Kieran Rollings keeps cool to claim second Commonwealth bronze

RELAXED Kieran Rollings reckons keeping his nerve under pressure fired him to a second consecutive Commonwealth bronze.

The Kettering bowls star, 26, bagged B6-8 bronze alongside partner Joe Peplow in Glasgow.

The English pairing were locked at one set apiece against hosts Scotland but battled over the line in a dramatic tie-break.

This was the third tie-break they had triumphed in here at Glasgow’s SEC, having also beaten Scotland in the same manner in the group stages.

And after emulating his Birmingham 2022 bronze alongside Craig Bowler, Rollings believes staying calm under pressure held the key to his success.

“We’re absolutely elated,” he said.

“It was so nerve-racking – we’re just happy to get that bronze medal.

“It’s been a tough week and we’ve managed to go out there today and do ourselves proud.

“You can either win a tie-break on a good bowl or a lucky bowl, and that’s just the way it goes.

“The way this format is makes it very tough.

“You’ve just got to relax, play each bowl as it comes and play against the opposition.

“We’ve done a few out there – they are tough but we’ve managed to come through the other side.

“We’ve got the closing ceremony later but when we’re back we’ll definitely share a pint or two!”

Rollings is one of 251 Team England athletes here in Glasgow, all of whom benefit from crucial National Lottery funding.

Him and Peplow, 66, has lost to New Zealand in their semi-final but bounced back when the pressure was on to bag bronze.

This was Rollings’ third Games competing for Team England and he’s loved flying the flag on the Gold Coast, in Birmingham and now in Glasgow.

“This is my third Games for Team England and I’ve loved and enjoyed every moment,” he added.

“It’s been very special to us.

“The Commonwealth Games shows the diversity and inclusion in the sport – it really is a sport for all and I encourage anyone to go out there and try it.”

Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £33m is raised every week for good causes. It’s because of you that sport, arts, heritage and community projects, as well as our athletes competing at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, are supported across the UK.