Katherine Hawes was quick to shrug off the disappointment of finishing runner-up in the English Indoor Bowling Association National Ladies Singles Championship for a second time.

The Oxford & District star, who was beaten in the 2000 final by South Shields’ Ann Knott, was this time pipped 21-18 by Scarborough’s Carole McLean in a tense decider at Melton Mowbray.

“I was obviously disappointed because that is the second time and I was just hoping it was going to be my turn this year,” said Hawes.

“But I am the sort of person who gets over things very quickly and who thinks what will be will be, so obviously it was not meant to be.”

Hawes was always trailing McLean, before staging a late rally, which almost saw her snatch victory.

She held two shots to go 20-19 up, but her Yorkshire opponent drew the shot with the last bowl of the end to forge 20-18 ahead.

Hawes also held the advantage at the next end only for McLean to again produce a winning wood, which gave her the title.

“I didn’t feel so comfortable in the final as I had done in the other rounds and I was always searching for the green,” added the Oxford & District ace.

“Carole got off to a good start and I was always just behind and playing catch-up. I fought as hard as I could, but I just couldn’t do it.”

However, Hawes’s disappointment was tempered by the terrific run she enjoyed to reach the final.

She opened up with a 21-18 win over Clevedon Ladies’ Stefanie Branfield, before crushing Norfolk’s Rebecca Field 21-7 in the last eight and then brushing aside Swale’s Wendy King 21-10 in the semi-finals.

“They were really good results,” added Hawes. “I didn’t expect to win those games.

“Wendy King is one of the strongest bowlers in England. She often gets into the elite squad.”

Now Hawes is looking to reproduce her impressive form as England defend their title in the British Isles Championships and International Series at Stanley, County Durham, which get under way tomorrow.

“Hopefully I am on good form and fingers crossed, as we are in England, it will be nice to do well in front of the home crowd,” she said.