The first match on the World Open Singles quarter finals day was between Blackpool’s Mark Dawes and Mark Royal who comes from Suffolk. A great start by both competitors saw a 3 all scoreline going into end five. It was Dawes that came out of a great end with 3 more shots to his scoreline. Royal responded with two superb ends to take two doubles away from Dawes – score 7 all. Into the last end and when the bowls and dust had settled it was Dawes that picked up a greatfully received single to take the set 8,7.
Into the second set and it was Royal that started with a great double but then the wheels came right off the wagon. No matter what Royal did, it went wrong, with Dawes playing really well Royal was often left having to either play a dead weight draw or a timing shot. Many times he was dead on target but somehow it was always his bowl that popped the jack in the wrong directipon and he would suddenly be shots down. Gradually the score against him built up and the writing was on the wall – Dawes got stronger and Royal just could not get anything to go his was and in the end gracefully surrendered with a smile as Dawes took the second set and match 9,3.