THE family of bowls star Derek Oliver are “over the moon” after he claimed an historic Commonwealth Games gold medal on Sunday.

Oliver won gold in the men’s triples alongside Ronnie Duncan and Darren Burnett on Sunday – Scotland’s first ever medal in the event.

He was just one of a number of East Lothian athletes to star at Australia’s Gold Coast, as fellow bowler Alex Marshall, from Tranent, won silver in the pairs, as did Dunbar para-sprinter Maria Lyle in the T35 100m, and swimmer Dan Wallace won two bronzes in the pool.

Dad-of-two Oliver, 33, was cheered on by his loved ones more than 10,000 miles away in East Lothian.

Derek’s wife Fiona told the Courier: “I was absolutely over the moon.

“The kids [Abbie and Jack] stayed up to watch the semi-final but they were just too tired to make it to the final.

“It was on at about 3.30am but I was up – I’ve never been more on the edge of my seat.”

And she revealed that the couple’s children were “so excited to hear daddy had won a medal” when she broke the news in the morning.

Fiona added that she had hardly spoken to her husband since his gold medal triumph, but said: “He will be absolutely delighted.”

Meanwhile, Derek’s dad Jim, himself a long-time member at Cockenzie and Port Seton Bowling Club where Derek also plays, said he was “very proud” of his son.

He added: “It’s not every day that you win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

“We’re very chuffed and they’re doing well in the fours too so hopefully he might get another medal.”

There was congratulations too from Billy Mellors, the county’s bowls development officer for Oliver, who told Courier Sport: “Derek gave a man-of-the-match performance in the gold medal play-off versus the home favourites Australia, producing some phenomenal bowls under the greatest pressure.

“He has devoted his time preparing for these games and to say it has paid off is an understatement.

“The East Lothian bowling community are extremely proud of his achievement and wish him and Alex Marshall the very best of luck in their quest for a medal in the fours.”

Graham Robertson, managing director of Henselite UK, which sponsors Oliver, was similarly pleased.

He added: “I have played with and against Derek for over 10 years – he always had a natural ability for the sport and it came as no surprise that he was selected for the Commonwealth and secondly that he performed, along with team-mates Ronnie and Darren, at a level good enough to win gold for Scotland.

“Those that watched the final saw a man-of-the-match performance.

“His talent and temperament for the sport are undeniable and if he makes himself available for future selection more wins will follow.

“The long line of bowling successes in East Lothian over these last 40 years have been remarkable and Derek continues that incredible story.”