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Sunday, 4 August, 2002, 12:09 GMT 13:09 UK
Scots are golden pair
World champions Alex Marshall and George Sneddon staged a stirring fightback to win gold in the men's pairs and stretch their unbeaten record to 23 games.
The Scots won the Auld Enemy showdown with Steve Farish and Sean Morgan 12-10 to prevent England winning their fourth gold medal in a remarkable bowls event for the host nation.
Marshall said: "To go through the World Championship and the Commonwealth Games without being defeated, I don't think that will ever happen again."
The Tranent 35-year-old has enjoyed much success at world indoor and outdoor championships but said: "This is my first Commonwealth Games medal and I would probably say that this is bigger.
Marshall and Broxburn's Sneddon, in his first Commonwealth Games at the age of 52, left it to the final bowl of the final end before settling the nerves of their supporters at Heaton Park, Manchester.
But, with the English 10-9 ahead, Farish missed with an attempt to take out three Scottish shots with his last drive and had to settle for the silver medal.
Scots bowls team boss Bob Dick said: "I am absolutely thrilled to win two out of the four golds we were chasing as bowling is the only sport to win two gold medals for Scotland at these Games.
"I just wish Alex and George would have a bit more respect for the manager and not keep leaving it so late to win."
The Scots had to fight back from 7-2 down after seven of the 15 ends.
Farish brought the English side level again immediately and then looked poised for gold after taking a single at the 14th end.
But Marshall and Sneddon showed their class with some superbly accurate shots in the final end to cement their standing as the best men's pair in the world.
It was the English pair's first season together and Farish said: "Our main aim was to qualify from a very tough group and give ourselves the chance of a bronze, so we have done brilliantly to get a silver medal.
"We hope now to come back and get the gold at the next Commonwealth Games."
Malaysian pair Said Safuan and Maswadi Aziz, plus South Africans Shaun Addinall and Gerry Baker, took bronze.
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