Last season was dominated by teams from the south of the island, with Port St Mary looking unassailable in both leagues, Castletown winning the Jean Kelly team handicap and Port Erin the JMS Shield.

At the end of the season it looked as though Onchan would be unable to field a team in the night league for this year, but everyone is delighted to hear that they have been able to put a team together.

Rumours abound of players changing clubs so it will be interesting to see who is playing where when the season gets under way and how this affects the league dynamics. Also, of course, we will find out who has had their “60^{<span style=”font-size: small”>th</span>}. Birthday” during the winter !

In the C Tarleton Hodgson sponsored night league, the main threat to Port St Mary would appear to come from Castletown and South Ramsey who were very closely matched in the battle for second and third in the last campaign. There are rumours of comings and goings for the champions – it will be interesting to see what effect the changes have.

Further down the table there are a block of teams, led by Noble’s, who are always evenly matched – could on of them come out of the pack and cause an upset ?

Marown should be strengthened by their imports, and Mooragh Park will be improving each year as players gain more experience. It waits to be seen which players Onchan will have, but it is good to see them still there.

The Trend sponsored Over 60’s league saw Port St Mary A almost in a league of their own, but the closely matched pack, Peel, Castletown, Port Erin and Onchan, in the minor places may contain a surprise package In the nether regions of the table, Breagle have the ability to cause an upset in any match, while the Mooragh Park team players have an extra year’s experience under their belts.

With only six players in a team, a lot will depend on which teams benefit from members’ relevant birthdays since September

There was a field of 34 for the W.A.Roberts ladies’ singles played at Port St Mary on Wednesday 10 May. The event was sponsored once again by Celtic Associates, represented by Iain Wood who showed how his bowls has progressed since last year by delivering the first wood of the afternoon.

Despite the miserable wet weather the players produced some superb bowling throughout the afternoon, with some close matches and surprise results particularly in the early rounds.

Quarter-finals: Janet Monk 21, Hannah Drewett 14; Philippa Taylor 21, Caroline Parker 18; Margaret Tasker 21, Alison Keggen 10; Val Macfarlane 21, Mavis Franks 16.

Semi-finals: Janet Monk 21, Philippa Taylor 10; Val Macfarlane 21,Margaret Tasker 15.

Janet seemed to become more consistent as the afternoon progressed and Val found herself up against it in the final. Janet played very few loose woods, and although Val did not play badly her good woods were usually removed by her opponent. It was a final of high quality with Janet just having that all important edge.

Kath Looney thanked everyone for coming and those who stayed to the end. Thanks also went to Celtic Associates for their continued sponsorship of the event, and to everyone who contributed to the smooth running of the afternoon. She then introduced Iain Wood to make the presentations. Iain had been impressed by the standard of bowling and stated that Celtic Associates would be pleased to continue to sponsor the event next year.

21 pairs entered the Flo Doan ladies’ doubles played at Peel on Saturday 30 July, where the green was running well and the weather stayed fair until the latter stages at which point it became a little cooler. There was some excellent bowling on view throughout, with most players enjoying their games.

Semi-finals: Jenny Moore and Elaine Moore 21, Ann Hollingworth and Heike Perry 19; Helen Martin and Janet Monk 21, Jean Thackrah and Mavis Franks 7.

Helen and Janet made the better start in the final, leading 12-7 after five ends, but Elaine and Jenny won the next 5 ends, which included a 2 and a 3, to nudge ahead 15-12. The Mooragh pair scored a 3 followed by a single to give them a one point lead, but this was the end of their resistance as the pair from South Ramsey had another run of five ends to take the match 21-16.

The presentation was made by club president, Heather Horsburgh, who thanked everyone who had entered, those who had stayed to the end, and everyone who had contributed to the smooth running of the afternoon.

Elaine thanked the Peel club, particularly the green keeper for the beautiful condition of the green.

There was an entry of 26 players for the IOM merit, for the Barbara Lee Trophy, played at South Ramsey on Sunday & August. The competition should have been played at Peel but was transferred to South Ramsey because of parking problems caused by the Peel Carnival.

The afternoon started windy and became windier as the competition progressed although the rain stayed away until the final stages. The conditions together with a very fast green meant that bowling was not easy, but some players did manage to control at least one of their two woods !

Quarter-finals: Margaret Tasker 21, Chris Price 14; Janet Monk 21, Shelley Kennish 10; Elaine Moore 21, Tricia Bull 16; Jenny Moore 21, Fiona Kennish 10

Semi-finals: Janet Monk 21, Margaret Tasker 9; Elaine Moore 21, Jenny Moore 9

The rain came in for the final and the wind seemed even stronger, making conditions very unpleasant, although the wet green seemed to make the green a little more manageable.

Elaine had the better of the early exchanges taking a 7-2 lead after 6 ends before Janet took the next 6 ends and a 9-7 advantage. Things were level pegging up to 19 across, but Elaine made two singles to take the title 21-19.

The presentations were made by Association president, Rosie Winckle, who thanked the South Ramsey club for the use of their green and their members for their help both on the green and in the kitchen. Thanks also went to Heathr for running the sheet.