First match of the evening here at Blackpool Newton Hall in the Co-operative Funeralcare International Open saw the defending champion, Nick Brett, play against his long time pairs partner and great friend, Greg Harlow. In set 1 it was Brett that got off to a flying start and never really gave Harlow a breathing space. Harlow was playing well but it was Brett that was at the top of his form and he took the first set with a score of 8-3.
Into the second set it was a close play between them both with some superb bowls and by end 6 it was 4 all. Harlow took a single on the next end to go one up but that was followed by Brett taking a treble to go 7-5 up in the 8th end leaving Harlow looking for a minimum of 3 shots to force a tie break. Brett held him off and Harlow only was able to get a single so it was set and match to Brett. 8-3, 7-6