Mixed Team Championship Winners 2026 - South Ramsey A
Photo: Phil Cain
The final of the Canada Life International Sponsored Mixed Team Championship, Plate, and Bowl competitions took place simultaneously on both Noble’s greens on Thursday evening, with the Championship final seeing South Ramsey A take on Marown B. The floodlights were required, things got underway in perfect conditions for a bowls final.
With the league season finished in August, the previous three weeks had been reserved for a new format in the Mixed Team competitions. With a healthy entry of teams taking part, once again this allowed for a third competition to be played for. The Plate competition was for teams knocked out of the Championship in the early rounds, whilst teams losing out in the Plate competition went into the newly introduced Bowl competition.
The finals of the Championship and Plate took place on Noble’s One green, the final of the bowl was contested on Noble’s Two green.
The Championship saw South Ramsey progress to the final thanks to a hard fought 5-chalk victory (144-139) over the current holders Marown A on Monday evening, winning 5-4 on games, with South winning two games to single figures, whilst Marown won three games to single figures. Marown B reached the final thanks to their win by 16-chalks against last year’s beaten finalists Castletown A (169-153) with the Crosby team winning 6-3 on games.
South Ramsey were quickest out of the blocks building a commanding 35-chalk lead from the first three games, as Glynn Hargraves beat Helen Withers 21-11, John Kennish won 21-8 against Zoe Pearson, whilst Jenny Moore won 21-9 against Rebekah Kelly.
The lead was extended to 43-chalks following the next three games with Jordan Cain beating Peter Greenlees 21-10, with Peter Jones cancelling this win out for Marown with his own 21-10 win over Gill Dixon. Peter Collister ensured the match was out of reach for the Crosby team with his 21-13 win over Philippa Taylor.
Fiona Kennish finished the game strongly to beat Matthew Keggen 21-15, South Ramsey captain Kim Hargraves lost out 8-21 to Walter McCarthy, whilst Dido Kelly recorded a solid 21-10 win over Juan Killip.
The final match score was a win for South Ramsey by 47-chalks, winning 7-2 on games. South Ramsey have now claimed the Mixed Team Championship 14 times since the competition was first held in 2005.
Association Competition Secretary Matthew Keggen thanked Noble’s for the use of the green for the duration of the competition, for providing the refreshments each night. South Ramsey captain Kim Hargraves congratulated her team for their performance on the night, whilst offering commiserations to Marown.
The final of the Mixed Team Plate competition took place at Noble’s One green on Thursday evening, with North Ramsey A taking on Breagle Glen A.
Both teams lost out in the early rounds of the Championship, North Ramsey losing out in the early rounds to South Ramsey A, in a keenly contested match, with South finishing the game strongly to win by 30-chalks, whilst Breagle Glen were defeated by 25-chalks by Marown B.
This final turned out to be the most keenly contested of all three mixed team finals with just six chalks separating the teams at end of the match, with the Northern team winning by just six chalks (164-158), and winning 5-4 on games.
From the first three games on the green North Ramsey won two games, with Tom Collins beat Margie Tasker 21-19, whilst Tony Lloyd-Davies held off Nicci Cain 21-16. Despite winning two games Breagle Glen held a 5-chalk lead thanks to Wayne Roberts winning 21-9 against Lacey McMullan.
Breagle went on to double their advantage to 10-chalks from the next three matches, as Mavis Franks beat Bailey McMullan 21-15, Steve Durcan held off Joe Kneale 21-19, whilst Bernie Durcan lost out 18-21 to North Ramsey’s top man Rob Monk.
The sting in the tail for Breagle came in the next two matches as Janet Monk beat Lina Urbaniak 21-5 to swing the match in favour of North to give them a six chalk lead, then came the big upset of the night as Grayse Blencoe stunned Ewan Cooil with a brilliant performance to seal a 21-16 victory to extend the lead to 10-chalks. The remaining match on the green saw Anita Roberts up against Paul Allison with the Mooragh man only needing to reach 10-chalks, with North having won five games if the teams tied on chalks North would win the match. Despite a solid performance from Roberts, Allison had enough in the locker to secure the chalks needed to seal the win for North Ramsey to win the title for the first time.
Association competition secretary presented the Shield to North Ramsey captain Joe Kneale.
The final of the Mixed Team Bowl competition took place at Noble’s Two green on Thursday evening, with Douglas A taking on Marown C.
With both teams taking an early bath in the Championship and Plate competitions, the teams were keen to pick up the title, with Douglas starting as favourites with a more experienced side.
Douglas A reached the final courtesy of their hard fought Monday evening victory over South Ramsey B by just nine chalks (155-146) winning 5-4 on games. Marown C played on the same evening as they held off Ballaugh B, booking their place in the final as they won by 11 chalks (152-141), winning 6-3 on games.
In the final the first three games off saw the Villa side build a 14-chalk lead, as Emma Sayle lost out 20-21 to Lillie Barrett having led 20-11, the junior bowler ran out to claim the win. Villa captain Mervin Sayle beat Matthew Crabtree 21-13, whilst Villa junior Katie Jacobs beat Paul Sheffield 21-14.
The next three games off saw the deficit reduced to nine chalks despite Andy Cannell beating the youngest player to feature in any of the finals – Harrison Moore 21-6, as Nigel Tebay beat Harley Garrett 21-11, a score which James Kelly matched with a solid win against Paula Garrett.
Any hopes of a Crosby win were extinguished in the last three games on the green, as Gordy Wynne-Smythe beat Martha Butler 21-9, the evergreen Keith Rise beat Enya Christian 21-8, with Paddy Murphy winning 21-13 against Emily Cooper.
The Crosby team which featured five junior bowlers will have enjoyed the experience of playing in a team final under floodlights. The Bowl which was in it’s second year of being played was presented to Douglas captain Mervin Sayle.
Felton’s Manx Masters Winners 2026 - John Kennish & Jenny Moore, either side of sponsors Chris and Lynnette Perry of Felton’s
Photo: Arnie Withers
The Felton’s Manx Masters took place on Sunday in fair weather conditions and on a good playing surface. The 48 invited bowlers -16 ladies and 32 men – competed in their respective competitions, while a good crowd watched the events unfold.
Felton’s Ladies Manx Masters
In the ladies’ event, Lynda Cadamy lost 21-6 to home greener Jenny Moore at the quarter-final stage, while Shannon McMullan was also held to single figures, losing 21-8 to Mooragh Park clubmate Janet Monk. In the other half of the draw, 2024 winner Louise Tebay recorded a comfortable 21-10 win over Hilary Kermode (Castletown), while recent Isle of Man September Festival winner Lacey McMullan (Mooragh Park) held off former teammate Caroline Parker (Ballaugh) 21-18 to advance to the semi-finals.
At the semi-final stage, Moore recovered from a 13-9 deficit on a longer length to defeat Monk 21-16. Tebay had complete control of her semi-final encounter with McMullan, leading 17-6 and then 20-9. McMullan fought back on a longer length, winning five consecutive ends to close the gap to five chalks at 20-15; however, Tebay secured her place in the final with a single to win 21-15.
Moore began the final as the overwhelming favourite, as she often is in any game on the Island, and would not have forgotten her 21-15 defeat to Tebay at the semi-final stage in 2024. Jenny was quickest out of the blocks, taking an early 8-3 lead after four ends. Tebay fought back, winning six of the next seven ends to level the game at 10-10 after 11 ends.
Moore stepped up a couple of gears from there, winning seven of the next nine ends and conceding just two chalks. She scored four doubles on her way to a fully deserved 21-12 victory, playing two great bowls on the final end as she headed into the corner on a round peg to finish the match in style.
This was Jenny’s seventh win in the competition, following a two-year gap since her previous title. Before that, she had won the competition for six consecutive years (2018-2023).
Felton’s Men’s Manx Masters
In the men’s event, several first- and second-round matches were closely contested.
Neil Withers (Marown) lost at the quarter-final stage to John Kennish (South Ramsey). Kennish was in complete control in the corners at 18-9, but Withers fought back with a five-end winning streak to reduce the deficit to one chalk at 18-17. Kennish regained the lead at a vital moment to finish the game 21-17. Breagle man Ewan Cooil lost 21-11 to home greener Dido Kelly, with the South Ramsey player scoring nine doubles and no singles throughout the game.
In the other half of the draw, Stevie Kelly (Peel) had a battle with North Ramsey’s Rob Monk. With the Mooragh man counting one for game with the score at 20-20, Stevie played a great final bowl to run the jack and seal his place in the semi-final with a 21-20 win. Onchan’s Matthew Quirk faced Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey), with Quirk retaining the lead throughout the early part of the game. After 16 ends, Quirk was two chalks ahead at 15-13 before finishing strongly with five singles and a double to progress to the next round with a 21-13 win.
Both semi-finals ended in comfortable wins for Kennish and Quirk. With Kennish leading 12-11, a flourish of doubles sealed his place in the final with a 21-13 win over South Ramsey teammate Dido Kelly.
The other semi-final saw Quirk face Peel man Stevie Kelly. Kelly won six of the first 10 ends, but being restricted to singles meant the score was tied at 9-9 after 10 ends. Quirk then returned to the short round-peg mark that had served him well in the previous three rounds and ran out a 21-9 winner.
Quirk appeared to be the in-form player going into the final; however, Kennish found a way to win once he settled into the game after conceding singles on the first two ends. After nine ends, the South Ramsey man had built a six-chalk lead at 12-6, having scored three doubles along the way.
The Onchan man responded by winning three ends in succession, although Kennish restricted him to singles. With three ends going in Quirk’s favour and two in Kennish’s, the deficit had been reduced to two chalks after 16 ends, with Kennish leading 14-12.
From there, Kennish made his move, scoring three doubles and a single to secure a 21-14 win. This was the 12th time Kennish had won the trophy, including victories when it was played in its previous Champion of Champions format. This matches the number of times the South Ramsey man has won the Manx Championship.
The presentation was conducted by South Ramsey Chairman Steve Moore, who thanked everyone who had accepted the invitation to play and everyone who had helped to run the competitions. He also thanked the ladies, who once again outdid themselves with the catering, and the club members who assisted throughout the day. Long-term supporters of the event, Chris and Lynnette Perry of Felton’s Ironmongers, were then introduced to present the prizes. Without their support, the event would not be possible.
Moira Anderson Manx Masters Winners 2026 - Saskia Tebay (Young) & Bailey McMullan (Junior) sponsored by House of Fae
Photo: Glynn Hargraves
South Ramsey Bowling Club hosted the Manx Masters on Friday evening, one of the highlights of the Manx bowls calendar with the Junior bowlers playing in two separate competitions The weather, whilst blustery at times, with heavy rain earlier on in the day, the rain held off for the duration of the competition. With over 75 people around the green the event was well supported, with the Juniors having the unique opportunity to play under floodlights it led to a good atmosphere around the green.
Moira Anderson Junior Manx Masters
The Junior Manx Masters was played as a straight knockout 21up off a handicap of +10 for the older and more experienced players with an entry of 14 players this year.
The title was won for the first time by last year’s runner up Bailey McMullan (Mooragh Park) who went one better with a superb display against Alex Colquitt (Marown), in what was a superb final, with both bowling playing some excellent bowls to stay in the game.
Alex made the better start winning three of the first four ends to lead 14-12, with Bailey responding winning of the following four ends to lead 17-15. The Marown Junior went on to score a single and a double to lead 18-17, with the game now at the business end, both players kept their opponent down to singles.
Both players continued to pull out crucial bowls, however it was Bailey who just had the edge to hold her nerve to seal a 21-20 victory over Alex, with both players evenly matched throughout even on the number of ends won in the game (eight ends each) with Bailey crucially scoring three doubles, with Alex scoring two doubles being the difference.
Bailey had another battle at the semi-final stage with Nobles player Alex Hampson, who were well matched throughout, Bailey sealed her place in the final with a 21-20 victory. The other semi-final saw the current holder Katie Jacobs (Douglas) lose out 10-21 to Colquitt, who played superbly, winning in just seven ends, scoring four doubles on his way to victory.
At the quarter final stage Bailey had a comfortable 21-15 win against Aalish Moore (Castletown) keeping the Town player down to five singles. Hampson booked his place in the quarter finals with a 21-14 win over Kian Bradford (South Ramsey). In the other half of the draw Colquitt got the better of Sam Quayle (Castletown) with a 21-14, whilst Jacobs won to the same score against Enya Christian (Marown).
Moira Anderson Young Manx Masters
The Young Manx Masters competition for Primary School children was contested by six juniors, with four boys and two girls featuring. This competition was played in a round robin format playing six ends with the last end played as a ‘power’ end with points scored counting double.
After a good evening of bowls, which included plenty of smiles from all the younger bowlers it was Saskia Tebay (Marown) who picked up her second win in this competition having won the title in 2024.
Saskia edged to victory with a total of 28 points from her five round robin games, followed closely by Bertie Moss (Peel) and 2025 winner Cole Smart (North Ramsey) who both finished just one point behind on 27 points.
The standard of play in both events was excellent and some of the bowls played would not have been out of place in the senior events. The event was this year supported by House of Fae, the competitions has been renamed to the Moira Anderson Junior/Young Manx Masters, following the loss of a long serving and dedicated life member of the club who served as South Ramsey Bowling Club President for a number of years, with Moira always being on hand to help out at the club.
The presentation was made by Kim Hargraves (competition organiser), who thanked the new sponsors House of Fae, thanks were also given to the coaches, measurers, markers and green stewards, and Alan Moore for providing the refreshments in the kitchen. A special mention was also given to all the spectators who had attended, with the excellent standard of play in both competitions was also noted.
Moira Anderson Junior/Young Manx Masters Scorecards – 2026
Isle of Man Ladies September Winner 2026 - Lacey McMullan
Photo: Arnie Withers
In the ladies’ main event, 17-year-old Mooragh Park bowler Lacey McMullan swept aside the field, securing the Isle of Man September Festival title and picking up her biggest win to date. She claimed a resounding victory over South Ramsey’s Jenny Moore, making history in the process as the youngest winner.
Winning the first end would have helped settle any early nerves in what was Lacey’s first festival final appearance. Moore would undoubtedly have started as the huge favourite among most around the green; however, what followed from the Mooragh Park junior bowler was a performance that displayed calmness and maturity beyond her years.
Despite the setback of conceding a double on the second end, Lacey beat a superb lead from Jenny on the third. From there, McMullan took control of the jack, leading superbly while keeping the game simple with her tricolour-striped bowls (red, white and blue) and playing good second bowls when required. This helped her build a commanding 10-chalk lead at 13-3 after eight ends.
Moore will have recovered from bigger deficits over the years; Lacey will have known this and kept her composure as Jenny won three of the next four ends to make the score 14-7.
Lacey responded with three good ends, scoring two doubles either side of a single to move within touching distance of victory at 19-7.
The following end saw Jenny respond with two good bowls to score a single, with Lacey just missing out on picking up the jack for game with her second bowl. With Moore now in double figures (10-19) and counting for two, McMullan played a superb second bowl to move one step closer to victory at 20-10.
The next end proved decisive, with Lacey playing a good lead just over 18 inches away before improving on her first bowl with an unbeaten second to seal a superb 21-10 victory. There can be no argument about the win, as the handicaps (+5 and +1) never came into play, with McMullan taking a deserved victory to etch her name into the history books as the youngest ladies’ winner.
Lacey is a product of the 2017 Manx Youth Games, following in the footsteps of her older sisters, Shannon and Madison. Her younger sister, Bailey, also plays the game, with all four sisters enjoying success locally. This win is undoubtedly a reward for the hours of graft and dedication she has put in on the green over the years, while Lacey will often stay until the end of competitions to support her clubmates. Lacey has also qualified for the Champion of Champions at Owley Wood, Cheshire later this month.
McMullan reached the final with a 21-16 win over Sharon Rigden (Bretherton), who made a good start to lead 11-6. McMullan fought back to lead 12-11 after 10 ends and lost only four ends from there to book her spot in the final. Moore booked her place in the final with a solid 21-13 win over fellow local Jayne Smith (Marown).
Lacey started her day with a superb 21-9 win over Elaine Moore (South Ramsey). Rigden booked her place in the semi-finals with a 21-14 win over Janet Monk (Mooragh Park), helped by a nine-end winning streak. In the other half of the draw, Jenny beat Jo Smith (Noble’s) 21-17, scoring nine doubles along the way, while Jayne Smith navigated her way past Ann Bank (Benllech) 21-17.
Ladies Tourism
The Ladies Tourism was also played to a conclusion on Thursday morning on Noble’s No. 2 green. The final featured both local and visiting interest, with Jenny Moore (South Ramsey) picking up her first September Tourism victory following a resounding 21-9 win over Caroline Bushell (Lindal BC). Moore made a strong start to lead 10-5, before Bushell responded by taking three successive ends to reduce the deficit to one chalk at 9-10. From there, the South Ramsey favourite won nine consecutive ends to secure the title.
Moore had a battle on her hands in the semi-final against fellow local and Ramsey player Janet Monk (Mooragh Park). Both players went on mini-runs as the lead changed hands seven times, with Jenny’s final flourish seeing her over the line 21-19. Bushell’s path to the final was more straightforward, with a 21-16 win over Sian Ollerton (Rhos Park).
In the quarter-finals, Moore had another battle on her hands against Sarah Weaver (Wrockwardine Wood), eventually securing a 21-18 win. Monk progressed to the next round with a 21-19 win over Gill Simm (Lune Road). In the other half of the draw, Bushell ended the hopes of Lacey McMullan (Mooragh Park) 21-13, while Ollerton managed to get over the line 21-19 against Helen Clee (Wrockwardine Wood).
Isle of Man Ladies September Tourism Winner 2026 – Jenny Moore with Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer Photo: Arnie Withers
Isle of Man Men’s September Winner 2026 - Ben Phillips
Photo: Arnie Withers
One of the biggest events on the bowls calendar, the Isle of Man September Bowls Festival, took place last week. The competition was played in mixed weather conditions throughout the week; however, the sun came out for a thrilling finals day.
In the men’s event, Ben Phillips (Lloyds) secured his maiden September Festival title, following in the footsteps of his dad, Dave Phillips, who won in September 2012. The match will go down in the history books as one of the great men’s finals, going to the wire as the scores were level on eight occasions.
Neither player could build a run in the early exchanges, with the finalists drawing level for the fourth time at 10-10 after Phillips took out the nearest bowl to prevent Wilcox from taking a 12-9 lead.
The game looked to be swinging in favour of the Lloyds man, who was counting for two. However, Wilcox had other ideas, running the jack to extend his lead to 13-11. Phillips capitalised on a loose end from the Crossgates man, then picked up a single with a good second bowl to level the score once again at 14-14.
Wilcox responded with a single and was counting for two on the next end with two good bowls, only for Phillips to take out one of the counting bowls to limit the damage. With Wilcox now 16-14 ahead, a change in tactics away from distance for Wilcox saw a shorter length played, with the Lloyds man scoring a double to level the match at 16-16.
Wilcox took the next two ends with a single and a good double to move within one end of victory at 19-16. Opting for a round peg along the edge once again, Phillips got in at a crucial point to reduce the deficit to 19-17. A great lead from Phillips was beaten by Wilcox’s first bowl, which kissed the counting bowl and the jack. An assertive reaching bowl from Phillips then took the counting bowl out cleanly for two and went unbeaten.
On the following end, Phillips played a good second bowl, but Wilcox displayed nerves of steel to move 20-19 ahead with a superb last bowl. Phillips was under pressure on the next end, with two good bowls to beat, which he duly did with a great last bowl to bring the game to a deciding end at 20-20.
Phillips led a bowl six inches to the side and slightly short along the shelter edge, while Wilcox’s first bowl ran just past the jack to finish a yard away. Phillips’ second bowl proved crucial, making things difficult for Wilcox, who was forced to play a sharp round peg. Although he managed to connect with the counting bowl, it also clipped the jack and kept Phillips’ bowl in to seal a superb win in what was, without doubt, one of the great finals of the modern era.
Phillips took home the winner’s cheque for £3,200, while Wilcox received £1,250 for his week’s work.
At the semi-final stage, Phillips held off two-time winner John Bailey (Castlefields) with a 21-17 victory to book his place in the final. Having trailed 15-8, Bailey fought back to lead 17-16, but a timely response from Phillips ensured that he got over the line with two quick-fire doubles and a single. The other semi-final saw brothers-in-law James Wilcox and the last remaining local player, Matthew Quirk (Onchan), face off in a close encounter. The game was finely poised after 13 ends, with Wilcox leading by one chalk at 15-14. Five successive singles for the Crossgates man extended his lead to 20-14, before a double from Quirk saved the game on the following end. With the score now 20-16, Quirk was counting for two; however, Wilcox took out the nearest bowl to seal a 21-16 win. Quirk took home the Chris Quayle Trophy as the furthest-progressing local bowler.
At the quarter-final stage, Phillips ended the hopes of June 2008 winner Colin Kelly (Marown) with a solid 21-13 win, while Bailey cruised to a single-figure 21-9 victory against Mark Hughes (Crossgates). In the other half of the draw, Quirk remained in control of his game against Manx champion Paul Dunn (Marown) to seal a 21-16 win. Meanwhile, Wilcox had a superb encounter with another previous Festival winner, Jack Dyson (The Griffin Inn), as the Crossgates man came out on the right side of a 21-20 scoreline.
Men’s Tourism
The Men’s Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 1, and it was two-time September Festival winner Gareth Coates (Akroydon Victoria) who held off Cumbrian Liam Howard (King Alfred) with a solid display. Coates made the better start, building a 14-8 lead in the early stages of the game. Howard responded by closing the deficit to three chalks at 13-16. Coates went on to win four of the next five ends to move within touching distance of victory at 20-15, only for the Cumbrian to take three consecutive singles and make the score 18-20. A single from Coates was enough to seal his first win in this competition, 21-19.
In the semi-finals, Coates had a comfortable 21-11 win over Danny Barwise (Birchley St Marys), whilst Howard had to work a little harder for his 21-16 win over Jack Dyson (The Griffin Inn) to book his place in the final.
The quarter-finals saw Coates battle his way to a 21-19 victory over another two-time September Festival winner, John Bailey (Castlefields). Barwise advanced to the next round with a resounding 21-7 win over Matt Kelly-Walley (Stretton Anglesey). In the other half of the draw, Howard overcame a tough challenge from Craig Richardson (Castlefields), winning 21-18, whilst Dyson beat the furthest-progressing local player, Paul Dunn (Marown), 21-14.
Other Events
The Men’s Consolation was won by Peter Shallis (Lune Road), who beat Daniel Petcher (Littleover). The Lune Road man recovered from a 13-17 deficit to see out the game 21-20 in a keenly contested and entertaining final. Shallis reached the final with a 21-13 win over George Riley (Huntley Unionist), whilst Petcher romped to a 21-8 victory over Joe Melvin (Potteries).
The Ladies’ Consolation was won by local player Louise Tebay (Marown), who secured a determined 21-17 win over Tracy Livesey (Inskip). Tebay progressed to the final with a comfortable 21-14 win over Beverley Barton (Crowton BC). Livesey booked her place in the final with a 21-12 win over Sara Boyd (Bolton-le-Sands).
The Visit.Com Flyer title went to James Grimston (Kirkham), who claimed a resounding 9-1 win over Kevan Shaw (Lloyds). Grimston won his semi-final against Marc Daugherty (Wirral) 9-4, whilst Shaw won by the same score against Darren Clutton (Potteries).
The Last Chance Mixed final was won by Gareth Coates (Akroydon Victoria), who held off Whitby man Ken Wale 21-12. Wale had also lost in the final of this competition in 2025. Coates reached the final with a win by the same score against another Whitby man, Joshua Emmerson. Wale reached the final with another 21-12 victory, seeing off Steve Ramsbottom (Poynton WMC).
The Men’s Doubles was won on Thursday evening by John Kennish and Jon Palmer (South Ramsey/Castlefields), who battled their way to an 11-10 victory over the Lloyds pairing of Colin Parry and Kevan Shaw. Shaw produced some excellent bowls throughout the final to keep his pair in the game. Kennish and Palmer booked their place in the final with a resounding 11-2 win over the Potteries pairing of Lee Thursfield and Darren Stanway. The other semi-final also resulted in a routine victory, with Parry and Shaw beating fellow Lloyds pair Richard Hindley and Jack Bushell 11-3.
The Ladies’ Doubles was won by Wrockwardine Wood duo Helen Clee and Sarah Weaver. Trailing 7-9 against Marown pair Jayne Smith and Louise Tebay, they scored four chalks over three ends to see out the game 11-9. Clee and Weaver ended the challenge of Carol Edwards and Olwen Edwards (Dwygfylchi/Llanfair PG) with an 11-6 semi-final victory, whilst the Marown pair beat fellow locals Paula Firth and Paula Garrett (Nobles/Douglas) 11-10.
The Mixed Pairs was won by siblings Jane Glaister and Paul Kissock (Windermere/King Alfred), who had managed to be drawn together. They defeated Jo Leeman and Jim Barr (Whitby/Borough BC) 9-3 in the final. Glaister and Kissock reached the final with an emphatic 9-0 win over Gill Simm and Richard Lockett (Lune Road/Wem BC), whilst Leeman and Barr won 9-4 against Stella Watterson and Michael Coupe (Castletown/Manor Road).
The triples were held on three different greens on Tuesday evening. The winning teams were Billy Speed, Michael Coupe and Robbie Fitzpatrick (Ravine/Manor Road/Manor Road); Colin Kelly, Juan Killip and Neil Withers (all Marown); and David Jackson, Steve Baskerville and David Baskerville (all Knutsford).
Isle of Man Men’s September Tourism Winner 2026 – Gareth Coates Photo: Arnie WithersFurthest Local Matthew Quirk (Onchan) receiving from with Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer Photo: Arnie Withers
Association Doubles Championship Winners 2026 - John Kennish & David Bradford
Photo: Arnie Withers
The Islands premier doubles competition the Association Doubles Championship was held at Marown Bowling Club on Sunday. The competition was played 21-up off a handicap of +3 for all competitors. The event was well supported with 26 pairs entering in a bid to win the coveted title.
At the quarter final stage, the home pairing of Matthew Keggen and Paul Kelly eased to a 21-11 win over Noble’s pair Jim Callister and Alex Yates, whilst another home pairing – Colin Kelly and Peter Jones won by a bigger margin, 21-6 against Breagle Glen pair Wayne Roberts and Trevor Quayle, who had just put out the current holders Glynn Hargraves and Jamie Box (South Ramsey/Marown) in the previous round.
In the other half of the draw it was an all-South Ramsey affair, with John Kennish and Bradford up against Tony Hart and Lee Dawson, as the former pair went on to win 21-14, having trailed 9-12, Kennish and Bradford scored four threes in five ends to secure a 21-14 win. The closest tie of the quarter finals was between Jordan Cain and Matthew Quirk (South Ramsey/Onchan), who were up against Marown pair Paul Dunn and Neil Withers. The home pairing led 17-11 after 13 ends, only for their opponents to close the deficit to two chalks at 18-20. Dunn and Withers went on to pick up the one chalk needed to secure a 21-18 win to advance to the next round.
In the semi-finals an all-home tie took place, with Matthew Keggen and Paul Kelly facing Colin Kelly and Peter Jones, with the latter pair securing their second consecutive single figure win as the cruised to a 21-9 victory to book their spot in the final.
In the second semi-final Kennish and Bradford had a tougher game, but were always in control against Dunn and Withers, as they eased their way to a 21-12 win.
The final got underway with Kennish and Bradford having won the title for the first four years looking to get their fifth win to match Withers and Dunn, with Kelly and Jones looking to pick up their maiden win in this competition, with only three different pairs winning the title over the first 10 years the competition has been played.
With the rain getting heavier conditions worsened throughout the final, in what was a low scoring match, with just five doubles scored during the entire match, the rest of the scoring ends being singles.
Kelly and Jones favoured the corners, whilst Kennish and Bradford preferred a shorter length. After five ends the South Ramsey pair had built up a four-chalk lead, to put the score at 9-5. The Marown men responded to win seven of the following nine ends in their favoured corners to lead 13-11. Getting back in on the following end, with Kennish put up good lead bowls to keep the pressure on, the South Ramsey pair went on to win nine of the last 11 ends taking a 21-15 win to secure the title for the first time since 2019, deservedly picking up title number five in this competition.
The presentation was made by Competition Committee member Brian Kelly, who thanked Marown Bowling Club for providing refreshments throughout the day, everyone who had helped with the smooth running of the competition and those who had entered.
Plumbmaster Rayner Shield Winners 2026 - South Ramsey A
Photo: Bod Boland
The final of the 2026 PlumbMaster sponsored Rayner Shield took place on Friday evening at Nobles Park with the Number One green being used, on a good surface that was running better than it had been recently. A healthy crowd were in attendance to watch events unfold.
The top two were contesting the final, with Marown A the clear favourites on the night, holding a massive 16-point lead in the league after 16 games played, (with two games to play) whilst also beating South Ramsey A home and away in the league this season.
Marown, the current holders have won the Rayner Shield 18 times, whilst South Ramsey have won it eight times, with six of those wins in the past 11 years. The teams have faced each other five times in Rayner Shield finals over the years, with Marown winning the first three finals (1997, 2014 & 2017), whilst South have won the last two contested (2019 & 2022).
The draw took place on the night, with South Ramsey winning the toss, they elected to take the jack on the even number games, with Marown taking the jack on the odd games.
Jamie Box got things underway in the final, on a green he will be familiar with having played in the festival numerous times over the years as he faced John Kennish, with the latter making a strong start taking an early 6-1 lead. The South Ramsey man never fell behind in the game, with Box fighting to hang in having trailed 7-13 and 11-18 before ultimately losing out to 15-21 to the 12-time Manx Champion.
The next game on saw South Ramsey take a 2-0 lead on games, with Division One individual merit leader Jordan Cain performing well against Marown’s youngest player Glenn Boland to build up a 15-7 lead. Boland fought back to reduce the deficit to just three chalks at 15-18, only for Cain to score a single and a double to secure a 21-15 win.
The third game off was between Tom Kelly and David Bradford, with the Marown man having better joy in the early stages, taking a 6-1 lead, extending the lead to 12-6, then maintaining the six chalk advantage at 14-8. Bradford battled back to close the deficit, eventually going on to take the lead for the first time in the game on the 28th end 18-17. With an exchange of ends over the next five ends, it was Kelly who won three of those five ends, crucially scoring a two on the way to securing a 21-20 win to get Marown’s first win of the night.
The next game off was between the youngest player turning out for both sides, with Toby Hart showing nerves of steel against seven-time Manx Champion and 2019 Champion of Champions winner Colin Kelly. The Marown man would have been a heavy favourite to win this one, however Hart dug deep to put in a huge performance to stun Kelly and the watching crowd. The South Ramsey man had scored three doubles by the eighth end on his way to lead 8-5, these proved to be the last of the doubles, with Hart scoring 13 singles after that winning 18 of the 31 ends played. Hart played superbly to lead 17-11, with five consecutive singles, with Kelly doing all he could to stay in the game playing saving bowls, to prevent the damage of giving away costly doubles.
Being the player and opponent that he is, Kelly fought back to get himself level for the first time in the game at 19-19 after 29 ends. The following end saw Kelly counting, with Hart as calm as he been all game, playing a superb bowl, just nipping inside of the counting bowl to score a single to lead 20-19. Hart played two good bowls on the following end, with the Marown man certain to be up at the end, he didn’t disappoint playing a reaching bowl, making good contact, it looked to the watching crowd that the game was going to a deciding end, however Kelly’s bowl hadn’t quite won the end, as Hart secured South’s third win of the night.
This put the match score at 3-1 to South Ramsey at the halfway point, with a 13-chalk lead (83-70).
The first game off in the second half of the match was between South Ramsey captain Glynn Hargraves and Paul Kelly, with the South captain putting in a solid performance with the only single figure win for South on the night, picking up seven doubles on his way to a 21-9 victory. This put the match score at 4-1 to South, and a healthy 25 chalk advantage, South knew either one more win or securing the chalks would ensure a win on the night.
The next game off followed swiftly with Marown pulling a game back, with Neil Withers putting in a dominant performance against James Teare, with a 21-7 win, scoring nine doubles on his way to victory, keeping the South man down to seven singles. The match looked to be finely poised, with the match score now 4-2 to South Ramsey and the lead reduced to just 11-chalks.
The last two games on the green at this point saw South Ramsey in the lead in both games, they quickly ensured that there was no hope of a comeback with Dido Kelly performing well to lead 16-9 against Peter Jones, whilst Peter Collister led 17-10 against Marown captain Paul Dunn, meaning the most chalks that could be dropped at this stage of the match for South were nine chalks.
With word seemingly getting round the green, it was the Marown men who kicked on as Jones won nine of the last 10 ends performing well, playing some great second bowls to run out with a 21-17 victory over Kelly.
This left Dunn and Collister on the green, with the Marown man finishing in a similar fashion to Jones, as Dunn won nine of the last 11 ends to secure a hard fought 21-19 win. This put the match at 4-4 on games won, with South Ramsey winning the match by five chalks to pick up their ninth Rayner Shield win, (147-142) to bring a conclusion to an entertaining final.
The presentation was made by IOMCCGBA President Mark Kneen, who thanked the sponsors Plumbmaster for their ongoing support, competition secretary Matthew Keggen for running the evening and Nobles Bowling Club for hosting the final. Upon accepting the trophy South Ramsey captain Glynn Hargraves expressed how proud he was of his team for their performance on the night, offered his commiserations to Marown, who contributed to a good final, whilst also congratulating Marown A on winning back the league, which is due to be sealed officially this week.
Plumbmaster Rayner Shield Final ScoresRayner Shield 2026 – Score Cards
Plumbmaster Rayner Plate Winners 2026 - Castletown A who retained the trophy with an 8-chalk victory over Onchan C at Peel on Thursday evening
Photo: Hannah Drewett
The final of the 2026 PlumbMaster sponsored Rayner Plate took place on Thursday evening in the Sunset City on a vastly improved Peel Bowling green.
First Division side Castletown A, the current holders were looking to become the first side to ever retain the trophy, which is a feat in itself with two things needing to happen – losing in the first round of the Rayner Shield, which they duly did 3-5 at home to Marown A despite losing two close games, and having to claw back some sizeable deficits at the start of play to lower ranked teams in each round of the Plate competition. Their route to the final included a 14-chalk victory away to Noble’s C, who had a 20-chalk start, a quarter final victory by the same margin (14-chalks) at home to Marown D who had a 50-chalk head start on the Town men, whilst their semi-final win was much more comfortable at home to Ballaugh A, winning by 52 chalks, despite having to overturn a 25-chalk deficit.
Onchan C who ply their trade in Division Three are well accustomed to turning out in the Rayner Plate, they faced Noble’s D in the first round of the Plate, held on to their 20-chalk advantage to ultimately win by a comfortable 33-chalks. Their quarter final contest was much closer, with their home advantage over South Ramsey C enough to turn over a 5-chalk deficit on the handicap to win by 11-chalks. At the semi-final stage the Onchan men were drawn away to Noble’s B, their 40-chalk head start was enough to hold onto victory by 18-chalks on the night.
The final got underway with the Town men favourites despite having to give Onchan a 40-chalk start on the night. Castletown A (+30) and Onchan C (+70).
Game by game the Town men started to pull the handicap back, with Stefan Kelly having plenty of experience in the bag, as he ran out with a 21-5 win over Michael Jones to get the night off to a perfect start. The next three games off gave Onchan hope as they knew they didn’t have to win games, they just had to score well, which is exactly what they did. Kieran Krypner got over the line 21-17 against Roy Corlett, Andy Kennish the most experienced man on the green, who has three Manx Championships to his name held off Kelvin McNicholl 21-19, whilst Town veteran Ian Watson beat Colin Brown 21-20.
At the halfway point the 40-chalk deficit had been reduced to 17-chalks, with Paul Callister giving Onchan some hope with a 21-17 win over Aaron Richardson to put the advantage back to 21-chalks in favour of Onchan. The turning point in the match came from Nathan ‘Billy’ Cooil who recorded the second 21-5 win of the night for Town as he beat Lawrence McMullen.
This win proved to be decisive with the change in atmosphere spurring on Town with captain Nathan Hamilton putting in a captains innings with a 21-13 win over Rob Cowley. With Castletown now ahead by three chalks, leading for the first time on the night Dean Kinley needed only to get to 18 chalks to seal the win with Town already having the superiority on games won. Kinley managed to see the game out to win 21-16 against Marcus Avery to help the Town men to win by eight chalks, to bring a conclusion to an entertaining final.
The presentation was made by Tracy Moore and Lynda Wilson, who kept the evening ticking over. Upon accepting the trophy Castletown captain Nathan Hamilton expressed his delight at becoming the first team to ever retain the Rayner Plate, also paid tribute to Onchan C for putting up a good fight, with their performance not being out of place in the first division.
