Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

Marown hosted the ever-popular Tynwald Day R & A Grimshaw Pairs Trophy on Bank Holiday Monday with the green in superb condition. 28 pairs took part, and the competition was once again sponsored by Investasure Financial Services Ltd.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were home greeners Kevin Kelly and Phil Kelly 12-21 to clubmates Colin Kelly and Tom Kelly, Jordan Cain and Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey) lost out 16-21 to Marown’s Glenn Boland and Peter Jones. Matthew Keggen and Paul Kelly (Marown) lost out to single figures 9-21 to John Kennish and David Bradford (South Ramsey) whilst another all Marown game was won 21-5 by Neil Withers and Paul Dunn 21-5 against James Kelly and Brian Kelly.

At the semi-final stage both winning pairs came through their games relatively comfortably, as Boland and Jones ended the hopes of father and son Colin and Tom Kelly 21-16, while Kennish and Bradford relinquished a 16-7 lead, only to get back in at the right time at 16-15 to run out with a 21-15 win over Withers and Dunn.

So to the final, it was a tight encounter throughout, with just one double scored after 10 ends played the home pair were 10-9 ahead. A four for Boland and Jones appeared to turn the game in their favour with a 14-9 lead, however this sparked the South Ramsey men into action as they got in and went for distance. Whilst it took another 11 ends to finish the game with Kennish and Bradford kept down to eight singles, and two doubles, they seen the game out with a 21-15 win to remarkably pick up their first Tynwald Day win together.

At the conclusion of the competition the presentation was made by Phil Kelly, who thanked the sponsors for their support, Brian Kelly for running the sheet, everyone who had helped with the running of the competition, the Marown Ladies for the refreshments provided. Martin Corkish from Investasure was introduced to present prizes. In his speech John praised the greenkeeper for the condition of the green.