Welshman Chris Newton with the Fred Flintstone delivery. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0844472)

DESPITE his girlfriend waiting in hospital to give birth to their second child, Welsh number one Gary Newton won the first gold medal of the 2009 Adult Triple Crown.

Competing in the men’s singles at the Island Bowl, the 28-year-old, who is originally from Nottingham but who now lives in Tonyrefail, south Wales, won the event with a total score of 1,316 from the six games.

The Triple Crown featured some of the best bowlers from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey.

‘I’m made up because it’s my first international tournament,’ said Newton who owns a tenpin bowling pro shop.

‘My girlfriend is pregnant in hospital at the moment so I was umming and ahhing as to whether I’d come. It’s made it worthwhile coming.

‘It’s lovely here but my only concern is if she becomes sick. Then I’ve got to go. Hopefully everything will be all right.’

The first thing you notice about Newton when he bowls is how high his back lift is.

Newton, who started playing the game as a seven-year-old, lifts the ball way above his head at almost a 90-degree angle before swinging it down and letting go.

It is reminiscent of Fred Flintstone at the bowling alley and the only thing missing is the little twinkle-toed start to his run up.

‘It just came to me,’ said Newton of his unusual style. ‘I had it when I practised as a kid and it’s gradually got higher and higher, but it works.’