The 2025 Apollo mixed doubles comp was held at Finch Hill  in sunny & windy conditions the threat of Storm Floris did not deter the 22 entries. The Preliminary round saw Jamie Box and Debbie Leece (Marown) off to a flying start – “home-greeners” Les Brookes & Lil Smith, Peter Woods & Anne Hon had mixed fortunes with the latter pair narrowly missing out gaining six points when all-but against.

In round one the enthusiastic youngsters Grayse & Martha Blencoe (Mooragh Park) put up a creditable performance against the maturity of Les & Lil; surprise upset when youngsters Sam Quayle & Lacey McMullan (Castleotwn/Mooragh Park) narrowly progressed against the experience of Sid Bolton & Clare Cooper (Marown). Jamie & Debbie’s pairing again triumphed against the in-form Kim Hargraves and Alan Moore (South Ramsey) Willie & Pauline Cowley (Douglas/Ballaugh) saw off the runner up of Saturday’s competition – Brian Kelly & Sue Gawne (Marown/Nobles).

Calmer conditions had set in by the time of the quarter finals which saw two close fought games with remaining” home-greeners” Les & Lil winning by two points over Willie & Pauline and Sam & Lacey by three points over Steve & Judy Kelly (South Ramsey). Although hard fought, in the two other matches James Teare & Jenny Moore and Jamie & Debbie sailed comfortably into the semi-finals.

At the bottom half of the draw the good form of James & Jenny proved too strong for Les & Lil; in the top half of the draw Jamie & Debbie’s accuracy ended Sam & Lacey’s afternoon adventure.

The final was hard fought affair with Jamie & Debbie closing in on the eventual winners whilst they were standing at “all-but” for five ends finally the final bowl of the 20^th end clinched it.

Congratulations to James Teare & Jenny Moore on their victory. Thank you to Chris Reynolds of Apollo Blinds for support & sponsorship; to Joyce Ogden for her competent management of the event and to all Finch Hill members who helped and provided the refreshments.

Published by David Holmes

On Sunday 4th August Finch Hill hosted the Apollo Blinds mixed doubles competition.

The event got underway with some very strong starts, notably from the Marown pairings of Clare Cooper with Sid Bolton along with Debbie Leece with Paul Kelly.

At the quarter final stage home greeners Lil Smith and Les Brookes had a titanic game to eventually overcome South Ramsey’s Kim Hargraves and Austin Hart to progress into the semi-finals. Also winning through to the semi-finals were two Noble’s pairs – Tina and Steve Hampson together with Roz Cannon and Juan Drinkwater.

In the semi-finals Lil and Les continued their winning streak by beating Tina and Steve and progressed into the final. Jayne and Walter also won through against Roz and Juan.

Jayne and Walter began the final with a flying start taking a maximum four chalks but Lil and Les unfazed immediately took the next end and opened their account with several single shot wins. The weather was by now deteriorating rapidly but this didn’t dampen the determination of either pair. It was nip and tuck all the way until the final end when Jayne and Walter ran out the eventual winners. Well done Jayne and Walter!

A special mention must go to the two juniors in the completion, Arran Dunn (Marown) and Grayse Blencoe (Mooragh Park), who played an exceptional first round match against Roz and Juan and only just lost out with a final score of 19-21. They are certainly future stars in the making.

The presentation was made by Mr Chris Reynolds of Apollo Blinds who kindly sponsored this event.

Joyce Ogden