Yeovil's Ron Homer insisted he had no complaints despite narrowly missing out on Commonwealth Games bowls gold, writes James Toney.
Since losing his sight approximately 30 years ago, bowls has been a huge part of Homer's life, and he joined forces with close friend Sally-Ann Lewis-Wall in Glasgow.
However, the pair were narrowly edged out by Scotland's Mary Stevenson and Robert Barr in a tense final decided on an extra end.
"You want the gold, but I've no complaints to get a medal," said Homer, who, at 74, was the oldest athlete in Team England's delegation in Scotland.
"It's been an interesting few days because there were times when I didn't think we were going to get out of the group stages, so playing for a gold medal was a great result for us.
"Of course you want to win, but they just played better at the big moments."
Homer's career has seen him represent England internationally in disability bowls, including at multiple International Blind Bowls Association World Championships.
He won his first world title 11 years ago in New Zealand and was awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to the sport.
"When I lost my sight in the mid-1990s, everything changed," he recalled.
"I lost my driving licence, I couldn't work anymore, and it felt like my whole world had collapsed.
"Eventually, I was assigned a social worker and she mentioned there was a visually impaired bowls club in Yeovil.
"I knew absolutely nothing about bowls, but in the end I plucked up the courage to go along.
"I joined the club, caught the bug, and I've loved it ever since.
"It's taken me around the world and now I'm a Commonwealth Games medallist.
"That's very special."
Lewis-Wall has tunnel vision and can only see approximately four metres ahead.
She arrived in Glasgow as one to watch, having won para women's gold at the inaugural World Bowls World Cup in Malaysia and bronze in the para mixed pairs event alongside Homer.
"Being at the Commonwealth Games has just been fabulous.
"I'm really pleased with how we've played, and it's been a great experience – I've no complaints about a silver medal," she added.
"The next outdoor World Championships are in 2027 in Leamington.
"We're looking forward to that, and we'll keep working hard in the hope of being there."
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