Last match of the day was between 6 times World Indoor Champion, Alex Marshall MBE and Qualifier David Bolt. Mashall knew he would have to play well as Bolt has a solid reputation in the bowls circle and has been an entry into the ranking events before so the portable rink held no fears for him.
This was proved in the first round as Bolt put on a display of bowls which was matched by Marshall. To be fair there were a few ends where lady luck did seem to be sitting on Bolt’s shoulders as a few outside bowls had some wicked results in his favour and caused a few wry looks from Marshall. Marshall was 6-3 up on the 6th end of the first set when Bolt turned on a few shots and started to claw back over the next three ends and took two doubles and a single to take the first set 6-8.
Into the second set and it was Bolt that started well taking the first two ends with a single and a double but then Marshall stepped in for the next 3 ends taking a total of 7 shots to go 7-3 up by the 5th end. Bolt took the 6th with a single. Marshall took two singles in the next two ends to seal the second set 9-4 and into a tie break. It was Marshall that defied Bolt as he took the first two ends and therefore the match to go into the second round where he faces a very determined Les Gillett.