Sunday 22nd September 2024 Finch Hill Bowling Club hosted the Douglas Borough Council Challenge Cup competition for the any combination pairs. A total of 27 pairs entered for the end of season event on a warm and sunny afternoon.

The opening rounds saw some excellent close games and particular mention goes to southern teammates Caroline Whitehead and Angela Bennett taking on seasoned-campaigners Matthew Keggen and Paul Kelly to a 21-20 win.

It was good to see some of the juniors in the competition as Grayse Blencoe and Bailey McMullan had a tough game against the experienced players Margie Tasker and Mavis Franks, just losing out 19-21.

At the quarter finals stage last year’s winner Nathan Hamilton and his partner Kieran Krypner lost out to Neil Withers and Paul Dunn 14-21. Philippa Taylor and Lynda Cadamy ended the hopes of Peter Jones and Cherise Fialho 21-11 and Sue Gawne and Andy Kennish beat Janet Monk and Lacey McMullan 21-14. Caroline and Angela ended the challenge of home greeners David Holmes and Peter Woods 21-17 from progressing to semi-finals.

In the semi-finals Sue and Andy galloped to a commanding leading against Philippa and Lynda and despite a late rally from the girls who were unable to repeat their earlier form, took a 21-8 win. The other semi-final saw some very hard fought ends but the experience of Neil and Paul was in the end no match for Caroline and Angela with the boys winning 21-8.

The final was Sue and Andy against Neil and Paul which promised to be a good battle. Despite some very closely fought ends the boys managed to accrue a commanding lead and held back the challenge from their opponents and ran out the victors 21-7. Congratulations to Neil and Paul on yet another fine victory.

Many thanks to Finch Hill for hosting the event, Douglas Council as sponsors, Joyce Ogden for running the sheet and all competitors for a lovely afternoon’s bowling.

See you all next year.

Joyce Ogden

The final of the Canada Life International Sponsored Mixed Team Championship and the Inaugural Plate competitions took place simultaneously at Noble’s on Thursday evening, with the Championship final seeing South Ramsey A take on Marown A. The floodlights were required, in perfect conditions for a bowls final.

In the first half of the match South were quickest out of the blocks with Peter Collister recovering from a slow start against Debbie Leece, trailing 3-7, as he went on to win 21-11. Peter Jones having arrived back on the island late afternoon was in fine fettle, as he beat Bob Clark 21-16, with the former having led 12-4, the South Ramsey man fought back to claw back some chalks.

A gap opened up as Jordan Cain was in fine form as he beat Rebecca Teare 21-4, playing a falling mark along the edge of the green, having trailed 1-3, Cain scored five two’s on the bounce, with eight in total as South Ramsey took a 22 chalk lead. Marown’s Neil Withers clawed six chalks back as he beat South Ramsey captain Kim Hargraves 21-15, with Withers 7-0 up Hargraves went on to match her opponent blow for blow from there.

The next two games off helped build a 34 chalk for South Ramsey, as Jenny Moore having led 17-4 put an end to a mini-comeback from Paul Kelly with a 21-12 win. James Teare was next off as he led 19-8 against Lyn Bolton, with the Marown player scoring four more chalks before Teare finished the game off with a solid 21-12 win.

The ever reliable Gill Dixon put in a superb performance against the in-form Paul Dunn, despite getting beat Dixon’s 16-21 defeat ensured only five chalks were recovered by Marown.

With enough points on the board in the final two games, it soon became apparent the Championship title was heading back to South Ramsey, however this didn’t stop the players from trying to win their individual games as Clare Cooper led Glynn Hargraves 12-8. Hargraves found another gear, going on to finish the game with a 21-16 win. The final game on the green in the Mixed Championship final was between Glenn Boland and Fiona Kennish, as the former raced into a 15-4 lead. Kennish responded to claw the score back to 13-19, however Boland secured the win with a double to win 21-13.

The final match score was a win for South Ramsey by 26 chalks, with South Ramsey also winning 5-4 on games, with their cause helped by some good performances by their Ladies who were up against Marown’s top men’s bowlers. South Ramsey have now claimed the Mixed Team Championship 13 times since the competition was first held in 2005, have also won the title for five consecutive years.

Association Competition Secretary Matthew Keggen thanked Noble’s for the use of the green, for providing the refreshments and measurers on the night. South Ramsey captain Kim Hargraves congratulated her team for their performance on the night, whilst offering commiserations to Marown.

South Ramsey A	Score	Score	Marown A
Bob Clark	16	21	Peter Jones
Peter Collister	21	11	Debbie Leece
Jordan Cain	21	4	Rebecca Teare
Kim Hargraves	15	21	Neil Withers
Jenny Moore	21	12	Paul Kelly
James Teare	21	12	Lyn Bolton
Gill Dixon	16	21	Paul Dunn
Glynn Hargraves	21	16	Clare Cooper
Fiona Kennish	13	21	Glenn Boland
5 Games Won	165	139	4 Games Won

The final of the Canada Life International Sponsored Mixed Team Plate competition took place at Noble’s 1 green on Thursday evening, with Port Erin and Peel Sunset battling to become the third winners of this competition after Noble’s A and Noble’s B won the previous two years. There was a good crowd in attendance throughout the evening in perfect conditions for bowls.

The first three games to come off the green saw Peel’s Shirley Corrin beat Jackie Elliott 21-13, with Dougie Allan winning 21-18 against Ed Benson. Port Erin captain Ben Mowle struck the first blow for the Breagle Glen side as he held off Jo Corkill 21-17.

The next game off was from Port Erin stalwart Bernie Durcan who stormed to a 21-6 win over Gill Clarke. The next two games off went in favour of Peel as Phil Clarke beat Mavis franks 21-20, whilst Gordon Corrin held off Derek Allen 21-14. The match could not have been closer with both teams tied on 107 chalks.

Two big wins followed, with one from each team as Caroline Whitehead beat David Allwood 21-10, whilst Harry Kelly rolled back the years with a 21-9 win over Alison Stockham, as a chink of daylight emerged between the two sides as Peel led by a chalk (138-137) and had won five games to Port Erin’s three games.

With the Championship final now a dead rubber all eyes turned to the last game on the green in the Plate which was tied at 10-10 between Steve Durcan and Val Allwood. The Peel lady seemed to respond to the announcement over the tannoy of the match score as Val went on to lead 16-10, had played a good bowl which Durcan had just beaten, with the end decided on a measure. Durcan had to win 21-19 or better to ensure the Plate made it’s way to Port Erin.

Winning the end on the measure seemed to settle the Port Erin man who played straight pegs along the edge of the green, as he went on to score four quickfire doubles on the bounce, followed by two singles to runout with a 21-16 victory.

The overall result was Port Erin winning by just four chalks (158-154) with the individual games going in favour of Peel 5-4.

The presentation was made by Association Competition Secretary Matthew Keggen who thanked Noble’s for the use of the green, their club members for the refreshments and providing measurers, with Port Erin captain receiving the Shield, as the Breagle Glen side went one better than 2023.

Port Erin A	Score	Score	Peel Sunset
Ben Mowle	21	17	Jo Corkill
Jackie Elliott	13	21	Shirley Corrin
Ed Benson	18	21	Dougie Allan
Bernie Durcan	21	6	Gill Clarke
Mavis Franks	20	21	Phil Clarke
Derek Allen	14	21	Gordon Corrin
Caroline Whitehead	21	10	David Allwood
Alison Stockham	9	21	Harry Kelly
Steve Durcan	21	16	Val Allwood
4 Games Won	158	154	5 Games Won

South Ramsey hosted the Manx Masters on Sunday, one of the highlights of the Manx bowls calendar with four separate competitions taking place throughout the day. Rain featured in the morning for the Juniors, with glorious conditions in the afternoon for the Senior competitions.

JP Corry Young Manx Masters

The Young Manx Masters was contested by four players – three girls and one boy. This competition was played in a round robin format playing eight ends with the last end played as a ‘power’ end with points scored counting double.

After a good morning of bowls, it was Ballaugh’s Saskia Tebay who was the winner with 25 points, to win the Young Manx Masters title for the first time. The runner up Lara Johnson (Noble’s) who also finished on 25 points, however Lara lost 7-3 to Saskia in their individual game.

JP Corry Junior Manx Masters

The Junior Manx Masters was played as a straight knockout 21up off a handicap of +10 for the older and more experienced players with a healthy entry of 18 players braving the early morning start.

The title was won for the first time by Lacey McMullan (Mooragh Park) to cap off a fine season as Alex Hampson (Noble’s) lost in the final for the second successive year losing 16-21, having lost 18-21 last year to Noble’s teammate Sam Colquitt.

Losing out at the semi-final stage was the current holder Sam Colquitt (Noble’s) 13-21 to McMullan. In the other semi-final Hampson got over the line 21-19 against Bailey McMullan (Mooragh Park) as the former led 20-15, before eventually getting over the line.

At the quarter final stage McMullan edged home 21-19 against Grace Gawne (Noble’s), whilst Colquitt beat Katie Jacobs (Douglas) 21-17. In the other half of the draw Bailey McMullan beat Kian Bradford 21-14, whilst Hampson beat Bobby Kerruish (Marown) 21-13.

The standard of play in both events was excellent and some of the bowls played would not have been out of place in the senior events taking place in the afternoon. JP Corry Isle of Man supported the event once again, all competitors who took part received a prize.

Thanks were given to everyone who had helped throughout the morning, including those who had helped with the preparation in the lead up the event.

Once the Junior competitions concluded 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.

Felton’s Ladies Manx Masters

In the Ladies event losing out at the quarter final stages were home greener Gill Dixon 17-21 to Louise Tebay (Ballaugh), current holder Jenny Moore (South Ramsey) beat Stella Watterson (Castletown) 21-9. In the other half of the draw Lyn Bolton (Marown) beat home greener Judy Kelly 21-13, whilst Clare Cooper beat Marown teammate Debbie Leece 21-16.

At the semi-final stage Tebay ensured it wasn’t going to be seven Manx Masters wins in a row for Moore, putting in a strong performance with a 21-15 win. In the other semi-final it was another all Marown clash as Cooper took on Bolton, with the pair tied at 14-14, a strong finish from Cooper secured a 21-16 victory to take her place in the final.

Cooper having appeared in several Manx Masters finals, only to come up against the unstoppable force that is Jenny Moore on more than one occasion would have fancied her chances against Tebay who is only in her fourth season of bowls, whilst Cooper has over 30 years of experience. One thing for certain at the start of the final is that a new name would be on the trophy.

Tebay had other ideas, storming into the lead 13-5. Cooper got in and headed for the corners, managing to close the deficit to five chalks at 8-13. Tebay stopped the comeback in its tracks to score six chalks over four ends playing the corners that Cooper had taken her in. With the score 19-8 to Tebay, Cooper managed to pick up two singles to reach doubles, however Tebay ensured it was her day scoring singles with two good bowls over the last two ends to secure a well-deserved 21-10 victory, to secure her first Manx Masters title, undoubtedly her biggest win since taking up the game in 2021.

It proved to be a great day for the Tebay family, with Mum Louise’s win having been followed up with daughter Saskia having won the JP Corry Young Manx Masters earlier in the day, with Saskia only last year having won a special prize for having the biggest smile all day when playing her games.

Felton’s Men’s Manx Masters

In the Men’s event seven of the first and second round matches were well contested with the player losing out scoring 17 or more. Losing out at the quarter final stage were Tom Kelly, who lost 20-21 to Marown teammate Paul Dunn, whilst Onchan’s Kevin Quirk was beaten comfortably 12-21 by Stevie Kelly (Peel).

In the other half of the draw, it was a blockbuster game between two South Ramsey men John Kennish and David Bradford, with the former taking the lead 15-11. Five doubles were scored over five ends with Bradford scoring four of them to lead 19-17.  Kennish fought back once more to level the game at 20-20, led a good bowl on the deciding end, albeit to the side of the jack. Bradford snapped up the opportunity to reach up with his first bowl connecting perfectly to seal the game 21-20. The final game of the quarter finals was won by Marown man Colin Kelly 21-12, as he beat North Ramsey’s Paul Allison.

Convincing wins followed at the semi-final stage as both winners kept their opponent to single figures, with Dunn the first man to reach the final with a 21-7 win over Stevie Kelly. Bradford also performed brilliantly beating 2023 Manx Masters winner Colin Kelly 21-8 to take his place in the final.

The final was tough to call, with Dunn in good form, also having previously defeated Bradford on South Ramsey, so it proved with a final that was an entertaining watch for the spectators. Bradford won the first end, only to then concede the next three ends to trail 4-7. Bradford got in, went on to win five consecutive ends playing the edge by the long hut to lead 11-7.

Dunn responded with a two, then moved around the green playing his renowned sweeping round pegs, with some great lead bowls, being careful not to play back onto the edge that Bradford had success on earlier in the game, winning seven ends on the trot to take a healthy five chalk lead at 16-11.

Bradford got back in thanks to a loose end from Dunn, then followed up with a single with the Marown man going into the back of his bowl. Dunn got back in with a good last bowl, scoring two singles to edge 18-14 ahead.

A pivotal moment of the game took place on the next end, with Bradford lying two down, he changed his peg using home green knowledge to grab hold of the jack to score one, which was swiftly followed by a single and a double to level the match at 18-18.

Bradford played two great bowls going into the clubhouse corner, there looked to be no route in for Dunn, however his bowl pegged with pace to spring the South Ramsey’s man nearest bowl onto the jack which moved the jack to his back bowl, to count for one, which was a great result, very nearly scoring two from the end.

With the score now 19-18 to Dunn, Bradford scored two to lead 20-19, then took his time before setting the mark. A different mark was set to what Bradford had played throughout the game, with a two-foot lead, a very similar second bowl leaving Dunn with a tough route into the jack. Dunn halved Bradford’s second bowl, however lost out on the measure as Bradford won his fourth Manx Masters title.

The presentation was made by competition organiser Glynn Hargraves, who thanked everyone who had accepted the invitation to play, everyone who had helped with the running of the competitions. The Ladies who once again outdone themselves with the catering and the club members who assisted throughout the day. Long term supporters of the event Chris & Lynnette Perry of Felton’s Ironmongers were then introduced to present the prizes who without their support this event would not be possible. Upon accepting the trophy Bradford stated he was delighted to have won the trophy, having beaten who he believes to be two of the best Manx bowlers ever John Kennish and Colin Kelly, also the man in form in the final Paul Dunn.