Yearly Archives: 2016
Paddy Power Super 32 – Qualifying Event
Super 32 Qualifier Winner 2016
Matthew KeggenMatthew Keggen became the first of two locals to earn a place in the highly acclaimed Paddy Power Super 32 competition which takes place in June Festival Week, attracting some of the top names in the sport.
He was the cream of a stellar crop at South Ramsey on Saturday as he produced some of his best bowls on his way to victory. In the final Matthew settled the quickest and was always in control as he got the better of Stuart Garrett 21-13. Take nothing away from Garrett as he also played some magnificent bowls on the day but Keggen was just too hot to handle in the final.
In the Semi Finals both men recorded respective 21-17 victories with Keggen eliminating Bob Clark and Garrett disposing of Neil Withers. Fallers at the quarter final stage were Stevie Kelly, Nathan Cooil, Phil Kerruish and Adrian Skinner.
Congratulations to Matthew who qualifies for the main event to be held on Friday 24th June and also to South Ramsey and green keeper George Brew for putting on the competition and providing arguably the best playing surface on the Island.
All Change as Onchan Express build up Steam
Champions Onchan A got their title defence back on track with two impressive 9-1 wins last which sees them move two points clear of second placed Marown A as they hit the summit of Ellan Vannin Fuels Division one for the first time this season.
Respective victories over North Ramsey A and Port Erin A sees them leapfrog the Crosby outfit who suffered their first set back on Wednesday. Marown A started the week will with an 8-2 win over Port Erin A, but a loss by the same score away at South Ramsey A has dented their title ambitions.
The Northerners were pushed all the way on their travels to Castletown A on Monday leaving with a battling 7-3 win to set up the highly anticipated midweek clash with Marown, and they will have been delighted with a 6 point winning margin.
Whilst the result may seems one sided it wasn’t with South just edging all of the extremely close encounters to leave them eight points off the top with a game in hand.
South Ramsey B had a brilliant week to move into fourth place after winning 6-4 and 9-1 against Ballaugh A and Nobles A respectively. They really are turning a few heads already.
Port St Mary A are a team with an outside chance of the title and although they only had one match last week will be pleased to have won the Southern Derby 8-2 against Castletown A.
Douglas B continued their impressive start to the season with an 8-2 home victory over Finch Hill A before being brought down to earth with a bump as the lost out 8-2 to North Ramsey A.
Onchan B took advantage of a postponement in the clash between Peel C and Peel A to move top of the division two tree, despite losing a game. They lost out 7-3 to Peel B on Monday before picking up a 9-1 over North Ramsey B later in the week.
Peel A are only one point off the pace, with a game in hand, after a very impressive 10-0 maximum over Nobles B. They preserve the only 100% still intact in this division.
Castletown B are in third spot just one point behind Peel with Marown B only a further 2 points back after recording 2 wins last week.
Nobles C have moved ahead of Douglas C to top Division Three after respective 91 & 8-2 victories over Peel D and Finch Hill B.
The boys from the Villa are still primed in a good position on equal points, having played a game less as they were made to fight all the way for a 6-4 win over South Ramsey D.
Marown Maximise Their Potential
Marown A found themselves back on top of Ellan Vannin Fuels League Division One after two strong showings last week.
They began the week with a battling 7-3 victory over Port St Mary A at the memorial playing fields before travelling to the Villa Marina, outdoing even their own predictions, to destroy a star studded Douglas A side 10-0.
This win is even more surprising after Douglas looked to be in good form picking up a fin 8-2 win away at Castletown A earlier in the week.
South Ramsey A who trail Marown by seven points, however they have a game in hand, had a very impressive week. They started by defeating champions Onchan A 6-4 at Onchan Park before adding to the woes of the Douglas club as they also secured a maximum 10-0 home win over Douglas B.
Marown and South Ramsey are certainly setting the early pace however Onchan A are still touch just four points further back in third place, having played the same number of games as South. They only had one game last week and will be hoping to regroup before the visit of Douglas A who will also be hoping to right some wrongs from their poor showing last time out.
Surprise package South Ramsey B occupy fourth spot and an impressive 8-2 win over Finch Hill A in their only game last week keeps them progressing nicely in their first season at this level for quite some time.
Only three points separate the next four teams with Douglas B on thirty three points, Castletown A & Douglas A on thirty one and Port St Mary just one point further back on thirty. This is turning into a very unpredictable division, and as with Premiere League Football this season, its difficult to predict what will happen as nothing seems to be going to plan, but that’s sport and I am coming to expect a major upset every time I put pen to paper these days!
It’s a similar story in Division Two with only five points separating the top five teams. Onchan B top the tree after a hard fought 5-5 draw away at Port St Mary B last Monday set them up for a midweek 9-1 victory over Peel C.
Casltetown B are just two points off the pace after two solid performances, winning 6-4 away against Nobles B before a very impressive 8-2 win over high flying Peel A. Peel now drop to third and find themselves two points behind town with a game in hand.
Peel B had their best week to date beating Ballaugh B 9-1 and following this up with an 8-2 win over Onchan C to move within one point of their A team.
Marown B are fifth on the same number of points as the Govag’s second string after two more solid performances. A 6-4 win over Peel C in the sunset city was followed up by a 7-3 result at home against Nobles B. The Crosby men have actually won more games in this division than anyone else and if they start adding a few more individual games to their tally could climb the table.
Port Erin B top the third division and started the week with a vey impressive 7-3 win over second placed Douglas C. Douglas bounced straight back with a 9-1 victory over Port St Mary D whilst Port continued in their winning ways beating Peel 7-2 away from home.
Ladies over 60’s catch-up matches
There was a remarkable game at Port Erin on Thursday 5 May, where in a high-scoring match the teams ended all square on points, although Castletown won 4-2 on games. No player on the home side scored less than 18, while two of the players lost 20-21, Jackie Elliott to Joy Stephens and Audrey Gardner to Sue Peach. In reply Anne Oates for Castletown lost out 20-21 to Sylvia Shelbourne. Flo Kelly spoiled the party for Ballaugh by denying them a full house, although Maureen Payne almost gave the visitors a second game reaching 18 points against Ann Gale. Villa were another team to win 5 games, Moira Anderson coming through 21-19 against Joan Murphy to prevent a whitewash for Mooragh Park. Although Port St Mary B fought hard at Marown, Chris Holland was their only winner, Edwina Reid came close with her 20 against Celia Joughin. Douglas ended level with Breagle on games, but a win to single figures by Kath King gave them the advantage on points. Peel Sunset won four games with Joyce Kelly and Mary Moffatt winning to single figures, the two winners for Nobles’ being Sylvia Kennaugh and Flo Price.
DOUGLAS 105, VILLA 77
The derby match between Douglas and Villa, postponed from 28 April, was played Monday 2 May. The home side, Douglas had the advantage 4-2 on games, the winners for Villa being Pat Kelly and Brenda Williams.
Abandoned match from 28 April
PORT ST MARY B 97, NOBLES 81
The match between Port St Mary B and Nobles, which was abandoned after 3 games on 28 April was completed on Friday 6 May. The home side won 4-2 with three wins to single figures and despite Lin Ruscoe’s strong reply, and Josie Harding reaching 19 against Roma Ware Port St Mary B ended with a 16 point advantage.
Sylvia Cashen Charity Ladies’ Doubles
Sylvia Cashen Charity Ladies’ Doubles Winners 2017
Debbie Leece & Alison KeggenThere was an entry of 18 pairs for the Sylvia Cashen charity ladies’ doubles played at Port St Mary on Wednesday 4 May. The weather stayed fair and there were some close games played in good spirit.
When the semi-final stage was reached there was a possibility that Lin and Paula would be playing Lyn and Paula in the final. However Alison Keggen and Debbie Leece were determined to prevent that happening!
Semi-finals: Alison Keggen and Debbie Leece 21, Lyn Bolton and Paula Garrett 9; Paula Firth and Lin Ruscoe 21, Win Collister and Rita Callister 9.
This left three Noble’s players involved in the final.
Lin and Paula had the edge in the early exchanges taking the lead 11-8. The scores were tied at 11 across then at 14 across, at which point the younger pair got the bit between their teeth when having got hold of the jack they refused to relinquish it, coming through to win 21-14.
The presentation was made by the Lady President, Linda Dawson, who hoped everyone had enjoyed their games, and thanked everyone for raising nearly £300 for Manx Anti-cancer – an amount the club would make up to the £300.
Alison thanked her partner, and all those involved in the smooth running of the event
Trend over 60’s Tuesday 3 May
It was a pleasant morning for bowls on Tuesday 3 May in the Trend sponsored over 60’s league, and with the sun on their backs two teams were able to record maximums. Port St Mary A were merciless against Ballaugh, with Tricia Bull and Margaret Tasker winning to single figures. The best score for Ballaugh was Voirrey Oates’ 16 against Rita Callister. Onchan were even more ruthless against Mooragh Park with four of their players winning to single figures. Ann Keane fought well for the visitors reaching 19 against Jan Kniveton. Joyce Henry spared Breagle’s blushes against Peel, winning her game and denying them a full house. There were some close games with Steph Swift reaching 19 against Joyce Kelly while Gwen Tuck took Lynda Wilson all the way before going down 20-21.Castletown also recorded five wins against a Douglas side who were unfortunately a player short. Jan Osborne was the lone winner for the visitors although Patsy Rush nearly added a second game reaching 19 against Anne Oates. It was a high scoring game at the Villa with all six players reaching double figures. Although winning 4-2 on games, with Muriel Cain and Margaret Corlett reaching 19 for the home side, Port Erin won by the narrow margin of 4 points.
Nobles’ also won 4-2 against Marown with Sylvia Kennaugh winning to single figures as did Mary Alderson for the visitors.
Ladies’ over 60’s Thursday 28 April
Winter returned with a vengeance on Thursday 28 April. The rain caused the match between Douglas and Villa to be postponed to Monday 2 May, while at Port Erin the match was abandoned at the half-way point, the remaining three games to be played on Friday 6 May. At Peel conditions were pretty dire towards the end of the match and despite winning 4-2 on games with a win to single figures by Mona Kerruish, single figure wins by Anne Oates and Ann Hollingworth together with Barbara Young reaching 19 against Cath Parker and Sue Peach’s 20 against Joyce Kelly the visitors won by 6 points. Port St Mary A recorded a maximum away to Mooragh Park, with Maureen Wright being the only home player to reach double figures, while at Marown Gwen Tuck prevented a whitewash for Breagle. The game of the match saw Hesba Skelly just lose out 20-21 to Margaret Scarffe. It was a draw on games at Port Erin, but a good win to single figures by Carol Kaye, together with no member of the home side scoring less than 15 gave the hosts a comfortable points victory. The postponed match between Douglas and Villa saw Douglas with the advantage 4-2 on games and a 28 point victory.
Ladies’ over 60’s league Tuesday 26 April
Four of the six games played in the Trend sponsored over 60’s league on Tuesday ended 5-1 on games. Ballaugh came closest to a maximum, dropping just one point when Maureen Wright edged out Peggy Griffin 21-20. A second game went to the wire when Mary Simmonds had the better of Moira Anderson by the same score. Patsy Rush saved Douglas’ blushes against Onchan, Moire Turner almost giving them a second game when she reached 18 against Rita Callan. Port St Mary A won three of their five games to single figures, the main resistance for Port Erin coming from Carol Kaye, who won her game, and Mavis Francks who lost out 19-21 to Win Collister. Castletown had two wins to single figures in their 5-1 win over Marown, whose lone winner Mary Alderson also won to single figures. Breagle were a player short against Port St Mary B, but managed a draw on games, and Hesba Skelly, with her 90th. birthday looming, reaching 20 against Edwina Reid, losing the match by a mere 6 points. It was also close at the Villa, ending level on games. Muriel Cain won to single figures for the home side, as did Mary Moffatt and Joyce Kelly for the visitors giving Peel victory by 5 points
Ladies’ Night League Friday 29 April
Port Erin recorded the highest score of the night in the C Tarleton Hodgson sponsored ladies’ league on Friday 29 April, against a depleted Onchan team. Dee Lewis was the loan winner for the visitors, while as well as two walk-overs the home side won four of the seven games played to single figures. There were some very close games at Castletown, where despite a close win on games the home team finished with a sizeable points advantage. Sue Peach reached 18 against Kim Hargraves while Marie Ashurst lost out 20-21 to Sylvia Kennaugh. South Ramsey maintained their pressure towards this year’s title with a good win at Peel, winning 7-2 on games with three wins to single figures. The two winners for the home side were Shirley Corrin and Heather Horsburgh. With two good wins, Mooragh Park kept Port St Mary’s total down, although the reigning champions won 7-2 in games, four of the games to single figures. Ballaugh had a 5-4 advantage on games against Marown, although Rosie Winckle almost reversed that reaching 19 against Ellie Faragher. However the home team’s three wins to single figures meant they won by a clear points margin. The points at Purt le Moirrey were very similar to those at Ballaugh, the home team winning three of their 5 games to single figures to give them the advantage on points.
Top Lady
Top Lady Winner 2016
Jenny MooreThe weather stayed fair, if a little chilly, for the Top Lady event played at Noble’s 1 on Saturday 30 April.
The thirty-two ladies who had qualified to play produced some hotly contested bowls of the highest order.
Quarter-finals: Jenny Moore 21, Lil Smith 9; Elaine Moore 21, Alison Keggen 16; Anne Oates 21, Helen Martin 17; Mary Moffatt 21, Mary Alderson 8
The first semi-final saw mother, Elaine, against daughter, Jenny. Despite Jenny winning the first three ends the first half of the match was evenly contested with the scores level, 10-10, after fourteen ends. At this point Jenny took control, coming through to win 21-12.
In the other semi-final after a cagey beginning, Mary won four ends in a row, then Anne did the same levelling the score 7-7. After another single each Mary prevailed, booking her place in the final 21-11.
In the final Mary had the advantage 6-5 after nine ends, then levelled the scores at 12 all. From that point Jenny just had the upper hand, although Mary did not make it easy for her, coming through to take the title 21-16.
Those who had braved the cold to stay and watch the final saw an excellent match and congratulations should go to both players.
The Association president, Rosie Winckle, made the presentation, and Jenny thanked Noble’s for the use of their facilities, the measurers and markers, and those responsible for the refreshments