PLYMCO Unity Park bowler, Vince Hart, celebrated his birthday in style on Sunday by skipping his team to a convincing victory in the seventh Bere Alston Open Bowls Competition.

?I?ve been playing in this tournament for the past three years. It always coincides with my birthday and this win makes it one of the best anniversaries ever,? he said.

Plymco Unity Park beat Civil Service, the 1998 victors, by a huge 137 margin. Their previous best result in this prestigious tournament was fourth in the inaugural 1997 event.

Twenty-eight teams from Devon and Cornwall took part with Devonport Park beating Plymouth Elizabethans in the third place play off.

Bere Alston chairman, Keith Whitting, said the standard this year was higher than ever. ?The wonderful weather helped and I?m glad all the participants agreed this is the foremost competition of its kind in the county.?

Vince Hart agreed: ?The whole event was first class, the play, the organisation and the spirit. We must congratulate Bere Alston and now we look forward to defending the Shield next year.?