Bee Gees at bowls as Scotland Para-mixed pairs retain gold

In hall three at the SEC Centre, the Bee Gees were telling us we should be dancing before 9am.

It wasn't some early morning disco, but instead the venue for the Para-mixed pairs B2-B3 final.

This Commonwealth Games has lamped a real focus on inclusiveness. Few sports are more inclusive than bowls.

And with this new format - two five-end sets - plus the addition of a DJ and a big glitter ball, bowls is trying to captivate a new audience.

Those boogieing along to the beat early on Tuesday were treated to a highly-competitive, nail-biting showdown between Scotland and England, with the Scots winning after a tie-breaker.

Skip Robert Barr and his director Sarah Jane Ewing won this title at an "exceptional" Birmingham four years ago but, this time, in front of a home crowd with lead Mary Stevenson and her director Jim Aitken, back-to-back gold medallist Barr said "this was just even better".

What was also better for Barr was he didn't even need to deliver his final bowl.

After forcing the one-end shootout by taking the second set, Scotland opted to take the last bowl, rather than going first and taking the jack, after winning the coin toss.

The marker had to ask a nearby photographer for the coin, and though he dug deep into his pocket to find a dime, the Scots dug even deeper.

England lead - the country's oldest athlete at these Games - Ron Homer drew a beauty to within inches of the jack, forcing Barr to batter it out with his first bowl of three.

Visually-impaired, the players are often seen whipping out their telescopes to take in their effort. There was no need here for Barr. Bosh. Job done... for now.

Skip Sally-Ann Lewis-Wall resplendently replaced it. England lie for gold. Back to you, Robert.

This time, his hit was not so accurate, but after a run of rotten luck and near misses during the match, he got a wee rub off a high bowl, redirecting his pacy effort to pick up the jack and send it straight on to a gratefully awaiting blue bowl.

Gold medal back in Scotland's hands with just one England bowl remaining. Talk about tense.

As difficult a shot as they come, Lewis-Wall couldn't produce any more magic as the Scottish quartet were jumping in a huddle with the crowd bawling and showering themselves in Saltires.

An 08:30 start for a final is far from ideal, but it didn't deter the swarms of spectators packing in to take in the action.

The home crowd came with high hopes, not only because of their status as defending champions, but for the group campaign and semi-final performance the team have put on in Glasgow.

The players felt that pressure but they dealt with it comfortably.

"I'm really delighted for Mary and Robert," Aitken said. "They've played fantastic all week and they've kept really calm under a lot of stress and a lot of expectation.

"They've been absolutely fantastic."

Ewing, who stands on the podium alongside Barr again admitted she "could greet" at the pride in the players alongside her, as they continue to break the stigma of the sport being an old man's game.

Beside me in the media tribune, one of Team England's media members - and a bowls first-timer - told me how she felt more patriotic watching this, than the football World Cup a matter of weeks ago.

She was hooked - and sticking around for the rest of the day's action.

A win for Scotland, a win for the sport.