Monthly Archives: August 2017

Castletown A take the ‘Ismay Cup’.

On Wednesday 16th August Castletown A and North Ramsey A met at the ‘Villa’ to play the 2017 Men’s over 60’s Ismay Cup Final.

It was North Ramsey A who took the early lead with a strong performance from John Cannan giving him a 21-1 win over Jimmy Young.

Games 2,3 and 4 however saw a spirited comeback from Castletown A with Peter Oates beating Tony Smart 21-9, Ron Williams beating Brian Colquitt 21-13 and Mike Hargraves despatching Ray Skelly 21-9 making the score 3-1 to the Southerners.

Steve Gill chalked up a win for North defeating George Peach 21-18 however, Mike Skelly battled lost out to George Foy 21-17 leaving the Northerners needing to win all the remaining games to lift the Cu.

Geoff Porter dug deep to take a 21-20 victory from Dave Faragher and it looked possible but a competent show from Colin Holland to beat George Monk 21-13 gave the Match to Castletown A.

In the last remaining game Jimmy Moffat of North Ramsey beat Derek Lewney 21-20 to give an overall score of 5-4 to Castletown A.

Many thanks to the Host Club, Douglas Bowling Club for all their help, especially Malcolm Black and Paula Garrett for their excellent measuring and to John Ryder, Jeff Wilson and Ken Karran from the Over 60’s League for their help.

Hargraves and Kelly Retain Commissioners Cup

Onchan Bowling Club held the Commissioners Cup on Sunday with 28 pairs taking part with the format being any combination doubles. The green was running well on the most improved surface on the Island over the past few years.

The eventual winners were the South Ramsey duo of Glynn Hargraves and Stefan Kelly, who retained the trophy by defeating Jordan Cain and Matthew Quirk 21-13 (Onchan) in a good final, with Kelly playing some great bowls at the back to keep the home greeners at arms length throughout the final.

Losing out in the semi-final to a 21-15 score line to the eventual winners, were James Teare and Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly (South Ramsey), along with Dave McCabe and Derek Allen (Port Erin), who just lost out 21-17.

The presentation was made by Kevin Quirk and Anthony Allen of Onchan Commissioners, with thanks given for the condition of the green, along with thanks to those who helped run the competition, and the Ladies for providing the refreshments.

Keith and Helen Surridge Memorial Rosebowl

Under sunny Northern skies a total of 18 pairs of bowlers gathered at the Mooragh Park to contest the Keith and Helen Surridge Memorial Rosebowl. After a competitive afternoon of bowling on a green now showing signs of improvement the final was an all South Ramsey affair with the added spice of pitting husband against wife as Elaine Moore and Glynn Hargarves came up against Stefan Kelly and Kim Hargraves.

In the final all the ends were closely fought but the Kelly and Hargraves combination edged ahead and eventually established a 20 – 14 lead. At this point Moore and Hargraves wrested control of the jack with a single and then produced a devastating couple of ends scoring a 3 on each to run out the winners by 21-20.

In the semi finals Kelly and Hargraves ended the challenge of the North Ramsey pairing of Anne Kean and John Cannan while Moore and Hargraves came through against another North Ramsey duo of Julie Reilly and Geoff Porter.

Losers at the quarter final stage were Derek Allen and Caroline Whitehead, Frances Radcliffe and Tony Smart, David and Maureen Lacey and Caroline and Steve Parker.

The trophy was presented by North Ramsey Competition Secretary Tony Smart who thanked the Surridge family for their continued sponsorship of the event.

Trend sponsored over 60’s league Tuesday 8 August and Thursday 10 August

Peel Sunset posted a maximum in the Trend sponsored over 60’s ladies’ league on Tuesday 8 August when they visited Douglas. Joyce Kelly and Heather Horsburgh won their games to single figures, but there was more resistance from other Douglas players, three of whom reached 17.Frances Radcliffe was the fly in the ointment for Port St Mary B as her 21-20 win over Roma Ware denied the visitors a full house. Maureen Lacey almost gave Mooragh Park a second game when she reached 19 against Chris Holland. Castletown won five of their six games, but their party was spoiled by Gwen Tuck winning her game for Breagle. It was a similar story at Port St Mary A. They won five games but were denied a maximum by Muriel Cain, while Maureen Payne was in devastating form at Onchan to prevent the home side being white-washed by Marown. Ballaugh managed two wins on their visit to Port Erin, but with the home side all scoring at least 16 and winning two games to single figures they finished with a strong points advantage.
Thursday 10 August
Mavis Franks won a close and exciting game against Cath Parker 21-20 to deny Peel Sunset their second maximum of the week, while Onchan fell short of a full house when Muriel Cain won her game for Villa. Joan Murphy almost gave the home side a second game, losing out 20-21 to Lynda Clarke. Port St Mary A made the short journey to Breagle where they won five games, two to single figures, while Jenny Cain was the lone winner for the home side. Mooragh Park had two winners at Marown, in Moira Anderson and Maureen Lacey while the home side won three of their four games to single figures. Douglas had a successful foray down south winning 4-2 on games, although there were some very close encounters with Dot Mylchreest losing out 19-21 to Kath King and Chris Holland getting even closer reaching 20 against Sue Caley. Nobles won four games against Castletown, the two winners for the visitors being Sue Peach and Ann Hollingworth, while Joy Stephens reached 19 against Pat Dacre.

C Tarleton Hodgson Ladies’ League Friday 11 August

With the Marown v Onchan match being postponed due to Philippa Taylor being off island with Joyce Ogden to represent us in the Dorothy Piearce Pairs, there were only five matches played in the C Tarleton Hodgson sponsored league on Friday 11 August.
With only one match left to play, Port St Mary look safe in top spot, although it is still mathematically possible for them to be overtaken. The real battle is for second place where, having leap-frogged over Castletown last week, South Ramsey consolidated their lead with a maximum against Purt le Moirrey. Castletown are just 19 points behind in third place, so the minor placings are still up for grabs.
South Ramsey were taking no prisoners when they faced Purt le Moirrey, winning all nine games, five of them to single figures. Linda Dawson was top scorer for the visitors, reaching 16 against Jill Quayle. Castletown were also in strong form posting 6 wins, three to single figures and two twenties with Heike Perry losing out to Debbie Leece and Marie Ashurst to Lin Ruscoe. Nobles’ other winner was Paula Firth. Phil Dobson and Jackie Elliott were the two winners for Port Erin at Port St Mary, who won four of their seven games to single figures. Ballaugh had the better of their match against Mooragh Park, winning 6-3 on games, although it could have been closer as two of the matches went all the way with Shannon McMullen just losing out 20-21 to Jane Teare, and Madison McMullen being pipped by Ellie Faragher. Peel Sunset were, unfortunately, two players short when they came from the west to face Douglas. However the seven who did play were “magnificent.”, dropping just two points in the games played, and managing to win the match by six points.

Mavis Dearden Supplementary County Championship

A team from the Isle of Man have been invited to take part in the Mavis Dearden Supplementary County Championship which takes place at Winnington Park, near Northwich, this coming Sunday, 20 August.

The competition is open to the teams that finish second and third in the four sections of the ladies’ County Championship, and is played as a round-robin in two groups, the two group winners going forward to contest the final. The Isle of Man has been included this year to make up eight teams, the round-robin stage consisting of two groups of four.

The nine ladies representing the island will be, in alphabetical order, Lynda Cadamy, Joyce Kelly, Jayne Kneen, Debbie Leece, Ann Maddrell, Mary Moffatt, Jenny Moore, Heike Perry and Chris Price with Elaine Moore going along as team manager.

It is to be hoped that Cheshire is ready for this invasion and wish the girls the best of luck.

Champions Build Unassailable Lead

In week 19 of the Ellan Vanin Fuels sponsored league South Ramsey A have opened up what would appear to be a unassailable lead at the top of the table by extending it to twenty points with a 10-0 win over Port Erin A leaving the latter seemingly cut adrift at the foot of the table.
Second placed Marown A did all that could be expected of them with a resounding 9-1 away win over Castletown A this ensures the gap between the chasing pack doesn’t change, as the three teams below them Port St Mary A, Onchan A and Peel A also recorded favorable 9-1 score lines. North Ramsey A continued their good run of form with an 8-2 victory over Castletown B.

The anticipated top of the table clash in Division 2 went the way of Marown B, the two point victory gap over close rivals Onchan B means the battle for the top spot looks like going down to the wire. Third and fourth placed teams Peel B and Noble’s B also faced each other and this also proved to be a close affair with the Peel side edging it 6-4. Finch Hill A had another good win 7-3 over Onchan C and are collecting good

In Division 3 top of the table Peel C stormed to a 9-1 win over Castletown C and have now opened up a twelve point gap over second place Marown C, things are looking good over at the Sunset City with the club building a really solid base for the future. Marown C did all they could in their chase with a 10-0 win, but Ballaugh C will have them looking over their shoulders as they are just five points behind with a game in hand.

W. A. Roberts Ladies’ Singles

Although there was a strong wind the weather stayed dry and sunny for the W. A. Roberts ladies’ singles, sponsored by Celtic Associates Ltd, played at Port St Mary on Wednesday 9 August. Once again this year the entry was disappointing with 26 players, although what the field lacked in quantity it more than made up for in quality.
Quarter-finals: Margaret Tasker 21, Philippa Taylor 14; Katy Williams 21, Caroline Whitehead 15; Kath Kinley 21, Paula Firth 10; Paula Garrett 21, Lin Ruscoe 13
The first semi-final saw two home players facing each other, and early exchanges were evenly matched with the score standing at 11 across after nine ends. However Margaret then powered ahead, with Katy not able to keep hold of the jack on the two occasions she won it, to reach the final 21-13.
In the second semi-final Paula had no answer to Kath’s play despite her valiant efforts, Kath coming through 21-11.
The two players were evenly matched in the final, the score standing at 13-13 after nine ends at which point Kath won the next three ends, giving her a three point lead. A two from Margaret followed by a single from Kath Made the score 17-15 to the Castletown player. After regaining the jack with a two at the next end Margaret refused to relinquish it again, taking the next three ends to win 21-17.
Vice-president, Chris Holland, thanked everyone who had helped during the afternoon particularly Sean on the sheet and the ladies in the kitchen, before introducing Iain Wood, from sponsors Celtic Associates Ltd., to present the prizes.
Iain was pleased to see so many people there and hoped everyone had enjoyed their afternoon. He also said that Celtic Associates Ltd. would be happy to continue to sponsor the event next year.

Howland Pairs Victory for Hargraves and Garrett.

On Friday 4th August the ‘Howland Pairs’ sponsored by Charlie Howland took place at Ballaugh Bowling Club with this event being very well hosted by the Ballaugh Club with their Ladies as ever providing great refreshments.
There was an entry of twenty nine pairs and the Trophy was won by Mike Hargraves and Stuart Garrett who beat John Keenan and John Maddrell 21-10 in the Final.
The losing semi-finalists were George Brew and Chris Penketh who lost 21-19 to the Keenan/Maddrell pairing and Arthur Halsall and Peter Hughes who lost 21-13 to Mike Hargraves and Stuart Garrett.
Many thanks to John Ryder and George Peach who ran the event for the Over 60’s League.

‘Town’ still looking good at the top.

On Thursday 3rd August League Leaders Castletown A travelled to play Ballaugh B in the Tower Insurance Over 60’s League and despite some very close games it was the Castletown men who ran out 6-2 winners with Trevor Jones and Ray Parry winning the two for Ballaugh.
Castletown B however did not do quite as well when they hosted Ballaugh A and this time it was the Ballaugh men who took a 5-3 win.
At the ‘Villa’ it was an ‘all Douglas Bowling Club’ event with the B Team taking on the A Team and the A Team took a 7-1 win with Bob Banning being the winner for the B Team.
At Finch Hill the home side lost 6-2 to Nobles Park A with Sefton Dent and Arthur Halsall getting the wins for Finch Hill. The Nobles B Team hosted Marown and the lads from Crosby went back home with a 6-2 win under their belts with Lawrence Doogan and John Clague being the winners for Nobles B.
North Ramsey B lost at home 6-2 to Port St Mary A and the North Ramsey A travelled to Port St Mary B and a very tight match ended in a 4-4 draw with two games ending 21-20 and two ending 21-19.
Onchan A hosted Peel Sunset B at Onchan Park and in another match with some tight games it was the home side that took the victory 5-3.
The Onchan B Team travelled to play Peel Sunset A and once again this match had a 5-3 score line but on this occasion it was to the Peel team.
South Ramsey took the long journey to play Port Erin at Breagle Glen and it was the Southerners who ran out 5-3 victors.
So as we came to Game 32 on Tuesday 8th August the day started wet but cleared beautifully for a sunny afternoons bowls and the sun certainly shone in more ways than one for Ballaugh A as they beat Port St Mary B 8-0.
Ballaugh B travelled South to play a very strong Port St Mary A side and they really gave the Southerners a scare before eventually losing 5-3 to them. The result of the day for Ballaugh has to be the 21-10 by Maurice O’Reilly over the individual Merit leader Chris Oates.
Douglas B lost to Onchan A 7-1 at the Villa with Vic Sewell being the solitary winner for Douglas B and the Douglas A Team went to Onchan Park where they beat Onchan B 5-3.
Finch Hill suffered a home 5-3 defeat to Marown whilst a little further up the road at Nobles Park the Nobles Park A side beat Port Erin by the same 5-3 score.
With a result that hampers Peel Sunset A’s challenge for the top they were defeated 5-3 by North Ramsey A at the Mooragh Park while Peel Sunset B and North Ramsey B played out a 4-4 draw in the Sunset City.
South Ramsey travelled to play Castletown B and the went back to Ramsey after battling to a 4-4 draw with the Castletown side.
So after Game 32 we still see Castletown A maintaining their lead in the League and looking favourites now to win but there are still enough games for the others to catch should the Southerners falter.