LADIES OPEN AGE LEAGUE :  Breagle Glen A were on impressive form last Wednesday night, 29 April, scoring a full house (189-84) at home against Ballaugh B with four of their games being won to single figures.  Two highest scorers for Ballaugh were Alison Millard and Gail Curphey who lost to 16 and 14.  Another strong performance was by Castletown A who won 7-2 at home against Marown B dropping only six points (183-96) with five of their players winning to single figures.  Two winners for Marown were Rosie Winckle and Lisa Pugh who both won to 18 against Kellie Maddrell and Anne Oates.  Another good home performance was by Peel who won 8-1 dropping seven points only (182-118)against Castletown B with Diane Flemming and Beverley Wilson winning to single figures.  Lone winner for the Town ladies was Debra Cooper who crossed the line 21-14 against Niamh Stringer.  South Ramsey were also on fine form winning 6-3 (176-119) away at Ballaugh A with three of South’s ladies winning to single figures.  Two closest games of the match resulted in 21-18 wins for Ballaugh’s Barbara Graham and Caroline Parker against Lorraine Moore and Judy Kelly respectively.  Douglas visited neighbours Nobles Park coming away with a 6-3 win (157-132). Mel Molesworth, Erin Quayle and Pauline Cowley for the Douglas ladies, plus Joanne Kelly for Nobles all won to single figures.  Closest game saw Harley Garrett for Douglas just pip Jo Smith 21-17.  Mooragh Park travelled to Marown A and although Mooragh won the match 5-4, they lost on points (156-145) mainly due to Philippa Taylor, Helen Withers and Louise  Tebay for the Crosby ladies winning to single figures. Lyn Bolton for Marown and Shannon McMullan for Mooragh both edged home 21-18 against Bailey McMullan and Jayne Smith.

On Friday evening, Castletown A were again on devasting form getting a full house away at Breagle Glen B (189-71) with six games being won to single figures. Elaine Hawkins just missed out on a win for Breagle when she lost to 20 against Chris Price.  Marown A put in a solid performance away to Castletown B winning 8-1, dropping only five points (184-112) with Zoe Pearson, Lynda Cadamy and Clare Cooper all winning to single figures.  Stopping the whitewash was Sue Wilshaw who won to 16.  Another good 8-1 away win and dropping seven points (182-119) was by Peel against Marown B with Val Allwood, Emilie Moss and Louise Horsfall winning to single figures.  Saving Marown’s blushes was Sue Hammond who won to 14.  Ballaugh A made their way to Douglas coming away with a sound 7-2 win (175-110) with four of the Ballaugh ladies winning to single figures. Two winners for Douglas were Emma Sayle who won to 11 against Karen Young and Harley Garrett who just pipped Michele Cubbon 21-17.  Breagle Glen A travelled north to Mooragh Park coming away with a 5-4 win and by 11 chalks (165-154) with Janet Monk for Mooragh and Alison Stockham for Breagle winning their games to single figures.  Closest games of the match resulted in 21-19 wins for Mooragh’s Lacey McMullan against Trish Bull and Breagle’s Pauline Worrall against Jackie Hassall.  Ballaugh B played host to Nobles and although Ballaugh won 5-4 they lost the match by two points (149-151). Elaine Fenton and Gail Curphey for Ballaugh, plus Colese Creer and Lisa Bradshaw for Nobles all won their games to single figures with Ballaugh’s Alison Millard and Charlotte Neeson both creeping over the line 21-20 against Jo Kelly and Libby Andrade.

The Ladies Association Millennium Fours competition was held on Sunday on Nobles Park No.1 green in mainly fine, but somewhat blustery at times.  The competition attracted an entry of 15 teams of four with the format being two singles and a doubles, 15 off scratch.

Getting through to the semi-finals were : Fiona Kennish , Kim Hargraves, Jenny Moore and Rebecca Teare (South Ramsey/Castletown);  Lynda Cadamy, Philippa Taylor, Lyn Bolton and Sue Gawne (Marown/Nobles);  Clare Cooper, Jayne Smith, Debbie Leece and Louise Tebay (Marown), and Rose Waterworth, Caroline Parker, Michele Cubbon and Julie Reilly (Ballaugh).

Semi-finals : The first semi was between South Ramsey/Castletown v  Marown/Nobles. This was an extremely good match.  First game pitted Kim against Philippa.  Philippa started off the strongest leading 9-3 on the 7^th end and although Kim responded well, Philippa ran out to win 15-11. Second game saw Fiona take on Lyn and with some good lead bowls, Fiona led 10-7 on the 11^th end and despite Lyn scoring another two points, Fiona ran out to win 15-9.  Doubles game saw Jenny and Rebecca take on Sue and Lynda.  Jenny and Rebecca started off strong leading 14-7 on the 14^th end, but Sue and Lynda dug deep taking the next four ends to make the score 14 across.  Final end saw Jenny and Rebecca get the point needed to win 15-14.  Final points : 41-38 to the South/Castletown team.  The second semi was between Marown v Ballaugh.  This match was a little more one-sided.  Doubles game pitted Debbie and Jayne against Caroline and Rose.  Unfortunately for the Ballaugh pairing, Debbie and Jayne were on devastating form winning 15-0.  Second game was between Louise and Julie and on the 12^th end Louise led 10-5.  This lead was good enough for Louise to take the win 15-7.  Last game of this semi was between Clare and Michele.  Michele started off the strongest leading 13-6 on the 14^th end and despite Clare claiming doubles on the next two ends, Michele’s lead carried her through to win 13-10.  Final points : 40-22 to the Marown team.

Final :  South Ramsey/Castletown v Marown.  The first game of the final saw Kim play Jayne.  This game was initially evenly matched with Jayne leading by one chalk (5-4) on 7^th end. From this point, Jayne upped her game and despite Kim scoring another four points, Jayne ran out to win 15-8.  Second game was between Fiona and Louise. Unfortunately for Fiona, Louise was on exceptional form from the start and despite Fiona’s best effort, Louise won 15-4.  The third game was the doubles between Jenny/Rebecca and Clare/Debbie. This was an evenly contested game with the lead changing several times with the score level at 13 across on 18^th end.  With two good bowls on the following end, Jenny and Rebecca took the win 15-13  . Final points : 43-27 to the Marown four.

Many congratulations to Clare, Jayne, Debbie and Louise on their well deserved win and thanks to all the competitors for taking part and treating the spectators and supporters to some exceptional bowling.  Thanks must also go to Clare Cooper and Jenny Moore (competition committee) for the smooth running  of the competition and to Nobles Park for hosting the event.