Day 1 Bowls World Indoor Championships

Hello and welcome to high leagues from the first day of the BBC's

coverage of the 2016 World Indoor Bowls Championships from the leisure

resort at Hopton-on-Sea. The first of four trophies up for grabs in the

final of the pairs competition on what was an important occasion for

players north of the border. It was a big day for Scotland on the blue

rink. First up, the pairs world final which was an all tartan affair

pitting the tandem of 2013 and 2014 indoor singles World Champions,

Stewart Anderson and Darren Burnett against Colin Walker and Ronnie

Duncan. And then it was the turn of the

defending singles champion and King of potters, Alex marshal MBE to

begin quest for a #th world title. And number two seed Nicky Brett got

his campaign under way against qualifier James Rippy.

So, it's Ronnie Duncan and Colin Walker up against Stewart Anderson

and Darren Burnett. Together they got to the final of the pairs in

2013 losing to Paul Foster and Alex Marshal. Their owe ponents had

worked hard to get -- opponents had worked hard to get here and caused a

shock in the semifinals defeating Foster and Shallal. We'll join it in

the second set, Burnett and Anderson who got the second start. They lead

5-2 in the second. I think he's just putting the bowls

down a chute. The thing is, even if he's a little bit heavy, it's still

a good bowl. Just continually putting pressure on Ronnie and

Colin. That's the thing, if Ronnie millses with the first ball, you

fully expect Stewart to get another one in. And Colin has been asked to

go in to that well of good bowls just a little bit too often at the

moment. I'd agree. That's what the 2-bowl game is about. It's a

pressure game. Get the lead in there. Stewart, come on, this is

ridiculous. Well, he's done exactly what you really pray for. Exactly,

if your lead is doing this, then it's an easy game.

The pressure is really building up here on Colin.

This one is dipping back. Well, I don't think that they'll even

attempt to draw this. I don't think so. I think he's got to draw this.

You're quite right. It's going right through it.

He's close to something. And there he is. Oh, he got two bowls off. He

hasn't got anything on the rink. What was I saying about things going

wrong. He wasn't far away from here. Just goes slightly under. One bowl

goes out, second bowl goes out. Oh, dear, no bowls on the green. Yes,

exactly, Colin. It was bad enough to just mus the target but to take your

own two out leaves you no options whatsoever. The next bowl will have

to be a draw. Darren might as well pack the head. Even you would have a

draw here. Chance is there! This is certainly number four. How close is

it going to get? That should be encouraging this one. He wants this

one right up. A bit more - a bit more. Well, it didn't really matter.

The thing is, you can't destroy the end. So he has to draw this. Any

drive that he would have been playing is likely to go off the rink

with his own bowl. There's big pressure because Colin know that is

this would be a good one. He's looking to run. It was a

toughie, it really was going through the green.

8-2, they've got one hand on the trophy. Yeah, absolutely, David.

They've played well. Well, I always think there's key moments in every

game and in the second set, that key moment was an unlucky touch on the

front red ball of Colin. Things have gone wrong since then. They really

have, and all of a sudden, Stewart has gone in tight and made it hard

again. At the moment, 8-2 is a great position to be in. And the draw and

the set as well, so six or seven up. Maybe he wants to clear it. Well,

just dropped off. But leaves Ronnie an opportunity to rest the ball and

return the jack. Yeah, got a chance here. Reasonable white target. You'd

expect to get close. Picks the jack up. It's perfect. That's well

played. Well played! APPLAUSE

. That's better. That's freeing the jack, which is a bit unlucky and

Colin realised that with a big smile there. But it was a good bowl. But

he knows it was a bit unlucky. Oh, oh, don't fall over! Things are

tough enough! Well, Darren Burnett is such a good striker. You would

expect him to hit this. I would expect him not to be far away. This

looks very inviting in the background. There's only one

problem, Andy, and that is that because he's six up, you could try

to almost give two shots away, but... They're hard to beat on the

draw, the two bowls and the natural game would be to hit this on the

back hand the way it's sitting. The back hand sits off a little bit. The

jack is off centre. He's down on the forehand so it will dip in to it!

Normally going there with the running bowls. I think he's got them

both in. Two bowls off the jack. And he's right in beside it as well.

Maybe half a yard away or two feet. That's not going to be easy to beat.

And that's what Colin is smiling about when Ronnie pulled the jack

over. Just framed the jack. Yes, such a good running bowl. He hits a

high percentage, does Darren, with the running bowls. He doesn't miss

many. There's many people who have been on the wrong side of that with

Darren. Not easy for Colin trying to draw the shop ball. Oh, he's played

it. That's a great bowl. Super, super shot that is. Under a lot of

pressure again. Ronnie played two brilliant balls and suddenly, one

bowl later and the pressure is back on to Colin. Well, I think just a

draw here for Darren. One down is not a disaster. I don't think that

he needs to try to take the bowl out. Just a draw.

That's interesting. Just to see the little hand signals there. I just

wonder is he thinking about running the bowl after the drive? I don't

think so. Surely if he just gru and bets one even close to it, it would

be hard to make a double. That's where they're playing. Second bowl

is OK here. It's all about the weight. The line

is good enough. Should come back in again. Here it comes. Stewart is

trying to call it. Oh! Yes. Yes, it could be. It's on the wider side.

The red bowl is a straighter bowl to the jack. And of course, there is

that drop down in to the difficult. Still one to red, but that is a very

good second. Yeah, I think that's what he was trying for. He was happy

with a second. Not easy for Colin to add another. But you almost feel

that he's got to score two here. They're not making any mistakes.

Anderson and the Burnett combination. They've been solid.

They've been really good. Try to miss the green bowl. The same

sort of weight. On the inside would be good. We got the impression he

was just lacking a little bit the way Ronnie was calling it.

So this really should be a change of length. Very short there. No doubt

about that, David. And the last time we had a short end, Ronnie had two

bowls on top of the jack. So he'll be hoping for the same again.

Anned an waving the at the bowl to get it back. He's been so good at

picking out the line and the jack lengths in this forehand. But

whenever you're short on the jack, the line does change. In theory, and

on a test table, it doesn't. No, it should be exactly the same line from

the hand. But you're right, David. Darren just asking him to slow down

and take your time. Get another close bowl.

Well, that's two loose ones from Stewart. Colin will be relieved

going in that he's not having to face one or two down here. I think

it had a good shot in here, but pressure then on Darren.

Just needs to hurry a little bit to make it up for the extra one. There

it is. . That's good. Well that short jack really has made

a difference. Certainly has. Colin just has to add another here if

he'll... Well, I don't think that I would be looking at the plan. I

think I'd be looking to try to add another one here. Get the pressure

on Darren. Try to lie four. Not a big target, really. Only a one and a

half bowl target, really. Yes, it's... If he goes deep, he's

looking to score and if he think, if he goes deep and covers it, Darren

will think to himself, "Even if I hit it, I'm only going to be one

down." Correct. So I think in this situation, I think that I would be

trying to put preesure on the opposition. If Darren is four down,

it's more pressure on the bowl. I'd go for four here. Try to lie four.

Looks like he's agreeing with you because he let that down nice and

gentle. I think that this is number four. Well done. Generally, gently.

Don't run it out. Well, that's good. Very good. Excellent. Very, very

good. He was just a little bit worried about bringing that jack out

in to the open. But he just settled in on time. Yeah, that's fine. The

front bowl still covers it. And I don't think that Darren has any

option here but to go at a single bowl targetful I think so. He's good

with the strike and I think we're going to have to see one here. Even

dau drawing at best, he might get third. Well, if he does come in on

that, there's a chance of taking a couple away, there's always the

chance of getting the jack out that side. The draw shot - either way, it

doesn't really matter which way he wants to play it to be absolutely

truthful with you. Or he can still draw it in there and hope to get

second shot. Four hands also available. The ball has fallen down.

It won't, except that now the jack is going all the way back in to this

position and that brings the other two bowls in to play. You know,

you're starting to look at a green bowl here. Yeah, that's what they're

looking at here, the key bowls. That's the two green once but he has

to make the contact. Well, you almost feel he hits this, he's won

this game, almost. It depends if the bowl goes with it, of course,

because it is a toucher. He's interested. Oh! Watch that.

That was the perfect bowl. He didn't get the edge of it. If he got the

solid, the bowl would have gone with it. But he got the edge and the red

bowl didn't go anywhere. Fantastic bowl. If you see this, I thought it

was on the high side and was going to put the green. Touches it. That's

a match winner! Absolutely. Absolutely. That is just... That's

the sort of bowl that you go down with in the microphone on saying -

I'm just going to hit a fraction of it and move it. Eight timents out of

ten, the front bowl would have gone through. Exactly. Just got that

absolutely perfect. Now he's played great has Darren Burnett. He's been

wonderful. Well, he's certainly going to be

hard to beat in the other competitions if he keeps this

standard going. He's got another final tomorrow afternoon, I think.

Alex and Julie will be thinking - please don't keep up this form!

They're a pair that play really good. Yeah, that's really great

stuff. Well, one shot here and it's all

over. It's a pretty good front one. Yes. And Ronnie's shot ball blocking

the path to there. It's even harder now for Colin and Ronnie.

It's the cover bowl going in. Well, the two guys know that even happy

enough even to lose the single, just to control the last two ends.

Exactly. One down is perfect for Darren and Stewart here. Good

effort. Just dropping off. Although it sets up a little plant to remove

the green bowl. Yeah, it does. It does. But the last one was cruel in

some ways. Lined four shots and end up losing a double. And you're going

from a potential 8-7 to really losing the match. Exactly, and

that's really what happened. Darren knows that no doubt that's a match

winner. His confidence is so high here, I would expect him to probably

draw the shot here. I don't know if he wants to go anywhere near it. The

bull probably will go out so he wants to lock it in. He needs

another one in here. Good bowl. Probably third shot.

That's good. Another important running bowl for

Colin. Once again, nothing but perfection, really, from Colin. It's

just becoming harder and harder. If he dips in, he'll take one away. But

there goes the one. Oh, the jack has moved and that's not going to help.

That really isn't going to help. They'll be almost certainly shaking

hands here. Yeah, Colin shaking his head here. Realising that the

pressure has built and built and built. Very little has gone right

and absolutely everything has gone for the guys. But having said that,

they make their own luck in many ways. Every single bowl that's gone

down there has been close to the target. I'd agree, David. They've

played a perfect pair's game really Stewart has played well and Darren

has backed it up. When the big questions from asked, Darren had all

the answers. He needs it to run a little bit

more. Yeah, there it goes. That's a championship line. A good one!

Wonderful. A bit of a touch there as well. He looks over just to add

insult to the injure of that -- to the injury of that bowl going out.

He has to drive the jack. He's got no choice and run the jack in to the

ditch. Yeah. You're quite right. Absolutely.

Not easy, once again. Just got to be jack in the ditch or kill it. He's

in the area. Erks! Now, where is that going? Well, he actually got

get the shot out of this. He's trying to encourage the jack out. We

don't know what's happened. He's actually got two shots out of that.

Unbelievable! Well done dop Colin Walker. Well, time he got a little

break and he got it that time. He was bang on target. If the jack had

stayed in the ditch he would have got a single. But we don't see that

happen too often, Andy? No, we don't. We don't. It was a great

strike. And a good bit of fortune to follow. I don't think that Darren or

anyone here would go - here's the drive. Bang on the target. Jack

rebounds. Well, realistically, three shots

needed. It's the only way they're going to extend it to the last end.

I think they'd love to do that. Love to go to the last end, but it would

take five down. As you say, David, they need a two to keep the game

going. Two to keep it going. Two to keep it going and a three to have

any sort of a realistic chance in this match. Yeah.

Well, they haven't scored a three in this match so far. Lost a couple of

them. It's a loose end from Stewart. You would expect Colin to draw the

winner here. Good bowl. The boys may be watching

back there. I doubt it, I'm sure that they're very busy. But I'm sure

that there will be a television on in the background. They'll be

looking to get back for a rest. It's been hard work this afternoon. It

really has! That's a good bowl. Yeah, that's a good bowl, it really

is. Needs to touch the jack probably six or eight inches to make a three.

And if he doesn't get back to the jack, well, it's all over. They'll

be shaking hands. This looks a little bit light to me.

I think that's the game all over. Well, it looked like a very tight

game all the way to the three shots in the first set. And that of the

break that the boys needed. Stewart Anderson and Darren Burnett and they

won the first set 10-# but they were looking very, very strong in the --

10-7 but they were looking very strong there. First of all, Stewart,

congratulations. You've been to the final in this competition before,

how good is it to get over the line? I must admit, Darren was superb in

that game. The running bowls were incredible and a big thank you to

Colin and Ronnie. I don't think that the score reflects it, but

thoroughly enjoyed the match and I'm glad to eventually win the pairs

together. The first set in particular as Stewart highlighted,

the opponents proved tough to overcome. Once you got on top of

them in the first set, did you feel that you were on the way to the

title? No. I don't think that you can relax against Ronnie and Colin.

They're fantastic players. We had to dig deep and it was a tight match. I

don't think that the scoreline reflected the game one or two

counts. There were some key moments in the match, but one in particular

in the second set towards the end of the match and you produced quite an

outstanding drive. Yeah, we didn't a lot on. I just had to win the

target. We expected to lose that there. But one of these results!

Absolutely. Those moments obviously key. Stewart, you've won the

individual title here and so has Darren. Is it possible to compare

the two titles? Not really. They're world titles in your own right but

the pinnacle event is the singles but to lift any world title is a

great achievement. The run of success for you has been wonderful

with the Commonwealth Games and the world championship in 2014. How much

does this one mean to you? It means a lot. Always good to get it. We've

never won it as a pair. We're good mates on the green so to win it

together, dream come true. Commiserations to Ronnie and Colin,

but ladies and gentlemen, your champions in the pairs competition

of 2016, Anderson and Darren Burnett.

How about that? Ladies and gentlemen, one more time, your pairs

champions, Darren Burnett and Stewart Anderson.

So one trophy down. Three more to go. And time to concentrate now on

the singles competition. In the first round, there were a few shocks

already with big names going out against qualifiers. Paul Foster,

four-time champion at Potters, losing to Mathew Orrey. Andy Thomson

lost to Connor Cinato. Jason Greenslade losing to jaily chest

any. The player who nearly everyone acknowledges is the man to beat is

the defending champion Alex Marshall, who began his quest for an

amazing seventh title. He was up against Gary Kelly from County

Antrim in Northern Ireland, who last appeared here in 2011. He made it to

Round 2 in 2008. We'll join this with Alex Marshall having won the

first set 9-5. He's having to work harder in the second in Round 4.

Corky has been joined by Greg Harlow in the commentary box.

An opening bowl again from Alex. APPLAUSE

Well, I think Gary has to win these two ends. I agree. He'll be very

happy with two singles. That's a good reply. One red. Well,

considering Gary was playing over the weekend and arrived very late,

he's putting up a really good fist in this match. He's giving a go at

it, no doubt about that. Yep. Very much in this second set,

all in the balance. I think he was deliberately looking

for the back green bowl, to slip through and give himself a bit of

position. Just going to be the wrong side, I

think. Yeah. Looking to draw the number one shot

here. As I say, he does like this forehand. Brilliant. Well, that'll

change Gary's thoughts now. The key to this one was just getting

them behind the jack. Absolutely perfect.

Time-out call. Gary has two time-outs remaining. The way he

plays, if he gets into the bowl there, he could take the others

away. He has to drive. He has to make contact to give himself a

chance with his last bowl. If he gets the perfect contact, he could

get the two reds out without the green moving. He has to hit with

this. He normally goes very heavy. Has to hit. Oh, goodness me. That

was close. He would have got the right angle that moved the jack at

least. But now he's in trouble. I think Alex will probably cover the

spot. I think Gary's got the two best bowls on the respot. So I think

Alex will push a little wider, cover the respot. He'll be in a great

position then. Two on the jack, best back and the

spot covered. Can't do any more than that, Alex.

He's just about got the spot covered. Look at that. Bang on the

nose. Can't see it. Doesn't know where it is. From the mat. Now, not

only does Gary have to hit the target, he has to get the very edge

to get the two away. Anything else and Alex has got it covered. Yes and

it's more or less match over. Yeah. Doesn't want any jack movement this

time. First of all, he's got to hit the target.

He's inside it. Yeah. Still only leave just the two. He had two third

shots. Two shots, Alex Marshall. Well, it's been a test for Alex,

this match, in many respects, and a good test for him. Sometimes there's

no value in winning a match very easily.

But I've a feeling that he'll be quite happy with this. Absolutely.

He knew it was a tough game against Gary and he'd be very glad to come

through this, barring a major disaster on the last end, which I

don't think any of us can see happening. That's where Gary's been

scoring singles and doubles. Yeah. Great opening bowl again.

Played pretty steady all the way through the game.

Alex will just be looking to pack the head, make sure he doesn't leave

an opening for Gary Kelly to score any more than what he really wants

to. Alex will be happy to lose a single, a double or a treble. It

won't matter to him. Gary needs four. No mistakes. He needs every

bowl in. That's going to make it difficult.

Any lengthening of the jack and it will take that front ball well out

of contention. You've got to take a wee chance,

Gary. You've got to push some red ones out and stop. A good forehand

runner, though, Greg. He's got to keep it well controlled. It's well

controlled and he's on a decent-looking line. Wants to drop

into the red, wants to take two away. Oh, unlucky. Didn't stop on

the second one. Needed to stop there. Alex will just

You don't want to grip them. Gary Kelly is more than capable of taking

all three bowls off the rink. Alex has two time-outs remaining. Two

feet wide on the forehand would be absolutely perfect.

Yeah. Forehand it is. Pushed it out wide and making sure he's not

anywhere near the front bowl. He's just looking for decent weight.

Well, he's trying to encourage it forward but I think that's probably

going to beat the back one. Yeah, it does. It's plenty good enough. Get

out of that, Gary. Oh. There's no chance. The best he

can do here is three, surely. Um, there is a possibility, Greg, but I

don't know if the angles are absolutely right to allow for it.

Time-out call. It's going to be difficult for him to play. Gary has

one time-out remaining. If he gets down on the backland with a slight

angle off the bowl, he might get on to that to take that away and move

the jack but, goodness me, I don't know if the angles are right for it.

I think the only way is if he hit his own bowl with a deep screw

forward... No. It's impossible! Yeah, it's a new Q-tip you're using.

You need an old one for that sort of shot. I can't see any way that

works. It's just the way Gary plays. It is possible for him to take the

two bowls. He has to take the angle to come back on to the ja c, k and

extend it through the head for four. Time-out called. Gary has no

time-outs remaining. I think it would be possible to play it but it

would be difficult from two yards away. But I think he has to try it.

I don't think there's any other way around it.

A million-to-one shot. Well, he's on the forehand. I can't see him

getting it on the forehand. Oh, I can see what he's after now.

Front bowl through, a run-through, bowl on the jack and then a

run-through. No. Second set and the match to Alex

Marshall. Well, very, very difficult, I have to say. Really

difficult, and not an -- nothing easy about that shot and a

comprehensive and professional display there by Alex Marshall.

Yeah, very, very good. Very, very steady to be honest with you and he

played the big bowls when needed. Looking good. Yeah, he's looking

good. Two sets, 9-5 and 7-5 and Alex

Marshall tested but he'd be delighted to move into the second

round without too much trouble. Gary, first of all, though, facing

up against a man like the six-time champion, it was always going to be

difficult. How do you sum up the way you played today? Yeah, it was

always going to be difficult, obviously Alex six-time champion and

reigning champion. I'm disappointed with my performance to be honest.

Just inconsistent. Just didn't get the two bowls in enough to try and

put Alex under pressure but credit to Alex, he played the better bowls

and deserved the victory. Alex, Gary disappointed with his effort but he

made you work a bit in the first and second set? Yeah, he did. I was very

happy with the way I started off, putting Gary under a little bit of

pressure. I agree that Gary is normally more consistent than that

and is capable of winning this tournament. In the second set, I

dropped off a little bit and Gary came on a little bit and the second

set could have gone either way. The defending champion is through and

would play the winner of the next match between number 16 seed daugs

Dawes and Potters first-timer, Australian Jamie Smith. Here's what

happened in their match -- Mark Dawes. Mark Dawes dominated the

early stages, racing into a six-shot lead after five ends.

Jamie Smith got on the scoreboard with a two at end six.

But the Bury Bowler was in fine form, closing out the set 9-2 with

precision in the eighth end. The Australian needed to make a strong

start to the second set. But when he went long with his final bowl of the

second end, he was already 5-0 down. The Lancastrian was keeping the

pressure on. His third bowl at end four was one of the best of the

match and it put him 7-1 up. APPLAUSE

The scoreline looked a little unfair on the qualifier from Queensland,

and Smith had another bad break on his final drive at end seven. That

left Mark Dawes to wrap things up with his remaining bowl. The 16th

seed through to the second round 9-2, 10-2. And the final match to

bring you action from was between the man voted player of the year in

2015, Nick Brett, up against qualifier James Rippey. First of

all, here are the details of Nikki's career: 41 years old, from England,

seeded number two. He got to the semifinals here in 2010 and he won

the Scottish Open in 2013 and followed up 12 months later.

James Rippey, in contrast, is making his first appearance here at the

Potters. He won the England indoor triples championship in 2012. Let's

see how that match unfolded. Four all after five ends. Four ends

to go. It's a set that he must win to force the three-end tie-break.

First set comfortable to Nick Brett, 12-3. That's a better starter. This

second set's been different. Nick's just gone off a little bit, Andy, I

think. And James is coming into it. I'd agree. Nikki's just not been

quite as accurate, not been gripping the bowls as much. And James has

taken advantage. The bowls as much. Temptation for Nicky.

Resisted the chance to have a runner. Absolutely. And Nicky is

normally a very aggressive player. He's just trying to drop this one

in. Well, that ball has fallen down. I think he'll go the next time.

Especially with that wing bowl. It will give him an even bigger target.

No. He's framed it now. There's nothing much James can do except to

try and draw it. A little touch on the jack and try and tidy it up.

Just one to green at the moment. Not universally agreed with. Got a

little touch on a jack. That'll make three. A bit close now. Very close.

That's certainly second. Stopped in a good place. Stopped in a very good

place. I don't think he'll drive now if

it's just the one, but I'll tell you what, that is very close. I don't

know if I would agree with that, looking at the circles. Nicky won't

be happy. I'll go with Bob, though. I reckon he knows what he's doing.

He'll be all right. He's a lot closer to the action than we are.

Time-out called. I think James is looking at this thinking it might be

more than one. James has four time-outs remaining.

A little touch on the jack will extend it through if he can. If he

gets it into this position, it would be very, very hard to actually do

anything with. Two, maybe three. That's the shot. Probably James's

best end of the game, really. Three very tight bowls, close bowls here.

This is heavy. You would think after those three bowls that that was a

position bowl. You could see him clapping there. He realised he'd

made a mistake. Just didn't get the bowl away properly, I don't think.

If Nicky's on the one down, it's just a backhand draw. He certainly

had time to have a look at it. We'll know from what sort of shot he's

playing whether he agrees it's just the one. It is only an opinion, of

course. Exactly. Close here. Oh, that's a great bowl.

APPLAUSE Oh! Super shot. Just the one. I was

quite looking forward to a measure. Yes. So was I. One shot, Nick Brett.

Set score, five-four after six ends. A measure would have been

interesting. I might are had a wee jelly baby on that one. It might

have been more than one but we will never find out.

Nick Brett, world number one, has got three ends to try and secure his

position in the next round over this man, James Rippey from England.

Well, now from England. Let's put it that way.

He's a good player, James. The first set did not reflect the match at

12-3. But the second set has been totally different. Nicky tends to be

highly critical of his performances normally. I'm sure he'll be saying

to me that he was rubbish and needs to play better. Well, he might say

that but he's not over the line yet so it may not be an issue. Yes.

Successful, I think he'll be perhaps critical of his second-set

performance, more than his first set -- if successful. James has picked

his game up. He needs this one to hurry. Anything behind jack is good

when you've got a front-toucher, but not up there. I think Nick's an

aggressive player. I'm always aware that if you get one on against him

to always be behind the head. That was a bad second bowl from James.

Should have been reaching the head. Well, that more or less locks in the

green bowl. I would leave that and go deep. I would think so, David.

Wouldn't go near that head. Nick's bowl is half an inch past

jack height. He's got to be careful here. Stay away from it...

He'd be very happy to get a single here and go into the last two ends.

This looks... Well, let's see where he finishes. Locked on the front

bowl. That's going to really cut out the forehand by the looks of it.

Still there for Nick to play it. But it's just going to have to sneak

past the green one. I think it looks like a backhand shot here from Nick.

Just trying to nudge the winner. Just needs a little touch on it.

He's got a chance for this. He has. Needs to bend. Jack will do. Oh,

yeah, absolutely. Good bowl. Very good bowl. Mmm. Played it well. Even

if he got the front bowl on to the jack, he would have come through

himself and made a double. But that's excellent. Finds the gap.

Nicks the jack, takes the one. No back position for James, so he's in

bother. Probably play the same bowl that Nick tried. Backhand, just

reaching through the head. He's got a chance. Just under, I

think. He can get a bad result here. Oh, I'm not sure if that's going to

help him. Certainly not. Really. Just on to the line, not by much,

but just enough, and this could be costly.

It's costly if it's three. Two, well, he'll see his bowl. It wasn't

too far away but giving another shot away at this crucial time could be

big. I can understand why he was coming into the target. I think he

was right to play that shot. He was just a blade under. Unlucky, really.

He wasn't far aWayne. I think his weight was good but, by being tight,

he's given himself a lot to do. He needs to score four shots, two over

two ends. 7-4, second set, Nick Brett over

James Rippey. Two ends to go and if Nick Brett can score a single here,

that will be enough to win the match.

APPLAUSE having won the first set 12-3, he's

in a very strong position. And James, well, realistically, has

to score two here to give himself any sort of a chance going into the

last end. Drawing the set is not enough. He has to win it.

That's the advantage of winning the first set. You don't carry one shot

into the next set, but it almost feels like it, because you have to

win it, Andy. Exactly. You've got that little bit of a cushion. You

could tie the -- knowing that you could tie the set. Well, James's

bowl went way heavy. We'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he

might be running at the jack. I think it's wise that he didn't want

to fall short. Nick has moved up the gears in the last end or two, played

some really good bowls. There's the runner. Hasn't been hitting too much

in this match. He's missing with this one. He had one big heavy drive

and missed it by distance. The controlled-weight shots have been...

You know, not too far away on occasions, but just very difficult

to execute. He needs a connection with this bowl. The way it's

sitting, he could get the jack clean. Closer this time. Jack clean

into the ditch. Yeah. That'll do. Makes the double. Yes. Well played.

APPLAUSE Strong, controlled weight. Good

running bowl. Well, this makes it interesting now because that's not

going to be easy to beat. Regardless of where this bowl finishes, James

has got the bowl out for two or three, so he needs a good one here,

Nick. This has got to stop, I think. Is he

stopping in time? Oh, wow! What a bowl! It is available to take on but

you have to respect that. That's a great shot. A fantastic bowl. That's

a match lie. Exactly. A fantastic bowl to draw into there within,

what, a foot of the jack. Well, quite simply, James has this bowl

out for two or three so he needs to hit this. He gives himself a chance

in the last end. If he misses, time to go home. Yeah. Going for the

runner. Now, is he right on the line? Oh. I thought he might have

got something off the edge. He was inside it, but Nick Brett will take

a single. One shot, sixth set and match, Nick Brett. Well, a very

professional performance by Nick Brett, I have to say. 12-3 the first

set. I think that's a bit unkind to James in terms of the scoreline, but

8-4 in the second. A good second set, but Nick Brett played very well

in that match and he'll up his game in the next one as well. Good

experience for James. He'll be back. I'm sure of that. So the first-round

matches in the singles are done and dusted. Well done to Nicky Brett.

He's through to play Les Gillett in the last 16. Let's see who else is

through. Alex Marshall against Mark Dawes. Stewart Anderson against

King. Now, though, it's time to head up to

the commentary box for the final time to find out what Corky's shot

of the day was. My shot of the day comes from the world pairs final,

Stewart Anderson and Darren Burnett playing really well. Won the first

set 10-7, deservedly so. But in the second set, they built up a lead

8-3, on the eighth end. They've three shots against them in a

difficult position. Darren Burnett is in a heap of trouble with his

last bowl, plays the forehand runner, gets a very slight edge.

That's all he wanted. Didn't want to hit it solid. We see it again and

the ball could have come through to the jack and it didn't. But to turn

round with the jack coming all the way through for two shots, perfect

position for him. 10 shots to 3 up. Three ends to go, they defended that

in the next two ends and it was more than enough to get them over the

line to win the title. Thanks very much, Corky. Off you go

to bed. Just time to remind you of our coverage on Tuesday from

Potters. We are on the red button at 10am with Mark Royal and Robert

Paxton and we're back on BBC Two at 1pm for the final of the mixed

pairs. But the first trophy of the week has

been won. Stewart Anderson and Darren Burnett are crowned champions

in the pairs. They are two very happy Scots who will, no doubt,

enjoy a deserved jar or two tonight. From all of us here at Potters, bye

bye. It all started with the discovery

of one enormous thigh bone.