TEENAGE bowls star Edward Elmore made history on Sunday when he retained his national title.

The 16-year-old, from Doddington, became the first person ever to retain the English Under-18s Short Mat Bowls Singles Championship.

He produced an inspired performance at Kempston Indoor Bowls Club, cruising through the group stages before knocking out England star Mitchell Young.

Elmore outclassed two more opponents to set up a meeting with 2010 winner Matt Sifford in the final.

A thrilling finish saw the match deadlocked at 12-12 - but Elmore held his nerve in an extra end to take the championship.

Brother Robert, who won the title in 2006, said: “Nobody in the history of the National Under-18s Singles has ever retained the title or got their name engraved on the trophy twice.

“I was runner-up the year after my win in 2006 but Sunday was the day when our own Doddington bowler managed to go that little bit further.

“He put our village and county on the map once more.”

The Elmores, who are members of Doddington Short Mat Bowls Club, run the village’s bowls shop, ‘Bowls Bi-Us’.