Final game of the quarter finals and Alex Marshall MBE faced Andy Thomson MBE. Two tough competitors. But it was Marshall that got the opening plaudits in the first set, leading 6.2 after six ends. At end seven Thomson played a runner but was off target, and with one bowl left Marshall held three shots, Thomson plays another runner but this time gets a result and takes one shot. Good opening bowl from Thomson at end eight and with one bowl left, Marshall faced two shots against, he played a timer and took the jack clean through to the ditch to pick up two shots and take the set 8.3. The six times World champion Marshall has never won here at Perth, its the one event missing off his CV But here at the Dewars Centre this year he hasn’t lost a set. Could Thomson change that?
Well he started well taking the opening end of the second set with one shot. But at the second end Thomson let Marshall pick up a quite easy four shots. End after end of excellent bowls from both players but it was Marshall that held the lead at 6.2 after four ends. Thomson picked up a shot at end five but then dropped two shots at end six. Marshall 8.3 up with three ends to play. Thomson ran the jack in the ditch at the seventh end, to try to guarantee the match continues with chances for him, only to see Marshall play a superb bowl to draw to the edge of the rink, Thomson runs again and misses, Marshall draws another unbelievable shot, Thomson misses and Marshall takes the huge lead of 10.3 with just two ends to play. Can Marshall make it his year? The last end was immaterial as Thomson needed to count two fours to win the set. So it was Marshall who took the game in straight sets 8.3 12.3 and takes the final semi final place tomorrow.