SIAN GORDON says she is chuffed after being crowned National Under-25 Indoor champion, and finishing runner-up in the National Singles Championship at Nottingham.

The 17-year-old England Under-25 international from Chestfield, a sixth form pupil at Simon Langton Girls’ School, was the youngest competitor taking part, and shrugged off pre-tournament nerves to carry off two of the major prizes.

She said: "My mum was the one who calmed me down, telling me that I should be there, and not be so nervous.

"I am really chuffed to have done so well. I went there thinking I didn’t want to be thrashed, but once I got past the first round of the main event, everything else was a bonus."

Sian’s performance has earned her another England call-up, this time for the British Isles Under-25 Championships at Prestwick in Scotland starting on Sunday week and she has also been selected for World Indoor Championships in Guernsey in November.

She also earned £400 in prize money, as well as two trophies, and will receive them at the England Indoor Bowling Association’s annual prizegiving lunch at Whittlebury Hall, near Towcester, Northamptonshire, on Saturday, May 7.

Sian’s Under 25 success began with an 8-3, 15-4 win over Natalie Coley, of Wellingborough, and then reached the semi-finals beating Carole McLean, of Scarborough, 9-8, 11-8.

She then overcame Katrina Jones of Maidenhead, 9-1, 3-12, 2-1, before beating Gemma Broadhurst of Spalding by one and a half sets to a half taking it 13-7 5-5.

The run to the National final began with a 21-8 win over Pam Harrison, beating Daphne Pratt 21-2 to reach the semis where she beat reigning indoor champion Ellen Falkner 21-6.

She won the title on BBC TV recently, but Sian said: "She was very gracious in defeat and congratulated me on playing a very good game."

The final pitted her against defending champion Theresa Darnell-Langton, and Sian admitted: "Her tactical way of playing messed up my game, but on the day she was better than me"

Sian was not short of support at the weekend. Apart from her mother, Jill, her Nan and sister Natalie were also there to cheer her on.

Sian added: "Mum reckons that I am now bowling with a real strategy since I played at the Commenwealth Youth Games in Melbourne last December. The trip really inspired me and I definitely feel I am a better player".

She practices for an hour most days at Oyster, much of the time on her own. "I find it’s better and I can concentrate more, spending time on new and different shots." she said.

Sian’s Oyster clubmate Stephanie Crates, 15, of Herne Bay won her first round contest against Louise Meeks 10-4. 0-9, 2-1, before losing in the quarter finals.

Two other Oyster members, Linda Elks and Barbara Grundy lost in the first round of the unbadged pairs.

For the men in the over-60s four-wood pairs, Jim Talbot and John Day went to Northampton, but lost in the quarter final to Egham by eight shots.