Monthly Archives: June 2024
Kennish Wins 12th Manx Championship
The final stages of the Canada Life International Manx Championship were played at Peel Bowling Club on Sunday afternoon, with the qualifying rounds having taken place the previous day, with 78 entries this year, a good increase on the 2023 entry, boosted by over 20 entries from the host club alone.
As is always the case there were high profile casualties on the Saturday, with the draw being played down to 16, the target being to navigate safely through the early rounds to reach finals day.
Matthew Quirk | 21 | 16 | David Bradford |
Paul Quirk | 10 | 21 | John Kennish |
Tony Carroon | 7 | 21 | Colin Kelly |
Tom Kelly | 7 | 21 | Paul Dunn |
Peter Jones | 12 | 21 | Trevor Quayle |
Will Penhallurick | 18 | 21 | Dean Kinley |
Jordan Cain | 21 | 20 | Peter Slinger |
Neil Withers | 21 | 16 | Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly |
Losing out at the quarter final stage were Matthew Quirk (Onchan) 12-21 to John Kennish (South Ramsey). Two Marown men faced off, as Colin Kelly looked to add to his seven championship wins with a 21-18 victory over Paul Dunn. In the other half of the draw it was a southern battle as Dean Kinley (Castletown) displayed good form to beat a previous finalist in Trevor Quayle (Port St Mary) 21-17. South Ramsey’s Jordan Cain having coming through a tough Last 16 game against Peter Slinger, couldn’t get the better of the current holder Neil Withers (Marown) as the latter prevailed 21-14 to reach the semi-final.
The first semi-final looked to be a blockbuster between Kennish and Kelly, and had been the final of the Manx Championship on five previous occasions, with the former having won all five finals. With the score tied at 7-7 Kennish shifted up a couple of gears seeing the game out scoring eight doubles, whilst keeping Kelly down to two doubles early in the game as he booked his place in the final with a 21-11 win.
The other semi-final saw Withers get off to a good start to build up a 10-1 lead, this was quickly extended to 15-2. Kinley started to get a foothold in the game as he closed the deficit to six chalks at 10-16, only for Withers to finish the match off with five chalks scored to seal a 21-10 win, to take his place in the final for a second successive year.
The final got underway with over 70 spectators still in attendance, they were treated to a match that had it all. With the jack cleared off the green by Withers on the first end Kennish had a game plan of heading for the corners, however forfeited the jack on more than one occasion due to sending the block off the green, with Withers preferring a mark over the middle of the green. The South Ramsey man looked like he could run away with it early on, as he built up a five chalk lead at 8-3. Withers responded to win four of the next five ends scoring three doubles to take the lead at 10-9.
This started a pattern of both finalists going on mini-runs, as a change in tactics saw Kennish pick up two doubles to re-take the lead 13-10. The Marown man hit back with six chalks over four ends to lead 16-13. Kennish got his nose in front once more to lead by a solitary chalk at 17-16 by the 24th end, with both players taking out their own bowl when playing through to go two down.
As the final approached the business end two-time Manx Champion Withers dug deep to score a single followed by a two to be the first man to be one end away from victory at 19-17. Three successive singles on a longer mark from Kennish got him one good bowl away from victory at 20-19, however a single from Withers, clipping off John’s lead bowl then connecting with the jack tied the score at 20-20.
The tension had built up nicely for the final end, and what an end this proved to be, as Withers played a great lead bowl just over a foot from the jack. Kennish left his lead bowl a yard short, with Withers beating his first bowl to count for two and doing everything he could to win the game. Kennish showing no sign of any pressure, changed his peg to play a superb reaching bowl, sitting out Withers closest bowl to rest next to the jack and seal a 21-20 win and with it his 12th Manx Championship in a thrilling finish to the game.
This success was his first Manx Championship title win on Peel, leaving Castletown and Ballaugh as the only (current) greens he hasn’t picked up a Manx Championship on, with all the other greens on the island ticked off, with Noble’s Two green being the only green he has won two Manx Championships on, as he continues to break his own records. Remarkably Kennish has never been beaten in the final of the Manx Championship.
The presentation was made by Association competition committee member Steve Moore, who introduced IOMCCGBA President Michele Cubbon to present the prizes. In his speech John thanked the Association for running the competition, reserving special praise for the team who look after the Peel green, which was playing and running superbly, with an incredible turnaround in less than two years.
John and Neil will both compete in the Senior Individual merit at Pennfields BC, Staffordshire on Saturday 27th July, with John also competing in the Champion of Champions at Owley Wood Recreation Club, Cheshire on Saturday 28th September.
Grace Gawne wins Junior Merit
14 juniors took part in the Junior Merit held at Finch Hill Bowling Club. A round robin format was played, with Bailey McMullan topping group 1 with 3 wins, with Enya Quayle a close 2nd winning 2 games.
Group 2 winner Aalish Moore with 4 wins and 2nd place Enya Christian with 3 wins.
Group 3 was won by Grace Gawne 4 wins and Lacey McMullan close behind winning 3.
At the knockout stages, the semi final saw a close battle between Bailey and Aalish, with Bailey taking her place in the final with a 11-8 win. The other semi saw Grace dominate her game with a 11-3 win against Enya to take her place in the final.
The final saw Grace and Bailey go head to head with some really good bowling, after just four ends the game was tied on 2-2. Just five more ends later saw the game at 6-6. Bailey played some really good bowls to stretch the lead to 10-7. Determined Grace scored a couple of singles and a two and on the 14th end it was 10-10 Grace took the next end to win the game 11-10.
Well done to winner Grace Gawne and all those that took part on what was a lovely morning of bowls.
Castletown A see off Peel A
After a week’s break for the Isle of Man June Festival the Canada Life International Division One got back underway on Monday evening, as the league season approaches the halfway stage.
The closest match in Division One was between Castletown A and Peel A at the Crofts, as the town men beat fourth placed Peel A 6-4, although the Town men won comfortably on chalks (146-119). For the visitors Dave ‘Barney Kelly leads the way in the merit as he maintained his unbeaten start to the season, with a 21-7 win over David Quayle. The other three wins for Peel were close, as Ste Kelly won 21-17 against Nathan Cooil, Tony Carroon beat George Foy 21-18, whilst Peter Greenless held his nerve to beat Ian Watson 21-20. The home team wins were all comfortable with Aaron Richardson beating Pip Pemberton 21-3, whilst Nathan Hamilton also won to single figures 21-9 against David Proctor.
Onchan A took on Douglas A at home, with the Onchan men winning 7-3. Kevin Quirk was the only single figure on the night, as he beat Mark Kneen 21-3, whilst Will Penhallurick held off Gordon Wynne-Smythe 21-19. Winning to the same score for the visitors were Mervin Sayle and Dave McCabe against Neil Dunwell and Phil Kerruish respectively.
North Ramsey A picked up their third win of the season at home to Port St Mary A. For the home team captain Rob Monk beat Chris Lever 21-7, whilst Steve Walmsley went one better with a 21-6 win over Tom Collins. The three wins for the Port men was enough to keep from off the foot of the table, although they are now eight points adrift of the Mooragh Park men.
League leaders South Ramsey A took on Marown C, with the Crosby men managing to take a vital point as Steven Rough performed well to win 21-11 against Peter Collister, however five single figure wins from the home team ensured a 9-1 win for the South men, keeping the visitors down to 77 chalks.
Marown A ensured that South Ramsey didn’t extend their lead as they beat their lower ranked B team 9-1. Karl Parker was the lone winner for the B, with a 21-8 victory over Glenn Boland. John Gelling was the only other potential winner, however he just lost out 20-21 to Colin Kelly. Winning to single figures for the A team were Peter Jones and Tom Kelly over Phil Kelly and Juan Killip respectively.
In Division Two Peel B show no sign of taking their foot off the gas, with a 9-1 home win over Castletown B, with Andy Mackie and Jimmy Corlett sitting in second and third place in the individual merit.
South Ramsey B are in second place eight points behind the league leaders, they have a five-point cushion on third placed Ballaugh A who they beat 4-6 away from home. Tony Dugdale made it eight wins from eight games played with a 21-7 win over Mike Spooner.
Port Erin A make the trek north to Mooragh Park as the Breagle men came away with a 3-7 away victory, edging the aggregate by two chalks (146-148), with David Cain just missing out on an extra point for his side as he slipped to a 20-21 defeat to Brian Colquitt.
Noble’s A closed the gap on Finch Hill A to a single point with a 6-4 home win over the Finch men, with Mark Bradshaw beating Mark Taylor 21-4, with Mike Caley stepping up from the D team he won 21-10 against Brian Aspden.
Douglas B would have been disappointed to slip to a 3-7 home defeat to Onchan B, with their fate sealed on the aggregate as Colin Spence stunned David Pease 21-1.
Over to Division Three, Noble’s C used home advantage to beat South Ramsey D, edging the aggregate by seven chalks (141-134). The match did see a battle of the Juniors as Kian Bradford picked up his first ever league win for South Ramsey, as he beat Max Johnson 21-17, with the latter making his league debut.
South Ramsey C beat high flying Noble’s D 7-3 at home, with Lee Price winning 21-2 for the visitors.
Elsewhere Marown D slipped to a 3-7 home defeat to Peel C, with the visitors claiming two single figure wins, whilst Ballaugh B also suffered the same fate with a 3-7 loss to Noble’s B, as they lost out on the aggregate by a solitary chalk (140-141). Onchan C were well beaten 1-9 at home to Port St Mary B.
In Division Four it was Ballaugh C who took their turn to sit out this round of fixtures, giving the teams below them an opportunity to close the gap. North Ramsey C took home a good 8-2 win over Douglas D at Mooragh Park, whilst Peel D hosted Castletown C in the Sunset City with the home team taking home a 7-3 win. Elsewhere Noble’s E were at home to Douglas C, with the Villa men taking a 4-6 away win.
Palmer Wins IOM June Festival
One of the biggest events on the bowls calendar – The Isle of Man June Bowls Festival took place this week, with the event attracting well over 500 entries in both the men’s and ladies’ events, as entries continue to improve, with the weather from Monday to Thursday favourable. Friday saw some welcome cloud cover, this did not deter the spectators, who were treated to an entertaining finals day to cap off a superb week. With the competition supported by the Department of Economic Development Finals Day included a special visit from the Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer, who was introduced to the Festival Organiser Steve Moore and BCGBA CEO Paul Ashmore, with the Governor introduced to the popular Isle of Man Bowls Festival.
In the Men’s event it was Jon Palmer (Castlefields) who picked up his first Isle of Man Festival win, to add to his Autumn Waterloo Title, with both titles being coveted by the top bowlers in the game.
Palmer took home the winners’ cheque for £3,200 and lifted the famous trophy as he beat fellow Castlefields man and good friend Carl Fielding – a previous June Festival winner in 2014, 21-11 in a game spectators expected to be close. Palmer picked up two singles over the first two ends, only to concede two doubles to trail 7-9. In response Palmer went on to win seven consecutive ends, with the jack proving crucial, scoring nine points to lead 16-9. Fielding threatened a comeback as he won the next two ends to trail 11-16, however Palmer ensured this was the end of the road, winning the next four ends scoring five points on a short mark over the crown to finally get his hands on the trophy.
Palmer or ‘JP’ as he is known across the bowling community reached the final with a comfortable 21-10 win over Joseph Cranston (Crossgates), whilst Fielding beat Josh Mordue (Crossgates) 21-14 to take his place in the final.
The quarter finals featured two local bowlers with South Ramsey’s Glynn Hargraves losing out 14-21 to Mordue, whilst Marown man Colin Kelly picked up the George Craine Trophy as the best local as he was defeated 17-21 by Fielding. Palmer ensured safe passage to the semi-finals with a 21-16 win over Gareth Coates (Akroyden Victoria), whilst Cranston had a tussle with Lee Johnstone (St Oswalds) with the former prevailing 21-18.
Men’s Tourism
The Men’s Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 1, and it was Callum Wraight (Castlefields) who retained the Tourism title to see off James Wilcox (Crossgates) 21-18 in a thrilling final, as Wraight won the June title for a fifth time and sixth in total with his one September win under his belt.
The final was close throughout with neither player able to get a run of ends throughout the game, only for Wraight to get over the line with the scores tied at 18-18, picking up a double and a single to claim the victory.
In the semi-finals Wraight’s had it all to do as he took on Dan Petcher (Littleover), with the latter just losing out 17-21, whilst Wilcox had a much more comfortable win, seeing off clubmate Mark Hughes 21-12.
In the quarter finals Wraight progressed with a 21-13 win over the last local left, Neil Withers (Marown), with Petcher seeing off Dave McDermott (Merseyside) 21-12. In the other half of the draw Wilcox beat first time visitor Kevin Siddle (Pudsey Littlemoor) 21-12, with Hughes facing off against teammate Kez Smith, with the former prevailing 21-11.
Other Events
The Men’s consolation was won by Jamie King (Wrockwardine Wood) who beat Martin Keatley (Mossley Hill AC) 21-20 in the final, with King beating Ross Hatzer (Bar Lane) 21-18 in the semi-final, whilst Keatley had a comfortable 21-10 win over Gareth Jones (Dalton CC).
The Ladies consolation also went to the wire in the final as local Sue Gawne (Noble’s) beat Chrissy McManus (Our Lady’s) 21-20. Gawne reached the final courtesy of a 21-13 win over Sharon Gadd (Cononley), whilst McManus took her place in the final with a 21-18 win over Karen Hill (New Mill).
The Visit.Com Flyer title went to Elliott Laboure (Littleover) who ensured Gerald Merry wasn’t able to retain the title he picked up last year with a 9-6 victory, whilst the Last Chance Mixed Final was won by Andrew Gregory (Comberbach BC) who beat Maurice Edmonds (Walney Park) 21-11 in the final.
In the doubles competitions the Open doubles was won by Matt Gilmore and Chris Barton (both Wirral) with a resounding 11-2 win over Liam Griffin (Crossgates) and Gareth Coates (Akroyden Victoria). Gilmore and Barton reached the final with an 11-3 win over Adam Wildsmith and Matthew Kelly-Walley (both Stretton Anglesey), whilst Griffin and Coates beat the last locals left in the competition Neil Withers and Paul Dunn (Marown) 11-4.
The Men’s doubles was an emphatic 11-0 win for Ian Hazlehurst (Merseyside) and Phil Lee (Quarry) over Steve McManus (Our Lady’s) and Darren Edgerley (Hesketh Arms), with the winners also beating their opponents Carl Gregson and Liam Gregson (both Skelmersdale Park) 11-0 in the semi-final, whilst McManus and Edgerley reached the final with a 11-8 win over Neil Wright and Mark Bramall (both Kirkham).
The Ladies doubles featured all four Wrockwardine Wood players as Sally King and Natalia Moseley beat club mates Sarah Weaver and Louise Cotton in a thrilling final with the former pair winning 11-9. King and Moseley reached the final with an 11-0 win over Lune Road pair Gill Simm and Diane Harrison, whilst Weaver and Cotton beat Crossgates Rachel Wilcox and Lynn Wilcox 11-9 to reach the final.
Winning the Mixed pairs were Wendy Allen (Castle Sports & SC) and Ian Johnson (Chesterfield) with a 9-0 win over Lorraine Hirst (New Mill) and Gavin Ratcliffe (Meersbrook). Allen and Johnson progressed to the final with a 9-3 win over Caroline Whitehead (Port Erin) and John Colebourne (Chesterfield), whilst a 9-0 win for Hirst and Ratcliffe ensured they went through against Jo Smith (Noble’s) and Byrom Oates (Two Gates BC).
Moseley Claims Maiden Festival In Thrilling Finish
In the Ladies main event it was two year’s of success for Wrockwardine Wood as Natalia Moseley took on local favourite Jenny Moore (South Ramsey), who has three festival titles to her name, with these picked up in June 2016, September 2021 & 2023.
Moore would undoubtedly have been the bookies favourite to take the title, despite giving her opponents a three start in her games due to her previous success, however Moseley had already got her week off to a good start beating her clubmate and good friend Sally King in the final of the pre-festival competition at Port Erin on Sunday.
Moore made a good start to the final scoring three points over the first two ends to clawback the handicap to level up at 5-5. Moseley then settled into the game, picking up a double, then four singles playing a mark over the middle green to lead 11-7, with Jenny playing a great bowl to score a double in the middle of the run.
Moore managed to take the lead for the first time in the game at 13-12, then edged further ahead at 15-13, then led 16-14. Moseley went on to score four consecutive singles to take the lead 18-16, only to concede a double to leave the game finely poised at 18-18. Moseley was first to put herself within touching distance of glory as a two put the score at 20-18, however two loose bowls on the penultimate end gave Jenny the opportunity to score two to level the game at 20-20.
Jenny played a sweeping round peg mark, led with a great bowl just a foot away from the jack. Moseley was under pressure on the last end, brushed off any hint of this to play the bowl of her life leaving it just six inches away from the block, which Jenny failed to beat to give Moseley her maiden festival title 21-20 and the £1,250 first prize, whilst Moore could console herself with the runners up prize of £625, also receiving the visitiom.com trophy for being the furthest local lady.
In the semi-finals Moseley looked to be in control of the game as she built up an 18-10 lead, then got within touching distance of the final to lead 20-14 against Caroline Bushell (Lindal BC). Bushell dug deep and did all she could levelling the game up 20-20 after scoring four singles and a double, only for Moseley to finally get over the line 21-20. In the other semi-final Moore looked to be in trouble, as she trailed 10-17 to Lorraine Hirst (New Mill), however like all great players do Moore found another gear to runout with a 21-17 victory.
Moseley started her day with a hard-fought victory over Janet Phillips (Fairfield), whilst Bushell took a comfortable 21-13 win over South Ramsey’s Elaine Moore. In the other half of the draw Jenny cruised through 21-12 against another local Janet Monk (Mooragh Park), whilst Hirst had to dig deep to see off Catherine Wilson (AEU) 21-19.
Ladies Tourism
The Ladies Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 2 green, with Nicola Boulton (Frodsham Red Lion) taking the spoils as she won the Tourism with a hard-fought 21-19 win over Sally King (Wrockwardine Wood), scoring three consecutive singles after trailing 18-19 to see the game out in a tense finish to the final.
Boulton reached the final with a 21-15 victory over Elaine Moore (South Ramsey), with the former having led 20-9, a spirited fightback from Elaine proved too little too late, whilst King took a comfortable 21-10 win over Jenny Moore (South Ramsey) to book her place in the final.
In the quarter finals Boulton took a hard earned 21-19 victory over Rachel Wilcox (Crossgates), whilst Elaine Moore finished strongly to beat Alexis Lunn-Gadd (Ossett Flying Horse) 21-15, having trailed 12-14.
In the other half of the draw King progressed to the next round with a 21-11 win over Natalie Sanderson 21-11, with Jenny Moore beating Amanda Nicholas 21-18 (Gresford Colliery).
Kennish Wins Sheila Freeman Memorial 32 Invitational
Sheila Freeman Memorial 32 Invitational 2024 Winner - John Kennish with Sponsor Derek Halsall
Photo: Glynn HargravesFriday evening saw the return of a post festival invitational competition, with Marown Bowling Club hosting the event and 32 bowlers accepting the invitation to play, with the competition featuring 16 of the top local bowlers, and 16 visitors who had taken part in the Isle of Man June Bowls Festival.
The competition was put in place in memory of the late Sheila Freeman, who visited the Island for a number of years with her partner Derek Halsall who sponsored the competition.
The format was 21 up with 5 on the card for visiting bowlers and 3 on the card for home greeners, with the draw taking place earlier in the afternoon from two pots with visiting bowlers playing local players in the first round.
With a strong field taking part, it proved tough for the local bowlers, with only three of the 16 locals winning their first round games, with Jordan Cain (South Ramsey), John Kennish (South Ramsey) and home greener Colin Kelly going into the second round.
Cain won his first game 21-17 against Richie Goddard (Shropshire), John Kennish edged through 21-18 against Ryan Clark (South Yorkshire), whilst Colin Kelly made light work of Dave McDermott (Merseyside) with a 21-11 win.
Cain was knocked out in the second round with a 12-21 defeat to Billy Speed (Lancashire). With the rain well and truly set in at the quarter final stage it left Kennish and Kelly as the last locals in the competition, with the former winning 21-17 against one of the top bowlers in the game Callum Wraight (Shropshire), as the South Ramsey man started to show signs of his old form returning having not played regularly since 2018. Conor Chamberlain (Derbyshire) progressed with a 21-14 win over Speed. In the other half of the draw Kelly disposed of Josh Mordue (Yorkshire) with relative ease with a 21-12 win, whilst Joe Cranston (Yorkshire) had to work for his 21-17 win over Matt Gilmore (Merseyside) to progress to the semi-final stage.
The first semi-final saw Kennish breeze through with a 21-12 victory over Chamberlain, whilst Kelly was comfortable in his game to book his spot in the final with a 21-15 win over Cranston.
The final got underway labelled as ‘El Clasico’ by one spectator with the finalists having played each other in countless finals over the years, with both men winning most of the top titles in Manx Bowls over the past 30 years. Kelly may have been fancied to take the win with home advantage and the conditions perhaps favouring him, however Kennish rolled back the years putting in a superb performance, scoring five doubles on his way to a resounding 21-9 victory to pick up the first prize of £500, keeping the Marown man down to six singles and never allowing Kelly to win two consecutive ends.
At the conclusion of play the presentation was made by Marown club Chairman Peter Kelly and competition organiser Paul Dunn who thanked everyone had had accepted the invitation to play, the ladies for providing the refreshments, all the club members who had helped in any way, along with competition sponsor Derek Halsall who was introduced to present the prizes, as he pledged to sponsor the competition in 2024.
Gaut Wins Pre-Festival Ballacashtal Cup
The ever-popular pre-festival Ballacashtal Cup was held on Sunday attracting an entry of 84 bowler, which was an increase on the 2023 entry, made up of local and visiting bowlers. The Castletown green was in good condition, the competition was once again sponsored by ABS Solutions.
At the quarter final stages it was the end of the road for three locals as Marown’s Tom Kelly lost out 20-21 to John Clarke (Wrockwardine Wood), with Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey) defeated 14-21 to Peter Jones (Marown).
The third local to dip out in the quarter finals was Kelly’s Dad Colin, as he also lost out 20-21 to Jamie King (Wrockwardine Wood) after leading 20-15 only for King to hit some vital strikes to keep him in the game, with the last game being won by Martin Gaut (Wrockwardine Wood) with a hard fought 21-18 win over Paul Bradley (Fairfield).
At the semi-final stage Jones kept his opponent Clarke to six singles as the Marown man won 21-12, scoring five doubles and five singles on the way to booking his place in the final.
The other semi-final was an all Wrockwardine Wood affair with King and Gaut battling it out for a place in the final, with King having won this competition two years ago. It was Gaut who got off to the better start taking a 14-7 lead, swiftly extended to 17-8. King hit back with two doubles and a single in between conceding a single to close the deficit to five chalks (13-18). It looked all over barring a miracle on the next end with Gaut scoring two to lead 20-13, however King had other ideas as three consecutive doubles playing along the edge on the road side of the green put the score at 19-20. On the next end King was counting two for game, with a play through by Gaut saving one. With the score now 20-20 on the deciding end, King played back along the edge however he didn’t send his jack far enough, being just under the 19 metres required after a measure it allowed Gaut to set the mark. With King lying game once again Gaut held his nerve to seal the win with a good last bowl to take his place in the final.
The final was a good watch for the spectators with neither player being able to get away from the other as they drew level on 11 occasions throughout the final, rather bizarrely each time the players card markers checked the score, it was level to prove how close this final was with there never being a run of two winning ends for either player or a gap of more than two points all game. It was Jones who made the first move to go within touching distance of the title in his third final in this competition as he scored a single to lead 20-18. Gaut responded with a two to level the game up at 20-20, he headed into the corner to play a good lead bowl, with Jones just failing to beat it as he clipped the wrong side of the bowl. Gaut then doubled up to apply the pressure, leaving Jones no option other to strike, which didn’t make the right connection for Gaut to pick up the famous old trophy for the first time, whilst Jones lost out for the third time in the final of this competition.
The presentation was made by Castletown Club Chairman Phil Taubman who thanked the sponsors ABS Solutions for their continued support of the competition, the ladies for the refreshments and Kath Kinley for running the competition. Upon accepting the trophy Martin commented that it was great for both players to have support around the green.
Wrockwardine Wood ladies dominate festival ladies open
The 16th June saw the IOM Ladies Association hold the Pre Festival Ladies singles at Port Erin. 20 players competed for the title, with a good selection of visiting ladies competing. The day started with four preliminary round games, and the sun shining down.
At the quarter final stage Natalia Moseley beat homegreener Margaret Tasker 21-12. Louise Cotton (Wrockwardine Wood) overcame Jane Lothian (Douglas) 21-17. Kim Hargraves (South Ramsey) 21-19 Nicola Gilmore-Coupe (Wirral) and Sally King (Wrockwardine Wood) beat Jayne Smith (Marown) 21-19.
The Wrockwardine Wood Ladies proved too much for the local girls, playing thier favourable short curly marks, with the final set to be a good game of bowls with fellow teammates and good friends Natalia Moseley and Sally King both from Wrockwardine Wood.
Unfortunately play was brought to a halt after a few ends when Sally was stung by a wasp. But after a few moments of removing the sting and applying some spray, play was resumed.
Rain started which didnt affect the level of play, and after 12 ends the score was level 13-13. But six ends later Natalia started opening up a lead 18-15. Sally wasn’t finished just yet and with a couple of singles, closed the gap to just 17-18. Natalia edged closer to a win scoring a two on the next end. Then Sally a single. But Natalia closed off the game on the final end to take the win 21-18.
Competition Secretary Chris Holland presented the trophy and thanked Port Erin for hosting and all the competitors and everyone for staying for the final.
Ladies Ramsey Town Cup 2024
Bailey McMullan in top form all afternoon.
A particularly good entry of 29 competitors played on Sunday afternoon 9th June at Mooragh Park in conditions that started dry but ended in light rain for the final stages.
This year’s competition was sponsored Peter Slinger of Safetynet in Onchan.
The juniors, from several clubs across the Island, showed in round two that they were a
force to be reckoned with taking excellent players like Caroline Parker, Lil Smith and Rose
Waterworth out of contention and themselves into the next round.
In the quarter finals juniors Katie Jacobs beat Allison Stockham 21-9, Bailey McMullan beat
Louise Tebay 21-12 and Lacey McMullan beat visitor Elaine Slack 21-19 which gave three juniors in the semi-final. The last quarter final was between Fiona Kennish and Grayse
Blencoe and although Grayse put up a good fight she just couldn’t match Fiona and the
game ended 21-11 to Fiona.
Into the semi-finals and Katie and Bailey’s game saw Katie pull ahead in the early stages but Bailey fought back winning the last 6 ends and ending the match to win 21-18. In the
other game Fiona and Lacey both played well but Fiona found a good mark for her, which
challenged Lacey on pace and therefore length ending the game 21-13.
A North versus South derby for the final and both players came out determined to their very best, but it was Bailey who took command of the game, from the start, and despite Fiona playing some great shots she just couldn’t get close enough to the jack in some very tight ends. The final score Bailey (North Ramsey) 21 Fiona (South Ramsey) 4.
The prizes were presented by Paul Slinger, who was representing his brother Peter of
Safetynet, who had sponsored the competition and stand in competition secretary Pat Lenton. Thanks were given by Pat to the sponsors, everyone who had entered the competition and all of the North Ramsey members who had worked hard to make the day a success.
Douglas edge out Peel Sunset by 4 points
Peel Sunset travelled to Douglas bowling club where some close games took place. Emily and Katie Jacobs (Douglas) both had really close wins 21-19, 21-20. Jane Lothian and Emma Sayle (Douglas) also had good single figure wins. As did Shirley Corrin and Joyce Kelly (Peel Sunset).
Douglas 144-140 Peel Sunset (6-3)
Mooragh Park 170-152 Castletown B (5-4)
Nobles 128-162 South Ramsey (4-5)
Marown A 164-104 Marown B (7-2)
Port St Mary 85-179 Ballaugh A (1-8)
Ballaugh B 111-168 Port Erin (2-7)