The IOM ladies Crown Green Bowling Manx Championship took place last Saturday at Breagle Glen Bowling Club attracting an entry of 32 lady bowlers. The competition was played 21up off scratch in sunny, but at times very windy conditions. 

Making bowling history by winning the championship for the fifth consecutive year, and winning the title nine times in total since its inauguration in 1973, was Jenny Moore from South Ramsey.

Booking their place in the quarter-finals were Jenny who won 21-16 against Stella Watterson (Castletown); Jenny Saunders (Castletown) who won to 19 against Breagle’s Caroline Whitehead; Shannon McMullan (Mooragh Park) who won to 18 against Louise Tebay (Marown); Mavis Franks (Breagle) who won to single figures against Helen Withers (Marown); Kim Hargraves (South Ramsey) who won to 18 against Gwen Tuck (Breagle); Clare Cooper (Marown) who beat stablemate Jayne Smith to 13; Debbie Leece (Marown) who won to 14 against home-greener Linda Dawson and Margaret Tasker who won to 10 against Marown’s Lynda Cadamy.

First quarter final pitted the two ‘Jennys’ against each other. Unfortunately for Jenny Saunders, Jenny Moore, was too strong taking the game 21-6. The second quarter saw Shannon have a comfortable 21-10 win over Mavis. The third and fourth quarters were closer affairs with Clare winning to 15 against Kim and Margaret eventually crossing the line 21-19 having had a nip and tuck game against Debbie.

Semi-finals saw Jenny play Shannon and Clare taking on Margaret. In the first semi, Jenny got off to a flying start and not giving Shannon a chance ran out to win 21-10 after 21 ends. Second semi was slightly closer with Clare leading 17-7 on the 18^th end. Despite a spirited comeback from Margaret taking singles in next seven ends, Clare ran out 21-13.

The final between Jenny and Clare did not disappoint as both ladies were on top form with the lead changing several times during the game with Clare having a one point advantage on the 20^th end at 14-13. Never one to give up, Jenny responded with a double, a single and another double to lead 18-14 on 23^rd end. Clare took the next end with a single, but it wasn’t quite enough to stop Jenny taking the next two ends to win 21-15. 

Many congratulations to both ladies for treating the spectators to an excellent final, but especially to Jenny on her fifth consecutive win and ninth title – an awesome feat!

Presentation of trophy and prizes was made by Caroline Whitehead, competition committee member, who thanked Breagle Glen for hosting the championship, also thanking Clare, Jenny and James Teare for the smooth running of the competition with special thanks to Ann Gale for sponsoring the event.

BCGBA LADIES VETERANS COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

A nine player strong Isle of Man Over 60’s Ladies team plus Team Manager travelled to Wrexham in Wales on Monday 22 June to compete in the British Crown Green Bowling Association Ladies Veterans County Championship. All matches were played on the following day (Tuesday) in extremely hot and humid conditions – water and shade were certainly the order of the day!

The competition was played in four groups consisting of four counties with the winners of each group progressing to the semi-finals. Group A and Group B played at Llay Miners Welfare Bowling Club; Group C and D at Gresford Village, with the semi-finals and final being played at Brymbo Sports and Social Club. All games played 15 off scratch.

The Isle of Man Team consisted of Elaine Moore and Sue Collier (South Ramsey); Hilary Kermode (Castletown); Paula Garrett and Sue Gawne (Nobles); Joyce Kelly (Peel); Lynda Cadamy (Marown), plus Caroline Whitehead and Margaret Tasker (Breagle Glen). Elaine was Captain and Janet Latham was Team Manager.

The IOM ladies were drawn in Group B along with Wales plus Warwick and Worcester. The other county in the group, Shropshire, had to withdrawn due to health problems. Group A consisted of Staffordshire, North Shropshire, Merseyside and South Yorkshire. Group C consisted of the favourites to win the competition, Yorkshire; Mid-Warwickshire, Dudley & District and Burton & District. Group D consisted of South Staffordshire, Lancashire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

Our ladies first match was against Warwick and Worcester and although we drew four all, we took the honours on points (97-91).  Wales was next on the green winning 6-2 (110-66) against Warwick and Worcester. With both the IOM ladies and Wales winning a match each, whoever won between ourselves and Wales would progress to the semi-finals. This match was a nail-biter with every point counting as we drew four all again winning by just three points, to seal our place in the semi-finals. Also going through to the semis were Merseyside from Group A; Yorkshire from Group C, and Greater Manchester from Group D.

The IOM ladies made their way to Brymbo Sports and Social Club for the semi-finals/final.  Our semi was against Group A winners Merseyside. Our ladies were on excellent form winning this match 6-2 and by 40 points (113-73). Second semi was also a 6-2 win for Yorkshire against Greater Manchester (106-73).

And so to the final, the first time for the Isle of Man! Unfortunately for our ladies and despite playing exceptionally well in the final and during the day, Yorkshire were too strong winning the match 7-1 (113-73).   

Results of the final:

Isle of Man	Score	Score	Yorkshire
Paula Garrett	14	15	Lorraine Hirst
Sue Collier	4	15	Lynda Drury
Margaret Tasker	8	15	Linda Gledhill
Lynda Cadamy	7	15	Julie Best
Sue Gawne	8	15	Jean Witchcombe
Hilary Kermode	12	15	Sally Turner
Elaine Moore	15	8	Karen Hill
Caroline Whitehead	5	15	Debbie Davis
	73	113

Many congratulations to our ladies on an excellent performance; they certainly did the IOM bowling fraternity proud. Also thanks to our supporter, Jenny Saunders, for all her encouragement and to Janet for doing most of the running round especially in the hot conditions. WELL DONE IOM LADIES VETERANS TEAM!

In the Ladies main event it was school-teacher Kellie Boyd (Woodlands Park) who etched her name into the history books, picking up her first festival title.

Boyd had the task of facing Tracy Wraight (Castlefields) in the final, with the latter making a strong start taking the first four ends to lead 10-5. Boyd got in with a double, in what was the first of three consecutive doubles and six in total throughout the game playing round pegs to devastating effect to lead 19-11. Wraight finally got back in on the 13^th end, however Boyd ensured there was to be no comeback, as she displayed nerves of steel to see the game out with two singles to seal a 21-11 victory. With Boyd receiving the £1,250 first prize, Wraight took home the runners up prize of £625.

In the semi-finals Boyd put paid to the challenge of Sarah Fox (Woodlands Park) with an assured 21-12 win, whilst Wraight put paid to the hopes of Rachel Wilcox (Crossgates) of doing the double following her success on Thursday in the Tourism event with a hard fought 21-19 win to progress to the final.

Boyd started her day off with a solid 21-14 win over Paula Gamon (Overton), whilst Fox just edged home 21-20 against Carly Williams (Comberbach). In the other half of the draw Wraight was in fine fettle with a resounding 21-6 win over Josephine McGhee (Knutsford), whilst Wilcox held off Louise Cotton (Wrockwardine Wood) 21-15 to advance to the next round.

In her speech Boyd said she hoped she would be able to return to the Island in 2027 to defend her title, having received special permission from the headmaster to take the week off from her role as a school-teacher, as to get the week off in the first place was a once in a lifetime thing.

For local interest Nobles bowler Sue Gawne received the visitiom.com trophy for being the furthest local lady reaching the last 16 of the competition on Thursday afternoon, losing out 16-21 to be the highest scoring local in the round.

Ladies Tourism

The Ladies Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 2 green, with former local bowler Rachel Wilcox, who now plies her trade for Crossgates comfortably seeing her way through the latter stages of the Tourism event, sealing the win in the final with a 21-9 win over Kathy Chadwick (Castle Sports & SC), with the latter winning just three ends, whilst Wilcox scored heavily with seven doubles, taking just 13 ends to win the final.

Wilcox reached the final with a solid display in the semi-final beating Louise Tebay (Marown) 21-16, in a contest that the Crossgates player was always in control of. In the other semi-final Chadwick had a battle to hold off clubmate Emma Earlam (Castle Sports & SC) 21-18.

In the quarter finals Wilcox put paid to challenge of current holder Jenny Moore’s (South Ramsey) hopes of retaining the title with a 21-16 win, with Moore getting the score back to 15-16, only for a strong finish from Wilcox. Tebay advanced to the next round with a tense finish to the game, as she recovered from a 13-18 deficit to Denise Burchell (Castle Sports & SC) which went to a deciding end at 20-20, with the Marown bowler prevailing. In the other half of the draw Chadwick took a comfortable 21-12 win over Caroline Bushell (Lindal BC). whilst Earlam inflicted what would be the only defeat of the week on Kellie Boyd (Woodlands Park) with a 21-17 victory.

The 2026 Ladies Association Pre festival singles competition was held on Sunday 14^th June at Peel Sunset Club in warm and sunny conditions, attracting an entry of 33 ladies including ten visiting lady bowlers from the UK. Getting through to the quarter finals were five visiting bowlers consisting of mother and daughter Louise and Catherine Cotton  from Wrockwardine Wood; Lorraine Hirst  and Sally Turner from New Mill, and Paula Gamon from Overton plus home bowlers Elaine Moore, and Kim Hargraves from South Ramsey, and Janet Monk from Mooragh Park.

First quarter final saw Lorraine Hirst in fine form winning 21-10 against Catherine Cotton; second and third quarter finals saw strong performances by Paula Gamon, and Janet Monk who both won 21-13 against Kim Hargraves and Elaine Moore respectively. Fourth quarter final was a nip and tuck game between Louise Cotton and Sally Turner with Louise eventually taking the win 21-18.

The semi-final pitted Paula against Lorraine and on the 11^th end score was equal at 14 across. Lorraine took the next end scoring a two, but Paula hit back taking the following four ends to lead 20-16. Despite Lorraine scoring another two on the 17^th end, it wasn’t quite enough as a single on end 18, saw Paula take the win 21-18. Second semi was between Janet and Louise. Although Louise started off well taking the first three ends, Janet got into her groove taking eleven of the following thirteen ends to lead 19-11. Louise hit back with two singles and a double, but like the first semi it wasn’t quite enough as Janet scored singles on the following two ends to win 21-15.

And so to the final between Paula and Janet. Paula started off strong leading 14-11 on the 12^th end. Janet took the next end scoring a single and then playing a relatively straight mark over the crown of the green which she had played superbly all day, scored three doubles on the bounce to lead 18-14. Even though Paula hit back with a double and a single, Janet just had the edge scoring the three points needed to win 21-17 for a well deserved win. Both ladies played exceptionally well in the final treating the spectators to some outstanding bowling.

Presentation of trophy and prizes was made by Caroline Whitehead, competition committee member, who thanked Peel for hosting the event and providing refreshments throughout the afternoon; all the lady competitors, especially thanking Janet and Paula for a great final.

The Pre-Festival Ladies Doubles Competition, kindly sponsored by Fynoderee, went ahead at Castletown Bowling Club on Saturday, 13th June 2026.

A strong field of competitors took part in the popular round-robin format, with matches played over five ends throughout the group stages. The shorter format ensured plenty of closely contested games, with every end carrying added importance as pairs battled to secure qualification for the knockout stages.

The standard of bowling remained high throughout the day, with players producing some excellent performances and spectators treated to a number of exciting encounters.

After an impressive morning’s bowling, the four group winners progressing to the semi-finals were Rebecca Teare & Chris Price (Castletown), Voirrey Curphey & Jean Thackrah (Breagle Glen), Fiona Kennish & Jenny Moore (South Ramsey), and Lyn Bolton & Lynda Cadamy (Marown).

The closest battle for qualification came in the group won by Voirrey Curphey and Jean Thackrah, who finished level at the top of the standings with Gwen Tuck and Zoe Durcan. With a semi-final place on the line, the tie was settled by a thrilling one-end shootout, with Curphey and Thackrah holding their nerve to secure progression.

In the first semi-final, home favourites Rebecca Teare and Chris Price produced a strong display to defeat Voirrey Curphey and Jean Thackrah 7-1 and book their place in the final. The second semi-final was a closer affair, with Fiona Kennish and Jenny Moore overcoming Lyn Bolton and Lynda Cadamy 5-2 to set up a meeting with the Castletown pairing.

The final began in closely fought fashion, with both pairs exchanging early blows in a competitive contest. However, as the match progressed, Fiona Kennish and Jenny Moore found their rhythm and proved too strong, pulling away to secure victory and claim the 2026 Pre-Festival Ladies Doubles title.

Thanks must go to Castletown Bowling Club for hosting the event so efficiently. Special thanks also go to the ladies in the kitchen who kept players and spectators warm and well fed throughout the day, and to the club members who assisted with stewarding and measuring duties.

Finally, sincere thanks are extended to Fynoderee for their generous sponsorship and continued support of ladies’ bowls. Chris French was on hand to present the prizes and congratulate the competitors following another successful staging of this popular event.