MINEHEAD bowlers Pauline Morgan and Sue Langdon became the new All England Champions on Saturday.
There were 9,000 entries from clubs all over the country for the England Women's Bowling Association National Championships ladies pairs competition.
In seven games leading up to the final, Sue, pictured on the left, and Pauline, the Somerset champions, had a difference of 76 shots in their favour - but it was not an easy final.
The Minehead pair were 11-15 down until the 18th and 19th ends when precision deliveries from Sue took the ends by four and three shots respectively.
That gave them an 18-15 lead, and on the final end of the game, opponents Mary Taylor and Kay Kerley, from Basingstoke, Hampshire, needed five shots to win, but only scored two - leaving Minehead the winners 19-17.
Playing at Leamington Spa, Pauline and Sue had decisive wins against pairs from Derbyshire, Lancashire, Cumbria and Northumberland, then in the quarter finals beat Oxford C and C 21-11 and in semi finals Middlesex A 24-9 to reach the final.
And history was made as it was the first EWBA final to feature two county secretaries, Sue and Kay, at skip.
Pauline and Sue were presented with the England sash and a set of brandy glasses after the match and will receive other awards at a presentation dinner at a later date.
Their next step is to represent England in the British Isles Championships in Scotland next season.
Pauline and Sue thanked their supporters, well wishers and husbands for their encouragement and help.
And congratulations have been expressed by the pair's fellow club members: "We are aware of the team spirit, bowling skills and dedication to the task that they put into the success," said a spokesman.
Photo: Steve Guscott