ELY bowls star Ellen Falkner has missed out on an historic family-inspired treble by the narrowest of margins. Former world champion Falkner, 26, was in line for an unparalleled haul of three national titles at the English Women s Championships, in Royal

ELY bowls star Ellen Falkner has missed out on an historic family-inspired treble by the narrowest of margins.

Former world champion Falkner, 26, was in line for an unparalleled haul of three national titles at the English Women's Championships, in Royal Leamington Spa.

Falkner had won the triples title with mother Sue Alexander and grandmother Dorothy Bowers before teaming up with her mother to take the doubles crown.

And she looked destined for victory - something which would see her become the first player to win three national titles in one season - when she progressed to the singles final on Saturday.

But Falkner was denied the treble when she narrowly lost 21-19 to Yeovil's Edna Bessell.

Falkner's mother Sue Alexander said: "She couldn't have got closer to the treble but she is delighted with how the championships went.

"It has been a fantastic year for Cambridgeshire bowls and this is just the latest success story for the county."

Cambridgeshire ladies won the National Johns Trophy for the first time earlier this month.