A touching finish to Lucas' long, long career

DAVE LUCAS achieved a career-best performance in Belfast yesterday, then promptly retired.

At the age of 71 the Vale Rec veteran (pictured) helped Len Le Ber and Gary Pitschou win the British Isles outdoor triples championship and his very last bowl was a toucher.

'What a way to go out,' he said, referring to his decision, made earlier this year, to give up international bowls.

'I've been playing the game for 35 years and always wanted to go out at the top, but I never dreamt of anything like this,' he said.

In yesterday's final at the Belmont Bowling Club, Lucas, Le Ber and Pitschou were four shots up after two ends against Ireland's Darren and Gary McElroy and Clifford Dennison, but were in trouble four ends later when the host country hopes had taken a 9-4 lead.

Two ends later, they were all square again at 9-9, and it turned out to be a desperately close encounter, with the Guernsey trio edging ahead at 17-14 with one end left to play.

Looking for a big count, the Irish trio built up a good position on the last end, with several bowls in a receiving position, a yard or so behind the jack – but skip Dennison could not move it and Guernsey were happy to drop one shot.