Ryan won a tense first set by 8-7, but her rival responded to take the second set 8-5 and move the match into a sudden death conclusion at the Potters Leisure Resort in Great Yarmouth that has hosted these Championships for 20 years.

The Scottish player then brought all her expertise to bear as she calmly saw out victory by taking the first two ends.

She thus earned a semi-final on Wednesday (January 24) against England’s Katherine Rednall, who was the first to earn a semi-final place with a 10-5, 8-4 win over Scotland’s Julie Forrest.

After seven ends Rednall - who last year defeated defending champion Ellen Falkner on her way to a second women's title - was 7-5 up and she then produced an outstanding sleight of hand to take the first set with  further three shots.

The second set was tighter – 4-4 after seven ends meant it was all to play for in the final end.

Rednall had the final bowl and made it tell as she took both shot and set away from the Scot.

The last match of the afternoon saw England international Janice Gower up against Guernsey’s six- times British Isles ladies singles champion, Alison Merrien.

These two players are the best of friends off rink and know each other’s game well so this was always likely to be a close match.

Merrien came from behind to produce the single she needed on end nine to level the first set at 6-6.

By the time the players moved into the eighth end of the second set, Gower led 6-5, and she managed to produce another two shots that earned her an 8-5 win that took her through.

Gower's opponent in the final will be fellow England player Rebecca Field, who defeated Chloe Watson of Ireland 6-5, 9-7 in the evening match.