WATCHET bowls enthusiast Helen McDermaid has made history for her home club and Somerset by becoming the sport's national champion of champions. Helen took the England Women's National Champion of Champions title in Leamington Spa last Thursday, beating former England star Jean Stephens from Cambridgeshire in a resounding 21 to eight victory. And for the 70-year-old seamstress at Williton Hospital, winning was the icing on the cake in a sport which she has played avidly for the past 42 years. Helen joined Watchet Bowling Club in 1972, attracted to the game by her husband Michael's interest. "Michael was a bowler so I went along to try it out and I was just hooked," she said. Although the aftermath of the two days of competition in Leamington Spa left her struggling to move, Helen admits that winning the title was magical. "I'm really chuffed. I played 410 woods in two days so no wonder I can't move. "Obviously skill is involved but you have to have a certain amount of luck and it just went my way." Helen came close to winning the title in 2013, reaching the semi-final. But she beat Derbyshire's junior international Helen Mason 21 to 19 for a place in this year's final. Her success was watched by her husband and many fellow players and enthusiasts from Somerset. "I've had so much support from so many people - it's been marvellous. "People have been so kind and I've had loads of cards, emails and good wishes. "After I'd won, I said to my president - what have I done? "And she said you've given Somerset a winner so I think I've made a bit of history all round." Helen returned to Watchet last Friday but any hopes of celebrating had to be put on hold. "It was my turn to do the bowling club teas the next day, so it was a bit of a come-down." Hilary May, who manages the Somerset Ladies Bowls teams for major competitions, described Helen's success as a "fabulous achievement". "This is an amazing feat for someone from such a small club in rural Somerset," she said. Helen, who plays at least two or three times a week all year round, now automatically qualifies for next year's championships. "I shall be back and will certainly give it my best shot - so who knows what will happen?" she said.