First session of play here in the International Arena on the blue portable rink was the first of the semi finals and was between the legendary Scotland’s ace pairing of Paul Foster MBE and Alex Marshall MBE and Mervyn King and David Gourlay MBE. The match scores belie the actual play and if you have not yet seen it then the suggestion is you should - www.youtube.com/worldbowlstour !
The first set was sheer nip and tuck between all four players and it was a mere 3 all on the third end. 5 all by the close of play on end 6 and it was Gourlay and King that managed to get the single on the last end to take the first set 5,6. Into the second set and it was Foster and Marshall that were simply outstanding as bowl after bowl they denied Gourlay and King any chance at all. Though Gourlay and King took a double in the first end that was all they were allowed to keep as end after end Foster and Marshall took every opportunity away from them. The second set closed 10,2 to Foster and Marshall.
The tie break was one end each in an incredible display of bowls, on the decision making third end it had got down to the nitty gritty and it was down to the skips to finish off the match. Foster and Marshall were holding, Gourlay played and dislodged the jack enough to leave a clear metre and Marshall was just outside - each skip had one bowl each left - Gourlay played his and had left about 2ft and was holding match - Marshall played his and he was weight perfect and his bowl was the winning shot as he played an absolutely weight perfect bowl - Foster and Marshall book their place in Monday afternoons final live on BBC2 on the 20th. January.