:00:37. > :00:42.Hello, everyone. Welcome to the semi-finals of the World Indoor
:00:43. > :00:46.Bowls open Championship. A few Niamhs here because this afternoon
:00:47. > :00:48.there are tense times ahead for the fourth players hoping to seal a
:00:49. > :01:40.coveted spot in tomorrow's final. And this is the line-up for the last
:01:41. > :01:46.four. Darren Burnett, semi-finalist for the second time now up against
:01:47. > :01:51.Robert Paxton and Mervyn King up against Scotland's Paul Foster.
:01:52. > :01:56.And that's the match we start with first of all here. Paul Foster MBE
:01:57. > :02:01.in the New Years honours list this year, and a full-time champion up
:02:02. > :02:03.against Mervyn King. The winner in 2006. Which will prove the sharpest
:02:04. > :02:24.shooter in town? Pleased to be in the semi-final. The
:02:25. > :02:29.match against Alex was a great match. It could have went either
:02:30. > :02:32.way. Great to be in the semi-final. Obviously to get this far was a
:02:33. > :02:38.dream for me. Really looking forward to it. Look forward to maying
:02:39. > :02:45.Mervyn, I know his game. One to have best drawers in the game. If I can
:02:46. > :02:50.outdraw him, you know, that's, I mean you can't take it away from
:02:51. > :02:55.him, he's so consistent. Mervyn's a class player and he's proven it in
:02:56. > :03:00.years gone by. A champion. Proved it before so got to keep it up and be
:03:01. > :03:04.positive. It's going to be a tough, tough match. I have a good record
:03:05. > :03:11.against Mervyn. Lost to Paul loads of times and beaten him a few times.
:03:12. > :03:13.I can't worry about Paul's game, I have to concentrate on my own game.
:03:14. > :03:25.If I don't perform, I'm in trouble. So, we are all set for a top class
:03:26. > :03:29.shoot-out on the blue ring. Time to get proceedings under way and to say
:03:30. > :03:35.hello to the MC, Richard. Always a delight to welcome this
:03:36. > :03:38.local hero, a form or indoor pairs and World Indoor Singles champion
:03:39. > :03:41.and reigning Commonwealth Game silver medallist. Ladies and
:03:42. > :03:47.gentlemen, it's Norfolk's very own Mervyn King!
:03:48. > :04:12.Rush baby I'm ready to go... APPLAUSE
:04:13. > :04:17.And next to one of the game's finesest, four times singles
:04:18. > :04:26.champion, the lean, mean bowling machine and world number one, Paul
:04:27. > :04:33.Foster, MBE. # Rising up to the challenge of the
:04:34. > :04:47.rival... # # The eye of the Tiger... #
:04:48. > :04:52.This is as good a match as you could wish for. Foster v King. Time to
:04:53. > :05:01.hand over to the commentators. There's an MBE in there as well.
:05:02. > :05:10.Andy Thomson alongside David. David Corkill. Thank you, I always like to
:05:11. > :05:20.be beside Royalty. Paul Foster.
:05:21. > :05:29.Can he get past Mervyn? He's certainly got the bowl in his
:05:30. > :05:34.armoury. Does Mervyn? He's been drawing so well. Mervyn is playing
:05:35. > :06:02.as well as I've seen him for a long time. Should be a top game.
:06:03. > :06:11.Change of colour for Mervyn King. He's been at his very best using the
:06:12. > :06:43.green bowls against Brett and Ross. Now he's moved to red.
:06:44. > :06:55.Fantastic draw but he's also got the wonderful heavy shot available to
:06:56. > :07:03.him. Usually very accurate. First end, neither player want to be
:07:04. > :07:05.forced into any sort of weight shot. Needs to pull up. Looks to be heavy
:07:06. > :07:15.again. Just chugging through. Paul Foster looked like he gently
:07:16. > :07:50.put it down. Slick. Paul against Alex yesterday, he
:07:51. > :07:56.needs to produce the same as he did yesterday. Struggling now. Not much.
:07:57. > :08:00.Just needed another five or six inches to make second. As it is,
:08:01. > :08:12.he's two down. Looks good. Already Paul Foster
:08:13. > :09:59.getting to this position. Didn't take long for Paul Foster to
:10:00. > :10:04.get into that mode. Splen thenned his game as well --
:10:05. > :10:08.strengthened his game as well. Really has been the most consistent
:10:09. > :10:12.player over the last three or four years. Certainly has. The player
:10:13. > :10:20.that normally all players tend to fear. He's the one you have normally
:10:21. > :10:22.got to beat to win tournaments. Mervyn's drawing has been so good
:10:23. > :10:47.this week. Number two coming in. Foster with
:10:48. > :10:53.the green bowls. The last two rounds. He'll be well Attuned.
:10:54. > :11:19.Not really connected with all. Eight in.s short. -- inches short. A
:11:20. > :11:27.chance for Paul to score here. Oh, Paul doesn't make that one. The body
:11:28. > :11:29.language says it's not there. Not that far away. If it sneaks inside
:11:30. > :11:46.it doesn't do any harm. Mervyn keeping to the draw, as
:11:47. > :11:52.usual. Could be closer with this one. Struggling. Needs to hurray
:11:53. > :12:05.now, it's got to be close. There's the winner.
:12:06. > :12:16.Paul's got the two deepest balls here. He must fancy a fore forearm
:12:17. > :12:20.runner. It's worth going for. It's very controlled on that line.
:12:21. > :12:27.Looking for his own ball or just drop inside. The forehand just holds
:12:28. > :12:34.off of the extra weight. Played the hard weight. Looked to me as if it
:12:35. > :12:45.should have been more. Mervyn takes the single. Low percentage shot for
:12:46. > :12:49.Paul. He's the best in the world so he'll try these things, most of the
:12:50. > :13:43.time they come off. The second time we have played in
:13:44. > :14:36.this direction and already Paul Foster is changing his hand.
:14:37. > :14:53.Advantage to Paul Foster at the moment. You would expect Mervyn to
:14:54. > :14:56.be closer with this one. I think he is. Needs to hold up. Oh, he's got
:14:57. > :15:17.it perfectly. Playing just to reach with this.
:15:18. > :15:28.Good target. What's the chances? Not bad. Close to his own bowl. Might
:15:29. > :15:44.turn that over. Well played. That was always an option. Sandra will be
:15:45. > :15:51.telling us in a minute... Sandra keeping the result into her head,
:15:52. > :15:56.don't know who is lying here. It's just the draw anyway. Looks like
:15:57. > :16:05.it's gotten away from him a little bit.
:16:06. > :16:10.Doesn't really matter whose line. Paul Foster will be attacking into
:16:11. > :16:43.his green bowl. Needs to run. Close. Just not making
:16:44. > :16:59.it. Gree bowls.
:17:00. > :17:04.Mervyn's eye sight is excellent. Especially walking about the fields
:17:05. > :17:21.with a 12 gauge over his shoulder. Always like to know people in charge
:17:22. > :17:29.of such things. Cool and calm as Mervyn is. A real outdoors guy.
:17:30. > :17:35.He was involved in running a bowling club at one stage, but I think he
:17:36. > :17:39.realised it wasn't for him sitting in an office. I think he'd rather be
:17:40. > :17:52.sitting in the fields all night! Sounds very attractive to me.
:17:53. > :17:57.Personally I would go for sitting in the garden with a chilled Chablis,
:17:58. > :18:10.but everyone to their own! Drifting across. Paul Foster
:18:11. > :18:27.starting to get the first bowl operating.
:18:28. > :18:49.Anything behind jack is good when you line the shot.
:18:50. > :18:57.Didn't get that one away too well. Once or twice in this direction
:18:58. > :19:37.Mervyn stopped a drop shot. This is closer. Perfect high line.
:19:38. > :19:45.Draws back and wins it. Yes, that's the winner. When you are playing on
:19:46. > :19:49.a fast rink, always try and come in on the high side of the jack, the
:19:50. > :19:53.wide side. If you narrow the line, you are coming away from the jack at
:19:54. > :20:00.the end of its travel. On a wide line, you are always coming in.
:20:01. > :20:06.Paul will be attempting to draw the winner here. Won't be attacking with
:20:07. > :20:15.too much weight. Needs this bowl to hold up. I think
:20:16. > :20:23.he's underneath. Oh, through the gap. Good try.
:20:24. > :20:33.Mervyn trotting down towards the mat. Shot clock background now down
:20:34. > :20:41.to 17 seconds. Players have 30 seconds to place
:20:42. > :20:47.their bowl. -- to play their bowl. Four time outs available. Extends
:20:48. > :20:51.that 30 seconds by another 60 seconds and another in the tie-break
:20:52. > :20:53.if needed. It's not really a spare shot opportunity. A lot of danger.
:20:54. > :21:44.That's why he's dropped short. Bit of English support there for
:21:45. > :21:49.Mervyn King, because Paul Foster has quite a bit of Scottish support.
:21:50. > :21:52.Quite a few Scots in the audience. Quite a number of them enjoying the
:21:53. > :22:29.complex that we have here. The Inverness guys made the journey
:22:30. > :22:32.down. They're here every year lending their vocal support to most
:22:33. > :22:38.of the Scottish players. Bringing quite a lot of money with
:22:39. > :22:41.them to enjoy themselves... They are really good company. Oh,
:22:42. > :23:12.Mervyn, that was unlucky. Bowl's not running. However it may
:23:13. > :23:17.have just made it awkward for Mervyn. He's looking to see if he
:23:18. > :23:25.can get around the ball. I think the decision appears to be no. Changes
:23:26. > :23:34.to the back hand side. Just the drop.
:23:35. > :23:46.Just dropping short. Perfect road in again.
:23:47. > :24:02.Someone was shouting from the crowd "close, close".
:24:03. > :24:07.This ball falls in, it's number two. Might bring the other in if it
:24:08. > :24:08.drops. Yes, that's it. Two bowls flat. He'll feel a lot better about
:24:09. > :24:30.that. Much more secure. I think he's go ing back to his
:24:31. > :24:39.faved forehand. Just a draw. This is a hard shot. May have another here.
:24:40. > :24:44.Surprised he played that. Not sure. Looks like it might be three. It's a
:24:45. > :24:47.favourite. Just didn't look right to me. More positive on the back hand
:24:48. > :25:00.side. Surprised he didn't play a little
:25:01. > :25:12.runner at that to give it a bit. Always reluctant to use the heavy
:25:13. > :25:15.bowl. Prefers the draw. Sometimes you have to let the arms swing a
:25:16. > :25:26.little bit. This is going through for Paul. So probably three.
:25:27. > :25:35.Mayor Vicki Young King. Bowls -- Mervyn King. Bowls not too far away.
:25:36. > :26:05.Paul Forest will put three inside that. Strange tactic there.
:26:06. > :26:47.25 sand a half metres. - 29 and a half metres.
:26:48. > :27:06.Two good starters. Red bowl to be developed.
:27:07. > :27:38.Over corrected. Just under two feet short of Jack High. Not a good time
:27:39. > :27:53.to go walk about. Happier on the forehand side than
:27:54. > :28:07.the other direction. That bowl falls in, it will count too. Yes, that's
:28:08. > :28:16.number two. Need to get that drawing back, Mervyn.
:28:17. > :28:33.The jack would be a bonus. There it is. Close to making it two. Needed
:28:34. > :28:39.that one. Bowl coming in. Touches the jack perfectly. Making it hard
:28:40. > :28:57.for Paul. It's close but slightly favours two, Paul.
:28:58. > :29:06.He's given that a good go. A big go. Should get second bowl here.
:29:07. > :29:10.Unless he drops. And he has. A little touch on the red might have
:29:11. > :29:17.moved it by a millimetre or so. Very close now.
:29:18. > :29:22.Sometimes you just get a little touch which is enough to move the
:29:23. > :29:27.bowl on the rink. Paul's last bowl was not in
:29:28. > :29:35.according to the circle. Time out called. Three time outs remaining
:29:36. > :29:38.for Mervyn. Too dangerous for Mervyn to play the back hand. Drawn the
:29:39. > :29:44.forehand. Gets a touch on the jack it might help. But he'll not worry
:29:45. > :29:47.about that. He'll try and make absolutely certain of two shots and
:29:48. > :29:55.measure for the third. He has called a time-out, plenty of
:29:56. > :30:18.time to relax on the matter. -- mat. Not running. It is a pity, that is a
:30:19. > :30:26.spare shot opportunity. He has missed a spare but he has picked up
:30:27. > :30:30.a double. Paul was very quick. His eyes are obviously better than ours,
:30:31. > :30:33.but I think it was probably worth a measure. Certainly better than
:30:34. > :30:41.yours, even when you are three feet away you struggle. But we know that
:30:42. > :30:48.about you. Exactly. I struggle with these 18 inch measures.
:30:49. > :32:05.Mervyn not wanting to move the jack, he has moved onto the backhand. Very
:32:06. > :32:14.close to his own ball. He has got this perfect, I think. Ball and
:32:15. > :32:18.jack. It doesn't get much better than that. Absolutely perfect, I
:32:19. > :32:24.think we may see a strike here from Paul.
:32:25. > :32:32.Not a strike, but a runner. Very controlled. He has turned his back
:32:33. > :32:39.on it. I am not surprised. This will not make it back. I think the drive
:32:40. > :32:48.is sometimes easier, to go faster and hold it up.
:32:49. > :32:58.This is a cover bowl going in for the re-spot. Rightly so. You can't
:32:59. > :33:10.see the re-spot from the mat, it is delivered within 12 inches. At the
:33:11. > :33:19.moment, this is a perfect head from Mervyn -- from King. He has to be
:33:20. > :33:29.careful here. Even if he hits it, it could go wrong. Once again, he's
:33:30. > :33:32.playing the runner. Got one way, that gives him an opportunity to
:33:33. > :33:35.play the back and with his last delivery, if he gets the chance. --
:33:36. > :34:04.one way. Mervin could do well to disturb this
:34:05. > :34:14.a little bit. Just try and break inside the bowl. He's not reaching.
:34:15. > :34:20.I thought he might have been fairly positive to that, Andy, because if
:34:21. > :34:25.he turned the jack, it was always coming his way. He is probably happy
:34:26. > :34:32.with the one but it is awkward for Paul. Difficult to score, he is
:34:33. > :34:33.going to have to be positive but knowing there is a chance of taking
:34:34. > :34:48.his own bowl out. Anything a foot or so away will be
:34:49. > :34:54.good. He is not very far away at all. That is a great effort from
:34:55. > :35:03.Paul Foster. I think it might still be one to red. It is, but it was a
:35:04. > :35:15.great shot. Mervyn King is really in the driving
:35:16. > :35:55.seat here to take the opening set. Four shots, two ends to go. If
:35:56. > :35:59.Mervin scores a single, the set has gone. Realistically, Paul Foster
:36:00. > :36:04.needs to lift a double. I agree. He will know that as well. Two will be
:36:05. > :36:17.the target. This is a great bowl, well played,
:36:18. > :37:10.Mervin. Paul Foster looking to swing around
:37:11. > :37:21.the front red ball. And he is very close to it. Dear me. That looked
:37:22. > :37:26.very good, didn't it? It looked perfect. We are getting them to
:37:27. > :37:32.fractions. Mervyn has to be so careful here. You can be prepared to
:37:33. > :37:43.lose a single but you don't want to lose any more than that.
:37:44. > :37:52.He is coming into a good place, at the back of the head. Pretty close
:37:53. > :37:55.to the green. More less Saint Paul that if you draw the jack through
:37:56. > :38:01.42, good good on you -- saying to Paul.
:38:02. > :38:15.Paul Lewis to play a perfect bowl. Close again. He needs to pass the
:38:16. > :38:26.red. He has got it this time. Just a touch. What an effort. It is still
:38:27. > :38:31.one, red. One, red, but look at the position for Paul Foster. For
:38:32. > :38:38.everyone watching at home, don't be under any illusion that this is
:38:39. > :38:39.easy. They really are the best in the world, these guys. And they are
:38:40. > :38:55.showing it. Mervyn staying away from the head
:38:56. > :38:59.again. It is a set live for Mervyn King. Paul Foster will be playing
:39:00. > :39:05.down on the red ball, trying to jam it away. He could score at three if
:39:06. > :39:15.he removes the shot ball. A timing runner. Very controlled
:39:16. > :39:46.weight. One-shot and first set to Mervyn
:39:47. > :39:48.King. Certainly wasted no time, a wonderful set of bowls from Mervyn
:39:49. > :41:15.King. Mervyn not worried about the front
:41:16. > :41:23.green one. More than happy to try and draw around it. Look at this.
:41:24. > :41:28.Perfection. How many players would have played that on the backhand? He
:41:29. > :41:32.is so confident on that forehand side, Mervyn. He really is putting
:41:33. > :41:39.Paul under a lot of pressure. It is about an eighth of an inch
:41:40. > :42:25.short of jack Kyle. -- jack high. Mervyn, don't tell me you have drawn
:42:26. > :42:30.another? He hasn't, however he has given Paul a problem here. He
:42:31. > :42:37.certainly has. The first end of the second set, I am not sure this is
:42:38. > :42:41.worth doing a lot to but Paul has decided to push into it. Good
:42:42. > :42:55.strike. An inkling he was going to take his
:42:56. > :43:02.own ball out. It is impossible now to play the backhand side. Martin of
:43:03. > :43:08.space, so it is forehand draws for both players -- not enough space.
:43:09. > :43:20.That jack is about six inches off the outside line. He doesn't want to
:43:21. > :43:27.drift too much, he wants to stay on. I think it is OK. Sandra McLeish is
:43:28. > :43:30.just asking to check whether the ball is on the rink but it has been
:43:31. > :43:48.confirmed. Paul confirmed it. This has to be high. Looking good.
:43:49. > :43:59.Second bowl was good under the circumstances.
:44:00. > :44:30.The two boys are wasting no time, just getting on with the game.
:44:31. > :44:34.Certainly not affecting their performances. Yes, both quick
:44:35. > :44:38.players. Mervyn, really quick, just keeps crawling away. Paul is also a
:44:39. > :44:56.quick player -- drawing away. This has been such a solid
:44:57. > :45:00.performance from Mervyn King, he has really played well. He has played
:45:01. > :45:10.well all week. His game against Nick Brett was
:45:11. > :45:17.probably one of the best I have ever seen on the portable rink. The game
:45:18. > :45:36.of the tournament, no doubt. That is good again from Paul.
:45:37. > :45:45.Wants to stay on the high side for the edge of the jack, perfect.
:45:46. > :45:50.Mervyn, what is going on? If there is one man that is going to stop
:45:51. > :45:53.Mervyn King, it is poor. But goodness me, he is putting great
:45:54. > :46:00.stuff. -- it is Paul. He has got his own bowl, that was
:46:01. > :46:23.always the risk. Mervyn will be aware that Paul will
:46:24. > :46:30.be attacking with his third bowl, so I would expect this to be behind the
:46:31. > :46:37.jack. Just slightly behind, not very deep. The response position is
:46:38. > :46:43.covered. Paul has a choice, does he draw in for third or going again?
:46:44. > :46:53.This is the right shot. He's going to get one way. If anything, it has
:46:54. > :47:07.gone more difficult. He has got a green bowl imposition
:47:08. > :47:18.at the side of the head. -- in position.
:47:19. > :47:24.Here it comes. Another one in there. He wants to get it in front
:47:25. > :47:29.of the jack, but there is a deep green bowl and I think that is what
:47:30. > :47:37.Paul Foster will be trying to move the jack to.
:47:38. > :47:44.There is the green bowl, Paul Foster can hit the red ball onto the jack
:47:45. > :47:45.and it is going all the way across. He will be attacking, he is three
:47:46. > :48:03.down anyway. There is a touch in the ditch of
:48:04. > :48:11.Mervyn King's I didn't think -- and I didn't think he would get the edge
:48:12. > :48:14.of the jack as well. It is hard to tell when they are in there. Mervyn
:48:15. > :48:30.is saying, measure all around. Three shots to Mervyn King. Mervyn
:48:31. > :48:37.King said it was a measure all round but Paul Foster said it was three
:48:38. > :48:49.shots. He is a very honest player. He knew there were three shots in
:48:50. > :48:57.there. Almost a repeat of the first set. Mervyn King picked up a three
:48:58. > :48:58.in the first end, this time it is the second, the outcome is the
:48:59. > :49:55.same, 4-0 after two. After running bowls in the last end,
:49:56. > :50:07.Paul Foster puts the first one on the jack.
:50:08. > :50:10.Mervyn is equally confident on the backhand side. It is just going to
:50:11. > :50:26.be a dropping a shot. Paul will be looking for a back
:50:27. > :50:34.touch, trying to get in control of this head early on. That is exactly
:50:35. > :50:55.what he has played. That is good. Once again, Mervyn King staying to
:50:56. > :50:59.the draw. He knows he is drawing well enough, but that lacked pace.
:51:00. > :51:05.It is going to be a problem for his next delivery.
:51:06. > :51:12.Paul Foster, keep drawing on the forehand, in and around the
:51:13. > :51:16.blindside. It means if he pops another one in the side the other
:51:17. > :51:22.two, Mervyn cannot see them, because they are protected by the front red
:51:23. > :51:28.ones. Will it drop? Well, it is close.
:51:29. > :51:39.I don't think that one is counting. No, only two.
:51:40. > :51:45.Keeping away from the time-outs, Andy. Yes, not using them at the
:51:46. > :51:49.moment. Most players like to save them up a little bit. Use them at
:51:50. > :52:03.the back end of the set, normally. The last two have been short, this
:52:04. > :52:12.needs to make it all the way. Short as well. That is not like him. He
:52:13. > :52:15.may lose at least two here. I think Paul Foster will play on the
:52:16. > :52:22.backhand, any touch on the jack, he could make four. I think we may see
:52:23. > :52:27.him play backhand. Any movement on the jack, it may be a generic for.
:52:28. > :52:44.-- four. The line is good enough to come
:52:45. > :52:57.back. Here it comes. All the way in. He is OK, he is safe. That is a
:52:58. > :53:00.really good three from Fozzie. Just a record Mervyn King was taking
:53:01. > :53:04.control, Paul Foster has a big and scores three. -- just as we thought
:53:05. > :53:19.Mervyn King was taking control. The matter is way up the green --
:53:20. > :53:25.mat is way of the green. It will be a short length jack. Anywhere past
:53:26. > :53:26.the tee, as long as it doesn't go into the ditch, and you're
:53:27. > :53:46.guaranteed whatever length you want. Mervyn is just finding this tea area
:53:47. > :54:33.to perfection. -- this T area. He has made the correction with this
:54:34. > :54:52.one. There it is, number one. Well played.
:54:53. > :55:00.I'm surprised he is moving, because the backhand looks good. I agree,
:55:01. > :55:04.the bowl is behind the jack and it is not really in the way. And he has
:55:05. > :55:16.played the backhand so well. No need for this. I think if you
:55:17. > :55:18.came up and had a look at this, Mervyn, you wouldn't be playing this
:55:19. > :55:40.shop. He is trying again. Mervyn did have
:55:41. > :55:48.a little trot up after Paul had a look. I think he might change back.
:55:49. > :55:50.Yes, back to the backhand. This should have been your second
:55:51. > :56:06.delivery, Mervyn, not your third. He wants to be up to the jack if he
:56:07. > :56:13.can make it. That is the problem, just dropping short. There have been
:56:14. > :56:18.a few short bowls in the last couple of entries from Mervyn, looking for
:56:19. > :56:32.perfect weight. -- last couple of ends.
:56:33. > :56:46.Paul knew right away that it wasn't running.
:56:47. > :56:54.Not an easy shot, but he has to play at. I think it is the back and draw
:56:55. > :57:09.-- backhand draw from Mervyn. This is different, it is heavy. I
:57:10. > :57:37.didn't expect that. Just the one shot, levelled the
:57:38. > :57:39.scores. Once again, the mat is right up the rink. 24 metre jack, I would
:57:40. > :59:15.think. This is better. Paul Foster might be
:59:16. > :59:21.tempted to run this, because the plant, the green ball onto the red,
:59:22. > :59:26.is taking the two reds away. I agree, I think he has got to be
:59:27. > :59:32.positive with this bowl. In this direction, Mervyn is ready playing
:59:33. > :59:37.great bowls all the time. He can certainly take that one way. The
:59:38. > :59:45.re-spot position, that is over here. And, of course, he has got the green
:59:46. > :59:51.bowl here, which is invaluable if he wants a little runner. The key bowl.
:59:52. > :00:05.Sticking to the draw. I don't think he likes it. Already
:00:06. > :00:35.turned his back on this delivery. Didn't fancy that shot.
:00:36. > :00:45.This looks like number three going in.
:00:46. > :00:55.Such a good player with a heavyweight is Paul. Surprised he's
:00:56. > :00:59.not hitting this. Doesn't matter which way he plays it this time.
:01:00. > :01:06.Attacking. Just has to make the target. It's in the area. Oh, well,
:01:07. > :01:10.it was a horrible result to go through the gap, but he touched the
:01:11. > :01:14.jack as well. That's not going to change anything. He's probably still
:01:15. > :01:22.three down. And the way Mervyn's playing, this is a guaranteed four.
:01:23. > :01:25.Oh, well, now he'll miss it then. Thanks, Andy!
:01:26. > :01:40.Predictions are never great. The crowd are cheering this bowl as
:01:41. > :01:48.soon as it left his hand saying "come on, Merv". Is he going to make
:01:49. > :01:51.it? You tell me? Maybe not. I told you your predictions are
:01:52. > :02:02.shocking. You'd put your mortgage on that one.
:02:03. > :02:06.I know for a fact you don't have a mortgage! The rest of us poor
:02:07. > :02:15.souls... Very close. I think Sandra favours
:02:16. > :02:19.four but it's worth a measure. The way Mervyn's looking, I think Allen
:02:20. > :02:48.will tell us. He's going to measure. This is a big, big measure here.
:02:49. > :02:57.Full house is very important. Umpire Alan using the box measure. Very
:02:58. > :03:05.secure. History of that goes back to the early 1900s when it was first
:03:06. > :03:08.delivered. Four shots to Mervyn King. A huge cheer. The local hero
:03:09. > :03:16.is four up. Is that the big four that get Mervyn
:03:17. > :03:37.to the final? Bit early yet. 27 and a half metres. Last bowl by
:03:38. > :03:40.Paul Foster, he got a horrible result from that. That's what
:03:41. > :03:42.happens, you hit the target and hope that luck's on your side and it
:03:43. > :04:20.wasn't. APPLAUSE
:04:21. > :04:27.Disappointment of the four put away. First bowl close to Paul Foster.
:04:28. > :04:30.Seen it all before. Certainly capable here, is Paul, of
:04:31. > :04:33.ploughing his way back into this set.
:04:34. > :05:04.Trying hard. Needs to run though. APPLAUSE
:05:05. > :05:08.A good match, Andy. They are pushing for this to go all the way through.
:05:09. > :05:13.But there's plenty of time. Paul Foster. Scores one or two this end
:05:14. > :05:18.and suddenly he's right back in the mix again.
:05:19. > :05:25.You feel as though Paul has to score this end. It's a long way back. He's
:05:26. > :05:40.struggling for weight. Always one end that Mervyn might go
:05:41. > :05:46.off a little bit. But for him, that means nothing within two or three
:05:47. > :05:51.inches. Paul Foster could lift up a three here and if he can, he's right
:05:52. > :05:59.back in it. Sandra has un-Kated it's one in a measure. This one needs to
:06:00. > :06:04.run. It's not bad, I can tell you. -- indicated. Yes, that's probably
:06:05. > :06:18.in. If that's, in Mervyn might decide to play his first weightless
:06:19. > :06:24.shot. Strong case for a back hander here, David. Just, if he moves on to
:06:25. > :06:33.the forehand, that forehand is unpredictable. He's trying to draw
:06:34. > :06:38.this. Oh, Mervyn. If anybody could draw it, you could, but that was so
:06:39. > :06:42.tempting. Forehands are not easy when you are moving across to it.
:06:43. > :06:48.Trying very hard though. Trying very hard.
:06:49. > :06:53.That is absolutely brilliant. APPLAUSE
:06:54. > :07:03.Just fantastic. Well, against normal players, the
:07:04. > :07:11.white flag would have gone up by now. Look at this! And he held on to
:07:12. > :07:16.it for the sing. -- single. Foeser in with a chance. He could score a
:07:17. > :07:20.two or a three here and he's in the area. It's all about connections
:07:21. > :07:25.now. It's all about connections. Didn't make it. Three bowls all
:07:26. > :07:46.around the jack and Paul Foster loses a single. Unbelievable.
:07:47. > :07:53.That was a wonderful escape. I wonder how many would have played
:07:54. > :07:58.that forehand. It looked so obvious to hit it, but such confidence.
:07:59. > :08:03.Contactually. That shows you the confidence he's playing with at the
:08:04. > :08:14.moment -- exactly. Perfect drawsmt could be a match
:08:15. > :08:18.winner. -- perfect draw. If he scores here, there's no way
:08:19. > :08:22.bavenlingt turns his back on this one. -- no way back. Turns his back
:08:23. > :08:27.on this one. I don't know what you are doing
:08:28. > :08:43.here, Mervyn. We'll give him one bad bowl.
:08:44. > :08:58.Paul Foster is in on the jack. Still fighting hard here is Paul.
:08:59. > :09:04.He'll never give up, Paul Foster. Mervyn. Just dropped inside. Big
:09:05. > :09:30.swinging bowl. Close here. Don't get back to the
:09:31. > :10:18.centre in time. Shouts of "come on Paul" from the
:10:19. > :10:22.crowd. I don't think anything is going to
:10:23. > :10:29.stop Mervyn playing a draw shot. He's going to try and get around
:10:30. > :10:34.that. Goodness me. I think the last bowl was not in the way if he's got
:10:35. > :10:39.perfect weight here. Look at this. If he can drop his own ball, doesn't
:10:40. > :10:46.need it. Off the green one. It may not be shot. The second is good.
:10:47. > :10:53.Absolutely nothing is safe against Mervyn King when he's in this form.
:10:54. > :10:59.One red. He's done it again. This is brilliant. A little smile from
:11:00. > :11:09.Mervyn. Place against you like this, you
:11:10. > :11:10.feel like giving the game up. Exactly. He's been absolutely
:11:11. > :11:34.brilliant. Paul's having a look. One more to red. Paul Foster hasn't
:11:35. > :11:39.been at his best by any means but he hasn't played badly.
:11:40. > :11:45.Mayor Vicki Young Been superb. 10-4 up. Two to go. Foster needs a
:11:46. > :12:20.three this end. Difficult for anybody to play
:12:21. > :12:28.against him the way he's playing. It's just the drawing, Andy. We said
:12:29. > :12:30.this a few days ago. APPLAUSE
:12:31. > :12:32.On his day, he's the best draw bowler in the world. I think Paul
:12:33. > :12:45.Foster's got the all round game. If Mervyn's draw's off, that's the
:12:46. > :12:48.problem for Mervyn. If his draw is on, like it is today, he's almost
:12:49. > :13:24.unbeatable. Needs to score seven shots over the
:13:25. > :13:36.next two. Anything short will really cancel out that opportunity. Should
:13:37. > :13:43.be academic now. Paul realises this is gloting to be his day. No.
:13:44. > :13:51.Wife Pamela at home with the kids. He's had a good Championship, Paul,
:13:52. > :14:08.but it's sliding away a little. -- this is not going to be his day.
:14:09. > :14:21.Slide off the front one. He knows when things haven't been
:14:22. > :14:26.going his way. I would say you could almost shake Mervyn King's hand now.
:14:27. > :14:31.He'll walk up, have a look, see what it's like.
:14:32. > :14:37.See what the options are. There are no options. Brilliant. Shake the
:14:38. > :14:45.hand, Paul. He's got the bowl in his hand which gives me the impression
:14:46. > :14:50.he's going to shake his hand. Yes. Match Mervyn King.
:14:51. > :14:54.Very professional. His good friend, Mervyn King. Knew he couldn't make
:14:55. > :14:59.the three. Accepts the fact he's lost the double.
:15:00. > :15:09.My goodness me, what a performance by Mervyn King. The family and
:15:10. > :15:12.friends all on their feet, standing ovation for the man. He deserved it,
:15:13. > :15:27.without a shadow of a doubt. 9-4, 12-4 against the world number
:15:28. > :15:36.one and the most successful player to the last few years. Mervyn King
:15:37. > :15:40.was outstanding. Two players just having a chat at
:15:41. > :15:55.the end. There was nothing Paul could do about that.
:15:56. > :16:05.Mervyn King dropping another bowl. That made the gap 7-4.
:16:06. > :16:07.Mervyn King all over the jack. Not far away. There were signs it was
:16:08. > :16:23.slipping for him. Paul Foster was looking really good
:16:24. > :16:26.here. Look at this from Mervyn King. What a ball. Outstanding raesmtly,
:16:27. > :16:34.that told the story of the whole match. Paul Foster getting close,
:16:35. > :16:45.but Mervyn King all over it. Ends 12-4. -- outstanding really. It's
:16:46. > :16:48.fair to say we have seen an outstanding performance from the man
:16:49. > :16:52.standing immediately to my left, Mervyn King. But I'm going to have a
:16:53. > :16:55.word with... APPLAUSE
:16:56. > :17:02.Paul Foster. Paul, there are some days where,
:17:03. > :17:07.hard as you try, there's very little you can do, and I suppose this is
:17:08. > :17:14.one of those days where you put your hand up and say you ran into a
:17:15. > :17:16.juggernaut today? To be honest, I'm not disappointed because to watch a
:17:17. > :17:20.performance like that is unbelievable. Obviously, it's one of
:17:21. > :17:23.the best performances I've ever seen in my life.
:17:24. > :17:29.APPLAUSE To be honest, I never got out the
:17:30. > :17:34.traps that well today. Twice I got back into two sets and played both
:17:35. > :17:37.ends but Mervyn never let me settle at all. He was outstanding and I
:17:38. > :17:44.really wish him all the best, a fantastic performance.
:17:45. > :17:51.Mervyn, to hear someone with Paul's record and Paul's ability say that,
:17:52. > :17:55.how does that make you feel inside? Quite good actually.
:17:56. > :17:58.LAUGHTER I'd like to thank Paul for them
:17:59. > :18:03.words, it means a lot. To come out and play like that in a front of a
:18:04. > :18:08.lot of people has been really great. I've got to do it again yet!
:18:09. > :18:12.Absolutely. The last few years, you won the title in 2006, after you
:18:13. > :18:17.won, a lot of people expected you to win more. Do you feel that this is
:18:18. > :18:25.the best you're playing now? Well, yes. I got to the final the next
:18:26. > :18:30.year and I'm probably playing as good as I've played now. You have to
:18:31. > :18:34.play five consistent games and I've done four but still won hard one to
:18:35. > :18:40.go. When you are going through that amazing run of tremendous bowl after
:18:41. > :19:05.tremendous bowl, is it just all coming naturally? How do you explain
:19:06. > :19:10.it? Maybe luck. Listening to the professionals every
:19:11. > :19:14.time you got close, it was wonder. Ladies and gentlemen, your finalist,
:19:15. > :19:19.Mervyn King! APPLAUSE
:19:20. > :19:25.Now, let's see who Mervyn will play in the final. The other semi-final
:19:26. > :19:29.today was between Darren Burnett and Robert Paxton. Darren Burnett in the
:19:30. > :19:33.semi-finals for the second time. We are going to pick this up in the
:19:34. > :19:38.first set into the third end. Robert Paxton is leading 2-0. This is the
:19:39. > :19:54.second end of the first set and your commentators are John Price And Andy
:19:55. > :20:18.Corkill. He's come out of the blocks very
:20:19. > :20:23.fast indeed. Great reply by Darren Burnett. A
:20:24. > :20:36.brilliant bowl by Darren. Good stuff. Brilliant stuff.
:20:37. > :20:42.No semi-final nerves with these two. I wouldn't ex-expected it. Darren
:20:43. > :21:01.Burnett has good support here, a couple of groups down from Scotland.
:21:02. > :21:14.We've got our usual contingent from Inverness. The guys come down every
:21:15. > :21:40.year. Really good company. On to the jack or green bowl. Wasn't
:21:41. > :21:53.far away. Difficult position for Darren
:21:54. > :21:57.Burnett. Can't do a lot. Holds the shot. Doesn't want to move it in any
:21:58. > :22:21.way. Deep. If he was to get on to the
:22:22. > :22:26.green with good weight, plant that green on to the red, he could end up
:22:27. > :22:33.with a treble. Hard to judge it on the forehand.
:22:34. > :22:38.He's certainly on a narrow line. Has he got to wait to hold this? I think
:22:39. > :22:43.that was the line, John, he just didn't push through it. Good attempt
:22:44. > :22:52.by Robert. Not an easy shot. Just overweight on that side.
:22:53. > :22:57.A little surprised to see Darren, to be honest. A very dangerous
:22:58. > :23:10.position. I thought he was wider than this.
:23:11. > :23:17.Can't see the value in him reaching this. If he touches, he'll reach the
:23:18. > :23:22.shot. Pnchts why, John, that's the
:23:23. > :23:59.question? They'll play the game and look for
:24:00. > :24:03.the weaknesses. Trying to find an area of the game that they are
:24:04. > :24:38.struggling with at this particular time.
:24:39. > :25:24.APPLAUSE First bowl again.
:25:25. > :25:32.Just past the jack. Playing the first two bowls very well. Any touch
:25:33. > :25:35.on the green ball extends the jack through. Two short one ones really
:25:36. > :25:55.become a major problem for Darren. Darren hasn't got much of a target
:25:56. > :26:38.to aim for. That's good. The ball dropped in.
:26:39. > :26:43.He's going to have to have a go at this, John, surely? Not a great
:26:44. > :26:53.position. The two balls are at an awkward angle really. If he could
:26:54. > :27:01.get on the edge of the last one... Not a big drive. Fairly stiffish.
:27:02. > :27:27.Oh, he's got it. What a good bowl. Really good bowl by Darren Burnett.
:27:28. > :27:34.You would expect Robert to drop the shot here. The question is, who's
:27:35. > :27:37.got the next closest ball? It will be a definite single. No issues with
:27:38. > :28:01.that one. Darren's playing well, but three
:28:02. > :28:23.shots behind, Robert is really on fire at this early stage.
:28:24. > :29:59.That is very good by Darren. He has won that mini battle of the first
:30:00. > :30:09.two bowls. It is so important, isn't it? You are replying pressure to the
:30:10. > :30:18.opponent. Asking the question of Robert now. He loves this backhand,
:30:19. > :30:23.though. Checking on, he is having a loose end here, the first of the
:30:24. > :30:30.match for Robert Paxton. Two against him, you would certainly expect
:30:31. > :30:34.Darren to add another. Robert played really well against Andy Thomson but
:30:35. > :30:37.he had two or three loose ends, getting himself out of trouble with
:30:38. > :30:48.the last bowl. He was great at recovering that position.
:30:49. > :31:02.He is under pressure if Darren pops this one in. Makarova choices now.
:31:03. > :31:11.-- choices now. Lining up on the forehand side.
:31:12. > :31:20.Just cannot push it out there. It will hold all day. Darren is going
:31:21. > :31:24.to do some damage to the scoreboard if you pops this morning. -- this
:31:25. > :31:49.one in. It has pulled up short. It is a good
:31:50. > :31:51.end for Darren Burnett, but he will be annoyed at himself and not making
:31:52. > :32:07.the last shot. Levels the scores. Prediction time now, John. You have
:32:08. > :32:13.had a good look at four ends played, 4-4. Who is your man for the final?
:32:14. > :32:17.Coming into the game, I had a slight favour towards Robert Paxton if you
:32:18. > :32:21.started well, but Darren is a really tough competitor and I will hedge my
:32:22. > :32:24.bets and say there will be a tie-break and I think it will go to
:32:25. > :32:29.the third end. And I slightly favour Paxton.
:32:30. > :32:39.But I might change that opinion within a couple of ends. I am very
:32:40. > :32:42.changeable. I am like the weather. I thought for a moment, you were going
:32:43. > :33:08.to be on that very strong iron fence that Andy Thomson uses.
:33:09. > :33:39.This is a relatively loose end for these players. They started so well
:33:40. > :33:56.in this game. The wheels have come up a little bit
:33:57. > :34:03.with Robert here. He is starting to drop short. That can be very
:34:04. > :34:21.difficult to correct on occasions. You over correct, normally.
:34:22. > :34:30.That is a lot better. Robert has to focus and get his concentration back
:34:31. > :34:56.and play a good bowl here. Second shot is not the worst. Robert
:34:57. > :35:17.will be quite happy to get the second.
:35:18. > :35:28.Looking at a good line, it is all about pace. He has just overplayed
:35:29. > :35:33.it. Both of these players are sensibly using a strong bias bowl,
:35:34. > :35:47.which is what you need out there. When you see the debris right at the
:35:48. > :35:55.front, you can understand why, when these bowlers have the opportunity
:35:56. > :36:05.to draw around the short stuff. It stays up, it is good. But the watch
:36:06. > :36:12.is honoured, there is a 32nd raw, forward motion and drops away within
:36:13. > :36:46.30 seconds -- the watch is on it, there is a 32nd rule. -- 30-2nd.
:36:47. > :36:52.If the player had declared it, that was it. It looks like it was on the
:36:53. > :36:53.player had declared it, that was it. It looked like it was on before,
:36:54. > :37:17.most players would have. It must be very warm out there. He
:37:18. > :37:47.is carrying a cloth as well. In the first couple of ends,
:37:48. > :37:51.everything was falling into the jack. It is starting to go the other
:37:52. > :38:00.way. Small margins, when you are in the semifinal.
:38:01. > :38:16.I have known a few characters to take very mild sandpaper to the
:38:17. > :38:20.bowls, just to rough them up a little bit. Totally illegal, of
:38:21. > :38:37.course, because it ruins the consistent bias of the bowls.
:38:38. > :38:53.The top guys wouldn't dream of doing things like that.
:38:54. > :39:01.This is good again by Darren. I don't think there is any choice for
:39:02. > :39:07.Robert Paxton. He could draw it, but it is a very difficult shot. You
:39:08. > :39:09.have to make sure you are arriving, you can just go past. I think he
:39:10. > :39:29.will attack this. It was bad enough getting the short
:39:30. > :39:37.bowl, but to come off it and take his own away.
:39:38. > :39:46.Darren has choices, he could try and put a fourth bowl in there, alter
:39:47. > :39:50.the position, or he could cover the green bowl at the back. He has got
:39:51. > :39:58.the re-spots covered, just pop another one in. Playing forehand. It
:39:59. > :40:05.suggests he's going to go past the jack.
:40:06. > :40:17.He wants to be tight inside it. Oh, no. Oh, dear. You can see his
:40:18. > :40:30.reaction, he is not happy with that one. I think he was just short of
:40:31. > :40:39.weight. He has now almost doubled the size of the target.
:40:40. > :40:50.He has got it perfect. He used that we bowl, the one that Darren Burnett
:40:51. > :40:57.left there, and he has come out of it pretty well, by the looks of it.
:40:58. > :41:01.Two shots from nothing end, all because Darren Burnett made a
:41:02. > :41:12.mistake on the last bowl. He will be kicking himself.
:41:13. > :41:25.Fine margins indeed. It could easily be an 8-4 position, now it is 6-5. I
:41:26. > :41:32.thought Robert was just starting to struggle a bit, you can see
:41:33. > :41:34.Darren's expression, not impressed with his last delivery. Can't
:41:35. > :41:47.believe it, why did I play that? It was a slight mistake, but you
:41:48. > :41:58.can't afford slight mistakes at this level. They will be punished.
:41:59. > :42:07.A big change of length by Robert, not a good opener. He was sparkling
:42:08. > :42:10.in the first three ends, but he has brought himself read a little bit.
:42:11. > :42:16.Darren is certainly coming stronger with the opening deliveries. Once
:42:17. > :42:41.again, he is right in there with his first bowl.
:42:42. > :43:49.Just dropped back. Still read, I think. -- red.
:43:50. > :44:00.It is just drifting past again. I don't think Robert will like this
:44:01. > :44:09.drive on the forehand. Got to draw it and keep it tight.
:44:10. > :44:19.Doesn't want to lose a big account. He has laid into this, running
:44:20. > :44:24.through. Heavier than his last bowl. That was certainly not what he was
:44:25. > :44:27.playing. A chance here for Darren, it has to go down as a big special
:44:28. > :44:37.opportunity. He has probably got a foot all
:44:38. > :44:49.around the jack, so he has a target of two feet.
:44:50. > :45:00.No mistake with the last bowl. Well, he has fallen back against the jack,
:45:01. > :45:04.I don't think it has made any difference. Still two to Darren
:45:05. > :45:31.Burnett. Nestles in against the jack. Good double.
:45:32. > :45:39.Interesting first set, it has gone to and fro, no player has had total
:45:40. > :45:43.control. Robert started better, Darren had the better of the second
:45:44. > :45:53.half, still anybody's game here, anybody's said. -- set.
:45:54. > :45:56.As soon as Darren played the ball, he turned his back on it. I can
:45:57. > :46:06.understand why. It was Robert Paxton all the way for
:46:07. > :46:13.the first three ends, Darren Burnett was hanging in. Now it has changed,
:46:14. > :46:19.the last three or four ends, to Darren Burnett. And it has been
:46:20. > :46:42.Robert hanging in. So a topsy-turvy first set.
:46:43. > :46:47.They played quite sure jack in the last end, Darren has gone longer on
:46:48. > :46:54.this one and he has not really adapted to it -- quite a short jack.
:46:55. > :46:59.Always a risk when you change at this stage in the set, altering the
:47:00. > :47:02.length. Just picked up a double. Robert Paxton has settled better.
:47:03. > :47:28.Two good first bowls. Desperately alone it will slowed
:47:29. > :47:37.under. He doesn't want the jack. Just got a very slight touch -- it
:47:38. > :47:51.will slide under. His own bowl has managed to stay up.
:47:52. > :48:01.Relieved to get that bowl in, Darren. Still a big chance for
:48:02. > :48:12.Robert. The red Bull sat down. -- red
:48:13. > :48:22.he had the right idea with the weight. I think Darren is going to
:48:23. > :48:26.play the same bowl, he has the take that risk on the back position and
:48:27. > :48:34.draw another one in. He could sit off one of those greens. I just
:48:35. > :48:38.noticed Brian going in and marking the ball. He didn't want to before
:48:39. > :48:44.that in case anyone was watching. He would have declared that bowl a
:48:45. > :48:53.touch when it was at the angle, but didn't want to go near it.
:48:54. > :49:05.Good line in by Darren. It needs to run. He wants to get past the jack.
:49:06. > :49:09.He got the double touch. Pushed it onto the green bowl and back to his
:49:10. > :49:13.own. Just got away with it. Could easily have gone one, if not two
:49:14. > :49:27.down then. A smile from Darren Burnett but he
:49:28. > :49:31.realised how close that was. He had to play it, even though it was
:49:32. > :49:43.dangerous, and it has improved for him, it is a better end than it was.
:49:44. > :49:56.He has to allow this to bend. He is just over it, that was the problem.
:49:57. > :50:01.Perfect line. Darren Burnett, for the first time, has got a nice
:50:02. > :50:10.little gap of two shot into the last end.
:50:11. > :50:17.It will be very interesting to see how they play this last end. Darren
:50:18. > :50:23.Burnett will be trying to consolidate, close it out. Big, big
:50:24. > :50:29.crowd here, they love the semifinals.
:50:30. > :50:38.Having said that, Friday quarterfinal day is the one we enjoy
:50:39. > :50:41.the most in many ways. But when you look at the whole programme of two
:50:42. > :50:46.and a half weeks, this place has been jammed. They know they are
:50:47. > :50:50.getting value for money, a lot of very, very good patches during the
:50:51. > :50:57.whole period. Even in the early rounds, we had some crackers. It is
:50:58. > :51:00.a great championship. These two players have never won this, they
:51:01. > :51:01.would certainly like to get it on their CV, it is the biggest
:51:02. > :51:48.tournament of the year. He is encouraging this bowl up. It
:51:49. > :51:51.looks good. No sign of nerves yet. Nothing from Darren Burnett. He is a
:51:52. > :52:07.police from Arbroath. -- police man. He has gone chasing Robert with that
:52:08. > :52:13.bowl, but it has stayed on the green. By fleeing on it is quite
:52:14. > :52:42.useful. Serve -- by staying on. He must think that Robert is going
:52:43. > :52:47.to play with a bit weight and disturb it on the re-spot, where he
:52:48. > :52:51.is very good. I think Robert Weale go here, because if he gets the red
:52:52. > :52:56.clean and solid, he hopefully will stay. Another option is to get the
:52:57. > :53:06.jack right through to the back of the rink. Controlled weight. He's
:53:07. > :53:16.certainly close with this. It is all on the angles. That has brought him
:53:17. > :53:21.back into the jack again. Got a bit lucky. I don't know about that, I
:53:22. > :53:28.think that was always there, I think he played it well. He knew if it
:53:29. > :53:37.went under, it always had the chance about and sets up a good position.
:53:38. > :53:43.Darren has a good position. It is a percentage shot. It is a good result
:53:44. > :53:49.in the end. He was looking for the bowl clean but wisely didn't go too
:53:50. > :53:57.wide on it. He has a problem here, Darren. For me, it is a draw on the
:53:58. > :54:10.left-hand side. He likes the backhand in this direction.
:54:11. > :54:33.The backhand, if he touches his own bowl, he has to be very careful.
:54:34. > :54:43.That is really well played. As you say, it is all down to personal
:54:44. > :54:46.choice in the end. It does make it difficult for Robert, because he has
:54:47. > :54:55.to play this with very controlled weight, he can't afford to move the
:54:56. > :55:00.jack too far. Yes, but it is on. Look Robert Koren he has got a back
:55:01. > :55:08.bowl very deep, so if he goes heavy at it on the backhand, he has to
:55:09. > :55:13.judge on the ball all the way through. If you just touches it, he
:55:14. > :55:19.brings this bowl interplay. If you can move the jack down to this sort
:55:20. > :55:22.of position... It is not easy, he has different options available but
:55:23. > :55:28.to be truthful, the deep option looks good to me. He has the gamble.
:55:29. > :55:33.If he had that green solid into the jack and pushes it through, he has
:55:34. > :55:37.to hope that his bowl will run through with it. The other shot in
:55:38. > :55:47.such a delicate shot to control. He has a strike on the forehand. He
:55:48. > :55:51.could get the reds with this one. Speak
:55:52. > :56:08.Darren Burnett gets the single, the jack ran off.
:56:09. > :56:11.And Darren Burnett are never let go of his grip on the match and took
:56:12. > :56:14.the second set comes of his grip on the match and took the second set
:56:15. > :56:17.Canterbury to seal his spot in the final for the first time.
:56:18. > :56:22.So here is the line-up for the 2014 World Indoor is Open Championship.
:56:23. > :56:26.Darren Burnett against the man who produced a stunning performance in
:56:27. > :56:32.the semifinal today, Mervyn King. Tomorrow on BBC Two, 2:30pm. Corky
:56:33. > :56:36.had the privilege of sitting in the commentary box today and watching an
:56:37. > :56:42.absolutely amazing performance from Mervyn King. Darren Burnett has a
:56:43. > :56:44.big task tomorrow. He has, but he is playing the best bowl since his
:56:45. > :56:47.heyday five or six years ago and I think he will push Mervyn, but if
:56:48. > :56:53.Mervyn turns up again like this, it will be hard to beat him. So what
:56:54. > :56:58.does Darren do? Just try and get close, that is the ultimate thing.
:56:59. > :57:03.He is the drawing king. To keep Paul Foster to a few shots in the
:57:04. > :57:06.semifinal, magnificent. And all week long, you have said how well he is
:57:07. > :57:13.drawing. Is there a danger that some people may wonder if he can keep it
:57:14. > :57:18.going? He is keeping it going. Nicky Butt, the best match I have seen hit
:57:19. > :57:26.-- Nicky Brett, the best I've seen from him the years. Let's remind you
:57:27. > :57:32.about what we have coming up tonight. Highlights both semifinals
:57:33. > :57:35.on BBC Two and we will look forward to seeing that performance gain from
:57:36. > :57:41.Mervyn King. Tomorrow, the big one, the final, takes place at 2:30pm.
:57:42. > :57:45.And don't forget, the final of the Australian open men's tournament
:57:46. > :57:52.takes place at 8:15am. Rafael Nadal up against Stanislaus Wawrinka. It
:57:53. > :57:56.promises to be a great match. It has been a great day here, Darren
:57:57. > :58:02.Burnett and Mervyn King are in the final. Join us tomorrow to find out
:58:03. > :58:04.who will be king of the blue rink in 2014. From all of us here, goodbye.