Angela Uttley in to last four at Ayr Northfield

Uttley, a 21-20 runner up to Lorna Smith in the 2012 final of the Singles proper, zipped into a 17-2 lead over second-round opponent Marian Allan of Denny then followed her 21-10 victory with another strong performance to convert a 17-1 lead into a 21-15 win over Irene Hannah of Greenfaulds.

The West Lothian challenger is the only survivor in the discipline from the Edinburgh and Lothian’s area but there is no local interest at all in the Gents Seniors Singles with last-man standing Bob Manson of Edinburgh Mayfield exiting in the quarter-finals.

Manson electrified the watching banking with a stunning fightback from 8-17 to pip James Murray of Carluke in a 21-20 second-round thriller but sadly only postponed a 21-6 exit to Colin Smith of Ayr Seafield.

Meanwhile, George Yuill of Easthouses (Dalkieth) gave high profile title favourite George Adrain of Dreghorn a good run for his money in their second-round clash, holding every chance at 16-17 before losing out to four singles.

Hopes that Colinton would make an impression in the Ladies Seniors Fours ended in disappointment but in traumatic circumstances in the shape of a in last-end defeat in their second-round tie against Strathmiglo.

Newbridge were also involved in a last-end cliffhanger but a double at the last clinched a 15-13 win for Carol Doyle, Isobel Sweeney, Kathy Sharpe and Margaret Archer over Strathclyde; however their day ended in tears, losing 21-13 to Newmains in the quarter-finals.

Kirkhill encouraged their hopes of making a successful defence of the Gents Seniors Fours title but a 19-12 win for 2015 heroes Alistair Robb, Jim Watson, Sam Wilkie and Andy Wilton was followed by an 18-7 defeat from Airdrie Central in the quarter-finals.

Tranent stars Dee Hoggan and John McCrorie shaped up well in the Mixed Pairs with a 20-10 win over Colgrain in the second round but the niece/uncle partnership made an 18-10 exit to Hawick in the quarters.

Bathgate duo Ally Blagg and Bryan Cooper departed the scene in the second round, losing 15-12 to Orbiston while Liz Greenwood and Bob Hartley of Musselburgh Municipal lost 23-12 to Dunning.

Late finishers on the opening day included high-profile siblings Gillian and Scott Mackintosh of London Road Foundry making an 18-17 exit to Strathmiglo in the first round and the 2011 champions were joined on the early sidelines by Hilda and Adam Melrose of Sighthill who were 18-7 losers to Linwood.

Corstorphine ace Jean Meiklejohn put up a bold show in her opening game in the Seniors Singles but just failed to turn up trumps in a 21-19 defeat from Maureen Sinclair of Ellon.