Suffolk schoolgirl Katherine Rednall is one match away from becoming a world champion.

The 18-year-old Stowmarket High School pupil stormed into the final of the Ladies World Matchplay Singles with a convincing 11-5, 8-4 victory against eight-time world champion Alison Merrien.

Rednall, who was selected for the England senior outdoor team last September, becomes the youngest-ever finalist at the tournament, held at Potters Resort, Norfolk, and will face last year’s champion Rebecca Field in the final tomorrow, after she dispatched of Julie Forrest 7-2, 8-3.

Rednall won with 19 bowls and had 11 touches, and finished the first set in style, ending with a four on the final end as she led 7-5.

The second set was a far more comfortable affair with the teenager looking in control for the most part and she was only behind once in the set when Merrien took the lead at 4-3.

After the match, Rednall, whose father John – an England international – was in the audience, said: “I am really pleased to have got to the final and I played some of my best bowls.

“Alison was great as well and we had two close sets.

“I played in the mixed doubles final (lost with Andy Thomson on Tuesday) which was brilliant and it helped me in front of the crowd and cameras.”

On the subject of her dad John being in the crowd, Rednall added: “There was no pressure on me in front of my family. My dad managed to get the day off worl and I was pleased he was here.

“I was meant to be in school all week but by headmaster told me to take as much time off as I needed which was brilliant.”

The final will start at 1pm tomorrow and live coverage of the match will be on BBC2.