite happy at 2-2 after three. It

:09:47. > :10:25.gets you on the score card. APPLAUSE

:10:26. > :10:30.A change of length in this direction and a good opener from Alex. 28

:10:31. > :10:38.metres, so that is 3.5 metres from his chosen length in the previous

:10:39. > :10:41.direction. A big change. Yes, I saw the bowl hop a bit there as it came

:10:42. > :10:48.over the seam of the rink. He's absolutely right. Good bowl,

:10:49. > :11:32.though, David. I think Paul is following him.

:11:33. > :12:08.MARKER: Two feet. Better here from Alex. That's

:12:09. > :12:13.perfect. That is a big bowl. That might change things.

:12:14. > :12:18.MARKER: Two red. Certainly does. Front bowl two

:12:19. > :12:20.inches, last bowl three inches. Does he play the runner to open things

:12:21. > :12:36.up. Even with controlled weight, that

:12:37. > :12:41.was struggling. Not even sure if that bowl would have been going on

:12:42. > :12:45.to the jack, Andy, the outside bowl of Paul Foster's. It might just

:12:46. > :12:53.travel through the head. I would agree. A bit of trouble here for

:12:54. > :12:55.Paul. Alex is holding all the aces. Alex changing to the forehand side,

:12:56. > :13:16.trying to draw another. Alex pushing this bowl up. That was

:13:17. > :13:24.on the forehand draw. I don't think there is any other choice but for

:13:25. > :13:29.Paul to attack the head here. Yes. Disappointment for Alex. He didn't

:13:30. > :13:33.mean to put it down there. He is shaking his head. Paul will go

:13:34. > :13:39.again. He has to be careful. He could take his own bowl out.

:13:40. > :13:45.He's got it perfect. APPLAUSE

:13:46. > :13:49.He got the thin edge of it and that was enough to transfer across to the

:13:50. > :13:54.other red one and take it out. MARKER: One shot, Paul Foster.

:13:55. > :13:59.What a big bowl this was. He clips the bowls. Takes all three out.

:14:00. > :14:07.Leaves Paul Foster with one. A big bowl. Courageous shot. That was a

:14:08. > :15:38.big bowl. MARKER: One red.

:15:39. > :15:58.Alex is the better draw player at the moment.

:15:59. > :16:06.Close again. APPLAUSE

:16:07. > :16:08.He held on to the jack. MARKER: Two red.

:16:09. > :16:30.Tidy stuff. There is something wrong with this

:16:31. > :16:37.delivery. It is under. I think he was caught in two minds there,

:16:38. > :16:53.David. He didn't really bowl it. Once again, Alex is lying two.

:16:54. > :16:58.Anything past the jack would be good. The perfect bowl is to get to

:16:59. > :17:03.the green bowl, a foot behind the jack. That is not easy. I think I

:17:04. > :17:07.would agree. Anything behind the head is going to be good here.

:17:08. > :17:18.It needs to run. Doesn't want to leave a shoulder. Oh, he has. That's

:17:19. > :17:22.not good. That is a good-bad one, shall we say?

:17:23. > :17:26.MARKER: Three red. A good-bad one - it is a good bowl

:17:27. > :17:30.from the point of view it is counting. It is a bad bowl because

:17:31. > :17:38.it's left a shoulder for Paul Foster and he will be chasing for it.

:17:39. > :17:49.Needs to be lucky. Took his own bowl out. Costly.

:17:50. > :17:59.He wasn't far away, Paul. His own short green bowl was always blocking

:18:00. > :18:02.him out. A big recovery bowl the last time for Paul Foster. He

:18:03. > :18:05.managed to get away with it and scored a single. This time, it

:18:06. > :18:16.hasn't worked. Alex Marshall in control of this end.

:18:17. > :18:34.I can understand why he went wide. MARKER: Three shots, Alex Marshall.

:18:35. > :18:37.Exactly. Quite rightly, he keeps away from the jack. Scores a treble

:18:38. > :19:24.and takes the lead. A lot of variation with Alex on the

:19:25. > :19:28.jack as well. He seems to be sticking to the 28.5 in this

:19:29. > :19:33.direction. He played a good end the last time, although Paul scored. It

:19:34. > :19:54.was Alex who was lying. Once again, that is a great opener.

:19:55. > :19:58.That is coming down strong. Good position.

:19:59. > :20:01.APPLAUSE Two very good opening bowls.

:20:02. > :20:43.MARKER: One red. The last match was a great match.

:20:44. > :20:47.This one's going the same way. The crowd hasn't moved at all, Andy,

:20:48. > :20:58.they are enjoying it. They certainly are. Four big quarterfinals today.

:20:59. > :21:02.Alex trying to repeat his opening two deliveries.

:21:03. > :21:19.MARKER: Two red. On the forehand, he can play with

:21:20. > :21:25.some confidence knowing anything behind the jack is good. Certainly a

:21:26. > :21:42.good cover bowl. Paul will be drawing here.

:21:43. > :21:55.Looks to be under. CROWD GROANS

:21:56. > :22:04.Well, what are his options now? Paul's put himself in a bit of

:22:05. > :22:08.bother. He will have to play a reaching bowl with the next one. I

:22:09. > :22:24.would be inclined to put this deep in case Paul gets to the jack.

:22:25. > :22:29.I don't think he is quite high enough. Yes, he is!

:22:30. > :22:34.APPLAUSE A very good effort. That is in a

:22:35. > :22:40.lovely position on the draw. I think he needs to play into this.

:22:41. > :22:47.MARKER: Two red. He may well have the respot covered.

:22:48. > :22:52.This will show how confident Paul is on his draw.

:22:53. > :23:24.Great bowl. APPLAUSE

:23:25. > :23:28.MARKER: One shot, Paul Foster. No guarantees with the way it was

:23:29. > :23:30.hitting the jack. No, it could have went anywhere. He played a really

:23:31. > :23:51.good weight. MARKER: Jack length is 25.5 metres.

:23:52. > :23:58.It's the sort of day where you want to be here, Andy. Four

:23:59. > :24:05.quarterfinals. Players are all tuned in to the rink. Difficult to beat a

:24:06. > :24:07.quarterfinals day here at Potters. A capacity crowd. Doesn't get any

:24:08. > :24:34.better. APPLAUSE

:24:35. > :24:38.Once again, it is Alex close to the jack.

:24:39. > :24:40.He has been more consistent in this set. Paul has been playing the

:24:41. > :25:36.recovery bowls. Well, a big slap of the leg from

:25:37. > :25:43.Paul. He dropped his head. He must know he is not reaching. Paul has

:25:44. > :25:46.not got into gear today. Something is not quite right. I watched him

:25:47. > :25:55.playing Danny Denison yesterday and he was phenomenal.

:25:56. > :26:01.Both these players were running nicely in the last match, running a

:26:02. > :26:05.gear below their absolute best. But it looks like Paul, to me, has

:26:06. > :26:19.dropped a gear. I think Alex has moved up one.

:26:20. > :26:26.MARKER: Two. This is tidy stuff. Two down once

:26:27. > :26:28.again, Paul is in trouble playing his last bowl. Can he recover once

:26:29. > :26:39.again? He's coming up to the head, so he

:26:40. > :26:41.will be taking a time-out here. MARKER: Paul has three time-outs

:26:42. > :27:16.remaining. He is down on the draw again. He's

:27:17. > :27:21.been asked to dip into this well of good bowls and he is close. Is he

:27:22. > :27:32.running? Close enough. Oh yes! Oh yes! What a bowl. He's playing the

:27:33. > :27:38.recovery bowls very well, Andy. MARKER: One green.

:27:39. > :27:43.You don't want the well to run dry! There was no margin for error

:27:44. > :27:47.whatsoever. It had to be the perfect draw - and that is what he plays. A

:27:48. > :27:49.big last bowl. How many of these, Paul, have you played in this game

:27:50. > :28:00.so far? MARKER: Time-out called. Alex has

:28:01. > :28:04.three time-outs remaining. He has to try and crack an egg on

:28:05. > :28:12.this, Andy. If the jack comes out, if it comes into THIS position, he

:28:13. > :28:17.will lie two. It possibly may only be the one. He just needs to change

:28:18. > :28:22.it. He will certainly be reaching. Looking at the front-runner as well,

:28:23. > :28:28.there is a front-runner available, the green bowl on to green bowl.

:28:29. > :28:40.Yes. That is not exactly a delicate shot, but you have to have a bit of

:28:41. > :28:45.luck. Oh, he catches nothing. MARKER: One shot, Paul Foster.

:28:46. > :29:01.He definitely needed two. All credit to Paul Foster. He's

:29:02. > :29:04.level in this set. Alex Marshall might be standing there thinking,

:29:05. > :29:10."How on earth am I not at least three shots in front?" Yes, I think

:29:11. > :29:14.it is fair to say, Alex has been the better player. That is what the game

:29:15. > :29:20.is all about, just hanging in. It is not always about playing to your

:29:21. > :29:28.perfection all the time. MARKER: Jack length 25.5 metres.

:29:29. > :29:43.A change of length. APPLAUSE

:29:44. > :29:47.Once again, it is not the opener Paul is after. That is about 20

:29:48. > :29:51.inches away. MARKER: The gap is about 20 inches.

:29:52. > :30:21.That was a good call, wasn't it(?) APPLAUSE

:30:22. > :30:43.Once again, he is winning that battle of the first bowl or two.

:30:44. > :30:53.That means all 1100 experts that are out there! Going into lunch today, I

:30:54. > :30:55.got some advice on the way in. Telling you what to do? ! I don't

:30:56. > :31:08.believe it. Close here from Alex. I think he has

:31:09. > :31:18.drawn it. Asking questions of Paul Foster.

:31:19. > :31:25.With the exception of the one end, I think Paul Foster has had the answer

:31:26. > :31:44.most times. He will have the answer here if he runs.

:31:45. > :31:55.Not a disaster for Alex but not a good head. Difficult to see how he

:31:56. > :32:01.could score here. He has got 2-macro bowls, he can arrive at it, just to

:32:02. > :32:07.mix it around a little bit. A bit stronger than I thought, but he

:32:08. > :32:12.wanted out in the open. It was close. Options are reduced now

:32:13. > :32:30.somewhat. He will be looking at this thinking,

:32:31. > :32:33.I still have one bowl at the back. It will be hard to move that Jack

:32:34. > :32:38.around, looks like it is coming straight through, so Paul Foster

:32:39. > :32:45.might do well to stay away from this. Paul is not going deep so

:32:46. > :33:47.therefore he is almost saying to Alex, if you hit the head,

:33:48. > :33:55.Paul just slightly change the angle so I think Alex is overrunning at

:33:56. > :34:02.this. There is a red bowl at the back of the head.

:34:03. > :34:07.Looks wide, that was wide from the hand. So far out, it's unreal. That

:34:08. > :34:37.is not like him. Looks like two shots to me, they are

:34:38. > :34:42.looking at the third. Looking at that, it definitively to, maybe

:34:43. > :34:47.three. What a big end this is the Paul Foster. The middle bowl was

:34:48. > :34:58.conceded. Have to make sure the red bowl

:34:59. > :35:08.doesn't move. As soon as they move the green bowl, the red is likely to

:35:09. > :35:13.move. Not easy. Just need to run that one past, that's it. There we

:35:14. > :35:19.go. Just working about that last bowl. -- thinking. He will be

:35:20. > :35:25.thinking he couldn't take much better in this set. It can be hard

:35:26. > :35:31.on a player who has probably played the better bowls to accept you may

:35:32. > :35:36.lose the set. But he is not world number one for anything, which is

:35:37. > :35:44.why he is. But this is quite an important measure here. Three gives

:35:45. > :35:56.Paul a big chance for the set. I think this one is well in.

:35:57. > :36:11.Check the red again to make sure. 2-macro shots for Paul Foster. The

:36:12. > :36:18.conversion shots have really been the difference. He has been

:36:19. > :36:31.absolutely exceptional. We did say at the start but it might

:36:32. > :36:41.come down to who made the conversion shots were all who saved the shot.

:36:42. > :36:47.Once again, it is Paul who has made the big bowls, but he will realise

:36:48. > :36:50.that is opening deliveries need to make -- he needs to improve his

:36:51. > :37:01.opening deliveries. This looks better.

:37:02. > :37:58.Alex Marshall has been dominating. Paul is suggesting that Alex is

:37:59. > :38:00.going to hit this. I don't think he's gone to waste his bowl at the

:38:01. > :38:40.moment. He has pulled that across. Now that it is so difficult for

:38:41. > :38:45.Alex. He needs to try and bring the Jack through the yard. This is about

:38:46. > :38:51.a one in 100, anybody playing this type of shot. It's difficult, no

:38:52. > :38:53.doubt, it is the one you try and stay away from. He's going stronger.

:38:54. > :39:03.Just to try and get it moved. He has put his own bowl out towards

:39:04. > :39:14.the green one, that's not go to help. Wasn't far away, it's a one in

:39:15. > :39:15.100. Really difficult. This looks almost impossible for Alex now to

:39:16. > :39:48.score two. Alex coming up, just keeping away

:39:49. > :39:54.from the head. It's a wise move. You love being in a position to play

:39:55. > :39:57.those sort of shots. I can normally get between three yards! Sometimes a

:39:58. > :40:02.hit and hope is what is required, that's all Alex can do here, I do

:40:03. > :40:08.think there is a place where he can score, sometimes if you hit the

:40:09. > :40:09.head, you get a bit of luck. He needs a mountain of luck with this

:40:10. > :40:21.one. I think that is what he is playing.

:40:22. > :40:35.That has been the difference the last couple of ends.

:40:36. > :40:43.Alex Marshall looked like he was on top in the set, but Paul Foster the

:40:44. > :40:49.deep, played a couple of big roles and then had to make ends. Takes the

:40:50. > :41:31.set. Paul Foster, on the back of what

:41:32. > :42:35.looked like a comfortable set, is anything but.

:42:36. > :42:44.Alex needs to put the disappointment away. Vital that he starts the set

:42:45. > :42:53.well. This looks like the winner. It's good.

:42:54. > :43:04.All these players would normally play with the big swinging bowl.

:43:05. > :43:10.They have both moved to a different bowl, just slightly inside the line.

:43:11. > :43:19.Very few players played with the Tiger, I'm sure Gary will realise

:43:20. > :43:21.that it was a big mistake. Everything was just whizzing inside.

:43:22. > :43:28.Only because the rink is still fairly slick. Still quite fast, give

:43:29. > :43:38.don't want to big drawing bowl. Alex, not running with this one.

:43:39. > :44:06.There are still big ISM are both of them. -- there is still big bias.

:44:07. > :44:14.An opportunity now for Alex Marshall. No danger on the back-end.

:44:15. > :44:51.-- backhand. That was a chance, he wouldn't have

:44:52. > :46:26.wanted to open with a double but he is on the card in a set.

:46:27. > :47:42.Will, the bowl is just hanging out a bit. Paul needs another one in. Alex

:47:43. > :47:44.looks a bit mystified. It does at times Fox the players, they are

:47:45. > :47:52.wondering why they are dropping a shot here. It does at times come a

:47:53. > :47:59.bit awkward. Alex has got three seconds, is he tempted to take the

:48:00. > :48:06.bowl out? It has to be a timing shot, it can't be a full outdrive.

:48:07. > :48:13.Good strong, timing shot from the edge of the bowl. On a normal club

:48:14. > :48:17.indoor carpet and you would expect Alex to be in the area here, but

:48:18. > :48:25.this makes it difficult. He is close. Just didn't bend in time.

:48:26. > :48:36.Great try. Just didn't get down on time. How many shots is that he has

:48:37. > :48:37.missed on the runners? Not quite sure on that, certainly wasn't far

:48:38. > :49:24.away. He's getting in the area. When it gets past 16 seconds, those

:49:25. > :49:30.shots per, awkward to play. You feel that the optimum speed of those sort

:49:31. > :49:37.of shots is about this team seconds. -- 15. They timed it is around 18

:49:38. > :49:46.earlier this week and I don't know it is running at fast as that, at

:49:47. > :49:53.the moment. The time it down, that's the way it is done. Generally that

:49:54. > :49:57.15, 16 might be a bit slow for a lot of top players. You see a lot of

:49:58. > :50:01.conversion shots, that is exactly what happened at the pool with Alex

:50:02. > :50:10.Marshall, he was playing at that pace will stop -- at Blackpool.

:50:11. > :50:13.That's why it is so difficult. Slightly annoying to some of the

:50:14. > :50:18.players knowing that you are restricted in the shots you can

:50:19. > :50:21.play. Not being critical of the carpet but they are getting forced

:50:22. > :50:33.into shots they know they probably can't achieve. Probably frustrated.

:50:34. > :50:41.Controversial, as always! I thought I would throw in a bit of

:50:42. > :50:46.controversy! That is a better opener from Paul.

:50:47. > :50:54.It's a bit like snooker players as well, sometimes the cloth on the

:50:55. > :51:00.tables can be a bit slick. But you have to play it. I don't think

:51:01. > :51:05.Ronnie O'Sullivan has any problems regarding speed, but anyway.

:51:06. > :51:38.Not such a good follow-up call from Paul.

:51:39. > :51:45.His first couple of deliveries have come off a little bit, Paul Foster

:51:46. > :51:52.has taken advantage. Whereas Paul was under pressure in the first set,

:51:53. > :52:34.slightly different this time. Yes, Alex needs a good one here.

:52:35. > :52:48.His last bowl has forced him on the forehand here. Plenty of time. I

:52:49. > :52:50.think Paul is leaving this head. He knows it is difficult for Alex to

:52:51. > :53:07.school. -- score. Is he seriously looking at the front

:53:08. > :53:11.bowl? If he gets the green bowl... You see the green at the top of the

:53:12. > :53:18.screen, if he gets it onto the red, he loses three. Three feet away from

:53:19. > :53:26.the Jack, he's only one shot down. This could go wrong. I think he's

:53:27. > :53:37.OK. If he moves away from it... Could be on the green here!

:53:38. > :53:46.That's really not like Alex Marshall to play that sort of cannon shot. He

:53:47. > :54:01.is one down, he may now be too down. He has got away with it.

:54:02. > :54:12.That was quite remarkable. The danger was catching the green bowl.

:54:13. > :54:19.Might also be a situation where Alex is thinking, I am not drawing

:54:20. > :54:26.terribly well, loosen the shoulders up a little bit, get rid of a bit of

:54:27. > :54:30.frustration. Nothing wrong with that, sometimes you have to change

:54:31. > :54:34.of tactics if your opponent is drawing well, just to try and upset

:54:35. > :55:44.their rhythm, that is what you have to do with Paul, upset his rhythm.

:55:45. > :56:16.There she is, resplendent in Cyril Rees! Pink to other people!

:56:17. > :56:22.Alex isn't looking too happy here. He was probably the most consistent

:56:23. > :56:26.player of the two in the first set. It's almost as if the first set has

:56:27. > :56:34.knocked him a little bit. A big shoulder now, if he wants to

:56:35. > :57:31.have a go at the next one. Paul turned his back on this one. I

:57:32. > :57:41.doubt they get that bad! It's very good. Locked in for the shoulder

:57:42. > :57:47.now. Temptation here is that the perfect raw... Have to play the

:57:48. > :57:51.percentages. Must play the percentages on this one. He is three

:57:52. > :58:12.shots down here. Needs a good one. He was under, he needed a good

:58:13. > :58:44.result. Not a good result, but he wasn't far away.

:58:45. > :58:54.The crowd have been really entertained on quarterfinal day.

:58:55. > :58:59.Continuing to stay in their seats, enjoying this one. At the moment,

:59:00. > :59:11.it's Paul Foster in control. You just feel Alex Marshall needs

:59:12. > :59:19.one big end. And things could turn around. I almost feel that Alex has

:59:20. > :59:25.got to school this end, if he doesn't, it's a long road back. This

:59:26. > :59:30.is vital, this end. At the moment, I think he has got to score here. Paul

:59:31. > :00:17.will be too many shots ahead. Wasn't that far away. Now there is a

:00:18. > :00:22.chance for Alex to get a second bowl in. I would agree. One on the top to

:00:23. > :00:46.give Paul problems. It's a good bowl but he's framed it

:00:47. > :00:52.a little bit. He's got to negotiate passing his own shot. He is playing

:00:53. > :00:57.the timing shot. If he gets on to his own bowl, he clears the way.

:00:58. > :01:01.Needs to be lucky. That is a good result out of that.

:01:02. > :01:09.MARKER: One red. Not only did he push the red bowl

:01:10. > :01:11.through, Andy, he's got three seconds. Alex probably needs to get

:01:12. > :01:33.another one in the head quickly. At least two seconds now. Will Paul

:01:34. > :01:39.Foster be interested in this bowl? A difficult one here. The danger is if

:01:40. > :01:44.Paul misses the shot bowl and pushes the jack through, he could drop two

:01:45. > :01:46.out of the three. The forehand looks pretty good. He has a shoulder to

:01:47. > :01:55.come off. The weight was perfect. I think he

:01:56. > :02:17.reckoned he was closer than that. Must make this one, Alex. You make

:02:18. > :02:24.it and you are right-back in this set! -- right back in this set!

:02:25. > :02:40.Absolutely. A big chance here for Alex.

:02:41. > :02:53.He's not bad, is he? Well played. MARKER: Two shots, Alex Marshall.

:02:54. > :03:04.He's got himself back into things. 4-3 after five. Four ends to go. The

:03:05. > :03:11.second set is very much now right in the mix.

:03:12. > :03:36.Change of length. MARKER: Jack length is 29 metres.

:03:37. > :03:47.That is a really good shot of the bowl coming down. You can see it

:03:48. > :03:58.bending. Here it comes. APPLAUSE

:03:59. > :04:02.Good draw on that side of the carpet. Both players have chosen to

:04:03. > :04:42.lead off different sides. Having a look. Jack and bowl. A bit

:04:43. > :04:46.unlucky. He wanted the bowl first and then the jack. It's a good hit

:04:47. > :04:49.for Alex. MARKER: One green. Good position

:04:50. > :05:11.here for Alex. MARKER: The gap is 13 inches.

:05:12. > :05:19.That's exactly what he wanted. Oh yes!

:05:20. > :05:44.APPLAUSE MARKER: Two green.

:05:45. > :05:59.How is your luck? Yes, it is good. APPLAUSE

:06:00. > :06:05.Good result as well. He hit the target and that's all you can do.

:06:06. > :06:11.MARKER: One red. Still a good one, though. Paul has

:06:12. > :06:20.to be careful here. Alex is looking at it as if to say, "Are you sure?"

:06:21. > :06:31.Alex fancies two. I think he's put the doubt into his mind.

:06:32. > :06:40.MARKER: Time-out called. Believe me, there is only one. Your

:06:41. > :06:47.eyes are worse than mine! There is only the one - I guarantee it!

:06:48. > :06:59.MARKER: Paul has two time-outs remaining.

:07:00. > :07:08.Paul is being positive here. VERY positive!

:07:09. > :07:25.Perfect result. APPLAUSE

:07:26. > :07:30.MARKER: Two green. Good, positive shot from Paul

:07:31. > :07:34.Foster, right in the area. He got a very good result as well. Will Alex

:07:35. > :07:59.attack this? HOOTER SOUNDS

:08:00. > :08:07.Don't worry about the hooter. He got the bowl away in time. The jack is

:08:08. > :08:13.live. If the jack had gone off the confines of the ring, there was a

:08:14. > :08:23.red bowl sitting there waiting for it on the respot. He's been very

:08:24. > :08:25.unlucky. Very unlucky. That's one of Paul Foster's two first bowls that

:08:26. > :08:31.were touchers. Paul just waiting for the marker to

:08:32. > :08:44.indicate where the jack is. This might be awkward to - that is

:08:45. > :08:49.why Paul is taking his time - awkward to get to where he needs to

:08:50. > :08:50.to score. Any bowl within two yards of the jack will score. That is not

:08:51. > :09:02.easy. He knees he is lying the shot -- he

:09:03. > :09:07.knows he is lying the shot. He's not running. I thought he would have

:09:08. > :09:14.given that a real good go, Andy. The other side looked easier to draw

:09:15. > :09:15.another. We were certain it was one to green.

:09:16. > :09:29.MARKER: One shot, Paul Foster. Yes. Quite interesting there in that end

:09:30. > :09:33.because Paul Foster had two touchers. He playing the running

:09:34. > :09:39.bowl, his own bowl dropped back, didn't touch the jack, but if it

:09:40. > :09:45.had, he was on for the four touchers from the quarterfinal stage onwards

:09:46. > :09:49.and that is worth ?4,000. Is it really? I was watching his bowl and

:09:50. > :09:59.he got a good result. He played a really good bowl.

:10:00. > :10:05.MARKER: Jack length is 26 metres. Would he have gone for it?

:10:06. > :10:14.Definitely. Alex put paid to that with the next bowl. Yes. Achieved by

:10:15. > :10:22.Robert Parkson in Scotland a few years ago. Not easy to get the four

:10:23. > :10:25.touchers. Paul Foster, end seven, if he scores here, it is going to be

:10:26. > :10:34.very hard for Alex Marshall to get back into this set. A must-end win

:10:35. > :10:36.for Alex, 5-3 down. Paul is aware the draw is good enough for him to

:10:37. > :10:52.go through. Good reply. Great reply!

:10:53. > :11:02.APPLAUSE That is what you like to see.

:11:03. > :11:08.Both players have picked their game up. They realise the finish line is

:11:09. > :11:20.close. They are having to play big bowls now. Dropping short, slightly.

:11:21. > :11:23.MARKER: One red. Paul won't be happy with that if

:11:24. > :11:45.Alex puts this one in. Number two, but it is sitting out a

:11:46. > :11:49.little bit. A normal reaction would be to reach this, but he is drawing

:11:50. > :11:56.very well. He will try to run the bowls off. He is Is looking at the

:11:57. > :12:00.clock. -- he is looking at the clock. He is playing the runner. It

:12:01. > :12:06.has a long way to come back with that weight. Here it comes. Always

:12:07. > :12:11.on the wide side. He's made it worse. Well, now. Have we another

:12:12. > :12:15.little twist in this set? Alex, you would expect to draw

:12:16. > :12:23.number three with this bowl. Paul will be in a heap of trouble

:12:24. > :12:41.here. That is number three. If it drops,

:12:42. > :12:45.it is better. I don't think he's widened the target any. He hasn't.

:12:46. > :12:47.He's locked bowls in at the same time. This is a difficult head for

:12:48. > :12:59.Paul. He will be delighted with that. Good

:13:00. > :13:02.bowl. Really good bowl by Paul Foster.

:13:03. > :13:07.MARKER: One red. He wasn't sure if he was going to

:13:08. > :13:11.get past the front one. That was always the problem. The short green

:13:12. > :13:15.bowl at the top of the screen, he had to negotiate past. He's taken

:13:16. > :13:33.two away. You would expect Paul to be dropping two here.

:13:34. > :13:41.Number two coming in. Needs to hurry. Needs to hurry. It is

:13:42. > :13:47.toiling. Good enough. That is just hanging on, I think. Paul's pretty

:13:48. > :13:52.good at that sort of stuff. Paul didn't wait his 30 seconds.

:13:53. > :13:56.MARKER: Two shots, Alex Marshall. Yes, two shots.

:13:57. > :14:03.APPLAUSE If that bowl had dropped, it was

:14:04. > :14:13.only going to be the single. Paul didn't give it a full 30 seconds.

:14:14. > :14:23.All to fight for on the last two ends.

:14:24. > :14:36.Once again, the jack length has been moved around a lot in this match.

:14:37. > :15:18.Understandably, so. Alex Marshall can score, if he can

:15:19. > :15:26.score two shots in this end, it puts him in a strong position to win the

:15:27. > :15:31.set and force a tie-break. I always think going into one shot, it is too

:15:32. > :15:37.difficult. It becomes a tie-break end if you are only one up. I'd

:15:38. > :15:43.agree, Alex's target here will be to try to score the double. If Paul

:15:44. > :15:53.scores, he really is in a good position.

:15:54. > :16:11.Slightly up. MARKER: One red.

:16:12. > :16:20.Alex running after it. Normally a sign that he likes the bowl. It is

:16:21. > :16:23.coming in now. It needs to stay up a bit on the centre. That is pretty

:16:24. > :16:26.good. MARKER: Two red.

:16:27. > :16:33.Still just a draw for Paul. MARKER: Last bowl - gap is 15

:16:34. > :16:54.inches. Oh! Come on! Or he might get the gap

:16:55. > :16:57.and be in a heap of trouble. I didn't think there was a gap there!

:16:58. > :17:06.Didn't look like it. I thought he was going to get a

:17:07. > :17:10.perfect result with that one, David. He was very brave to go for it. If

:17:11. > :17:16.he nipped that short bowl, he would have taken the shot bowl out.

:17:17. > :17:39.He is going deep. He is playing safe. That's a good shot. There was

:17:40. > :17:44.always a chance that he might go for the riskier one. Well, I wouldn't

:17:45. > :17:48.have blamed him going for that one either. That was a good bowl. Paul

:17:49. > :18:02.playing the forehand draw this time. He is on a high line. This is all

:18:03. > :18:07.about judging the weight on the way back.

:18:08. > :18:14.That's good. He'll be happy with that.

:18:15. > :18:20.MARKER: One shot, Alex Marshall. He is going to go into the last end

:18:21. > :18:26.one down. He have the bowl. Alex Marshall has to score on this last

:18:27. > :18:30.end to force a tie-break. He started off a bit slow and scrappy. But it's

:18:31. > :18:35.really picked up in the last few ends. Certainly has. Both players

:18:36. > :18:38.realising a big semifinal spot is available. Both have picked their

:18:39. > :18:43.game up in the last two or three ends.

:18:44. > :19:11.MARKER: Jack length is 29 metres. Almost a full-length jack.

:19:12. > :19:21.A front-toucher required for Alex. Nice and easy.

:19:22. > :19:55.Not bad. A foot down. He knows that will probably be beaten.

:19:56. > :20:09.They are in the mix. They are in the mix.

:20:10. > :20:13.This looks like the winner. How close is it going to be? Close

:20:14. > :20:41.enough. Well, that is pretty good. Paul is close here. He needs the

:20:42. > :20:48.jack. He's got it perfect. APPLAUSE

:20:49. > :20:52.That brings his back bowl into play. MARKER: Two green.

:20:53. > :20:58.He knows he can afford to lose a single. He's taken the two red bowls

:20:59. > :21:05.off Alex Marshall's first two deliveries out of things now. Alex

:21:06. > :21:08.needs this one in. I feel Alex will draw this, David. I think he has to

:21:09. > :21:28.arrive at it at least. He is too high. That is OK. He has a

:21:29. > :21:35.chance with the last delivery. That should be Paul Foster's target bowl.

:21:36. > :21:46.A case here for almost Paul trying to block Alex out. If he does that,

:21:47. > :21:48.he would force Alex on to the forehand and that would be a bowl on

:21:49. > :22:08.the jack job. That is not a good bowl by Paul

:22:09. > :22:15.Foster. He's left it open. He knows it. He very much knows it himself.

:22:16. > :22:23.Yes. Paul indicated he wanted that bowl 18 inches tighter. Well, Alex,

:22:24. > :22:25.that... That is effectively a bowl to stay in the Championship. Simple

:22:26. > :22:33.as that. Has to draw within six inches to

:22:34. > :22:44.keep himself alive. He is running after it.

:22:45. > :22:53.What a bowl that is! APPLAUSE

:22:54. > :23:00.That was a peach! Wow! I thought he might have pulled

:23:01. > :23:03.the jack back to make sure of the extra one. That is a beauty under

:23:04. > :23:14.pressure. What a bowl! Not half. Paul needs to play the perfect bowl

:23:15. > :23:20.here. This one has to - he doesn't like it. He's missed it. He knew out

:23:21. > :23:23.of the hand it wasn't right. I don't think he can do anything with the

:23:24. > :23:27.outside bowl either. MARKER: One shot and the second set

:23:28. > :23:31.to Alex Marshall. Paul Foster had started to clap that

:23:32. > :23:37.bowl three yards away. He knew he was all over it.

:23:38. > :23:43.MARKER: Alex won the toss and has given the jack to Paul on the first

:23:44. > :23:49.end. Second set. Paul Foster looked like

:23:50. > :23:54.he was going well at 4-1. And Alex Marshall really didn't look good.

:23:55. > :23:58.Body language and everything else was saying he was in a bit of

:23:59. > :24:02.bother, but he got a two. He's stepped up a gear. And he finished

:24:03. > :24:10.off very strong with a double on the seventh end and two singles. He had

:24:11. > :24:16.a double to get back to 4-3 and both players have picked their game up

:24:17. > :24:27.since then. Good stuff now. MARKER: Jack length is 25 metres.

:24:28. > :25:41.MARKER: Two green. It's a shot, but it's a shoulder.

:25:42. > :25:46.MARKER: About three inches. I don't think it will stop Alex from

:25:47. > :25:50.playing the backhand. I don't think it will. Alex feels confident here

:25:51. > :25:53.all of a sudden. He will draw the shot here. There is a spring in his

:25:54. > :26:04.step. He's in the area. Another six inches was all he

:26:05. > :26:11.needed. MARKER: One green.

:26:12. > :26:17.Paul needs this bowl on the top of the jack.

:26:18. > :26:26.At the moment, Alex has still got a good one. He doesn't want to leave

:26:27. > :26:32.it. He has. He's made it around the bowl. He didn't want to leave the

:26:33. > :26:35.shoulder. This is not easy. MARKER: Two green.

:26:36. > :26:39.Perfect draw on the backhand, or open it up. He has got the last

:26:40. > :26:42.delivery available, Andy. You have to open this up, David. It is too

:26:43. > :26:51.difficult to draw. MARKER: Time-out called. Alex has

:26:52. > :26:55.two remaining time-outs. I'm thinking, Andy, if he plays the

:26:56. > :26:59.forehand, he could get into the red bowls, but he could get on to the

:27:00. > :27:06.green bowl and move it on to THIS one, take it out. That brings the

:27:07. > :27:16.front one into play. It is a drive. It's a forehand runner.

:27:17. > :27:23.He's always wide! CROWD GROANS

:27:24. > :27:30.He will be disappointed with that. Not happy.

:27:31. > :27:39.The trouble for Paul is the green bowls can disappear, he probably

:27:40. > :27:42.needs another in the head. If I was Paul, I would be going for the spot.

:27:43. > :27:48.Well, looks like he is going for the blocker. That is not a bad choice as

:27:49. > :27:53.long as he stays slightly on the forehand side of the centre rink.

:27:54. > :28:01.It is a good blocker. That is good. It is a good blocker on the forehand

:28:02. > :28:04.side. It doesn't stop the backhand runner. No. You can't cover

:28:05. > :28:15.everything. Once again, David, Alex has got to

:28:16. > :28:20.hope to hit his road bowls into the head and, once again, hope that Lady

:28:21. > :28:23.Luck is on your side. MARKER: Time-out called.

:28:24. > :28:26.It has to travel all the way through.

:28:27. > :28:30.One of these relevant bowls would have to travel -- red bowls would

:28:31. > :28:34.have to travel through. Again, hit the target, get a piece of luck.

:28:35. > :28:58.He's certainly hitting something this time. Lucky. Unlucky. He hit

:28:59. > :29:05.the target. He had to hope for a bit of luck, to be fair, but didn't get

:29:06. > :29:07.it. The third delivery from Alex let him down there. Needed to open it

:29:08. > :29:19.up. Paul Foster's choice on the jack and

:29:20. > :29:25.he gives it away, as you would expect, so he has the last bowl.

:29:26. > :29:30.Doesn't matter what jack length these two players will play, they

:29:31. > :29:33.are both equally proficient. I think Alex will be going long here. 28,

:29:34. > :29:55.29. Has he lost it? He has. So he's lost

:29:56. > :30:01.the mat and also the last bowl. I would have thought Paul would go

:30:02. > :30:06.shorter. He let it go a little quick, I thought. He turned its back

:30:07. > :30:11.on it whenever it was coming up, so I thought to myself, he knows he is

:30:12. > :30:13.safe. Most players would expect to throw the jack, especially if

:30:14. > :30:28.they've got a three-metre margin. I think lacks is happier with the

:30:29. > :31:04.jack on the tee. A decent starter.

:31:05. > :31:18.MARKER: 1 red. This is awkward all of a sudden for Alex.

:31:19. > :31:21.MARKER: the gap is 11 inches. He won't want to give the shot away on

:31:22. > :31:41.the backhand. He prefers it. That forced him out a little bit. It

:31:42. > :31:48.is a good bowl, where it has finished. This is a good head

:31:49. > :32:03.already for Paul. Awkward for Alex. He's got a really big chance with

:32:04. > :32:15.this one. APPLAUSE A back toucher.

:32:16. > :32:27.Might be lucky enough to get the two green absolutely clean. It is

:32:28. > :32:38.advantage Foster at the moment. After this Alex has one bowl left.

:32:39. > :32:45.That's going away very quickly. Goodness me. Well, I thought he was

:32:46. > :32:56.very close to getting the two green there. He got one, needed the other.

:32:57. > :33:05.What does he do, put another one in or try and block it? A good

:33:06. > :33:12.question. I think I would leave it alone. He's got to anticipate what

:33:13. > :33:19.Alex will play. Alex will probably try to run this ball out. I would be

:33:20. > :33:22.covering this spot. If he goes near it, he gives Alex a bigger target.

:33:23. > :33:33.Interesting. You like to give me the awkward ones

:33:34. > :33:39.don't you? The problem is I don't think Alex will miss it twice. The

:33:40. > :33:49.danger in drawing is you build the head up bigger.

:33:50. > :34:00.That's good. APPLAUSE If it is a second shot, it

:34:01. > :34:08.is even better. MARKER: one left, Alex. I think both

:34:09. > :34:16.bowls could still go out here. A high percentage of the jack

:34:17. > :34:21.movement. Alex coming back up to look at this again. It has to be a

:34:22. > :34:27.strike on the hand that you fancy here, as simple as that, and hope

:34:28. > :34:31.the green bowls go out. He's got the chance to get to the jack clean on

:34:32. > :34:36.the forehand. If he gets into the green bowl he might move it through

:34:37. > :34:43.on to this one. I don't think the backhand, he has two options, has to

:34:44. > :34:45.hit the green bowl clean. He's playing backhand. If that's the case

:34:46. > :35:04.he is looking for bowl on to bowl. This will be the shot of the

:35:05. > :35:12.championship if he gets this. APPLAUSE Just so little between

:35:13. > :35:16.these two great friends. Two single shots on the tie-break were enough

:35:17. > :35:23.for Paul Foster to get over the line, but my goodness me there was

:35:24. > :35:30.never much in it, was there. Paul Foster wins the first set 10-5. Lost

:35:31. > :35:33.the second 7-5 to Alex Marshall but takes the tie-break 2-0. Foster is

:35:34. > :36:17.through to the semifinal. Here are the two men who know each

:36:18. > :36:21.other so well, and they've produced a dramatic match. Alex, credit to

:36:22. > :36:26.you for sticking in, there because Paul played very well. Take us

:36:27. > :36:31.through that last bowl in the second set. Magnificent. Yes, I played

:36:32. > :36:36.three bowls before and I knew I was close with these three, so I knew if

:36:37. > :36:41.I put the same line and weight, and I managed to draw the shot on my

:36:42. > :36:46.last bowl. How do you feel you played today against your old mate?

:36:47. > :36:50.I played well. I missed a few conversion shots which I usually

:36:51. > :36:55.get. I edged into the first set, but Paul played wonderful bowl ls, and

:36:56. > :36:58.that's why he's a champion. Paul, congratulations, you have the

:36:59. > :37:04.bragging rights between the two of you. How well due feel you played

:37:05. > :37:10.today. Alex on the face of it looked like he played pretty well. I had to

:37:11. > :37:18.dig deep. I didn't deserve that first set. He totally outbowled me.

:37:19. > :37:22.I managed to nick the set and you kick on from there. It was a

:37:23. > :37:27.fantastic match. It could have went either way. In the second set I

:37:28. > :37:31.managed to find another gear, but the pressure is against you. That's

:37:32. > :37:34.why he's a true champion as well. There's not much between the two of

:37:35. > :37:38.you in terms of your achievements. In the end what is it that puts one

:37:39. > :37:44.above the other, is it what happens on any given day? There's nothing

:37:45. > :37:53.between us. It is a bit of Lady Luck. Alex hit his target and got

:37:54. > :37:57.the results but it went my way. There is nothing between us.

:37:58. > :38:04.Congratulations, Paul, through to the semifinal. Commiserations, Alex.

:38:05. > :38:07.Lots of good action to come. We are halfway way through looking at the

:38:08. > :38:17.quarterfinals. This is how you can follow it on the BBC.

:38:18. > :38:27.You can enjoy coverage across a whole range of devices. We are live

:38:28. > :38:31.online via des top computer or laptop. And on the big screen via a

:38:32. > :38:36.connected TV or selected games consoles. If you do miss anything

:38:37. > :38:41.there is always a chance to catch up using the BBC iPlayer. And you can

:38:42. > :38:58.contact us on social media, Twitter and Facebook, not forget ing

:38:59. > :39:03.#BBCBOWLS. Greg Harlow has come down ring-side. We talked about going

:39:04. > :39:06.into this one. Two guys, they have got such tremendous records and

:39:07. > :39:11.there wasn't much between them. Absolutely. We expected a really

:39:12. > :39:18.fantastic game and we got that. As the guy said earlier, the first set,

:39:19. > :39:21.the scores didn't dictate the play. It is fantastic to take it to a

:39:22. > :39:25.tie-break and there was no difference in the tie-break. A

:39:26. > :39:30.brilliant match. Paul's been the tournament favourite for a long

:39:31. > :39:36.time, and people always talk about him as the one to beat. Is that the

:39:37. > :39:40.way you are seeing it? I think so. Yesterday against Danny Denison he

:39:41. > :39:45.was awesome. He carried that on today, so he's going to get stronger

:39:46. > :39:50.and stronger. It is the old adage, if anyone wants to win this

:39:51. > :39:54.tournament, they have to beat Paul Foster. The defending champion's

:39:55. > :39:57.gone, Darren Burnett is playing very well at the moment, and the guys in

:39:58. > :40:03.the commentary box said it is the best they've seen from him in some

:40:04. > :40:08.time. Stuart hasn't done anything wrong. Darren drew well but plays

:40:09. > :40:12.conversions well. When he's hitting, he is very dangerous. He deserves

:40:13. > :40:16.his spot. He's an outside chance. Absolutely. Between Alex and Paul,

:40:17. > :40:20.how important is it for Paul to have the bragging rights now? They are

:40:21. > :40:25.such good mates, there might be a little bit of a dig in the bar, but

:40:26. > :40:29.it will only be in good humour. I'm sure they'll be back next year to

:40:30. > :40:33.try to regain the pairs title. And so will you? But they'll be the pair

:40:34. > :40:39.to beat. Greg, thank you. We are going to look back on the

:40:40. > :40:42.quarterfinal from this morning now. 58-year-old Andy Thomson in action

:40:43. > :40:47.against world number three Robert Paxton. We are picking this up in

:40:48. > :40:54.the first set. Andy Thomson is leading 8-5.

:40:55. > :41:06.Andy's had a couple of drives missed.

:41:07. > :41:14.When you are behind in a match like this, you maybe have to start taking

:41:15. > :41:15.risks. From Robert's point of view this is really important. He needs

:41:16. > :41:37.to score. MARKER: your bowl to gap is 12

:41:38. > :42:15.inches. Robert is sticking on the back-hand

:42:16. > :42:23.side, refusing the open forehand draw.

:42:24. > :42:34.He made a correction. That's enough. Well done.

:42:35. > :42:40.APPLAUSE. It just shows that you can play that hand, as long as you have

:42:41. > :42:57.good weight. Robert likes that backhand.

:42:58. > :43:07.Andy will be aware, he doesn't mind dropping a single, he's still in

:43:08. > :43:09.control of the set. Lose one... He is favourite to take the set if he

:43:10. > :43:37.loses a single. They have seen it all before, John.

:43:38. > :43:42.Andy has to think about this. He could play the same draw and follow

:43:43. > :43:45.Robert in and hope to drop off the green. There is a possibility of

:43:46. > :43:49.striking his own short bowl into the jack.

:43:50. > :43:54.MARKER: Time-out called. Andy has three time-outs remaining.

:43:55. > :43:58.The maximum result would be to strike red into two greens, that

:43:59. > :44:04.would be a real bonus. Yes. That is a bit of a gap, John, to get into

:44:05. > :44:18.THERE. Saying that, the green would disappear. One would go THATA way,

:44:19. > :44:22.the -- THAT way. The problem is, if you d strike it and you didn't catch

:44:23. > :44:27.that red solid, you would take it away. That would make it easier for

:44:28. > :44:32.Robert to put a third bowl in. Lots of options for Andy. He may choose

:44:33. > :44:39.to play a conservative draw. No, he is going for the big strike!

:44:40. > :44:47.He played that because it wasn't an easy draw. He was well inside his

:44:48. > :45:22.target bowl. Robert looking at this bowl coming

:45:23. > :45:25.down the rink. APPLAUSE

:45:26. > :45:47.It is going to be close if it drops back. Could be.

:45:48. > :45:56.A big end for Robert Paxton. I think Andy chose the right shot

:45:57. > :45:58.but he was just off target. Could be a bit of work for the

:45:59. > :46:23.umpire. You normally favour the bowl on its

:46:24. > :46:34.back. Yes. You can't choose a lot between the

:46:35. > :47:36.two players at this stage. It is the right time to get a three.

:47:37. > :47:41.A very good end for Robert. Looking for a good opener now. And that is a

:47:42. > :47:48.very good opener by Robert Paxton. Just what you need.

:47:49. > :48:10.And he got himself into a very good position. He forced the issue all

:48:11. > :48:21.the way through to the 8th end after being behind.

:48:22. > :48:31.Robert played a very good end. He slipped on to the backhand here.

:48:32. > :48:41.Anything just past a jack is good. That's tidy.

:48:42. > :48:54.APPLAUSE. That will keep. I don't think Andy will attack too early.

:48:55. > :49:05.He was off the mat pretty quick with this one. That's a bad one.

:49:06. > :49:14.Everything went wrong with that. He's not happy with that one. When

:49:15. > :49:16.you play one like that and you're off the mat too quickly and didn't

:49:17. > :49:29.get the ball away. This is well played. If it gets to

:49:30. > :49:33.centre, this is very good. APPLAUSE That's a very handy bowl.

:49:34. > :49:41.It is going to be difficult to negotiate on the forehand. MARKER:

:49:42. > :49:43.Two green. Only needs one shot. Robert Paxton has played the perfect

:49:44. > :49:53.end at the moment. Now a silver fox. Can he get a

:49:54. > :50:05.cunning plan to get himself out of this mess?

:50:06. > :50:16.That's probably the right shot to play, but I think Robert has played

:50:17. > :50:22.the perfect end here. He's got back position. Difficult to negotiate on

:50:23. > :50:26.the forehand. If Andy comes in on the backhand and stretches the jack

:50:27. > :50:32.through, it is more than likely going to green. I don't think it

:50:33. > :50:38.will go back. I wonder with Robert with whether he might consider

:50:39. > :50:41.blocking the forehand draw well down the rink, keeping away from the end

:50:42. > :51:05.and leaving the bowl in the drawing line. Andy hasn't got too much on.

:51:06. > :51:12.He's trying to drop it down the short line, making it difficult for

:51:13. > :51:16.Andy. That's probably not right in the line but it will take his eye

:51:17. > :51:27.off the mat and make it difficult for him to get round that and ba in.

:51:28. > :51:45.-- and back in. Andy Thomson needs a really super bowl here.

:51:46. > :51:57.This needs to hurry. APPLAUSE Andy will be very annoyed

:51:58. > :52:03.at losing this one. Played a poor end then, Andy. Three short bowls.

:52:04. > :52:20.First set to Paxton. In a match like this, it is so tight.

:52:21. > :52:25.Robert Paxton is guaranteed a tie-break. Andy has to fight his way

:52:26. > :53:23.back. He doesn't want to get into that

:53:24. > :53:33.situation, Andy. He's losing momentum.

:53:34. > :53:57.Robert will have sensed that. This is the time to put the pressure on.

:53:58. > :54:10.This is a much better bowl. APPLAUSE MARKER: Andy bowled an inch

:54:11. > :54:40.short of jack high. The second short. The third one bang

:54:41. > :54:45.on the toucher. Getting the grips with this one now, Robert. It is

:54:46. > :54:50.still available for Andy on a backhand little tap. If he's looking

:54:51. > :54:56.on the forehand, he's going to have to clear the debris out of the way.

:54:57. > :55:03.A good bad result, because he's taken one away but he's also taken

:55:04. > :55:07.his own closest away. Two against, he will almost certainly have

:55:08. > :55:10.another one against him. I think Robert will put this in. Depends how

:55:11. > :55:39.close he'll get. Although he played two fantastic

:55:40. > :55:43.bowls there, John, he's staying away from it. Another great bowl here by

:55:44. > :55:48.Robert Paxton. APPLAUSE. That's wonderful bowling.

:55:49. > :55:57.He's played almost a perfect end, again. He just moved up a gear,

:55:58. > :56:14.Robert. The last three ends, David, he's put a lot of close bowls in.

:56:15. > :56:22.That's quite a narrow line. He's trying to drop in on the close bowl.

:56:23. > :56:26.A good effort. He didn't get enough. There was a chance of the jack

:56:27. > :56:37.moving another foot or so but he lost the double.

:56:38. > :56:46.It is only the first end of the second set but it is three ends in a

:56:47. > :57:23.row that Robert Paxton has score, three and two twos.

:57:24. > :57:33.A lot of very good first bowls going in. He sense this is could be the

:57:34. > :58:07.moment to break away. APPLAUSE A very good reply. Andy's

:58:08. > :58:10.going to need all his experience just to hold on to Robert at this

:58:11. > :58:27.moment. You try and ride the storm if you

:58:28. > :58:34.can. This is another one going in. APPLAUSE Very tidy from Paxton. He's

:58:35. > :58:47.getting the ball away well. MARKER: The last bowl the gap is 3 inches.

:58:48. > :59:20.A very good strike. Front ball first, cleans him out.

:59:21. > :59:48.He's replaced it. APPLAUSE MARKER: One green.

:59:49. > :59:55.Another great attempt by Andy. Will it drop back? Played it well. That's

:59:56. > :00:15.a very good bowl after a full drive from Andy Thomson.

:00:16. > :00:24.Robert slipping on to the forehand side. He will make the red bowl his

:00:25. > :00:29.jack. It is all about good weight. He is in the area again here. He

:00:30. > :00:37.needs to run a bit further. Yes. Just dropping, though. Well, it's

:00:38. > :00:49.not easy, John, for Andy to come in and touch the jack for the three.

:00:50. > :00:59.The one thing he wants to do, is to make certain of the shot. He is

:01:00. > :01:04.attacking the green bowl. He is Mabelinging sure he is in the area

:01:05. > :01:15.-- making sure he is in the area. This could go off the green. There

:01:16. > :01:20.is a green bowl lurking back there. MARKER: One shot, Robert Paxton.

:01:21. > :01:55.He managed to pick out the worst result.

:01:56. > :02:11.He is still very much in the game, though. He is competing well. Robert

:02:12. > :02:15.is a bit more consistent with his drawing bowl, especially the opening

:02:16. > :02:53.deliveries at the moment. A long way to go, though. He has to regroup.

:02:54. > :03:59.Robert was a few shots in front on the first set and he played an

:04:00. > :04:05.indifferent end. Robert played four very good ends in a row. Four

:04:06. > :04:10.brilliant ends, actually. He's gone walkabout here. A big chance for

:04:11. > :04:14.Andy Thomson. The forehand is still available. Both players are staying

:04:15. > :04:24.away from it. Andy needs to sneak up past this. And that's very good.

:04:25. > :04:29.That might just tempt Robert. The open hand is available, but he does

:04:30. > :04:31.prefer the backhand. At this stage, Robert will be thinking, "If I drop

:04:32. > :04:42.a single here, it's a result." He likes this one. He is up after

:04:43. > :04:52.it. He knew it was close. Very close for

:04:53. > :05:12.shot. MARKER: One green.

:05:13. > :05:15.One green. He played three poor bowls and he produced a big delivery

:05:16. > :05:26.with the last bowl. Andy on the backhand now. He is

:05:27. > :05:37.looking to reach on to that green. He is on a good line.

:05:38. > :06:07.Massive bowl for Robert Paxton, but it was a bit of a Houdini one. Andy

:06:08. > :06:10.will be a little bit disappointed there. He must have been thinking,

:06:11. > :06:18."I could pull a two or a three out of this end" and it all went up in

:06:19. > :06:43.smoke! MARKER: Jack length 26.5 metres.

:06:44. > :07:19.MARKER: One red. Andy can't afford to lose anymore

:07:20. > :07:31.shots in this set. He doesn't want to be chasing five or six down.

:07:32. > :07:41.This is very close as well. He is touching the jack to make the

:07:42. > :07:49.double. Not easy to draw your way out of this one.

:07:50. > :07:55.MARKER: Two green. The gap is seven inches.

:07:56. > :07:57.I would be tempted to have a go. If he takes his own bowl away, John, he

:07:58. > :08:11.is in trouble. That is a good strike. He could just

:08:12. > :08:17.see the edge of the green. He got it. Back on the respot. He's got a

:08:18. > :08:22.good opportunity now. He's opened it right out. The difficulty here is

:08:23. > :08:27.the backhand has a green bowl which is probably close to being in the

:08:28. > :08:32.draw. Andy won't like that. He doesn't look happy about that bowl

:08:33. > :08:36.sitting there. He might be tempted to play the other side. Robert is

:08:37. > :08:41.going to give him an idea of the line here.

:08:42. > :08:55.That is a great bowl. That is how close he was. He had to get right to

:08:56. > :08:58.it. He didn't make the front toucher, but...

:08:59. > :09:04.APPLAUSE There's three shots there. Andy

:09:05. > :09:08.cannot afford to drive this. Robert will be very pleased. You can see he

:09:09. > :09:13.is delighted where that has finished. He played it well. Just

:09:14. > :09:18.got past the short green. Andy will draw a second comfortably enough. It

:09:19. > :09:28.will be hard to beat that. He is on the other side. He had no choice.

:09:29. > :09:43.He's given it a go. You can hear the crowd shouting, "Hurry Tommo!"

:09:44. > :09:50.MARKER: One green. I wonder whether Rob will try to get

:09:51. > :09:54.another close ball. He could edge that off the front of the jack. He

:09:55. > :09:59.will draw another one. He was so close with that bowl. You would

:10:00. > :10:04.expect him to pop another one in. Interesting. Swapping sides. There

:10:05. > :10:11.is no problem doing that. He has a strong bias bowl. He will be able to

:10:12. > :10:17.draw around the front debris. Just all on the weight now. Has he got

:10:18. > :10:24.enough? That is going to protect Andy's bowl a bit. He will have a go

:10:25. > :10:30.at this. Bowl and jack in a ditch. He knows he can't draw it. It is a

:10:31. > :10:34.pretty safe really. It will be very unfortunate to get his own red bowl.

:10:35. > :10:38.He would have to be very tight, or very wide to get a bad result. It

:10:39. > :10:44.depends. Which hand is he going to play it off? He is playing it off

:10:45. > :10:49.the backhand side and full drive! CROWD GROANS

:10:50. > :10:54.It wasn't much, was it? MARKER: One shot, Robert Paxton.

:10:55. > :11:01.A little bit less weight and that would have got the edge.

:11:02. > :11:08.The problem is, the score card goes to 5-0 and there is nowhere to say,

:11:09. > :11:13."I was close!" STUDIO: Andy Thomson never recovered

:11:14. > :11:17.and Robert Paxton went on to take the second set and is through to the

:11:18. > :11:21.semifinals. So, commiserations to Andy Thomson. Let's see how the

:11:22. > :11:37.semifinals are looking with the quarterfinals almost completed.

:11:38. > :11:43.David Corkill has joined me. We have seen three of the four quarterfinals

:11:44. > :11:47.through so far. We know three of the semifinalists. In terms of the best

:11:48. > :11:54.players in the world, do you feel they are here? The surprise has been

:11:55. > :11:58.the way Darren Burnett has been playing. He has upped his game.

:11:59. > :12:02.Talking about form players, Robert Paxton, he is through to the

:12:03. > :12:09.semifinals. He is another one looking strong and solid? There's no

:12:10. > :12:13.weaknesses with Robert. He has the strength of the draw. He has been to

:12:14. > :12:24.the semifinals so many times now, he will not flinch. The ace in the pack

:12:25. > :12:28.is Mervyn King. He has to overcome Jonathan Ross tonight. Paul Foster

:12:29. > :12:31.against Alex Marshall. Summary? The first set was critical. Alex

:12:32. > :12:35.Marshall was the better player in the first set. We knew that would

:12:36. > :12:39.happen. It was a matter of who would step up a gear for the second set

:12:40. > :12:44.and that is really - it was really good. What do you do when it comes

:12:45. > :12:46.down to a tie-break? Let's look at what is coming up on the BBC. We

:12:47. > :12:58.have highlights tonight. We are back on the BBC tomorrow at

:12:59. > :13:06.2.30pm for the semifinals and then the Australian Open in the morning.

:13:07. > :13:14.So, we know three of the last four of this year's Open Championship.

:13:15. > :13:18.Paul Foster, Darren Burnett and Robert Paxton are through. One more

:13:19. > :13:21.to go. From here, at Potters, bye-bye.