For the final match of the night it was Billy ‘ The Magician’ Jackson up against Robert ‘Slippers’ Paxton in the International Arena here at Potters Resort in the first round of the Just 2017 World Open Singles Championship. One had to feel a pull on the heartstrings for Jackson as in the first set he was struggling to find the pace of the blue carpet which has developed a notorious trend of slowing right up in the evenings!
Neither player really found the carpet to any great degree of success and both were scrapping about a bit but it was Paxton that did manage to find some form. He was able to outplay Jackson reasonably easy to take the first set 8-2. Into the second set and yet again neither player really found it though it was Paxton that for 5 ends put up the best of two bowls start leaving Jackson having to fight to get a space near the jack. Jackson put on a brave and spirited fight and did manage to grab two ends away from Paxton but again the second set finished 9-3 to Paxton to put him through to the second round where he plays on the 24th against the winner of tomorrows match between Jamie Chestney (E) & Paul Hay (S).