BOWLS Stalwart Joan Walmsley went close to bringing the national two wood singles crown back to Bath Bowling Club following a heroic run to the final of the Bowls England Championships at Leamington Spa.

Walmsley banked £400 in prize money after coming through a series of close matches before finishing as runner-up to Kent's Wendy King.

One of two Somerset representatives in the prestigious competition, Walmsley opened with a straightforward 18-2 triumph over Jo White of Middlesex before beating Oxfordshire's Myra Lewis 14-7 in the second round.

Her next three victories were all achieved by the narrowest of margins as she defeated Maggie Spence (Berkshire) 14-13 and Ann Anderson (Durham) 15-14 before overcoming Wiltshire player Linda Kingston 15-14 in the semi-final.

That set up a meeting with Milton Regis' King in the final but Walmsley had no answer to her opponent's fine display and was beaten 16-5.

"She played well and I have no complaints about losing to her in the final," said Walmsley.

"I've been to Leamington Spa a few times as part of a team in the fours, triples and pairs, but never thought I'd reach the final of an individual competition. I won one, then another and it just kept happening.

"You're playing internationals and people from the Commonwealth Games squad so it is quite an achievement."

Walmsley, who lives in Southdown and switched to Bath from the Civil Service club seven years ago, will collect her trophy and medal at a Bowls England ceremony at Leicester's Walkers Stadium.