WBT @ West Lothian IBC
Session 5
Norfolk teammates Wayne Willgress and Aaron Johnson contested the second round at West Lothian Indoor BC on the streaming rink this morning. Johnson immediately looked to deploy a short end tactic with the mat and jack at minimum distance, Willgress in contrast opted for a mat back and jack at maximum distance. Despite winning at their oppositions selected jack length the two could not be separated and were locked at 4-4 after six ends. The game changing moment appeared at end 7, Johnson with his last delivery moving the jack to lie a full count of 4 shots. In reply Willgress opted for a backhand runner. Gambling on the tight side to promote his own bowl into the head and score a single. End 8 saw the shot change hands multiple times before Johnson appeared with a double to lead 6-5 up the last. Willgress ensured his share of the first set with a single. Johnson playing a great running bowl at end 4 of the second set to remove the Willgress winner and count a treble to lead 5-1 in the winner takes all set. Willgress responded with scoring ends at 5,6,7,8 to take a single shot lead into the last. With a tie-break looming Johnson perfectly navigated his own shot bowl to add a second to claim his second scalp of the tournament. Aaron Johnson beat Wayne Willgress 1.5-0.5 (6-6, 7-6)
Defending champion Stewart Anderson underwent the sternest of tests against Jason Greenslade in his second-round encounter. Greenslade had all the answers in set 1 as counts of 2,3,4 had him over the line with an end to spare. He looked to have all the momentum into Set 2 with a 5-3 lead after 5 ends before a maximum 4 shots for Anderson swung the momentum. He followed up with a double and single cast the match into a tie-break moments later. Neither player dominating the jack with a close bowl in the first end, Andersons first delivery remaining unbeaten by the remaining 7 bowls. End 2 saw Greenslade dominate the end but left an opportunity for Anderson to really apply the pressure with his last bowl, an invitation he took with aplomb. Adjusting from his 3rd delivery and chasing his last bowl up the carpet for a match winning back toucher. Stewart Anderson beat Jason Greenslade 2-1 (6-11, 10-5, 2-0)
Michael Stepney and Robert Paxton were both looking for a place in the Quarter final after fine wins yesterday. The Elgin star deploying a trusty forehand runner at the first end to create a 5 shot swing. Paxton continued his great drawing form and scored three ends without reply. Stepney looked to be in full control of the first set as a double put him 4 up with two ends left to play. An exceptional last bowl from Paxton at end 8 halved the deficit, drawing within a matter of millimetres to somehow add an unlikely second. A tight head at the last had Stepney once again looking for the runner, narrowly failing with the correct contact and leaving Paxton with a double to half the set. Paxton appeared to have the better of the opening two bowls and looked to build an unassailable second set lead. A treble at end 7 meant Paxton led by 10 shots to 3 and Stepney knew anything less than a full house at end 8 would end his tournament. The Elgin man did score a double but was left to concede the match an end prematurely. Robert Paxton beat Michael Stepney 1.5-0.5 (8-8, 10-5)
International rinkmates Les Gillett and Greg Harlow took to the end rink as the familiar WBT faces looked to progress to the quarter final. Gillett was in fine drawing form from the off and had Harlow attacking very early in the ends with his first and second deliveries surrounding the jack. Gillett wrapped the set up with an end to spare and dropping just two singles in the process. In a complete role reversal, Harlow raced from the traps in set 2, showing his skills with his first two bowls building a platform on his way to a 9-1 lead. He also managed to wrap up the set one an end early, and with a loss of just two singles to throw the match into a tie-break. It was advantage Harlow after end 1, his first delivery winning the end. The second end saw Gillett all over the jack with his first two bowls, again remaining unchanged to level the tie-break. The deciding end saw neither player deliver what looked to be the winning bowl with their first two deliveries, Gillett adjusting with his third to lie behind the jack with very little room for change. Harlow attempted a runner with his 3rd delivery, falling tight. Gillett more than happy to stay away from the head and create a nuisance. Harlow again opted for a weighted bowl only to see it match his 3rd. Les Gillett beat Greg Harlow 2-1 (10-2, 2-11, 2-1)
(Matt Osborne)
Comments