Part-time electrician wins Commonwealth Games gold for England and immediately pays emotional tribute to late dad

PART-TIME SPARKY Sam Tolchard was bowled over with Commonwealth gold at his fifth attempt – and then paid tribute to his late dad. The Torquay lawn bowls star, 37, emulated his sister Sophie – who won gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games – with victory in the men’s singles. Sam Tolchard celebrates his Commonwealth gold at the fifth attempt Credit: PA Tolchard during the gold medal match Credit: PA The Devon player, who is a self-employed electrician, beat Malaysian Izzat Dzulkeple 2-0 in the final at the SEC Centre. His father Ray was a first-class cricket umpire and former Devon cricketer before passing away almost 22 years ago. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Tolchard – who has three bronzes and a silver from past Games – said: “My dad died when I was 15 and he put everything into me. “So that’s a long time, it’ll literally be 22 years on August 1st. READ MORE ON COMMONWEALTHS “He put everything into me, and mum as well. “I was so fortunate to have that start and I wouldn’t be here today without their support. “This means absolutely everything, it really does. It’s been such a long road with ups and downs. “There have been some real hard defeats over the years to take, but I’ve kept going. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Amy Pharaoh and Sian Honnor of Team England take gold Credit: Getty “It’s my fifth Commonwealth Games, a lot of people don’t get that many chances and I’m very fortunate to have had that many chances.” The women’s pair of Amy Pharaoh and Sian Honnor – one of Team England’s Opening Ceremony flag-bearers – claimed gold with a 1.5-0.5 victory over Malaysia in the final. Comment now