WBT – @ West Lothian Indoor BC
Session 2
World number 1 and defending champion Stewart Anderson took to the streaming rink against USA qualifier Tim Christie and wasted no time in outlining his credentials to retain the title here at West Lothian. A beauty at end 6 facing a minimum of two shots against had Anderson well in control before a full out drive by Christie had him scoring on the re-spot. A huge last bowl from Christie at end 7 had him back within three shots before Anderson hit a double at end 8 to claim the first set with an end to spare. Anderson continued to pile on the pressure in set 2. A full count of 4 shots at end 4 putting him in control of the match 9-1. Christie did respond at end 7 with a great conversion to extend the match into the 8th end before Anderson completed his first-round challenge with a straight sets win 2-0 (9-4, 12-4)
Alex Marshall MBE and world number 21 Darren Weir contested the first tie break of the tournament. Marshall was in scintillating form in the opening exchanges, adding a 4th shot at end 4 within 6 inches to lead 6-1. He claimed the first set 9-2 with a single shot at end 8. He continued that pattern into set 2 as he opened a 5 shot lead over Weir. The scoreline forced Weir to be more adventurous and opted to arrive at a head he was lying 2 shots at, converting it into a full house. He maximised in the next end yet again with several shots against to lead the second set 6-5. Marshall responded with a trio of scoring ends (1,2,2) leaving him just one shot from victory. Weir was far from done in the match and looked to his attacking play to score his second full house of the set and level the set 10-10. A tie-break style end unfolded at end 9 with both players requiring just a single shot for very different outcomes. Marshall’s 3rd delivery looked every bit the perfect bowl, only to see it agonisingly fall back onto the jack leaving Weir with the second set victory. Marshall couldn’t have started the tie-break any better, delivering his first bowl right behind the jack, He immediately looked to defend with Weir’s option limited to score, yet the challenger did just that, trailing the jack 2 feet off centre to claim the first end. Weir claimed the match win with a side toucher as Marshall looked to disrupt the winner only to fail on the narrow side. Darren Weir beat Alex Marshall MBE 2-1 (2-9, 11-10, 2-0)
Kaylin Huwyler caught the attention in his pre-tournament preparations, with several players highlighting his impressive practice sessions in the lead up to Tuesday. Greg Harlow found out first hand as the qualifier raced into a 6-0 set lead. Harlow was forced into a reaching draw as he looked to work his way into the game, a perfect trail of the jack at end 4 put him on the scorecard. He followed that with a trio of singles to trail Huwyler 6-5 after 7 ends. The New Zealand qualifier composed himself and scored end 8 and 9 to win the first set and became the first qualifier to claim a set. Harlow looked to have established his rhythm in set 2 and after back-to-back 3’s looked to be heading comfortably towards a tie break. Huwyler was far from finished in the match as he won the last 4 ends only to fall 1 shot short (8-9) and head into a tie break. Harlow duly delivered a back toucher with his first delivery on end 1 that proved to be unbeatable. End 2 saw the qualifier holding the shot but with limited room to draw, Harlow dropped round the shot bowl to force a match lie. Despite a great last effort from Huwyler it was Harlow that claimed his spot in round 2. Greg Harlow beat Kaylin Huwyler 2-1 sets (5-9, 8-4, 2-0)
Robert Paxton looked to hold all the aces in his match with Steven Scott. A maximum of four shots at end 5 had him in full control of set 1. Scott to his credit looked to claw his way back into the match, at one point lying a full count of his own before a Paxton runner removed three of the counting bowls. A hat trick of doubles in set 2 saw Paxton lead Scott 7-3 after 7 ends before sealing his place in round 2 with a single. Robert Paxton beat Steven Scott 2-0 (17-1, 8-3)
(Matt Osborne)
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