LODDON Vale produced three outstanding performances to reach the triples final of the Golden Charter English Women's Indoor Championships but their hopes of winning the national crown were dashed by Preston Park from Brighton.

Two years ago, skip Wendy Merchant and lead Theresa Darnell-Langton gained Loddon Vale's first national title in the unbadged pairs. When they teamed up with Irene Owen to qualify for the triples' show-down on Monday, it seemed their skills, plus the fervent backing of their home crowd, would bring more glory to the Basingstoke club.

Preston had shown outstanding form themselves in the earlier rounds and the Sussex trio left no doubt about their superiority by racing 11-0 ahead after five ends.

Although Loddon Vale finally got off the mark on the next end, Preston immediately collected a six to go 17-2 up.

Following that blow, there was no way back for the Hampshire three-some and, at 23-5 down after 14 of the 18 ends, Loddon Vale conceded and let the Preston celebrations begin.

With Claire Spreadbury reaching the under-25 singles semi-final, Loddon Vale have every reason to be proud of their efforts on the national stage.

Perhaps the highlight for Merchant and her colleagues came in the semi-final where they faced the might of Edna Bessell from Yeovil. The England star came fresh from a 23-1 quarter-final roasting of Paddington but Loddon Vale squeezed through 22-21.

A seven on the 11th carried Loddon Vale 18-8 ahead and, at 22-14 after 16 ends, the match looked over but there were late palpitations after the host club trio dropped a four and a three.

A vital three that sent them two shots ahead on the 17th end was the key to Loddon Vale's 16-13 victory over Essex County in the first round and they accelerated from 13-10 at 13 ends to overcome quarter-final opponents Riverain (Hertfordshire) 21-11.

The prestigious singles crown went to Doreen Hankin, who although competing under the Egham banner is a familiar figure at Loddon Vale.

The England skip plays regularly on the Basingstoke carpet in various competitions and her local knowledge came in useful as she regained the title she first took in 1992. In the final she defeated former Welsh badminton international Sue Evans (Taunton Deane) 21-17.

The championships finish tomorrow with the final of the club Championship for the National Express Yetton Trophy. In the last 16 of the under-25 singles on Saturday, 15-year-old Spreadbury overcame Lorraine Clarkson (Falaise, Hastings) 3-7, 7-2, 7-2. She won her quarter-final in straight sets - 7-5, 7-0 - against Croydon's Gemma Barnett, conqueror of senior international Helen Dabbs earlier in the day.

That brought a revenge mission against Louise Meeks. The Norfolk bowler beat Spreadbury in last season's nationals and triumphed again - despite being taken to three sets.

Spreadbury led 2-0 in the first, only for Meeks to take control for a 7-2 success. After being 5-5 in the next, Spreadbury collected singles to level at 7-5. In the decider, she was 5-3 down but holding four shots for a place in the final until Meeks drew the shot and went on to win 7-3.

Maggie Playle's brave attempt to win the champion of champions title on Tuesday was halted in the semi-final by international Jean Baker.

Playle - flying the flag for the Longmeadow club at Whitchurch - held an early 4-3 lead and at 13-11 behind was still very much in the game until Baker scored three successive twos.

That gave the Mansfield bowler a 19-11 advantage and she eventually eased through 21-14. The consolation for Playle was that not only was this match hailed as one of the best of the week but Baker went on to become national champion, easily beating Marilyn Crane (Clacton) 21-9 in the final.

Playle had performed wonders to qaulify for the last 16, having beaten Kathy Strutt 21-20 in the zone final after trailing 16-3 to the Egham international.

The Hampshire bowler reached the last four by ousting Jeanne Shillington (Avon Valley) 21-12 and then Pamela Armstrong (Desborough, Maidenhead) 21-18 in the quarter-finals.