KATY Smith’s rapid rise up the national women’s bowling ladder continues this week.

The Westlecot indoor player, who plays outdoors for Royal Wootton Bassett, has qualified for the 2017 World Indoor Championships at Potters Leisure Resort, Norfolk.

The 20-year-old, who celebrated her birthday on Monday, competes today in the last eight of the ladies World Matchplay singles and was also due to compete in the world mixed pairs yesterday (Friday afternoon), playing with six-times men’s world champion Scotland’s Alex Marshall.

Smith’s previous appearance at this level was with father Neil a couple of years ago in the world open pairs but this time, she qualified third from the Professional Bowls Association (PBA) ranking list.

She was due to face Janice Gower (Blackpool Newton Hall) in the singles quarters this afternoon, with the semi-finals live on BBC on Wednesday and the final on Thursday.

Smith has enjoyed a superb last 15 months on the national and county scene, making her international debut outdoors when picked by England for the U18 international against Wales on her home Bassett green in September 2014.

Last February, she was beaten in the indoor semi-finals of the U25 singles championship by the eventual winner – England international and former world champion Katherine Rednall –and just missed out on a victory in the mixed fours final with sister Lucy, dad Neil and Westlecot colleague Ian Jefferies.

Outdoors in July, with sister Lucy, she won the county U25 pairs for the fourth year in a row and collected her first senior Wiltshire ladies title by winning the singles, going on to reach the quarter-finals at the national championships at Royal Leamington Spa, as well as the semi-finals of the mixed fours with her sibling, dad Neil and Mel Biggs.

  • AFTER more than a quarter of a century's of service to the Swindon & District Women’s Bowls Association, Sue Baker has retired.

The Cricklade stalwart, who joined her local club in the late 1970s, stood down from the S&D committee at the annual general meeting held at Swindon Bowls Club last Sunday.

To mark her 26 years-plus service, she was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a framed picture by outgoing 2016 women’s president Alison White.

Baker has held various positions at Cricklade over the years including president, ladies captain and fixture secretary to ladies league and mixed friendlies, as well as officiating at county and national level.

She helped Cricklade win the Wiltshire County Ladies Fours title in 1992.

Baker was also S&D president in the early 1980s and held the position of assistant secretary.

“I have had a most enjoyable time,” said Baker.

“I am going to carry on playing, although I am 80 years young this year and play in the S&D representative games, and of course, I will be around to help out and offer any advice if needed.’’