Burnett’s final bowl proves a matchwinner

Darren Burnett left it to the last bowl of a three-end tie-break to defeat No 16 seed Jason Greenslade from Wales 11-10, 6-7, 2-1 in yesterday’s quarterfinals of the Just World Indoor Championships at Potters.

Burnett looked comfortable with an 8-0 lead in the first set but Greenslade stormed back to win the second 7-6 and set up a best-of-three-end decider.

Standing at one end each and a game lie against him, Burnett roared home his very last bowl to land a berth in today’s semi-final against Mark Dawes from Blackpool.

“That was emotionally exhausting” said Burnett. “I looked in control at 5-1 up in the second but then I almost self-imploded. Glad to get over the line is an understatement.”

Wild card Wayne Wilgress continued his giant-killing run to defeat his third world champion in a row. He left world No 1 and 2010 champion Greg Harlow reeling with a 2-11, 10-9, 2-0 victory.

Robert Paxton grabbed the last semi-final berth against Wilgress when he edged out Mervyn King 5-5, 6-4.