Marown Bowling Club celebrate their 50^th anniversary this year, on Saturday they held the Marown Magic Carpets Bowl attracting 68 players. The competition was played in a big smash style format, which has proved popular in the U.K. and is played over 15 ends with ends 5, 10 and 15 played as ‘power’ ends with the points scored counting double. Players were given a handicap ranging from 0 to 3. If scores were tied after 15 ends a one bowl shootout would take place to decide the winner of the game.

Losing quarter finalists were Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary) who lost 10-14 to last years Rayner Shield hero Peter Greenlees (Peel) who continues to impress, home greener Jamie Joughin who was defeated 7-15 by Bob Clark (Castletown) after a good run, Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey) had his challenge ended by Andy Kennish (Peel) 11-15 along with another home greener Walter McCarthy who lost 10-15 to fellow club mate and the current Manx Champion Paul Dunn.

In the semi-finals Greenlees got off to a flying start to gain what looked like an unassailable 12-2 lead after nine ends. Clark fought back to win the next six ends to tie 12-12 after 15 ends played, which resulted in a one bowl shootout, with Greenlees winning the toss and sending the jack. Unfortunately his lead was just over a yard through, which allowed Clark to bowl in to claim the victory 13-12 and progress to the final. In the other semi-final Dunn had it all his own way to win 18-5 with 11 ends played there weren’t enough ends left for Kennish to come back the game ended there.

The final started with Dunn who was having his first competitive run out this season having ‘enjoyed’ 84 days in isolation since December due to family commitments and 40 days in lockdown claiming the first two ends, with Clark responding by taking the next three ends including the all important power end to lead 7-2. From there Dunn turned on the style to win the next eight ends to lead 14-7 which was impossible for Clark to recover from to with only two ends and a maximum six chalks available. Dunn became the first winner of this competition and also claimed the winners prize of £200 for his efforts. Clark could console himself with £100 for a good days work .

At the conclusion of play the presentation was made by Phil Kelly, who thanked Kevin & Sarah Bettridge from Magic Carpets for their support with the clubhouse and for sponsoring the competition, the Ladies for the refreshments with free tea & coffee being provided all day, the players for entering, and all who came to support. £500 in prize money was paid out and the format proved popular amongst bowlers.

South Ramsey hosted the first open competition of the 2021 season with the Jim Senior any combination doubles on Sunday attracting 74 players to compete for the trophy. The green was in superb condition, with the weather once again being kind.

The quarter finals had the father & son pairing of Colin Kelly (Marown) & Tom Kelly (Peel) seeing off club mates Walter McCarthy & Darren Kerruish (Marown) with a 21-7 win. Castletown pair Sam Clague & Bob Clark ended the excellent run of Alex Hampson (Noble’s) & Ryan Hargraves (South Ramsey), two juniors, both just 12 years old with a 21-10 win. The two youngsters gave a good account of themselves and will be a pairing to watch out for in the future. Losing out 6-21 were Alison Kearsley (Marown) and Nathan Cooil (Castletown) to home greeners David Bradford & Glynn Hargraves, whilst Derek & Lynda Cadamy lost out 10-21 to Stefan Kelly (South Ramsey) & Jordan Cain (Onchan).

In the first semi-final Sam Clague & Bob Clark battled well before losing out 19-21 to the father & son pairing of Colin Kelly & Tom Kelly. In the other semi-final Stefan Kelly & Jordan Cain never really got going, losing out 13-21 to Bradford & Hargraves.

The final started with daylight slipping away, with the father & son duo winning the first four ends to take a 13-4 lead, scoring big with a four and a three to get off to a flier with Colin leading well at the front. Bradford & Hargraves responded winning the next four ends to pull the score back to 9-13 and were lying three only for Tom to play a great length bowl on a long mark to maintain a strong lead and go 14-9 ahead, from there Colin & Tom stretched their lead out to 19-12 after picking up a crucial three on the 13^th end with Tom doing the damage at the back with Bradford lying one on, Tom played the counting bowl out to lie two and compounded the damage by playing a good second bowl to count for three, this was followed up on the next end with a single. Bradford & Hargraves weren’t done there, scoring two doubles, and a single over the next three ends to get the score back to 17-19. Colin then played a good second bowl, which wasn’t beaten. The win was secured for Colin & Tom on the next end with Tom once again doing the damage to secure the win and the £200 first prize to the winners.

At the conclusion of the competition the presentation was made by competition secretary Kim Hargraves, who thanked IPS Admin for sponsoring the competition, the club members who helped with the running of the competition and the Ladies for the refreshments provided throughout the day. James Teare from IPS Admin presented the prizes with over £500 paid out. In his speech Tom Kelly thanked South Ramsey for holding the competition and stated the green was superb.

South Ramsey Bowling Club will be holding the first open competition of 2021 with the Jim Senior Trophy being played as an any combination doubles on Sunday 25th April. The competition is once again kindly sponsored by IPS Admin.

Play commences at 12pm – Early start times will be notified. Entries are £6 per team, with handicapping in place. Superb refreshments and a brilliant surface guaranteed.

£500 in prize money to be paid out – based on a minimum entry of 32 pairs.

Winners £200 – Runners Up £100 – SF 2 at £50 (£100) – QF 4 at £25 (£100.00)

To enter please call/message 434201 or email: [email protected]

Entries close on Saturday evening at 6pm. If there is anyone that wants to play but hasn’t got a partner, please get in touch and we will do our best to sort you out.