Rosemary Lenton, 72, wins gold at the Commonwealth Games with Pauline Wilson

Scotland’s Rosemary Lenton became a Commonwealth Games gold medalist at the age of 72 when she won the women’s pairs B6-B8 final alongside Pauline Wilson.

Lenton, a former competitive sailor and cyclist, made her playing debut in the Para Bowls two decades after complications from routine surgery meant she needed a wheelchair.

What started as a tight final against Australia’s Cheryl Lindfield and Serena Bonnell, who were tied 5-5 at the start, turned into a smash as Lenton and Wilson triumphed 17-5.

“Absolutely fantastic,” said Lenton when asked how victory felt. “I’m dreaming. We both played superbly.

“We always knew we could do it. We didn’t always produce it in round-robin, but when it really mattered, we did, and that’s the most important thing.

“It’s the first time Para-Bowls have been included for women. I thought I would never come to the Commonwealth Games and if I did it would only be as a spectator. It’s practically our Olympics because we can’t get any higher.”