after straight sets wins in today's semi-finals of the World Bowls Tour event at Dewars Centre in Perth, Scotland.

Both players have shown outstanding form in Perth – King, the world No8 from Norfolk, making his breakthrough by removing Scotland's world number one Paul Foster, the defending champion; and Anderson, a wildcard entry after reaching last year's semi-finals as a qualifier, despatching a series of seeds led by England's world number three Mark Royal.

King faced English qualifier Robert Paxton, the world No20 from Exeter who is appearing in the Scottish event for the first time.

King set off at a blistering pace, winning a maximum four shots in the opening end before building up a 6-2 lead after four ends.

But it was in the fifth end that Paxton stole his moment of glory.  Reminded by marker Bryan Daly that his first three bowls had been touchers – and that, in a new 'Full House' initiative launched by the WBT at Perth, a £4,000 prize was on offer to the first player to achieve four touchers in a single end – Paxton duly drew his final delivery onto the jack to thunderous applause from the capacity crowd.

King went on to win the set by an eight-shot margin – and, at 4-6 down in the final end of the second set, played a perfect last bowl to draw a second shot to clinch a 11-3, 6-6 victory.

"I hadn't even realised my first bowl was a toucher," exclaimed Paxton when asked about his historic 'Full House' success.  "But my best final bowl was a draw shot to the jack anyway, so it's what I would have gone for.

"But it's nice to win the prize – especially as all the players were saying it would be impossible to do.

"But I'd swap my four grand for a place in the final any day," added the 32-year-old.

Paxton was full of praise for his opponent:  "Mervyn was just incredible - if he plays like that tomorrow, he's going to take a lot of beating."

King agreed that he had played well:  "I'm probably playing as well now as I've ever done," said the 44-year-old who followed his title success in the Premier League Bowls in September with a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

"Today's was probably one of the best games I've been involved in for a long time – in terms of consistent bowls."

After playing an inch-perfect wonder bowl in his last delivery of the match to seal his place in the semi-finals, it was a draw to within two feet of the jack which clinched his victory over Paxton.

"I had a bit more room than yesterday, but it was harder shot for me – as it was an easier draw," explained King.  "If I couldn't do that, I wouldn't have deserved to win the match.

"It's nice to get to the final," added King, now in the sixth of his WBT career.

It was a much-anticipated all-Scottish clash that followed, between Anderson and seasoned campaigner David Gourlay, a former world number one from Glasgow who has appeared in 14 WBT finals throughout his career.

Gourlay took the early advantage in both sets, but his rapidly-improving 25-year-old opponent quickly recovered the advantage both times – moving from 3-3 in the first to win 10-3, and in the second coming back from 2-3 down to take it 9-4.

"I think I put him under pressure early on – it's the best I've played all week," said Anderson, who followed his semi-final achievement in last year's event by reaching the world championship final in January as a qualifier.

"Playing David was a bonus – he's such a nice player and easy to chat with on the rink.  I first remember seeing him on TV, when he won the world title in 1996.  I've always looked up to him.

"I've watched Mervyn play and I know what to do.  I've got a game-plan.

"Winning this would mean everything to me, especially here in Scotland.  It wouldn't be just the title, but the ranking points and the chance to play in next year's Premier League.  It would open the door for me."

Gourlay rued the fact that it was his worst performance this week:  "I think that's the best Stewart's played all week.  I didn't play well – but you can only play as well as you're allowed to.

"Stewart's challenge tomorrow is that he's playing with green bowls (after playing red in the semi)," added the 44-year-old.  "I think the bowls will play a major part."

Semi-finals:
[8] Mervyn King (ENG) bt [Q] Robert Paxton (ENG) 11-3, 6-6
Stewart Anderson (SCO) bt [13] David Gourlay (SCO) 10-3, 9-4

Saturday (13 November) schedule:
2.15pm, Final
[8] Mervyn King (ENG) v Stewart Anderson (SCO)