The 36-year-old Englishwoman, a Commonwealth Games gold medal winner at Manchester 2002, Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014, won the indoor singles crown in 2005 and 2006 but has struggled over the last decade.

After impressing in the earlier rounds this time around, she faced a tough final once again against compatriot and 2013 champion Rebecca Field.

Falkner started the stronger by racing into a 3-0 lead in the opening set only for Field to show her class, claiming a full house of four shots in the fifth end to move 6-3 ahead.

Field led 7-5 after eight ends before a maximum from Falkner proved enough for her to edge a nailbiting finale 10-9.

Falkner's fighting qualities came to the fore once again in the second as she recovered from 3-0 and 7-5 down to eventually claim victory 8-7.

"Rebecca played incredibly well and she put me under a lot of pressure," the winner said.

"It was the conversion bowls that were the difference, but what a great spectacle of bowls it was and I'm just glad we both performed well in the final.

"There's obviously a lot of pressure and expectation, but we both came in with the attitutde that what will be, will be and just go out and perform your best and try to give a great game.

"I think we managed to do that."

Action is due to continue in the corresponding men's event tomorrow.