SUCH is Lucy Beere’s cheerful demeanour that losing agonisingly in a world final by just one shot could not upset Guernsey’s ex-England international.

‘How could anyone be disappointed at coming second in a world championship – and by such a narrow margin?’ she said after her narrow defeat in the final of the World Bowls Champion of Champions women’s tournament by Australian teenage sensation Kelsey Cottrell.

‘I enjoyed the final enormously – as well as the whole week. It’s made me all the more determined to qualify for next year’s event, which will be staged in Norfolk Island.’

The final could not have been closer and the 6-6, 6-5 scorecard said it all – low scores, with shots hard to come by, and very little to choose between the players.

It was a major achievement for Beere (pictured) to lift a world championship silver medal.