Last match of the afternoon here at Newton Hall in the Co-op Funeralcare International Open was between Scotland’s Paul Foster MBE and PBA Qualifier Scott Edwards from England and what a roller coaster that match turned out to be. If you did not watch it on the Youtube Channel at World bowlstour then it is well worth a watch.
In the first set it seemed as if 5 times World Champion Foster was well in command as he powered his way through Edwards bowls to take a powerful 11-1 set. It was the 2nd set where Edwards sprang into life and wrested control away from Foster. Edwards produced superb bowls take the second set 3 -7 with decisive bowls away from the man from Troon.
Into the tie break and it was again Edwards that hung on to the first end with Foster now needing to take the next to ends to progress in the event. Foster managed to hang onto the second end and it was all down to the last end of the fearful 3 end tie break. It was Edwards that placed his first bowl bang on target a drew a back toucher with a small 1 inch gap, Foster was slightly wide and singed Edwards bowl with his first, Edwards then drew a short bowl and Foster tried a running shot which just missed. Edwards then had one behind and Foster elected to kill the end and missed marginally. Edwards then placed a blocker and again Foster tried but again just sailed past with millimetres to spare. Foster with his last bowl yet again just missed and Edwards goes through to the second round