Suffolk’s Katherine Rednall insists she is not feeling any pressure as she prepares to defend her title at The Just Retirement 2015 World Indoor Bowls Championship, which is underway at Potters Resort in Hopton on Sea.

Rednall, 19, became the youngest winner of the World Ladies’ Matchplay crown when she defeated Norwich’s Rebecca Field in the final last year.

Field, 25, had won the tournament the previous year.

Both are now eager to renew rivalry, although they are on opposite sides of the draw.

Rednall will start out with a first-round clash against Wales’ Marion Purcell on Saturday, the same day Field tackles Laura Thomas.

The duo, will also play in the Mixed Pairs a day earlier.

Bith are big football fans – Rednall an Ipswich Town supporter and Field a Norwich City follower – and Rednall is keen to keep the bragging rights in Suffolk.

Rednall, a member of Ipswich and District Bowls Club, said: “I’m happy with my form – really happy with how I’ve been playing in most games. I just hope that I can keep it up.

“It’s different coming in as the reigning champion and I know the odds will reflect that.

“But there is no pressure – I’ve won it once and I will go about it like I did last year and just enjoy it.

“It would be nice to meet Bex in the final again. I think she’d be well up for getting one over on me this time.

“Last year panned out perfectly. I just found the carpet as soon as I got on it. It really suited me as it’s nice and quick and quite swingy. I took it one round at a time and just kept my form up throughout the whole tournament.”

Rival Field said: “I’m looking forward to returning to Potters. It is the highlight of the year and the best place to play bowls.

“I know winning is possible if I come with my best game. More than anything, I really hope to just play well and see what happens.

“Every opponent here is world-class.

“I’ve enjoyed the season so far and I’m playing well. I know quite a lot about my first-round opponent Laura.

“We’ve met twice before and both have been exceptional games – I’ve won one and she has won one. The standard was superb, so hopefully we can replicate that.”

The Just Retirement 2015 World Indoor Bowls Championship runs for 17 days with the World Singles final taking place on Sunday 25 January.

The tournament is made up of four different events – The World Indoor Singles Championship, The World Indoor Pairs Championship, The Ladies World Match Play, and The Mixed Pairs World Match Play.

Stowmarket’s Mark Royal, 14th in the world, starts his men’s singles campaign with a clash against Ireland’s Mark McPeak, tomorrow.

The BBC will broadcast hours of coverage from the Championships.

Day tickets are still available, or you can opt for a short break during the tournament.

Visit www.pottersholidays.com for more information or call 0333 3207 436 for tickets.