Yearly Archives: 2021
CASTLETOWN DOUBLE UP IN NIGHT LEAGUE & OVER 60’S
Over 60’s League Winners 2021 - Castletown
Photo: George PeachIt was all to play for in the Ladies Over 60’s crown green bowling league with Castletown A 22 points ahead of second placed Port St Mary A who in turn were only 21 points ahead of third placed Peel going into the last two fixtures of the season. The penultimate fixture last Thursday resulted in the Castletown ladies going 34 points ahead of Port as they only dropped four points away at Peel whilst Port St Mary A dropped sixteen at home to neighbours Port Erin. Fourth placed Onchan A closed the gap slightly on Peel scoring a maximum at home against Mooragh Park B with five of the six games being won to single figures.
Results: Marown 113 (3), Port St Mary B 98 (3); Onchan A 126 (6), Mooragh Park B 36 (0); Ballaugh 81 (3), South Ramsey 89 (3); Castletown B 93 (2), Finch Hill 120 (4); Port St Mary A 110 (4), Port Erin 84 (2); Mooragh Park A 98 (3), Onchan B 84 (3); Peel 78 (1), Castletown A 122 (5).
Last fixture of the season was played on Tuesday morning and results were eagerly awaited. Castletown A took on South Ramsey at home winning five games to one and scoring 110 points. Port St Mary A were away at Finch Hill and were held to a three all draw scoring 101 points. Port St Mary B hosted Peel and again match finished three all on games with Peel getting 108 points. Onchan A had a comfortable five games to one win away at Port Erin.
Results: Port St Mary B 99 (3), Peel 108 (3); Castletown 110 (5), South Ramsey 82 (1); Ballaugh 126 (6), Castletown B 74 (0); Onchan B 76 (1), Marown 119 (5); Mooragh Park B 78 (2), Mooragh Park A 99 (4); Finch Hill 92 (3), Port St Mary A 101 (3); Port Erin 79 (1), Onchan A 114 (5).
Given these results Castletown A finished top 43 points ahead of Port St Mary A with Peel third and Onchan A fourth. The merit winner for this season is Janet Monk (Mooragh), second Mary Moffatt (Peel) and third Elaine Moore (South Ramsey). Many congratulations to all three ladies, but special congratulations to the Castletown A ladies on their first Over 60’s title.
In the Open Age League, the final fixtures of the season were played last Friday in wet conditions around the greens. Current leaders Castletown A had a good 6-3 away win at Onchan with Tracy Moore (Castletown) and Sue Gawne (Onchan) both winning to single figures. Second placed Port St Mary also had a good 7-2 win away to Douglas with five of Port’s games being won to single figures. South Ramsey took on Marown at home. With South currently third one point ahead of Marown A it was all to play for. The deteriorating weather conditions didn’t hamper the upbeat atmosphere of the match with Marown winning 5-4 on games and by six points. Game of the night being between Jill Quayle (South) and Elaine Dewhurst with the latter winning to 20. Ballaugh finished the season off well with an impressive 8-1 win away at Port Erin. The lone winner for Port was Caroline Whitehead winning to 13.
Results: Onchan 133 (3), Castletown A 170 (6); Port Erin 114 (1), Ballaugh 181 (8); South Ramsey 125 (4), Marown A 131 (5); Douglas 94 (2), Port St Mary 180 (7); Marown B 128 (5), Mooragh Park 122 (4); Castletown B 150 (4), Peel 135 (5).
League positions are – winners Castletown A, runners up Port St Mary, third Marown A and fourth South Ramsey. The individual merit winner is Elaine Moore (South Ramsey), second Tracy Moore (Castletown A) and third Rebecca Teare (Marown B). Congratulations to the Castletown ladies on their win having last won the title in 2009 and to also to Elaine who won all 22 games played this season.
It has certainly been Castletown’s year with their A ladies winning the league having last won the title in 2009 – well done to all. Hope everyone has enjoyed the bowling season. Winter well and I look forward to seeing you all next season.
ALL TO PLAY FOR IN THE LADIES OVER 60’S CROWN GREEN BOWLING LEAGUE
The penultimate fixture in the Ladies Crown Green Bowling Open Age League held last Friday resulted in all the four top teams recording good wins.
Castletown A were at home to Marown B and although Marown took three games off Castletown, Castletown’s 167 points win is enough to put them clearly at the top of the table. Second placed Port St Mary visited neighbours Port Erin coming away with a six games to three win with the closest game being between Jacqui Elliot (PE) against Margie Tasker with Jacqui just edging it 21-20.
Marown A, who were only a point ahead of South Ramsey last week, scored 174 points at home against Castletown B but with South Ramsey getting 180 points at home to Mooragh Park, South now take third place five points ahead of the Crosby Ladies. With only one fixture left to play, third and fourth places will be decided as South Ramsey are due to play Marown A at home next Friday. Current fifth placed Onchan had a tough game away at Ballaugh winning 5-4 on games and by five points. Louise Tebay and Cath Harvey (Ballaugh) won to single figures as did Jo Smith and Sue Gawne for Onchan. Peel played host to Douglas winning the match by 32 points. Gill Clarke (Peel) and Sue Caley had a tough battle with Gill eventually winning 21-20.
Tuesday’s Over 60’s results proved interesting. Second placed Port St Mary A scored a maximum away to Mooragh Park B with four of Port’s games being won to single figures. Current leaders Castletown A were home to Marown and although the match finished three games all, Castletown lost by 10 points. Third placed Peel visited South Ramsey coming away with a 4-2 win and by 27 points. Closest game was between Ann Gale and Terri Berry with the latter winning to 20. The home derby between the Onchan Teams resulted in a win for the A ladies by 47 points with five of the six games being won to single figures. With only two fixtures left to play it couldn’t be closer at the top with only 43 points separating the top three teams – all to play for ladies!
BRADFORD WINS THIRD MASTERS TITLE, MOORE TAKES FOURTH SUCCESSIVE WIN
Winners of the 4 Events Played at South Ramsey on Sunday with sponsors Chris & Lynnette Perry of Felton’s Ironmongers and Dido Kelly of Stonemasons (IOM) Ltd
Photos: Glynn Hargraves & Arnie WithersSouth Ramsey hosted the Manx Masters on Sunday, one of the highlights of the Manx bowls calendar with four separate competitions once again taking place throughout the day.
The Young Manx Masters was contested by seven players of Primary School age. This competition was played in a round robin format with seven players in the group playing six ends with the last end played as a ‘power’ end with points scored counting double. After a good morning of bowls, it was Evan Leece (Marown) who won the title topping the group with 48 points, with Bailey McMullan (Mooragh Park) finishing in second place on 40 points.
The Junior Manx Masters was played as a straight knockout for the older and more experienced players with 19 players taking part as a number have moved up into this category this year. The title was won for the first time by 15-year-old Madison McMullan (North Ramsey) who beat 12-year-old Sam Colquitt (Marown) 21-18 in a well contested final, with Madison just edging her semi-final game to beat Grace Gawne (Onchan) 21-20, whilst Sam beat Katie Jacobs (Douglas) 21-13 to take his spot in the final.
The standard of play in both events was excellent and there was a fantastic crowd around the green supporting the future of the game with the numbers steadily increasing throughout, it made for a great morning.
The junior competitions were sponsored by Stonemasons (IOM) Limited for a fifth successive year with the prizes presented by Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly. Everyone who took part received a prize. A huge thanks must go to the coaches – Clare Cooper, Phil Kelly & Colin Kelly who helped the younger players with their games throughout the morning.
Once the Junior competitions came to a conclusion the Felton’s sponsored men’s and ladies events got underway with the ladies event being an invitation of 16 players, whilst the men’s event had 32 invited to play.
In the ladies event losing out at the quarter final stages were Sue Gawne (Onchan) 10-21 to Clare Cooper (Marown), Margie Tasker lost to the same score against Port St Mary team mate Trish Bull, while Rebecca Teare (Marown) lost 16-21 to Jenny Moore (South Ramsey). The closest game of the quarter finals was between Fiona Kennish (South Ramsey) and Janet Monk (Mooragh Park) with the latter winning 21-17.
In the semi-finals Clare Cooper seen off Trish Bull with a 21-15 win, whilst Jenny Moore had things a bit easier with a 21-9 win over Janet Monk to go through to the final.
In the final Cooper won six of the first 10 ends, scoring singles with some good second bowls, while Moore scored four doubles to lead 11-9. Moore stepped up a gear to take four consecutive singles, before finding another gear to finish with three consecutive doubles to see the game out with a 21-9 win over Cooper to take her fourth consecutive ladies Masters title. Moore’s day was almost over before it had started, very nearly going out in the first round finding herself 17-9 down against Debbie Leece (Marown) only to claw her way back into the game on a longer length to win 21-20, showing that a game is never over as she battled back to come through as all top players do.
In the men’s event four of the eight last 16 games were well contested with the player losing out scoring 16 or more. Losing out at the quarter final stage were Tom Kelly (Peel), who lost 8-21 to Kevin Quirk (Onchan), Matthew Quirk (Onchan) had his challenge ended by Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary) 16-21. In the bottom half of the draw Reg Temporaza (Onchan) lost out 17-21 to David Bradford (South Ramsey), while Glynn Hargraves beat South Ramsey team mate Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly 21-16 to progress to the next round.
In the semi-final Quirk took a convincing 21-8 win over Wayne Roberts with the latter reaching his second successive Masters semi-final, whilst in the other semi-final team mates Bradford and Hargraves were finely poised after the first 15 ends with the score at 13-12 it was Bradford who went on to run out with a 21-12 victory to earn his place in the final.
In front of a good crowd who had stayed for the duration, the final started with the light fading quickly, with both players reluctant for the floodlights to go on, this however did not reduce the quality of play from either player. After the early exchanges, with both players trying different marks and lengths Bradford led Quirk by one chalk at 13-12 with 16 ends played. Bradford took four of the next five ends to lead 18-14, with Quirk then scoring singles on three of the next four ends in between a double from Bradford who led 20-17. On the last end Bradford made sure of the win as he played a great last bowl to seal a 21-17 victory over Quirk and claim his third Manx Masters title, following on from his back to back successes in 2014 and 2015.
At the end of the competition the presentation was made by South Ramsey’s Glynn Hargraves, who thanked Alan Moore for his excellent work running the sheet for all four competitions all day, the team involved with the preparation of the green. Chris & Lynnette Perry were then introduced to present the prizes on behalf of the sponsors Felton’s Ironmongers who without their support this event would not be possible.
Upon accepting the trophy Bradford thanked the green keepers for the work that goes into maintaining the green all year round, again thanking Alan Moore for his hard work keeping the competition moving, along with everyone who had helped in any way towards the smooth running of the competitions. A special mention was given to the ladies who once again put on an ever increasing range of superb refreshments throughout the day. It was also great to see such a large crowd stay for to watch a superb final. £1,000 was paid out in prize money on the day.
South Ramsey Edge Towards Title
South Ramsey A
Photo: Steve MooreIn Ellan Vannin Fuels Division One it was a rare double week with the top teams once again clashing as we get to the business end of the season.
Marown A will reflect on a poor week as whilst they won both games it was a chance missed to apply some pressure at the top as they dropped two points in their 8-2 win against their B Team at Crosby on Monday night with Karl Parker beating Juan Killip 21-14, while Peter Kelly beat Marown captain Paul Dunn 21-20.
On Wednesday evening Marown A were once again at home this time to Port St Mary A who stunned the Crosby men as they took four vital points off the visitors, with Trevor Quayle beating Paul Dunn 21-10, Tom Collins won 21-15 against Matthew Keggen, while Paul Russell stunned John Gelling 21-12. The shock of the night was Wayne Roberts beating Colin Kelly 21-19, with Kelly suffering a second home league defeat of the season. To put this into context prior to this season Kelly’s last home league loss was in 2011 to a certain John Kennish.
Peel A made the short journey north to take on Ballaugh A on Monday, the visitors came away with a 1-9 win. Patrick Grant was the star of the night as he beat Peter Greenlees 21-3, whilst South Ramsey A had a tough home fixture against Castletown A on a heavy green due to rain throughout the day localised to Ramsey, with the visitors losing 7-3 but good value for their three wins with Bob Clark beating James Teare 21-2, Jordan Drewett won 21-8 against Chas Grills, while Sam Clague beat Alan Moore 21-12, with the scores tied at 12-12 the former took six consecutive ends to seal his win.
On Wednesday night Peel A hosted league leaders South Ramsey A in the Sunset City, with the home team starting the match having won every home game so far this season, for a time it looked like the match would go 4-0 in their favour with George Gadsby storming home 21-4 against Chas Grills, Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly got over the line 21-17 against Stefan Kelly having led 18-5 at one point, while Tom Kelly crept home with a 21-19 win over Peter Collister. Peel captain Gary Smith had a five-point advantage at 19-14 over Alan Moore with the latter finishing the game strongly to run out with a 21-19 victory.
In the second half of the match South Ramsey hit back with captain Glynn Hargraves pulling the chalks level (82-82) with a superb 21-0 win over recent Autumn Shield winner Peter Greenlees. Next off was Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly who was always in control with his 21-13 win over Tommy McMeiken, whilst James Teare bounced back from his heavy defeat on Monday evening to put Andy Kennish to the sword 21-13. David Bradford rounded off the night and a remarkable comeback as he beat Darren Young 21-14 to seal a 3-7 victory for the visitors. The result leaves South Ramsey in a strong position barring a huge disaster, as they are 11 points ahead of Marown A and 14 points ahead of Peel A with just two games to play.
At the bottom of the table Noble’s A are officially relegated to Division Two, where they will look to regroup over the winter as they find their level, however they can leave with their heads held high as despite two defeats this week, they performed well as they lost 4-6 away to Peel B, followed up by a 3-7 home loss to North Ramsey A.
Ballaugh A are all but relegated as they look to be making an immediate return to Division Two after a tough week losing 1-9 at home to Peel A on Monday evening. On Wednesday evening they fared a bit better losing 3-7 at home to Douglas A.
In Division Two Onchan B moved to the top of the table following a 9-1 home win over Port St Mary B, then hit top spot despite only drawing 5-5 at home to Peel C in what could prove to be a costly result as the home team lost five games.
In joint second place just one-point back on the league leaders are Port Erin A and Castletown B with the latter recording two solid 9-1 wins this week, as they turned over South Ramsey B at the Crofts on Monday evening, then finished the week strongly as they beat Marown C at Crosby.
Port Erin A had a good start to the week and a bad finish as they seen off Douglas B 9-1 at home, while their visit north to take on South Ramsey B didn’t end so well as they were defeated 8-2. South Ramsey B remain in the mix in fourth place just four points off top spot with two games to play.
Finch Hill B have been relegated to Division Three as they are over 40 points away from safety with only 20 points available, while Port St Mary B are 14 points from safety and look to be dropping into Division Three.
In Division Three Ballaugh B look to be in control at the top of the league as they used their game in hand to go eight points clear of Onchan C following their 2-8 away win over Douglas C, which was followed up by a 9-1 home win over Peel D.
Onchan C also look assured of finishing no worse than second place as they won 8-2 in their only game this week, they are 15 points clear of Ballaugh C with just two games to be played.
Douglas C sit rock bottom as they are 26 points adrift of their lower ranked D Team who have outperformed them, and will no doubt need to have a reshuffle of players should they look to push for a higher finish next season.
Teare & Dunn Win Last Mixed Doubles Title of 2021 Season
Wilfrid Quayle Mixed Doubles Winners 2021 - Rebecca Teare & Paul Dunn
Photo: Glynn HargravesCastletown Bowling Club hosted the Wilfrid Quayle mixed doubles on Sunday with the competition attracting a fine entry of 44 pairs.
The eventual winners were Marown pair Rebecca Teare and Paul Dunn taking a hard earned win over Sue Gawne (Onchan) and Andy Kennish (Peel).
In the early stages of the final neither pairing were able to build a lead with the score tied at 12-12 after eight ends, Teare and Dunn then started to take control of the game going on to win seven of the last nine ends to run out with a 21-16 win to take the last mixed doubles title of the season.
Losing out 16-21 at the semi-final stage were the home green pairing of Kath Kinley and Dean Kinley to the winning pair, while Husband and Wife Alec (Peel) and Philippa Taylor (Marown) were defeated 12-21 by Gawne and Kennish.
Falling at the quarter final stage were Grace Gawne (Onchan) and Kevin Firth (Douglas) who lost out 18-21 to the Taylor’s. South Ramsey pair Kim Hargraves and Stefan Kelly were defeated 15-21 by Gawne and Kennish. 2020 winners Lyn Bolton (South Ramsey) and Trevor Quayle (Port St Mary) were well beaten 11-21 by Teare and Dunn, while Jenny Moore and James Teare (South Ramsey) were pipped at the post 20-21 by Kath Kinley and Dean Kinley.
The presentation was made by Castletown Club Member Hilary Kermode who thanked everyone who had entered, the green keepers along with the club members who had helped with the smooth running of the competition throughout the day.
Callum Gets it Wraight to win First IOM Festival
September Festival 2021 Men’s Winner - Callum Wright. Inset - The finalists in action and a warm embrace at the end of the game
Photos: Arnie Withers and Mike AshmoleThe long awaited return of the Isle of Man September Bowls Festival took place last week, with a lot having happened over the two years that have passed, it was great to meet up with old friends and new, whilst also remembering those that are no longer with us. The Festival is now in its 100th year having first been played for in 1921.
In the Men’s event it was Callum Wraight (Castlefields) who picked up his first ever Festival win, having previously lost in the June 2016 final to Kez Smith (Crossgates). Wraight made no mistake this time round as he took the winners cheque for £3,000 as he finally got his hands on the famous trophy. Wraight had to overcome the challenge of another regular visitor, a two-time winner from 2005 and 2007 Paul Bailey (Thongsbridge).
The final started with Wraight taking seven of the first eight ends to build a 14-6 lead playing his customary short length. Bailey responded with two doubles only to concede a two himself, then scored a single as he sprung the jack to his back bowl to sit 11-16 behind. A double and a single got Bailey to within four chalks at 14-18. Wraight took two of the next three ends to take a 20-15 lead, only for Bailey to play another great running bowl to trail the jack through for two to set up a tense ending to the game with the score at 17-20.
Bailey left his first bowl 18 inches from the jack, which Wraight didn’t beat with his first. With the former just failing to improve with his second Wraight shrugged off any hint of pressure and changed his peg, stalking his last bowl to tap the jack to claim a magnificent win letting out a roar of sheer delight and throwing the mat up in the air in front of a good crowd who gave a brilliant round of applause in appreciation of a great final with Bailey hanging in throughout against a formidable opponent. Bailey could take consolation in the runners up cheque for £1,000.
Wraight reached the final courtesy of a nervy 21-20 win over Danny Barwise (Birchley St Mary’s), with the former recovering from a 14-18 deficit to lead for the first time in the game at 20-18. On the following end Wraight pushed his jack to the edge only for his first bowl to fly off the green, with Barwise not punishing this Callum watched his second bowl just trickle off the green to allow Danny to carry up his second bowl and tie the score at 20-20. On the deciding end the counting bowl changed with each bowl sent and it was Wraight who played a great last bowl under tremendous pressure to take his place in the final.
In the other semi-final the local player who had progressed the furthest and received the Chris Quayle Memorial trophy for the furthest Manx Man was David Bradford (South Ramsey) who was playing superbly to go into a 14-8 lead against Paul Bailey and was counting for one and upon trying to make two Bradford went into the back of his opponents bowl to allow Bailey a free shot to take out the counting bowl, which he duly did in a huge turning point in the game to count for two, then scored another double followed by a single to pull the score back to 13-14. From there Bailey took eight of the next 11 ends scoring singles to see the game out 21-18 in another excellent game for the spectators.
The quarter finals were all fairly comfortable for the winners with Bradford ending the hopes of previous winner Ian Nicholson (Hale) with a 21-13 win, Paul Bailey seen off Callum Briddon (Fairfield) with a 21-15 victory. In the bottom half of the draw Wraight also won 21-15 against Anthony Rukin (Hopwood), whilst Danny Barwise progressed to the semi-finals courtesy of his 21-12 win over 2008 winner Colin Kelly (Marown).
Men’s Tourism
The Men’s Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 1, and it was John Bailey (Castlefields) who performed well to see off Jack Dyson (Thongsbridge) to take the Tourism title with a 21-16 victory, with Bailey recovering from an 8-14 deficit to take nine of the last 10 ends.
Both semi-finals were well contested with Bailey edging home 21-18 against Chris Bly (Hopwood). Dyson booked his place in the final with a hard fought 21-17 win over Callum Wraight (Castlefields).
In the quarter finals Bly progressed with a 21-19 win over Mike Tunstall (Cradley Sports & Social), Bailey won 21-12 against Ben Phillips (Lloyd Hotel) with Wraight winning to the same score against Dave Allsop (Marehay), while Dyson beat James Fitzpatrick (West Kirby Victoria) with a 21-11 win to progress to the next round.
Other Events
The Men’s consolation was won by Dave McDermott (Tixall) who beat Andy Sorsby (Thongsbridge) 21-14. The Ladies consolation was won by local Lynda Cadamy (Marown) defeating Jane Glaister(Windermere) 21-17.
The Visit.Com Flyer title also went to Callum Wraight (Castlefields) who had a 9-2 win over Debbie Davis (Pudsey BC), whilst the Last Chance Mixed Final was won by Robert Whyatt (Packhorse) who beat Kevin Nicholas (Gresford Colliery) 21-17 in another close final.
In the doubles competitions the open doubles were won by Conor Chamberlain (Stretton Anglesey) and Brad Bayliss (Castlefields) with a 11-8 win over Ross Meese (Meersbrook BC) and Katie Morgan (Maltby BC).
The Men’s doubles were won by father and son pairing Dave and Ben Phillips (Lloyd Hotel) who went one better than September 2019 as they beat Neil Rigden (New Longton) and Steve McCall (Kirkham) 11-7 in the final.
The Ladies pairs was won by Jane Glaister (Windermere) and Gill Simm (Lune Road) defeating Onchan pair Paula Firth and Jo Smith 11-5 in the final.
The Mixed pairs was won by Paul Kissock (Lindal BC) and Grace Hubbert (Stalmine) with Hubbert retaining the title she won in 2019 with Andy Mailer, as Kissock and Hubbert won 9-5 against Mark Hinchcliffe (Penwortham) and Elizabeth Bennett (Penwortham Sports).
The presentation of the prizes was made by former CEO of the British Crown Green Bowling Association John Crowther. Upon accepting the trophy and the winners cheque for £3,000 Callum thanked the organisers for all their hard work, then went on to commiserate his opponent who is a good friend who he has the upmost respect for and that the win meant everything to him. Callum also said it was great to have his Grandmother, Mother and Stepdad Richie there to see him win it.
The 34-year-old Shropshire man has been coming to the Island on a regular basis for 17 years, since the age of 17, having suffered more heartache than most reaching six semi-finals and losing out in the final five years ago. I recall a conversation Callum had with a local bowler two or three years ago when he said that while he had won everything there was to win in the U.K. the Isle of Man Festival was the one that he wanted to win.
His mother Tracy could not have been prouder, with Callum’s dedication to play bowls to the best of his ability shining through every time he steps on the green. Callum is a highly respected bowler and person on and off the green, with this having been instilled in him at a young age.
Wraight has won all of the games biggest prizes, was the bookies favourite before a bowl had even been sent and no doubt his next challenge will be to get his name on the June trophy to become one of a select few to win both the June and September Festivals.
Jenny Moore Overcomes a Family Affair to Win Second Festival Title
September Festival 2021 Ladies Winner - Jenny Moore. Inset - Mother and Daughter embrace at the end of the game
Photos: Arnie Withers and Mike AshmoleIn the Ladies main event it was a family affair as South Ramsey’s Jenny Moore took on her mother Elaine Moore. With both having one Festival title to their name, it was a case of who would have the family bragging rights with one going ahead of the other. Jenny’s previous win was in June 2016, whilst Elaine’s win was more recent in September 2018.
It proved to be Jenny’s day as none of her opponents could get near her, with Jenny following up on her recent achievement when she won the British Senior Merit as she came through a top field in Manchester to prove she is one of the games leading ladies.
With the green having changed pace in the two hours since they had been on the green for the semi-finals Jenny crucially won the toss and played a round peg mark off the edge of the crowd winning the first eight ends to punish Elaine to full effect as she scored four doubles to take an almost unassailable 17-5 lead. Jenny performed brilliantly leading well and even when Elaine did count with her first bowl Jenny would respond to beat her mother’s bowl.
When Elaine did get in there was an ironic cheer, with Elaine heading for the corners it could have been game on if Elaine could win a few consecutive ends to plant a seed of doubt in her daughters’ mind, however Jenny only lost two further ends to win 21-8 and won in style with an excellent second bowl which Elaine just failed to beat. At the end mother and daughter embraced, whilst Elaine would no doubt be disappointed she would also have been a proud mother. The pair have met on finals day before in 2018 with Elaine having come through against Jenny 21-20 at the semi-final stage, with Elaine then going on to win the final against Gill Simm.
In addition to taking her first September win, and second festival win overall along with the winners cheque for £1,000 Jenny received the Blanche Kaye Trophy for the furthest Manx Lady, while Elaine took the runners up prize for £600.
In the semi-finals Jenny booked her place in the final with a comfortable 21-11 win over team mate Lyn Bolton (South Ramsey), whilst Mother Elaine had a fight on her hands to reach the final as she trailed 7-14, then 13-17 against Sharon Gadd (Cononley) to win six of the last eight ends finishing with two doubles to take her place in the final with a 21-19 win.
Jenny started her day with a 21-11 win over Paula Firth (Onchan), Bolton had a tough game against Helen Withers (Marown) with the latter making her first appearance in the Festival as she progressed with a 21-17 win. In the bottom half of the draw Elaine seen off local Janet Monk (Mooragh Park) 21-12, while Gadd made sure of her place in the next round with a 21-18 win over Louise Cotton (Wrockwardine Wood).
The Ladies Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 2 green it was Angela Gaut (Wrockwardine Wood) who had a successful week taking a 21-17 victory over Louise Cotton (Wrockwardine Wood) in the final.
Gaut booked her placed in the final with a solid 21-12 win over Tracy Wraight (Windermere BC), whilst Cotton ended the challenge of Sarah Weaver (Wrockwardine Wood) with a 21-15 win.
In the quarter finals Gaut progressed with a 21-18 win over Kaye Coulthard (Cradley Sports & Social), Wraight beat Sharon Gadd (Cononley) 21-19. In the other half of the draw Cotton beat Rebecca Teare (Marown) 21-6, while Weaver ended the challenge of Philippa Taylor (Marown) with a 21-18 win.
MAROWN LADIES RETAIN JMS VETERANS SHIELD
The semi-finals and final of the JMS Veterans Shield were played last Thursday at Port Erin.
Getting through to the semis were Marown (last year’s holders), Port St Mary A, South Ramsey and Castletown A.
The first semi was between Marown and Port St Mary. Unfortunately Port St Mary were a player short and this did impact on the score with Marown taking the match six games to nil and by 51 points. In the second semi, South Ramsey played Castletown with South winning four games to two and by 23 points.
With the individual handicaps in place, the final started with South off 19 points and Marown off 14. The first three games on the green saw Mair Moore, Joyce Ogden and Celia Joughin (Marown) taking on Elaine Moore, Gillian Jopson and Moira Anderson. Elaine for South won to one with Joyce and Celia winning to 6 and 11. With scores equal at the halfway stage it was still all to play for. Fourth, fifth and sixth games saw Rosie Winckle, Philippa Taylor and Lynda Cadamy (Marown) playing Sue Collier, Ann Gale and Judy Kelly. The Marown trio proved too strong with Rosie, Philippa and Lynda winning to 9, 11 and 8 respectively. Overall result was five games to one for Marown and by 40 points. A well deserved win for the Crosby ladies.
The presentation of trophy and prizes was made by the sponsor of the competition Janet Latham who is also the Ladies Association Treasurer. Marown Captain, Philiippa Taylor, on behalf of her ladies thanked Janet for her continued sponsorship, Port Erin for the use of their green and the excellent refreshments, anyone who helped on the day and all their opponents.
In the Open Age League current leaders Castletown A ladies suffered their first defeat of the season away at fourth placed South Ramsey last Friday night. Elaine Moore, Fiona Kennish and Lauren Groen (South) all won to single figures as did Kath Kinley for Castletown. Game of the match was between Sue Collier (South) against Alison Kearsley with both ladies matching each other point for point. At 20 across Alison was lying game only for Sue to play a great bowl to get the point she needed to win 21-20.
Port St Mary and Marown who are currently second and third in the league table, both had good away wins at Peel and Douglas respectively. Therefore, Castletown A head the leader board on 3413 points followed by Port St Mary on 3250 with Marown third on 3179 only one point ahead of South Ramsey on 3178. With two fixtures remaining, I feel Castletown may have done enough to win the league, but second and especially third and fourth places are still very much up for grabs.
Caroline Parker Wins Ramsey Town Cup
Ramsey Town Cup Winner 2021 - Caroline Parker
Photo: Pat LentonA disappointing entry did not deter the spirit and friendliness of North Ramsey Bowling Club at this year’s Ladies Ramsey Town Cup played on Saturday 28th August at Mooragh Park. Conditions could not have been better with sunshine all afternoon.
Following great games in the opening rounds the first semi-final was played between Victoria Johnson and Anne Kean with a convincing win for Victoria 21-3. The second semi was between Caroline and Janet Monk. This was a much closer game with both players fighting for every point and lying 19 across in the final stages. On the last end Caroline secured the final point she needed to win her place in the final 21-19.
The final between Victoria and Caroline was a convincing win for Caroline who had been playing really well all day. The score does not reflect the standard of play with Victoria demonstrating her considerable talent but Caroline was so accurate and retained the jack for most of the match clinching her victory with a 21-1 win.
The prizes were presented by Peggy Freeman, who is Chair of North Ramsey, and she thanked all the members for helping on the day, especially the male members who had prepared the green and carried out all of the measuring as well as running the sheet. She also gave thanks to the anonymous local business who sponsored the event and made the considerable prize money possible.
Greenlees Wins Pre-Festival Autumn Shield
Autumn Shield Winner 2021 - Peter Greenlees of Peel with Peel Vice President Lennie Kerruish
Photo: Glynn HargravesPeel Bowling Club hosted the Pre-Festival Davison’s sponsored Autumn Shield on Sunday attracting a strong entry of 96 as visiting bowlers were welcomed back to the Island. All players were off a handicap of +6 in order to get through the field in good time with a 10:00 start time it was a long day for some on a green that was running well throughout the day.
Losing out in the quarter finals were home greener Tony Carroon who had his challenge ended by club mate Peter Greenlees 12-21, whilst Gareth Jones (Dalton Cricket) lost out 13-21 to Reg Temporaza (Onchan). In the bottom half of the draw Marown’s Neil Withers battled well before losing out 19-21 to Jamie Fitzpatrick (West Kirby Victoria), while Tony Carter (Fairfield) lost to the same score to Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey).
In the semi-final Fitzpatrick trailed 10-12 to Hargraves, before moving up a gear as the former ran out with a 21-14 win to take his place in the final. The other semi-final was close throughout with Temporaza leading 19-18, a double took Greenlees into a 20-19 lead only for Temporaza to level things up at 20-20. On the last end a good first bowl from Greenlees to Temporaza’s jack was enough to take a 21-20 win to go through to the final.
The final got underway in front of a good crowd who had stayed to watch the final under the excellent floodlights. With the green having lost some of the pace from earlier in the day neither player was able to take firm control of the game in the early stages.
With the score tied at 14-14 after 12 ends, it looked like Fitzpatrick was making his move as a two on the following end took him into the lead by two points at 16-14.
Greenlees responded brilliantly, as he kept his composure, taking his time with every bowl as he got in with a single, then headed over the crown playing a good length as he scored two consecutive doubles followed by another single to get within touching distance of glory as he led 20-16. Fitzpatrick responded with a good two to reduce the deficit to 18-20 and headed for the corner. Two short bowls gave Greenlees some room to go in for game, which he did as he changed his peg to claim his first open competition win.
Greenlees has shown that with dedication and a positive mentality that it is possible to get to a standard in a short space of time to be able to compete with and beat the best as he came through a field of 96 bowlers, which included a resounding victory over the seven time Manx Champion Colin Kelly in the early rounds.
The presentation was made by Peel President Dougie Allan who thanked Davison’s for the generous sponsorship, the club members for assisting throughout the day, along with competition secretary Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly for organising and running the competition. A special mention was also made on the ongoing improvement seen in the Peel green over the past couple of years. Vice President Lennie Kerruish was then introduced to present the prizes with over £700 paid out with Greenlees taking the £250 first prize as the competition finished just under 12 hours later.
In his speech Peter became understandably emotional as he dedicated the win to his father in law Ray Osborne who has since passed away, as it was Ray that introduced him to the game after Peter had moved to the Island four years and was wondering what to do, he took up bowls and hasn’t looked back since taking up the game.