The semi final for the last remaining spot in the ‘Just’ Indoor Open Singles Championships saw World No.6, Robert Paxton, a former finalist go against the Potters wildcard from Norfolk, Wayne Willgress here in the International Arena. Paxton was the man with all the experience of big battles, though Willgress had come through 3 former World Champions to reach this stage of the Tournament.
Into the first set and it was very quickly developing into a tight, hard fought match with Willgress fighting every inch to keep an on form Paxton at bay. Very slowly though it was Paxton that edged in front. By the start of end five Paxton was 3,1 up. Into end then and Paxton was holding a tight grouping of three but it Wilgress with an inch perfect draw to take a single. Paxton then turned on a great display and despite Willgress best efforts it was Paxton that took three singles over the next three ends to take the set score to 6,2. This left Willgress looking for a full house to force a tied set, he had two then Paxton missed his draw and Wayne put in another to make it a lie of three, Paxton just dropped a tad short and Willgress had a chance, unfortunately he fell short so missed the chance. Set to Paxton 6,3.
Into the second set and that too slowly drifted away from a battling Willgress. With the crowd cheering him on he kept battling away, Paxton was fighting just as hard to keep his nose in front and he succeeded slowly. 5,2 up at the close of the fifth end it was Willgress that took a double off Paxton but then Paxton shut the door firmly on Willgress’s dream as he took two triples and the second set and match 11,4.