Penarth bowls player Emma Woodcock is on cloud nine after winning a silver medal at the World Bowls Championships.

Emma was a member of the Welsh Women’s Bowling Association’s triples team who were runners-up in the competition held in New Zealand.

It’s the pinnacle event of the bowling world which saw 34 qualified countries compete across four disciplines - singles, pairs, triples and fours.

The very best international bowlers battled it out for the sought-after medals, with the Welsh women celebrating their best ever results at the event - returning home with gold and silver medals and finishing in second place overall.

A member of Cardiff Bowling Club and a member of Penarth Windsor Bowling Club, Emma was partnered by fellow international teammates Kathy Pearce, of Berriew, and Anwen Butten, of Lampeter.

Finishing third in their group, Wales beat their near rivals England to guarantee a podium finish before knocking out Malaysia in the semi-final. The final saw them edged out by Australia who enjoyed an epic tournament topping the women’s event and winning singles, triples and fours.

Emma’s fellow team members Laura Daniels, of Brynhydfryd, Neath, and Jess Sims, of Llandrindod Wells, won Wales’ maiden gold in the pairs event. It’s only the fifth gold medal Wales has won.

The silver medal is the highlight of Emma’s bowls career so far.

Playing since she was 10-years-old in her home town of Knighton, Mid Wales, before moving to Cardiff, Emma has represented Wales at both junior and senior level indoors and out for 25 years.

Winner of the outdoor four-wood singles in 2014, Emma had the honour of playing in the Champion of Champions event in Helensvale Bowling Club, Queensland, 12 months ago.

In the spring, she won the indoor national Champion of Champions event and was called up to join the World Bowls squad at the end of the summer initially as a travelling reserve and assistant team manager.

One week before the team were due to fly to Christchurch, squad member Caroline Taylor, of Berriew, had to withdraw due to family circumstances and Emma took her place as lead in both the triples and fours teams.

Said Emma: “It's a dream come true, especially given the circumstances, I was pleased I was able to step up to the mark and make an impact after such short notice."