SUMMER on the Ayrshire coast ought to conjure images of beaches strewn with sun worshippers applying the factor-50 and cowering under parasols. Instead, for the second year running, continuous rain battered down on opening day of the Bowls Scotland National Championship final at Ayr Northfield causing spectators to cower under regular brollies to catch a glimpse of the over-55s championships.

Despite winning the women’s Blue Riband singles crown for the last three years, Linlithgow’s Lorna Smith saw her bogey in the Senior Singles event continue as she crashed out to Irene Hannah from Cumbernauld 21-11.

Hannah, who has played every year since the event’s inauguration in 2013, only dropped seven ends of the 19-end match

Later Smith, who will now concentrate her efforts later in the week on taking the principal singles crown for a record-extending fourth time in succession, had no excuses and only words of praise for victor Hannah.

“It was just one of those games for me. I was 6-2 up and then I just wasn’t in it for the next six ends where I lost eleven shots. I couldn’t fault the rink though, it was me.

“She played some top bowls when needed. I hope she continues that form and goes on to win it.”

2004 singles champion Celia Smith from Buckhaven was also a surprise casualty falling from grace in a 21-14 defeat from Margaret Duthie from Abergeldy that now leaves the field wide open.

In the Senior Fours, holders Dumfries bowed out to the highly experienced Zetland rink of Elwyn Smith, Valerie Stewart, June Struthers and Pat Johnston 14-12 and they continue today against West End Stranraer.

In the men’s senior games, Hugh Smith from Stonehouse safely negotiated a second-round berth in both the singles and mixed pairs, as did Rothesay’s Donald McKellar. In the singles Smith wrapped up a 21-8 win against Irvine Parks Robert Tait in 15 ends and meets Balgonie’s David Leitch today while McKellar counted out Seafield’s Bob Findlay 21-7 and now meets Gifford’s Sandy Plenderleith.

And in the mixed, with Gail Notman , Smith ended the hopes of Dudhope duo Ailsa Robertson and Mark Thomson 20-8 while McKellar and partner Violet Westland overcame Tarbert 17-13.

They will face defending champions John McDermott and his grandmother Mary Price from Sighthill who safely negotiated their passage with a 23-16 win against Tom and Senga Robertson from Stoneyetts.

Despite a scare in the closing stages, Upper Cowals Alex Kennedy, Keith Campbell, Dan Whyte and Davy Beattie stay in contention to become the first three-in-a-row winners of the Senior Fours title after holding off a late challenge from Barrhead’s Bert Handvidge, Alex Sclater, Alex Smith and Gordon Lawson to win 14-12.