IRELAND'S Margaret Johnston lived dangerously as she defended her Women's World Bowls singles crown at Lemington Spa, losing 24-25 to Zimbabwe's Cora Howard-Williams but beating Argentina's Maria Vasquez 25-21.

Howard-Williams sprung from the bottom of the league to shock Johnston in the opening session

Johnston then faced a gritty opponent in Vasquez and the players were locked together at 3-3, 7-7, 9-9, 14-14, 19-19 and 20-20, before Johnston summoned up a stunning finish taking three of the next four ends with two doubles and a single to prevail.

During the match when a spectator criticised one of Johnston's deliveries, the world champion turned to the stand and said: "If you think you can do better, come and try it for yourself."