Daniel Salmon And Marc Wyatt Bowl Scotland Away To Take Gold

Daniel Salmon and Marc Wyatt stunned holders Scotland to snatch men’s lawns pair gold medal glory at the Commonwealth Games.

The Welsh duo came from 5-1 behind after five ends against the hot-favourites to see of Alexander Marshall and Paul Foster 12-10 in a gripping game.

Marshall and Foster were bidding for a third title together having triumphed in Melbourne 2006 and Glasgow four years ago.

The favourites started well and let 6-3 before the Welsh duo went on a run of seven straight points to take the lead.

The Scots fought back again in the 18-end contest and a beautiful draw from Marshall levelled the scores at 10-10 with two ends left.

But Wales responded with a strike in the 17th to take a one shot lead going into the final end.

Then a beautiful bowl to nestle against the jack in the decider from Wyatt, 40, clinched a 12-10 win as Marshall failed to respond.

Salmon, the youngest man ever to represent Wales when aged 15, and Wyatt, who won bronze in the men’s triples in Glasgow 2014, could celebrate a famous win.

Cardiff-born Salmon said on his gold medal win: “It’s not bad to be honest, all the hard work over the years, it makes up for it all. It’s an amazing feeling.”

Caerphilly’s Wyatt said: “We have played against them many times so when you know the opposition you have to blank that out and do what you have to do.

“And my last bowl today, it could not have been any better.

“It wasn’t a surprise winning the gold. When playing in a Commonwealth Games match, you have to back yourself.

“We have played some good sides and played well. Again today, we played a good side and did what we had to do and came away with a gold medal.

“You always have to back yourself.”

Former Australian bowler and BBC commentator Ian Schuback said the win was the biggest in Welsh bowls history.

He said: “They went into the final as underdogs and they have come out with the gold medal.”