Bits end losing streak
Without a victory during the previous two seasons, Bits n Bobs made up for that in great style when they kicked off their campaign in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter Bowls League with a maximum score to add to the 100 points recorded earlier in the afternoon.
They took full advantage of the fact that players can compete up to three times for any team, before choosing who they play for in their remaining 19 fixtures. A number of sides had to call upon reserves due to some members missing – either playing bowls at a competition in England or perhaps on holiday.
Game number one saw Bits n Bobs put up a good fight against Louie’s Angels, before going down by five games to one, with a score of 100-121; this while former champions Guns For Hire cruised to the first maximum win of the season against Castletown Corkers.
The two winners then went head to head with Guns For Hire almost having a perfect start after they recorded a five games to one success over the Angels and dropped just one point in the process.
Last outing of the afternoon saw Bits n Bobs halt a losing run of 55 fixtures, which spanned over four seasons and they did so in great style with a full-house of wins in their clash with Corkers.
Results for Saturday, October 5: Bits n Bobs 100 (1) Louie’s Angels 121 (5), Guns For Hire 126 (6) Castletown Corkers 67 (0), Louie’s Angels 95 (1) Guns For Hire 125 (5), Castletown Corkers 96 (0) Bits n Bobs 126 (6).
Sunday’s gang had two of last season’s top three competing, with third placed Seven-Up leaving with the best points tally, which was helped by a six chalks victory over champions Outsiders.
Outsiders began the defence of their title with a win over Parkers; whilst Seven-Up drafted in three replacement players, who helped them hit a good total of 124 points against Govags.
The two successful teams then battled out a three-all draw on games, with Seven-Up taking the vital chalks win to leave them with a 12 points advantage on the day over rivals Outsiders.
To complete the session Parkers and Govags fought hard in the closest fixture of the weekend, which ended in a share of the games and a win for Parkers, by a margin of only three points.
Results for Sunday, October 6: Outsiders 119 (5) Parkers 82 (1), Govags 86 (2) Seven-Up 124 (4), Seven-Up 113 (3) Outsiders 107 (3), Parkers 109 (3) Govags 106 (3).
A round robin took place on the Wednesday prior to the league commencing and 21 players competed in one group of triples.
Allan Kennaugh, Bernard Thackrah and Caroline Corlett emerged as winners, ahead of Gill Jopson, Terry Bates and Sue Gawne in second, with Andy Sykes, Ken Karran and Bryan Corner in third.