Women's Singles Semi-Final Bowls World Indoor Championships

Hello everyone and welcome to the World Indoor Championships at the

Potters Leisure Resort. Taking place on the coast of England. We have

seen two trophies handed out in the pairs and mixed pairs but today it

is all singles action and two of the best players in the world are ready

to roll. Both defending singles champions are

on the rink today, first up, Alex Marshall, bidding for a seventh

world title. He is up against Mark Dawes in second-round action.

And Lady semifinals day, defending champion Laura Thomas the first

Welsh woman to win a world title, takes on former champion Ellen

Falkner of England for a place in the final.

But first it is the bowling boys, Alex Marshall against Mark Dawes. We

will take a closer look at Mark, 33 from Lancashire. Looking to make it

to the quarterfinals for the first time, and even though he faces an

opponent who knows his way around the venue, he remains undaunted.

Alex Marshall takes his first world singles title here at Potters

leisure Centre. Alex Marshall is a true force in the game as he takes

the professional title. Unbelievable. Winning the title for

the sixth time, Alex Marshall. I do the same home work and preparation.

I have all my rituals that nobody knows. Rituals, I will show you

rituals! I watch whoever I can play. I enjoy

playing most sports to an OK level, but bowls is the one I found I was

better at than all the rest, so that is what I stuck to main way. But

yes, I would place board every day if I could.

I must beat Alex. There's more to do than you could

ever imagine those that when you first come down you think it is just

bowls... I must beat Alex.

Archery, snooker, golf... I must beat Alex.

Quite often a lot of people will want to come and have a chat with

you. You must beat Alex. About any tips you can give them

about bowls, so it is great to be around the venue and have a lot of

people watching you and support you. I must beat Alex.

This is the first time I have got through the first round. On two

occasions I have played pretty well but come up against tough opponents.

It has been nice to spend a bit more time at the venue, a bit more

relaxed, because I have been here three or four days rather than a

couple of days. It is a nice, easy game to the second round. Alex is a

legend of the sport, and at Potters e-zines to love the venue and has

won it six times. Ultimately all you can do, to the best of my ability,

and if I can do that I hope I can put Alexander pressure and

hopefully... Must beat Alex.

My brother and my mum and stepdad are here supporting, so that is

good. Quite often at Potters, they like to go for the underdog. Yes,

Alex is loved down here and well respected, but sometimes, if I can

just get a few of the neutral people on my side, that might help.

For the 10th and final event of my decathlon, the blue rink.

I will beat Alex Marshall. The multi-skilled Mark Dawes up against

Alex Marshall, knows just about every square inch of this venue at

Potters. He has been coming here since 1999 and won the title six

times. He has won the pairs title five times. All but one of those

titles have been won here at Potters, where he feels very

comfortable. I just take one game at a time. I

was happy with the way I played my first game against Gary. I got

through that one. I always think that is the hardest game to win. You

look forward to the second game and I just take one game at the time,

one step at a time. You just look forward to the next game. I am

looking forward to it this afternoon.

I do think I have played against Mark before in a singles match. I

know a lot about him. I watched his first game and he was very

impressive. Mark is a very impressive player, has all of the

shots. It will be a hard game, so I will have to be at my best.

So many players are playing well just now. Everyone in the event has

a chance. I think you just have to concentrate on your own game. If you

can play well yourself, then you know everybody has to try and beat

you. I just concentrate on my own game, but there are so many players

who can win it. Alex Marshall continues his quest

for a seventh world title. Standing in his way, Mark Dawes. Time to

introduce the players. Thank you, our first player after winning a

tour card in last season's bowling calendar, certainly made good use of

the opportunity by playing his way into the world's top 16. Ladies and

dental men, England's Mark Dawes. And now to one of the finest

all-round bowlers on the international circuit, a record six

times and defending world indoors singles champion, Alex Marshall,

MBE. Great atmosphere in the arena at

Potters. Just a reminder if you have any questions or thoughts on who

might win today, send us your tweets using hashtag BBC bowls. Our

commentators will try to answer as many as they can. Good afternoon

boys. COMMENTATOR: Good afternoon. Alex Marshall, we all know, six

times champion but Mark Dawes is a very good international bowler and a

very good singles player. There are 13 or 14 places between them in the

rankings list, but there is not much in this. Certainly not. As you say,

Alex's performance in the mixed wasn't great yesterday but I think

we will see the true Alex this afternoon. Four balls makes all the

difference and he will be able to adapt much quicker.

I've got my tablet with me. I keep a check on all the tweets that are

coming through. Given Andy won as well, he's looking

at it as if it something from a different planet. Unfortunately I

don't have my glasses with me, so that will come in handy this

afternoon. Make sure you send them in.

Perfect start Mark Dawes. Alex wasting no time. Close to the tour

balls with this, yes, got them. Jack out.

That jack will be taken out and put on the re-spot. Second round match

played over nine sets. Alex will be trying to shake up Mark Dawes on the

draw shot particular, because that is where his real strength is. Alex

has seen Mark playing a lot and well aware his strength is in the draw.

And right away, Alex's second ball disturbing the head. Confident Alex

Marshall will be drawing a shot here. He has a yard to draw.

Well, that one chubb Dawn -- chugged on a little bit.

Had a fantastic match this morning. Stewart Anderson against Mervyn

King. If you don't want to know the score of that put your fingers in

your ears for a moment. Stewart Anderson won the first set 11-2.

Mervyn King won the second 11-3. And then a fantastic tie-break, all down

to the last ball. Stewart Anderson just got over the line. We will see

him in the quarterfinals. This looks better, just needs to stop and it

has. There he is, Stewart Anderson.

Phones are never too far away these days, are they? Certainly not. An

silent, of course. -- an silent. He will be taking an interest in

this game, Stewart Anderson playing the winner.

Jack links, 29 metres. -- jack length. There is Diane Marshall.

Always hear, watching Alex play. Alex has a tendency to have family

with him, especially in the last number of years in particular. Likes

to have that support mechanism in there as well. It's good for him.

Two week tournament and Diane always comes down for the second week.

That was a long jack length, but the ball didn't make centre ring. Always

a slight concern for the players. Yes, there has been a tendency on

this backhand for the ball to stay high.

The four sessions that are played each day, in the ideal situation it

is to be on the first run or the first lunchtime game or the evening

game, because you get a half an hour before to roll up and down and get a

good opportunity to see what is happening. And then, within a

five-minute break and walk ons, it's great.

You can see the little marks on the green, indicating one metre jack

lengths. Just not getting back for that ball, Andy. He was shaking his

way to little bit. Still one shot to Mark Dawes. This could be numbered

two, if it Ben -- bends. There is a shot on for Alex, if he wants it.

Don't think so... Maybe just a forehand draw. I think so. Has about

7-8 inches on the forehand side. But locked out with Mark's ball. Well,

Alex... I don't know if he's going to make this. I think he will go up

and have a chat, to be honest with you. There was a disturbance here.

He will go and have a chat with the official. There was, there was a

movement. Well, Alex not being allowed the

opportunity to play his ball. I thought they may have given him

that. I thought that would have been reset for five seconds, to be honest

with you. Yes. Surprise that that, because usually if there is any

issue of movement in the crowd or whatever, the officials are very

generous about that. Yes, they are, but not in that case. Hopefully Mark

Dawes doesn't add anything here. Not had a great effect on it.

1-1 after two ends. Mark Dawes is a crown green player as well, and a

very good one. He is a good driver, and you will see it in his delivery,

he has a crown green delivery, especially when he drives. Normally

pretty accurate. The marker for this match is Alan Thornhill.

We are getting the questions through. Some people asking about

the blue carpet and if it makes any difference. No, it certainly

doesn't. There are a number of indoor centres in the country now

who have decided to go to the blue carpet, but I think it is exactly

the same material, as far as I'm aware. It plays no different,

exactly the same as the green. Certainly in my experience... The

gap is six inches. In my own club, that has a large membership, it has

two greens. 17 rink and 16. And they are both blue. How long ago was

that? About three years ago, two or three years ago. The time is right

and the club made a decision. It does look well, I have to say. It's

very bright. It makes absolutely no difference to the running of the

bulls. -- balls. Can Alex just get to the ball here? Previous delivery

with six inches. Looks better with this one. Cleaner road. Got it.

Stop the clock. Now working for the Aero company, based in Australia. He

does spend a lot of time in Australia now. Yes, both playing and

working for the employer. They have a disturbance in the crowd. They

have locked off the shot clock, so we will try to find out. They are

have locked off the shot clock, so looking up to the crowd, which means

there has been a slight problem there. No doubt they will try and

get it sorted out, if they can. This can happen in any sports event, the

players have a tendency to be quite good. Robert Paxton looking on, Mark

Royal, Jimmy Smith. Still here, doesn't want to go home! There he

is, the Aussie man. They are always very quiet and subdued, aren't they?

Yes. You can understand sometimes one or

two people are a little dehydrated. I think it is wise for the boys just

to do that. We are back in action again. A

slight disturbance, but not for too long. The players will get on with

it. Just trying to get that feel back in

the hand after two or three minutes. It doesn't seem very long, but it

can be. Yes, the concentration just goes a little bit. A buyout -- about

five feet through the head. Exactly the same for Alex. Stopped his

concentration a little bit. Yes, he's coming into a good position

though, a good cover ball. Might be tempted to run this down the

forehand. Yes, I think there's a good chance. Quite a wide target,

the deepest ball, worth a go, I think.

Well, looks more like two or three at yards away. That's never in a

million years coming back from there. Not with that pace. Needed

strong ditch weight. I'm surprised that that, if you play that, the

general consensus is to play a little stronger. You just can't play

it like that. Onwards and upwards, Alex will be looking to drop on the

green ball to make a double. A touch on his own. Not enough to

push... Just the one. 2-1 after three games.

Some people are very aware of the crowd and various other things when

they are playing, but I think the problem is it's very quiet on

delivery. If there was a constant back row noise, players would just

move on. Exactly. Darts players are used to noise and disturbances and

just get on with it. But you are right, any movement of paper or

sweets or anything like that, it disturbs the players a little bit. I

think sometimes a bit of background music or something would be good,

just to have that. I quite agree. It just might make it a slightly

different atmosphere. Yes, it would. Mark Dawes, he's used to crown green

atmosphere so who just going off and whatever else, wouldn't bother him

too much. The international series these guys play in, there is noise

everywhere. I think it is the silence that is the problem. I think

it is. Something our tournament director may consider for the

future. The questions on twitter is very

busy. One says, Andy, you had a glittering career playing in England

but what was it like in Scotland, especially at the start? At the

start it was quite nerve wracking, playing for your country, but as the

years have gone on, it is something I really look forward to. In a

month's time I look forward to seeing the England team defending

their title. But yes, it is quite scary to start with. I got a little

stick and still do, from the Scottish supporters, but all in good

humour. Mark just shaking his head about that running ball. We like to

concentrate on the questions coming through, but the game is more

important at the moment. Alex trying to drop another one in. Yes, good

head, good balls from Alex. That's perfect. Do you think he will draw

back? I think he will. It is not much of a target. A big driver, he

has already played one and I think getting back down to dead weight

will be very difficult. Good on him if he draws this.

I thought he might have played for the two balls out and try to take

something. Just a little target. I think probably after this ball he

will wish he had. I really didn't fancy him after the drive. I think

once you have a bit of space, go back to your draw. Otherwise, try

and take two out and lose one. He just didn't have enough room, that

was the problem. I think, obviously, played your strengths. Mark Dawes'

strength is to draw. A confident matadors would have drawn the shot

there. He's just not quite settled. A confident that doors would have

drawn that shot. The questions continue and sometimes

people ask me about the tie-break. We will get there, possibly, in this

game... Maybe not. It can be destroyed, if the jack goes off the

rink, it is played in the same direction again. In normal play we

use the re-spot if the jack comes off the rink. Hopefully that's all

that one out. In the international series this year, I think they are

going to be adopting that as a new rule this year. Re-spots. Single

re-spot on the T. Very confusing, because it doesn't work on a

tactical sense, it really doesn't. But they will trial it, I'm sure

there will be an assessment of it afterwards. If it's not right,

they'll change, if not, it was day. -- it will stay.

Mark sticking to his forehand, it has been more reliable for most of

the players, not all, but most of them. Dropping short. That was

really a chance for Mark. I think he is a bit is appointed with that one.

I would say so, because Alex has been very good on his forehand. He

has played a lot of top-quality balls on it. He just needs to bend

to get back to the green one. Yes, it's there. Cannot afford to leave

those. That second ball from Mark, that is the key to the game. First

two balls have to beat Alex, if he's not beating him, he's in trouble.

Changing to the backhand side. Big edge about has it been enough? I

think he has the shot. Wasn't too far away. He was in the area. A

clean miss on the ball and he would probably have dropped back another

ten inches behind. Alex is still playing this, so...

The forehand. His own ball coming in, so if he catches that with a

little bit of weight... Looks to be under. Yes, just under the line.

I wouldn't say this is a great chance, but if he draws within six

inches, he scores another. Very important, that one, for Matt

Dawes. Perfect backhand raw, interested to see where he goes with

the jack from here. Alex has been savouring the jack on the tee. I

think Mark has brought it up a little bit here, slight change of

length. Another question in. Must be some

international connection between the two commentators.

Too many. I think that is quite easy. I have 103 and you have 100.

102. Sorry. I think you have 105. You can only get three caps a year.

Thank you for that, Barry, it makes me feel so young!

So, a chance for Mark to drop in on this, second opportunity. Must be

close. Struggling to get close to the jack

in this direction. It just looks a little bit under,

but if he gets off his own ball it should be good. Just needs to fall

back. Yes. Well, Mark, will you bend? Yes you

will! It's exactly Jack high. This is quite inviting for Alex. Two

bowls will go. A Jack and a ditch should be fine. He's got a perfect,

absolutely perfect. Jack across. As the green bowl moved out enough?

Great bowl. Lovely conversion shot. That is the benefit of not going for

the big drive where you are trying a re-spot or something like that, a

deliberate conversion shop. Great timing though, allowing the bowl to

come back. It is a pressure bowl. Needs to hold up!

APPLAUSE Now we see Mark's bowl coming in. I

think Alex is asking on the third shot. Time-out called. Yes, I would

say the position slightly favours green. I would say it's just a draw,

Andy. I think so. He doesn't want to take his own out. Alex has four

time-outs remaining. Yes, with the jack being off centre,

I think this might be a good road for Alex, actually. A lot of the

bowl have been finishing high. It worked in his favour. I think this

is probably an easier lined to find. It's all about getting the right

weight, because the line looks pretty good to me. He's very close

to making this. And back! He's pushed it back to the green bowl! He

did absolutely brilliant to drop off the bowl and onto the Jack. Yes,

that's one of the unfortunate things in our sport. He unfortunately

pushes the Jack back to Mark. Great try, Alex.

The seventh end of a nine end set. A big push to score in this one, for

Alex Marshall. Both players favouring different sides. Alex the

backhand side, Mark beforehand. -- Mark the forehand. Just holding off.

That frustrates players often, doesn't it? You know that you're on

a good line and your weight is good but the just doesn't come down.

You're waiting for that sweep, aren't you? Oh dear, Mark, what

happened to that? Not his best delivery. Just as well you are not

out there skipping him on this one, Andy! I'm very kind, I would not be

telling him off! The guys are frightened of you! I seen the fear

in their eyes! Well, Alex wasn't happy with his first delivery, so he

has changed to the forehand. I think you will probably find he will start

leaving more now on the forehand side. -- start leading on that side.

A better reply here from Mark. That's a great bowl.

APPLAUSE One green. Very good bowl. Here we

see Mark's third delivery. Goes in, moves the jack, but not far enough

for Alex. Alex running through here on the backhand side, just trying to

for Alex. Alex running through here clip the bowl away. Got to be under,

I think. Well, he had two seconds and that is the reason why he played

it. I tell you what, he was watching that all the way down, you could see

that from our commentary position, and he was very interested right up

until the moment it hit the bowl. Was about an inch away from clipping

the green. However, this is advantage Mark Dawes at this end.

Good effort with this. Wow. It looks like he's made the double. Alex

hasn't got anything on the re-spot on the left-hand side where the Jack

would go. Can't afford to take his own bowl out. Well, the body

language says he doesn't like it. Well, the big seventh end, Mark

Dawes takes a slight lead. That seems strange to identify one

end, but even with 11 ends it is number nine, and with nine ends its

number seven. That is what the players focus on. If you are behind

at that point, you really need to score. Jack length 27 metres.

Mark Dawes plays out of the Blackpool club, Newton Hall. Been

there many times. International Open there in about five or six weeks'

time. Yes, something to look forward to.

Always a good event. But this is the one everybody wants to win the most.

This is the big one, David. Good correction from Mark. He takes

the shot with that, I think. Well, it didn't drop back. Alex is also

using the mat, he is out at the extreme edge, trying to get that

little bit of extra bend on the bowls.

APPLAUSE Great shot, both players adjusting

well. The bowl has just fallen over as well. The bowl has fallen, since.

Alex onto the forehand side. A little bit of weight here, possibly.

Again, he's watching it, he's interested! Oh! Just around the

outside. He really needs to hit that on the thin side. That is probably

why he was on the high. If he caught a thin edge, he was going to take

Mark's out. Alex is in trouble on this end. He's got nothing on the

re-spot and the Jack is only going in one direction. This is not good

for Alex, this end. Mark is looking to see whether it is one or two.

Time-out called. I love your positivity there, it's only one!

I don't think Mark needs to go near this one. It is a good position but

he is such a good draw player, you are thinking he might go for another

one. He is now saying to Alex that if you hit this and get it wrong,

you're going to lose three. Alex can't afford to hit this. He's going

to have to draw. Draw on the forehand, draw the perfect bowl. He

has still got a bowl waiting to receive it. He's on the backhand.

Fair enough, still a perfect draw. Worth the risk with the third one.

Just going through, I think. Not much, good effort. Within seven or

eight inches. One shot, academic three.

-- 1-shot, Mark Dawes. A good run from Mark Dawes. The last three

ends, he has scored very nicely. Two singles -- the last four ends, two

singles and two doubles. He is not over the line here. Alex Marshall

will be thinking to himself if I can get two here it will be a tide set

and he can get something out of it. Mark basically needs a good opener,

he doesn't want to put any added pressure on to himself as the end

progresses. He needs a good opener. Well, he really needs a close bowl.

That's just not close enough. I'm surprised, takes bated Alex to

punish him with his first bowl, but he has still got another chance. He

will, with this one. He will not make the same mistake twice.

Yes, here it comes. That is the winner.

APPLAUSE You might get away with that with

Alex with one bowl, but you're not going to get away with it with two.

Mark needs a big bowl here. I still think he is a bit on the wide side.

He is pushing the bowl back, but as you said, a bit wide.

Even the bowl dropping in has made no difference. You expect Alex to

repeat the dose and get this one in. Well, Alex looks under. He will be

very unhappy with that one. That was a big pressure bowl to get Mark into

a bit of trouble. If he had got that and got it in he was looking at a

possible winning of the set, but now he is looking at the chance of

drawing it. Look at his expression on the way down there. He almost

couldn't understand how that one came across. He didn't. It seemed to

sweep away. I wouldn't be surprised to see Mark Dawes drawing the shot.

I think he's wide, I really do. There it goes. Well, that is a poor

end by Mark. It really is a poor end. One red. You can't expect to

win the set whenever you play bowls one away. That was a very nervy end.

That is why I said it was so important to get a good opening

bowl. You would expect Alex to draw this one and win the opening set. We

both know what he's like, he plays the opening bowl very well. Darren

Burnett relaxing at the back, I don't in key could look any more

chilled. -- I don't think he could look any more chilled. Well, he has

put his head to the air but the line looks pretty much perfect. Surely

he's drawing it. Yes. That looked good. It looks good to me. He

thought it was under. APPLAUSE

A shake of the head. He's got something out of the set but it's

almost like you're saying "Well, I'm just not sure". I think he will be

relieved to have tied the first set. Well, a poor end by Mark Dawes has

cost him that set. Jack length 27 metres.

APPLAUSE One like that and the last set was

in his pocket! Exactly! It's typical, isn't it? So, it's almost

like a one set shoot out now. Yes, we have had a game before where we

had two tied ends but it is very unusual. The players are looking to

try and win this and get it done. Great reply from Alex! I think it is

still Alex. A slap of the thigh from Mark. Yes,

but it will not help Alex. He might still need to have to play this

around the backhand and try and drop it in there. Prior to that he had a

good chance to try and drop in, but that front green bowl makes it

difficult. Certainly does. However, I think he's going to try and ignore

it and go around it, but hard to get enough weight to push Mark's nearest

bowl out. Yes, you had to force it out to get

around the green one, and he just held off. Around the backhand, very

dangerous. Not a bad bowl, that. Mark has only got one on the head,

another one close. I don't think it's going to get back

in time. This is interesting. Yes, yes...

I'm just looking at this, Andy. The first end, it looks like a pretty

safe shot if Alex wanted to play it and that is to get into that bowl

and take it away, that brings his other two bowls into play. I don't

see any danger on the backhand. The front plant, it is his own bowl

coming in, very hard to draw another. He's going for it! Could

get a bad result here. He nearly got a good result! He knew he had pulled

the shop. Getting in a lot of questions in

about things like bowls, do the players use their own bowls? Some

do, some don't. There are a range of accurate temp one here from

manufacturers available on the World Bowls Tour. You would know this, you

are in the trade. What is a minimum and maximum bowl size? The smallest

bowl size is double nought, and the biggest, difficult question, I think

we produce Pfizer and sixes but there might still be sevens? Yes

there are. And strangely enough I was talking about it at lunch with

one of the manufacturers. -- fives and sixes. You won't get many with

size sevens. Many years ago it used to be size five was the most popular

for men but it is now size three and size four.

David Brand size seven Canon bowls we saw rolling down onto the jack.

Yes, David, hope you are watching the television, enjoying the bowls.

Hope you're keeping well. The great man himself. Absolutely, some great

battles, as you have had with him over the years, Andy. Just drop in.

A chance now for Mark to slide this bowl around the red ones and slide

it away. Mark really struggling to get back,

isn't he? He's going to have to think about this one, isn't he? That

is a long jack length and they're not getting back. You can see he is

just thinking, why is this bowl not getting back? Both players slightly

struggling at the moment. Got a chance with this one to slide into

the green. Yes, I think that will do. The problem for Mark is that

he's not finding centre rink, and if you don't, it's very hard. The

opposition, just like Alex did there, we'll just reach and right

into the jack high bowls all day. What players want to find is the

centre of the rink. Pace is something that you pick up. But

that's been a problem for both players really. I think a change in

jack length would really benefit both players here. It's always on

the D. They need to change things about.

Well, again... It's just holding off. Well, squeezed in between the

two. There wasn't really a gap there, but he forced the issue. It

looks like one and a measure, I think.

Well, he's got all the back position here, but it still just about eight

gun draw. I don't think he likes it. The line

is good enough, it must be heavy. Yes. Well, he knew that out of the

hand. Most players are good judges when the ball leaves the hand. He

knew he was just slightly heavy. Set score, 3-0, after two ends. Once

again another good start by Alex Marshall to the second set. In the

first set he was 5-1 up after four ends. The thing is, Andy, they both

players with long jack lengths. Almost frightened to go shorter just

in case the bowls don't get back and end up going wide. I think it's fair

to say that the bowls are not getting back. I think especially

Mark should be trying a different length. I think Alex is always going

to go on the T. APPLAUSE

Good opener. Another question coming in, this

time from David, "Does Andy prefer indoor or outdoor?"

That's a good question. It's a very short outdoor season these days,

isn't it, Andy? It is. I think I'd probably put more into the winter

months and I prefer the indoor game slightly. But I play the sport all

year round. I still enjoy the outdoor but I probably favour the

indoor. We will just see if this will hold

up. Holding, I thought that was inside the line. He doesn't want to

move the jack. Gentle, gentle. Sprayed chalk, that means it is a

touch. If not, it will be taken out. A little spray chalk indicates a

toucher with the jack. Problem here for Mark, you will have to be

positive through the head. He needs the movement of the jack. Mark has

two time-outs remaining. Well, not easy. Not easy, but he has to hit

the target, really. Playing the right shot. Very close. Two balls.

Excellent. That was a bonus. Great shot. Was under heavy drive, it was

controlled. -- it wasn't a heavy drive. If you play a good ball, Alex

has a tendency to tap his leg, but that was a bit special, so a clap of

the hands on that one. Alex good sport, always acknowledges if you

play a good bowl and that was a great strike from Mark. Alex, this

one looks way under. The last one held a long, long time. The line was

pretty good. Oh dear. The line would probably have been bang on for what

he wanted to hit the ball, but a metre short. You are never going to

get a better opportunity here to draw. I played Alex in the pairs

this year and we had a very good game, chatted throughout it.

Unfortunately he played a little bit too well for my liking. That was

all. Looks like number two coming in, not sure if it is two or three.

There is, taken away. Three it is. It really was a very good strike

from Matt Dawes, has turned this set around. Once again, this jack is on

the T just about. If Mark holds out here, it's his own fault.

Can't believe that, not finding the centre of the rink. Why doesn't he

played shorter? Yes, definitely struggling with it. Maybe having a

good look to see where he is standing on the Matt is normally the

way to counteract that, straightening. -- on the mat.

Better, that. That was good. A very small gap, Alex. At last, he has won

in the centre. -- he has Fox and one.

Not too bad to stay wide this time, but he needs to run and the jack

will come over. A good waiting ball. I think Alex will be playing the

forehand side. The stats are level everywhere.

It is a close game. 7-7 in the first set and 3-3 in the second. Certain

things will be level. Yes, it is a tight game, nobody dominating.

Just trying to get back to the jack. Got the toucher, but didn't pull the

jack Black. An inch closer to the jack and he would have trailed that

the three. Set once again a beak crowd at

Potters Leisure Resort. We knew this was going to be a good match and it

has turned out to be exactly that. It was going to be a big challenge

for Matt Dawes, playing against Alex at his favourite venue, but Alex

would have known how good a player Mark is. Mark played three in the

international last year and back to lead this year. That is his

strength, drawing. Two inches past, jack high. The

restart has been mentioned a few times now. People tweeting about the

international series in March, where they are bringing in the re-spot

position two meters. Wondering if it will be better to go three metres? I

would agree entirely. I don't think it is a great decision, however we

have to abide by the rules and get on with it. Just because we're used

to be playing with the T with the re-spot on the side. Once again, you

have to adapt to new rules and get on with it, basically. But I am sure

there will be discussions after it, if it was good or bad.

A good waiting ball for Alex. Alex's last ball.

Just trying to nudge the ball to drop it away, but Mark's ball going

through has given him option, but I think the jack is going to Alex.

Mark is in a bit of bother here. He's going to have to play a very

exact ball to get anything out of this end. Alex also has to be care

for, he doesn't want to give a shot away here. That looks like a decent

one. Just a draw here for map doors --

Matt Dawes. Trying to be very gentle to it,

couldn't afford to hit the front of the red and brings the jack back to

the two red ones. A bit of danger here... But it's possible. That's

what he's looking at. It's one of those shots that pops up every now

and then. If he does get into their, it is possible. Just to move the

jack into this direction. If he gets into their, makes at least a double.

His own ball, in real terms, if he does get that connection, will

travel through to hear. So he might make a three. Can he give a shot

away? I don't know, the green onto the green also do the same. It

depends how adventurous he is, he could also slice the jack and give a

shot away. Always an element of risk. Yes, there is a whiz at risk,

but it would need a lot more weight. He is playing. I tell you what, if

this comes off, it will be a great shot. There it is now. That plant

slightly heavier and it would have got a result, but didn't want to be

as heavy. Ten out of ten for even attempting it. Close to getting it

right, but one of those shots, a shop to nothing. There was a bit of

risk but it wasn't far away. It keeps the set tight, four ends to

go. We have already had a match where

there have been two tied sets this year. That has got everybody fishing

around for their statistics. It was 6-6 in the mixed pairs, the

defending champions in action. The second set was 7-7. It went on to a

tie-break, right down to the last ball. Alison Murray and Chris Brett

got through. Well, Mark, two short balls. Those

are the balls he normally relies very heavily on.

Well, if Alex blocks the forehand here, Mark will be in a bit of

trouble. I fully expect this one to be in a con and even better, its

round the back. These balls are a long way away, in terms of playing

them out of their head. Have to draw away from this and hope to get a

result. His forehand, he is fighting with it a little bit in terms of

getting the right line. I agree. He must think he has no confidence

whatsoever in trying to draw the shot. This is much better, where did

this come from? Exactly, perfect ball. Fighting with the hard, shall

we say. -- the hand. His last ball, coming in. Three down, the draw's

the winner. Not easy for Alex to get the ball out. I think this will just

be a draw from Alex. Well, he must be able to see it through the gap.

That was always wide. A hard shot, just hit the target, let alone make

a gap that is seven inches wide. Alex didn't fancy flooring it round

the short ball. A difficult shot, he knew he couldn't take the ball out

by drawing it. A little chance here for Mark to get a double.

He is having another good go at it, his third shot. Needs it to drop, I

don't think it has this time, I think it just held up. Yes. Just the

one. Yes, just the one. Always good to have experts in your

ear to tell you there is not two shots in it. Yes, the umpires have

good knowledge. They are well miked up and we can pick up everything

they are saying, which is good for us. Of course, the crowd have a

tendency to know as well. They are quite good about telling you. Yes,

they wanted that ball to fall down. Just sliding under. Just to let our

viewers know, we will be opting out in Scotland for one hour for First

Minister 's question time, but you can follow us on the BBC sport

website. That is just in Scotland for one hour.

A good second ball from Mark, that is going to give Alex problems. This

is not easy, Alex. Might be on for a heavy one here.

Good drive from Alex. Two balls would have been ideal, but jack on

the re-spot, not even going to the re-spot, is it? The ball is in the

ditch. Re-spot coming now. Just wondering where the jack was. One

ball shoot out now. Another ball has just been lifted up there, thank you

for showing that, that was good. Straight from Alex. One ball shoot

out depends how close this is, if Alex tries to drive it off or try to

draw it. Once to make it inside the jack. He will be tempted by this.

Jack in the ditch is worth a double, a ball out is worth a single. This

is quite a wide target, I would expect Alex to hit this. Yes, it's

certainly right up his street to play this one.

He's interested. He's got something. Great ball. Ball and jack. Two shots

for Alex Marshall. Nice weight as well. The extra bonus was getting

the jack so the ball didn't run off the head. A good shot, that one.

Again, Alex using the conversion shot, rather than trying to do

anything else. Two good strikes with his third and fourth deliveries.

That was a very important ball, that last ball, for Alex Marshall. Matt

Dawes would have been two up with two to go, and that little gap, just

had one end to win. An inviting target and I would've expected Alex

to get it. Two inches past. Just two inches

past. This was the hand Mark has been

struggling with, the centre ring, and the same thing, good weight.

Cannot believe how many balls have finished in that area. It's also

been a big provider of shoulders. Yes, exactly. Alex now just trying

to arrest the green ball. -- trying to rest. Can afford to play that

extra bit of weight. Will he get down? No, he hasn't. Just the wrong

green ball. Mark cannot afford to lose this shot, he has to get at

least one here. Running onto the mat. He has loads of time-outs,

doesn't need to hurry. He is a quick player when he gets on the mat. A

typical crown green player, when he plays back game, they are all the

same. This has a lot of work to do. It needs to bend had. It looks like

it was coming back, maybe carrying a foot. Yes, but once again... Can't

get to the centre here. Nothing more frustrating for the player. He will

be thinking, how am I going to beat this shot?

Alex will be trying to get a back toucher here. Make it secure. Think

he tried the blocker. Realised the hard shot was on the backhand, but

trying to force him slightly wider. I don't think that one has worked. I

think it is not bad from Alex, forcing Mark to play very heavy or

stick to the draw. He knows he is struggling with a draw to get to the

centre, so problems for Mark. We can see the red ball. Yes, if he gets to

their... But his best result might be to hit that ball and try to hit

it over, because of the way it fits. That's the way it is. LAUGHTER

That scared him a little bit. He had asked for a time-out. The trouble

was, they didn't reset the bottom quick enough. At a pretty crucial

time. It certainly was. Now time to get the concentration back again.

Going for that, trying to slip around the front ball of Alex

Marshall. He has to have a chance... Will he get back? That's the

problem. Will he get back? That might be enough. Wow, what a result!

Could be three, as you say, Andy. Don't think he really played that,

but he has a result if he got two or three out of that. I think he was

just trying to get a single. One out. Alex is pretty good at this.

He'll know, at this stage of the game... That is very close. It

really is. I have a feeling he might have made two. I think so as well. I

think Alex fancies morphing one down. Alan Thornhill indicating he

thinks it is two shots. Two out. They will check the measure with

this one. He will ask for a quick measure. You

cannot take a risk. 100%, it is worth the measure. What a result for

Matt Dawes. He played a good ball, definitely coming in for the shot.

Touching the jack would have made a three, but the four back on the

dough was the bonus. -- on the red was the bonus. Both players saying

it's not coming back! Mark Davies will sort this one out.

Two shots, Matt Dawes. That's what we thought. Very accurate. 7-6. What

are the chances of two tied sets? You just cut a feeling we going into

the tie-break. Alex has the last ball here and I would favour him to

score at least a one. But... It's going to be close. The last end in

the first set, Mark didn't have a good one. No, he didn't play it

well. Well, neither player with a good

opener. Yes, I'm surprised to see that Mark is just slightly on the

inside of the mat, when he's trying to get his bowl back into centre

rink. This has a lot of running to do. That is short. That is a nervy

one. As you say, he played a bad end of the first set, and that is two

loose bowls. He's annoyed with himself and he should be, because

Alex gave him a wonderful opportunity to mail the jack. I

expect this bowl now to be the winner. That is number one. There is

good distance there on the forehand, and on the backhand his wacko temp

one is just not strong enough to guarantee centre rink. Again, he's

on the inside of the mat. We will see if this one makes its way back.

It needs to hurry. It really needs to hurry. Well, that's very good.

Alex will be tempted to run this. It's not an easy bowl to draw off,

but he has got the last bowl in this end, so a bowl at Jack would be

good. I agree, inviting target and Alex will not be short here. Lots of

chances. Well, slightly under. I think he's

got it. He's got a perfect. Looked good for the bowl all the way.

That's better than getting the jack. If he had got the jack and it had

gone on to the restart, there would have been even more room for Mark

Dawes. Still a testing one, Andy. Yes, OK Alex's nearest bowl is 18

inches, but there is a lot of pressure on this final delivery. The

difficulty here is that he does not want to drop short. Well, he's

looking at it, he fancies it. It's coming in!

APPLAUSE It didn't drop down. He wanted it to

drop. Now Alex is wondering all sorts of things. Well, quite simply,

the world champion is game down. What he's looking at is a re-spot

there, a re-spot here. He scores on both of them, doesn't he? You put

the jack in there and he can see right on the spot, he holds both.

The shop for Alex is also available if he wants to drive the bowl out it

is the other red bowl that will count, or if he gets the jack... He

still has a draw available if he really wants to play it, although

that is a very difficult shot. I don't think he will be playing the

draw. His third delivery was on the backhand, however this looks more

forehand. I think he would have been happier being on the backhand side.

Yes, it is the second round for Alex Marshall, defending his title. He

has already made history having six, but he is one bowl away from not

getting to the seven. Could you imagine if he forgot about the

time-out! It doesn't bear thinking about! She was very worried about

him remembering the time-out! Well, I'm sure he's been in awkward

positions before. He needs a big bowl here. I think actually I would

be striking this on the backhand. Yes, because you are coming into the

jack almost all the time. You slice it, you could get a re-spot.

Forehand is harder. I think that's what he's going to go. He's looking

to save the set but he can also win the match. He would be happy to go

into the tie-break, in this situation. He's looking he's

interested! Come on! Yes, that's it, it's a re-spot, and he's got the

shot. It's going onto the re-spot position. Match tied, match

tie-break. My goodness me, I tell you what, Andy, that was close. That

was a brilliant bowl. Absolutely fantastic. He thought he hit two

actually. He was just hoping to clip the green bowl. Look how much he got

of the jack, though. Happy with that, Alex. That was the first

target. He thought he had the double, you can see the

disappointment at the end. He's happy to take the tie-break. If you

are game down, you are happy with a draw. He will look at that drive

again, it seemed to straighten out a little bit. Yes it did. At one stage

I thought he was going to get a difficult result, bounce the jack up

the green. Everybody is taking a breather after that, I think.

Alex Marshall going for his seventh title. Defending champion. Just

moved into the tie-break, following a brilliant drive, with the match

against him. The first two sets, would you believe, tied at 7-7 on

both occasions. This is going to be a very nervy last two, maybe three

ends. Mark Dawes had one foot in the quarterfinal. He certainly did. He

has to regroup now and start all over again. Start with the

tie-break. The gap is four inches. I'm not sure if Alex is happy on

this site and trying to draw the shot. Yes, but at least he is behind

it, which gives him an option. It does. So many good bowls in this

match. Well, second shot coming in. Mark realises that Alex rested that

bowl. It has given Alex a guide. It's heavy again. Well, I tell you

what, I think I would like to take that Jack high bowl away. I know.

That is just too inviting and you don't want to give Alex another bite

at that. He can afford to play to it and just turn it around the corner.

If he misses, he will come to the two red. But you just don't want to

leave that shoulder rest. Well, he's on a decent line here. He wants to

tidy it up. He's coming round and it's still there. That is a good

shot. I don't think Alex is overly happy or confident, should we say,

in drawing this on this side. But he's got to play a big one.

I was going to say, check the body language, check to see if he runs

after it. He thinks he's close, he's dropped a yard away, that is the key

to it. I don't think he was confident of drawing that. First

end, Mark Dawes. Hard to tell. The danger was that he

ran off the bowl, which suggested he liked the bowl. I think it's got

more to do with the characteristics of the rink rather than the bowls.

There are four Noble bowls profiles out there that do very well. --

normal bowls. Jack length, 27 metres. Those four bowls are

normally very, very good. So, advantage Mark Dawes. Yes, but

last bowl Alex Marshall. Could be crucial.

Tie-break rules are different, of course. You get to the third end,

way you can destroy the end, but you have to nominate it. You can

nominate as often as you wish but you could our only allowed to

destroy the end once, in the same direction. Both players can do that.

Your bowl is ten inches past Jack high. That is about 20 inches short.

That may give him problems here, if Mark happens to put this on top of

the jack. APPLAUSE

Well, it's not very adjacent but it is useful, in a way. It's not in the

way for Alex, he feels he can get around that. If he slips this one

around, it will be completely hidden. It is first in, here. Alex,

it looks on the high side. It's got a bit of work to do! Well, it's

still there. Mark Dawes can still draw will stop he's got his own

bowl, just dropped out, which has opened the gap a bit. He needs to

control this one. You feel that none of the bowls at the moment will

probably lie. He needs to get into the pocket here between the two

bowls. This looks better, this looks like the winner.

APPLAUSE That's very good. That is a very

good bowl under the circumstances and under this sort of pressure as

well. Yes, great bowl. Needed a closer bowl and that is what he's

got. However, I don't think this will change Alex's shot. I think he

will still play the backhand draw. He's got about six inches, here.

Well, again, he's looking very carefully at this one. I think his

weight is quite good. I think he's very close. Very close indeed.

Surely he's got it! What a bowl! He's going to force mark onto the

forehand. There's no backhand shot now. Alex's final delivery only had

six inches to play with. What a bowl, brilliant. Missed the front

won by an inch or so. Pressure here for Mark. Will he play the runner?

100%, take Alex's bowl out, don't hold back with this one. He's wide.

Looked wide all the way. He's done it again, Alex Marshall. Digging

deep, we say? Second end, Alex Marshall.

I have to say, he is a man who doesn't want to give up this title.

He certainly doesn't. He's digging deep, he's finding every ounce of

experience here. This is really tense stuff now. Alex contemplating,

where do I want this Jack? This is great stuff! It really is. That's

what they're playing for. If he goes here, I don't think he is confident

of getting it out of trouble on the backhand side, so he's still very

undecided. He doesn't know where to go. I think short three quarters is

probably better for you, Alex. You can understand this. You can

certainly understand. No time clock, of course. I think he's gone

correct, I think this is a good decision. He's going for the very,

very short Jack length, which in many ways is his signature. It is,

but I think it will allow him to play both halves if he is in

trouble. He has not led on the backhand on the full length. Missed

the line. Short Jack length, if you miss the

live by just a bowl's width, it pulls it away very quickly. The same

can happen on the forehand. I'm amazed that Mark is playing at that

from the inside of the mat. But he's doing well with this one. Needs to

come back, right in behind. He's picked out the line. Once again,

quickly Alex is on the forehand side. I think he likes this one

better. It looks better. Oh! He's close. Is this the matchwinner? He's

very close. There it is. Choices now, for Mark. Your bowl is now 14

inches. Does he nominate? He certainly won't be short. He's tried

to draw this. This is a hard shot at this length. You just hold off.

Didn't like the look of that one, really. I think he has to drive it

off, nominate to destroy the end, that is if he remembers, of course!

That's true, one or two players have forgotten that. You would not be

surprised if he said he has had enough of this, he will go for

cover. He's gone for cover. Can't blame him. He's done the work with

the second bowl. Well, if this gets very close to the spot, then Mark as

to nominate this. He can flick the bowl off on the edge, but he has to

nominate this to be played again. Two left, yes. This is the only time

when you're allowed to do this, you're killing the end or destroying

the end. If the bowl goes outside the confines of the rink, all the

bowls are brought back and you play again.

Mark has nominated to kill the end with this bowl. That's what he's

trying for. You can nominate as often as you wish, but you're only

allowed to successful once. So basically he is striking here, he's

hoping to clip the bowl out. If he kills the jack... He has got it!

What a bowl! It's all about the pressure. A lot of pressure on this

man now. No matter where he puts it, there is still an option. What a

bowl under pressure. Fantastic strike. Nominated to kill, however,

clipping the bowl was perfect. Not only that but he has already

saved it twice, can he do it again? If there is any man in the world to

put your money on to draw this shot, it would be this man here. If I

definitely have my last few pounds in my back pocket, it would go on

this. Certainly would. Forehand drop a draw within 15 inches. -- forehand

draw, draw within 15 inches. He has played some big bowls. Watch his

body after the delivery. He knows when he's good. I think he likes it.

The line is good and the weight looks good to me. He's done it. He's

there. What pressure, what absolute pressure. That's just tremendous. He

really is not going to let this go, is he? What a bowl! Here we go, 15

inches to draw the shot and he comes perfectly, match bowl. That is even

better than his last one. Mark has no time-outs remaining. He can

nominate again and go for the edge of the bowl. I think the danger in

going for the edge of this target is that he would probably not his own

green bowls. I think this is a forehand draw. Wow. On that forehand

he has been struggling to catch it. He might just find a better line.

Here we go. I have to say, I'm a little bit surprised he's playing

this, because it hasn't been his favourite hand. I think he's outside

it. Too wide. Definitely too wide, it just didn't look the right line

to me. Third end and the match, Alex Marshall.

APPLAUSE The quest for his seventh title

continues for Alex Marshall. However, he really had to dig deep,

Andy. He went to the well. Unbelievable bowls from Alex. He

will be delighted. What a performance. The crowd on their feet

for both players. Mark Dawes really couldn't have done any more than

what he did. He did absolutely everything. Seen it all before, of

course, but I tell you what, Alex Marshall will come off a very

relieved man. 7-7, 7-7, and 2-1 in the tie-break.

So many good bowls in this match, as the players come out acknowledging

the crowd, and it'll did they know what they were going to get over the

next couple of hours. Mark Dawes was brilliant, dropping in for a second

on the fifth end of the first that, and Alex Marshall showing what you

can do, I can do, but he didn't, because he rolled back on the jack,

which was unlucky. The third bowl in end eight, look at this, absolutely

perfect again, Mark Dawes. That bowl just dropping in for Alex Marshall.

That took the first set. A brilliant drive to take three bowls out at the

end of the second set. Alex Marshall once again playing a conversion

shot, bowl and then Jack. Makes the double. Mark Dawes proving that he

can play under the pressure. Last bowl draw, and then Alex Marshall

saves the match for the first time, on end nine of the second set. He

saves the match again on the third bowl on the second end of the

tie-break. And Alex's final bowl of the match. A perfect draw onto the

green bowl, drops back, and he's through to the quarterfinals. Mark

Dawes was brilliant in this game. But it is the six time world

champion who goes through to the quarterfinals. A magnificent

performance from Alex Marshall. Just one end separating the two

players. Both players preferring the long jack length. A magnificent

performance. So much pressure, as Alex saved the match three times.

A standing ovation from the crowd well and truly deserved after a

wonderful match between the two players. First of all, Mark,

defeated but I'm sure quite proud of your performance today? Yes,

obviously disappointed with the way the result went but proud of how I

played and I had to push Alex into playing the big bowls. Absolutely,

give us and idea of what it was like against Alex today? You see how you

perform under pressure. I played some decent bowls but unfortunately

Alex had the answers. Did you at any point think that you were going to

cross the line? No, because when he has got a bowl in his hand, he has

got a chance! A lot of people talk about experience playing an

important role. How much did you have to keep calm and draw on the

experience today? I just had to keep calm and pull out some of the

biggest bowls of my life. I had to fight and fight and fight.

Eventually just got there at the end, but what a match. A lot of very

important bowls. Talk us through your final one of the match.

Obviously Mark played a great bowl to Nick mine out without touching

the jack. I cover the spot but he nominated to kill, so there was only

one shot to play. We're going to take a look at the final one in the

second set. Again, another very important moment. Yet, again, that's

when I just tried to nick the jack to kill it but one of the bowls

followed through and got the shot. I thought if I killed that shot was

going to get two shots, but I was relieved it still put me into the

tie-break and gave me a chance. When you won your first-round match a lot

of experts around the arena today were saying that you started off

from a level you could build on. How much did you have to step up from

that performance to today? That was like a final out there. It was bowl

for bowl at times. You've got to give credit Mark. He could have won

that on that performance, to be honest. He will be back. With that

performance, he was ready on. I had to dig deep to win. That's what

champions are made of. Ladies and gentlemen, to tremendous players.

We've seen a wonderful match today, Mark Dawes and Alex Marshall. We're

going to switch our attention now to the ladies singles competition, the

two players received a hearty round of applause here.

We pick up the action at the semifinal stage, Laura Thomas

against Ellen Falkner. We are featuring the match first of

all between Laura and Ellen. Laura is bidding to become the first

player since Debbie six years ago to defend her crown.

What was it like when you first came to Potters, knowing that this was

the level you always wanted to play at? When I came to Potters, you know

you want to play at that level, you watch the sport on the telly and

Potters is the pinnacle really. So to come here and to play in front of

the crowds, with the players you had watched on the telly and aspired to

be as good as, it was nerve wracking, but I think I settled

pretty quickly. It was such a great experience. I don't get nervous. I

think every bowler gets nervous before they go on the green. It's

good to have nerves, it's good for the adrenaline. I'm used to the

crowds now and I am getting used to the camera, slowly! Your record here

is quite outstanding. Each visit to Potters has resulted in success in

one competition or another. Last year something even better than the

doubles. I think the period from the first two years of playing the mixed

pairs and getting through to the later rounds gave me that experience

to then go further and I did that last year in the singles. What can I

say? It just went my way. It was great.

And the first person from Wales to win that title! I was. Which I

wasn't aware of at the time. I wasn't aware of that coming into the

competition, that I was the first lady bowler to win the singles, so

it is a great accolade for Wales and for myself and for my country

really. You get to know the people from your country, you're playing

with them regulate, but when you're playing against people from another

country, you usually get the same crowd going through the competition,

you get to know one another. You do get that camaraderie that builds

over the years. Do you think you're going to win it again this year? I'm

going to give it my best. Laura was lovely and relaxed when we chatted

yesterday, but what of her opponent, Ellen Falkner? She is a two-time

winner of this title, in 2005 and 2006.

She's having a great time here at Potters. I have really enjoyed it,

enjoying playing. It's great to be back here. I have not played here

the last three years. I have had a good time here at Potters, I have

won the title here twice. So I would love to be able to get over the line

against Laura and give myself a chance of getting a third title.

There is certainly a lot of younger emerging talent coming through,

obviously Katherine again has picked up the world mixed pairs title to

add to her singles title here. There is a lot of players coming through

and Laura is one of those that's firmly put a stamp on the world

stage. I have got a lot of experience since 2002 as a first

time I played in a major event in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester

and I will be looking to draw on that experience I have gained to

take into the game. The crowd appreciate great bowls. But also it

is a surface where if you are not in your game it's a lonely place to be

but it's a wonderful place to play. You just hope that everything goes

right for you when you are out there. Laura played superbly well

last year. She's come into the tournament in great form in the

singles. But at the end of the day it's all on the day. It's about who

performs best out there on the rink when we are there. I just hope that

it's me that gets my bowls closer. Well, looking forward to this match

with Ellen Falkner and Laura Thomas. David is alongside me. Two players

who won the title in the past, but it's been a while since Ellen has

won this title here and having won in 2005 and 2006 kind of expected to

see her on the role of honour after that. She has had a couple of bad

runs, went out in the first round and when that happens you then go

out of the selection process for the qualification. Having said that,

look at all that experience. Years and years

look at all that experience. Years of her age. And you are thinking to

yourself, Laura is going to have to play very well to win this match. I

mentioned that Laura is trying to become the first player since six

years ago to repeat success in this event. How difficult is it for her

having won it last year to try and defend it this time? I think the big

hurdle is getting over the first game. After that you are thinking

you can relax. If she goes out, she goes out. She will not worry about

it too much but she will be up for it and knows exactly what she wants

to do. How difficult will it be for them to come on after the match we

have just seen following on after the Lord Mayor's show. That's the

tough bit, simply because a match like that was unbelievable. You are

talking about one of the best games we have ever seen. For Alex Marshall

to do what he did shows how deep he had to go to get those bowls. But

this is different. The women are always supported, people will go out

and come in, it's just how much disturbance there will be and

whether it affects the two players. Alex Marshall showing the heart of

of a champion to come through in his match against Mark Dawes and Laura

Thomas will be hoping to do the same up against Ellen Falkner. Time to

introduce the players. Here is Richard.

Thank you, Rishi. Our first player is four times a finalist and twice

winner of this prestigious event. 2005 and 2006, ladies world

matchplay champion, it's Ellen Falkner!

APPLAUSE And what a World Championships our

next player had last year. A runner-up in the world mixed pairs

final and, of course, the defending ladies world matchplay champion, it

is Laura Thomas! APPLAUSE

Good luck to both players in this upcoming semifinal. Don't forget to

send us your tweets, hashtag BBC bowls with questions or views on

today's action and David now has Robert alongside him in the

commentary box. Thank you, Rishi, it was a sprint

but no real problem! I take the stairs two at a time these days,

Rob! Both players are very experienced,

but at the very top level Ellen would come out favourite on that but

Laura has shown how much she likes the portable rink and she's a very

good draw out of the jack. A good lead.

Ellen would spend a lot of time skipping pairs, triples, fours. Yes,

Ellen is one of the best ladies skips in the UK at the moment, but

Laura has come into form at the moment. Titles here for the last

three years and she will want to keep that record going.

The big advantage about this sort of match is that neither player will

fold under the pressure of the television. And the big crowd.

Yeah, they've both played in front of crowds before. They say players

love it out here as long as you settle in early which looks like

both players have done. Good opening bowls from both.

APPLAUSE Another very good bowl.

Doesn't get much better than that. If they keep this up for the next

hour-and-a-half it will be some game. They'll be doing well to do

that. Anything behind is good.

Ellen played very well in her first match. Was playing a lot of good

running bowls. Some very good drives. Yeah, certainly kept herself

in it. Got over the line in the second, played good bowls and got

across the line in the tie-break against Julie. Yes, 2-1 in the

tie-break. 9-4 Julie won the first set and Ellen took the second 8-6.

Laura Thomas had a fairly straightforward run through with her

first match. 13-1. 12-3 against Janice. It was a real professional

performance. Not sure if that was meant to be a blocker. But certainly

it's worked out quite well on the forehand because Laura has the back

position. Might be tempted with this on the

backhand. Knowing lawyer IRA she will be more down -- -- - knowing

Laura she will be more down the fore.

No. Really didn't fancy the... Once you bring that line in you are going

to get punished. Yeah. It's probably the right shot to play on most

greens, but here the shot selection is completely different to normal.

You have to hit the inside red one and got a result. The bowl could

have gone out. Pushing the bowl on to the jack, well, it might have

given her a shot but Ellen has the last delivery.

Had to put an extra one in there. APPLAUSE

Steady with the first two bowls. Ellen Falkner, life is completely

taken up for bowls now. Making a big impact for the last 18

months or so. Yeah, they've been doing a lot of marketing work with

players, press, retail. It's always nice different countries

coming into the market, to give that wider range of models and makes out

there. The gap is about 18 inches. Your bowl behind is two feet. There

is a unique grip on them. Ellen is using the sonic bowl, which

is their strongest bias. I think those ones have been

intentionally prepared for her with the green and gold.

Sglp -- have been specially prepared for her. Laura using the Taylor ace

by the looks of it. We will see this bowl arriving, you

see the green bowls have a gold finish on them.

Very attractive. I am not sure where that was meant

to go. Was she really playing that deep? Not sure what Laura has done

there. Can't imagine she was trying to get to the green bowls with that.

Most unlike her. Still, it's left the door open here.

If Ellen picks up the jack it's a real bonus.

She's on a good road here. That's the winner. Backhand still available

but after her last bowl would be a bit concerned. It's only a draw

really, she can't afford to get on the front green. The backhand. That

last bowl got a bit of a flyer, that's all. It can happen. Needs

pushing up with this one, to be honest. Don't know what's happened

there, the last two bowls. A bit of a loose end.

It's always hard whenever the crowd disperse after a very, very

enthralling match and just take a little comfort break and come back

in again because the ladies matches are always popular. But it can be a

little disturbing. Laura has just gone off her weight here. She's been

playing good bowls, but added pressure going out trying to defend

the title she won 12 months ago here. Just needs to settle into a

good rhythm. It's still going through. Can't

imagine what's happened here because that's just too many bowls that are

heavy. Deciding that forehand is blocked

up. Better with this one. That's more

like Laura. Yeah. Well, it's taken a while. She knows that herself. There

will be a big sigh after that one. Ellen trying to make the correction,

as well. Here it goes again. A good line.

Needs to hold. Same bowl from Laura again really.

Only a little turn on the jack around the corner. She's got through

this one again. One shot Laura Thomas. Laura is

there with that single. A steady start. Both players just

trying to play their way into it. It's never easy to come on after a

big game. The first three, four, five ends can be just a settling

down period. It's always the hardest game, as

well, the semifinal because there is so much at stake. The prize at the

end getting into the world final. Laura trying to get that first bowl

going. That's been the key to her success when she's been here before.

Ellen will be delighted to be back in the frame again for this event.

Missed it for a few years. Ellen making the adjustment and

dropping back in for the shot. One green.

It's been a steady start for both players, just settling into the

match. Laura just been struggling a little bit to find the right line

and weight but starting to come into it a little bit more. Really needs

to get the first two bowls going, that's been where the problem is,

but the first bowl was very, very good.

Oh, dear, Ellen. My goodness me, that's unusual. You put one close

and you drop two metres short with the next. Just wonder if Laura might

be tempted here. She will probably just stick to the backhand draw.

Hasn't pushed it. Well, it's inconsistent at the start of this

game, no doubt about that. But I am certain it will get better.

APPLAUSE Well done.

Two shots Ellen Falkner. Always confuse as player when you put two

bowl that is close, why the other two are two metres away. If we knew

it would be easy! Absolutely. It's more frustrating for them than

anything else. But Ellen will be delighted, 4-1 up after four ends.

Our Scottish viewers have rejoined us again. Alex Marshall and Mark

Dawes played right through to the last bowl on the tie-break. A

wonderful game of bowls. If you don't want to know the result, hit

the mute button now. For all of you who do wish to know,

it's Alex Marshall, 7, Mark Dawes 7 in the first set. 7-7 in the second

set. Mark Dawes took the lead in the first end and Alex Marshall won the

next two having saved the match three times. Alex played some

massive bowls out there today, getting himself out of trouble time

and time again. That's the sign of a true champion. Yes, it was a

brilliant game, one of the best we have ever seen and the tension was

there. Alex very gracious at the end, as well, with the performance

of Mark Dawes who was exceptional. That's over and done with now. We

are concentrating on this ladies singles.

One red. Ellen's front bowl, the gap is just

under two-and-a-half feet. APPLAUSE

Came through the gap. Still plenty of room for Ellen but the open hand

is available. She doesn't have to negotiate that forehand. Her own

bowl sits a little bit in the front. I think with those particular bowls

it would come around OK, Robert. It makes it easier playing an open

hand. No point making it difficult yourself. It's down to confidence on

the rink, as well. APPLAUSE

Happy with that. Laura should probably turn over now to follow

that in. Mike is our marker for this match, will keep us well informed.

Very experienced, Mike. Just needs to run now, Laura. That's a great

bowl. Yeah, well done. APPLAUSE

One red. This could be a new experience for

Ellen, it's probably the first time she has played under the shot clock,

probably here. You have to judge when you really need the time-outs.

It's not easy to run up and down and keep the concentration and get the

weight absolutely perfect. I think that one's probably aiming for...

Just shaving her own bowl. Just a little bit too heavy. It's important

to know how to use the shot clock. It hasn't suited everybody, I have

to say. Yeah, thankfully the umpires and players know what it's about and

it's now - players are walking down when the opponent's bowl is going

down the green and you have to and that's the hardest part to get used

to which is is new for Ellen. Trying to hold this one up. Runs off the

edge... It might just drop away. Just the one shot. There it is. One

shot, Laura Thomas. Yes, you are absolutely right, Rob. I really

don't like to see players, in normal play at club or international level

or other competitions when a player has played the bowl they walk up the

rink, some even watch the bowl coming from behind to see it coming

in, that's just not right. They should be pulled up for it. In the

shot clock situation you have to be able to walk up. Rink possession is

in the rules and it's just good etiqutte, that's all. Jack length 29

metres. Laura, a very upright delivery. Very

smooth. APPLAUSE

She's playing her well into this, no doubt about it. Laura has stretched

this out to a favoured length, 29 metres.

That's a great reply from Ellen, though.

APPLAUSE One green.

That's a good effort. Just trying to tap that and open it up a little

bit, by having that little bit of weight, she's come into a good

place. Close again.

One green. Takes away the easier shot of the other hand. You will see

the players going to the side sometimes and looking, that's where

their monitors are. They'll have a look there. We also

have an overhead shot available. That's about the run-through. The

bowl stayed on. A touch unlucky. It was a good bowl, good delivery.

I was trying to fool the ball with my eyes and with a bit cross eyed

for a moment. Time-out called. Four Tomic

remaining. I wonder if she will be interested in timing this around the

bowl and trying to remove it and staying on.

Tough shot, I think her game, I think she will stay there and try to

draw the shot, to be honest. It's a tough one to draw right up to the

edge of the ditch but she might get a better second. Two behind at the

moment. Must be looking at the bowl I think. I think she is, I think she

knows that if she gets the bowl it is not easy to beat. It's out on the

draw. Always going to be a tough one but

it's a better second. A bit more of a challenge for Ellen to try to get

there. I'm surprised she didn't push

through that, no reason to be short. Certainly worth giving it a chance.

The crowd coming back in to fill up this arena here at Potters Leisure

Resort, it is always popular. Have been asked on Twitter about why

our officials not using a litre measure. -- laser measure. We have

been down that road before with a sonic measure. I have two of them in

my shed at home doing nothing. They were put between the jack and the

ball, sent out a sonic wave and it was bounced back and give you a

readout. It was all very clever but it didn't always work. A lot of it

is down to the cost element as well I should imagine.

Spoken like a true bowls retailer. Quite an interesting development,

just didn't work, it was an liable. Like I say, I have got a couple of

them lying around somewhere -- it was unreliable.

A chance for Laura here. Just dropping short, we are getting to

the crunch time. We'll be very, very hard for Laura to get back in the

last two ends. -- will. Has not got through this. That was a big chance,

that was the one which really needed to be at the jack to score double.

Would not be at also prized if Ellen draws a shot now. -- would not be

surprised. It's got a chance. APPLAUSE

Too many chances. A player of the experience of Ellen, you can only

give them so many chances before they take it. Massive serial now for

Laura. -- massive bowl now. Going to take a time-out and have another

look at it. She was looking at that, but realistically, she has been

playing this for hand, she drops off that all, comes onto the green. The

danger on the backhand is she could turn the green ball in so she has to

be a little bit careful. Cannot afford to be too narrow on this one.

Just needs to run. Certainly in the area. Jack would be good. Didn't

even need the green ball. Metal calipers, always good to see.

Very little in this one. I might have a slight fever for green. --

slight favour. Two shots Laura Thomas. That makes a

big difference. Laura Thomas from Wales, defending

her title this year. Against Ellen Faulkner in the semifinal. Ellen

very experienced England competitor, gold medal at the Commonwealth

Games. And has won this title twice herself. That was ten years ago.

2005 and 2006. Laura Thomas has already managed to get over the

hurdle of the first round quite comfortably. But this is different.

5- for the score, two ends to go, in favour of Ellen Faulkner. Two good

bowls to start with. Certainly the standard has gone up a bit from the

first few ends. It is what you would expect with these two players, the

first few ends, a bit nervous, semifinal, such a big game. A

crucial engineer. -- a crucial end here. On a great road again. Would

prefer to slide just in front of it. Could play the forehand. Turn the

jack round the corner. Using a big strong bowl. Certainly should get

back. Good effort. Look at the way that was coming back at the end. A

bit of the weight and she will be good.

I think she's got a chance with this one. It's just too heavy again. I

thought the line was even better that time. Just make sure you get up

on these and they don't get back at the end, it is all when the weight

comes off. Worth thinking about the backhand. Definitely, if it drops it

could make a big treble. It would certainly put the pressure on. Two

options on the backhand. Must reach. That's not going to help I don't

think. Might well force Ellen into playing a bit more weight. Has to be

careful here. Some danger that if she does get into that bowl she

could remove her own green. The IDL is to get the jack and move it in to

this position the ideal. We'll have to do well to get anything out of

this, almost as to settle for one down. Doesn't want to take a chance

of losing three bit at the same time if she turns the jack, which will

require a bit of weight on it, she might well pick up three shots

herself. How adventurous is she feeling?

Certainly decided to go for it. But no damage done. Looks like a single.

We are into one end shoot out for the first set. Always important to

get the first set and put it in your back pocket, it guarantees a

tie-break. Laura will be looking for a good

opener here to put the pressure on Ellen. All about peace on this now.

-- pace. That is what she was looking for.

If you want to miss shot your better to do it on the long side, that

gives you the opportunity to turn the jack with your next one. That's

not going to help the forehand. Possible to draw around it but not

easy. The gap is four and a half inches. You would be tempted to go

at this now, to be honest. Yes, this is like a tie-break end, really. Has

to have perfect weight. Good bowl, that is a brilliant bowl. We all

watch the game and think bowling jack for a lot of players, but those

strong weights made the difference there.

She thinks she's wide but I don't think she's far away. Very unlucky

that didn't come out in the end. She didn't like it from hand but very

unlucky in the end to get that result. Re-spot position on one side

is green. But the re-spot position on the other side is read, it

wouldn't be a bad thing to cover that. -- is red. You just never know

with a jack from the banks. -- the bounce. Looking very strong here.

Just needs to stop. Not quite. She does have the last bowl. This is

difficult now. The best result is almost to bounce the jack back up

the green. I know to play that is unusual but it's certainly possible.

It's one of those, the drive could kill it, so you get thin on the jack

but it's ever Laura can drive quick enough to get such a thin cut. You

still have to generate a certain amount of power if you are going to

thin edge the jack. Looking for the perfect draw. She is

close. Has she played this? Unlucky! Very unlucky. APPLAUSE

Ellen Faulkner takes a first set 6-5. Very little between the two

players. Good effort, just a few inches heavy

and the ball dropped off. Ellen just waiting for the crowd to settle

down. Always that sort of disturbance sometimes whenever we

are in between sets. Just a few people coming or leaving

their seats. Take a little break and they will come back again.

It is to end half inches past jack high. Your gap is two feet.

Very useful where they are. Need to add another one. Try to get off to a

good start. The last few ends she has just started to step into it a

little bit more, Laura. Started to build a few more heads. Just gets

passed, very good. Chance for a to put under pressure

Ellen for the first time in the game really. -- chance for Laura.

Clear road will cover the back ones. Not too bad. Useful. But Ellen must,

well, the first match you would be very positive, played a lot of good

running bowls. APPLAUSE

What the result that was. That, you did not anticipate. It's so rare

that you would see that happening. But Ellen Falkner hit the target but

got a 100% plus on the result. Has not left Laura with much either.

Being aggressive, have to be a little bit careful here. Does not

want her own bowl. France's chances but it could have gone anywhere

after that. -- fancied her chances. A fortuitous result, but she will

take it. Never know when it's going to come against you so you take them

all when you can. Looks like a very close to jack high

bowl, that is our term for a bowl which is level with the jack. I

think the IS jack level is what is now supposed to be used but nobody

really likes it. It's one of those things you feel

like they have changed it just for the sake of it. It wasn't required.

Not many players have been playing the backhand this week. It's

normally the favourite hand. On a great road here. Great shot.

Always bang on target. The gap is four inches.

This will come back deep at the end of its travel. Good bias on those

cereals mac, I think what annoys a lot of players is the short arc only

really works on cereals mac with a strong bias. -- bowls with a strong

bias. What we class as indoor models, the our ideal for club

players to be honest. Competitive play, not as much. Especially when

you're looking for the wider drawing bowl. With a tighter line in general

club play you don't get punished so much.

Again, this is down to wait. Good weight she will draw the shot. Offer

only bowl. Still one red, good effort. A spear chance here for

Laura. Slight adjustment on the last bowl. -- spear

great effort. Just dropping through a little bit. It's pulled back.

Don't think it is two. It is close. Just a slight favour

for green. One red and a measure. Using the traditional solid red

bowl. Speckled have become very popular, almost unusual to see a

solid colour. All sorts of wonderful bowls over

the years, actually produced a clear set one time which I tested out on

the portable rink. Very strange looking things. I have seen those on

the Crown green they used. Don't like them, I have to say. Jack

length 28. 5 metres. Unusual, I have to say that. All the large companies

are looking at different combinations on the colours. There's

a few people wanted all-white when they first came out and all-yellow

as well, soon discovers it leaves you exposed if you are not playing

at the top of your game. This is good. Really good.

APPLAUSE Well, that tells me Laura Thomas

needs to go short. Doing well up to 27 but anything after that, it's

Ellen Falkner who's commanding the long jacks.

Can she repeat it? Two great opening bowls there. One of the best two I

would say in the match so far and immediately the pressure transfer to

Laura. Very hard to draw this. She's got to be attacking this now. The

last bowl is about two inches past the jack high. Is she drawing down

the backhand? Well, attacking it on the backhand. Interesting choice.

Coming in on the narrow side with the front bowl in the way.

Wider target on the forehand. That tells me just maybe she's more

comfortable as a backhand runner. Definitely. Ellen here has to put

another one in, repeat the same bowl.

Not with having the last bowl, as well.

Put the pressure on. Well, that's the back position and

respot covered. I still think it's a forehand runner.

Got it closer. A touch unlucky really. A little bit unluckive. The

bowls always going away from it but good strike. -- unlucky. Good

strike. Took one out. Ellen back to the draw again.

Pushing this up. It's just struggling. Not enough. Well, that

was a spare shot mis. I think Laura Thomas will be delighted to get away

with just losing one. -- miss. One shot Ellen Falkner.

APPLAUSE In the championships just before

Christmas in Cyprus for two-and-a-half weeks. Played very

well. Jack length 26. 5 metres. Fully

expect her to be in Christchurch for the World Championships, if England

qualify for all the events as the rest of the home nations and South

Africa, they'll be competing in singles pairs, triples fours, both

men and women. That's at the end of the year.

Fast greens down there, Rob. You know all about the southern

hemisphere, you play in Australia a lot and New Zealand is particularly

difficult to play on. Lovely greens, but if the wind gets up...

Definitely. I was fortunate to play in Perth for a while and New

Zealand, the greens are even quicker. As soon as you get a bit of

wind it can be extremely hard to play on. The hardest part is

probably the mental strength you need. Yes, you have to be very, very

strong to deal with having to draw your way out of trouble, sometimes

within four or five feet as a good bowl. Yeah.

Certainly can't afford to be too jack-focussed or used to playing on

heavy greens, that's why the teams are looking at various players for

that particular event. A couple of the home nations, obviously Wales

and Scotland are going out shortly for a Six Nations out in New

Zealand. Taking out some of the fringe players that have a chance of

getting into the squads. Yeah, having another look at them and see

how they get on. There might be opportunities for changes, let's put

it that way. Good bowl. Ellen Falkner has played

two beauties in this end. One green. Laura's just split them. That was a

very good bowl. It's a good head this. Ellen just trying to drop the

jack around the corner of the green bowl. If you miss that you come on

to the back red one. That's a good effort. Just a foot

short. One green. A chance for Laura here.

A potential attacking bowl off the forehand.

Could remove all three green bowls out here. She's looking for the

tight draw... She's lining up the forehand. Well, looking for bowl on

to bowl. Not easy to pick out the right waeth

on this one. Holds a touch. -- weight. There is the red waiting for

the jack. Good result, in the area. So many chances down that hand

really. With Ellen arriving now at this, as well. Yes. Bowl out is

worth three. If she stays in herself. Definitely worth being

positive on the backhand. Needing the plant in front is not a bad

result by the looks of it. Ellen has a chance off the green one. Just hit

it too square. One shot Laura Thomas. That was a

good chance for the spare shot. She hasn't really taken those chances.

That's the difference today. Yes, in other matches she's been in there

with that last bowl, half a yard at least, more than half a yard all