The first semi final here in the International Arena for the World Indoor Open singles featured Mark Dawes, the player that broke into the top 16 only two years ago after qualifying through the ranks of the Professional Bowls Association and World Ranked no 9 from Scotland and Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, Darren Burnett.
It was a bit of nip and tuck as they started the first set, neither player really getting the advantage of the other as at the 4th end it was Burnett only one shot behind. The next two ends both players were playing well and each only managed to grab a single apiece, It was on end seven that Burnett seemed to struggle a little and Dawes took full advantage swiftly grabbing a three to go 4,8 in the lead. Burnett stepped up the pace and took a single back in end eight and it was Dawes that stopped him in end nine, only allowing Burnett to get away with a double, Dawes takes the first set 7,8.
Set two and Burnett is now clearly struggling with what seemed to be a bad back, you could see it on his face when he delivered and he clearly was in some difficulty. Nevertheless, Burnett took the first two ends with singles but it was Dawes that was now putting in bowls to within millimetres of the jack and putting Burnett under great pressure. Several times Burnett had to pull out all the stops and big bowls to save but Dawes was relentless as he took the next 4 ends to go into end seven five shots ahead at 2,7. Burnett played superbly and took Dawes for a count of three to cut the deficit back. End eight and it was Dawes that finished off the set and match taking a triple to book his place in tomorrow’s Open Singles Final here in the 2018 World Championships.