Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

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.