Author Archives: Norman Kneen

Onchan A Win Ismay Cup Again

Ismay Cup Winners 2023 - Onchan A

Photo: Norman Kneen

On Thursday the Over 60’s Men’s Ismay Cup Final between Onchan A and Peel Sunset A was held on a well prepared Green at Castletown Bowling Club.

The match started well for Onchan A with Mike Alexander beating Peel Captain Brian Lindsay 21-12 but then they lost the next game as Kevin Quirk went down 19-21 to Dougie Allan. In the following game Onchan’s Neil Dunwell lost 16-21 to Andy Kennish and then Colin Spence levelled the match score to two games each at the halfway stage by beating Alec Taylor 21-11.

Onchan’s Peter Slinger played well to beat Alan Cromwell 21-7, then Tony Carroon pulled one back for the Westerners as he beat Bernie McPhee 21-17. At this stage it looked as if the match could well end at four games all although Onchan A had a considerable chalks advantage but then Mike Thomas ran out with a 21-16 win against Paul Baker and Onchan Captain Phil Kerruish played strongly to beat Dave (Barney) Kelly 21-13 and give his side a 5-3 win.

The trophies were presented by Phil Taubman and Phil Kerruish thanked Castletown for hosting the competition on a superb playing surface and thanked the Over 60’s Committee for their work.

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Mini Cup Win for Ballaugh B

Mini Cup Winners 2023 - Ballaugh B

Photo: Norman Kneen

On Wednesday the Mini Cup Final which is for teams in the League Two of Men’s Over 60’s Bowls took place at Marown between Finch Hill A and Ballaugh B.

In the first half of the match Finch Hill A drew the first blood with Paul Dougherty beating Ray Griffin 21-9 but Gordy Moore hit back immediately to beat Dave Jones 21-17. We then saw Ballaugh’s Wilfred Waggett lose 13-21 to John Qualtrough and after the first four games were completed the score was two games each with John Maddrell beating Finch Hill’s John Harris 21-12.

In the second half of the match we saw a titanic struggle between Ballaugh’s Barry McDonald and Tony Epifani which ended with McDonald winning 21-20. The next game saw Ballaugh Captain John Keenan play superbly to beat Les Brookes 21-3 and after being behind Gary Griffiths fought back to beat Dave Dixon of Finch Hill 21-20 giving the Ballaugh men the five games that they needed. The excitement was still not over however as in the last game Tom Waterworth of Ballaugh who is in his first full season of bowls looked down and out but he fought back to eventually go down 21-20 to Brian Murphy.

The Chairman of the Over 60’s Bowling League Norman Kneen thanked Marown for hosting the competition and Terry Bates for acting as Referee and Competition Secretary Mark Kelly for running the match before introducing Neil Withers to present the awards.

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Howland Pairs Win for McCabe & McDonald

Holland Pairs Winners 2023 - Dave McCabe & Barry McDonald

Photo: Norman Kneen

On Friday we saw the ever-popular Howland Pairs Over 60’s Men’s Doubles take place on a well prepared Green at Ballaugh Bowling Club with an entry of 26 pairs.

At the quarter final stage we saw home greeners Fred Waggett and John Kneen lose 14-21 to Andy Kennish (Peel) and Jimmy Sansom (Douglas) while Dave McCabe (Finch Hill) and Barry McDonald (Ballaugh) beat Neil Dunwell and Mike Thomas (Onchan) 21-20. We also saw two more home green players John Keenan and John Maddrell take a 21-14 win against Bryan Corner (South Ramsey) and Ray Skelly (North Ramsey) and Brian Colquitt and Geoff Porter (North Ramsey) lost 19-21 to Kevin Quirk (Onchan) and Steve Parker (North Ramsey and Onchan).

In the semi-finals the pairing of McCabe and McDonald proved to be too strong for Kennish and Sansom as they ran out winners 21-14 and the home pairing of Keenan and Maddrell beat Quirk and Parker 21-18.

In the Final we saw Dave McCabe and Barry McDonald start well and maintain the pressure to run out as winners 21-11 against John Keenan and John Maddrell.

The Chairman of the Over 60’s Bowling Association thanked Ballaugh for hosting the Competition and the ladies for their wonderful catering the awards were presented by Gordie Moore the Chairman of Ballaugh Bowling Club.

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Peter Slinger Wins Over 60’s Manx Championship

Over 60’s Manx Champion - Peter Slinger

Photo: Norman Kneen

After two days of qualifying rounds in the Men’s 2023 Crown Green Bowls Championship last week the last eight met at Peel Sunset Bowling Club on Tuesday afternoon to decide a winner.

The first of the quarter finals saw Peter Collister (South Ramsey) put up a great performance to beat Neil Dunwell (Onchan) 21-5 while Brian Lindsay (Peel) lost 19-21 to Derek Allen (Onchan). The only past winner in Finals Day was Brian Colquitt (North Ramsey) who beat Lee Dawson (South Ramsey) 21-12, while Peter Slinger (Onchan) proved to be too strong for home greener Dougie Allan (Peel) as he took the win 21-10.

In the semi-finals we saw Peter Collister putting up another strong performance to beat Derek Allen 21-5 and despite a spirited performance Brian Colquitt went down 13-21 to Peter Slinger.

So to the final and here we saw Peter Collister struggling to match his great form from the earlier rounds, while Peter Slinger played good bowls to build up a 15-7 lead after 18 ends. Collister then won the jack and fought back to 16-16 after 25 ends and get himself back in the game, he then he lost three singles, but then he picked up two singles to make it 18-19. Slinger then scored a two to win his first Over 60’s Championship with a 21-18 victory.

The Trophies were presented by Mark Kelly the Competition Secretary of the Isle of Man Over 60’s League. Peter Slinger then thanked the spectators for staying to watch on what was an extremely wet day, he also thanked the organisers and Peel Sunset Bowling Club for hosting the event and said that it was enjoyable to play such a great opponent as Peter Collister who showed great sportsmanship throughout the competition.

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Glenn Holds his Nerve to take Douglas Open Win

Douglas Open Winner 2023 - Glenn Boland

Photo: Arnie Withers

On Sunday the Douglas Bowling Club Men’s Singles took place on a tricky Green at the Villa and provided all those who took part with a testing but entertaining afternoon.

At the Quarter Final stage we saw Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey) lose 9-21 to Tom Kelly (Marown), James Teare (South Ramsey) lose 14-21 to clubmate Bob Clark and Paul Dunn (Marown) lose 7-21 to his clubmate Glenn Boland. In the remaining match at this stage we saw two home greeners with Merv Sayle beating Keith Rise 21-20.

In the semi-finals we saw two titanic battles with Tom Kelly beating Bob Clark 21-18 and Glenn Boland beating Merv Sayle 21-20.

So to the final in which we saw Glenn Boland leading 13-11 after 11 ends and then by 16 ends Tom Kelly had fought back to take a 16-14 lead and four ends later Tom led 20-17. Glenn however kept his nerve and played some great bowls over the next four ends to take the win 21-20.

The prizes were presented by Andy Cannell the Competition Secretary of Douglas Bowling Club.

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Haldane Fisher Mixed Pairs Is a Thriller at the Villa

Haldane Fisher Mixed Doubles Winners 2023 - James Teare & Jenny Moore

Photo: Norman Kneen

Sunday May 21st saw the staging of the 2023 Haldane Fisher Mixed Pairs Crown Green Bowling Competition. All the twenty four pairs taking part were treated to a Green that was running well and found by many to be quite tricky.

At the Quarter Final stage we saw Rebecca Teare and Paul Dunn (Marown) beat Joyce Ogden (Marown) and Lee Dawson (South Ramsey) 21-17 while home greeners Jan West and Andy Cannell (Douglas) took a 21-16 victory against Sandra May and Mark Kelly (Onchan). In the bottom half of the draw we saw Jenny Moore and James Teare (South Ramsey) beat Debbie Leece and Neil Withers (Marown) 21-19 and Paula and Stuart Garrett (Douglas) beat Paula and Nick Firth (Nobles and Douglas) 21-17.

In the semi-finals a strong performance on their own Green from Jan West and Andy Cannell resulted in a 21-9 win against Rebecca Teare and Paul Dunn , while Jenny Moore and James Teare took a 21-17 win against Paula and Stuart Garrett.

This brought us to what turned out to be a thrilling Final with the Moore/Teare pairing starting well and building up a 12-9 lead but then a run of three singles for West and Cannell brought the score to 12-12. Jenny and James then built up their lead to 18-12 but their opponents then got a three to make it 18-15 only to lose a two on the next end and leave the South Ramsey pairing leading 20-15. Jan and Andy then scored five over the next three ends leaving the score at 20-20 but then Jenny and James won the deciding end to win the competition.

The prizes were presented by the President of Douglas Bowling Club Kay McKiernan and James Teare thanked Haldane Fisher for sponsoring the event and Douglas Bowling Club for hosting it and the Green Keeper for a Green that was running well but tricky.

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Teare & Dunn take KNR Construction Trophy

KNR Construction Winners 2023: Rebecca Teare & Paul Dunn with Sponsor Neil Clarke (Left) and Keith Fearnley (Right)

Photo: Norman Kneen

Easter Saturday saw the second staging of the KNR Construction Trophy on a well prepared green at the Villa with those who were lucky enough to be there being treated to a display of good bowling from the 25 pairs who competed.

At the quarter final stage we saw Lynda and Derek Cadamy (Marown/Port Erin) lose 13-21 to Rebecca Teare and Paul Dunn (Marown) and it was great to see Helen Martin (Castletown) back on the green partnering Matthew Keggen (Marown) as they beat Margaret Tasker (Port St Mary) and Les Brookes (Finch Hill) 21-20. In the remaining two quarter final matches Lyn Bolton (Marown) and Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary) beat Onchan’s Sandra May and Mark Kelly 21-12 and Kim Hargraves and Peter Collister (both South Ramsey) lost 13-21 to Sue Gawne and Andy Kennish (both Onchan).

As we came to the semi-finals we saw Helen & Matthew face Rebecca and Paul but sadly Helen who had battled gallantly against a lack of match fitness during the afternoon found playing four consecutive games just too much and had to withdraw despite leading 12-9 with the Teare and Dunn pairing going through to the final. The remaining game was a close affair with the Bolton and Roberts duo losing 19-21 to Gawne and Kennish.

In the final Teare and Dunn started well and built up a 15-9 lead after eight ends but by 12 ends the game was level at 16-16 with Gawne and Kennish playing some good bowls to put pressure on their opponents. Teare and Dunn then built up a 20-16 lead but on the 16th end Gawne and Kennish scored a three to make it 20-19 only to lose the next end to give Rebecca Teare and Paul Dunn the win.

The trophies were presented by Neil Clarke of KNR Construction and Paul Dunn thanked the sponsors, Douglas Bowling Club for hosting the event and the Greenkeeper for a great playing surface and the Club Members who had helped on the day.

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Moore and Jones take Douglas Town Cup Wins

Douglas Town Cup Winners 2022 - Ladies Winner Jenny Moore with Sponsor Rob Matthews (3R’s Limited) and Mens Winner Peter Jones

Photos: Norman Kneen

Sunday saw the holding of the Douglas Town Cup Ladies and Men’s Singles hosted by Douglas Bowling Club at the Villa. The Men’s event started at 10:30 in the morning, with the Ladies competition starting later in the day and at the start the Green was quite heavy after a night of heavy rain.

In the Men’s Singles at the Quarter Final stage we saw Neil Withers (Marown) beat Club mate Harry Barton 21-9 while Tom Collins (Port St Mary) lost 20-21 to Brian Kelly (Marown). We then saw Tony Hart (South Ramsey) beat Matthew Keggen (Marown) 21-15 and Peter Jones (Marown) beat Walter McCarthy (Marown) 21-13.

The semi-finals saw Neil Withers beat Brian Kelly 21-11 and Peter Jones beating Tony Hart 21-13.

This led to a great final with both players producing some excellent shots to keep the spectators who stayed on the edge of their seats but eventually it was Peter Jones who took the win 21-19.

In the Ladies Quarter Finals we saw Paula Garrett (Douglas) lose out to Jenny Moore (South Ramsey) 21-13 and Sue Gawne (Onchan) beat Rebecca Teare(Marown) 21-11. In the remaining two games Debbie Leece (Marown) beat Jane Lothian (Douglas) 21-10 and Janet Monk (Mooragh Park) took a 21-14 win against Fiona Kennish (South Ramsey).

In the Ladies semi-finals we saw some absolutely wonderful bowls with Jenny Moore beating Sue Gawne 21-15 and Janet Monk beat Debbie Leece 21-16.

Once more we saw a fantastic Final with Jenny leading well but Janet also found some great shots but in the end Jenny was just too strong on the day and she won 21-16.

There was also a prize for the Juniors going furthest in the competition and the Junior Girls was won by Katie Jacobs (Douglas) and the Junior Boys by Alex Colquitt (Marown).

At the conclusion Douglas Bowling Club Chairman Norman Kneen thanked all those who supported the event and thanked the Douglas Club Members for a great team effort in putting on the event. He then announced that at this event they had raised funds for the Manx Gateway Club and had raised monies to the total of £550. He then went on to thank Rob Matthews and his company 3R’s Ltd for sponsoring the event and handed over to Rob Matthews to present the prizes.

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Over 60’s Season success for Onchan A and B Teams

Last week saw the final League games of the Men’s Over 60’s Bowls season played with the Final League positions and promotion and relegation places being decided.

In 3R’s Ltd Division One the League Champions Onchan A had a bye and second placed Peel Sunset A had a 5-3 win against South Ramsey A. Douglas A who were in third place in the league travelled to the Crofts to play Castletown A knowing that they had to get just one point to retain that position. In a close match which was decided by the last game Castletown A took a 5-3 win to leapfrog the visitors and take third place. North Ramsey A beat MarownA 5-3 and Peel Sunset B beat Ballaugh A also 5-3 while Port St Mary A beat Castletown B 7-1. This means that Onchan A win the League on 38 points having gone through the season undefeated. In second place are Peel Sunset A on 34 points with Castletown A in third place on 28 points. At the other end of the League Table and in the relegation places we have Castletown B in 10th position with 5 points and Ballaugh A in 11th position with 3 points.The Individual Merit winner for Division One is Andy Kennish of Peel Sunset A with 18 wins, followed by Dougie Allan also of Peel Sunset A with 17 wins and in third place is Keith Rise of Douglas A with 16 wins.

In 3R’s Ltd Division Two the League winners Onchan B had a bye while the Onchan C Team travelled to play Ballaugh B knowing that they needed just one point to join their B Team in Division One next season. On the day Ballaugh B were the better side taking a 7-1 win with Colin Brown picking up the only win for the visitors. Finch Hill A beat Port Erin A 5-3 and at the ‘Villa’ Douglas B finished off their season with a 7-1 win against Finch Hill B.

Friday saw Peel Sunset C lose 3-5 on their own Green to South Ramsey B and Port St Mary B beat North Ramsey B also 5-3 to conclude the League Fixtures for this season. This means that Onchan B win the league with 34 points followed by Ballaugh B with 30 points with both these teams being promoted into Division One. In third place are Onchan C with 29 points in what has been a highly successful season of Men’s Over 60’s Bowling for the Onchan Bowling Club. The Division Two Merit Winner is John Bolton of Ballaugh B with 20 wins followed by Colin Brown of Onchan C with 18 wins and third is Dicky Watson of Ballaugh B also with 18 wins.

With the 3R’s Leagues now having come to an end the Over 60’s Bowls will now continue with the Tower Insurance Cup in which we have the teams divided into three Groups of six and one Group of five with all teams playing each other home and away. 

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Barney makes it three in a row in Over 60’s Championship

Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly who picked up his third successive Over 60’s Championship

Photo: Norman Kneen

In Bingo parlance ‘Kelly’s Eye’ is number one and that was certainly the case at Ballaugh in the Men’s Over 60’s Championship as Dave (Barney) Kelly stormed to a third successive Championship win.

With the Ballaugh Green looking extremely good on Tuesday the last eight in the Competition saw Alec Taylor (Peel) beat Mike Alexander (Onchan) 21-16,while Bryan Corner (South Ramsey) beat his clubmate Lee Dawson 21-10. An epic battle between Steve Parker (Onchan) and Dave McCabe (Finch Hill) ended in a 21-19 win for the latter player. This left the much talked about match between Kevin Quirk (Onchan) and Dave Kelly (Peel) with both playing some great bowls but eventually the Peel man was just too strong as he took a 21-11 win.

In the semi-finals we saw an intriguing battle between Bryan Corner and Alec Taylor with Bryan doing well on longer marks and Alec preferring the shorter ones. This match ended with Alec keeping his calm under pressure to win 21-19.

The other semi-final saw Dave McCabe valiantly attempting to ‘split the green’ and prevent his opponent getting into the corners but Barney was able to take control and win 21-11.

The Final between Peel Sunset clubmates Dave Kelly and Alec Taylor saw Dave put on a master class in bowling to take a 21-3 win despite Alec playing some great bowls.

The Presentation was introduced by Over 60’s Bowling Chairman Norman Kneen who thanked Ballaugh for being wonderful hosts of the Competition and he thanked Ballaugh members for measuring and their Ladies for the wonderful catering provided. He also thanked Andy Kennish and John Ryder for their help and Competition Secretary Mark Kelly for his hard work. The trophies were then presented by Mark Kelly and on receiving his trophy Dave Kelly also thanked Ballaugh for their hospitality and great condition of the Green.

Post published by Norman Kneen