Ladies' Singles Semi-Final World Indoor Bowls Championships

Hello and welcome to the World Indoor Bowls Championships. So far

this week, two finals on the blue rink, won in dramatic circumstances.

The action has kept this crowd on the edge of their seats. He is

drawing for the match. Is he running?

I was within two inches of the jack and he played a wonder bowl, so you

raise your hand and say congratulations. Not champion for

nothing. The thrilling action so far this

week. Two fascinating match-ups for you live on BBC Two. The defending

champion Nick Brett against 71 Scot Charles Bence. And the defending

champion in the ladies singles Alan Faulkner takes on Janice Gower, in

the semifinal for the first time. -- Ellen Falkner.

BBC commentator David Corkill, alongside me. Let's talk about those

two finals we have seen so far. Yesterday, perhaps as good a match

as I have ever seen in the pairs. Yes, the best pairs I have seen I

have to say. It had everything, drama all the way right down to the

end. Paul was absolutely right, if you lose to a bowl like Mickey

played, you have to raise your hands and say well done. Hopefully we will

get more excitement today. Ellen Falkner against Janice Gower, she

has won the title three times before. What can we expect?

Defending champions, it's always hard to come back and defend the

title. Janice has been here and practised a lot, Ellen 's CV is

three pages long, so much information! She is just back from

New Zealand, where she has been very successful. The other match, Nick

Brett against Charles Bence. People used to think bowls is a game for

the elderly, but Charles is actually one of the players who does not

conform to the normal, because most of the players are younger and he is

a rarity these days, it seems. Very much so. At this level, most of the

players are in their 20s, 30s and 40s, the key moment to win

championships. But it's a great story, you enter and play, and

suddenly he is going against the best in the world. That is coming up

live on BBC Two. We will show you a match that took place earlier, the

former 2013 world champion Stuart Anderson was up against Graham

McKee. Only one separated them, but the gulf of experience was much

greater. 30-year-old Graham McKee was making his first appearance in

the second round, against Anderson, 31, the champion in 2013. Anderson's

runner in the first end gave him a triple and he took the first four

ends to build up a seven-shot advantage. Graham McKee won the next

three but went into the last end trailing by four. He was unable to

conjure a miracle with his last, leaving Anderson to secure the first

set 11-4. The qualifier had seen world champion Andy Thompson in the

first round. A repeat looked unlikely as Anderson made a full

house in the third end of second set. Graham McKee failed to register

another end, and Anderson Silva a comfortable win with another three

shots, and he is in the quarterfinals where he will meet the

winner of Nick Brett and Charles Bence. -- Anderson sealed.

It's Nicky Brett against Charles Bence this afternoon and it promises

to be a cracking match. We can catch up with the man who is 71 and from

Scotland, and he knocked out Mark Doors in the first round. Charles

Bence. I was born in Motherwell. June four,

1945. I used to play football at school. I

had an ankle injury. That was that done. I used to play golf. Since I

had a heart attack seven years ago, I've not played since. I played

darts as well when I was 20. I qualified for the world finals at

Livingston. Went to the Scottish finals in front of 300 folk. That

was it! I was too nervous. The nerves got the better of me. My

mother was a bowler, my mum started at 40, my dad played up until 90. He

had an accident on the Bowling green, and I said, that's enough,

you can come and watch but you're not playing. He stopped playing at

90. He didn't take it up until he was about 70, 60 odd. I enjoy my

bowls. This has been a brilliant experience. Absolutely great. The

crowd here has been absolutely perfect. Brilliant. The support I've

had, after I came off... Even English supporters, well done, well

done, when's your next game? They kept asking me that. I'm here for

the entire fortnight. I used to say it was an old man's game when I was

younger. Now I'm an old man... It's good. Really good fun. I've always

said, you always lose more than you win. You have a good day, you have a

bad day. I have watched Mick for the last three or four years. -- Nick. I

have watched them all. But to play against him is absolutely brilliant.

The pressure will be more on Nick than me. He will not want to get

beat by a 71 old man. No pressure on me. -- 71-year-old man. I am not a

defeatist. I will give 100%. If I win, I win. If I lose, I lose. What

a story. Started playing about three decades ago, survived a heart attack

seven years ago and here he is on the biggest stage of the sport of

indoor bowls, against the number one ranked player and defending

champion, Nicky Brett. Loads of pressure as a defending

champion in the first game and it showed. His opponent played some

really good stuff, had to find a few big bowls in the first and second

set, just found enough at the right time luckily. The last couple of

years, I've managed to find a way to win rather than find a way to lose,

and that makes a huge difference at important times in the set. The

eighth end, when you have to have the last bowl to make two to get

within striking distance to grab a draw out of a set which you haven't

really been a part of. I've just learnt to find a way, hang on when

it hasn't been going my way. I know very little about Charlie, to be

fair. A fantastic win in the first round, which I'm sure he is still on

cloud nine about. I'm sure he's looking forward to his next game. I

don't know much about him, I'm going to pay him as much respect as anyone

else on tour and play as well as I can, because he has earned the right

to be here. Now you are in the thick of it, you have to hit the ground

and keep moving forward, find some good bowls. If he plays a good one,

tried to beat it quickly and not let it build up against you. Now is the

time to step right into the tournament and get my A game going.

Will it be business as usual for the defending champion Nicky Brett or

will we witness the fairy tale of the week with Charlie Bence. Our MC.

First to a real character, who at the tender age of 71 is the oldest

person ever to qualify for this event. So there is hope for you lot!

Will you please welcome Charlie Bence.

This world number one has proven time and again what a formidable

opponent he can be. The recently crowned mixed pairs match play and

defending world indoor singles champion, the world number one,

Nicky Brett! 29 years the difference between

these players. I wonder what kind of match-up they will provide? To

describe the action, three-time former world champion in the singles

Andy Thompson alongside Corky. What a story. I had a long chat with

Charlie and he is really looking forward to it. It's a dream, really.

A fantastic story, up against the world number one live on TV, it is

wonderful for Charlie, he is the big star today. Jack length 29.5 metres.

As he said, he has absolutely nothing to lose.

71, he's recovered well from the heart attack a few years ago to come

back and play bowls at a competitive level. Nick Brett has played a lot

of matches on the single rink. So it's going to be a fairly nervous

end or two for Charlie until he settles into things. He prefers

Charlie rather than Charles. When his mother was alive, she was the

only one to call him Charles. I agree, David, he has to come out of

the traps fairly quickly. Have to make sure he starts well, Charlie.

Doesn't want Nicky to get away. Nick is very much one of the players

who will give Charlie full respect. I think most of them would anyway to

be truthful. Very easy to say this is a match where you can put a name

down into the next round, but he doesn't treat things like that. He

will get out there and look to play a good game. Charlie beat Mark

Dawes, in the previous round, and Nicky has a lot of respect. If

Charlie beat him, he is a good player. Are you running? Just under.

A little bit of both. Nick will be delighted with this

start. He has gone deep. Happy with three in the head. A position ball.

Maybe worth Charlie thinking about having a little go at this, try to

remove something. A hard draw shot. The last bowl of the Ning, Charlie

trails the jack. A perfect trail. -- of the inning.

That is the key in many ways, you want to get that shot on the board,

then you can relax a little bit. The players are allowed 30 minutes for.

I was watching Charlie practising, and he was playing well. -- before.

That bowl wasn't a fluke. Jack length 27.5 metres.

He was telling me the young players at his club call him Chico. His

midnight. We will stick to Charles. For everybody watching at his home

club, he has started the second end extremely well. -- his nickname.

Just to correct something from another match. Stuart Anderson, I

should know better than to believe everything on the profile...

Blantyre, he is in. The same club as Charlie. Absolutely. I stand

corrected, I got a couple of messages. The moral of the story,

don't believe everything you read. He has been there a few years now.

He will be looking at this to see who he is going to play in the next

round. Two touchers. Wasting no time. Great strike. Hits

the target often. Plenty of room all around it.

Just have to wait a second until they sort out the toucher in the

ditch. And the jack to go back on. Charlie was on the mat, ready to go.

I favour one green. Most players would probably be

playing the backhand, but it is his choice. Sweeping away very early.

You need to be crossing the middle line about three or four metres

before the jack. That last bowl has probably forced Nicky onto the

forehand side. Crossing the centre line at that

point. Charlie on the other side now, Andy. A chance to pick up the

jack if he is heavy. He was encouraging it forward. Not

far away. Oh, yes, what a shot. Brilliant stuff.

Nicky, attacking. On the high side. The bowl in the ditch... A single.

Many people feeling quite happy about Charlie being here, not least

Andy of course! I'm waiting for the next sentence to come out! It's

always good to know you are not the oldest in the tournament, isn't it!

I thought you might make reference to that! Yes, nice that somebody

else is older than me. Charlie definitely not in his

twilight years if he is playing in qualifying. It is not easy. Where

did he qualify from? Falkirk? Probably. Easy enough to check.

People travel around to qualify but they try to keep them within their

own countries. Charlie will certainly not be

wanting to leave it to his last bowl again.

A little white. -- a little white dot indicates that it is a toucher,

so if it goes into the ditch, it stays live. If it goes into the

ditch without touching the jack, it's taken away and forms no further

part in the end. He's picked the pace up really well,

Nicky, right away. Into his groove. Two and a half feet.

Just had to run. Lacking a yard of pace. Once again, we'll have to play

a big last bowl. The only problem is there's a certain amount of good

bowls in the locker, you don't want to be dipping into it every end. No,

because you are going to fail eventually. That was a bit heavy.

He's having a wee clot after it. He will get a nickname of last bowl

Charlie. -- trot. Mark Dawes, sitting at home thinking, well,

welcome to my world, Nicky! Again the last bowl draws the shot and

it's difficult for Nick to get at. A little run down beforehand. Not

easy. -- the forehand. A good try. Really good effort.

Another single, another last bowl. He's enjoying this, Charlie. He

certainly is now! I'm just not sure how long it's

going to be, Andy, before I call him Charles dance. It's only a matter of

time. If he does win, there will be a jig, never mind a dance. I'm sure

everyone back in Blantyre will be watching and enjoying every minute.

A great start. Once again, Nick putting in good

bowls. Very steady. He will be very much aware of the fact that's what

he'll keep doing until there is a mistake somewhere. The trouble is

that's not always guaranteed. I don't think Nick will be pressing

the panic button quite yet. But he is aware that he's in a game here. A

good effort from Charlie. Close. Shot. Well played. Waving it in.

Good again. He wants the jack this time. Well played.

Les Gillett up in the green seats. Applauding that bowl from Nicky.

Charlie running after it, he must like it. In the area again but just

slipping under. A good try. What a tough audience, groaning! How

far away? 18 inches away and barely got a murmur. They are hard today.

Expectations are high. Good again from Nicky. Not sure if

it's number two, but we will find out. Two red. Two it is. Charlie

will have to be reaching through this one, but no guarantee if he

hits the target that he's going to score. But he is two down so can't

be any worse off. Probably just a draw on the forehand. Got it away

with five seconds to spare. Had to pull back quick. Could

promote. Well played again! He's had some unease shots taken off

him already in this match. -- so many shots. Charlie just look up to

the commentary box, absolutely loving this! Saying, what on earth?

Nicky has played a good end and he is still down.

Both players are enjoying this. A very good bowl by Nick. Nick will be

thinking, I've done very little wrong and I could have been 4-0

down. Darren Burnett, up in the players'

lounge. Billy Anderson beside him, Stuart's father, and there he is,

with his fiancee Claire. Anderson, waiting on the winner

here, looking at this game with a lot of interest.

If Charlie was to win, the whole of Blantyre will be down for that one.

There would be no seats available. Almost sold out here.

It is a good start for both players. Something in there, about half a

yard away. Bit of a mixture between yards and metres, we can't help it.

All the measurements are done in metres. Just to be consistent with

the Southern Hemisphere as well, but we still talk in the arts. -- in

yards. That is the way we have been brought up. 15 centimetres. I think

they are all struggling to work that out. Six inches. We will stick to

inches and feet, that is closer. He is going to drop. Yes. He is looking

in expectation. Ten inches short of jack hi. Favours one green. There

you go. A clear path and he is OK. Yes, that is good. That is the

beauty. Right in front, you can see the jack. A good call by Dan

Fletcher. He had a tricky couple of measures to look at yesterday and

questions to be answered. He got them spot on. It was not easy.

Again, that was a good call. You could say you were waiting for

the opportunity for Nick to pick up a counter. He had to force his way

to get one last time. Nick will be trying to add another, knowing full

well how good Charlie is with his last ball. He has done so much

damage, hasn't he? Just the one down, but probably sticking to the

backhand drop. I think he prefers the backhand side. I think he is

also looking at the Gap and the possibility of running the ball out

on the forehand. -- bowl. In the back. This one I think is going a

bit on the quick side. No one ball heroics from this side.

There you go. I think Charlie is saying to Nick, you need glasses. He

is telling the world number one he needs glasses to look at measures.

Brilliant! Nick is normally quite good as well. He is, but there was a

big distance on that one. He will take that all in good heart, he

really will, but that is just brilliant. It is very important.

It's the biggest event in the indoor calendar and I have two said Charlie

is just enjoying every minute of it. He is having a ball. He just needs

to keep his concentration because he is a dangerous player, this man from

Scotland. A good correction from Nicky.

Charlie once again is on a very good line. One red. Both players are

quick on the mark, David. No hanging about here. Good to see. Nick Brett

is particularly fast I have to say. With Paul Foster, if he was playing

him, it wouldn't take long. Good to see. In recent years it has been

difficult to cover them on the mat because they are so quick. Time to

stop. I think he is under the line with this one, Charlie.

Quite a deliberate shop. Nick to go on the side after the respot

position. Rightly so, Nicky puts the back bowl in, just in case he took a

gamble. He needs to pass the short bowl. He

looks to be under. Just wait really. Just a single. Still, six ends, 5-3.

Still in the game. Still a lot to play for here in the last three

ends. Jack length 26.5 metres. I think Charlie thought about a

change of hands, but is sticking to what he knows. Perfect line. It just

needs to run. We knew it was close. The line once again for Charlie

Bence. Is he running? Make giving it a chance this time. A

narrower line. Looking for at least second. Through the gap, but a

second bowl. That will force Charlie onto his forehand, but it will block

the path. He could try it on the forehand side.

Not a bad bowl that. Looking for the jack. Nicky running down. He doesn't

want to lose any time-outs. He's still got 20 seconds. He is on the

inside. He needs to have a lot away. I think he is running with this one.

Not running enough. He does not want to turn the green one end. Oh, my,

that could be two. That is a mistake at this stage in the game, Andy.

Yes. He was always under. A good chance to score a three and take the

lead two ends to go. Well, his line is very good. Urging

the ball up. No bad thing in some respects. Happy to take the double

and level the score 5-5. Two good last bowls from Charlie. There will

be time shortly when Nicky will be thinking I'm not enjoying this as

much as I should be really. But yes, good on them both. A bit of pressure

on Nicky. Jack length 27 metres. That is a yard short. No real reason

to change, but I think Charlie is changing to the forehand. That last

bowl of Nick's was in the way. Up on before hand side now for Charlie. --

on the forehand side. APPLAUSE One of the rare excursions onto this

site. He needs help with this one. Oh, dear, Nick, you are in trouble

here. Yes. He realises this is getting tough now, especially if

Charlie puts this one on top of the jack. He knew right away he was

under. He is holding up, I tell you that, but he might get the plant

with his own bowl. That is not going to help. Two shots. Not an easy path

in here for Nick. He has to be confident to go out on the wide

side. He really needs this one in. His own bowl has just dropped down.

He can punch it in for second. One green. He's in trouble, and he knows

it. Charlie going back to the backhand. There is still room to

draw this on the backhand side. He has thrown the bowl out. It's all

about pace. The pace is good here. Just needs to stop. Chuck it through

a little bit. A couple of chances on the forehand side. Draw the shot or

Paul Shaw own bowl in. It had trouble with the first two

deliveries, Nicky. I'm not sure this is going to come back in time. Bence

is going to take a 1-shot advantage. That would've been a very

interesting bet to tick off a few people. He was long odds to win the

game. Nick is still smiling. Oh, it is

dead on the edge. 28 metres. Goodness me, is it Charlie's day.

That took the smile off his face. 6-5 up against the world champion,

playing the last set of the last end. What would he give for a front

touch now? Not for away. A good opener.

He was infused about what he had been doing over the years will stop

he was in coach building and various other things he's done over his life

span. Fascinating. The line is very good. Nick will

need another one in. He has certainly push this one out. Lots of

work to do to get inside the green one. Here it comes. Nick is waving

at it. Caught on the green bowl. I think it is just the one. For one

red. Once again, I think Charlie has

picked a good line. He's running after this, I think he likes it.

Very close to be shocked. Rate shop. Goodness me. -- very close to be

shot. The plant pushes the ball onto the jack. -- bowl. He could go for a

respot position. He is not getting a good results with the drive, that's

why he is playing the backhand. He has got to draw within seven or

eight inches. He might have taken a risk, just to open it up and give

himself the last bowl. Charlie has got a good shot. He

catches the red onto the green. He is walking down and he is just

smiling at everyone. Time-outs as well. Now the concentration comes

in. It's important. If he gets this, well, it is monumental. We will see

the plant in a minute. Lining himself up for the big one here.

He is close. He's got it, he's got it. What a shot! Paul Foster is

sitting there thinking, what is going on here? Fantastic! Well,

Nicky, you'll have to repeat exactly the same bowl is your third bowl.

Charlie will have to wait to see if he has won the opening set. He is

not happy with that. It looks heavy to me. It is to heavy. Opening set

to Charlie Bence. What a story. Regardless of what happens now,

David, this is fantastic! It is certainly fantastic for us, Andy.

Fantastic to be commentating on a match like this. Darren Burnett is

watching and thinking, what on earth is happening? Nick Brett, dear, oh

dear. I think also there hasn't been one flick. He has played really

well, I'd agree. A good standard of bowling really. Both players have

played well. There he goes again. Two inch gap to your shot bowl.

Still keep the backhand, Charlie. Try to draw another.

I think that might set up the heavy bowl now. Good advice for Charlie

would be to get behind the jack. Just needs to make the gap. Good

bowling though. Yes, very good bowling. Tidy staff. I'm not sure if

the angle will take his own bowl Alps, so sticking to the draw. --

bowl out. If he gets the green one, the red is going to lock. Just

enters the group... Six bowls played. Good bowling.

Passing ahead with this bowl. That is a good bowl. Good bowls, good

tactics. He knew he needed a back bowl. These matches aren't long

enough to bring in fatigue. Matches years ago used to be three hours

long. Lots of pressure and difficult to keep things going. These are

pretty quick matches now. Not that that will help Charlie. An hour and

a half maximum. That's a bit dangerous.

It is only the start of the second set, but there is no sign of Charlie

losing the line and weight. He is continuously playing to a high

standard. Nicky Brett has got the game here now, no question about

that. Didn't look desperately happy with

that bowl when it left his hand, but it's coming up. It is close.

Slightly under the line. It might make the gap. Close to the second.

One green and a measure. Yes, a good call again.

Well, still a backhander off of Nicky. Try to beat his last bowl and

that would have secured a shot. I'm not sure he is going to reach this,

anti. The hype is good, but... Struggling for pace. -- Andy. He

will start to not enjoy this game if Charlie keeps playing well.

Charlie changing to the forehand. I don't think he needed to, but he

could still draw the shots. I suppose he is looking at his own

bowls. Any touching the jack will guarantee another shot. That is good

enough. It is not looking good for Nicky Brett. The last bowl has

stopped back and dropped just in front of the jack. This is awkward

for Nicky. He is playing his favourite forehand side. It looks to

be under. He doesn't want to hit the green one. Oh, that was a result!

That has definitely taken one of them off. I think he has gotten away

with that. Charlie will be thinking, I could

have been 4-0 ahead. Exactly. Very fortuitous. World champion in

trouble. That's what he needs. The gap on the

shot bowl, 3.5 inches. Charlie has had the answer most of the time Nick

was lying three and four. Took a lot off him with the last bowl often,

but you have to keep doing it. Eventually you think he's going to

miss one. That's what Nicky will be hoping, really.

One red, measure. Enjoying this. Nick is really going to have his

game face on. He certainly has. Serious now. Charlie just needs to

keep the weight from the previous delivery. Not bad, just sliding

under. May have got second. Nick would do

well to draw one a foot short and block the way in for the draws. Has

only had to drive once, albeit a 100% record.

Not running. That's a mistake. Even on the draw line, just something to

get in the way. Yes, that's not in the way, Charlie has a clear run to

the jack. Nothing in the way on the backhand, so it is the backhand

draw. That's what I was saying, just

something to block the way in. One green. Once again, Nick Brett is in

trouble. The last bowl has been unbelievably good for Charlie.

Charlie takes a single, 3-0 in front after three. Started the second set

the way he did the first set. Charlie dominating. That's big,

isn't it? LAUGHTER.

They thought the jack was in the ditch there. A couple of times he's

done that, just stopping on the edge. I just wonder, is it Charlie's

day? Could be. Nicky is starting to get a little bit serious now. He

knows Charlie is absolutely revelling in this atmosphere and

playing rate bowls. -- great bowls. My goodness, fantastic.

He's got his supporters in the crowd absolutely loving it. I'm sure every

Scotsman will be just really enjoying this afternoon so far. I

bet there will be no bowling going on at the Blantyre club, they'll be

watching this. Very close... Afternoon play

suspended, I think, at Blantyre. The gap is about three and a half

inches. Very unlucky! With no touch he was

getting the bowl. Nick was looking for the green bowl.

Doesn't want to bring it out in the open...

APPLAUSE. He has brought out the jack, and

this is definitely worth playing down at.

Well... He's going to have to have a bit of weight on that line.

Last bowl Charlie about to step into it. Just a draw to pick up the jack.

Charlie is looking at it, looks to be wide. Only just. A good try.

Nick will keep his head down and try to draw another one.

If he can draw a third, it will follow the pattern of the first set.

Nicky certainly won't want the pattern of the remainder of the set.

A good line. All about pace. Still, he's on the card. In the

fourth end. Didn't think I'd be saying that too often. I wonder if

Nicky will be changing the length of the jack. Charlie is happy with the

longish jack. I would be going short.

Definitely shortened it. Quite rightly so. Trying to put Charlie

off his stride a bit. Scotland's well-known for having

great success in bowls. Arguably their most successful spot, Andy.

Yes, many famous bowlers. Marshall, Foster... Anderson. Talented

country. Willie Wood in the past. Richard Corsi. So many of them.

Bought back a lot of medals from many events. Success at world indoor

level. Maybe we are looking at a new world champion, Charlie Bence. He's

not failing, is the? -- is he? Hugh Duff. So many world champions from

Scotland. Not the best result. He probably

would have been better without the touch. Just got the nick, moved the

jack. He will be happy. There is room to draw the shot now.

Very rare we get two players from the same club. Anderson is watching

this match. He will no Charlie obviously and realise that he is a

very good player. -- he will know. At 71 is of age, he is a new name to

us. -- years of age. We haven't seen Charlie about, but he's played the

sport for many years. Loving this limelight.

Wasn't sure if he was going to make the full distance. The choice is for

Charlie to draw it or drive it out. We know he can drive accurately, so

that is worth it. The Langham glass trophy. Nick will not be looking at

that much at the moment. Charlie sticking to the draw. Looks to be

under. One more roll would have been

costly. You never want that to happen to any

player. 3-3, no guarantee who is going to

win this set. Stuart Anderson and his fiancee Claire, just sitting and

watching, thinking, what is going on? He will be saying, there's my

Blantyre colleague there. Come on, Charlie, I want to play you in the

next round! Nicky's got himself back into this

set. Just to let our viewers know in

Scotland, we will be leaving you fairly shortly for Politics

Scotland. For an hour. But we'll let you know when it's time to push the

red button and keep with us for this intriguing match. In a few minutes,

I'll let you know. Well, a good position for Nick,

conscious of the fact that the jack could be turned around the corner

and he would lose two. So a slightly wider line. Needs the extra weight

to carry it. You can't do much better than that.

Good bowling from Nick. We saw a big drive from Charlie in the first set.

Winding himself up for the drive. He let that one go a little bit

early. A little bit wild. You could see it out of the hand. The first

one was nice and clean, but that one bomb its way down a bit. Nick has to

think about this, even the back position I'm not sure is a benefit

to him. I don't think he will be going near

the head this time, I think this will be around the back. That would

be to cover the respot. Looks like he's trying to get another one. He

could make this head even bigger. BBC Two viewers in Scotland, please

move over to the red button as we make room for Politics Scotland for

an hour. We will be leaving you in about a

minute or so. Charlie's last bowl to come down. It has to be a strike

again, David. He's at least three down. Can't be any worse off.

Changing onto the forehand, a wider target. He has pulled it. Across the

body, too fast, lost control of it. Too anxious with his two drives

there, Charlie. Nicky Brett looking good for the second set.

Three singles gets Charlie into the quarterfinals, so the man from

Blantyre is not far away from the biggest upset in bowls I can

remember. So, Nick Brett with a three-shot

cushion with three ends to go. The world number one, still under

severe pressure. As you say, David, Charlie only needs three shots in

the final three ends. Nicky shaking his head, he knows he's in a game

here. Charlie has the advantage, thinking,

well, even if I drop this set, we've got a tie-break.

Correction made. Just don't think it's close enough, though.

I tell you what, Andy, if Charlie's looking for a new set of bowls next

year, he will have no problem getting one. Sponsors will be

queueing up. That's very good from Nicky. It's going to make this

awkward for Charlie. Two inches short of Jack high.

It's a lot safer and more secure now for Nick Brett.

A good line. He's given this a go. Very close.

Well played, Charlie. Changes to the forehand, draws the perfect shot.

Unbelievable bowl there. Trying to tap it and move the jack

out. Not running. Hasn't pushed it. Not far, but he's

going to lose the shot, and this would be a good time to walk away.

100%, David. Quite right. Still enjoying it.

A delightful man to chat to. A real character.

Definitely enjoying life. No doubt about that.

Two more singles for Charlie to get himself into the quarterfinal. From

the last end, three singles does it, and he does an awful lot of damage

with that last bowl. Certainly does. It was the third bowl on that

occasion, but it ended up being the last bowl of that end. Jack length

27.5 metres. A good weight starter. Three and a

half feet. David Gourlay relaxing, a bit of music on.

Not sure, it might be the Dow Jones or something. No, I think it is

music, I did ask him. You never know with David. In the meantime, Charlie

draws the shot. It's always going to be difficult

for any champion to come in and defend his title. The extra pressure

of playing a qualifier... Good bowl to get back in. Still wide open,

though. One red. At the start of the game, Nicky was probably enjoying

it. But it dawns on him now, the way Charlie's playing, he could be

knocking him out, and that won't be a pleasant experience for Nicky.

Charlie likes it. Doesn't get back in time.

Could force Nick back onto the backhand. A certain amount of danger

if he hits the green, it would drop in towards the jack. He needs the

inside of it to drop it out for two. Has to be careful...

He's given it away. That was a dangerous shot, Andy. One green.

Yes, it was. Nicky will be kicking himself. As you said, David, there

was danger by slicing the jack. He has given the shot away. Not happy.

There's been very, very little good luck and bad luck in this match,

it's all been good bowling. Had four seconds to spare, Charlie, with that

last one, which is probably why he has rushed it. Was looking at the

shot clock. I think Nick will drive it. I really do. If he gets the bowl

onto the jack, it's not going to be good, cause the back bowl has stayed

on. What if he gets it clean, it's worth a double which would almost

secure the set. He can't afford to lose three.

Could go the stadium-macro... -- could go wrong. What a bowl.

Picked it out perfectly. Scores two and almost certainly secures the

second set. Shot of the day, for me. Absolutely

fantastic. No margin of error. The bowl onto the jack was a disaster,

but he clips the bowl, perfect strike.

A big blow of the cheeks, understandable as well.

Such a big shot that you are able to call on. If you have so much

confidence in the forehand run, knowing that you hit the target nine

out of ten, must be such a big advantage to be able to do that.

Greg Harlow and his forehand in particular saves an awful lot of

matches with the running bowl of his. Nicky is probably as accurate

as anybody, I would say. He is indeed. Well, Charlie, you need to

score a four. The right place to begin with. Yes, can't fault him on

that. Charlie's just got to make sure...

He is running at this. If this goes off the green, that's the end of the

set. I think that will be it. Second set, Nick Brett. Just dropped

in. Fair play, Charlie. It's a tie-break

to get into the quarterfinal. What's interesting about this, Andy,

whenever you look at the scoreline and say, well, 10-4 for Nick in the

second set, that was comfortable, but he was one bowl away from being

in a heap of trouble. Exactly. I think Nick has played well enough to

probably deserve a tie-break. But as we know, tie-breaks are

sometimes the toss of a coin. Just needs one good bowl. He more than

deserves it, simply on the basis of Charlie playing so many good last

bowls, he must have been in a lot of trouble. And Nick was putting him in

trouble. Jack length 25.5 metres. My goodness me, both players have been

playing well in this match. A slightly different tactic from

Charlie, he has brought the Matthew Bobbin mat further up the green. He

has been playing a longish length quite well. When you shorten the

jack, that's quite often the case in normal club bowls, but not the case

on the portable rink. You have to push it out wide and let it come

back. Nick taking advantage. Still not that close, but a good start.

He has made adjustments for this one. He has got chances here. As he

got the gap? Well, he gave it a chance. The tie-break, three ends.

It doesn't matter about cumulative shots, it's just about the win at

the end. Well, Charlie, if I was you, I would try and run this jack

into the ditch. As you say, it doesn't matter if it is one, two,

three of four. Just go for the jack. Close. Oh, goodness me that was

close! An inch or two away. Nick Brett will be tapping his chest on

that one. That was close that drive. He certainly got that one way better

and more accurately. Very close. It just nips the bowl. Brett needs

another one in there because that bowl could disappear. At the same

time, a back bowl would help. He knows this is not doing anything

unless he blocks Charlie out. I don't think so. He is waving it

away. That is a nervy one, isn't it? Anything behind was useful. Same

bowl again. Into the ditch with the bowl. Charlie's bowl will hit the

other one and follow it in. The angle is perfect. He is making sure

he is getting a lot of oxygen in, isn't he. He is taking his time. If

he gets this right, he will end up in the ditch and he will be very

close to it. I think he is under, Alessi is fortunate. -- unless he is

fortunate. Not this time. Nicky had to have a slight toucher to win the

end. Tactically, Charlie played it just right. That was the close one.

The final delivery slightly portly bowl across. Still a chance. Just

needs to win the last two ends. Jack length 28.5 metres.

Every sport has its hub for world level events. This is the indoor

bowls hub at Potters Resort. Crown Green has the Waterloo. This is the

biggest occasion for us. Outdoor many years ago used to be working.

Yes, there was Leamington. Scotland and of course they will be coming

over to the outdoor. There will be Northern Ireland as for this summer.

Trying again, just needs to stay in front. He has done a lot of damage

with the backhand, Charlie. Yes, he has played it well. He needs one

good bowl here. The line is good. How is the pace, Charlie?

Nik looking to get behind the jack with this one. Not even attempting

to pull it around the corner, he is just going deep. I don't think he

should be running at this jack. Just a drop. He is playing his backhand

so well and you expecting to draw with one of the two bowls. This

looks close to drawing the winner. He has drawn it. He has just played

his backhand too well. Nick Brett is in trouble again. Goodness me. And

we thought the players was exciting. Nick has three time-outs remaining.

He has to reach it, he has no choice. I don't know if he may try

to draw it. It's quite a difficult shot. Not many people tend to get

this. Is that up? He is under. Definitely under with this one.

Definitely not something right about it. Yes, and Nick knows it. Charlie

Bence has taken the world number one defending champion all the way. He

is doing it with good roles. He is. Nick left him to draw the shot on

the backhand and he did. -- with good bowls. He is just drawing too

well. Yes, he is. I think he has gone probably 27, 28

metres for this one. Jack length 27.5 metres. We have got a good view

here. Everyone is gathering around. We have all the press people,

everyone here waiting for the biggest story we've had for many

years. Should we call this the vultures nest? Yes! Do we have the

biggest story in a long time? Once again, Nick is doing everything

right. He has played very well today. Charlie is doing so much

damage with one bowl in particular, but on a few occasions it has been

more than that. He needs one good bowl to get himself into the

quarterfinals. This needs to stop. Ten singles Charlie has scored in

this match and one double. Two loose openers for Charlie, but you can

understand that. The rule change again in the third end of the

tie-break. They can destroy the end, but you can have too nominated

first. You can nominate as often as you wish, but you are only allowed

to destroy once. He is shaking head there. Nick's first is 14 inches. He

knows that is not close enough. Charlie couldn't be thinking about

running the bowls? No, it must be a draw. He has changed to the

forehand. He has signalled to the audience that this is the shot. Is

he getting back? The years. He has drawn the shop. My goodness made. --

my goodness me! Did he really signalled that? He did. Well done,

Charlie. He needs to be up, he really needs to be up... Two red,

but it is in a good place. He is shaking his head. I can't blame him.

He is just shaking his head! Going for it... Oh, he is under. It has

gone. Unlucky. Charlie Bentz, what an effort. A big smile on his face,

clapping his hands. Nick Brett has been tested right to the last bowl.

What man, what a player. A standing ovation for the 71-year-old from

Blantyre and so it should be. That was hard and he dug deep. Good game,

good win. That is as difficult as Nick Brett will ever wanted to be

and it just proves what can be done in our wonderful sport of bowls.

Into the qualifiers, you play through, you win your matches, you

play the best in the world and you do play the best in the world and

you test them right to the last moment. Nicky Brett is, well I have

to say he played very well in that match, very disciplined, but he

enjoyed it immensely. Just over the line. 2-1 and Nick Brett through to

the quarterfinal. Charlie Bence arrived with one thing in mind that

was to enjoy himself. My goodness did he ever. Started off with three

singles and charity could play the running bowl. Shot after shot.

Beautiful drawers, nothing lucky at all. Really good quality staff as

Nick Brett piled on the pressure. But he had to come up with the big

ones as well. Pushed the bowl out for two. Charlie just missed with

his last delivery to take the red broad-macro outs. Nick is saying

waved to the crowd. What a fantastic match for Charlie Bence.

He has done Scotland proud. Blantyre will be having a party in his name.

And they are able to share a laugh after that fantastic match which had

the audience on their feet and rightly so. We are going to talk to,

and no offence, Nicky, the star of the day. Charlie Bence, 71 years

old. Can I just asked what you are feeling right now? Amazing. It is

great. I enjoyed the game. You had him on the ropes. You got very

close. Most importantly, you played brilliantly today. It is the best I

have played for a while. I had to put Nick under pressure. In the

media we always try to build things up to hype it a little bit and we

certainly did for this match and we thought that the pressure of playing

on television, the big crowd here might have a negative effect, but

you seem to take to it like a duck to water will stop I was nervous at

first. Once I is a pull-down and me and Nicky started talking, it was

all right, I was fine. Did he think he

would win? I thought I had him. He is brilliant. He had to be brilliant

to get over the line. The atmosphere and sportsmanship between the two

review has fantastic. Charlie was fantastic, great on the green. I

learned some new words as well. Kerning or whatever that is. Someone

before moments between the two of you. What was happening between the

two of you? I had just had my eyes tested and he was telling me I

needed to do it again. Did you feel nervous playing against Charlie

today? I wish I could swear. Unbelievable. There was lots of

pressure in there for me, finding a couple of good ones. Every time I

found one, he beat it. You are the number one player in the world and

the defending champion, have you experienced anything like this match

in your lifetime? No. Why was it so different? I don't know really.

Charlie had nothing to lose and he played great, to be honest. He just

played fantastic. I did not know what to expect and I still don't!

Charlie, come back next year? Hopefully. I've got to qualify yet.

Make sure you do because we would love to see something like that once

again. Ladies and gentlemen, Charlie Bence and Nicky Brett. Nicky,

congratulations. What a match we have just seen at Potters. Nicky

Brett is through to the quarterfinals and he has joined the

likes of Stewart Anderson, Greg Harlow, Jamie Chestney and Paul

Foster in the last eight. Of course David Gourlay still has the plane

Neil Furman. Darren Burnett plays Mervyn King and Les Gillett against

Alex Marshall. A reminder that tennis highlights from the

Australian open are coming up next on BBC Two at 4:45pm once the bowls

are done and dusted. And you conceive them match between any

Stanton and Katherine Rednall later. We are concentrating on the first of

those ladies semis. Just to show you the draw, of course any Stanton and

Katherine Rednall came through and they are playing tonight, but this

afternoon Ellen Falkner defeated Claire Johnston. First up we are

going to hear from the defending champion. She has won the title

three times here at Potters. It's Ellen Falkner. I take myself away

from everything that is going on, a bit of quiet time. I make sure I put

in the time practising and try and really get your head in the right

place out there. I do like to practice, I do like to get time out

there on the rink to see how I am responding. You have to go out there

with an open mind. The Green can change. You have the adrenaline and

everything else going on. You do have to have a game plan, but

equally you have to be prepared to change it as the game unfolds. You

are just both of the -- you are just totally focused on that shot. That's

the secret. Don't let anything else get into your minds, nothing

negative. It's about training your mind to be automated at that point

of delivery. I love the sport, I love playing it, I love playing it

at the top level and I have been fortunate with the opportunities I

have had. To me it is about game by game. It is cliched, but it's about

taking one game at the time and focusing on your performance and not

worrying too much about the outcome. All the titles I have managed to win

have been hard-fought, really tough games. Great competitors. They have

always been difficult and challenging and if you just believe,

you can lift the title. For the third time in her career, Ellen

Falkner! In reality I've played in a number of tournaments all over the

world. I have been back here, but not one played the final. YouGov or

the experience together and to be honest, it's probably even more

special when you win it for the third time when there has been that

gap because you know it is not easy, it's really difficult things to go

your way. Janice will be going out there and giving it absolutely

everything. She qualified in the open singles and she has probably

had more green time than myself. She is playing extremely well. You have

got to be to qualify in the open event and I hope it will be a good

game. The hunger and desire for success leads you to perform to the

best of your ability. There are a number of things that make a

champion and I'm certainly still trying to work it out. Ellen Falkner

trying to win the title for an amazing full-time. I swapped Korkie

for Karen Murphy. Before we talk about this semifinal, your reaction

to that match we have just seen between icky Brett and Charlie

Bence. Fantastic for television and four bowls. I thought it was

fantastic. The way he went out onto the rink, seemingly as he said he

was nervous, but he didn't show it and he got into his stride early on.

How difficult is that to do when you are faced with the cameras and

lights for the first time? It's incredibly hard. He played well and

found it really early as well. It was amazing watching Charlie Bence,

but where good to talk about the semifinal between Ellen and Janice.

You know Alan well. Trying to win it for the fourth time. What have been

the things that have made Ellen such a great player. Number one would be

mental toughness. She's a real fighter and competitor. When I have

played her and she recently beat us in the pairs in the world outdoor

Championships, it's the determination and speedy grit she

has got. The one thing I always think about is that she always seems

to find a way when her back is up against the wall. She is thinking

all the time about how she can overcome any challenge. Sign of a

true champion. You have shown that yourself. When you faced her, what

is it about her character along with her style? It is her demeanour. She

doesn't give a lot away. She is as cool as a cucumber and does not get

flustered. We are going to hear from her opponent who is two to the

semifinal for the first time. She also made it into the first round of

the mixed singles. It is hard work qualify for the main opens. You are

going to a 14 hour day. I played men or the way to get here, so to get

here and walk out on that ring, I wanted to give him a fight and I

gave him a run for his money. To have played in one of the main event

it was fantastic. Ellen is lovely. I've known her for a number of

years. What can I say about Ellen Falkner? She's probably the best

lady player in the country at the moment, both outdoor and indoor. She

has won it three times and it's not going to be easy. We have never

played each other in singles. We played each other in National 's

with team-mates, but never in singles. I'll go out the ring give

it my best and see what happens. I don't suffer a great deal from

nerves. A little bit when I walk out on the rink, but after that I'm OK.

My aim is to go out there and do my best, but particularly I want to

enjoy the experience as well. And it is something that you have to

appreciate, the opportunity to play in finals and semifinals does not

come along often. Whatever she does, she has to set it up. She is a great

player, Janice. What do you think about that game that might help her

lower Ellen's colours? She is a good draw bowler, but they both. W on the

spot. Who will come on top? I think it will be just because of her

mental toughness. Thank you very much. I think you have to go up to

the commentary box. Meanwhile we will hand over to other MC.

First to a lady who has international caps. Ladies and

gentlemen, the 2015 national pairs champion, your appreciation for

Janice Gower! And Janice takes on one of the

game's most respected players. The 2010 Commonwealth Games gold

medallist, three times and defending ladies World Matchplay champion,

ladies and gentlemen, Ellen Falkner! Ellen Falkner about to take on

Janice Gower in the first lady semifinals this year. The Potters is

still buzzing after Nicky Brett and Charlie Bevans's match. Let's head

to the commentary box. Always hard to come on after a match

like that. A standing ovation for Charlie Bence and rightly so, but

you'll find that the auditorium will fill up very quickly for this one.

Ellen Falkner, I think it is fair to say she is a firm favourite, but

also a favourite with the crowd. Definitely. Janice will have a

battle on her hands. Whoever gets off to a good start will be in good

stead for this match. A good start by Ellen. I have had

the opportunity to watch her practice, but I know that she has

been spending a lot of time on the rink. The more time you spend, the

better. It is just a matter of getting used to the line and weight

of every timing and session that you can. The rink has a tendency to

change slightly. The crowd move out, the doors open and then the comeback

again. The first half and hour things move around a lot, they

really do. It can be quite disturbing, but a very good start

for Ellen Falkner with the first two bowls. In the meantime, Karen U have

been in London for the last couple of days? Yes, we went to see the

sights of London again and talk our mate with us who is playing in the

under 25 's event at Potters here. She was excited to see Buckingham

Palace, etc. So you are being a guide? I was. It will be interesting

to see how she goes. She's a good player. She is good in our

Australian squad and has nothing to lose against the young fellows. I've

got a message from Sharon Renshaw pushing her all the best. One red

and a measure. No nerves in this first end.

Ellen Falkner's profile is or was interesting, like your own. It runs

to about three pages. I just had to pluck out some of the highlights,

but it was very difficult I have to say. There is a lot of stuff in the

ad is not easy. A good game against Claire Johnston in the first round.

Clear, of course, in the mixed pairs and well established as an

international player. Janice Gallop beat a very young Katie Smith, here

for the first time. -- Janice Gower. It ran through to a tie-break and it

was a wonderful performance from young Katie.

Having a look to see if it is one or two. Very good opening head from the

girls at the first end. No nerves around. Very close. Read measure for

second. Try and sort this out. Good first end, always a bit nervy of

course, but some very good bowls played. Touches all round. Always

like to see the calipers come out, very accurate.

Looks like green to me. One shot, Eleanor Faulkner.

Good crowd as normal. A few people have taken comfort break. They will

make their way in. It might just disturb the players, but it won't

take long. Always a difficult time over in your

home country, Karen, always packed calendar. Winning the world singles

for you? Thank you very much. Not much of a break, maybe three weeks

over Christmas where I didn't pick up a bowl for a little time. Headed

straight over to the UK. I didn't really practice at all on the carpet

over Christmas. To be honest with you, I don't blame you. It is

different in the portable rink as well. Swinging bowls, essential. It

is a change of everything in many ways. A lot of people feel it is

best to drive here and put the working when you were here. You

cannot replicate the portable rink at home. The nearest one to me is in

New South Wales. Sometimes I will go down there and roll my arm over it.

But there is nothing really like it. Very small field for this, but the

quality is well up there. Players arriving at the quarterfinal stage.

Rebecca Field. You just lost out in the last bowl. I couldn't see it

happening, but you were closer to the action and it was explained the

angle was there to take the two bowls out? Yes, covering the spot. I

thought there was more chance of jack movement. Always very hard to

know sometimes in that situation. You are left between your two shots.

We have only got the one bowl as Falkner plays the forearm. She was

close to her own bowl here. Was a tempting opportunity there to

run the bowl on the jack. Very tough. Good effort, but the

percentages were against it. Not a bad opening bowl berth from

Ellen Falkner. On the forehand. Big, swinging hand.

Comes all the way back. We always look up profiles and what people say

in them. Don't think we will see how using any other bowls? I don't think

so. Being a good mix with the different companies in the last two

weeks. But when you are chief executive of the company, it pretty

much binds you into that. There has been a good mix of different

manufacturers, which is healthy, I think. No one really dominates any

more. Maybe many years ago it was the case for other things, but

certainly from our point of view, it is good to see that competition in

there. So many good quality bowls being played. Ellen works with her

husband Chris on that. Janice has as her occupation, bowls professional.

Lying well here. One shot. This should be coming inside on the

backhand. Not quite up. I don't think Ellen will be sure to this. I

think she will be up and at them. Certainly worth reaching through it.

Very controlled. Just trying to draw it off. That is a hard shot. But she

might have been a little more positive than that. I am thinking

she might have been worried about getting her closest bowl. Yes, it

could have run that. Very difficult to draw when you are trying to get

within two inches of the jack. Ready for confirmation. Just the one

shot. One shot, Janice Gower. Has your elite squad been announced yet

for the Commonwealth Games? We are a few weeks away. By thing at the end

of January, they are announcing the squad. Will be interesting to see

who comes into that. Also, this will be the interesting bit, who comes in

for such a prestigious one where it will be held in Australia? Yes, I am

obviously hoping my name is on that list. I very much want to be on the

list. You never presume. To be honest, I wouldn't imagine there

will be a lot of change after a fairly successful World

Championships in New Zealand, recently. I think it is fair to say,

your squad went very well, as expected. Very impressed by some of

the players down there, the Australian players were well

drilled. As always. But the fast greens really do suit. Even more so

when broad bench greens. New Zealand is quite flat so they might run up

to 16 seconds, which for viewers at home, it is still very quick. But a

nice pace, more like this out here. Janice made the adjustment. Just

rolling up to the jack. Interestingly, a lot of the players

have been playing a longer length, from what I have been seeing in the

event so far. And preparing the backhand towards the commentary box

as well. -- prefer airing. Needs to worry. Will be the wrong side of the

bowl. I opted for the forehand coming back to the commentary box

because it was a little bit wider and I felt it was easier to get back

to the line. Playing on the backhand, it is quite flat. That

means it is a steady hand and everything has to be more or less

right for the draw. It is very rink, this.

A few of the players have played off the forehand. Not many. This is

close. This is very close. Needs to hurry to touch it out. It should

drop. There it goes. That dropout made the double. Very hesitant, but

eventually it got there. We are still waiting. There we go. Janice

opting to probably just draw this one. Second shot is very good for

her. Second shot would be excellent under the circumstances. Looks good

for it. Just dropped in. I would be very careful about this.

The green boulders appear to be past the jack as Ellen plays this shot.

-- green bowl does. She is being... Good idea. On the safe side. Nine

ends. Nine ends in the first set but you

really want to win, you have to be very careful. You want the board to

be ticking over. Yes, getting singles and ticking the end is over,

is all you need. It is those multiples who don't want to drop in

a game like this when the ends go so quickly. Time for me to interrogate

you on the new techniques bowls Australia has brought in for the

elite squad. Always willing to learn things like that. Interrogate away.

I wouldn't do that to you. One of our favourites in the Royal bowls

tour, Mark McMahon was part of the Australian support squad. Spent a

few hours with him at different venues. Excellent player. At the

world final one year. Yes, we are very lucky to have him on board as

our sports psychologist and what a bowls brain he has. Played on his

portable rink many times. We are very fortunate to have him on our

team. I can't possibly mention the rest of the support squad because

there is just too many of them. Anything behind is good. Don't want

to be dropping short after a good first one. Not like her. Change of

length from Ellen as well. 26 metres, is the jack length.

Not bad. Decent second. Three feet short. The shorter lengths are more

difficult for the line on this rink. Yes, they are a valuable tactic. A

lot of people might think the shorter the jack length is, the

easier it is. That's not the case. Portable rink, you are just touching

the bowl away. But it is not so fast, you have still got to arrive

at it. This looks to be good. Always the temptation to over correct. Good

back position. Ellen might have to think about this. She is going down

to have a look. Will we see Janice play some weight?

There is no reason not to. She is still a crown green player on

occasions and they are very attacking. Interesting, but she is

very close to this. Just got her own. Unlucky.

We can welcome back our viewers from BBC Scotland, as we arrive for this

Janice Gower, Ellen Falkner match. If anyone in Scotland didn't see the

previous match, it was fantastic. All the way to the last bowl in the

third end of the tie-break. But that is all I am going to tell you.

Ellen opting for a longer length of jack this time. I always like having

world champions in the commentary box, just in case I say something

wrong. I am wondering if Ellen is mixing the length up to throw

Janice. Some players can be real rhythm players. Especially if the

jack is in the same place. Not a bad tactic to adopt. It is also when

people play long ends and then they moved the matter up to a short

length. I am more in favour of a couple of metres. The opposition can

catch onto it too easily. Ellen has dropped two short bowls. If you're

going to change the length, you must get in. Great opportunity for Janice

to really get to the jack first. Just sneak them. Plenty of room for

Ellen Falkner to get in. She has changed her hand.

Coming in from a high line. This bowl is doing a bit of work. It

needs to hurry. Three short bowls, Karen that is very dangerous? A lot

of pressure on yourself going into your last delivery. I was surprised

she changed because there was still plenty of room. It is heavier down

there, because I think the air conditioning does affect it. This is

a good shot from Janice Gower. When you lose three, the first thing you

want to do is pegged at least two of them back again.

Certainly changing things, second bowl.

Just push it out on the wide side. Single to Janice Gower. She needed

that. Couldn't afford to lose any more shots with three ends to go.

Still a bit of movement in the crowd, people still coming and

going. Hasn't quite filled up again after the previous match. They have

been thoroughly entertained over the last few days. Quite a few standing

ovations for the players. Judy Potter. I think she watches

more bowls than I do over the two weeks. Floral jacket.

She doesn't give me a list, I just recognise them. She is always

immaculately dressed, is Judy Potter. It is lovely to see her

here, she has been here quite a bit. She loves it. Janice looks to be a

little bit better than her first bowl here.

Ellen still opting to stay on beforehand. Still possible to draw

it, just around the green bowl. Needs to hurry to stay on the line.

Starting to dip away. You have been doing some work with Ellen? Yes, she

plays at my club in Sydney. We have become good mates. She is a nice,

young girl. I find myself, as a mentor, I suppose. She has lovely

manners and a nice demeanour on the green. Yes, she has had some good

success. Great to see her appear. We take note of people doing well. I do

keep an eye on what is happening in the southern hemisphere. She is

certainly one to watch Helen Ryan. I don't think it will be too many

years before we see her in the green and gold colours. This doesn't look

right. It is under. I am surprised at that because everything was to be

gained by reaching that head. Ellen is an attacking player, she cannot

afford to start being negative. Three. Surely she must play the

runner at this. As long as she is not narrow, Karen, she said? It is a

big target. She has lost her way a little bit with the waiter. --

weight. If she is able to get onto that bowl, straight jack through is

also an option. Could play the same shot on the back can. It is

available both ways. Depends what she prefers. Some people prefer

backhand when they are running bowls. Bobby Moore chance to get to

the jack on beforehand. -- probably more chance. It has a tendency to

dip if you go down the line. Doesn't want to be wide. I think that is a

fortuitous result if she is able to take two. Might still be two green.

One shot, Janice Gower. Just the one. Fortunate to get the flick.

Ellen will know she was on the wrong side of the jack. I liked the weight

she used when she played the weighted shop. A lot easier to go

firm than swinging weight. You don't want to be playing the Mickey Mouse

yard on, they don't do anything for you. It is far too difficult. Jack

length, 26.5 metres. 26.5. That is not very useful in terms of

its finish. The first bowl has been very effective in the last few ends.

Whoever starts with the first bowl it is a potent weapon if you can get

it within six inches. If you fail with your first bowl, you are

chasing a little bit with the rest of your bowls. If you find the first

one, you have every chance of repeating it. Short-term muscle

memory. REFEREE: Five inches from jack high. Janice Gayle has played

really well over the last couple of ends, putting some pressure on Ellen

Falkner. Certainly nothing in this game so far.

That is a good second shot, but it will not help to get the number one.

She is a very good conversion player, a good tactical player. But

you have to get that draw bowl going because you are not going to get out

of trouble all the time. Ellen Falkner played some wonderful

conversion bowls last year. I watched her at home. It was a

wonderful display of convergence, changing heads over, taking bowls

out. The top female players in the world have got very good drives and

weighted shots as well as a good draw shot game. They have to to get

out of trouble. It is something that is developed, of course. It is

something you learn. Ellen is trying a hard shot here. It looks to be

under at this stage. It sweeps away very quickly. The back position is

against her, so she has to be careful. It was quite eyes wait for

the short, but it is very difficult to play. This is important. Well, if

it is only one short, just try and draw this. You really do not want to

make a mistake of taking your own bowl out and losing an extra one. I

think the shot is on the forehand. The shot bowl is just behind the

jack. Just amaze even draw shot. Nothing too adventurous. She is well

wide. Yet. I understand her taking that line. She does not mind losing

the single, three singles in a row. In the first set it is so important.

Just one count in the match so far, that treble four Ellen Falkner. That

end has been the difference in the sector so far.

Ellen Falkner's husband, Chris, is a good bowler in his own right. But I

do not think he is going to win any arguments about the game around the

dinner table! I am sure there is much discussion about the bowls

around the dinner table! At the Commonwealth Games in 2002 she goes

back to there. She has won so many titles since then. She played the

Aussie triples team, of which I was a member, in Glasgow. We still

speak! It was a fine performance. I remember it well.

Well, she is putting pressure on Janice Gower. There is no doubt

about that. Two very good first bowls. Three to win the set. I think

Ellen will be more than happy with a very good second shot here. She has

been stretching it a little bit. This one is dipping away. It just

needs to stop. At least second, she will be happy with that.

I can see the reason why. That danger will be there with the next

one as well, so Ellen need another bowl in. Going past the red one will

at least have value. She needed another bowl in and she needed cover

at the same time. That is pretty good. It is not bad. It looks like

just a draw to it and drop in on the jack. Get the angle right and you

can make three. There is an alternative, of course. I think the

draw shot is an easier shot. Just not getting down on time. Ellen

Falkner protects the six - one lead. And very happy to do so I am sure.

She will put that one in her back pocket and feel she is happy enough

to take the set. Ellen is keeping her concentration.

A few people are leaving the auditorium for a little break. They

will be back. So, starting off the second set. It

is fair to say that Ella needs to tighten up a little bit. That is a

good first bowl, but there have not been enough of them. She lost a

little bit of her weight towards the end of the last set.

Need to keep the pressure on, force your opponent into playing the

difficult shots. They are very hard to play, but they are low percentage

and it affects your rate. What Ellen Falkner did well in the initial ends

of the first set was the first bowl was very effective. That is more

like it. Not far away. It will probably stop

Ellen playing the backhand. Yes, the focus in Australia is very much on

the development of the young players as well. Even after India where they

were successful in some events, they got a silver in the triples, the

next year there were two of them gone. There is that push always to

develop the young players and move things along, so you are getting a

life out of them. What we have got at the moment with the Australian

team is a really good mix of experience and we have got some

really good young players coming through. Our experienced player are

still there. You have good young fours and in New

Zealand they played well. She got the edge. That was a pretty good

result in the end. I thought it was going to move to the other side, the

jack, which would not have been beneficial. A bit unlucky not to get

the bowl out absolutely clean. She should still be able to draw this.

She has got two or three feet around the jack.

Confirmation from the market, Dan blew it.

It trapped on a little bit and he is marking the one underneath, which

means that the first shot must be the red at the top of your picture

to begin with. That looks like it is just about in for the second. Get

the measure. REFEREE: 1-shot, Ellen Falkner. Ellen has not got the

benefit of the rings. That was definitely worth measuring. I do not

think you would have walked away from that one, Karen. No. I have to

say they have been very accurate at this event. Some of the players have

been saying to me, any chance of putting your rings on the big

screen? It is not going to happen. Sorry about that. It is a little

toy. We used to have a monitor at the end for the players to see where

the shots lay. Often it is a lot closer than it

looks on television. This is a very good end from both

girls. This is close. Yes, that looked good

all the way. That is absolutely brilliant from both players.

REFEREE: Both your bowls are short of jack high. There is half an inch

gap to the jack. What would you play here, David Corkill? If you want to

push it, you want to push it a yard out. If you missed it, you come into

the back position. She is going deep with this one. That is very good. If

you do not want to play the runner to stay on, which is very delicate

and difficult. She has come down to have a look at

it to see if it is worth getting the green bowl out. I do not think it

will be going without the jack. Green on to read does not help. Lots

and lots of danger here for Ellen Falkner. If she gets onto the green

bowl, this red bowl is disappearing. If she gets onto the red, it will

definitely move. But there is a risk of getting it wrong. It has to be

plumb in the middle. That is very narrow as a percentage shot. It may

be better just to draw this. The problem is, there is still another

green bowl and if it goes right through, it will leave a lot of

room. This is quite a conservative game for her. It will be interesting

to see what weight she plays with this. Yes, there is the danger. I

thought that was a dangerous shot. Tactically that was not the place to

go because you were always take your own bowl out if you do not get it

absolutely right. And there is another bowl to come. And giving

Janice at least a yard to count for her final bowl. More than a yard I

would say. It is four or five feet all round the jack. She has probably

got to get to nine feet to draw this. I cannot see how making a

mistake. -- I cannot see her making a mistake. The tactics are so

important. Sometimes you have to walk away. That is what I would have

done there. Instead of level, Ellen Falkner, the

defending champion, is two behind. Static on the mat, most unusual.

More like a fixed stance. REFEREE: 28.5 metres. 28.5.

And of course Janice Gower managed to qualify in the main draw of the

singles here. That gives her more time on the green, on the carpet I

should say. It is old habits. The more time on the carpet, it is good,

but the reality is nothing beats competitive matches. Being put under

that pressure in training is what you lack.

These two girls are both very dedicated practises on the ring,

trying to grab every opportunity to get into rhythm and they obviously

both know this very well. A much better start by Ellen

Falkner, that is what we expect from her.

Janice Gower played Mervyn King in the first round. She played some

good shots as well, very competitive. The second set in

particular. The first set was straightforward, but the second set

was a different ball game. 10-3 in the first set, but the second set

was 9-7. Mervyn was protecting a lead in that one.

She changed hands and just dropped a little bit short with that one. A

lot of people have been doing that. It is something quite noticeable,

players changing to the forehand. They have been dropping a yard

short. Obviously that is not good. This is close. That stops the easy

draw. Ellen can drop one in here to move it out on the high side and let

it drift back. There is a shot on the other side to take the green

bowl out and lie for three. But it is not worth it. If you get it

wrong, you can lose a shot. She is playing the backhand and this has to

be absolutely perfect. I think she was being a bit careful.

After the last time she will have been a bit tentative about that. You

have to think about the long game here. You have to wait your chance

for a really good opportunity for conversion, rather than a risky one.

REFEREE: Jacked length, 25 metres, 25.

She will be getting changed for this evening. A quick snack, no big meals

before matches. Definitely not, no big bowl of pasta prior to a match.

Not clever. With lots of carbs it is very hard shift those. You need

something light. It looks to be better with this one,

Ellen Falkner. A very good correction. Corrected the weight

well and played a very good line with the first bowl.

A side touch. A little contact, even on the outside, would be good.

I played in Cabramata awhile ago. My home club. I played a top-class lady

player at the time. Came from the same area as myself. It was a

beautiful green. I really enjoyed them.

The target here, the second shot. And it is running through. No point

in being shot, but this is a good opportunity for Ellen Falkner to

drop another one in. Anything past the green bowl is still a good bowl.

A good cover bowl in case Janice decides to place some white on its

head. She was so far with the jack, that was quite deliberate. I still

think there is a forehand shot on here because there is a double

opportunity. Just looking at this, Karen, it is good on there. If you

missed it, you get to there with the second shot, potentially the jack

moving across and dropping into this position. I think it is a double if

you want to reach it. If it is a draw, it is on the backhand. It

looks to be on the high side if it is a draw shot. I think with that

sort of weight to the forehand was a better opportunity, it really was.

There was a big sweep on that forehand. It is more to do with

percentages than anything else. There is pleasure always looking for

percentages. It might not offer and beat the best shot, but they work

out which one might be the best opportunity for a change rather than

the perfect result. Ellen's first bowl is some two and a

half feet past. A bit of a loose one from Janice Gower.

Holding two, but not as much as she would like.

Gap to the shot, 18 inches. Not too much of a correction on her last

bowl for Ellen Falkner. Still running. Good grouping, but you

don't want them two or three feet behind the jack. The gap is 18

inches. Great opportunity for Janice Gower

to consolidate this head. Looks to be on a good line. Just pulling up

short. Opportunity lost. One green. Goodness me. Ellen will move onto

her forehand. Too many bowls are dropping short.

You draw it and hope to get the jack. I am sure the draw shot is on.

Needs to hurry. So many bowls are dropping a few feet short. I don't

think it will be enough. No, missed the chance. Anything up to the green

bowl and past it was good. This is a great opportunity for Janice Gower

to add another shot. Number two coming in. Run through a little bit.

They will measure this one. It is a lot closer than some of the others.

That really was, not a loose head, but the last bowl, so many

opportunities to play slightly through it. If you miss it, you miss

it. It wasn't dead weight she was looking for. It was a foot or so

behind the jack. We love that. First invented in the

early 19 hundredths, would you believe? Only been tweaked a few

times since because it has fundamentally been the same. Very

accurate. Very rarely you see black or brown

bowls now. Composite bowl, now. Composite was developed in

Australia. There you go. Did you not know that? I didn't. They were so

expensive to make, they hacked to develop a cheaper bowl. So they

developed a composite bowl through Dunlop. And that was in the 1930s.

So a long time ago. You can get the old one for presentation sets. But

they are now computer turned. Big history, bowling in Australia of

course. Most major cities have a bowls club

on every corner. A few out in the bush as well. You don't find our

bowling clubs have massive membership, like you think because

there are so many clubs out there. Our club probably has around 55

competitive ladies and probably 70 ladies, social players. But not a

massive membership. How many greens? We have a lovely carpet with a roof

over the top and two grass greens. For such a small membership, that is

incredible. Obviously we have the powerhouse clubs of Maryland and St

John's Park within minutes drive. 1400 members at my indoor club. Wow.

Even winning the club title is an achievement. That is men and women

of course, but it's not easy. It is a strong club. Anyway, back to the

bowls. Anything over the weight, she gets

the back one. Not the! Janice would be well served to think about this.

Should be covering on the backhand. If you cover on the backhand, you

make Faulkner draw it. Still thinking. It is back can cover shot

because anything past the red bowl will be third. That is important.

Anything beyond that, covers trail. Definitely.

It is still there. Missed the chance. Not easy for Ellen, but she

needs to arrive at this one. This is the one she really needs to take.

Not a lot of danger either. She is on an inside line, so she has

to have the weight to hold it. Not sure if that's enough. Faller

contact on the jack was worth three. Just enough to get a single. An inch

away of picking up a good count. Inch away from being perfect, but

still wins the end. She was unlucky not to get that jack to the back of

the rink. Jack length, 29 metres. 29. Back to

this first bowl again now. 29 metre jack length.

There's been nothing in this second set.

Ellen Falkner will be very happy with her opening bowl. You have to

add another. As soon as your opponent drops one short, Ellen

would have been very keen to get to the mat, I would think. Needs to

hurry with this. Don't think she is going to make it. That is an

mischance. You really should be putting your opponent in trouble

where. Now she's got a straightforward yard arm with the

last bowl. Finding the middle of the ring, so the line isn't a problem.

My goodness, Karen, what is going on? Short bowls. I often think when

you play a good one with the first bowl, I know I am guilty of this at

times, your second bowl can be quite short. You put so much emphasis and

importance on your first bowl, you ease of when you play a good one.

You need to consolidate the head, which he has done with her third

bowl, Ellen Falkner. That should have been the second one. It is

about giving opportunities to your own ability. The ability is there,

you just have to think about it. When you are thinking about it, the

shot clock is running down, so that doesn't help. Very easy to rush

these things. On the forehand. It is coming in well. Got the jack. There

it goes. Nice piece of weight from Janice Gower, perfect to get to the

jack. It is a four inch gap and it is eight in just short of jack high.

Use of the last ten or 12 seconds and call it. Time-out called. There

is the trophy, I am sure Ellen would love to get her hands on that with

back-to-back wins. Budgie has a lot of work to do. I think it is a

backhand draw for Ellen. Can't afford to play anything more than

that. If she is going to lose this end, she needs a good second. She

will be thankful it is on the side of the rink she has been playing.

I am surprised at this, I really am. I don't think that is the right

shop, Karen, I really don't. The jack in the ditch was wonderful, one

green and she has a mountain of room to draw of the next one. I think

there have been a few tactical choices here which, has looked at

the absolute result, but not the overall match. This is Janice's last

bowl. Ellen gifted her another shot. She did it in the second as well.

Instead of being level, Ellen should be two or three shots up. Not like

Ellen. She's normally better on the tactical side of the game. Just the

characteristics of the portable rink, that's all. Not much really.

Mainly on the longer jack Lentz. Jack length, 28 metres. Generally

around the 28 metre mark. It is getting late in the day to bring the

matter up and played 23 or 24. It might be needed. Particularly if we

are heading for a tie-break. After a good start is Janice Gower.

She will be happy with that one. Janice just looking for bowl similar

to her first one, something to fatten up the target. Just short.

I think Ellen was thinking about the last end with her second bowl.

Conscious of the fact she didn't want to drop short, but at least it

is valuable back there. Good position.

Needs to get this in. Wants to be carrying a lead into the last end.

Touching the jack wouldn't do her any harm. I think she has been

unlucky. Difficult one here for Janice Gower. She has to decide what

to do. As in May Janice's task any easier? If anything, there may be a

gap between the jack and the bowl now. Not only that, if she touches

the outside of the red bowl, it will spring across the two. She has to

get it on the inside edge. If you get back, you're likely to get the

jack. This is why she is playing the backhand. This is a chance for Ellen

Falkner, she must make up her mind what to do. It is a good, positive

draw. Just a chilly outside of the edge of her own bowl and she will

make three. Will this get back? Needs to bend quickly. Good but

three. That is exactly what she had to play. That was a big bowl and she

played it very, very well. Perfect weight.

There has been a few opportunities for Ellen in this match. That is the

first one she has really grasped. Good timing. Just a matter of

winning the end. It is all about taking those

opportunities when they arise. Nothing between these two players in

the second set. They have both played well. I think it is when you

make mistakes the uptime and the gift shots away that it really

hurts. Then you reflect on that. Ellen is mentally very strong, so

she wouldn't have been thinking too much about it. You are always

conscious of the fact. Janice, needs to draw a touch here.

Left it short. It is a good bowl. Good start for both players. But

Ellen seems to have upped her game in the last few ends. That is a very

good bowl. When you are chasing shots like Janice, she cannot afford

to be short here. Confident draw down the backhand.

Very good. It is a very good bowl. She needed to be probably two feet

heavier than that. You have to be through it. If you are looking for

three shots... You need to give yourself some room to be able to

draw another couple. You have to make a difference. Time-out called.

If I was Ellen here, I would be tempted to play to it. If Ellen

crunches the jack against the green, it is more or less over. The only

danger is, she doesn't want to bring it out into the open. So high line

draw be useful. I like my Highline drift shots. Get

them out there. Let it drift right in again. She is calling it to

hurry. Not ideal, because it gives a shoulder for Janice to play through

it. She knows if she plays in now and Mrs, that's it. More or less

over. No way of getting a three. I think she has to try it. Definitely

the inside of the red bowl. Good arriving draw at this, use the

shoulder and take the red bowl out. Give herself a chance with the last

one. Good effort. It is in the head and

it's a good effort. Just needed two beat more. If it had have been two

feet more, it wouldn't have got back.

Still choices and there's still chances.

Be interesting to see if she goes deep with this over to the side or

drop in on the gap. If she drops in on the gap, it would be all over.

That would be a fantastic bowl. If she gets any movement on her own

bowl on the way in would be a good result. Just slipping past. This

shot is definitely there. No doubt about it. You get into the inside of

that, you get a half bowl, that goes out, you try and get off the angle

onto the red bowl. And that would really kill it. That is the other

target bowl. Can't say it's not possible, it is. Not the easiest of

chances, but probably better than what she might have expected.

Doesn't want any jack movement. Can't afford any jack movement

there. The angle is there to take the two reds out and stay. But she

will need to push through it with four or five yards running. She has

certainly given it a chance. Good effort! Just the one shot.

Good game. But Ellen just had too much in the tank in the end. Good

match, but it was quite interesting at times, Karen. Some very good

bowls, but also some opportunities. Confirmation. She goes into the

final. We will wait to see who she is going to play after this

evening's game. But Ellen will be delighted. Defending your title, it

is always nice to get to the final stages and get to relive the

opportunity of last year, playing into the final.

Ellen got off to a good start. Some lovely draw bowls going in. But

Janice Gower was in the mood and put up a good defence. Just caught her

own bowl. Janice, in a bit of trouble in that end. Ellen

concentrated on the draw. Overall, I think Ellen shaded it enough to

justify going through to the final. She will be very, very pleased.

You have had to fight very hard to overcome a tough opponent today?

Janice played very well and I thought the standard was pretty good

all the way through. It was a tight encounter and I am pleased to get

the win. You stand on the verge of history. Last year when you run it,

you beat the record of winning it three times. You could win it a

fourth time. Does it enter your mind, or is it the old cliche, game

by game? It is game by game, as soon as you start thinking about things

like that, you are gone. I am over the moon and looking forward to

tomorrow. Congratulations. Very well played, Alan Faulkner through to the

final once again. Let's confirm the semifinal draw. We know Ellen is

through, but Amy Stanton plays Katherine Rednall. But this

afternoon we have seen some tremendous bowls here. The match

between Mickey Brett and Charlie Burns is the one we are still walk

the Lim map are talking about. We are going to relive it one more

time. Everyone is gathering around, we

have the press people and everyone is waiting for the biggest story for

many years. What do we call this, the vulture's nest? They all

gathering. Do we have the biggest story in a long time?

He has played very well today. Charlie is doing so much damage with

one bowl in particular, but on a few occasions it has been more than

that. He needs one very good bowl here, Charlie to get himself into

the quarterfinal. This needs to stop. Ten singles Charlie has scored

in this match and one double. Two lose openers from C. But you can

understand that. The rules change again. They can destroy the end. You

have to nominate it first. Nominate as often as you wish. It is replayed

in the same direction. Shaking his head there. He knows it's not close

enough. Charlie couldn't be thinking about running the bowls. He must be

drawing? Has got to be a draw. As changed to the forehand. That is

confidence for you. He is getting back. He has drawn the shots. Oh my

goodness me! Did he really signalled that, Andy? You are standing up

looking out of the window and I am watching the monitors. Well done,