Men's Singles Quarter-Finals Bowls World Indoor Championships

Hello everyone, welcome to the world Indoor Bowls Championships at the

Potters Resort in Hopton on Sea. Its quarterfinals day in the singles

competition, a day which many people say is one of the best in the sport

of indoor bar. The cream has risen to the top.

And, there's a local derby flavour to all three of the quarterfinals

that we will be bringing you this afternoon.

Firstly, a Battle of the clans. Anderson versus Marshall. One to

whet the appetite. Next, to local boys from here in

East Anglia. Pears partners and great friends, Harlow versus Brett.

And we have the action from the West Country derby. Paxton versus

Chestney. So, eight of the best bowlers in the

world, competing for four spots in the semifinals.

This was what the draw looked like at the start of today...

Our first match features Alex Marshall, the defending champion,

and six time world champion here at Potters. He is a man revered, by his

peers. Obviously, in my opinion, he's the

best player in the world. Indoor or outdoor, to have him as a Scottish

player, it's even better. It drives us to play our best and go the extra

mile. What he achieved last year, six world titles, a record that's

never been match. He will never play a bad match. -- matched. You hope it

is enough on the day. But there is no one better. When you play Alex

here, he has a seventh gear, even if someone gets too sick. I've heard

someone say they think that he takes the rink back home, he knows all of

the shots, and here he has a most knowledge. -- sixth. When he is

mashed down, it does not matter how much or little he has to get in, he

pulls out the shot, it is never lark, but always precision. That is

just tremendous! I had the pleasure of commentating. It shows why he has

won the world title six times. It takes a lot of bottle and composure,

it's difficult, if you have two inches to save yourself, you've had

to dedicate yourself to the sport. Unbelievable balls from Alex. He

will be delighted. What a performance. Three times I was there

thinking, one of them he might fail but he's that good. I've played him

in different events but he's that good. You never feel confident

you're over the line, he keeps doing it. You'd think, maybe he'll fail

once... But he keeps doing it, that's why he's done it six times.

Under pressure, use fantastic, some of the balls he pulls out under

pressure, that's the sign of a world champion. His big strength is his

last bowl. -- he is fantastic. Alex can poll out big shots down to

natural ability. Also, he plays with a lot of confidence. At the

Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, his shots were incredible. In the last

four years, I've spent hours watching him, and time and again,

every playing condition, indoor and outdoor, southern or northern

hemisphere, nothing fazes him. He's the best bowler ever. He's really

comfortable in his own shell. I don't think he's of losing. He knows

what it takes to win. -- I don't think he's afraid of losing. I don't

think he's worried about getting beaten badly, he plays the best he

can every time. I think he loves it here. And I think he feels that

everyone knows he likes it here. It makes it easy for him.

Quite possibly King Alex the seventh. But he's up against one of

the young stars in the sport of bowls in Stewart Anderson, a past

champion here at Potters. He won in 2013, coming through a thriller

against Mervyn King in the previous round. He won the pairs title

earlier this week against Darren Burnett.

I'm so proud for me and Darren, we've played the game for so long.

It's great to get to the final on my shoulders. You have to play at your

best, it is one of the best in Scotland. With Alex and Paul, we are

really pleased to get over the line. Playing with Mervyn was a

topsy-turvy game, but the first set went very well. I was happy in my

game, the second set. I've never seen Mervyn play as well with shots

like that all my life. I was under so much pressure, I had to keep

digging. And not get down in the dumps. Eventually, I picked it to

win a tie-break. I watched the full match. I thought Alex and Matt was a

tremendous game, it went down to the last ball. I thought Alex deserved

to win, but I'm really looking forward to the match as well.

You can't go up against a bigger legend. The first few balls are

really important for me to get in there, the last ball, you always

know that you are in danger. He can poll out the big shots. Alex is the

person to beat, I think it is a big task but I'm capable of doing it.

First up, and all Scottish clash between Alex Marshall and Stuart

Anderson. Let's join our MC. What a match this

is going to be. With our first player have so much skill on the

brink, he's gathered a lot of respect from his peers. -- ring.

Former world singles champion... Ladies and gentlemen, Stuart

Anderson! Now, to one of the most feared and

respected opponents on the world circuit. A record six times and

defending world indoor singles champion... Ladies and gentlemen,

Alex Marshall! Two great players lining up against

each other here on the blue rink. You can contact our team with any

questions or tell us who you think will make it through to the

semifinals. Now, Andy Thomson and David Corkill are in the commentary

box. It is going to be an interesting

game, a lot of compliments towards Alex, you think you cannot fail, but

with Stewart Anderson, it is possible. He's a great opponent.

He's a great opponent, no way will Stewart Anderson be overawed just

because of his opponent. I think this will be a cracker. I'm

interested to see how the game progresses. No doubt about it, Alex

Marshall at this venue, he always has an invincible look about him.

Always feeling so confident. His wife Diane, she would normally come

down for the last week, she's been here the whole time. And that helps?

Yes, he's been on the site for a fortnight now. He looks relaxed, in

his last game against Matt Dawes, he pulled out some unbelievable shots

to get here. He'll try not to get in that position again. Yes, he won't

want to have to go to that well of good balls to often. To do the

damage from the first three. My goodness me.

Some trouble. Yet, there are other venues, this is

the strange thing. You can go down to the Welsh Grand Prix, but he did

not feel at home? It's a mystery why he went to Swansea and never

produced a performance. It's a mystery to everyone. Here, he's at

home and he loves the place. He plays his best bowls here. That is a

very comfortable feeling, when you know you are going back to where you

are at your very best. It almost feels like you are a few shots up.

It does, it feels as though he can beat everybody. This man has just

bowled the shot here, Stewart Anderson, he's got the potential to

beat anyone as well. UMPIRE: 4.5 inches.

Very close with this... He goes all the way. Close to the double. There

is Diana. -- Diane. She said she was tense watching the last game against

Matt Dawes. She didn't enjoy it, she said. Normally, she does. I think

that one just got to her nerves a little. This looks under... I don't

think it will hold the line. Probably blocking Alex off on the

backhand, he will have to change again. Still possible, he can get

around it, if he wishes. Personal choice, dropping the red ball,

dropping back, that would be good. More open on the forehand.

He is trying to encourage this one up. Two shots, Alex Marshall. That's

the voice of Sandra McLeish, looking after our marking duties today on

the rink. Not many days left for Sandra. I

believe she is retiring at the end of the Championships. She is indeed.

Sunday will be her last day officiating. Given great service to

world bowls and highly respected by all the players. An internationalist

in her own right. A good player. An excellent umpire and will be sadly

missed. Sandra in the picture. She has her

retirement planned out in different areas. I've no doubt her dogs will

feature greatly. She is a great lover of dogs, Sandra. A lot of this

will be about he gets the Jack first and who can execute the recovery

balls. Another great ball from Alex. One of those players who had a

practice prior to the game. He watched Alex practice, and he was

playing well. He really does look determined here.

Two read. That is going to be a problem for Stuart. Just over .5 of

an inch. He has two time things around it, that was his first

delivery. He has to be up to the jack, because Stewart Anderson is

very good at the running ball. He does not want anything in the way.

This forces Stuart into the backhand draw. Three balls there to catch on.

A good try here. He's interested in this one. Doesn't want to drop

through... Unlucky. A good ball. Just wanting to stay on the edge of

the ball. That's the danger for Alex here, he can follow that. Even off

his own ball, a tap on the green, pushing it out for three, perhaps

four. A dangerous head for Stewart Anderson.

Alex had to wait for it, he did not get back. If you can land on your

last ball, coming off the side, that's probably the best result,

Andy. I would agree, still a draw. He has a second shot here, I think

he would be reasonably happy. He's given this a look. Needs the

edge... Dropping back. He's got it. That was a tremendous last two

deliveries. Alex was taking the other balls

away, and he will have a good look. I don't think he wants to give it to

Stewart, but he might have two! The way Stewart Anderson was looking at

it, she favoured himself. However, Alex not giving it away without a

measure. The small metal calipers, resting one end on the rink, that

gives a little extra stability. No way that is getting through.

Certainly. Stewart Anderson did well there. Goes in, moves the Jack.

Gaining his first shot of the match. UMPIRE: Jack length 29 metres.

Stewart Anderson prefers the fuller length.

Again, a short ball. He needs to get it through to at least Jack high.

Yes, you seems amused by it. I would have thought he was good. Normally

deadly on this length. This looks better... An immediate

correction, dropping on the backhand side. He can afford to reach it. A

nice change now. He's gone to forehand, I would have thought he

would have been on the backhand. Two chances, ball and Jack. It was

tempting, he favours the side slightly, he feels like he can draw

the shot. Not far away. Dropping away, a good second shot. If he

plays it on the other side, he would have made a double. It is hard to

get to centre rink. With the Jack length, that is the danger. UMPIRE:

One inch past. That's often the case on the portable rink, you may not

play the obvious shot but you play the shot that is going to give you

an opportunity as a result. You're right, sometimes it's not a shot

that you would feel is correct. Not meant to be there, but that ball

might have issues. Some value on it, if Alex decides on the backhand.

Again, he's played some big balls. He does not look happy out there at

the moment, he's questioning a few things in his own mind. I think he's

talking to Sandra, he can't believe how heavy it is pushing it up, but

the ball finishes in a good position. This is a draw for Alex.

I tell you what committee might be tempted with a backhand on the next

one. -- I tell you what, he might be

tempted with a backhand on the next one. Even a bad ball here wouldn't

go amiss. That's what he's trying to get into,

that little pocket. It really helps. A double shot, a touch on the green

ball would spring the Jack across. You're looking at putting it in that

position, deal turn it is if he can get onto the front red and push it

in. -- the alternative. The backhand

runner, a difficult shot. Playing with two yards of weight, it's quite

difficult. Yes, it has to be very controlled. I think he's under.

That will take all of the weight out of it. A ball that Stewart Anderson

did not put in its place. A good blog, that. -- block.

Once again, the opening ball, that yard shot... Stewart is still

shaking his head. Dropping short like that, especially if he's

letting it go, thinking he's very close. He knows he has to improve on

the opening ball. Alex is dominating the opening ball exchanges. I think

Alex will be pleased in the way he started. Playing good balls, mostly

within 15 inches. A good standard at the moment from Alex.

Once again, he'll face a double. He can't keep doing that. He'll be in

trouble here quickly. Number two coming in. That's

finished yet. With a forehand. Again, he cannot afford to drop

short, he has two Harry... Short again. Oh dear. Cash he has to

hurry. It's building up now. He can play a forehand if he wishes to tidy

it up, dropping another one in the backhand. He's played too good balls

on the backhand, no reason why he needs to change but he wants to try

to tuck the Jack away and make it harder for Stuart.

-- and make it harder for Stewart Anderson. It depends on this one and

if it gets back or not. There's gaps in the halls, he might be tempted

with a Jack in this runner. I think so, that was the danger of Alex

playing the forehand side. It's a big gap on the forehand side.

If he's a bit wide, he can come off it. Using the ball, it's interesting

to see what weighty plays with. Still trying to play the draw, --

what weighty plays with. It bit of work to do to get inside of the red

one. If he does not make it inside, he's

in trouble. That's the danger of that ball with

that weight. This is a very costly end.

Basically created by Stewart's opening two balls, not close enough.

Trying to retrieve the shot, pushing Alex in for another chance. Alex has

another chance. A missed opportunity. Indeed, but

still, it is, in the context of this match, big.

I understand the forehand with Stewart Anderson, it was a big gap

to go through with weight. Very confident, Stewart Anderson's

father, Billy. To the left, Stevens has flown over from Northern

Ireland. His partner, Claire. Stevens is an outdoor international

for Ireland. You know him well? Yes, a very good lead.

A better first ball for Stuart. He needs a few more of these.

UMPIRE: 12 inches short of Jack high. That poses a problem.

Attempting to play with a little more weight on a slightly inside

line. He's signalling as though he's gone too high. Close to getting the

edge. He's got the edge, not enough. A good way to play it with, that's

what he was looking for. Enough to hold it up inside with the Jack on

the ball. A good position now. They will try to match that. Still needs

to be coming through though, he does not want to drop it. It's a good

ball, but a fine target. The ball has fallen down. I think this will

be a running ball. Trying to move the Jack out into the

open. Very close. One ball... There it

goes. See what happens, the green ball has stayed within the confines

of the rink and the red ball has gone deep.

You will see Alex's their delivery hitting the target and taking one

out. Just as well that the ball dropped, otherwise the Jack was

gone. Stewart Anderson will try to add another here.

Stewart will not be happy with that delivery. A chance here for Alex.

He is on a perfect line for this. That could be the shot.

Time-out called. Stewart has four time-outs remaining.

The idea is to follow it up with at least a single, and that is what

Alex has done. Not sure if Alex's old touched the

jack. It looks very close. . And of course, anything that goes outside

the confined is of the sides is dead, but if it goes into the ditch,

it must stay. I wonder, should Stewart start attacking things and

be more aggressive? I think so. Though it Alex has started, he will

have to try to change the rid of this game. He has a chance here. I

would agree with you, David. We can't tell from here. It is so

close. Didn't make it for the touch. At

that angle, it wouldn't have bounced back.

Stewart is close here. The edge of the jack would have been really good

for him. I thought he was good. He's shaking his head. This was very

close. Half an inch. I have not got an angle here. I

don't know whether Alex has another bowl on the green.

All the way. Stewart will go for the two bowls and try and remove them

both off the rink. Alex's final delivery. Perfect spot. Four inches

behind the jack. He has to hit this, or he is in trouble in this set. Oh,

mobile phone going off somewhere. They will get that sorted very

quickly. Always difficult. The large crowd are asked to make sure their

mobile phones are often. Again, just the one. If he had got that an inch

less mother two bowls would have disappeared and he probably would

have stayed in for three. As it is, the set is sliding away.

Big crowd here at Potters Resort, as is always the case when it comes to

quarterfinals day. To be fair, most sessions have had big crowds. They

are a captive audience in many ways as well, because a lot of them are

staying at the venue. They certainly are. There do not appear to be many

spare seats now. The accommodation is. As well. It is so popular, these

World Championships. Long may they continue.

This is exhibition stuff today. He is really on song, Alex. As I say,

it is a massive plus for Alex, being here. He feel so comfortable and

plays so well at this venue. I have seen him playing a lot of games this

week, and I don't think he has been quite on top form. However, he has

certainly shown his class today. He's doing this in the mixed pairs

in the first couple of games. He was disappointed in the final, but

goodness me, he has stepped up again. He played well against us in

the mixed pairs. But he looks really focused. He is absolutely on his

game today, putting the bowls where he wants them to go. Stewart is in

trouble. That was on the wrong side of the

red one. It is not going to make it any easier.

There is no way Alex will be going near this. He will be keeping away.

Happy with the two. From the mat, he will probably see

half a bowl. Not much of a target. It is not an easy shot.

For this set to go into the last end, Stewart Anderson will have to

come drop a triple from somewhere, and I would be very surprised if he

does that. He hasn't really had a sniff of three in one end in this

match. Stewart is very capable of scoring multiples, but the way Alex

is playing, he is just in total control of this game at the moment.

Once again, trying to get to the side and just not making it back.

Stewart Anderson is a very good line player. Both players thought their

second deliveries were better. Once again, this is on the high side. Not

making it back. Sometimes happens with a full length

jack. Sometimes, the bowls struggle to get back to the centre.

Alex would normally keep with the hand he has been playing.

Perfect last bowl from Alex. It is not easy when you have to score a

triple. Last end not needed. A very

comprehensive scoreline. Andy, we did not expect that. There is Diane.

I would agree that Alex is good value. That is as good as I have

seen him play. Stewart basically needs to pick his form up a bit. He

is going to have to push through. He is very capable of giving Alex a run

here, but he has to get the opening two bowls close.

Judy Potter, in her usual seat. Past the blue. Shoes to wear duck egg

blue and powder blue, but that more of a baby blue. I can't believe you

know these colours. I have to research them before I come here.

Did you have to chat with Judy before she sat down? I always have a

chat with Judy. That is short, but it is actually

quite useful. Once again, Stewart facing a shot against. Just a

backhand draw. I don't know if he is as comfortable on this backhand

side. Yes, you are tempted to look for a

narrow line, but you have to push it out. And once you push it out, if

you are overweight, you are gone. No compromise. The bowl on the left

side, Stewart was looking for the perfect line. Once you don't find

it, you go under. Once you are high, you don't seem to get back.

Stewart Anderson has scored two singles in this match, ten ends. And

while we know Alex is playing very well, he is certainly looking good

out there, you would expect Stewart Anderson to have scored more in this

match, because he is a class player. Yes. He won the world indoor players

with Darren a few days ago. He was leading exceptionally well. He has

not transferred these leading bowls onto