THERESA Darnell-Langton proved an exceptional champion by retaining the Golden Charter English women's indoor bowls singles trophy at Nottingham.

Only one other bowler in the 32-year history of the competition has managed back-to-back titles and the Loddon Vale celebrity from Aldermaston matched the feat of the great Norma Shaw in the 1980s by beating Kent teenager Sian Gordon 21-14 in Friday's final.

When Darnell-Langton took the 2004 title at Basingstoke, it might have appeared that she took advantage of playing on her home carpet.

But her superb display on the unfamiliar Nottingham surface shattered any doubts about her ability, especially as she beat two England caps - an under-25 international and the 2003 pairs champion, having previously toppled the 2003 singles title-holder Doreen Hankin in the zone final at Reading. Darnell-Langton said: "I am absolutely delighted and there have been tears of joy.

"This is more special than last year because it is a real achievement to retain the title on another green.

"When I went into the last 16 I had a vision that I could do it again.

"I had a very tough draw, but you can never write me off. What I lack in skill, I make up for with huge determination."

She opened with a 21-11 victory against Eastbourne's Pat Bain, winner of the pairs two years ago.

In the quarter-finals, Darnell-Langton out-gunned England colleague Jayne Roylance (North Walsham, Norfolk) 21-19 before producing, what she felt was, her finest display of the tournament by ousting another England cap, Penny Strong 21-11, despite giving the Lincolnshire player a 6-1 start.

In the final, Darnell-Lanton trailed 9-3 until switching to longer jacks and producing a seven-end blitz which enabled her to master junior international Gordon.

Though Darnell-Langton is a Loddon Vale member and a former club president, she entered the women's nationals this winter under the West Berks club banner.

Loddon Vale teenager Claire Spreadbury fell 2-0 on sets in the first round of the under-25 singles at Nottingham to fellow England junior international Katrina Jones from Desborough, Maidenhead, on Saturday.

First published: Friday, March 4