Author Archives: Alison Keggen

Title Race Takes Shape

Ladies night league bowls took another twist following South Ramsey’s first defeat of the season losing by 11 chalks away to Marown.

The home side won five of the nine games as Ceila Joughin beat Kim Hargraves 21-18, Margaret Scarffe beat Gill Morgan 21-12, Joyce Ogden and Lil Smith both won 21-7 against Sue Collier and Ann Gale respectively. Marown’s final win came from Philippa Taylor who ended Jenny Moores 100 percent start to the season with a 21-19 victory. South Ramsey’s score was boosted with Fiona Kennish beating Mary Alderson 21-4 with wins also coming from Lyn Bolton 21-11 against Helen Withers, Moira Anderson 21-18 against Shirley Whelan. Elaine Moore maintained her 100 percent record pipping Rosie Winckle 21-20. Final score 158-147 (5-4).

Champions Port St Mary performed well to beat Peel Sunset by 60 chalks 168-108 (6-3). Single figure wins from Mavis Franks, Kellie Maddrell-Reeve, Trish Bull and Chris Price put Port St Mary in control. Ann Maddrell and Jayne Kneen added Port’s other two wins, with Jayne maintaining her 100 percent league record.

Mooragh Park picked up their first win of the season with a 31 chalk victory against Port Erin. Janet Monk and Caroline Parker won for the home side who also won three games to single figures coming from the experienced Helen Martin 21-2 and two great wins from young bowlers Shannon McMullan and Aalish Haworth who both won 21-4. Carol Kaye, Lynda Cadamy, Jacqui Elliott and Jean Thackrah won for Port Erin with Jean winning 21-5. Final score 159-128 (5-4).

In the remaining games on Friday night Nobles defeated Castletown B 184-103 (8-1), Castletown A dropped just 11 chalks in their 178-84 (8-1) victory over Port St Mary B and Onchan beat Douglas 180-94 (8-1).

After five games the league is now starting to take shape with Nobles, Castletown A and South Ramsey holding the top three positions. Defending champions, Port St Mary A, sit sixth but have played a game less than their rivals.

Post published by Alison Keggen

Ballaugh Cause Upset For Early Favourites

Ballaugh Ladies Team 2019

Back: Jane Teare, Barbara Graham, Elaine Fenton, Voirrey Oates, Ali Millard, Pat Mason

Front: Cath Harvey, Brenda Bowyer, Gill Dixon

Missing: Shirley Watling, Christine MacDonald & Michelle Cubbon

Title contenders Castletown A suffered a shock defeat away to Ballaugh losing a close game by three chalks. Ballaugh have strengthened this season with the return of some experienced bowlers and won six games including Cath Harvey’s 21-8 win over Barbara Young, Elaine Fenton beating Amanda Lawler 21-17 and Barbara Graham winning a tight game 21-18 against Kath Kinley. Gill Dixon, Pat Mason and Brenda Bowyer also won for the home side. A big 21-3 win from Kim Foy and good wins from Ann Oates and Hannah Drewett helped to close the gap on chalks but the home side took the win from the early league leaders 156-153 (6-3).

Marown took on Peel Sunset and it was Marown who comfortably picked up their first win at home to Peel since 2011. The winners for Peel were Lynda Wilson, Joyce Kelly and Pat Robertson. Joyce Ogden and Rosie Winkle picked up single figure wins for Marown followed by good wins from Pat Withers, Shirley Whelan, Mary Alderson and Philippa Taylor. The result was 169-126 (6-3).

Champions Port St Mary welcomed Mooragh Park to their well running green and It was Port St Mary who picked up a high score from the up and coming team. The one win for Mooragh came from Janet Monk who beat Mavis Franks 21-12. Shannon McMullan played well but it was the experienced and previous Merit winner Ann Maddrell who crossed the line winning 21-19. Wendy Kennaugh and Caroline Parker battled hard and their game finished 21-18 to Wendy. Single figure wins from Jayne Kneen, Trish Bull, Chris Price and Lorna Brady-Glover restricted Mooragh’s final score with the match ending 180-102 (8-1).

South Ramsey continued their successful start to the season, remaining the only team undefeated, beating newcomers Castletown B. Mother and daughter Elaine and Jenny Moore remain two of the seven women with 100% records after the first four opening games. Sonya Mercer and Joy Stephens came the closest to a win for Castletown B but the Ramsey side proved to strong on the night. The match finished 79-189 (0-9).

Port St Mary B travelled the short distance to Port Erin. Port Erin’s Voirrey Curphey remains undefeated after beating Chris Holland in a close battle 21-19. There were some tight games on the night with home player Jean Thackrah beating Brenda Hawkard 21-19 and Port St Marys Wyn Collister defeating Linda Dawson 21-19. Caroline Whitehead, Lynda Cadamy and Carol Kaye won to single figures to extended Port Erin’s winning margin with the result ending 179-128 (7-2).

Nobles took on Douglas with the home side winning 8-1 on games. Wendy Cowin won for the away side beating Sonja Lees 21-11. The game of the night went to Clare Cooper and Paula Garrett who were locked in a nip and tuck battle until the last two ends with Clare taking the win 21-18. The match finished 179-83 (8-1).

This week sees the preliminary rounds of the Jean Kelly which includes club derbies between Port St Mary A vs B and Castletown A vs B. Unfortunately, Douglas have had to withdraw from the Jean Kelly giving South Ramsey a bye to the Quarter Finals.

Round five of fixtures for the night league continues on Friday and this week also sees the start of the Club Team Championship and Mixed Team Championship competitions.

Post published by Alison Keggen

Castletown A Topple Champions

Following the first double week of fixtures, Castletown A lead the way at the top of the Ladies Night league following their wins over Champions Port St Mary A and Port Erin.

Castletown are always tough on their own green but despite winning six of the nine games they only managed to win the tie by six chalks underlining how close the sides are.  Anne Oates, Kim Foy and Tracy Moore all came through close games to win 21-19, 21-18 and 21-17 respectively.  Kath Kinley, Sue Peach and Hannah Drewett also won for the home side.  Port St Mary’s three winners were Val Macfarlane, Margaret Tasker and Jayne Kneen who was the only player to win to single figures on the night.  The final score was 163-157 (6-3).

Port St Mary B were visited by South Ramsey with the home side performing well winning four games to restrict the title challengers final score.  Linda Dawson, Rita Callister, Wyn Collister and Lesley Coker won for the home side.  Away wins for Sue Collier plus single figure wins for Elaine Moore, Jill Quayle, Jenny Moore and Fiona Kennish gave South Ramsey the advantage winning 120-151 (4-5).

Onchan managed to win six games but ended up narrowly winning the match by a single chalk against Mooragh Park.  Janet Monk and Helen Martin both won to single figures for Mooragh and with their other players pushing Onchan all the way just fell short losing 157-156 (6-3).

In the remaining matches on Wednesday Nobles won comfortably by 40 chalks away to Peel Sunset 137-177 (2-7), Port Erin defeated Ballaugh at Breagle Glen 151-132 (6-3) and Douglas won 164-125 (6-3) against Castletown B.

On Friday South Ramsey faced Nobles with these teams occupying 3rd and 4th places in the league last season.  Elaine Moore, Lyn Bolton and Sue Collier won to single figures backed up with wins from Ann Gale, Kim Hargraves and Jenny Moore.  Nobles managed three wins from Paula Firth, Clare Cooper and Sylvia Kennuagh.  South Ramsey won the tie by 24 chalks 158-134 (6-3).

Marown, who sat out from the matches earlier in the week, travelled to face Douglas.  Shirley Whelan, Rosemary Winckle, Pat Withers and Mary Alderson all won to single figures with Helen Withers and Joyce Ogden the other winners for the away side.  Paula Garrett, Muriel Cain and Maureen Wilcox won for the home side but the final score was 124-157 (3-6) in favour of Marown.

Castletown A continued their dominant start to the season picking up a strong 186-123 (8-1) victory against Port Erin.  Castletown were denied a full house by Voirrey Curphey who won 21-18 for the away side.

Peel Sunset bounced back from their defeat earlier in the week defeating Onchan 178-133 (7-2).  Gill Clark, Shirley Corrin and Mary Moffatt performed well winning 21-5, 21-8 and 21-8 respectively.  Dee Lewis and Joanne Kelly were the only winners for Onchan with Marylin Ellison just losing 21-20.

In the final matches from Wednesday Port St Mary B and Ballaugh collected their first wins of the season.  Port St Mary B beat Castletown B 166-106 (7-2) and Ballaugh won 166-139 (6-3) against Mooragh Park.

Port St Mary A sat out from Fridays matches so drop from the top places in the league which are currently held by Castletown A, South Ramsey and Nobles.

Post published by Alison Keggen

Port St Mary Retain Ladies League

Ladies Night League Winners 2018 : Port St Mary

Back: Elaine Hawkins, Wendy Kennuagh, Margret Tasker, Kellie Maddrell-Reeve, Katy Williams, Jayne Kneen

Front: Ann Maddrell, Chris Price, Val Macfarlane, Trish Bull

Port St Mary have retained the Ladies League for the fifth consecutive year, and eighth overall.

Tonight they faced Nobles, and despite losing 145-127, scored the required points to become champions once more.

Castletown finish second after a hard fought season in which they pushed Port St Mary all the way and finished only 31 chalks behind.

The battle for third continues to next week when South Ramsey will look to topple Nobles 140 chalk lead.

Chris Price has won the individual merit finishing on 503 chalks with team mates Jayne Kneen (497) and Val Macfarlane (487) currently sitting second and third respectively. Jenny Moore is the only player who can take second position depending on her final game next week.

Chris Price

Post published by Alison Keggen

Ladies Over 60s League Split By Chalks Against

Port St Mary A pulled off an incredible last game victory to claim the Ladies Over 60s League for a fifth consecutive season.

Trailing Peel Sunset by 120 chalks, Port St Mary won their match against Douglas 120-73 (5-1).  The result brought them level on points with Peel but crucially, having conceded less chalks during the season, Port St Mary retain the league.

Janet Monk had already been confirmed merit winner with Margaret Tasker taking second position following her win today.  Elaine Moore and Mary Moffatt finish third and fourth respectively.

Post published by Alison Keggen

Peel Sunset Capitalise To Close In On Over 60s Ladies Title

Peel Over 60s Ladies Team 2018

Back: Pat Robertson, Mary Moffatt, Lynda Wilson, Shirley Corrin, Cath Parker Front: Joyce Kelly, Heather Horsburgh, Mona Kerruish

The last two matches in the Ladies Over 60s League have been played with Peel Sunset capitalising on two low scores by title rivals, and current champions, Port St Mary A.

On Thursday 13th September Port St Mary A lost ground at the top of the league against their B team.  Restricted to under 100 chalks with the B team picking up two big wins to single figures, the A team won the match 96-78 (4-2).

Peel Sunset travelled away to South Ramsey and edged a close encounter winning 96-109 (3-3).  The 13 chalk margin over Port St Mary A increased their advantage on Thursday to 93 chalks.

Marown sat out from Thursday allowing Onchan and Nobles to catch up and hunt down third position.  Onchan defeated Ballaugh 111-77 (4-2) whilst Nobles beat Mooragh Park A 102-97 (3-3).  The result left Marown over 100 chalks clear and ties up third position for the Crosby outfit.  Nobles and Onchan remain separated by 7 chalks with Tuesdays matches crucial to finalising their positions.

In the other results on Thursday Mooragh Park B lost to Castletown 101-109 (3-3); Breagle lost to Villa 88-92 (3-3) and Douglas A won 115-90 (4-2) against Port Erin.

Onto Tuesday 18th September and the final matches for nearly all of the league teams with the exception of Port St Mary A and Douglas who play their re-arranged match later in the week.

Marown who had already secured third beat Breagle 112-80 (4-2).  In the race for fourth Onchan put in a fine away performance to defeat Villa 74-122 (1-5).  Nobles weren’t to be outdone and in their match away to Ballaugh won 62-121 (2-4).  The result places Nobles in fourth 6 chalks ahead of Onchan.  Castletown finish sixth after beating South Ramsey 103-85 (4-2) and Port St Mary B finish seventh after their win against Mooragh Park B 105-73 (5-1).

Back to the race for the title.  Mooragh Park A took on Port St Mary A with the away side needing to keep up the pace set by Peel.  In a low scoring match, which saw two games won to nil, Port St Mary were restricted to scoring 89 chalks with the match ending 84-89 (3-3).

Peel Sunset did all that they could to take the title down to the wire and put in another strong home performance defeating Douglas 116-89 (5-1).

An incredible season, which has seen Peel and Port St Mary swap and change at the top, will go down to the very last match of the year.  Peel have built a 120 chalk lead and have one hand firmly  on the title.

Port St Mary are still Champions however and will not give up without a fight.  Thursdays match at home to Douglas will see 126 points up for grabs and a chance to win the league for a fifth consecutive year.

Janet Monk has won the individual merit in her first over 60s season.  Elaine Moore and Mary Moffatt currently sit second and third with Margaret Tasker able to claim either of those positions depending on her final game.

Post published by Alison Keggen

Top Four, All To Play For

Friday 14th September saw the penultimate games take place in the Ladies Bowling Night League.

Port St Mary remain on course for their fifth title in succession, and eight overall, following their full house win over Douglas.  Douglas unfortunately were a player short and were unable to push close in any of the games with Chris Price and Margaret Tasker winning to single figures.  The match ended 189-84 (9-0).

Castletown A nearly matched their rivals but dropped one game in their 184-86 (8-1) win over Ballaugh.  Hilary Kermode, Kim Foy, Heike Perry, Anne Oates and Sue Peach turned in fine home performances to win to single figures.  Ballaugh avoided a whitewash with Gill Dixon defeating Hannah Drewett 21-16.

The battle for third position continues into the final week of the season with South Ramsey heading Nobles for the position.  South Ramsey defeated Port Erin with Elaine Moore and Jenny Moore both playing well winning 21-0 and 21-4 respectively.  Port Erin did pick up two wins from Caroline Whitehead and Lynda Cadamy but South won the match 182-122 (8-2).

Nobles kept up with South by winning their match against Mooragh Park 179-98 (7-2).  Debbie Leece, Alison Keggen, Paula Firth and Clare Cooper all won to single figures.  Mooragh’s wins came from Helen Martin and Caroline Parker.

Peel Sunset suffered a home defeat to Purt Le Moirrey despite winning more games on the night.  Shirley Corrin, Heather Horsburgh, Louise Horsfall, Joyce Kelly and Mary Moffatt won for the home side.  Purt Le Moirrey pulled off a six chalk win with wins from Sandra Lowe, Dot Mylchreest, Wyn Collister and Linda Dawson.  Final score 154-162 (5-4).

In the final match from Friday, Onchan defeated Castletown B 176-74 (8-1) with the visiting team managing to avoid a full house defeat with Barbara Young winning 21-8.

Heading into the final game of the season Port St Mary hold a strong 81 chalk advantage over Castletown A.  On paper Castletown A’s final game against their B team could result in another maximum 189 score.  That would mean Port St Mary would have to score a minimum of 108 chalks to retain the league, but face a strong Nobles side who are themselves chasing South Ramsey for third position.

South Ramsey will only play their final match against Douglas on Thursday 27th and will look to turn over whatever advantage Nobles have built.

In the race for the individual merit Chris Price leads on 482 chalks followed by Amanda Lawler 478, Jayne Kneen 476 and Jenny Moore 469.  All four ladies are in contention for the top spots with the last game of the season the crucial deciding game.

Post published by Alison Keggen

Millennium Fours

Millennium Fours Winners 2018

Rebecca Teare, Paula Firth, Maureen Payne, Lin Ruscoe

A good turnout of 32 ladies split into eight teams took part in the Millennium Fours competition held at Marown.

The competition see’s teams of four play two singles and a doubles match with total chalks determining the winner.

In the first semi final Margaret Tasker, Trish Bull, Mavis Franks and Chris Price booked their spot in the final with a 34-29 victory over Jenny Moore, Kim Hargraves, Bethany Kennish and Fiona Kennish.

In the other semi, Maureen Payne, Rebecca Teare, Lin Ruscoe and Paula Firth advanced following their 45-31 win over Alison Keggen, Debbie Leece, Lil Smith and Lyn Bolton.

In the final, Maureen Payne defeated Mavis Franks 15-5 whilst Trish Bull responded for her team winning 15-4 against Lin Ruscoe.

With the match evenly balanced at 20-19 the doubles would settle the contest.

After some brilliant ends Rebecca Teare and Paula Firth edged past Margaret Tasker and Chris Price 15-13 giving their team an overall 34-33 victory.

Thanks to Marown for hosting the competition, Heather Horsburgh and Elaine Moore for running the competition and all those who helped on the day.

Post published by Alison Keggen

Double For Price

Bowling Green Café Ladies Singles Winner 2018

Chris Price

A strong field of 45 ladies made up of local and visiting bowlers for the festival contested the Castletown pre-festival ladies singles on Sunday 2nd September.

Losers in the quarter finals were Tracy Ryan, Pat Edwards, Julie Waters and Angela Gaut.

In the first semi final Chris Price faced Sarah Weaver. Sarah had battled through a tough field of competitors in the earlier rounds beating Tracey Ryan , Lyn Bennett and local Debbie Leece.  Chris got of to a flying start moving 13- 6 ahead before Sarah won the jack.  A close and high quality game but Chris proved too strong and the game finished 21- 12.

The second semi final was between local Alison Keggen and Sharon Rigden.  Sharon had already knocked out home greener Hannah Kermode, Fiona Kennish and Angela Gaut.  Alison defeated on her run to the semi’s Sue Peach, Denise Tonks and Julie Waters.  Sharon got off to the better start moving 14-7 up after 8 ends.  Alison fought back into the game but Sharon showed her quality taking a 21-18 victory.

In the final it was nip-tuck with the scores being level in the early stages of the match before Chris found top gear and moved ahead on some very tricky marks to claim a 21-15 win, her second competition win of the weekend.

Linda Richman presented the prizes to the players and thanks goes to all those who helped run the competition.  A big thank you must also go to Castletown Bowling Green Café for their generous sponsorship of the competition.

Post published by Alison Keggen

Port St Mary Take Control Of Ladies League

Last week in the Ladies League we start with the hotly anticipated top of the table clash between Port St Mary and South Ramsey.  The re-arranged fixture took place on Thursday and Castletown A would have been keeping a close eye on events to see how their lead over the two teams would be effected.  Earlier in the season South Ramsey defeated Port St Mary 154-130 (5-4) and on paper this was to be another close affair.

Katy Williams got Port St Mary off and running with a 21-8 win over Bethany Kennish.  The other four matches from the first half were shared with both sides winning two.  Ann Maddrell suffered a rare home defeat as Lyn Bolton just had the edge in their game to win 21-20 and South Ramsey’s second win came from a 21-18 win over Kellie Maddrell-Reeve.  Port St Mary responded with Val Macfarlane beating Jill Quayle 21-19 and Wendy Kennuagh who had an excellent result beating Jenny Moore 21-15.  Port St Mary took a lead of 17 chalks into the second half.

The second half Port St Mary dominated winning all four games.  Trish Bull defeated Fiona Kennish 21-14, Margaret Tasker beat Sue Collier 21-13, Chris Price beat Kim Hargraves 21-5 before Jayne Kneen became only the second person to beat Elaine Moore in the league this year with a fine 21-12 win.

The final score was 185-123 (7-2) with the home team winning by an impressive 57 chalks and extend their winning run to 13 matches.  Thursdays result also took them 83 points clear of Castletown A and with only five games remaining, Port St Mary look to have taken control of the league.

On Friday the bad weather returned postponing four of the six fixtures.

Castletown A vs Purt Le Moirrey was one of the fixtures which was able to be played and allowed Castletown to temporarily return to the top of the league following their third full house of the season.  The match ended 189-79 (9-0).  Five players won to single figures with Kim Foy beating Roma Ware 21-4, Kath Kinley beat Debra Cooper, Heike Perry beat Linda Dawson 21-4, Tracy Moore beat Pauline Worrall 21-7 and Marie Ashurst won 21-3 against Chris Holland.  In the remaining matches Ann Hollingworth beat Dot Mylchreest 21-11, Hanna Drewett won 21-12 against Brenda Hawkard, Anne Oates beat Mavis Franks 21-19 and merit leader Amanda Lawler won 21-19 against Edwina Reid.

The only other match to take place was Peel Sunset against Port Erin with the home side winning the match by 26 chalks.  Peel won six games with Heather Horsburgh beating Jean Thackrah 21-10, Sue Jones won 21-17 against Jenny Cain, Joyce Kelly won 21-11 against Lynda Cadamy, Mary Moffatt won 21-4 against Voirrey Curphey, Cath Parker beat Susan Inch 21-17 and Lynda Wilson won 21-5 against Phil Dobson.  Port Erin’s three winners were Caroline Whitehead winning 21-7 against Shirley Corrin, Jacqui Elliott beat Pat Robertson 21-8 and Carol Kaye beat Gill Clarke 21-8.  The final score was 153-127 (6-3).

After this weeks matches Castletown A may sit top of the league but are only 106 points ahead of Port St Mary who have a game in hand and average over 172 points per game this year.  South have played the same amount of games as Castletown and trail them by 54 points.

As we enter MGP fortnight there are a number of rearranged matches before a full set of fixtures at the end of race week.

Post published by Alison Keggen