Monthly Archives: May 2014

Jean Kelly Quarter-Finals

The quarter-finals of the Jean Kelly team handicap competition took place on Thursday 15th May.

MAROWN (+55) 171, PORT ST MARY (SCR) 180

Despite winning 7-2 on games, the two winners for Marown being Pat Withers and Mary Alderson, Port St Mary did not have it easy as Marown’s handicap made it a close match with the Southerner’s coming through by nine points.

NOBLE’S MIXED ( +25) 150, CASTLETOWN (+15) 168

Although close on games, Castletown winning 5-4, their four wins to single figures enabled them to overcome the difference in handicap, despite Rebecca Teare also winning to single figures, and go through to the semi-finals.

SOUTH RAMSEY ( +10) 193, PORT ERIN (+45) 157

Port Erin were unable to repeat their heroics of the first round as they took on the other Ramsey team, losing 7-2 on games with South Ramsey dropping just six points to their two winners, Mavis Franks and Phil Dobson.

DOUGLAS (+40) 187, PEEL SUNSET (+30) 189

This match went right down to the wire as Peel were two points ahead with two matches left on the green. Shirley Corrin edged out Pat Kelly 21-20 to increase the lead to three points with Pat Robertson and Muriel Cain still to finish. Pat reached 20 to give the match to Peel by just two points.

Gladys Cowell Ladies’ Over 60’s Singles

There was an entry of 25 for the Gladys Cowell Over 60’s ladies’ singles played at Peel on Saturday 17th May. The weather was kind although on a very fast green the increasing wind started to have some effect by the end of the afternoon.

Quarter-finals: Lilian Slinger 21, Pat Robertson 11; Jean Radcliffe 21, Heather Horsburgh 14; Sylvia Kennaugh 21, Connie Pettegrew 13; Shirley Whelan 21, Mary Black 13

Semi-finals: Lilian Slinger 21, Jean Radcliffe 10; Shirley Whelan 21, Sylvia Kennaugh 16

Lilian was imperious in the final taking the first four ends and a lead of 12-6 before Shirley put a 2 on the board. Lilian raced to 19-9 before Shirley tried to stem the tide with another 2. However it was too little too late as Lilian finished it with a 2 the following end to win 21-11.

The presentation was made by Heather Horsburgh who thanked all those who had entered, those who had stayed to watch the final and those who had helped in the smooth running of the afternoon.

South Ramsey Ladies Doubles

There was an entry of 13 pairs for the Ladies’ doubles open at South Ramsey on Wednesday 14th May, which was played in a round-robin format. One group of 6 pairs played 10 ends per game while the group of 7 pairs played 8.

The winners of the first group were Lilian Slinger and Jean Radcliffe with 63 points, runners up Philippa Taylor and Shirley Corrin scoring 56 points. The other group were led by Viv Grills and Heather Horsburgh with 60 points with Elaine Moore and Mary Alderson in second place with 53.

The two group winners then played each other in the final, a game to 21 off 6. Viv and Heather started well with a three the first end then it was downhill all the way as Lilian played a longer length and led well, supported by Jean at the back. Although they did win another two ends Viv and Heather had to hand it to Lilian and Jean as they ran out winners 21-11.

The presentation was made by competition secretary Gill Dixon who thanked all those who had stayed to the end, the ladies in the kitchen and all those who had helped in the smooth running of the afternoon.

Ladies’ League Friday 9th May

C. Tarleton Hodgson Sponsored Ladies League

Port St Mary were at their most ruthless against Marown in the C. Tarleton Hodgson and Son Ltd sponsored ladies’ league on Friday 9th May, winning all nine games, five of them to single figures. It was a night when all the matches were a little one-sided. Noble’s Mixed came close to a maximum with Edwina Reid being the only winner for Purt le Moirrey although Dot Mylchreest nearly added a second reaching 20 against Rhona Argallon. Port Erin had a successful trip to play Onchan, with the home side only able to win two games courtesy of Jo Smith and Phyllis Gelling although the games were well fought with everyone reaching double figures. Mooragh Park could only win 5-4 on games against Ballaugh, but a combination of all their players reaching double figures and winning two games to single figures gave them a comfortable lead on points. South Ramsey won 6-3 against Peel with a good points advantage while Castletown’s narrow 5-4 win on games at Douglas was not reflected in the points difference.

Top Lady

The weather was not kind for the ladies’ invitational “Top Lady” competition which took place at Port St Mary on Sunday 11th May, although it did improve as the afternoon progressed. The green was running well and there was some excellent bowling on display

Quarter-finals: Jenny Moore 21, Lin Ruscoe 11; Viv Grills 21, Gill Dixon 18; Shirley Whelan 21, Ann Maddrell 18; Janet Monk 21, Philippa Taylor 19.

As is often the case after three rounds of close matches, the semi-finals were both a little one-sided as the wheels fell off for Viv and Shirley who had both played so well all afternoon, leaving Jenny and Janet to contest the final.

Semi-finals: Jenny Moore 21, Viv Grills 8; Janet Monk 21, Shirley Whelan 5.

Janet was always on the back foot in the final as Jenny played some great bowls coming through to take the title 21-9.

The presentation was made by Association president Pat Robertson who commented on the superb bowling throughout the afternoon, before thanking Port St Mary Bowling Club for the use of their premises and their help during the afternoon, also for the refreshments and the lovely condition of the green. Thanks also went to the organisers for the smooth running of the event.

Team of the Week – Game 5

Division 1

We start at Douglas this week and Ian Moore and Paul Kelly both earn places thanks to respective hard fought wins. Moore saw off the challenge of Bob Clark 21-20 whilst Kelly dispatched Trevor Quayle 17. Peter Oates (Castletown B) edged out some of his team mates for a place in the team thanks to a superb 21-17 win over Tommy McMeiken (Peel). Daniel Fenton was man of the round with a tremendous 21-9 win over then Island Champion Glynn Hargraves (Onchan). Chas Grills (South Ramsey A) led his side to victory at the Crofts with a brilliant 21-2 win to seal his place. Robert Monk (North Ramsey A) helped his side seal the aggregate points despite losing on games with a solid 21-6 win over David Cain (Port Erin A) away from home. Marown players fill the final two spaces after a great win at PSM A with Mark Moorley taking a great scalp beating Paul Skelly 21-20 and Mike Cain showing Juan Hargraves the way 21-13.

Ian Moore & Paul Kelly (Douglas A), Peter Oates (Castletown B), Daniel Fenton (Ballaugh A), Chas Grills (South Ramsey A), Robert Monk (North Ramsey A), Mark Moorley and Mike Cain (Marown A)

 

Division 2

Gordie Moore (Ballaugh B) is the first name on the team sheet this week thanks to his scintillating 21-4 win over Dave Kelly (Onchan B) and is joined in the team by Onchan starlet James McNee who had another impressive win beating Richard Faragher 21-10 in the same game. Dave Hollingworth (Castletown D) showed his class away at Finch Hill A with a strong win over Bill Cairns. PSM are filling the ranks of this team on a regular basis and strong wins away from home over tough opposition for Wayne Roberts (PSM C) and Ken Karran (PSM B) cement their places. David Pease (Nobles Mixed) joins them for his 21-6 win over Tom Collins (PSM C). Andy Cannell (Douglas B) is showing fine form and a win at Ramsey books his place. The final place in our line up goes to Phil Parker (Peel B) for a terrific 21-2 win.

Gordie Moore (Ballaugh B), James McNee (Onchan),  David Hollingworth (Castletown D),Wayne Roberts (PSM C), Ken Karran (PSM B), Andy Cannell (Douglas B), Phil Parker (Peel B) and David Pease (Nobles Mixed)

 

 

Division 3

Marown B won the top of the table clash over Port Erin B and as a result are rewarded with 2 places in our team. John Kelly makes it for his 21-4 demolition job whilst Eric Kelly earns a spot for battling from behind to see out the win 21-19 over Derek Cadamy.  It has been hard to pick one player from the match between North Ramsey A and Nobles Park B but Bill Jones (Nobles Park B) makes it for his 21-12 win over the experienced Maurice O’Reilly. Onchan’s Bernie McPhee makes it this week thanks to an impressive 21-4 win and is joined by Bob Callow (Douglas C) for his impressive 21-6 win in the Sunset City. Ray Shooter (PSM D) is in this week after a strong 21-4 home win and the team is completed by Tony Marley & Sid Bolton with strong wins helping South Ramsey C beat their B team.

Eric Kelly & John Kelly (Marown B), Bill Jones (Nobles Park B). Bernie McPhee (Onchan C), Bob Callow (Douglas C), Ray Shooter (PSM D), Tony Marley and Sid Bolton (South Ramsey C)

 

100 Not Out for Kennish

John Kennish picked up an unprecedented 8th Canada Life International Manx Championship in style at South Ramsey at the weekend to once again etch his name further into the annals of Island bowls history.  

Kennish ended the drought for his 8th title eight years on from his last win with a 21-12 final victory on his home green over Marown’s five times champion Colin Kelly. This win signifies another momentous milestone for Kennish as it also flags his 100th men’s singles open title as he becomes the first local ever to notch up an historic century.

The final was a cagey affair in the opening exchanges with Kelly edging into a 6-5 lead. Kennish then took control, but, Kelly dug in to find himself trailing by a solitary chalk at 10-9.  This is when Kennish went into an overdrive and with 7 unanswered points saw himself cruise into an unassailable 17-9 lead. Kelly, himself a great champion, dug deep but didn’t have enough to match the imperious Kennish on this occasion and the Ramsey man saw out a brilliant 21-12 win over his arch adversary.

The sight of arguably the Islands top two bowlers for the past decade in the final was like seeing the normal order of things restored after Kennish had failed to make it to the main event since his victory over Paul Dunn at Port Erin in 2006. There is no doubt that this must have played on his mind and he will definitely feel like he has exorcised some demons with this win, and who knows maybe 10 titles is not beyond the realms of possibility for the greatest of all Manx Champions.  

Kennish had to be at his best all day and started of with an extremely high quality opener as he saw off the challenge of Bob Clark (Castletown) 21-16 to book his place in the quarter finals. He was simply on fire in his next game against David Bradford (Onchan) and was too hot to handle as he picked up a magnificent 21-7 victory to set up a semi final showdown with Paul Skelly (Port St Mary). Despite giving it his all this was never going to be Skelly’s day and Kennish secured his final berth with a hard fought 21-13 win.

Kelly was equally as devastating on his run to the final and a 21-4 win over fellow Marown Bowler Ian Kissack in his first game on finals day set him on his way in fine style. He backed this up with a solid 21-12 win over former champion Phil Kerruish (Onchan) in the quarter finals before seeing off the challenge of Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly (Douglas) at the semi final stage.

The weekend however belongs to John Kennish who despite always looking like an unstoppable force on his home green had to live up to the billing and put in the hard work to pick up a well deserved title. He is without doubt the greatest local player of his generation to step onto a bowling green and if he continues in this fine vein of form who knows what is possible in both his on and off Island exploits.

 

 

Onchan Express still on Track for Title

Title favourites Onchan A remain on track to regain the Isle of Man Bank Men’s Division 1 title with a strong 9-1 win over Ballaugh A, further opening their lead at the top. Only Daniel Fenton was able to stop the rout as he picked up his teams only point with a mesmerising 21-9 win over then reigning Island Champion Glynn Hargraves.

Marown A however kept their good form going with a brilliant 8-2 win away at inform Port St Mary A to limit Onchan’s extension of their lead with the gap now standing at 8 points. This really is a magnificent win away from home against Port who are again a solid and stable outfit capable of beating anyone, especially on their own turf.

Douglas A were the surprise package of last weeks fixtures and move into third place thanks to a simply mind boggling 9-1 win over Castletown A at the Villa Marina. Every one of the Villa Men chipped in with solid displays and they were only 3 chalks away from an historic maximum with only Ian Watson preventing it with a 21-18 win over Steve Crampton.

Castletown B are still going strong in 4th place after a great start to their campaign which they cemented with another strong home win, this time 7-3 over Frank Watson’s Peel A. Whilst the Towners are sitting pretty near the top the Govags find themselves too close to the wrong end of the table and they will be hoping to put more points on the board soon.

South Ramsey A are now back up and running after their heavy defeat at the hands of Onchan A and their own 9-1 this time away at the Crofts over Castletown C see them moving back up the table and I don’t think it will be too long before they move into third place.

The final fixture of the round in the top tier was the epic tussle between Port Erin A and North Ramsey A at Port Erin. The home side managed to edge the match on victories with 5 winners, however North had just enough to sneak the aggregate meaning it all ended with honours even on 5 points apiece.

Finch Hill A still top the tree in Division 2 and a solid 7-3 home win over Castletown D keeps them where they want to be. They have always been a solid home team with their home on Kensington Road and impenetrable fortress however if they pick up their share of away points there is no reason why they couldn’t finish off a brilliant start to the season.

Onchan B remain in second place and will be pleased to have matched their rivals result with their own 7-3 win away at Ballaygh C to keep their challenge going.

Finch Hill B didn’t fare as well as their first string and their 9-1 drubbing away from home at the hand of Peel B has opened the door for the Govags to move into third position.

Port St Mary B aren’t out of things just a point behind Peel in 4th and a really impressive 8-2 victory over Nobles Park A away from home keep them in the hunt for promotion and even title glory.

As predicted the Division 3 lead has changed hands yet again and Marown B, an intriguing mix of youth and experience, now call top spot home after a good 7-3 home win over Port Erin B.

South Ramsey B were savagely axed of top spot by their own C team who claimed the spoils 7-3 in the local derby to move themselves into 4th just 4 points off the summit.

Greeba Cup

MAROWN LADIES DOUBLES OPEN 

There was an entry of 23 pairs for the ladies’ doubles open played at Marown, for the Greeba Cup, on Saturday 10 May.

 Although the competition started in showery weather, it soon cleared to give a pleasant afternoon until the rain reappeared for the final. 

Semi-finals: Lin Ruscoe and Paula Firth 21, Chris Price and Janet Monk 19; Marie Ashurst and Kathryn Kinley 18, Shirley Whelan and Rosie Winckle 21. 

The final was evenly matched to start off, although winning more ends Lin and Paula were scoring singles while Rosie and Shirley had two three’s to make the mid-way score 12-11 in favour of the Marown pair, who then took off. Although Lin and Paula won two more ends they could not halt Rosie and Shirley‘s march to victory with a final score-line 21-14. 

The presentation was made by Pat Withers who thanked everyone who had helped in any way with the smooth running of the afternoon.

Ladies’ Over 60’s Thursday 8th May

League leaders, Port St Mary, did not have things all their own way against Castletown winning only two games. These were to single figures by Val Macfarlane and Margaret Tasker giving them a win on points. The highest score of the morning was recorded by Onchan B at Marown, 4-2 on games with all their players scoring at least 16 points, while Onchan A also came away with a win on points against Port St Mary B. Ballaugh and Peel Sunset produced the closest match of the day, ending level on games with the home team 6 points ahead. Noble’s Mixed and Douglas also ended level on games but with all their players reaching double figures the home side had a comfortable points lead. Mooragh Park won 4 games when they travelled South to Port Erin, although the home side fought well to reach a respectable total.