World No 2, Robert Paxton, faced European Masters Tourcard Champion, Anthony ‘Spider’Webb, this afternoon and got a bit of a shock as Webb demonstrated his skills as to how he got to the event. In the first set it was Webb that took the first two ends with a score of 3, Paxton taking two singles in the next two ends. Webb took another three in ends 5 & 6 and Paxton replied with a single in end 7. It was Webb that then sealed the first set with a further two singles to go 3,8 up.
Into the second set and Paxton raised a gear but Webb did not buckle under the pressure and kept a constant push on Paxton. By the 6th end it was 4 all. Both Paxton and Webb took a single apiece in the next two ends to draw levelat 5 all going into the last end of the 2nd set. It was Paxton that just managed to hold on to a single despite some superb bowls from Webb in trying to dislodge Paxton off the jack.
Into the tie break and here Paxton raised himself another gear and put Webb under tremendous pressure – this took it’s toll and Paxton took the first two ends and managed to seal the win for the match; 3,8 – 6,5 – 2,0