Ladies' Singles Final World Indoor Bowls Championships

Hello, welcome to the World Indoor Bowls Championships. It has been the

most remarkable week here at Potters Resort, we have seen some stunning

bowls on the blue Rink and the promise of more to come this

afternoon. Draw ring for the match. He is there. I thought he was

dropping short but he managed to get there. This is very difficult.

Brilliant. Going for it. He is under. It is

gone. He has contested right to the last ball in this match. To retain

the title would be a dream come true and it would be tremendous if I

could do it, but we will take it one end at a time and look forward to

the game. Another trophy of the line in the

finals of the ladies singles match, Ellen Falkner and Katherine Rednall

in an old England clash, and don't forget we have got round to open

singles clash between Les Gillett, who has won a tribute this week,

against the six time singles champion Alex Marshall. This is how

the second round of the singles has shaped up so far...

Jamie Chestney, a talented youngster, number 14 seed, he is

also into the last eight. David Corkill is alongside me. It is worth

reflecting first of all on Charlie Benson's performance yesterday? How

was he yesterday? He was in great form, he lives life to the maximum,

came over that heart attack a few years ago and every day is a bonus.

A hard act to follow for the ladies singles final, everyday has produced

outstanding bowls, the first day with the pairs final, the mixed as

final on Tuesday, and yesterday. A difficult ask for Ellen Falkner and

Catherine today. The way these two players are playing, if they play

anywhere near what they are capable of, we are in for a treat. And your

thoughts on Les Gillett against Alex Marshall this afternoon? I'm sure

Les will be bouncing with confidence after winning a trophy? Not only

that, you played well. Les wanted to get through the first round into the

second round, you knew he would play a top seed and the best players are

in the top three, playing Alex Marshall he will be the underdog and

Les likes to be the underdog. At the start of the day there were still

three matches in the singles second round still to take place and this

morning was between David Gourlay and Neil Furman.

In six previous appearances at Potters, Furman had never got past

the second round. Gourlay wonders in 1996 in Preston but since it has

been played here he has only made it to the final wants, losing to Alex

Marshall in 1999. 56-year-old firm and took the first two with a double

and a single before Gourlay got off the mark in the third when he picked

up this triple to level the scores. The Scot produced some fine draw

shot is to build up a 7-4 lead before displaying the strength of

his game in the seventh end. This is helping him snatch a vital single.

He took a three shot lead into the last end, turned the screw with this

exquisite bird, which was good enough to take the set 9-5. Born in

Pretoria but representing the USA, Furman plays in San Diego. He had

beaten Jason Greenslade in the first round but was struggling to get a

foothold in this. This drive in the second not going his way. Furman

trailed by six going into the eighth end and was left with an impossible

shot to save the match. So the fifth seed David Gourlay is through to the

quarterfinals but he will meet Craig Carmen. Let's take a look at how

some of the quarterfinal matches are looking...

We are still awaiting the result of two matches. Now, the final of the

ladies singles, Ellen Falkner bidding to win the title for a

record fourth time against Katherine Rednall, appearing in the singles

final for the first time in four years. Let's hear from both players.

You will find the auditorium will fill quickly for this one. It was a

hard-fought game, absolutely delighted to get the win.

To retain the title would be a dream, we will take it one game at a

time. I am as passionate, committed, and hungry as ever. I don't tend to

get too nervous before a game. I don't really feel it, but there are

always some first minute nerves when you go on there and it takes a

couple of ends to settle into the cameras and the crowd and the heat

and things like that. I have played Alan quite a lot recently, in the

pairs and champion of champions last year, I have a fairly good record

against her but she has an all-round game so it will be a close one, I

think. I think I have got to go in and take it as it comes, no two

games have been the same on the carpet this year, so just play the

Lexus I'm happy with, I haven't got a game plan, just take it as I find

it. Being in the final before gives you that feeling of, been there,

done it, and trying to win it a second time is always harder than

winning it the first time. I came in the first time with nothing to lose

and suddenly I'm going into it trying to win it for the second time

so there is always added pressure. What a match this is, Ellen Falkner

has already won three times, she is also a Commonwealth Games gold

medallist. Her opponent, Katherine Rednall, at the age of 21, is in the

final for the third time in just four years. When she was just 18 she

became the youngest winner of the ladies World Matchplay back in 2014.

Someone else who has been champion here at Potters in the ladies match

play is Karen Murphy. Before we talk about the final, happy Australia

Day. Thank you very much! Let's talk about Ellen, we spoke about her

yesterday and highlighted some of her talent. How do you think she

will be feeling ahead of what could be a record-breaking match? She will

be fine, it will not rattle her playing in the final, she has done

it before, would it a couple of times before, she is a stall ward of

English bowls and mental toughness is her key. Her opponent became the

youngest player to win this at the age of 18, she had that carefree

abandon in those days, does she still have that? I think she does, I

don't think much rattles her, I am expecting a top-level game for sure.

We are looking forward to hearing you commentated, and you can go and

join David Corkill. MC: It is hard to believe this deal

is 21-year-old made her debut appearance only three years ago and

went on to win this very title. A former runner-up and 2014 ladies

World Matchplay champion, give it up for Katherine Rednall.

APPLAUSE. Katherine takes on one of the games

most respected players. Going for a record fourth title, the defending

ladies World Matchplay champion, Ellen Falkner!

APPLAUSE. Both of these players should feel at

home on the blue rink here at Potters. We will head to the

commentary box, where Karen is alongside Corky.

DAVID CORKILL: Thank you. Both players playing well, both have had

fairly tough matches coming through. Well up for the challenge. It will

be the attacking, tactical play against the perfect roaring, so I

expect Katherine Rednall, and Ellen Falkner, international skip,

Katherine Rednall can play the weight shot but there is a

difference in experience, it is just a matter of whether it will come to

bear. Yes, shaping up to be a fantastic final. Ellen Falkner has

been there and done it many times over and the young up and coming

Katherine Rednall, she is peerless. Yes, the joy of use, no doubt about

that. Very young, but vastly experienced, so many opportunities

to play on the rink, she knows it very well.

Always had that lovely smooth, no delivery, Ellen Falkner. She is 37,

relatively young in real terms but in terms of experience, goodness me,

it is almost like a lifetime. Ellen changing to her backhand,

looking for at least a second shot here. She played it well. Against

Clare Johnson, that was a tough game. Janice Gower, another tough

game. A very limited field, only eight players, but we are usually in

a situation of bringing together immense quality. I thought Katherine

would have been reaching the red ball at the very least. I think that

game against Janice Gower, she probably had enough left in the tank

to win. I spoke to her last night, she said she can play a bit better

than that, hopefully bring that today. Yes, she definitely have

another few years left in her, no doubt about that. She spoke to me

last night about a couple of things she wasn't sure about regarding her

tactics, which we had discussed during commentary. She identified

them. She just wasn't too sure but took a bit of a risk at the time. It

is always good to learn from those things, speak to people like

yourself to get some gauges on tactics. Well, we are all learning,

it never stops. Oh, yes, she will take that. Great result. I wasn't

sure if that was going to get the edge or not, but just enough. Red

ball ran through nicely after it. Tidy little conversion shot. Just

the one. I don't think either player will be too disturbed about that,

one shot is always OK. Katherine Rednall said many times, a

young player. She was in primary school when she first won a title. I

always like to throw things like that in occasionally. Rebecca Field

the other day, that was a great game. It was a fantastic match

against a previous champion, Rebecca Field, in the first round. It has a

tendency to build you up nicely and she took that through to the next

match against Amy Stanton as well. Played some very good balls in that

one. She has got better and better as the event has progressed.

I wonder, did Katherine actually watch the match, coming back from

school, with her little satchel on her back? 2005 was the first time

she won it. Two good bowls from Ellen Falkner. Came around that

absolutely clean. Worth reaching with this one. Definitely on a more

narrow line, extra weight, will it come back? I don't think so. Right

idea, but it is a hard wait to play. Just hold off a bit on that hand.

Good positional bowl. Almost worth going heavier, because the front

green ball keeps her off her own ball, that protects it. I wonder if

Ellen Falkner will try to tidy this up now. Holds two really good shots,

tiny movement of the Jack would be perfect. This will possibly

protected. Yes, it has. Turned out to be a good blogger. She probably

wanted to be short, not sure she wanted to be that short.

The problem for playing that sort of shot is that you must not drop

short. It was a good effort, just couldn't afford to end up short. Not

an easy shot but were to take the chance to touch the jack for a

three. -- worth the effort to take the chance. Not sure she is

reaching. Again, so short, I don't think she was even trying. First

School, 2-1 after two ends. As always, ladies singles creating a

big crowd cover a very special supporter in there for Ellen

Falkner, Chris, a good player in his own right. I spoke to Chris before

the game, I think he is more nervous than Ellen is! There is a lot going

on, like with all players, but the idea is not to show it to your

opponent. This will be the intriguing thing

for me in this much, if Ellen can beat Katherine to the jack, that is

when it will come in. She has a great conversion game, a great

attacking game as well and they agree, if she can beat Katherine to

the jack she certainly has that extra feather in her beau being able

to attack well as well if she does get in trouble. Good stuff from both

players. There is Katherine's mother and

grandmother in the stands as well, a lot of family support. Dad John not

here. He has to work sometimes. What I like about both of these

players as well is that it is indoor and outdoor, they are not just one

discipline, they are both. Ellen's record outdoor is immense. But

Katherine is making a name. Yes, they both play in the same outdoor

international rink, Ellen skips that rink so they certainly know each

other well. 32nd time clock is still in

operation, of course. -- 30 second clock. Two sets of 11, plenty of

ends to sort out a winner. Good ball. Good effort. Confident call of

one red, that will keep Katherine on the draw shot.

One shot, Katherine Rednall. Score, 2-2 after three ends.

Fantastic crowd here today at Potters, hardly a seat spare. Never

ceases to amaze me. I played here nearly 20 years ago and it was the

same, just superb crowds. It is good, just needs to come

around it. Quite like that wait, actually, because that is arriving

to the ball to push it in, bring the jackfruit. -- bring the jack

through. Nice Big Bend of that forehand back

to the commentary box, Katherine Rednall played it very well there.

You touch the jack and it moves very, very quickly. Still, a very

good ball. Yes, very good bowl there from Ellen Falkner, not giving

Katherine Rednall a lot of room to add another one. And that is with

the heavyweight jacks, can you imagine what it would be like with

the standard outdoor ones? Did cause a lot of problems in New Zealand for

the World Championships at the end of last year with the standard

weight jacks, they were all over the place.

Not much on here. Interesting to see if she plays this on the forehand. I

think I would, and the reason why is if you drop back on the green you

can move the jack up the rink. Backhand, you are crunching the jack

against the green bowl. She is probably thinking one down is not

too bad at the moment if she fails here. It was always going to be a

hard shot to get to. The portable rink, if you drop back with a bit of

weight, it moves back, it is a strange shot. Score, 3-2 after four

ends. Jack Poulenc, 26.5 metres. -- Jack

length. That is a nice start from Katherine

Rednall. The links of the jack is a fraction longer than the girls have

been playing. -- the length. They will both know this rink so well.

Last ball, the gap is 3.5 inches. Winning the title is very important,

but playing well, to the players, is the key to it. They don't want to

lose playing badly. They want to force their opponent to win the

event, play well against them. Last bowl, 12 inches past Jack

height. At this level, these players are capable of all the shops and

that is really attractive because an awful lot of bowls, certainly at

domestic level is, not a lot of conversion shots played. Get up

clean, it is fine. That is OK. Got it out into the open little bit

that better than your opponent. A chance to consolidate it, the

close ball in. She will have to start thinking about saving shots,

rather than scoring them. Looks to be good with this one. It

is good enough. A chance with this, leads the ball

first on the inside edge and got it. Good bowl, good weight. Slightly

favour your Red Bull. -- read ball. A courageous shout, a good one,

Alan, we love that. Just missing the line. A good look

at this, that was a good ball by Catherine Mack, made sure she was

reaching the ball, turning the jack. It was a positive shot, not the time

to be negative when the ball is jack high. It is not about pretty bowls,

but it is about effective balls. I liken it to putting in golf, don't

get it a chance to get to the hole and you will not think the shot. The

same applies to bowls, given the chance. -- you will not sink the

shot. I enjoy golf. Just to watch it.

Listen to my wife's stories when she comes off the course. I play a bit

of golf, not as much as I would like. That is the problem, if I was

to play it, I would want to play it well. Busy spending hours down on my

little course in the village I live in. Long green. It favoured the

green. It did. I think we should always remember

that when you are taking any advice from the marker, it is only an

opinion, no more. You have to make up your own mind.

The edge would be helpful. Good bowl. 11 ends today instead of nine,

a little longer game. Those two extra ends make a bit of a

difference. It does definitely without a doubt. If there is a risky

shot to be played, it could go wrong and you play it, if it goes pear

shaped, you have more time to recover. That is right, taking your

risk earlier is better than later. The jack is crunching against the

balls. Really good start, this one, from Katherine Rednall and plenty of

time outs available in this match. Wise for Faulkner to come up and

take a little walk. It is hard to slow the game down but use your time

outs accordingly to try to do that at key moments.

Good effort. It was won because she was trying to move the red ball. She

would have to be very fortunate to get the jack moved to a red one. I

agree when you say it is very difficult to control the tempo with

the shot clock. With this game. Letting the shot clock ran down to a

few seconds and then calling time out, certainly gives you that little

bit more time. Has to be careful. That was the only way out, I was

just about to use my little magic pen, to say it was the only chance

to get the inside edge. Katherine, the last thing you want to do is

give it away with your last ball. Doesn't need to hear it from us. She

knows! I don't think Ellen Falkner will be trying too hard with this

one. Definitely not. Good practice shot, pushes it out wide and letting

it drift back. Those things are a real test of your

mental toughness because you just need to let it go, it is done, you

can't change it, get on with the next end. Not a disaster by any

means, but shouldn't disturb her too much. Should be lying in the shot

and giving away three or four, that would be a whole lot different. That

could easily have a major impact. Long jack length. Big, swinging

forehand, playing off the high line, letting the ball do the work.

Certainly won't be expecting Katherine...

Certainly this is a low scoring game. Seven shots in six ends, an

indication of how tight this game is.

Good follow-up. Really good follow-up. Excellent. The hair falls

all over Katherine's face. It clearly doesn't worry her. Not at

all. Not in the least. Certainly doesn't make any difference to her

ability to play bowls either. I can just imagine a lot of people at home

saying, get that hair out of your eyes! That was a sort of in between

situation, making sure you were arriving but not going through.

Damage limitation shot on if she wants it. Go for the bowl or jack,

take one away and you get the jack through and the most you are going

to lose is possibly one. It will be hard to draw, whichever way you look

at it. She is on a draw line. Everything now has to be right about

this or it will be a disaster. I am not sure about that shot, purely on

the basis that Ellen Falkner is such a good shot player. She could have

taken her own bowl but in reality, it is locked in. I think it was

probably worth having a go at that one. Making contact on her own bowl,

the green bowl will pop out, the jack back was very good. The

shoulder and green ball was coming off as well so the angles were good

as well. High percentage shot. The draw shot in the forehand going down

towards the commentary box, to draw... Is tough. Katherine Rednall,

not an easy third shot to get. I don't think she will be too anxious

by the looks of it. I think when we chalk up the little

holes, with the plastic chalks, they make sure the ball doesn't move in

any way, I think it is two shots. The rings suggest it was two.

Four rounds to go. There is a break appearing, 6-3.

I think if Katherine Rednall could win this next end, she would put a

real stamp on this next set. At some stage, Ellen Falkner will have to be

aggressive and start using her tactical experience. One of the best

in the business when it comes to attacking. Play to your strengths.

First ball just a little bit short, the next ball has to push on and

that is the key to it. A few feet even is good. That is a beauty

there. It creates a problem for Ellen Falkner, she needs... Every

second ball is under pressure. She is in trouble after this one.

About two inches short of jack height. The longer jack length, this

forehand. It is actually quite kind, it will dip back at the end of its

travels. Anything past her previous one, will be very good, she wants to

miss it. She can't afford to be short this time. Will Ellen Falkner

play an attacking shot here? Looks to be shaping up to draw. Correction

needed on line and weight. See how she goes. It will break back. Really

not sure about that, with three down, it was worth coming down the

centre line and let the ball dip inside. Take something away. Back

position is all red soap Katherine will go deep with this, unless she

is feeling very courageous. Doesn't want to leave a shoulder for Ellen

Falkner. The cover bowl. Good from Katherine

Rednall. It is tempting just to run the jack two feet but two feet of

running is difficult. It is down to personal choice. Run the bowls, take

a couple off, drag the jack foot Fleet for -- drag the jack for

three. She wants to dip inside the jack, not wide. GROANS FROM CROWD

Played the right shot, Ellen Falkner, she may have wanted to play

that shot on her third bowl, perhaps. I think so.

The advantage of playing it with her third bowl, it first double sends a

message to your opposition. She wasn't going to be any worse off

than three but also, it might take two goes to get it right. Make your

opponent waste one round the back as well, if you indicate you will drive

with your third bowl, you have an extra bowl to recover with, your

fourth bowl. Jack high. I think Ellen Falkner

needs to put some pressure on Katherine with the first bowl, try

to beat her to it. Katherine's first bowl is very good. But little mini

battle of the first two bowls, all in favour of the younger player.

She's used to drawing to the jack. Her father is arguably one of the

best leads England has ever produced. He knows the value of

being able to get close to the jack. In the first two goes. -- bowls.

Ellen Falkner is on a better line with the second bowl here. It is a

good shot. Nicky Brett just relaxing with Jim Chestney, international

colleagues. Go on with the third bowl this time.

Finding the gap. GROANS FROM CROWD Again, wrong side of the jack. But I

think the right shot to play, I would have played that. And the

right time as well. I think she was reflecting back on the last end and

realised she should have played it with her third bowl. Now she has an

opportunity to correct it. Bowling out of trouble but this set is

sliding away. This young lady definitely has control of the match.

That is a good shot from Katherine Rednall. Four green. Set lie.

Better this time. She got a solid and it is in the ditch.

The question is, when the ditch is going to be the scoring shot, where

is the other red one? There it is. Call for a rope, I think. Fine shot

from Ellen Falkner, a lot of confidence, good hit. But again,

requirement of going for the third bowl is important again. Miss that,

correct it with the last one. It is making the last end so expensive.

But she saved the set. Katherine Rednall is drawing so well at the

moment. Ninth end is so critical. In an 11 end set. Very close.

Just the one. They will want this match to go as long as possible.

Ellen Falkner wanting to score at least one in this end, to force the

last end. Anything more than that, it will put her in with a chance.

At the moment, Ellen Falkner's husband is calm. If you looks calm,

that is good! It is really tough, having your loved one out there,

playing. I think you write every bowl and you get more nervous than

the player, I think. Once again, Ellen Falkner just not

getting close enough in the first delivery. And once again, Katherine

Rednall is in there. She really needs to move up a couple of gears.

I think it would be very... Ellen Falkner would be very awake

Katherine Rednall is beating it to the jack. Second set, new ball game,

different tactic, change of length. Go early. She is possibly in trouble

with the second bowl. She needs to shake Katherine out of her rhythm.

At the moment, she's getting a free run.

She is tempted again here because the jack is framed with one bowl

either side. Take a bowl out and run the jack through.

That is better. It will go on the re-spot but that doesn't really

matter. She is really sending a message to say, I am going to attack

more. My goodness me, that will make it very difficult. The angle she hit

it out, I thought that was a certainty to go off. But in the

ditches, there are these prongs and the jack goes into them and is held.

It is a good system although doesn't work all the time.

They have to run a line down. There is a black line down the middle of

the extremities of the ring Zelenay to run that on the flat and look

down from the top. If any of the jack with Cutting, that is enough.

Yes, it looks like it is. You can see the prongs just holding it and

it is in. This will be very difficult to get

at, even with the mat up. There is a bit of room.

She will have two goes at it. It is still a distance away. She just

needs to get just inside of the signage with good weight, that is

the key. This is a better line. The weight is better as well. Really

didn't need... Because she had the draw anyway, no matter what. This is

a hard shot to draw. Very difficult. She certainly is wider than her

first one but she needs the extra weight. Can she carry it? No, we

will be going into the last end. Little bit surprised that back, I

thought of anything she would have gone into the ditch. It was always

swinging away and when that happens, swinging away from the ditch, it

cooks two feet and is better for you. If you have two chances, it

gives your first one a better chance to get to it. Two goes, missed a

chance, she has been very good value. That is not going to make it,

it'll be less than the minimum requirement of 23 metres. And that

is a mistake. I can understand why she is looking for the minimum

distance. If you want to guarantee that, bring the mat up. And play it

at the other end. Three metres after the tee for the jack is in the ditch

so you have that margin of error. Katherine going for her favourite

line. Four shots. Nothing for short. It is

OK if it is two inches, but it is not good if it is a metre away.

Just on the edge, of being useful. Expect Katherine to get inside that

certainly, the way she has been playing.

Katherine just looking for another one roundabout. She has achieved

that. She has knocked her own ball, though. That is absolutely crucial.

That is a great result. Get to the green ball, fall back towards the

jack... Oh, it is gone now. That is the end of the party. Just carried a

balls up, -- carried the balls, no point in going any further. I can

understand how wanting to make an adjustment. First set, Ted-5 to

Katherine Rednall. Pretty reflective of the first set.

The 24 metre Jack length was the interesting one for me. Nothing

really dramatic climax. They have mostly been playing about

the 26, 28 metre length. I think Alan is right to try to find that

short jack length to shift Katherine of her rhythm. -- I think Ellen is

right. If you had that every day, you would be a very happy bowler.

Quality stuff. Do you think, in years gone by, when the rink was a

fraction quicker, a lot more shorter lengths were played? I think so, it

was a lot harder in respect, people like Alex Marshall were real

specialist at that short jack length. Now, they do refer back to

that, it is almost like a default setting for them, but they have been

playing a lot more... Last ball, ten inches short of Jack Coyte. -- Jack

height. Pretty tough call to get close. Especially if the player is

playing with a tighter ball will stop -- playing with a tighter bowl.

I always have a look at the opposition's ball to see what

they're using. Played a match recently with a guy using vector VS.

First end of the second set, Ellen Falkner is attacking. Yes, has to do

that. OK, baby a little bit fortunate but that ball was there to

be used. The important thing for her was that she decided to go early.

She put her hand up apologetically to Katherine to say, sorry, not what

I was going for, but got the result. There has to be a professionalism

out there, you acknowledge your opponent with a good result.

This is a big chance for Ellen Falkner, first end of the second

set. It would be just the confidence she needs to take into the second

set. Good opportunity for the extra shot,

doesn't want the jack, leave the jacks, that is what she has done.

That was a very good change there. That is the advantage of just

changing the pattern. Let your opponent no, I'm going to attack at

every opportunity. The mat up fractionally here for

Ellen Falkner. She is on this tighter line, forehand away from the

commentary box, fractionally heavier line. Played well.

Once again, rolling with the jack from the first bowl. How much was

the shot? 3.5 inches. Katherine's percentage of effective bowls on a

first bowl must be outstanding. Very high, no doubt about that, certainly

in comparison to Ellen Falkner at the moment. Good bowl there, tucked

in right behind. She wants this to come in, but not

too close. Probably just draw this. Looks to be on a nice line here,

Ellen Falkner. The weight looks handy, too. Needs to pass the Green

bowl, and has. Really good draw shot there but more important for Ellen

Falkner it means she is not under pressure at the moment. It has been

a few ends since that has been the case. Now, can you get back down to

your own bowl? Better if she had missed it, she was picking up the

jack. Good grouping of bowls. The way this head is sitting, Katherine

has got no position at the back and one side, so Alan would be wise to

arrive at this, just make sure to turn the bowl onto the jack, use the

two red three to the side of the picture and that takes all the

danger away. Worth arriving at this, giving it a

go. Wrong side of the green ball, she knew she was not therefore

weight. Alan has five time out remaining. -- Ellen. Take a risk?

Not too much danger. Only dangerous if she gets the wrong side of the

red one, the jack would go across and lose four. Certainly played it

with enough weight. You understand that we don't want the inside edge

of the green. Hard wait to play. She played it a bit half-heartedly,

I think. A bit tentative. One shot down, didn't want to make a mess of

things. Can't blame her on that one. Ellen Falkner off to a good start in

the second set, 3-0. That is what she needed to do. She's just unable

to put Katherine Rednall under pressure with the first ball.

Yes, that first bowl is just not operating, she is having to do too

much work with the third and fourth. Good adjustment, but that is what

she wants for the first delivery, just behind the jack.

Good effort, the right idea. Even though you're mine in short, you

want to drag it back. -- even though your line is short. Close again

here. That little edge might be enough. Very close. Remarkable.

Without the edge, it was actually going to be even closer, to be fair,

but probably better for her in some respects if there is a gap there.

Try to drag the Jack back if she can. The wait was good with the last

bowl. She has pushed through it. That one did not make much of the

move. She would have expected that to bend back a bit more. That one

fell against the bias. Just needs to stay up. Not quite.

Interesting to see if they will get down to measure this. It is very,

very close. It did look to be the green bowl

from overhead. It was very close. Not sure, but this one is very close

to call. If it is a crudest and, they take the two balls out, no

school. Francis Fletcher will sort it out. Read. I wasn't sure about

that one because normally they are very close, it was just too

difficult to call, it really was. Slight movement on that. One shot,

Ellen Falkner. The cameras gave us a really good idea of what was going

on, very much appreciated. You can see the clear three millimetre gap

there. So, Ellen Falkner playing the

shorter jack lengths. Off to a good start in the second set.

She just unders and overs at the moment with her first two bowls.

Nice shot here from Katherine Rednall. She is still dominating

with the first two bowls but she is on the wrong side of the card by

4-0, which is to do with Ellen's attacking shots and conversion

shots. She's calling it, it is always going to go under.

Needs to miss her own and come off the red one.

It is a tough head for Ellen Falkner to play too. Yes, slight favour for

the read the second. I think Ellen has just joined in the backend, I

don't see any of the shot. When is 4-0 up... Reaction from the crowd

there when he said she had four shots remaining, I don't think so!

Four in the lead. She is not on a bad line here. Needs

the edge. Not the edge of the bowl, though, the edge of the jack. Wasn't

a bad effort, the right way in many respects to Payet. Could not use a

lot of weight. Really good effort. Good chance the Katherine to add

another shot here. Two shots, Katherine Rednall. Score,

4-2 after four ends. Ellen Falkner is doing well to

survive this first two bowls onslaught she is suffering out

there. Has been occasionally getting in, most of the time she is facing

her second ball two shots down. Katherine's first bowl just forcing

Ellen Falkner to play back to the commentary box with her first bowl.

Just over two feet past, good changeover. Still lots of room here.

Oh dear, oh the correction, that will be damaging. -- over

correction. That is a very wide line, even for the strong bowls of

Katherine Rednall. I think the weight was pretty good. Last bowl is

18 inches short of jack height. Your short ball, just under three feet.

Ellen needing just to negotiate Katherine's last bowl here, probably

just dropping in under it. Got a chance with this. Well done. Very

good bowl, just a drop in there. The weight was perfect.

That one has got a good position back bowl there. Just a draw shot

from Katherine now. Nothing really to play too with weight, so just

drop it in, try to rest the red bowl. Better line with this one.

Definitely wide with the previous one, this one will come back. All a

matter of getting the right connection now, not the gap. Got

both. That was a great effort. Probably more important in some ways

for Katherine, it means Ellen doesn't have the chance to do drag

the jack back for three, probably the best she can do out of this is

two, so good thinking to make sure she was arriving to it.

She has given it that bit extra grass. Playing safe. Can't blame

her. Didn't want to make any contact. Why is to be on the high

side. -- she was wise to be on the high side. One shot, Ellen Falkner.

4-2 in front, grab the single. Keeps you in control of the second set.

She is working hard out there, I have to say, she really is.

Katherine is putting her under a lot of pressure, she still has control

of this. Seems to have the momentum even though Katherine is still

beating her to the jack with her first bowl. She has been more

positive in the areas where she needs to be, rather than trying for

the perfect shot. We seek time and time again good

players just find a way to win, don't they? They do, absolutely.

There have been so many matches where I have seen the experience of

players and champions, past champions, come through when maybe

they were outplayed by their opposition. The way Katherine has

been playing, particularly with the first two balls, it is still hard

work for Ellen Falkner to win the second set.

None of the women players have been playing like this, not one of them

has been getting this goes with their first two balls on a regular

basis. Just a slight disturbance in the

crowd, the players are just taking a moment or two while that is looked

after. Just a slight refocus for Ellen

Falkner there. I'm sure Ellen didn't mean to pay

that much weight, I think she was a bit put off by the disturbance in

the crowd. She might have been better to wait till it was

completely clear. Lots of pressure, single ball target this time, no

choice but to try and draw into this and make it a bit better for

herself. There is the over correction, so easy to do when you

are pushing through. Now she is in so much trouble. Katherine will be

doing well to draw another one in a centreline position, doesn't want to

leave anything on the wing. Shot off the day coming up if she

draws this one. Heating it is not easy, single ball target at that

length on the backhand -- hitting it. Draw ringgit is not easy,

either. -- drawing it. The draw shot available, using the shoulder to

come off, backhand draw available but, goodness me, could you imagine

just trying to drop in on that ball and dropped back? Very difficult. I

think I would be trying to hit it if it was me. Such a hard shot to try

and draw. She wants to keep the opposition down to three or four

because if she misses it it is definitely going to be a four. If

she draws it, it would be a remarkable shot.

Going for the runner. Slightly under. Not much, just a tiny little

bit under, and that was enough. I still think it was the right shot. I

think so. Make your shot selection, be committed to it, 100%, and if it

goes wrong, you lose the four, the lead will disappear but still well

in the set. She needs to stop on the ball. There

was plenty of room. This four shots, Katherine Rednall.

11 ends comes in handy. That is the first time I think I

have seen her a metre away. On the first ball.

Faulkner has just lost in the last end but Katherine Rednall was only

two out of the Dodd in the second is so far. Scoring heavily. She was

doing everything right, keeping your opponent down to single shots most

of the time. This one is a loose end. Last bowl, 2.5 feet. Plenty of

room here. Sets up a position, if Ellen doesn't

get 11... If Katherine doesn't get another ball in, Ellen has a chance.

The young lady slots a second shot in.

She has gone deep. She has. Opportunity here for Ellen Falkner.

The crowd very happy to see that. Surely she will go for the ball, one

way or the other. There is a natural bend into the green ball, the way it

is sitting. Gas, going for it. She is interested. Goodness me, that

must have been close. To take the two balls, she must have been coming

in. Definitely worth it. Had to go for

it. The run is quite a tight line down the back end towards the

commentary box. There wasn't much in it. Jack length 27.5 metres. A

lovely and colourful lightsaber display there.

The last few ends, Katherine started to drop the first bowl short. Ellen

unable to capitalise. That is where the big problem is. The door has

been opened a bit but Ellen hasn't been able to walk through it. There

it is again, I think. Fractionally short from Katherine, not like her.

Change onto the backhand. I don't think I want to know! Where

is Katherine's? 2.5 feet short of jack high. The concentration...

That is the line for it. Still running. She has lost her drawing

width. Katherine has a chance to recover with the third bowl. She's

getting yet another chance with the third bowl this time. Don't know she

is there again. It is not bad. It is good enough.

Ellen should be able to take that amount off, taking two feet off is

very difficult but when you are four or five through, it is a bit easier.

She's struggling now. This is a real walkabout end.

Lots and lots of pressure on Ellen Falkner. If she loses a big count

here, the match is gone. Can't afford to lose a four.

A big slap on the thigh for Ellen Falkner,. She is a pressure player.

Make sure you are taking the line out because I think you are on an

inside line with that, definitely underwear you want to be. You have

to sneak through between balls. -- definitely under way you want to be.

She is two down, took two off. That was a nervy one. Low on the green

and low on the weight. She is so disappointed with that end, Ellen

Falkner. Two shots, Katherine Rednall. 5-9 after eight ends. This

is a crucial end. Katherine Rednall wins this and she has one hand on

the trophy. Ellen Falkner has to score at least a single to give her

a chance. Her drawing has just left in the last few ends and after

sitting pretty for a while, 4-0, 5-2, a four, a single and a double.

And in a heap of trouble. Well, I don't know what is going on.

She has just lost her way. It happens. It certainly does.

Katherine is not far away with her second bowl. A readjustment.

This looks under. For lying and weight. Yes, she is definitely

struggling now. She is the sort of player, you think, one big bowl

could turn it but it is not going well. In the meantime, her young

opponent, wasn't taking much advantage with this one but it is

another shot. She's sticking with the backhand.

The line looks better. This is all about weight now, she is a lot

closer with this one. But she needs to hurry. That has pretty much

blocked up the backhand. Very close to two shots. Two green.

We are guaranteed at least another end. I just can't see Ellen doing

anything if she does not win this one. Katherine to looking to drop

another one in here. Looks to be good with the weight. Close. That

tinkered on a bit but it is OK. We think it is three shots which would

take up to 12-5. That would need two fours. It is here critical list,

last ball, and she has to change onto the forehand. Traditionally,

forehand can drop short very easily. Champions come up with big bowls

when needed. Ellen Falkner needs one now. She is definitely reaching, she

has got a chance for this, a big chance. Steady now. What a bowl.

That was massive. And Chris knew it. What did we say about the big bowl

at the right time that can change the whole pattern? She needs another

couple here. She has got a smile on her face at the moment, a smile with

a tiny grimace! She knows you can't just dip in and get those bowls all

the time. One is just not enough and look at the score card, look at all

the number ones at the top. She has been losing shots and doubles and

bigger. Not gaining them. First ball needs to be close.

Four shots in two ends, I thought that would be impossible.

I honestly can't remember the last time she played a first ball

toucher. That is a good reply. A very good one.

As long as she has got the width, she's on a good line. That is a good

bowl. She will force Alan to try to wrest into the green bowls. One

shot, making it tough in the last end. She need two to give herself a

chance to win the set. That was a nice little shot down the backhand

Ellen is plain, just over the draw. -- Ellen is playing. She needs to

run with this, it needs to hurry. Well, that is not a time to be

short. Even a ball through the jack would have been good. Just going

deeper. Very wisely, Katherine going back.

Choices here. She could just draw up to the ball or drive it off, knowing

that if she gets the jack, she could get one shot. She will be playing to

their strengths. It is very close, the same on the green, definitely,

very, very close. Ellen has two time outs remaining. Can she get inside

it to get to the jack with enough weight? And if she gets the front

bowl, she knows there are all sorts of chances. If she gets it all the

way through, it is still good. I'm sure she can drive the ball out.

Definitely will have to arrive with a little bit of weight at least. She

is on the forehand. Which would suggest she is playing weight.

Definitely, definitely go for the front ball, to take the other two

out. She is in the area, surely got

something. What a bad result. Katherine is looking at it, not

doing anything yet because I think it is very close for shot. Not

totally sure whose line. Ellen walking away. She doesn't need to do

this, she is very fair. If she is not sure, she will say. It has been

declared. That is unusual. I can understand it. Decided not to play

the last ball. Katherine must be confident she has lined the shot.

France's Fletcher, don't make a mistake. Resting on the green,

exactly what you are supposed to do. Bring it right through. That is

perfect. Now we will know, if that goes straight through. Yes, easy.

One shot, second set of the match, Katherine Rednall. She didn't player

last ball and she gets the single she needs to win the Championship.

She has been good value for it. Really good value.

A lot of the damage being done by the young 21-year-old in the first

two balls. Ellen Falkner contributing gamely to that match.

But Katherine Rednall takes it. The matchplay singles champion for 2017

and very deserved. The enthusiasm of youth, 21 years

old. Katherine Rednall at Delhi against the experience of Ellen

Falkner, three times champion. Katherine Rednall was in no mood to

be taken out in this match. Rarely had to play a weak shot. Drawing.

Keeping under pressure, forcing a more experienced opponent into

taking the difficult shots. Cakau down to singles all the way with

only two doubles on one side. Ellen Falkner doing everything she could

to keep the young lady at bay but it was just too much.

Ellen just missing the target with her last ball, declared ahead and

the green all pushed out. Winning the set and the Championship. Big

smile from Katherine. Congratulations from Alan Thornhill.

It shows how heavily she scored in the two sets. Ellen Falkner was

getting singles. Katherine Rednall scoring heavily and deserved her

victory. Second time for her. She will be delighted.

Ellen, you came back out into the ring with a rueful look on your

face, sum up what happened today. I am a bit loss for words, to be

honest but rather than talk about my performance, I would rather talk

about Katherine and say well played and well done and enjoy the moment.

Katherine, second time you are winning it, the last time you were

just a baby but in fairness, you are not that much older now! What is the

difference between the feeling immediately after winning it last

time and this time? I don't think there is one. Coming back every year

has been an absolute pleasure. This can be a better start to the year.

Potters is a great place to come to. This is what you hope for other

final and to be up against Ellen, what a lot of people would have

asked for. Ellen summed it up by saying, forget about how she played,

you were outstanding. Really pleased with how I played. Pleased with the

first set. I got a bit of a lead and was able to defend it and really

happy with that but Ellen came right back at me in the second set so I

was a bit worried them. You have only been playing at Potters four

years. What is it about this place that makes you so good here? I think

I settled into the carpet the first time I came. Immediately. It is all

about the bowls. You come and you play and practice and you have to

keep going. It is the real focus and it is about wanting to win a trophy.

What got you into bowls as a youngster? Your dad was a big

inspiration but who were the other people playing a part in getting you

here? My whole family play and they have been fantastic. I started when

I was five years old. My mum and my grandma are up there. Sadly dad is

at work. It has been great to have a supportive family around me. I hope

they are all proud of you, I am sure they are. Commiserations to Ellen

but the 2017 ladies matchplay champion, Katherine Rednall.

ANNOUNCER: It is time for the presentation and to make it, your

appreciation for the managing director of Potters Resort, Mr John

putter and the just customer services claims handler, Venetia

Graham. First and foremost, the runner-up, your appreciation for

Ellen Falkner. Now, to the winner, receiving a

Langham glass trophy, a check and the title for the 2017 ladies

matchplay champion, it is the pocket dynamo, Katherine Rednall.

Ladies and gentlemen, one more time, the 2017 ladies World Matchplay

champion, Katherine Rednall! What a fantastic performance from

Katherine Rednall. Karen Murphy has left the commentary box and has

joined the ringside. What was your reaction to what you saw from

Katherine and Ellen today as well? Katherine's first two bowls were

phenomenal and that is where she won the game. When she did fail, Ellen

couldn't capitalise on it. Ellen seemed to be out of sorts. She got

herself back into it. Given her record and history, you thought it

would go to a tie-break. We did and champions play big bowls when they

need to. I think to be fair, Ellen will be disappointed with her

performance today. Katherine played really well. It was a great game.

What is it about Katherine? I asked her about this place, an amazing

record for a 21-year-old to have won here twice. Her rhythm and weight

control is amazing. She's certainly a great player now. I would like to

see in ten years' time where she will be. It is frightening! What was

a key moment perhaps in the end of the second set, Ellen was on top and

Katherine then delivered a full house. Talk is through this and how

crucial it was. A great example of Katherine's draw bowl, she played

really well. She really made a play with that last bowl and entered into

a full score of four. When Ellen came out, I mentioned in the

interview, a rueful look on her face and I could tell she didn't really

want to talk too much. You can understand what she was going

through. Definitely and in her speech, she didn't want to talk

about her performance but she hailed Katherine. That is the thing,

Katherine Rednall is certainly a name for the future. Have a peek

into the future, she has won it twice, at the end of 21. What sort

of possibilities are open to her? Ellen has compiled an amazing

record, three times Commonwealth Games gold medallist. A lot of

people would expect Katherine to perhaps break the record of Carol

Ashby and Ellen Falkner, winning it more than three? She is definitely

capable. You have got your feelers when you are a little bit younger.

You come in here damn thing, I am the underdog and I can play how I

want. It will be interesting but I think she has the ability to do

that. Thank you very much we will bring you up-to-date with a couple

of things coming up on the BBC. When we are done on BBC Two at Potters,

we will bring you highlights of the Australian open tennis.

We are switching our attention to the singles competition.

Les Gillett against Alex Marshall. Les Gillett has had a good week.

Alex Marshall six time champion. We will hear from both players,

starting with Les Gillett reflecting on his victory in the pairs.

I go to Jason and say, this is our best ever opportunity to win this

championship. Take time and relax. If there is one person in the world

I would get to play, it is with him. He has got to do something. At this

point I might have a look in, I am shaking and I am waiting. And I said

to Daniel, the league is not close. He said, yes, it is close. Then he

started chatting me in and it runs and it runs and it is like slow

motion and it gets in. And we are like, oh, my God, world champions.

What a feeling. Les, you want it 16 years ago, what is the difference

this time around? I have enjoyed it more with Jason to be fair because

he has been quite challenging at times. Jason has not been at his

best, but what he has done, and we have had conversations about this,

he has played the right bowls at the right times. In my eyes, he won it

for me. Les is a character on and off the green. Winning the pairs you

are on a high. But, yes, he is a good friend and a good player. I

need to play well. I know if I can play my eight-game, I am difficult

to beat. He is probably the best player ever in the world. Yes, it is

a bit of a mountain to climb and it would have been nice to avoid him,

but somebody has to play him and I guess I am the unfortunate one. Or

the lucky one, because playing against Alex is a privilege. Yes, it

will be tough. I have always got the will to win. When I come to Potters

it is my second home. This is where I play my best bowls. I am hungry

for number seven. I will try my best, I am on good form. It is the

place to be. David Corkhill has joined me ringside. Corky, this is a

cracking match up. The reason why it is so good is because less is full

of confidence. We talked about it at the top of the show and he will need

that confidence because he is against the best player ever to row

a bowl. No doubt about that. Alex has more than proven that is the

case, indoors and outdoors. His record is superb. But with lead, he

has got all the confidence in the world, no doubt about that, but he

is also very happy. He has got the ranking points he needs to stay in

the top 16. That will relax him and he can say, I will not lose out

there. Alex was stuck on five championship wins in the singles,

but he got the sixth win. It is very hard when you have got six to feel

the pressure because you have done so much in the game. But I remember

the relief he felt when he won it, because everyone is was expecting it

for a long time. His best friend Paul Foster is on four. They are

best friends, but be under no illusion, they want to win. Paul

Foster is chasing his faith. Give people an idea why it is almost

undisputed that Alex Marshall is the best player. It is because it is

indoors and outdoors and that is where the difference is. David

Brandt was the innovator, there is no doubt about that, he brought the

game through to the audience in the world in many ways. But Alex

Marshall has proved that in a World Championship, indoors, and outdoors

and he has done it more than once and that is the key to it. It is

continuous over the last 15 years. Anyone who saw Alex Marshall in 2014

in Glasgow in the Commonwealth Games will have some amazing memories

because of the outstanding bowls ever played outdoors. It is not

about chasing the money, that was about playing for your country and

it was very obvious for Alex that whenever he is representing his

country, he puts everything into it. Ignoring the confidence, because

that is positive, but what are the tactics that Les Gillett can use,

what are the skills that he possesses, that can upset the apple

cart and Alex Marshall? It will be a bit like Katherine in the ladies

singles final, the first two bowls. It Les puts Alexander pressure on

the first two bowls, he will have to run at things and start attacking

more than he would like to, and that is where the key will be. If he

matches him, it will be Alex all the way. Will you call it? How can you

go against Alex Marshall? He is the six times world champion and he is

up against Les Gillett and that is the next match up here on BBC Two.

Time to join our MC. This 46-year-old left-hander is a former

semifinalist and a former international open and Welsh Masters

champion. Ladies gentlemen, the recently crowned world indoor

champion, Les Gillett. # We will, we Will Rock you. And he

faces one of the game's most feared and respected opponents, the 2013

international open champion, the world number two, Alex Marshall MBE.

# Can you feel the force? Yes, feel the force of Alex

Marshall. We're Les Gillett feel the force? A great match because Les

Gillett is bouncing after the win in the pairs on Monday alongside Jason

Greenslade. But he has got a big obstacle to overcome, the most

formidable force in the game, the six times world champion, Alex

Marshall, MBE. Andy Thomson has joined Corky.

Les Gillett has never been short of confidence, it is fair to say.

He is that sort of player. The target for him was to do well and

play well and he has exceeded that in many ways when we think about

winning the pairs where he played very well. I would agree. Les and

Jason were not expected to win it, but deservedly so at the end of the

day, but this is a different proposition. Playing the six times

world champion, this will be quite hard for Les. I agree, the opening

two bowls have got to be close to give himself a chance. You are

agreeing with me, Andy. At the moment, we have got plenty of time

to go before I start disagreeing! A very good draw player. Les Gillett

can play all the weight shots, but it is the draw shot that is really a

key part of his armoury. It will have to be in top form to win this

match. He played well in the pairs, grouping the bowls well. He is

playing with confidence. He has also been putting the hours in. I have

noticed in the evening when I have been sitting here, whilst you have

been relaxing elsewhere, and doing my homework... What are you saying?

I am looking around for the postage stamp. You are always sneaking a

look at my notes. Just putting in the hours, no doubt about that. Yes,

he is. Most players do it now. They realise there is a big carrot at the

end of the week. Three great opening bowls from Les Gillett.

The rules are that you have to call things slightly different.

We still used jack high and others used jack level. I know that is the

new law. We will stick to our old-fashioned terminology! It gets

the message over. Yes, correct. This is a perfect start for Les. Right

the way he has called a time-out. He knew exactly what he was going to

do there. It will be just in case. That is the problem with Alex

Marshall for most people. You have to really play a cover bowl, or a

particular bowl in a position, because you expect him to get it. I

think Alex is looking at the plant. Thinking of putting the one red bowl

onto the other to move the jack. The draw is not easy. It is time already

from Alex. I think he is undecided. Not sure of the best shops to play.

The players are just taking a moment. There are a lot of people

moving around in between matches and that is understandable. It is hard

to sit there for four hours. I agree. They are not the slots

sometimes that people are happy with. Sometimes the spectators go

out for a break and have a cup of coffee and come back in and

sometimes it disturbs players. I spoke to Les about this before and

he is aware that this is going to happen. It is probably who handled

it better. You look at the draw and this is the only one of the day. It

is good in the morning and in the evenings. This is the hard slot.

Especially after a final. A lot of people come in to support the

finalists. It is almost like not taking top billing. But it will

settle in a minute. It makes this side of the rink very

accommodating. I can see both players playing this side of the

carpet. I know other players favour the forehand in this direction.

This is close. He got the inside edge. Perfect. I think we will see

Les changing now. Watch the action of Alex Marshall.

You will not find anything smoother in the game. He always gets the bowl

away very well. One of the secrets of his success, consistently getting

the bowl away good. Slightly heavy on this one. Talk about delivery,

Les Gillett has got a good one as well. A nice follow-through. He

tucks his leg well in behind the front leg. It makes room for your

arm to go back and follow through on the line. Just slightly on the

inside. A good try. Good weight. This is not an easy extra shot for

Alex. We are looking at deliveries because it is like a snooker action

or a darts player. It is important that it is smooth, easy, relaxed and

reliable. Yes, I agree. It is nice to have smooth deliveries. Everyone

does not. But people with non-textbook deliveries perform very

well. Yes, Ian Bond. He controls it really well.

Always going for the very short length. REFEREE: Jack length, 24.5

metres. The minimum is 23, so he is comfortable enough. A lot of players

are using this length. I am sure we will see Paul Foster using this

length. Alex and Paul have always liked the shorter length.

That is the first rangefinder from Les and you always expect Alex to

get close to this distance. Here he comes again. He is so good at that,

he really is. Very good. At the shorter length his backhand plays

OK. It will be interesting to see if the jack goes longer which hand Alex

does play. That is a better correction from Les. That is handy

for blocking. REFEREE: One red, just. About five and a half inches.

The other is about six inches. Alex was a bit shocked by that. That was

a very confident call from Alex Fletcher.

He is coming up to have a look at this as well.

It did not put him off! No, it didn't. He played the perfect draw.

Following Alex in. I do not think that was necessary. He could have

dropped on his own bowl. Slightly surprised there. He was probably

thinking, if I get to the green bowl or turn the jack, I might be able to

make a double. Alex's wife Diane has not been too

well in the past few months. It is good to see her back on her feet.

She has always got a happy demeanour. Oh, yes, always cheery,

always enjoys it and always comes to support Alex here. That bowl was not

running. That will make it difficult for Les if he is thinking of playing

a backhand. This is hard. If there was any more than one, Alex would be

tempted to run it. We are back to nine ends for this match. He did not

get that one away well. Alex is still looking at it. He is having a

good look at this. Good call. Good call, Francis. Well done. He would

have got the Alex Marshall Steer if he had been wrong! I think he got a

surprise. Brave man, well done. -- stare.

Again, it is very hard for the audience to get down into the big

stand in between ends because these guys are very quick sometimes. You

have only literally got about 20 seconds and it is a big stand to

make your way into your seat. I don't think that was a spectator.

I think I can see a woman in the stands making her way down. He is

just watching that. I think they have sat down now. The stewards have

to look after it. It is amazing, in the home

international series it is like a football match. Players are jumping

all over the place and the spectators are moving behind the

rinks. But the players get on with it. But here because it is still so

still, there is no movement, it puts the players. The crown green players

don't know what is going on when they see this.

We are not quiet all the time. There are people walking all over the

place and the players just get on with it. It is great to watch and

great to be involved in. Les has not found his range in the

shorter length yet. A good effort. You just see the rink

and nothing else and you wouldn't hear anything either. I have seen

darts players putting earplugs in to keep the crowd out. Snooker guys

like it quiet. They are similar to the bowls players. No movement. It

is always still for the snooker players as well. That bowl was

perfect, just caught the edge. You just need a touch on your own Red

Bull, Les. This is very risky. He has got away with that. Oh, my

goodness me, did he get away with that or what? He took his own bowl

out. He not only said his apologies to Alex, but he also waved at him.

Good lad, Les. Knowledge in the fact that you were fortuitous. He was in

the area, but he got a slight fortunate result, but that is all

part of the game. Once again there has been a bit of movement.

I think the officials are quite good. They will stop the clock. They

do not disciplined for stopping. That is what they do. They are well

trained. A lot of experience. Alex is one of the more sensitive ones

towards that, but let's be honest, six world titles, and that is only

the singles, so it cannot be that bad. He is used to this, he will

have played a lot of games at this time of day, so he will be able to

adapt. A good effort. Difficult one to add

to. It is his favourite venue as he has

already said, he always plays his best bowls here. Just relaxing and

chilling at the back with probably just a cup of tea, David. It is a

bit cooler up there, keep your coat on. It must be called up in the

corner. -- cold. It certainly is not cold in the stands. It is very warm

with the lights on. This is a longer jack length. It

will be interesting to see what Alex is going to play. It is straight on

the backhand. He has played the backhand in both directions are so

he is happy with that, but that last bowl will give him problems already.

I was thinking a few years ago when we had those massive banks of

lights. It was more like something from the old days of Wembley. The

heat that they generate it was unbelievable. How slides are

sufficient with the new technology. They are not quite as hot.

There she goes, just checking with everybody and answering all those

texts of congratulations. She will be there for quite a while.

I thought he was going to get an edge on to the jack, but into the

ditch. It was his opening bowl that dictated the problem here. Nothing

clear to the jack, that is why he played with weight. You have no idea

where that jack is going to go if Alex gets it. It might go to either

side of the rink and it might go on to one of the re-spots. He has got

those covered. That is number three. He does not want to block the gap

too much. REFEREE: It is a couple of inches.

Alex is conscious of the fact there is still only one boulder, but he

has got one after this for the recovery. He likes it. He was close

that time. He had no idea where that jack was going to go. It is probably

six feet to drop it. At that length when you catch the jack it ends up

at five or six feet away, but he got the shot and that is the most

important point from Alex's point of view.

We expect this ball to be the shot-mac when it comes to rest. That

is looking pretty good. It just needs to sneak up. I think that's

probably be shocked. He has indicated six feet short, so

there is room for Alex to draw the first. It is looking good. That's a

definite one. I don't know about the other one, though.

Looking fairly chilled there, his wife Diane. She doesn't get excited

until the final. He has a few tough games to go yet. He certainly does.

It's early days. If you play a late second round, David, basically

you're playing every day up until Sunday. It sometimes helps. I think

it's a chilly a good thing. I really do. It means you are waiting around

quite a while though. The players who have won today will basically

have the same programme. They will play every day until Sunday. Alex

Marshall and Les Gillett. Whoever wins this match will play the winner

of Darren Burnett and Mervyn King. They won't even be thinking about

that because they know this will be a tough one. It's that famous

sporting expression, one game at a time. A good ball coming in.

The gap is seven inches. My ball? Your bowl, 15.

Gently, gently. Just missed the jack. As long as he missed the jack,

he was good. Last night, quite late, we were sitting around. The umpires

have a tendency to sit around and we joined them for a little discussion

about wolves, making sure I was completely up to speed, because I

know I'll get a lot of help from you with reading the rules. Any new ones

that came to mind? Nothing of any consequence. Still just a draw. Same

hand, Les. Tried to tuck the jack away. A good, high lying here. He

has got a lot of work to do. Well played, Les Gillett. That could be

number two. It could be. Alex Tait having a good look around

this. The back position is of no real value to him. Use a time-out,

Alex. You have plenty of them. He had two seconds to spare. Plenty of

time. I think there is a tendency that when you get down as low as

that, your eye is on the clock and you tend to play a bad ball. That

wasn't a particularly bad ball but it didn't do him any favours. You

tend to rush it a bit when you have one eye on the clock. Les Holding

one at the moment. It is pretty close for the second. That is why I

am surprised he is changing his hand. That is the shot, so let's not

worry about that one. One shot, Les Gillett. Just the one. There we go.

Set school, 4-3. Going back to rules, there was a query sent in

yesterday about marking the ball before the next player delivers and

you have to do that. It's essential, because you just never know if

someone is going to drive with the next ball. Jack makes 28 and a half

metres. It is illegal for them not to do it. As the ends progresses,

sometimes they do put the chalk and later. No, the spray chalk has

stopped that, Andy, and they are in there like a bullet. Paul Foster put

one down at Heaven knows what speed the other day and I certainly

wouldn't want to be in the middle of that one trying to mark a toucher.

No, they can send them down fast. Well, Alex is changing to the

forehand. I'm not surprised. I think this is the better hand at the

longer length. Good thinking. Oh, that is unlucky. Just dropped

out. Resplendent in that. Looks like a lot of roses in there. I was

speaking to Julie at lunchtime. She was speaking about Mary Berry. Is

that take a colour? I'm not sure because I don't watch that kind of

thing. I'm not sure if she wears that kind of thing. You are more

expert. If you talk to me about cooking programmes, no idea. Very

popular though. Well, Les has the same bowl as your previous one.

Nothing too adventurous with this one. Draw the shot. Well, Les, on

your backhand. This is coming back. Really coming back strong. Just

needs to finish. Oh, good bowl, Les. Very good. When he is on song, he is

a very, very dangerous player. Yes, last bowl shot. Very fortunate to

have that manner number two in my rank. Always plays very well. They

don't put you out in your stocking soles, do they? They look after the

grand old man of the England team, they really do. Well, Alex playing a

shot here and is he going to be close? He is. Stand the wait out of

it. Yes, it was just reaching, follows through and gets the shot.

Well played, Alex Marshall. Les will be looking to turn that bowl or turn

the jack now. Very slight correction on his last Hull. -- on his last

bowl. This will look inviting. He has already used a time-out. He

knows that this is a big bowl. It always is in the seventh end.

Controlled inside the line. Now it's a matter of holding up to the jack.

That's not bad. He's very close. That is the bowl. He just moves the

Jack and takes the one. That is great bowling.

Yes, Les, it did hurry. It did indeed. I think Alex again is using

a time-out, looking at the Angles. What happens if he hits the target?

I think the biggest problem for Alex is he doesn't know where the jack is

going to go. The best result would probably be to get onto that bowl,

with the alternative being to hit it on the forehand, come on to their

and the jack to bounce out the side. I don't think there is a guarantee

on anything though, basically, David. This jack could bounce

anywhere. There is no guarantee that if he hits the target that he will

still score. I think the percentages are on his side if he hits this.

Very I'm lucky to come away with this with any less than minus one.

I'll tell you what, that is going a long way. It was always under.

Our commentary position here is right behind the rink, so we get the

lovely view of that backhand. Les has four time-outs, Alex has three

time-outs remaining. Using their time-outs. That just shows you what

a tight game this is. Jack length, 23 and a half metres --

28.5 metres. Alex knows that if he loses this end, he is probably going

to lose the set. A little bit and settled there, I

think, David. Doesn't put him off too much though. There you go.

Played a very good bowl. Alex, 4.5 inch gap. Alec -- as I have said

before, there is an argument for putting in a bit of background music

so that background noise doesn't distract the players, but then you

get into an argument about what kind of music. Who wants Queen out there?

It's a difficult one. It's probably not the noise, it's the movement of

the spectators, really. That's a good ball, Les. The players would

probably be happy with Queen because it's popular as walk and music. But

it brings with it other problems, other difficulties. Maybe a couple

of hundred Crown Green players in. Yes, they certainly create an

atmosphere. Good weight from Alex. Lead, I think you need another red

bowl in the head here, because there's a possibility they could go

out of the head. Oh, he is trying hard again. He has to be very

careful. Doesn't want to get the shot away. I can see Alex coming

into this. He did use the outside red one and all three could

disappear. Yes, it is very inviting for Alex, as Les has indicated

there. Once again, the official into mark the toucher. Well, he is

prepared just to try it. The head indicates that he doesn't like it.

The weight was the problem. The line was good. I am surprised. It was a

good shot. He couldn't take his own out without taking out two of the

Reds. Les has got a different -- a difficult decision to make here. He

could play a good bowl and still give the shot away. At the eighth

end when you are too up, that is not a good thing to do. He will be very

close to this green ball, if he taps that. Yes, OK. If it is one red,

Alex can't afford to lose the shot here. No, he can't. I think there is

a draw here for him. These three vegetables, he could use those, so a

good chance here for Alex. -- these three red balls, he could use those.

He is not risking the draw. Looking for the running ball of the white

ball. Got something. Oh, how did he take the single where? He needed the

angle. He didn't get the angle. Les is playing well. He is putting a lot

of balls in the head. That is the success -- the secret to his

success, Les Gillett. Les taking his time here, just

composing himself, knowing that he is favoured now for this opening

set. Nine shots in eight ends. An

indication of how tight this game is. Once again, as we were saying

right at the beginning, Les Gillett's strength is on the draw.

Once again, it is just a perfect opener.

Movement, oh, it is a good bowl. It doesn't matter that the shot is

against him, it is a good bowl back. Yes, Alex needed to do something,

possibly give himself a chance of a three. You don't want that sort of

back toucher to lie there for two or three balls. He will be trying to

close this down. If he tucks the jack in here, he really is in the

driving seat. Well, I would suggest he is going to win the opening set

now after that bowl. It is tempted, he almost has do run at this just to

give himself a chance. It is a possibility. If he misses this and

leads the way, that is a problem. He is drawing to it. This must go past.

If this is not passed the jack, then Alex can't score 83. He half locks

the red in. The bowl is still moving. Makes a difference. He can't

really make this any better than what it is. Run for cover. Actually,

if you really wanted to be brave, there is one way, but I don't think

anybody would play it. The fund bowl onto the jack, takes the front two

bowls out completely. But no one would play that. No, certainly not,

just in case he makes a mistake. Alex is going to have to try to

create something with this bowl. Yes, that is a controlled weight

coming down on the inside line, just to try to shake it up and disturb

it. He is going under. He needs a solid connection. Well, the two

bowls will go, now. That contact has made a difference. The question is

how far the shot ball is off of the jack. If it is touching, it is

almost certain to move. I think honestly, if I was Leslie here, I

would be tempted just to reach that. If he misses it and comes to hear,

that is good. If he takes the jack into this position, it takes

everything away. There's no way that Alex can get a tree. There is a

possibility that ball would move without leaving the jack. I think

the two balls could go. Well, Les sticking on the higher side. I think

he is trying to get to his own ball and if he misses it, he is onside. I

think he had to play something like that, Andy, because he couldn't

leave it where it was. Alex will know that he has do bang into this

really, really hard and hope to get a result. There's not a three here,

David, I'm sure there's not a three. Well done, Les. Played well. Alex is

down to five seconds on the clock. He is hitting the target. No doubt

about that. Well, there we go. The jack's through the head. The opening

shot to Les Gillett, 6-4. Just showing Diane there. That's

something you see with Diane every single time. Even when Alex loses a

set, she will always clap the opposition. She's very good.

Basically, very sporting and rightly so. Diane has seen Alex be

successful and also losing games as well. I think the players are just

having a little break, because once again the crowd are moving, so

taking some time. Just chatting up there. It's important to let the

crowd make a move now between sets. They are a very knowledgeable crowd

and they realise that. This is a good time to do that. No time

restriction on this one, so plenty of time. I just hope they don't sit

there for half an hour, David, all we will have do chat for that long.

Look, Andy, I've had a rare experiences of chatting for a long

time between matches, I can tell you. Up and running. When I think

back to one of the world Championships outdoors where we have

a bit of a chat between matches, something has happened and I think

it went on 25 minutes. Was it really? I've remember it was

actually the presenter with Willie Wood and me down on the green. Good

old fellow, he always keeps in touch. That was a rare experience. I

was doing the Geoff Boycott bit down on the green. The team I coined down

because it was very hard. We have got a game on our hands here.

Absolutely. We knew we would have and we also knew that Alex Marshall

had to be the favourite and for many, he still is. But he knows it

will be a minimum tie-break. And tie-break can be dodgy. Yes, we have

seen them this week and some great stuff. Les Gillett is playing really

well here. He is playing so well. Correct.

Don't start to lose your run. Just a draw, rightly so. He is composing

himself, taking his time here today, Les. This is close if it runs. Needs

to hurry. To green, eight inches short of jack hi.

Well, there is a case for attacking maybe now, Les. Just blocks the

draw. He is going for the runner this time. Close. Plum perfect. He

called the jack and he got it. He is going to be some distance away from

it but at the very most it's a single. Yes, good strike, Les. He

played that well. Good control and Alex will, no matter where he puts

it, if he puts it six feet short, Les will be in with a chance, if he

puts it close to the edge, Les will have a chance to run it off. Alex

has a chance here to draw the winner. He would definitely expect

him to draw the shot here. He is well past all the debris at the

front. Let's see how close he can get. That's the three metre mark

their just on the T in the middle of your screen. That is sufficiently

far enough away that Les will fancy his chances. Yes, two metres away,

so this is a good chance for Les to take the shot, is surely? I'll tell

you what, it's been awhile since I have seen less be so deliberate on

the mat. Yes, he is taking his time before every delivery. Just

composing himself. It's almost like he has a game plan here and this

looks like the shot ball coming in. Yes, good shot, Les. Resisted the

temptation with his second bowl but played it with the bird and played

it very well. -- played it with the third.

I've watched Les playing a lot and I don't think I've seen him like this

before, have you? He is very deliberate before he gets that ball

away. I've watched him play as well as this, no doubt about that. But I

don't think I've ever see him be as slow and deliberate before. It's a

slightly new tactic for him and at the moment, it's working. It

certainly is. I do think sometimes some players just play to quickly as

it suits the nature of some people. It just happens to suit their style.

Yes, they are quick players. Five inches. Yes. There are others who

just sometimes need to slow down a little bit and think about it.

Alex is going to have to shake things up. He will have to start

driving things and shake Les up a bit more.

He has been playing the backhand across the body, but this looks very

good. Great strike. Happy enough with that. It is well out into the

open. He may not look terribly happy with it, but he knows the way he hit

it, it is always possible to jam in there with a couple of bowls.

That looks well under. It is not running either. It might just sneak

in. Not by much. Three and a half feet. Alex will have two goes at

this. I expect both of them to get a lot closer.

Still running a bit and it is only just the shot. One read, but

probably a gap of three feet. You definitely expect Alex to draw the

winner now. Just a shade quicker. He had a

mystified look on his face. This looks like the shot coming in. That

solves the problem. A little bit of movement, but early

days in this second set. A totally different tactic here. From Alex

this mat is way up the green. That was travelling very quickly. I

thought I heard a little drop there. Alex is just not quite settled

today. That is quite a big error. He had three metres to put that jack.

Les's family will possibly back at home. I am not sure if the girls are

back from school. Wife Sadie will be keeping an eye on her man. He is

doing well. They will be very proud of him at the moment. He is playing

good bowls. He is finding this long length really well. That is why Alex

brought the match up. But he put the jack in the ditch and it goes back

to Les's favourite length. That was a dive inside. That will

not be the shot, but it will not make it easy for Alex either.

Well, that will look inviting for less. -- inviting for Les. He has to

get it absolutely plumb. It is certainly worth a controlled weight

shot. That is not bad. That was a nice

weight. Yes, hit the target, good result. When you hit the target you

feel you deserve a result. Les got that. It would be very easy to just

thrash at that, but he played it very well.

Excellent bowl. It was good once it past the red one. Very good when it

approached the ditch. That will not be easy to beat. Certainly not. It

can only be beaten really on the draw. There is not a clear path to

see the bowl. Maybe he can see something that we can't. I think it

is the new tactic today. Just slow it down. He is definitely reaching.

Well, there was no point in being short. He could have got an edge or

something. So, Alex Marshall for the first time in the two sets takes a

lead. It is only by one shot. Now, can Alex get the length of jack that

he needs. That looks like 24, 24.5. 25 metres.

There you go. He will be happy with that. Anything between 23 and 25

would have been the target. Problems, Alex. He is talking away

to himself. He will have his own ways to motivate himself to get

going. He is not playing a bad game. It is just that Les has been the

better player. He is really playing solid.

The body language normally tells you if it is a good or a bad bowl and he

does not like it. He knew out of his hand that that

was not right. Les Gillett has got another chance. Alex will be playing

the recovery bowl on the third one. That is good. There is the distance

between them as well, so driving the two bowls is not guaranteed.

He is in trouble here. He certainly is now. He will be in trouble after

Les's next bowl, he will probably be three down. He is shaking his head.

He knows that he has not quite found it today.

That is number three. That is an lucky, Les. Damage on occasion,

Andy. If he catches the middle one, all three red bowls will go out. Can

he tempt Alex into drawing this? I think he will drive this on the

forehand. The nearest bowl to the jack, if he catches that, the chance

is he will take the other two out. There is a bowl at the bottom of

your picture and one at the top. They are probably pretty

equidistant. The only other alternative is to draw either side,

but he has had three goes. The chances are if he removes all three

bowls, Les will probably draw the shot with the final delivery, but he

is three shots down. It must be the drive. It is more about percentages.

A bad connection. It was a bad connection. One bowls baying in was

probably reasonably predictable. He caught it on the angle. This is a

chance for Les to pick up three. He played it with less weight than I

expected. It looks like he will lose three.

Oh, Les! Has he sent this too far? I have seen him doing this before, I

have seen him slapping his live. I am just starting to think about his

slowness and his deliberation. Is he trying to slow the game down to

upset the opposition? Is he trying to do that? He is not really slowing

it down because he is getting to 15 seconds. He is being more

deliberate, but I think that is to help his game. It probably is. I do

not think he is too concerned about what Alex does. He knows what Alex

is capable of. I think the way he is playing, he has decided he is going

to be very deliberate in everything he does. He is not letting the shot

clock run down to ten seconds or five seconds. He is just making sure

every bowl has value. Again, in singles play, every bowl has got to

count. That was a bit on the short side by

his standards. Alex really has to try to take advantage.

There we go. An opportunity for Alex. He has taken it this time.

Good bowl, Les. He has opened that up and he has got a good second. He

was probably 18 inches through. He has given himself a really good

chance. Alex needs another good one here.

It is just a draw for Les. I think the same bowl as his last. I agree,

just a draw. A little tap on his own bowl would

be very useful. Yes. REFEREE: One red. One red? That was a very strong

call. Les is surprised. He has got good facial expressions. That is

good. He is good value. He is very good value on and off the green. I

enjoy his company. He can be very funny at times.

Again Alex was rushed into playing that bowl. When you think about Les

Gillett, you are going back 20 years when he won the International open

and he beat a lot of people in the qualifiers in Blackpool. I remember

it well. Every time I forget, Les will remind me because he beat me.

We still have a laugh about it. He came through the qualifiers and all

the way through to win it, so he has been around in the top level for a

long time. He has always been a very good drawing player.

That might tempt Alex. I think Alex has been tempted like this before. A

confident Alex Marshall would be playing just a draw. If he plays for

the runner and get that, there is the front plant handed. That is

coming straight in on the jack. Is he confident enough to draw that

shot at the moment? Probably not. The other alternative is to play the

forehand if he really wants it. This will give you an indication as to

how confident Alex is. I confident Alex Marshall would be drawing this.

Yes, he would be, it will be interesting to see what his choice

of shot is. Yes, he is going for it. His head is down, which means he is

under. He has definitely not got the shot. He is either one or two down.

I love the way you say that, Andy. You are on the rink and you cannot

tell. 15 feet. And 18 inches from the

monitor. The second one could be interesting. He realised that bowl

was going to go across the head and he was going to lose one. It would

be a bad result to lose two. REFEREE: One red and a measure.

I think Alex will be happy here if he just loses one. He is having a

really good look at this. Normally he does not bother. Normally he

wanders around, but he is conscious of the fact that this game is not

going the way he wanted it to. Only one. It will be relieved Alex

Marshall that it was just a single. He missed his target, so he will be

very relieved. He was one down anyway. Even at 5-2 and three shots

in front, there is plenty of time. But if I was going into the end

three shots in front, I would still not bet on winning it. That is the

problem with playing against Alex and the same with Nicky and all the

guys at the top level. You cannot assume anything. A lot of the

players are capable of scoring and playing a big bowl. But Les Gillett

is just playing so solid here. Will there be three or a four opportunity

available to him? He should think about four singles. Yes, he will be

happy with that at the moment. That will do the job. At the moment Les

will keep on doing what he has been doing if he can. Getting good bowls

in. He is under the line with this one,

I think. Tapping the Red Bull is not going to make any difference. It was

a good first bowl. There is a temptation for Les to play his

forehand. It is difficult to finish on the

centre line. Three good bowls from Les, but one for Macs. -- maximum.

He is going to get inside and that is where he wants to be. That was a

really good bowl by Alex Marshall. That was very vulnerable and Les

could have played it out with anyone he wanted. Two greens and a very