The Ladies Association pairs competition was played at Castletown Bowling Green on Saturday 15 August, attracting a very healthy entry of 30 pairs.

Getting through to the semi-finals were Jenny Moore & Fiona Kennish (South Ramsey) who won 21-11 against Angela Bennett and Anita Roberts (Breagle Glen); mother and daughter Hilary Kermode & Hannah Drewett (Castletown) who won 21-10 against stablemates Kath Kinley & Tracy Moore; Zoe Pearson & Louise Tebay (Marown) who won to 11 against Kim Hargraves & Lesley Murray (South Ramsey), and Philippa Taylor & Joyce Ogden (Marown/South Ramsey) who won 21-13 against Voirrey Curphey & Jean Thackrah (Breagle Glen).

First semi saw the South Ramsey pairing of Jenny and Fiona take on Hilary and Hannah.  Jenny and Fiona got off to a strong start leading 18-10 on the 11^th end and despite a single and a double from Hilary and Hannah, Jenny and Fiona ran out to win 21-13 after 14 ends.  Second semi pitted the Marown duo of Zoe and Louise against Philippa and Joyce.  Initially, this was an evenly contested game with Zoe and Louise leading 14-12 on the 11^th end, but with a strong finish and not allowing their opponents to score again, Zoe and Louise won 21-12 after 17 ends.

The final at the beginning was nip and tuck with Zoe and Louise leading 12-10 on the 9^th end. Unfortunately for Zoe and Louise, Jenny and Fiona took charge from this point and with some exceptional bowling ran out to win 21-12.

Clare Cooper, Competition Secretary, thanked Castletown for holding the competition and providing refreshments throughout the day, and thanking those who helped in any way during the day. Clare then presented prizes to the quarter finalists onwards and the trophy to Jenny and Fiona, congratulating them on their win.

Well done to all, but especially to Jenny and Fiona on retaining the trophy.

The  penultimate fixture in the Ladies Open Age league was played on Friday 14 August.  Castletown A who are currently in top position were away to second placed team Marown A and with only 84 points separating the two teams and South Ramsey closely behind, outcome of this match was eagerly awaited.  Marown plied the pressure on Castletown winning the match 6-3 (164-132) with Louise Tebay and Clare Cooper for the Crosby ladies winning their games to single figures as did Rebecca Teare for Castletown.  The other two winners for Castletown were Kellie Maddrell who won to 19 and Kath Kinley to 14.  South Ramsey closed the gap on Castletown and Marown slightly by winning 6-3 away at Ballaugh B (175-134) with three of their wins being won to single figures.  Three winners for Ballaugh were Alison Millard who won to 18, Gill Clarke to 10 and Shirley Watling to 19.  Ballaugh A won 5-4 away at Nobles (162-144) with Michele Cubbon and Alison Quaggan winning to single figures for Ballaugh. Belinda Barnfather won 21-19 for Nobles after a nip and tuck game with Sandra Buckeridge.  Peel also won 5-4 at home against Douglas (172-162) with all games going into double figures.  Niamh Stringer for Peel and Harley Garrett for Douglas both crossed the line 21-20 against Emma Sayle and Jo Corkill.  Marown B won 7-2 away at Castletown B (177-128) with all games bar two going into double figures.  Two winners for Castletown were Sue Peach who won to 13 and Sue Wilshaw to 17.  The previous evening, Mooragh Park won 6-3 at home against Breagle Glen B (168-100) with six of the Mooragh ladies winning to single figures.  Closest game of the match was a 21-16 win for Breagle’s Karolina Urbaniak against Bailey McMullan. 

Going into the last fixture of the season (Friday 21 August), Castletown are leading the way on 4016 points – 52 points ahead of second placed Marown and 82 points ahead of third placed South Ramsey.   And, its still all to play for in the merit as Shannon McMullan (North Ramsey) is currently top, 9 points ahead of her sister Lacey.  Its going to be an exciting end to a good season of bowling!

On Wednesday 6 August, current first placed team Castletown A and current third placed team South Ramsey both put in solid performances keeping themselves firmly in the running for the top spot with second placed team Marown A having their sit out.  Castletown A won 6-3 at home against Peel (176-156) with all games going into double figures.  Three winners for Peel were Helen Cowley who won to 14 against Chris Price, Val Allwood who won to 16 against Hilary Kermode and Joyce Kelly who had a hard fought game against Alison Kearsley eventually winning 21-20.  Another nip and tuck game resulted in a 21-19 win for Town’s Jenny Saunders against Mary Moffatt.  South Ramsey won 7-2 at home against Nobles (174-80) with six of the South ladies winning to single figures.  Two winners for Nobles were Joanne Kelly who won to10 against Sue Collier and Colese Creer who won to 16, and the closest scoreline of the match, against Lauren Groen.  Douglas ladies won 6-3 at home against Castletown B (161-140) with Harley Garrett for Douglas and Melody Marsh for the visitors both winning to single figures.  The other two winners for Castletown were Sue Wilshaw who won to 14 against Katie Jacobs and Sue Peach to 18 against Emma Sayle.  Breagle Glen A travelled to Ballaugh winning 6-3 on games but losing the match by two points (149-151).  Ballaugh’s points tally was helped by Caroline Parker and Maria Dimsdale winning to single figures and their third winner, Michele Cubbon, winning to 12 against Trish Bull.  Two closest games of the match resulted in a 21-18 win for Margaret Tasker against Alison Quaggan and Roz Cannon just pipping Cath Harvey 21-20.  Marown B were home at against Mooragh Park winning 5-4 but losing the match by one point (154-155).  Mooragh’s Janet Monk was the only player to win to single figures with the closest game being a 21-17 win for Marown’s Lil Smith against Madison McMullan.  Interestingly, four of the five games resulted in a score of 21-15.  Breagle B won 5-4 at home to Ballaugh B (174-148) with Voirrey Curphey and Jean Thackrah both winning to single figures for Breagle.  Clare Cain and Zoe Durcan just missed out on wins for Breagle when they both lost to 20 against Gill Clarke and Gillian Malpass.  Another close game resulted in a 21-19 win for Ballaugh’s Maggie Hughes against Jacqui Elliott.

Race for this year’s merit winner is gathering momentum as Mooragh’s Shannon McMullan is currently sitting on top spot on 453 points, followed very closely by Castletown A’s Hilary Kermode on 448 with Shannon’s sister, Lacey; Joanne Kelly from Nobles and Breagle’s Margaret Tasker following closely behind on 444.  With only two fixtures left to play who will get the top spot!

Last Thursday morning, 6 August, 5-1 was the scoreline of the morning with five of the seven matches being won by this score.  First of these was by Castletown B away at Mooragh Park B with the Town ladies dropping only one point (125-79) with all games going into double figures.  Sole winner for Mooragh was Shirley Corteen who won to 20 against Sheila Preston.  Closest games of the match were 21-13 wins for both Elaine McElroy and Judith Moore against Joan Henderson and Lynda Brew.  Second 5-1 win and dropping only three points was by Peel Sunset home to Ballaugh B (123-72) with Mary Moffatt and Joyce Kelly both winning to single figures for Peel.  Saving Ballaugh’s blushes was Brenda Clayton who won to 18 against Terry Berry with Gill Clarke just missing out on another win for Ballaugh when she lost to 17 against Shirley Corrin. Third 5-1 result was a home win for Castletown A against Mooragh Park A (117-86) with Kath Kinley and Jenny Saunders for the home team winning to single figures.  Stopping a whitewash was Janet Monk who won to 12 against Sue Wilshaw with Maureen Hamilton and Elaine Slack both missing out on two more wins for Mooragh when they both lost to 20 against Sue Peach and Anne Oates.  Fourth 5-1 result was by South Ramsey B home to Breagle Glen C (115-87) with South’s Jackie Murley being the only player to win to single figures.  Kay Primrose-Smith was Breagle’s only winner winning to 10 against Anne Gale. Closest games of the match were 21-18 wins for Julie Stephens and Sue Collier against Dot Mylchreest and Steph Swift.  Last of the 5-1 wins was by Breagle Glen A away to Onchan (117-71) with Breagle’s Mavis Franks winning to single figures.  Stopping a full house was Rosemary Quirk who won to 12 against Alison Stockham.  Closest game of the morning was a 21-13 win for Angela Bennett against Caroline Heathcote.  Breagle B won 4-2 at home to Marown (101-94) with Jean Thackrah for Breagle and Marown’s two winners, Rosie Winckle and Philippa Taylor, winning to single figures.  Mair Moore and Lynda Cadamy just missed out on wins for Marown when Mair lost to 19 against Jenny Cain, and Lynda to 18 against Voirrey Curphey.  Nobles drew three all at home against South Ramsey A but took the honours on points (96-86) with Paula Garrett and Sue Gawne for the home team and Joyce Ogden for the visitors winning their games to single figures.  Closest scoreline of the match was a 21-14 win for South’s Anne Buck against Jo Smith.  A rearranged match from this fixture between Ballaugh A home to Finch Hill was played on Monday 10 August, resulting in a full house for the Ballaugh ladies (126-51); unfortunately Finch were a player short.  Three of the Ballaugh ladies won their games to single figures with the closest games being 21-15 wins for Christine Macdonald and Julie Reilly against Lil Smith and Angela Crellin.

On Thursday morning last week, 30 July, Castletown A and Ballaugh A put in impressive performances as both teams scored full houses.  Castletown A were at home to Ballaugh B (126-50) with four of the Town ladies winning to single figures.   Closest game was a 21-14 win for Barbara Young against Carol Holt.  Ballaugh A were home to Castletown B (126-39) with all but one game being won to single figures; this one game was a 21-12 win for Alison Millard against Sheila Preston.  Home derby between Breagle Glen A&C resulted in a 5-1 win for the ‘A’ ladies dropping only two points (124-65) with four of their wins being won to single figures.  Stopping the whitewash was Wyn Collister who won to 19 against Linda Dawson.  Breagle Glen B also won 5-1 away at Mooragh Park B (118-72) with Jacqui Elliott and Pauline Worrall  for the visitors winning to single figures.  Sole winner for Mooragh was Joan Henderson who won to 13 against Elaine MacFarlane.  South Ramsey B won 4-2 at home against Finch Hill (119-100) with all games going into double figures.  Two winners for Finch were Anne Hon who just edged Lesley Murray 21-20 and Lil Smith who won to 15 against Sue Collier.  South’s Ann Gale and Jackie Murley both crossed the line 21-17 against Wendy Cowin and Sue Caley.  Mooragh Park A won 4-2 away at Onchan dropping only six points (120-99) with Mooragh’s Lynn Mayers being the only player to win to single figures. Two winners for Onchan were Maureen Payne and Sue McCourt who both won to 18 against Janet Monk and Chris Sims.   Closest game was a 21-20 win for Maureen Hamilton against Lesley Nicholl.  Nobles won 4-2 at home to Marown (116-87) with Sue Gawne for the home team being the only player to win to single figures.  Two winners for Marown were Philippa Taylor who won to 18 against Libby Andrade and Rosemary Winckle to 14 against Sylvia Kennaugh.  Closest game saw Marilyn Ellison cross the line 21-19 against Lynda Cadamy.  Peel Sunset drew three all at home to South Ramsey A but took the honours on points (91-86).  Mary Moffatt and Joyce Kelly for Peel plus Anne Buck for South all won to single figures.  South’s Elaine Moore had a real tussle with Val Allwood eventually winning 21-15.

On Tuesday morning, 4 August, Marown A had a comfortable 5-1 win at home against Mooragh Park B, dropping only 2 points (124-60) with Philippa Taylor and Lynda Cadamy winning to single figures for the Crosby ladies.  Lone winner for Mooragh was Jane Casey who won to 19 against Sue Hammond.  Peel Sunset won 5-1 away to a one player short Finch Hill (124-68) with Val Allwood and Terri Berry for the westerners winning to single figures.  Saving Finch’s blushes was Lil Smith who won to 19 against Joyce Kelly.  Sue Caley and Brenda Williams just missed out on wins for Finch when they lost to 18 and 19 against Shirley Corrin and Beverley Wilson.  South Ramsey B made the short distance to Ballaugh B coming away winning 4-2 (101-98).  South’s Sue Collier and Gail Curphey for Ballaugh were the only players to win to single figures.  The other winner for Ballaugh was Brenda Clayton who won to 12 against Sue Kinrade.  Breagle Glen A won 4-2 away at Mooragh Park A (110-101) with Janet Monk for the home team being the only player to win to single figures.  Chris Sims was the other winner for Mooragh winning 21-20 against Trish Bull with Margaret Tasker for Breagle also winning 21-20 against Elaine Slack.  Breagle Glen B won 4-2 at home against Onchan (111-107) with all games going into double figures.  Two winners for Onchan were Maureen Payne who won to 15 against Jean Thackrah and Rosemary Quirk who won to 12 against Voirrey Curphey.  Closest game of the match was a 21-19 win for Breagle’s Pauline Worrall against Jane Lothian.  Following morning, Wednesday, two postponed matches from the previous day due to weather conditions, were played.  First of these was Castletown B home to Nobles. The Nobles ladies were again on good form winning 5-1, dropping three points (123-67)  with three of their wins being won to single figures.  Stopping a full house was Sheila Preston who won to 18 against Pam Makin.  Another close game resulted in a 21-17 win for Sylvia Kennaugh against Judith Moore.  Second rearranged match was between South Ramsey A home to Ballaugh A.  South won 4-2 (119-91) with Jill Quayle for the home team being the only player to win to single figures.  Two winners for Ballaugh were Michele Cubbon who won to 18 against Gillian Jopson and Barbara Graham who won to 17 against Helen Caley.   Christine Macdonald just missed out on another win for Ballaugh when she lost to 18 after a nip and tuck game against Elaine Moore.  The only scheduled match of the morning saw Castletown A on fine form winning 5-1 away to Breagle Glen C dropping only two points (124-84).  Town’s Sue Peach was the only player to win to single figures.   Saving Breagle from a whitewash was Steph Swift who won to 19 against Jenny Saunders.  Next closest game was a 21-15 win for Chris Price against Kay Primrose-Smith.

With only three matches remaining, barring a disastrous three last matches, the Nobles ladies are on course to retain the Over 60s league title as they have scored 3230 points, 149 points ahead of second placed team Breagle Glen A on 3081 points, followed closely by Castletown A on 3021 points and Ballaugh A on 2976 points.  Still all to play for ladies!

Wednesday evening, 29 July, South Ramsey’s chances of being in the running for the league title were dealt a heavy blow as Marown A, who are also very much in the running, won 6-3 at South Ramsey (168-122) with four of the Crosby ladies winning their games to single figures.  Three winners for South were Gill Dixon, Elaine Moore and Kim Hargraves who all won to 14 against Lyn Bolton, Philippa Taylor and Helen Withers.  Closest game resulted in a 21-20 win for Zoe Pearson against South’s Judy Kelly.  Breagle A won 7-2 against stablemates Breagle B (160-129) with Linda Dawson, Alison Stockham and Trish Bull for the ‘A’ team, plus Voirrey Curphey for the ‘B’ team all winning to single figures.  Claire Cain was the ‘B’ team’s other winner winning to 10 against Betsy Skelding.  Closest game of the match was a 21-19 win for Angela Bennett against Karolina Urbaniak. Ballaugh A took on Peel Sunset at home and although Ballaugh won 7-2, they only won by 10 points (162-152).  Two winners for Peel were Emilie Moss and Olivia Harrison who both won to single figures with Helen Cowley just missing out another win for Peel when she lost to 19 against Yvonne Ward. Mooragh Park travelled to Douglas coming away with a solid 6-3 win (172-121) with Janet Monk plus sisters Shannon and Bailey McMullan all winning their games to single figures.  Three winners for Douglas were Mel Molesworth who won to 19 against Lacey McMullan, Rebecca Jacobs who won to 16 against Katie Johnson and Graiagh Smith who won to 11 against Jackie Hassall.  Ballaugh B won 5-4 away to Castletown B (166-143) with Shirley Watling and Maggie Hughes for Ballaugh plus Aalish Moore for Castletown winning to single figures.  Three close winning games for Castletown resulted in a 21-20 win for Sonja Mercer against Rachel Thomas with Rachel Palmer and Sue Wilshaw both winning to 19 against Charlotte Neeson and Natalie Cubbon.  A rearranged match from this fixture between Marown B and Nobles was played on Thursday 23 July which resulted in a 6-3 win to the Nobles ladies, winning by only  two points (159-157).  Marown’s Emily Cooper was the only player to win to single figures.  The other two winners for Marown were Lil Smith who won to 13 against Colese Creer and Celia Joughin to 12 against Liz Vipond. Castletown  A didn’t play this fixture as it was their turn to sit-out.

Last Friday evening, all three teams vying for the top spot (Castletown A, Marown A and South Ramsey) all put in good performances.  Castletown scored a full house at home to a one player short Douglas team (189-85) with four of the Town ladies winning to single figures.  Nearly winning a game for Douglas was Harley Garrett who lost to 20 against Kellie Maddrell.   Marown A hosted Ballaugh A, and although the match finished 5-4 to Marown, Marown only dropped nine points due to their four losses being lost to high scores.  Lyn Bolton and Deborah Leece for Marown were the only players to win to single figures. Just missing out on winning for Ballaugh were Maria Dimsdale, Rose Waterworth and Alison Quaggan who all lost to 19.  South Ramsey made their way south to Breagle Glen A coming away with a solid 7-2 win on a very tricky green (174-152).  Two winners for Breagle were Alison Stockham who was the only player to win to single figures and Karolina Urbaniak who won to 19 against Lesley Murray.  Another close game saw South’s Kim Hargraves just pip Margie Tasker 21-20.  Mooragh Park also had a comfortable 7-2 home win against Castletown B (176-110) with four of the northerners winning to single figures.  Two winners for the Castletown ladies were Rachel Palmer who won to 17 against Katie Johnson and Susan Kerruish who won to 12 against Jackie Hassall.  Another 21-17 win was scored by Lynn Mayers against Sonja Mercer.  Ballaugh B won 6-3 at home to Marown B (159-124) with four of the Ballaugh ladies winning to single figures.  Three winners for Marown were Lola Tebay and Grace Cooper who both won to 10 against Victoria Johnson and Julie Cannon plus Emily Cooper who won to 13 against Gill Clarke.  Closest game was a 21-19 win for Natalie Cubbon against Jo Kelly.  Nobles won 5-4 at home to Breagle Glen B (143-137) with Jo Smith, Joanne Kelly and Colese Creer for the home team plus Anita Roberts and Chrissy Woodward for the visitors winning their games to single figures.  Breagle’s Zoe Durcan just missed out on reversing the scoreline when she lost to 19 against Larna Colquitt. 

With only three fixtures left to play, Marown A are currently top, Castletown A second and South Ramsey third, but with Marown having their sit out next Wednesday, league title is still very much up for grabs – watch this space!