Daniels looked unshakeable, responding on several occasions by taking, or snuggling alongside, the jack. At 32 her future is bright but, this time, she couldn't quite knockoff the wily veteran.
"Laura was playing really well. I wasn't unhappy with how I was playing and I thought silver is not too bad a colour," Edwards said. "But I hung in there, put a bit of pressure on and see where it took me."
Edwards, attending her fourth Games, appeared relaxed as she strolled around the bowls complex bouncing a tennis ball prior to the roll off for gold.
But come the main event, she needed every one of her 16 years at this level to claim her third Games gold.
Edwards endured other moments of difficulty this week but her comfort in these surroundings, having spent time here adjusting to the greens before the Games kicked off, helped her survive significant pressure.
Courtesy of this latest success, the 48-year-old boosted her gold haul to three after claiming the pair's title in Manchester in 2002, and triumphing in the singles in Glasgow four years ago.
"I've been really calm I don't know what the hell is up with that. I tried to string a couple of ends together but every time I got close I'd drop three and let her get away again.
I'm really proud of my patience and stubbornness.
"I'm an old hand, so the kids in my team tell me. Moving here a year ago I don't think that's done me any harm, playing in the Queensland premier league against the blokes week in, week out. It just hones your skills – you know you've got to compete."
Eight victories here from Edwards added a 13th gold to New Zealand's rich history on the greens at the Commonwealth Games.
And she isn't finished yet, lining up in the pairs with long-time team-mate Val Smith tomorrow.
