Last match of the day here at Blackpool Newton Hall Holiday Park in the Co-op Funeralcare International Open saw the current World Indoor Champion, local hero, Mark Dawes play against Professional Bowls Association Qualifier, Scott Edwards. Edwards had earlier said,”I will have to be on top form to get through my first round match but I am feeling fairly confident with my game so far”. Never was a truer word said as Edwards turned on a display of bowls that was beyond magnificient. No matter what World Champion Dawes put down, Edwards had the answer for. It was an extremely tight game that the scoreline just did not reflect what both players were laying down. The first set only saw two counts of two, all the other counts were singles only but it went to a superbly playing Edwards 3,8.
The second set again saw both players with great bowls being played but again it was Edwards that had the edge and consistency of form. Though one could say that Dawes did have a little of the bad luck as time and again his draw or touch of the jack would just edge the jack to the favour of Edwards. But yet again, Edwards also played some superb little shots just to edge the jack and get the counts. The second set and match finally went to Edwards 6,10 and he goes through to the second round on Wednesday where he awaits the eventual winner of the match between World Number 2, England’s Greg Harlow, and Israel Qualifier, Zvika Hadar.