Alex Marshall wins record fifth gold as women take bronze in bowls

Alex Marshall became Scotland's most successful Commonwealth Games athlete by winning a fifth gold in Australia.

The 51-year-old won the lawn bowls men's fours with Ronald Duncan, Derek Oliver and Paul Foster, to eclipse Alan Wells and para-cyclist Neil Fachie.

Australia led 8-2 after three ends and 13-11 in the final end but Marshall's team picked up four shots to win gold.

Scotland's Claire Johnston and Lesley Doig won bronze in the women's pairs with an 18-10 victory over Canada.

The medals take Scotland's tally in the bowls to five.

Marshall's quartet were always trailing in their final after Australia scored four shots in end two and three more in the next to lead 8-2.

The closest Scotland got was 12-11 down after 13 ends but Australia picked up another shot in the 14th end to go two clear.

Scotland had three bowls counting when Marshall sent their last bowl into the head, making it a large target for Australia's Aron Sherriff but his attempted drive was wayward and Scotland could celebrate a 15-13 victory.

Marshall took double gold in Glasgow in 2014 and also won gold in 2006 in Melbourne and 2002 in Manchester. He won a silver medal in the men's pairs earlier in this Games.

England beat Wales 15-9 to win the bronze medal match.

In the women's third-place match, the Scots were already 6-1 up after four ends before picking up a superb four in the next to open a 10-1 lead.

Canadian pair Kelly McKerihen and Leanne Chinery scored five unanswered points but Scotland scored a double in end 10 and were 14-7 up after 13 ends.

Scotland, leading by five going into the final end, picked up three more.

Malaysia took gold with a 15-14 win over South Africa.

(BBC)