Three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Ellen Falkner believes she dealt with the pressure of expectation superbly after winning her first women’s singles title at the World Indoor Bowls Championships for ten years.

Falkner, who previously lifted the trophy in 2005 and 2006, broke her decade-long drought by defeating English compatriot Rebecca Field 10-9, 8-7 in a fiercely-contested encounter at Potters Resort in Norfolk.

The 36-year-old clinched women’s fours gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester before winning the women’s pairs titles at Delhi 2010 before adding women’s triples glory to her CV at Glasgow 2014.

Her third world title may well be the sweetest, given the gap since she last took the crown but she was made to work hard by the dogged Field, who never let her opponent build a substantial lead.

But after successfully getting over the line, Falkner believes her composure in the key moments of the match proved to be the difference.

“Rebecca played incredibly well and put me under a lot of pressure,” said Falkner, who was level with Field heading into the final end before holding on to a single shot to secure the title.

“It was the conversion bowls that were the difference but what a great spectacle of bowls it was.

“There's obviously a lot of pressure and expectation, but we both came in with the attitude that what will be, will be, and just go out and perform your best and try to give a great game. I think we managed to do that.”

Sportsbeat 2016