EAST Lothian secured double glory at the 2019 Bowls Scotland National Championships at Ayr.

Gordon White, of Aberlady Bowling Club, was crowned the Gents Singles winner while Megan Kivlin, of EL Co-op, is the new Ladies Junior Singles champion.

Both White and Kivlin know that winning feeling at Ayr well after both winning titles at the competition in 2016.

Twenty-eight-year-old White clinched the prestigious men’s singles title on Saturday afternoon with a 21-9 victory over Martyn Rice – broadcast live on the BBC Sport Scotland website.

He told Courier Sport it was “a big honour” to win the blue riband event but said his triumph in the final was not as comfortable as the scoreline suggested.

He said: “You are always worrying about your opponent making a comeback and with it being the final you never know what will happen.

“The weather was a bit dodgy as well and it could have started chucking it down but I was glad to get to 21.”

The greenkeeper at Kilspindie Golf Club was crowned the Gents Junior Singles champion in 2016.

White was hopeful his new triumph could be enough to catch the attention of the national selectors.

“I’ve not been capped,” he said.

“I hope this puts me in with a good chance. I had a trial with Scotland after I won the under-25s [Juniors] but was not selected.

“It kind of has been like a driving force to get back there and try to get a cap.”

Friends and family again swapped East Lothian for Ayrshire to cheer him on during the competition as he overcame five opponents to be crowned champion before celebrations were held back at Aberlady Bowling Club.

He said: “My parents were there for the first day but they were going on a cruise.

“So then my sister, brother-in-law, auntie, uncle and cousin were all through watching the final.

“My mum and dad could not see the final because they were in Montenegro, I think, and they could not see it.”

Things were a bit trickier for Kivlin, who lives in Tranent, as she did not have matters all her own way against Rachel Sinclair in the final.

The East Lothian bowler trailed by seven shots before turning the tie around in impressive fashion to win 21-13.

She said: “I was 9-2 down and got myself down a little bit but I pulled it back in the end.

“I got a few shots here and there and it made a difference in the end.

“There was not such a turning point but the game got more interesting as we caught the green a bit better as the game went on.

“You have got to keep believing and I have been in academies where you work on your mindset.

“You have got to make sure you have got the correct mindset or you will not get anywhere.”

Kivlin was just 15 when she won the tournament three years ago and repeated the trick last Wednesday afternoon.

The 18-year-old said: “The first one was probably the biggest success because I was kind of an underdog.

“I didn’t get picked for the Scotland team and a lot of people did not expect me to win.

“So I went out to prove a point but this still means the same; it is still the same success.”

The newly-qualified sports massage therapist was also cheered on by friends and family.

Kivlin was also in the draw in the Ladies Singles and reached the last 16 before narrowly being edged out 21-20 by eventual winner Margaret Letham.

She added: “That game could have been the final.”

Both county bowlers will now go forward to the British Championships, which attracts the best bowlers from throughout the UK.

The competition takes place next summer in Wales.