An up and coming star of the bowls world got a first taste of international competition - and came away with a medal to boot.

Welwyn & District Bowls Club’s Rhianna Russell has enjoyed plenty of success from competitions at her club right up to national level but has never pulled on an England shirt until now.

And the teenager did not disappoint.

Playing for her country in the U18 International Series, she took home the bronze medal with partner George Hooper in the mixed pairs, coming third behind the Scotland A and B duos.

England had two teams competing in each of the formats of the two-day event, held in Solihull, where they were up against the Channel Islands, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

A strong start on Friday saw Russell and Hooper win all of their matches to finishing top of their group and qualify for the medal matches a day later.

Saturday saw the Scottish pairs find their groove but her club was still very proud of her.

A spokesman said: "Third was a tremendous result for Rhianna playing in her first match for England."

She also played in the fours but missed out on the medal matches on points difference, eventually coming fifth.

Russell will get yet more representative action when she joins the England squad for the U25 Women’s British Isles International Series.

That takes place in Ffrith, Wales, against the hosts, Scotland and Ireland on February 11 and 12.