Yearly Archives: 2025
Bradford Retains Peel Town Cup
Peel Town Cup Winner 2025 - David Bradford with Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly
Photo: Pip PembertonManx Champion, David Bradford successfully retained the Peel Town Cup, sponsorsed by Utmost International, on Saturday with a commanding show of consistent bowls on a fast improving green, battling his way through a field of 69 runners culminating with victory against South Ramsey club mate, Dido Kelly.
Kelly began the final the better of the two, racing into a 13-9 lead utilising his corner to crown tactic that he uses to great effect. But Bradford hit back in dramatic style predominently playing a 27 yard mark over the crown from seaside to headland where he notched up a 10 break to eventually end Kelly’s challenge with a 21-16 success.
Bradford, currently the island’s number one had been in imperious form all day, comfortably reached the final with a 21-10 victory over Breagle’s Alan Crebbin in the Quarter Final before seeing off the last local hope, George Gadsby 21-8 in the semi-final.
Kelly’s route to the final was equally impressive with impressive triumphs over the Villa’s Dave McCabe 21-13 followed by a 21-8 success against Mike Alexander of Onchan 21-8.
The remaining losing Quarter finalists were Glenn Boland who succumbed 21-19 to Gadsby and Jimmy Sansom of Douglas who went under to Alexander by the same scoreline.
At the conclusion, Competition Secretary Pip Pemberton was on hand to thank the sponsors, Utmost International, Peel’s new Catering Manager, Matthew Venables, who did a fantastic job all day keeping all the players and spectators fed and watered, the greensmen Gary Smith and Paul Quirk, who have worked miracles in reviving the green into fantastic condition, Club secretary and stalwart, Lynda Wilson for her continued industrious work behind the scenes and all the other Peel members who had contributed with measuring and stewarding throughout the day, before handing over to Club President, Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly to present the prizes.
Published by Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly
NOBLES LADIES LEAD THE WAY IN OVER 60’s LEAGUE
Ladies Over 60’s League: Tuesday 8 July: As stated in an earlier report, it is not often a match finishes three all and level on points, but it happened again this morning when Castletown B played Mooragh Park A at home (103-103). Lynn Mayers for Mooragh managed to get the point needed to win 21-20 against Hilary Cooke with Elaine Slack for Mooragh being the only player to win to single figures. South Ramsey A scored a full house at home to Onchan (126-66) with three of South’s wins being won to single figures. Caroline Heathcote for Onchan just missed out on a win for her team when she lost to 20 against Helen Caley. Peel put in a solid home performance when they won 5-1 (121-61) against Ballaugh B with Peel’s Joyce Kelly, Mary Moffatt and Gill Clarke winning to single figures. Lone winner for Ballaugh was Alison Millard who won to 16 against Terry Berry. Another good performance saw Ballaugh A win 5-1 (118-55) at home to Breagle Glen B who were a player short, with three of the Ballaugh ladies winning to single figures. Winner for Breagle was Angela Bennett who won to 13 against Julie Reilly. Marown made their way north to Mooragh Park B coming away with a 4-2 win (108-56). Two winners for Mooragh were Mary Bruce and Gill Hammond who both won to 12, with the four winners for Marown winning to single figures. Breagle Glen A hosted South Ramsey B winning 4-2 (115-67). Similar to the match between Mooragh Park B and Marown, Breagle’s four winners won to single figures whilst the two winners for South, Sue Collier and Jackie Murley, won to 13 and 18. Finch Hill were at home to Castletown A with the match finishing three all but Town winning on points (107-111). Sue Peach for Town won her game single figures with Lil Smith for Finch crossing the line 21-19 against Barbara Young. The following morning Nobles travelled south to Breagle Glen C winning 5-1 (116-72). Di Benson was the lone winner for Breagle winning to 11 against Marilyn Ellison with Steph Swift just missing out on a win for Breagle when she lost to 19 against Paula Firth. On the morning of Thursday 10 July, Breagle B recovered from their loss earlier in the week scoring a full house at home to Mooragh Park B. Mooragh’s Mary Bruce nearly got a win for her team when losing to 20 against Chris Holland. South Ramsey A visited Castletown A and although the match finished three all, Town took the honours by four points (100-96). Closest game of the match was between Barbara Young for Town and Gillian Jopson with Gillian eventually winning 21-19. Breagle Glen C visited South Ramsey B coming away with a 4-2 win and by six points (97-103). Two winners for South were Sue Collier and Ann Gale with Steph Swift and Gwen Tuck for Breagle both managing to cross the line 21-18 against Sue Kinrade and Anne Buck. Peel put in a good away performance at Mooragh Park A winning the match 5-1 (105-78). Lone winner for Mooragh, Janet Monk, plus Joyce Kelly and Val Allwood for Peel all won to single figures with Shirley Corrin and Beverly Wilson for Peel both winning to 14 against Joy Morris and Maureen Hamilton. Marown had a comfortable 5-1 (117-59) win at home to Finch Hill with three of the Crosby ladies winning to single figures. Sole winner for Finch was Lil Smith who won to 12 against Rosie Winckle. Onchan ladies were on form at home against Castletown B winning 4-2 (117-74) with all four of Onchan’s wins being won to single figures, Two winners for Town were Marie Ashurst and Pat Rigby who won to 15 and 18 against Norma Cowell and Caroline Heathcote. Breagle Glen A had a good 5-1 win (123-88) away to Ballaugh B with Mavis Franks for Breagle being the only player to win to single figures. Stopping the whitewash was Gail Curphey who won to 18 against Linda Dawson. Another good home performance saw Nobles winning 4-2 (101-84) against Ballaugh A. Sue Gawne and Marilyn Ellison for Nobles plus Michele Cubbon for Ballaugh all won to single figures. Closest game saw Rose Waterworth for Ballaugh win to 15 against Jo Smith.
On Tuesday morning (15 July) Breagle Glen A won 5-1 at home (117-82) against Mooragh Park A. Mavis Franks and Trish Bull won their games to single figures with Mooragh’s sole winner Janet Monk winning to 12 against Jacqui Elliot. Another 5-1 win (113-85) was scored by South Ramsey A at home to Castletown B. Gillian Jopson and Judy Kelly plus Town’s lone winner Marie Ashurst, all won their games to single figures. Closest game saw South’s Joyce Ogden eventually win to 19 against Hilary Cooke. Nobles visited Mooragh Park B who were a player short. Noble’s won the match 6-0 (126-31) with all games being won to single figures. Peel played Onchan at home winning the match 4-2 (110-83) with three of Peel’s wins being won to single figures. Mary Moffatt had a good tussle with Maureen Payne with Mary getting the point needed to win 21-20. Finch Hill also won 4-2 (105-88) at home to Breagle Glen B with Lil Smith and Brenda Williams for Finch and Angela Bennett for Breagle winning their games to single figures. The other winner for Breagle was Gwen Tuck who won to 14 against Sue Caley. Castletown A took on Marown at home winning the match 4-2 (107-86). Jenny Saunders and Hilary Kermode for Town plus Marown’s Philippa Taylor all won to single figures. Marown’s Mair Moore and Town’s Sue Peach both won their games to 16 against Barbara Young and Lyn Bolton. Ballaugh A played neighbours South Ramsey B at home winning the match 4-2 (105-70). Two winners for South were Sue Collier who won to single figures and Anne Buck who won to 19 against Kay McKiernan. Also winning their games to single figures were Ballaugh’s Christine McDonald, Michele Cubbon and Julie Reilly. On Wednesday morning, Ballaugh B made their way south to Breagle Glen C coming away with a good 4-2 win (118-72) with three of the Ballaugh ladies winning to single figures, A well contested game saw Susan Inch cross the line 21-19 against Brenda Clayton. On Thursday morning (17 July), Mooragh Park A put in a strong home performance scoring a full house against Breagle Glen C (126-52) with Karen McGurgan, Janet Monk and Joy Morris for Mooragh winning to single figures. Mooragh’s Chris Sim had a good battle with Win Collister eventually winning to 17. Another full house was scored by Peel away to Castletown B (126-73) with three of the Peel ladies winning to single figures. Town’s Marie Ashurst tried her best to stop the whitewash losing to 20 against Gill Clarke. Marown A put in a solid home performance winning 5-1 (122-79) against South Ramsey A. Lyn Bolton and Philippa Taylor for the Crosby ladies won to single figures with Joyce Ogden for South stopping South’s blushes by winning to 17 against Elaine Dewhirst. Breagle Glen A won 4-2 (106-85) away at Onchan. Two winners for Onchan were Maureen Payne who won to 15 against Margie Tasker and Wendy McDowell who won to single figures. Caroline Heathcote just missed out making the scoreline three all when she lost to 20 against Dot Mylchreest. South Ramsey B won their first match 4-2 (115-90) at home to Mooragh Park B. Two winners for Mooragh were Joan Henderson and Diane Robinson who won to 14 and 17 against Susan Kinrade and Julie Stephens. Anne Gale for South had a nip and tuck game against Irene Cannan before running out to win 21-19. Home derby between Ballaugh B & A resulted in a 6-0 win (52-126) for the A team with four games being won to single figures. Two games to get into double points saw Pat Mason win to 16 against Brenda Clayton and Julie Reilly winning to 18 against Alison Millard. Nobles again put in an impressive home performance winning 5-1 and dropping only two points (124-73) against Finch Hill. Lil Smith was Finch’s only winner winning to 19 against Marilyn Ellison whilst Paula Garrett and Sue Gawne for Nobles won to single figures. Castletown A visited neighbours Breagle Glen B coming away winning 4-2 (118-92) with all games going into double figures. Two winners for Breagle were Angela Bennett and Voirrey Curphey who won to 19 and 15 against Hilary Kermode and Anne Oates.
PLATE KNOCKOUT UNDERWAY
Plate Knockout (handicaps in brackets): Quarter finals of the plate knockout took place on Thursday 10 July. Mooragh Park (+38) won 7-2 away to Douglas (+49), overall score 220-139 to Mooragh. Nobles (+28) won 9-0 at home against Ballaugh B (+69), overall score 217-142 to Nobles. Unfortunately, Castletown B were unable to play, therefore, South Ramsey progressed to the semi-finals. Third quarter-final between Breagle Glen B (+51) and Peel (+53) was played on Thursday 17 July resulting in a 5-4 win for Peel and by six points (212-206).
MILLENNIUM FOURS COMPETITION
Millennium Fours Competition: The Ladies Association Millennium Fours Competition was held at Mooragh Park on Saturday 12 July attracting an entry of eight 4’s. Getting through to the semi-finals were Helen Withers, Clare Cooper, Debbie Leece and Louise Tebay (Marown/Ballaugh) who played Michele Cubbon, Maria Dimsdale, Caroline Parker and Paula Garrett (Ballaugh/Douglas). The Marown/Ballaugh team won 2-1 on games and on points 40-23 points). Second semi-final saw Lynda Cadamy, Philippa Taylor, Sue Gawne and Paula Firth (Marown/Nobles) take on Jayne Smith, Lyn Bolton, Zoe Pearson and Judy Kelly (Marown/South Ramsey). Although the Marown/Nobles team won on games they lost on points (40-43). This set up a Marown/Ballaugh vs Marown/South Ramsey final. With both teams playing well, the latter team won 2-1 on games and by 4 points. Presentation of trophy was made by Chris Holland, Competition Secretary, who thanked the Mooragh for hosting the competition, all those that helped with the smooth running of the event and congratulated Jayne, Lyn, Zoe and Judy on their well deserved win.
RAIN STOPS PLAY
Ladies Open Age League: (Fixture 17) Due to inclement weather only one match was played on Friday 4 July; this was the match between Breagle Glen B and South Ramsey with South winning 5-4 on games (165-116), points difference was helped by four of South’s games being won to single figures. Closest game of the match was between Roz Cannon and South’s Judy Kelly with Roz getting over the line 21-18. The rearranged match between Castletown A and Marown B was played on Tuesday 8 July. The Castletown ladies were on form winning 8-1, dropping only one point (188-111). Lone winner for Marown was Celia Joughin who got the point needed to win 21-20 against Tracy Moore. Marown’s Lisa Pugh narrowly miss out winning when she lost to 18 against Kellie Maddrell. Another rearranged game from fixture 17 was played on Wednesday 9 July when Nobles hosted Peel. Match finished 6-3 to Nobles but the points were tied at 146 each with Peel’s Emilie Moss and Mary Moffatt winning their games to single figures, as did Lisa Bradshaw for Nobles. Closest game resulted in a 21-18 win for Joanne Kelly against Peel’s Shirley Corrin. Rearranged game between Ballaugh B and Breagle Glen A was played on Monday 14 July resulting in a 7-2 win for Breagle (174-147) with Katy Williams from Breagle being the only player to win her game to single figures. A hard fought game took place between Ballaugh’s Elaine Fenton and Breagle’sMargie Tasker with Margie eventually crossing the line 21-20. Remaining matches from fixture 17 are being played at a later date.
On Friday 11 July, (fixture 18) Castletown A travelled to Peel coming away with an 8-1 win (172-122). Alison Kearsley and Stella Watterson, plus Peel’s only winner Mary Moffatt, all won their games to single figures. Val Allwood nearly made the scoreline 7-2 when she lost to 19 against Town’s Hilary Kermode. Mooragh Park A had a comfortable 7-2 win (176-98) at home to neighbours Ballaugh B with five of the Mooragh ladies winning to single figures, as did Gail Corrin for Ballaugh. A nip and tuck game resulted in a 21-20 win for Ballaugh’s charlotte Neesom against Katie Johnson. Ballaugh A also had a good 7-2 home win (178-98) against Marown B with three of Ballaugh ladies winning to single figures. Marown’s Marown’s Jo Kelly had a tough game against Sherriee Pedley with Jo eventually winning 21-18. Castletown B hosted Breagle Glen B winning 5-4 on games (154-133). Town’s Sue Peach, Joy Stephens and Judith Moore, plus Alison Stockham for Breagle all won to single figures, with Angela Bennett just missing out on a win for Breagle when losing to 19 against Marie Ashurst. Breagle Glen A also won 7-2 (167-135) at home to Nobles with four games being won to single figures. Colese Creer for Nobles put in a valiant effort when losing to 20 against Linda Dawson. South Ramsey played Douglas at home winning 5-4 on games (158-112). Points tally for South was helped by four of their players winning to single figures, as did Paula Garrett for Nobles. A tough battle took place between South’s Kim Hargraves and Douglas’s Harley Garrett with Harley getting the point needed to win 21-20. Wednesday evening (fixture 19) saw two 8-1 wins being scored. First of these was by Marown A away to Breagle Glen B with the Crosby ladies dropping only five points (184-96) greatly helped by five games being won to single figures. Stopping the full house was Alison Stockham who won to 16 against Lisa Pugh. Second 8-1 scoreline and dropping only four points(185-112) were the South Ramsey ladies who were away to Ballaugh B; again result was helped by three of South’s wins being won to single figures. Lone winner for Ballaugh was Karen Young who came back from being well down against Helen Caley to win 21-17. Castletown A were at home to Breagle Glen A winning the match 7-2 and dropping only three points (186-118) with Town’s Jenny Saunders and Hannah Kermode winning their games to single figures. Two winners for Breagle were Margie Tasker and Mavis Franks who won to 19 and 20 against Kim Foy and Hilary Kermode. Mooragh Park visited Nobles coming away with a 5-4 win and by 26 points (159-133). Janet Monk, Katie Johnson and Bailey McMullan for Mooragh plus Joanne Kelly for Nobles all won to single figures with Lacey McMullan just missing out on a win for the northerners when she lost to 20 against Colese Creer. Peel won 5-4 (155-122) away at Marown B with four of Peel’s ladies winning to single figures as did Rosie Winckle for Marown. A close game between Marown’s Martha Butler and Jo Corkill resulted in a 21-20 win for Jo. Douglas took on Castletown B at home winning 5-4 on games (155-114); again win was helped by five of the Villa ladies winning to single figures as did Sue Inch for the southerners with Debra Cooper for Breagle managing to cross the line 21-20 against Rebecca Jacobs.
Re-arranged game from fixture 14 between Mooragh Park A and Marown took place on Thursday 17 July resulting in a 5-4 win for the Crosby ladies (170-147). Two close games saw Lynda Cadamy win to 19 against Lacey McMullan with Madison McMullan for Mooragh winning 21-20 against Philippa Taylor.
Top Two Clash – Marown A Extend Lead
Marown B - Rayner Shield finalists
The top two clashed in Canada Life International League Division One this week, with South Ramsey A hosting Marown A on a tricky green. Going into the clash the Crosby men had built up a two-point lead despite losing 3-7 at home to South Ramsey earlier in the season, by winning bigger in most games since that night. The visitors came up confident in the knowledge they had beaten their opponents a couple of weeks ago in the semi-final of the Plumbmaster Rayner Shield (5-3) despite losing out on the chalks.
The home team got off to a great start as John Kennish won to single figures 21-9, having led 8-6 he stepped up a couple of gears as Kelly scored just three more singles. Peter Jones levelled the match up, as he trailed 10-12 against South captain Glynn Hargraves, as the Marown man went on to win eight consecutive ends to win 21-12. It went from bad to worse for the home team as Peter Collister lost 11-21 to Paul Kelly. The last game of the first half of the match levelled the match 2-2 on games as David Bradford came through a good battle with Paul Dunn 21-16. Marown held a two-chalk advantage at the halfway point (65-67).
The second half of the match also went 2-2, with three close games. Neil Withers had a solid 21-11 win against James Teare. Bob Clark held a 10-5 lead over Glenn Boland, with the former getting over the line 21-18. For the visitors Colin Kelly recovered from a 4-10 deficit against Stefan Kelly to win 21-18, while the last game on the green was between Dido Kelly and Phil Kelly. The South Ramsey man was 8-0 up and counting for two, only for Kelly to just nibble the jack with his last bowl to get a chalk on the board. From there the Marown man worked his way back into the game closing the deficit to one chalk at 11-12. Dido rallied to lead 20-14, however Phil got back to 20-20, only for Dido to get the one chalk needed to ensure the result wasn’t even worse for the home team. The match finished 4-4, with Marown winning the aggregate on chalks by 11 to take home a 4-6 win on the night and extend their lead to six points with just five games left to play.
Elsewhere in Division One Rayner Shield finalists Marown B slipped to a 3-7 defeat at home to Peel A, with Matthew Keggen ensuring it wasn’t a heavier defeat with a 21-20 win over Andy Mackie. Winning close games for Peel were Tommy McMeiken and Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly 21-18 against John Gelling and Juan Killip.
Castletown A and bottom side Breagle Glen A had a good battle at the Crofts, with the visitors winning five games, but losing the chalks (148-138) to draw 5-5. Winning close games for the visitors were Ewan Cooil, Wayne Roberts, and Chris Lever who continues to excel against his former teammates beat opposing captain Nathan Hamilton 21-17. Dean Kinley helped the home team with the aggregate as he beat Mark Moorley 21-7.
With Breagle picking up five points the team closest to them South Ramsey B are also picking up points, as they were another team to win five games away to North Ramsey A, as they also lost out on the aggregate with this being harder to take by two chalks (134-132) for another 5-5. Steve Walmsley’s 21-4 win over Ben Dugdale, was almost cancelled out by Tony Dugdale’s 21-6 win over Richie Blencoe. The Hart brothers both won close games, as Austin held on to beat John Cannan 21-19, while Toby beat David Kinrade 21-20.
Another 5-5 was played out at the Villa between Douglas A and Onchan A, with the visitors winning five games but losing the aggregate by five chalks (142-137), with Jamie Clague’s 3-21 defeat to Ian Moore being the most damaging. Winning close games were Will Penhallurick 21-20 against Shaun Seal, Mike Alexander held off Dave McCabe 21-18, with Steve Parker losing out 19-21 to Keith Rise. Onchan captain Matthew Quirk returned to league action, only to suffer a 10-21 to Andy Cannell.
South Ramsey B made the most of their game in hand, as they won 7-3 at home to Castletown A. Tony Dugdale clung on for a 21-20 win, with the next closest games being Nathan Hamilton beating Stefan Kelly 21-18, and Nathan Cooil’s 21-17 win over Eddie Carlyle for the visitors. Two big wins for both teams as Toby Hart beat Dave Evans 21-3, while Dean Kinley responded with a 21-4 win over Alan Moore.
In Division Two Ballaugh A maintained their three point lead at the top, following a hard earned 4-6 win away to Onchan B, as the visitors lost two games 20-21, with Sid McKnight and Colin Spence inflicting defeats on Ed Trustham and Steve Grant respectively.
Marown C matched the Ballaugh result as they won 6-4 at home to Noble’s B, who continue to improve. With the match 4-4 on games, winning by seven chalks (144-137) made sure the Crosby men took the aggregate for a 6-4 win.
The closest match of the week saw Breagle Glen B draw 5-5 at home to Finch Hill A. The visitors were a man short, despite this managed to win five games, but cruelly lost out on the aggregate by a solitary chalk (140-139), with Ben Mowle the lucky recipient of a 21-0 walkover.
Peel B beat Douglas B 6-4 on a fast improving Peel green, with the home team taking the aggregate by just four chalks (133-129).
Noble’s A crushed Castletown A 10-0, with the Town men losing out three close games to 18,19, and 20 with George Foy, James Drinkwater, and David Quayle all just falling short.
North Ramsey B are eight points ahead in Division Three following their 8-2 home win over Marown D as the Crosby men hi the 100 chalk mark.
Two more games finished 8-2 in favour of the home team as South Ramsey C beat Ballaugh C, while Noble’s C won against Breagle Glen C despite the Noble’s men being a player short.
Ballaugh B managed to close the gap on the league leaders by a point, as they won 9-1 at home to Noble’s D, just missing out on a maximum by two chalks as Richard Fisher lost 19-21 to John Andrew. The visitors cause was not helped by being two players short on the night.
In Division Four Onchan C are a massive 26 chalks ahead on 95 points, look the most likely team to break the 100 point barrier first across all four divisions, following their 9-1 home win to Douglas D, with Junior player Clark Kelly preventing the whitewash with a 21-14 win over Lawrence McMullen.
Castletown C have a strong junior and new improving bowler contingent who continue to improve, following their 8-2 home win over Peel D. Freddie Palmer beat Owen Crompton 21-18, Jacob Robert won 21-14 against John Sayle, Chris Palmer won 21-11 against Mike Flowers, while Dominic Bowrey beat Ash Leece 21-9.
Douglas C also won 8-2 at home against Noble’s E, with the Villa men winning three close games to 18, and two to 19. For the visitors Lee Cain beat Andrew Tomlinson 21-6, while Matthew McKeoun held off Greg Brew 21-17.
Rounding off the league action Finch Hill B beat South Ramsey D 7-3 at home with Chris Thompson beating Chris Brown 21-4, with Tony Epifani beating Steve Kelly 21-18. For the visitors Matt Rees won 21-9 against Samson Smith, while South captain Frank Feeney got over the line 21-20.
Teare & Moore Win Spar Mixed Pairs
Spar Mixed Doubles 2025 - James Teare & Jenny Moore
Photo: Arnie WithersBallaugh Bowling hosted the Spar Mixed Doubles on Sunday afternoon with a superb entry of 51 pairs taking part, with the glorious weather continuing from the following day. The green was in excellent condition, proving tricky for the 102 bowlers taking part.
Losing out at the quarter final stage were Sue Gawne and Brian Kelly (Noble’s/Marown) 12-21 to South Ramsey pair Jenny Moore and James Teare, Shannon McMullan and Joe Kneale (North Ramsey) got the better of Ballaugh pair Lynn Mayers and Stephen Swift 21-20. In the other half of the draw Michele Cubbon and Ed Trustham got over the line 21-19 against Kian Bradford and David Bradford (South Ramsey) 21-19, while another home pair Louise and Nigel Tebay lost 14-21 to Helen Withers and Karl Parker.
The first semi-final saw Moore and Teare up McMullan and Kneale, as the former pairs greater experience paying off with a 21-11 win. In the other semi-final the home hopes ended with Cubbon and Trustham losing out 15-21 to Withers and Parker.
The final started with the Marown pair edging ahead by one point 11-10 after seven ends, with the South Ramsey duo going on to win three consecutive ends, scoring a two, a three and a single to go ahead 16-11. A change in the playing order saw Parker go up, this seemed to have an immediate impact as they scored a three to close the deficit to two chalks at 14-16.
Jenny and James put an end to any hopes of a win, as they managed to see the game out with two doubles and a single, in between conceding a single as they wrapped up the game with a 21-15 victory to lift the trophy once more.
The presentation was made by Ballaugh Assistant Competition Secretary Mark Dimsdale, who thanked Julie Reilly and the club members for helping run the competition along with the ladies for providing the catering throughout the day.
Bradford Wins Association Singles
Association Singles Winner 2025 - David Bradford
Photo: Arnie WithersSouth Ramsey Bowling Club hosted the Association Singles on Saturday with the competition attracting 61 entries, an increase of 16 on the 2024 entry, on a tricky green with everyone in attendance treated to glorious conditions.
Losing out at the quarter final stage were Colin Kelly (Marown) 13-21 to David Bradford (South Ramsey), Walter McCarthy 9-21 to Marown clubmate Neil Withers. In the other half of the draw Kevin Airey (Noble’s) run was ended by Marown captain Paul Dunn 11-21, whilst home greener John Kennish got the better of Wayne Roberts (Breagle Glen) 21-13.
The semi-finals were polar opposites, with Withers having a tough time with Bradford, scoring in just two ends with a 8-21 defeat to Bradford. The other semi-final was well contested throughout between Dunn and Kennish, with the latter going ahead 18-17. The Marown man got in with a single to level the game up 18-18. Playing in to a green area of the green, this may have caught Kennish out as Dunn was grateful to have picked up a cheap two to lead 20-18. A single for John on the next end put him within one end of victory, however Dunn stepped on a short leading bowl from Kennish to see the game out 21-19.
The final was a third consecutive in a row between Bradford and Dunn, following the Ramsey Town Cup, and Dreswick Cup at Breagle Glen two days earlier, both of which Dunn had got the better of Bradford in to comprehensive scores. A steely determination and home green advantage saw Bradford use his green knowledge playing tricky marks brilliantly to build a nine chalk lead at 19-10. Dunn managed to win four of the next five ends, helped by two doubles to close the deficit to four chalks at 16-20. On a longer mark the Marown man left room for Bradford to jump in, which he did playing a two foot bowl, which Dunn didn’t beat which sealed a 21-16 win for Bradford.
The presentation was made by Association Competition Officer Steve Moore, who thanked South Ramsey for the use of the green, providing measurers and the superb refreshments throughout the day.
Canada Life International League Action – Marown A Regain Top Spot
Finch Hill A pictured at Marown earlier this season
Photo: Arnie WithersIn Canada Life International league Division One bowlers were treated to fine weather and perfect bowling conditions this week, as the league season reached two thirds of the way through with just six rounds of fixtures left.
Onchan A hosted South Ramsey A, with the home side missing two of their top players Peter Slinger and Matthew Quirk, it was the visitors who took advantage of this to take an 2-8 win, just missing out on an extra point, as Kevin Quirk held off Glynn Hargraves 21-20. The other winner for Onchan was Reg Temporaza, who beat James Teare 21-11. The next closest Onchan came to picking up a third win was Neil Dunwell, who led 12-3 against Bob Clark, with the latter responding to get over the line 21-17.
Marown A were just two chalks away from a 10-0 home win, with North Ramsey A captain Rob Monk ensuring the Mooragh men got a point as he beat Neil Withers 21-19. David Kinrade came closest to a second win as he lost out 19-21 against Tom Kelly. Three single figures wins for the home team saw the visitors score 92 chalks.
Peel A beat Douglas A 8-2, with Ste Kelly beating Ian Moore 21-6, whilst Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly won 21-7 against Villa captain Merv Sayle. Winning for the visitors were Shaun Seal (21-14) against Andy Mackie, while Nick Firth held his nerve to beat Paul Quirk 21-20.
Breagle Glen A suffered a second defeat in a week at home to Marown B, with this victory less nervy than the Rayner Plate semi-final the previous week, as they took home a 2-8 win, taking the aggregate by 13 chalks (130-143). Winning two close games for the visitors Kevin Kelly beat Chris Oates 21-19, while Jamie Joughin held off Ray Maddrell 21-20. For the home team Dan McCabe beat Stephen Rundle 21-16, with Ewan Cooil beating last minute stand in Tareq Taher 21-1.
On Friday evening Onchan A played their rearranged game with Marown A at the Park, with the Crosby men coming away with a 2-8 victory, with the visitors dropping just six chalks with two 21-18 losses, as Kevin Quirk beat Phil Kelly, and Reg Temporaza getting the better of Tom Kelly. Marown won three games to single figures, as they regained top spot by four points ahead of the crucial clash away to South Ramsey A on Monday evening.
In Division Two league leaders Ballaugh A bounced back from last weeks defeat to beat Peel B 8-2, whilst second placed Marown C lost ground on Ballaugh, as they won 3-7 away to Finch Hill A, it could have been worse as the Crosby men won the aggregate by just four chalks (138-142).
Noble’s B will have gone home happy, thanks to their 91 home win over Onchan B, helped by two single figure wins from Lee Price and Lee Greggor. Castletown B continue to drag themselves away from the danger zone, as they won 9-1 at the Crofts against Breagle Glen B, with Nick Peterson the lone winner for the visitors 21-16 against Ross Moore.
Douglas B slipped to a 3-7 defeat at home to Noble’s A, as they had to give a walkover, with Martyn Hobson the lucky recipient, while Steve Cook was on the wrong side of a 21-20 score line against Jim Callister.
North Ramsey B missed the opportunity to extend their two point lead at the top of Division Three, as they managed to sneak away from their match with Ballaugh C with a 4-6 win taking the all important aggregate by a solitary chalk (126-127). Peel C failed to close the gap on the leaders as they also won 4-6 away to Noble’s D.
Ballaugh B aren’t completely out of the hunt for promotion, as they are nine points off top spot following their 3-7 win away to Breagle Glen C. Marown D went one point ahead of Noble’s C following their 7-3 home win over the Park men.
In Division Four Onchan C continue to keep the chasing pack playing catch up following their 3-7 win away to North Ramsey C. Second placed Finch Hill B got the better of Douglas D 4-6, while Peel D suffered a 4-6 defeat at home to Douglas C, as the Villa men edged the aggregate by eight chalks (134-142).
Dunn Wins First Dreswick Cup
Dreswick Cup Winner 2025 - Paul Dunn
Photo: Arnie WithersThe Dreswick men’s singles took place on Thursday afternoon at Breagle Glen Bowling Club, with the competition being held for the first time by Breagle Glen Bowling Club. There was an entry of 35, with everyone treated to an afternoon of glorious sunshine, once the mist cleared.
The fallers at the quarter final stage were Brian Kelly ( Marown) 10-21 to David Bradford (South Ramsey), Arran Dunn (Marown) 12-21 to Will Penhallurick (Onchan). The last home greener Wayne Roberts ended the challenge of Mike Hargraves (Castletown) 21-11, whilst the closest quarter final match was between Marown clubmates James Kelly and Paul Dunn, with the latter prevailing 21-15.
The first semi-final was between Bradford and Penhallurick, it was the South Ramsey man who eased to a 21-13 win. In the second semi-final Dunn won to the same score as the previous round, as he defeated Roberts 21-15.
The final between Dunn and Bradford was a repeat of the 2024 final, with Bradford the current holder, as the pair faced off in a final for the second time in less than a week, with Dunn having the psychological edge following his Ramsey Town Cup win on Saturday. Dunn got off to a great start, never taking his foot off the gas throughout the game as he eased to a 21-8 win to lift the Dreswick Cup for the first time.
The prize presentation was made by Steve Durcan who thanked Pat O’Meara from the Albert Hotel for the sponsorship, Breagle Glen competition secretary Angela Bennett for running the competition, and all the Breagle Glen club members that helped make the day a success.
