FORMER world champion Margaret Johnston rewrote the record books in Ayr yesterday when she became the first player to win the British women's singles bowls championship for a third time.

Johnston, the defending champion, produced a powerhouse second-half performance to heat Welsh title holder Ann Dainton 25-11

It was a double disappointment for Dainton, who lost out by just one shot in Sunday's pairs final.

Johnston opened up an 11-4 lead after eight ends but Dainton then picked up six shots over the next five ends to close the gap to just one at 11-10.

Johnston, from Ballymoney, Co Antrim, opted for a shot to three-quarter length jack and then pulled away again.