COUNTY star Tracey Powell skippered England to victory at the British Isles Women’s Bowls Council in Leamington Spa.

Powell, from Leominster, was part of a strong team that prevailed 149-101 against Ireland to retain the trophy.

It was the first time that Powell had captained her country.

"It was great to skip England and there was quite a good atmosphere," said Powell.

"The Wales match was very full on and lost to them by just two, so we had to dig in and play well against Ireland.

"We beat them quite comfortably so overall won the series."

Powell, who last year won the National Pairs Championship alongside her sister Lynda Smith, teamed with Carole Galletly, Katherine Hawes and Amy Stanton for England.

They lost 20-18 to Ireland's Linda Vance, Cliodhna Eadie, Noeleen Kelly and Sandra Bailie, but it did not matter as England still prevailed.

Earlier wins against Scotland (124-103) and Jersey (157-74) put England in pole position to retain the title until the narrow 103-101 defeat to Wales.

The success against Ireland included a 42-10 rink by Laura Holden, Jamie-Lea Winch, Lorraine Kuhler and Sian Honnor.

It was a triple success for England and they will aim to complete a quadruple of titles when the 2016 international series is staged in Scotland in next year.

Powell's other matches saw her team thrash Jersey's Cathy Le Sueur, Carol Ruderham, Eileen Vowden and Jackie Knight 30-12.

However, they lost to Scotland's Lesley Doig, Lynn Lees, Sheila Douglas and Lorna Smith 28-18 and Wales' Caroline Taylor, Stephanie Amos, Ceris Hewlings & Jess Sims 16-14.