A few stern words from Yeovil's Edna Bessell inspired England to ride out the storm against the host country yesterday, when the women's home international bowls series got underway in Belfast.

"Ireland were playing great bowls, and using local knowledge to put us under pressure," said Bessell, who is relishing her role as team manager. The rinks here are tricky, so I went along the bank, telling the skips to concentrate on the good hands, and to cut out any fancy shots," Bessell revealed, after England had finished strongly to beat Ireland, 137-102.

England owed everything to the rink skipped by WIBC women's world champion Debbie Stavrou, who beat Vera McCourt's Irish quartet, 41-6, which, ironically, accounted for England's 35-shots winning margin.

"We can't take things for granted against Wales tomorrow, but everything points to a tense decider when we meet the defending champions, Scotland, on Sunday," added Bessell.

Women's Home International Bowls Series in Belfast – England bt Ireland 137-102 – Rink scores (England names first): W King 25, J Dowds 17; E Falkner 19, A McKenna 19; S Hazell 17, O Paisley 22; D Stavrou 41, V McCourt 6; P Strong 19, D Baird 18; A Monkhouse 16, S Bailie 20. Scotland bt Wales 113-99 – Rink scores (Scotland names first): A Melrose 10, B Morgan 26; M Letham 23, S Oliver 8; L Stein 17, K Packwood 19; J Sykes 28, P Price 12; L Fraser 13, M Tanner 22; V McGregor 22, M Williams 12.