South Ramsey Stun Marown
In division one South Ramsey A took on league leaders Marown A with the reigning champions using their home advantage on a tricky green to record a tremendous 9-1 win over the Crosby men, who I cannot recall ever suffering such a heavy defeat in my 25 years of league bowls. For the Home team John Kennish defeated Paul Kelly 21-11, with David Bradford, Glynn Hargraves and Peter Collister not far behind winning to 12, 14 and 15 over John Gelling, Paul Dunn and Neil Withers respectively. In the second half of the match Dido Kelly and Chas Grills won to single figures over Matthew Keggen and Phil Kelly, whilst Stefan Kelly defeated Dean Kipling 21-15. Marown’s only winner was Colin Kelly who performed well to hold off Alan Moore winning 21-18. The Marown men can take comfort from South Ramsey suffering a 9-1 defeat at Crosby in 2016, however South Ramsey still went on to take the title that season, Marown will be looking to repeat this result later in the season to square things up.
Peel A took full advantage of the top of the table clash to leapfrog Marown A recording a 10-0 win in the sunset city over South Ramsey B with David Proctor, Jerome Surridge, Tom Kelly and Dave Kelly all winning to single figures. Tony Dugdale was the highest scorer for the visitors, however Frank Watson managed to win 21-17.
Marown B finally got their season up and running with a 7-3 home win over visitors North Ramsey A with Harry Barton, Peter Kelly, Steve Bridson, Brian Kelly and Juan Killip winning for the Home team. The winners for North Ramsey were Steve Walmsley, Gary Merrill and Allan Callow.
Douglas A took on Port St Mary A with the Villa men winning 6-4. For the Home team Andy Kennish, Merv Sayle, Keith Rise and Jimmy Sansom all won, whilst for the visitors Ewan Cooil, Trevor Quayle, Steve Franks and Wayne Roberts were the winners. Wayne’s 21-20 victory was all the more impressive given he was 6-20 down before recording 15 consecutive points to run out on his opponent. This goes to show that a game is never over and is one of the biggest comebacks I can recall.
Onchan A had a good 9-1 win over Douglas B, just missing out on a whitewash with Pat O’Donohue winning 21-18 over Steve Crampton. For the home team Matthew Quirk, Phil Kerruish and Rob Monk all won to single figures, whilst Mark Kelly had to work hard to hold off Andy Cannell to record a 21-18 win.
Port Erin A made the short trip to the ancient capital of Mann to take on Castletown A, coming away with a 3-7 defeat. For the visitors Dave McCabe, Peter Addision and Bernie Durcan won, whilst for the home team Ian Watson, Mike Hargraves, George Peach, Peter Oates and Jeff Kinley all won.
In division two Nobles A stunned high flying Castletown B to record an 8-2 home win to overtake the Castletown men at the top. For the visitors the winners were Dave Faragher and George Foy, whilst the home team winners were Reginald Temporaza, Bod Boland, Glenn Boland, Steve Cook, Tommy Collister and Dave Pease.
Ballaugh A recorded an 8-2 home win over Onchan B with Peter Wallis and Bernie McPhee the only winners for the visitors.
Bottom of the table Port Erin B will have had their spirits lifted considerably following a 7-3 home win over Peel C to close the gap on the teams above them, whilst Port St Mary B had a good 8-2 home win over Peel B. Finch Hill A also had an 8-2 win away to Port St Mary C. Nobles B won 7-3 at home to North Ramsey B.
In division three Marown C stayed top following their 8-2 away win over South Ramsey D with Jamie Joughin and Walter McCarthy winning to single figures. The winners for the home team were Ian Moore and Richie Davies.
Ballaugh B kept up the pressure on Marown C with an 8-2 home win over South Ramsey C. For the Home team Philip Quayle and Percy Faragher won to single figures, with Paul Routledge and David Corkill the winners for the visitors. The Ballaugh men have a game in hand on Marown C and will be looking to return to the top of the table once Marown take their turn to sit out later on in the season.
Ballaugh C came away from their short journey along the West coast to take on Peel D with a 7-3 victory taking the extra two points by only three chalks with Steve Tate losing out 20-21 and junior Ryan Tate losing out 19-21.
Castletown C came away from the Villa with a 6-4 win over Douglas C, whilst Onchan C had a 7-3 home win over Finch Hill B, however only eight chalks separated the teams.