Kelly is Club Champion
A smaller than expected entry fought for the honour of club champion on Saturday in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter Bowling Club and it was Stefan Kelly who emerged as the tenth different winner of this event.
The afternoon began in pleasant enough conditions but deteriorated during the second round and from there onwards was completed in wet and windy conditions.
Unfortunately, after a few late withdrawals and some no shows a field of 32 was brought down to the last eight, with no less than four losers in the first round falling just one point short.
After a decision between those involved, the eight quarter finalists decided to carry on in the poor conditions, with Kelly who plays for Guns for Hire, coming through a tough encounter with the individual merit winner Matthew Keggen (Louie’s Angels) by a score of 21-17.
Jenny Moore (Outsiders) was also successful, with a win to 16 over team-mate James Teare; whilst Bryan Corner (Govags) took control from 12 across to defeat Kevin Firth (Outsiders).
The other game brought together junior merit winner Shannon McMullan (Mooragh Lakers) and Caroline Whitehead (Erin Porters) with the latter coming from behind at 14-16 to eventually win 21-17.
The first game in the semis saw Moore take a 13-11 lead over Kelly, before the eventual winner moved ahead on a longer mark and ran out 21-14; this while Corner and Whitehead were all-square at 11-across before the Porters player took six ends on the trot to lead by nine and two ends later the contest was all over.
The rain had eased before the players took to the green for the final, with Whitehead winning the first end, however Kelly took the title after once again playing the longer marks and winning the next eleven ends for a comprehensive victory.
Results – quarter-finals: Stefan Kelly 21, Matthew Keggen 17; Jenny Moore 21, James Teare 16; Kevin Firth 13, Bryan Corner 21; Shannon McMullan 17, Caroline Whitehead 21. Semi-finals: Kelly 21, Moore 14; Corner 12, Whitehead 21. Final: Kelly 21, Whitehead 7.
Just a few days earlier the midweek round robin had a relatively small gang of 25 split into two sections, with the trio of Derek Allen, Tricia Bull and Bernard Thackrah taking victory ahead of Sid McKnight, Peter Corlett and Bernie McPhee.
The eventual winners in the doubles group were Bernard Galka and Alec Taylor, with second spot going to Steve Parker and Ken Karran.
In the interest of safety and based on advice given regarding Coronavirus it is with sadness that the Outdoor Winter Club has had to bring this season to an abrupt end, therefore the midweek round robin was cancelled on Wednesday, along with the final weekend, which included the prize presentations.
The annual Best versus Rest event was also due to take place during an afternoon that was being given over to raise funds towards Cancer Research UK, Relay for Life IoM, Team Elf, I am sure this will happen at a later date.
The full list of prize winners for the past season are: J&M Lee doubles, winners Steve Parker and Dougie Allan; runners-up, Mike Alexander and Jenny Moore; Derek Killey individual merit memorial trophy, Matthew Keggen (Louie’s Angels); Geoff Osborn womens merit memorial trophy, Margie Tasker (Angels); junior merit, Shannon McMullan (Lakers); club champion, Stefan Kelly; runner-up, Caroline Whitehead.
League champions were Guns for Hire; runners-up, Seven-Up; third, Outsiders; fourth, Louie’s Angels and in fifth spot were Mooragh Lakers. Team merit winners in league finishing order were Dave Kelly (G4H), Mark Kelly (Seven-Up), Jenny Moore (Outsiders), Matthew Keggen (Angels), Steve Parker (Lakers), Mike Thomas (Parkers), Dougie Allan (Govags), Sylvia Kennaugh (Bowl Rollers), Bernard Thackrah (Erin Porters), Franz ten-Donkelaar (Bits n Bobs), George Peach (Cannons) and Dave Faragher (Corkers).