Wales clinch dramatic Para-bowls bronze

The Para-mixed bowls B2-B3 pair succeeded in their early morning bid for a Commonwealth Games bronze medal with a dramatic tie-break win against New Zealand.

The duo of Julie Thomas and Steffan James, aided by directors Jamie Jones and John Wilson, defeated New Zealand's pair of Sonya Woodrow and Kerrin Wheeler, aided by directors Kimberly Carraher and Colin Wheeler.

Wales lost the first set 7-4 but battled back to win the second set 6-3 to set up the sudden death end.

After Thomas had set up the chance and James held his nerve with two brilliant final bowls. New Zealand's final delivery failed and Wales celebrated.

Wales women's pair of Amy Williams and Lauren Gowen missed out on their bid for Commonwealth Games bronze following a 2-0 set defeat to Northern Ireland.

Wales now have eight medals with two silvers and six bronze in Glasgow.

It was a third medal for Thomas who was part of the squad that won bronze on the Gold Coast in 2018 and silver in Birmingham four years later.

The former primary school head teacher from Bridgend took up bowls in 2014 after losing her sight and within two months had won her first Welsh title.

"You want to come and compete and come away with a medal and this whole experience has been completely different because the set-up's different," said Thomas.

"I've never been in this sort of environment where we're playing indoors in an arena. The whole format is different and been a bit more tense.

"I didn't think I was going to like it, but it's exciting and the crowd participation has been better, so I'm just as delighted I've got another medal."

Thomas was in the celebrations with her faithful guide dog Yoko, who will be eight next week.

"She's an absolutely amazing dog," said Thomas.

"I wouldn't be able to manage something like this without her because you know she's just so calm.

"If you do get tense, a little cuddle with her is brilliant but she copes with everything."

Her partnership with James brought fresh momentum after the pair claimed gold at the first-ever Para-bowls European Championships in 2024.

James, now 34, was diagnosed with a eye condition called stargardt when he was 14 and his vision has deteriorated in recent years.

He is now celebrating a medal in his first Games after only taking up the sport three years ago and delivered when it mattered.

"As my brother has told me, pressure is for tyres," said James.

"It was really hard-fought game and Julie kept her head when mine was starting to go.

"This brought me back down to where I needed to be with some words of wisdom from John and Jamie helped us stay calm and composed.

"Luckily that last final ball paid off for us."

The Wales campaign came full circle after it had started with a dramatic tie-break comeback win against Australia.

They had suffered an agonising semi-final defeat against England but came back 12 hours later for the early Tuesday morning start at 08:30 BST.

Wilson, 72, is the oldest member of Team Wales and was a director of the medal sides of 2018 and 2022.

He is not Wales' oldest medallist with 75-year-old Para-bowler Gordon Llewellyn having won a silver four years ago.

"They came back with a determination to win and achieve what they've done," said Wilson.

"It's all about just trusting your technique and the process and shutting out extraneous noise.

"Just doing what you've been training for the last 12 months to do, and just delivering your ball where it's needed, when it's needed."

Like James, Jones wins a medal in his first Games.

"It's been a brilliant experience from start to finish," said Jones.

"Some of the games we've been involved in have been absolutely fantastic and I've absolutely loved it.

"To come away with a medal is a dream come true."

Wilson said it was a victory for inclusion in the sport.

"I've been battling at this or the past 14 years and it's paid off," he said.

"We've got a great relationship with Team Wales and we now feel a totally united team.

"What we're hoping this will do is showcase vision impaired bowls and introduce and inspire others to come out of their homes.

"To try and get onto the bowling green and give it a go with us."