News of Bermuda's silver medal win by bowlers Antoine Jones and Conrad Lister at the Commonwealth Games spread like wildfire yesterday -- and the mood among local bowlers was nothing less than jubilant.

"I was ecstatic when I heard the news,'' said bowler Dean Lightbourne. "It's a great thing for Bermuda and for the bowling community as a whole.

"They're two of my best friends, so it's like I was there myself...we were brought up together and bowled on the same team.

"Even though we're a small nation, we can produce superior athletes. We've only got 60,000 people and a lot of talent gets overlooked. Don't write them off before they have a chance to compete...I hope now we'll get our due,'' he added.

Former Bermuda Bowling Club President Henry Corrado said when he heard of the silver medal win: "I was surprised, but I wasn't surprised -- they're very competitive.

"They came up with our Junior programme, and our Junior programme helps produce those type of bowlers.'' Mr. Corrado said the win was a credit to Warwick Lanes since they had significantly improved their facilities keeping in line with international standards.

And the mood at Warwick Lanes yesterday afternoon was jubilant -- employee Lyn Ford said: "I can tell you what everyone here is saying -- `our silver medallists' -- we see how hard they practice and they deserve every medal.'' "We are so excited,'' said Bermuda Women's Bowling Association Vice President Betty Lespere.

"We're going to put banners up tomorrow. The last time this happened was the bronze medal (at the American Zone Championships) in Bogota -- I love it!'' Bermuda's only professional bowler Quinton Hayward stated: "We're really just bubbling up over here. I heard about it around 4 a.m. on the BBC news.'' He mentioned negative media reports that did not include bowlers among Bermuda's elite athletes and stated: "I found it disturbing...how do you separate us from the so-called `elite' athletes? "When it comes to bowling, people turn their heads the other way, but we have been achieving big things.'' Youth and Sport Minister John Barritt said, "It gives encouragement and hope to every athlete in Bermuda who competes on the world level.'' Shadow Youth and Sport Minister Nelson Bascome stated: "I'm elated... I used to bowl with those guys, and those two have been dedicated to the sport for a number of years.'' CAC GAMES ATHLETES