Author Archives: Competition Secretary

Gawne & Firth Win Pre-Festival Doubles

Pre-Festival Ladies Doubles Winners 2025 with Nicola Lewthwaite from Sponsor Picaro Limited

Photo: Nathan Hamilton

Despite persistent rain throughout the day, the Pre-Festival Ladies Doubles competition – kindly sponsored by Picaro Limited went ahead in great spirits at Castletown Bowling Club on Saturday, 14th June.

A strong field of 24 pairs took part in the popular round-robin format, with four groups of six pairs playing 7-end matches to determine the semi-finalists. The wet conditions didn’t dampen the level of play, with spectators treated to a day of competitive and entertaining bowling.

After an excellent display in the group stages, the four group winners progressing to the semi-finals were:

* Hannah Drewett & Alison Kearsley (Castletown)
* Linda Dawson & Mavis Franks (Breagle Glen)
* Kim Hargraves & Jenny Moore (South Ramsey)
* Sue Gawne & Paula Firth (Nobles)

Hannah Drewett and Alison Kearsley were quickest out the blocks in the first semi-final securing their place in the final with a straightforward win against Linda Dawson and Mavis Franks, Kim Hargraves and Jenny Moore narrowly missed out on a spot to Sue Gawne and Paula Firth in the final losing the last end to end their hopes, after strong showings throughout the day.

The final saw Sue Gawne and Paula Firth (Nobles) take on home favourites Alison Kearsley & Hannah Drewett (Castletown). In an exciting match played with great spirit and skill, it was Gawne and Firth who came out on top, securing the title and capping off a fine day of bowls.

Thanks must go to Castletown Bowling Club for hosting the event so efficiently, especially under challenging weather conditions. A special mention to the ladies in the kitchen, who kept everyone warm and well-fed throughout the day, and to the Castletown club members who assisted with measuring and stewarding duties. And, of course, a heartfelt thanks to Picaro Limited for their generous sponsorship and continued support of ladies’ bowls, with Nicola Lewthwaite from Picaro Limited presenting the prizes.

Published by Nathan Hamilton

Ladies Pre-Festival Doubles 2025 – SF
Ladies Pre-Festival Doubles 2025 – Final

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2025 Season

news-update-logo-v1

The 2025 bowls season will kick off on Tuesday, 1st April, and the full fixtures for Men’s, Ladies Night, and Over 60s have now been published.

There is still some work to do, as we await confirmation from clubs regarding Opens and Captains. These details will be published as soon as all the data has been collected, verified, and prepared.

Men’s Over 60s Update – The structure of matches has changed. Clubs fielding a C team will now play their matches on a Tuesday or Thursday at 3:00 PM, while the A or B team will play their home matches at 1:00 PM.

Men’s Rayner Shield Draw – This is still to be done and will be published in the next week.

Mixed Team Competition – This will take place in September, with a slight format change being considered to further enhance this popular event. Final details will be confirmed and published in the coming month.

Stay tuned for updates!

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Withers & Dunn Continue Their Bumper Weekend at Finch Hill

Douglas Borough Council Challenge Cup Winners 2024 - Neil Withers and Paul Dunn

Photo: Arnie Withers

Sunday 22nd September 2024 Finch Hill Bowling Club hosted the Douglas Borough Council Challenge Cup competition for the any combination pairs. A total of 27 pairs entered for the end of season event on a warm and sunny afternoon.

The opening rounds saw some excellent close games and particular mention goes to southern teammates Caroline Whitehead and Angela Bennett taking on seasoned-campaigners Matthew Keggen and Paul Kelly to a 21-20 win.

It was good to see some of the juniors in the competition as Grayse Blencoe and Bailey McMullan had a tough game against the experienced players Margie Tasker and Mavis Franks, just losing out 19-21.

At the quarter finals stage last year’s winner Nathan Hamilton and his partner Kieran Krypner lost out to Neil Withers and Paul Dunn 14-21. Philippa Taylor and Lynda Cadamy ended the hopes of Peter Jones and Cherise Fialho 21-11 and Sue Gawne and Andy Kennish beat Janet Monk and Lacey McMullan 21-14. Caroline and Angela ended the challenge of home greeners David Holmes and Peter Woods 21-17 from progressing to semi-finals.

In the semi-finals Sue and Andy galloped to a commanding leading against Philippa and Lynda and despite a late rally from the girls who were unable to repeat their earlier form, took a 21-8 win. The other semi-final saw some very hard fought ends but the experience of Neil and Paul was in the end no match for Caroline and Angela with the boys winning 21-8.

The final was Sue and Andy against Neil and Paul which promised to be a good battle. Despite some very closely fought ends the boys managed to accrue a commanding lead and held back the challenge from their opponents and ran out the victors 21-7. Congratulations to Neil and Paul on yet another fine victory.

Many thanks to Finch Hill for hosting the event, Douglas Council as sponsors, Joyce Ogden for running the sheet and all competitors for a lovely afternoon’s bowling.

See you all next year.

Joyce Ogden

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2021 Season

Fixtures for the all the competitions being run in the 2021 season have been published on the website.

Other information such as captains are still waiting for club responses and will be updated over the next few days.

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2020 Restart

Fixtures for the all the competitions being run on our reduced 2020 season have been published on the website.

Other information such as captains are still waiting for club responses and will be updated over the next few days.

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Government Approve Phased Return To Bowls

Following the recent press update from the Government advising that crown green bowls can be played again, please note there are certain conditions that must be met before anyone can play.

Your clubs will communicate whether your green will be opening & how they will handle bookings for those wishing to go on the green.

Until your club has met all requirements & have confirmed that they are ready NO bowling can be played at your green.

Please review the COVID-19 Portal on the website for further information.

Refer to the IOM Government Website for the latest updates on the Coronavirus Pandemic impact on the Isle of Man.

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Season Start Postponed

On behalf of Men’s, Ladies, Over 60s Associations and Manx Youth Games.

We have taken the difficult decision to postpone all IOMCCGBA leagues and competitions until at least the end of April.


We will review at that point and update players/clubs, taking into consideration Government guidelines and other helpful information at that time. This is certainly not a decision we expected to find ourselves making and certainly not one we want to make lightly.

We have an obligation to look after our members and postponing the season and reviewing on a month by month basis is by far the best way forward. This is a pragmatic approach and gives us the best opportunity to review and hopefully, at some point in the future, get bowls back on.

Open Competitions

Under the bye-laws, all opens must be held with the consent of the IOMCCGBA. At this time the association cannot consent to any club open competitions. This will continue to be reviewed. Should any club run a competition of their own this would not be affiliated or covered by IOMBCCGBA and any liability would be firmly in the hands of the clubs.

Special Note from the Over 60’s Committee

The decision of the Over 60’s Committee is to ‘follow the lead of the IOMCCGBA’ and delay the League until the end of April and then review on a monthly basis. The ultimate decision however as to whether or not the Over 60’s League will play will be based on the Government guidelines for the Over 70’s as a large percentage of its players are 70 and over. The Over 60’s Committee would like to encourage their players to think of the Clubs in these difficult times and still consider paying their Club Subscriptions.

We hope players and clubs understand our decision. I would like to thank people from all of the associations/committees for their prompt response which has enabled us to form this communication for a consistent message across Crown Green Bowls on the Island.

We all hope to see you very soon – keep safe!

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Message From Port St Mary

Port St Mary Public Meeting

Port St Mary Bowling Club would like to express our sincere gratitude for all the support received at the public meeting on Wednesday.

The club was overwhelmed by the number of people who went out of their way to support us on what was a cold Winter’s night, literally driving from every corner of the island.

Also a big thank you to everyone who has emailed the commissioners in support.

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Ladies Raise £700 for Local Charity

Helen Martin Chairman of HDAIOM receiving a cheque from Fiona Kennish - Ladies Association Secretary

Photo: Helen Martin

The Isle of Man Ladies Crown Green Bowling Association ran a Tombola over the summer season, raising funds to help assist with travel and accommodation for IOM Ladies players attending qualifying competitions in England.  

The Association agreed to donate one third of the amount raised towards Huntington’s Disease (IOM), a support group and charity that was started in 2017 by Helen Martin, a crown green bowler who has been bowling for 38 years on the Island. This charity is very close to her heart, as her husband has Huntington’s, he also used to play crown green bowls. 

All the clubs on the Island were given Tombola tickets to sell plus more were sold during the IOM September Bowls Festival. The amount raised was a massive £2,037.95, with £700 being donated to HDAIOM. 

The Ladies Association would like to thank all those who sold tickets, along with the companies, individuals and clubs who donated raffle prizes and to everyone who bought tickets to support them. Helen Martin, Chairman of Huntington’s Disease (IOM) stated “Thank you to the Ladies Association for choosing our Charity, this amount will help us to meet our objectives of raising awareness, continue to provide a support group for patients, carers and professionals resident on the Island, along with providing financial assistance to patients and carers to enable them to attend seminars, workshops and other educational events organised by the HDA UK and finally to promote research into finding a cure”.

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