A Whitland Bowling Club trio are celebrating becoming Welsh champions!

John Rees, Andrew Evans and Mike John were crowned triples champions at the Welsh Bowling Association’s finals week in Llandrindod Wells on Friday.

And the three clinched their first national title in dramatic style - only taking the lead in the 18-end match against the favourites Phil Carpenter, Jarred Breen and Ross Owen, of Harlequins BC, Mid Glamorgan, on the last end.

The Whitland trio qualified for the finals after winning the Pembrokeshire event last month.

It’s the fourth time Pembrokeshire bowlers have won the triples title.

Seventy-six-year-old John, who is older than both Andrew, 31, and Mike, 22, put together, will now represent Wales at the Home International Championships next June.

“I was over the moon,” said Andrew, who is only in his third season of outdoor bowls. “It is an amazing feeling and achievement.”

Andrew and Mike, both short mat bowls internationals, came nailbitingly close to winning a Welsh title last year when they lost in the pairs final. But this year they made up for their disappointment.

“It’s great for John at the age of 76 to be playing at such a high standard,” added Andrew.

“We are so looking forward to putting the Welsh top on next season for the British Isles Championships.”