Scotland get off to winning start in bid to repeat Para Bowls dominance
At the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Scotland’s Para bowls cohort completed a clean sweep of the three gold medals on offer, and the signs are the host nation’s Mixed Pairs B2-B3 aren’t ready to give up their crown just yet.
The team - made up of lead Mary Stevenson and director James Aitken, along with skip Robert Barr and director Sarah-Jane Ewing, kickstarted the Para Bowls competition with a brilliant win over South Africa, much to the delight of a partisan crowd in The SEC Centre.
The roars of approval when Barr delivered a huge five in the final end of the first set could be heard from Tollcross to Scotstoun, and it turned the match firmly in Scotland’s favour.
“I love the crowd here,” said Barr. “It was great when you got the response to a good ball, and (the crowd) were all behind us.
“There is a lot of pressure on you because you're at home (and) you've got that target on your back as you're a gold-medal winner. But we just take that as a positive and think about what we can do.”
The South Africa team - lead Princess Schroeder with director Graham Ward, plus skip Keith Orrell and director Trevor Freeman - were far from disappointed with their maiden Commonwealth Games experience and admitted they can’t wait to get back out on the carpet.
“I’ve been knocking on the door for eight years (but) this is my first Commonwealth Games match and I just find it very overwhelming,” said Orrell.
“I'm in awe. The weather is brilliant, the atmosphere is brilliant. It’s just so exciting and nice to be in Scotland.”
That undiluted joy in experiencing all the Commonwealth Games has to offer, no matter the result, was shared by the Cook Islands’ Women’s Pairs.
The duo of veteran Teokotai Jim (skip) and debutant Vasie Ngatoko-Poila (lead) lost to Norfolk Island but were proud to be representing their nation on the global stage.
“It’s very enjoyable, we are feeling the excitement of the Glasgow games,” said Ngatoko-Poila.
“The support of the country (from) local bowlers, our families, it's been overwhelming but thoroughly enjoyable.
"We're bringing the kia orana spirit (a warm, friendly welcome), as we would call it, and we'd like to share some of that with the hosts. We’ve come to make good friends.”
Skip Jim was the Cook Islands’ flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony, and her partner Ngatoko-Poila loved that experience in the presence of the King and Queen.
“We had to leave early because of our early start this morning,” said Ngatoko-Poila.
“But it was thoroughly enjoyable. We're very proud of our culture and of course our culture is communicated via song and dance, so that is what we bring.”
In the Men’s Singles, Sam Tolchard (ENG) and Ryan Bester (CAN) overcame opening-day defeats to register their first victories of the tournament, over Ross Owen (WAL) and Anwar Hamada (KEN) respectively.
Action from the Women’s Pairs included second wins for England, India and Guernsey.
The experienced Channel Islanders - lead Rose Ogier and skip Ali Merrien - registered a tremendous victory over the high-ranking pair from Australia, lead Dawn Hayman and skip Kelsey Cottrell.
For the full schedule and results click here.
