WBT – @ West Lothian Indoor BC
Session 1
Former World open singles Champion Mark Dawes and renowned qualifier Colin Banks took to the showpiece rink for the opening game of the Scottish International Open. Dawes made his intentions from the first end, scoring a full count of 4 within a matter of inches. Dawes went on to score back-to-back counts of 3 and took full control of the first set on his way to a comfortable 14-4 win. Dawes continued his form in set 2 racing to a 5-1 lead. Banks composed himself and really started to compete, applying pressure with his opening bowls and responded to trail just 5-4 after 6 ends. A single from Dawes at end 7 left him just 2 shots from victory before a great running bowl from Banks converted end 8 to head into the last requiring 2 shots to force the tie-break. A great opening two bowls from Banks had Dawes attacking early in the end, successfully burning the end and forcing a 2 bowl shoot out on the re-spot. Banks leaving his first effort 2 feet short, Dawes responded drawing a match lie with a bowl jack high. Banks knew he would require a scoring double to snatch the second set, dispatching his last bowl and narrowly failing to promote his own bowl and run into the head. Dawes progressing 2-0 (14-4, 7-5)
Nicky Brett faced off against qualifier Michael Cheeseman, like his seeded counterpart Dawes, Brett was in the groove early in the match to lead 6-0 after 3 ends. Cheeseman did get off the mark in the first set to trail 9-1 after 6 ends. Cheeseman did score ends 7,8 but conceded the set (9-4) The Qualifier steadied himself in the second set and forced Brett into a more attacking game over the opening exchanges to tie the second set 3-3 after 4 ends. A triple at end 5 for Brett had him in full control of the match and saw out proceedings with a 2-0 (9-4, 9-4) victory
Les Gillett was given the sternest of tests by Australian qualifier Blake Butler. Gillett started the opening end with three bowls within 8 inches and forced the Australian into an attacking game with just his third bowl, a re-spotted jack proving fruitful as the qualifier got off the mark with a double. A treble at end 3 and a great single at end 5 had Gillett in front 5-3, Facing three shots against Gillett drawing the winner, forcing a ‘tip of the cap’ from Butler. They headed into the last separated by just two shots, Gillett holding the advantage over the line. A trade of single shots in set 2 looked to be forcing the game all the way before Gillett took control with consecutive counts of 3,2,1 to lead 7-2 after 6. The Australian scored a double at end 7 as he looked to force a match tie break. Gillett ended hopes of any comeback with an excellent third delivery, Drawing the match winner to claim his place in the next round 2-0 (7-5, 8-4)
Jason Greenslade opened his match against Ryan Pollard (Canada) with a full count of four shots followed by three unanswered singles to lead 7-0 in a commanding first set win, The qualifier looked to impose himself in the set with attacking bowls, however Greenslade proved the more consistent as he saw out the first set comfortably. Another full count for Greenslade in set 2 had him in full control of the tie as he led 6-1 after 4 ends. Pollard did get his drawing game going but ultimately had too much ground to recover. Greenslade seeing out the match with a two-set victory 2-0 (13-2, 8-3)
(Matt Osborne)
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