The Jean Kelly Memorial Competition Final was contested on Thursday 12^th July at Onchan Bowling Club.

In a repeat of last year’s final current holders Port St Mary took on Nobles, with Nobles starting with a 10 point chalk handicap.  In their only league meeting this season Port St Mary won by 85 chalks and went into the final favourites to win their fifth title.

The first game off was a win for Nobles with Debbie Leece defeating Katy Williams 21-11.  Port St Mary responded quickly with Trish Bull beating Sylvia Kennuagh.  Sylvia battled back from 14-6 down to 15-15 before losing 21-17.  Third game off was another Nobles win with Rebecca Teare beating Ann Maddrell, their game was level 10-10 after 11 ends before Rebecca managed to pull away and won the game 21-15.  Port St Mary then won the final two games of the first half.  Jayne Kneen (PSM) held a 12-3 lead over Lin Ruscoe before Lin won six ends without reply to move 13-12 up.  Jayne regained the block and closed out the game 21-16.  Val Macfarlane (PSM) defeated Paula Firth in another game which was finely poised before a breakaway.  After 19 ends Val led 13-12 before making the decisive breakaway winning six ends to lead 20-12, Paula managed to win one more end before Val closed out the game 21-13.  After five games Nobles led by nine chalks.

The first game in the second half proved to be the crucial turning point in the match with Clare Cooper playing Margaret Tasker.  Clare got off to a flying start moving 7-1 up after six ends before an 11 point break took her from 8-4 to 19-4.  Margaret picked up a couple more points before Clare closed the game out 21-7 increasing Nobles lead to 23 points.

Next off was Jayne Smith who defeated Wendy Kennuagh from 11-14 down to run out winning 21-14, further increasing Nobles lead to 30 points.

Port St Mary claimed their fourth and final win with Chris Price defeating Alison Keggen.  After early lead by Alison, Chris found her length and built a 14-7 lead after 17 ends.  Alison battled hard but Chris proved too strong. The game finished 21-16.

The final game of the night was between Kellie Maddrell-Reeve (PSM) and Jan West.  Kellie started off well building a 7-4 lead before Jan managed to get on a run to move 13-8 ahead.  Kellie battled and moved within a point trailing 16-15 after 28 ends.  Jan wrestled back control of the jack and ran out 21-15 winner.

Nobles claimed an overall 31 chalk victory 177-146 winning 5-4 on games.  It is Nobles first victory in the Jean Kelly since Nobles Mixed and Nobles Park merged in 2015.  Nobles Park and Mixed previously won in 2001 and 2012 respectively.

Heather Horsburgh introduced Moore Kelly who conducted the presentation on behalf of his family.

Thanks were paid to Onchan Bowling Club for hosting the final, to the commissioners for providing an excellent playing surface and to Moore Kelly and family for providing a lovely buffet and prizes for the winners and runners up.

The Jean Kelly Memorial Competition Final was contested on Thursday 12^th July at Onchan Bowling Club.

In a repeat of last year’s final current holders Port St Mary took on Nobles, with Nobles starting with a 10 point chalk handicap.  In their only league meeting this season Port St Mary won by 85 chalks and went into the final favourites to win their fifth title.

The first game off was a win for Nobles with Debbie Leece defeating Katy Williams 21-11.  Port St Mary responded quickly with Trish Bull beating Sylvia Kennuagh.  Sylvia battled back from 14-6 down to 15-15 before losing 21-17.  Third game off was another Nobles win with Rebecca Teare beating Ann Maddrell, their game was level 10-10 after 11 ends before Rebecca managed to pull away and won the game 21-15.  Port St Mary then won the final two games of the first half.  Jayne Kneen (PSM) held a 12-3 lead over Lin Ruscoe before Lin won six ends without reply to move 13-12 up.  Jayne regained the block and closed out the game 21-16.  Val Macfarlane (PSM) defeated Paula Firth in another game which was finely poised before a breakaway.  After 19 ends Val led 13-12 before making the decisive breakaway winning six ends to lead 20-12, Paula managed to win one more end before Val closed out the game 21-13.  After five games Nobles led by nine chalks.

The first game in the second half proved to be the crucial turning point in the match with Clare Cooper playing Margaret Tasker.  Clare got off to a flying start moving 7-1 up after six ends before an 11 point break took her from 8-4 to 19-4.  Margaret picked up a couple more points before Clare closed the game out 21-7 increasing Nobles lead to 23 points.

Next off was Jayne Smith who defeated Wendy Kennuagh from 11-14 down to run out winning 21-14, further increasing Nobles lead to 30 points.

Port St Mary claimed their fourth and final win with Chris Price defeating Alison Keggen.  After early lead by Alison, Chris found her length and built a 14-7 lead after 17 ends.  Alison battled hard but Chris proved too strong. The game finished 21-16.

The final game of the night was between Kellie Maddrell-Reeve (PSM) and Jan West.  Kellie started off well building a 7-4 lead before Jan managed to get on a run to move 13-8 ahead.  Kellie battled and moved within a point trailing 16-15 after 28 ends.  Jan wrestled back control of the jack and ran out 21-15 winner.

Nobles claimed an overall 31 chalk victory 177-146 winning 5-4 on games.  It is Nobles first victory in the Jean Kelly since Nobles Mixed and Nobles Park merged in 2015.  Nobles Park and Mixed previously won in 2001 and 2012 respectively.

Heather Horsburgh introduced Moore Kelly who conducted the presentation on behalf of his family.

Thanks were paid to Onchan Bowling Club for hosting the final, to the commissioners for providing an excellent playing surface and to Moore Kelly and family for providing a lovely buffet and prizes for the winners and runners up.

Runners Up

Photos courtesy of Moore Kelly