This was an U60 Inter-Club, double-rink, ladies' triples competition and provided a thrilling final 34-26 win against red hot favourites Swale from Sittingbourne in Kent.

The Edwinstowe-based South Forest previously won a national crown in 1993/94 when they landed the national mixed triples.

Swale, who boast several full internatonals and some U25 junior internationals in their line-up, had the easier of the semi-finals and looked set to regain the crown they last won three years ago.

And, over the two rinks, they swept into an early 12-1 overall lead.

But South Forest hit back in style, losing one rink by a single shot and shooting to victory by nine shots on the other.

Team manager Simon Barker said: "It was a great performance.
"The semi-final with Diss and District was really close, drawing one rink and winning the other by three shots.

"Swale had an easier semi against Dolphin of Poole and were hot favourites.

"It was a great turnaround by the girls."

To qualify for the final stages, South Forest had battled though four previous rounds, two of them at home.

They saw off Alfreton at home in the first, had a bye against Nottingham in the second and then beat visitors Rugby in round three, before a win against City of Ely on a neutral green.

Against Diss and District in the semi-final, they won 31-28.

Karen Chapman, Liz Munro and skip Pauline Marples drew 13-13 on one rink against Carol Bond, Sue Mobbs and Carole Baker.

On the other rink, South Notts prevailed 25-18 as Janet Eames, Jean Baker and skip Jane Lee saw off Sue Button, Pam Last and Pat Baker.

In the final Chapman/Munro/Marples lost 14-13 to Kim Modell, Joanne Clinch and Sian Gordon, but the Eames/Baker/Lee trio beat Jody Clinch, Amy Banes and Sandy Hazell 21-12 to clinch glory.

South Notts' reserve, who travelled down but didn't play, was Jackie Yelland.

Swale could have a chance to gain revenge at the inaugural Top Club National Mixed Competition in Torquay at the end of this month.

South Forest have qualified for the quarter-finals, when they will face Wisbeach.

But Swale are possible semi-final opponents if they overcome their first hurdle of the weekend.

Jean Baker is the ladies' singles representative with Simon Barker in the men's singles.

Pauline Marples and Calvin Rawson are in the mixed pairs with Nick Eatch, Pat Oliver and Wayne Tomlinson in the mixed triples.

Mixed fours representatives are Janey Eames, Karen Chapman, Ray Maskell and Dean Tomlinson.

South Forest's international star and Commonwealth Games medal-winner Jean Baker is also off to represent England in the Home International Series at Perth, Scotland.