Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

Marown Bowling Club were the host club on Saturday as they held the Marown Magic Carpets Mixed Singles for the fourth time attracting an entry of 42, with fine weather and a good atmosphere around the green.

The competition was once again played in a big smash style format, which has proved popular in the U.K. and is played over 15 ends with ends 5, 10 and 15 played as ‘power’ ends with the points scored counting double. Players were given a handicap ranging from 0 to 4. If scores were tied after 15 ends a one bowl shootout would take place to decide the winner of the game.

Losing quarter finalists were visiting bowler Ben Phillips by the finest of margins 13-14 to 2023 winner David Bradford (South Ramsey), Paul Quirk (Peel) lost 13-15 to Dave McCabe (Douglas), with South Ramsey’s Kim Hargraves also losing to the same score to Marown man Peter Jones, with Bob Clark comfortably winning 19-10 against South Ramsey teammate Glynn Hargraves.

The semi-finals were low scoring affairs as Bradford won 13-8 against McCabe, whilst Clark held off Jones 14-9 to book his place in the final.

The final got underway with a close contest expected between the South Ramsey clubmates, however Bradford proved he is back to his best as he won eight of the first nine ends taking a 12-1 lead to realistically put the final out of reach of Clark. With two points scored on the power end and a two on the next end the score stood at 5-12 with four ends left, however Bradford got the single he needed to seal the win and in doing so retained the trophy.

At the conclusion of play the presentation was made by competition secretary Phil Kelly, who thanked Magic Carpets for their continued sponsorship, the Ladies for the refreshments, the players for entering, with Ken Bawden then presenting the prizes.