Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

Manx Champion, David Bradford successfully retained the Peel Town Cup, sponsorsed by Utmost International, on Saturday with a commanding show of consistent bowls on a fast improving green, battling his way through a field of 69 runners culminating with victory against South Ramsey club mate, Dido Kelly.

Kelly began the final the better of the two, racing into a 13-9 lead utilising his corner to crown tactic that he uses to great effect. But Bradford hit back in dramatic style predominently playing a 27 yard mark over the crown from seaside to headland where he notched up a 10 break to eventually end Kelly’s challenge with a 21-16 success.

Bradford, currently the island’s number one had been in imperious form all day, comfortably reached the final with a 21-10 victory over Breagle’s Alan Crebbin in the Quarter Final before seeing off the last local hope, George Gadsby 21-8 in the semi-final.

Kelly’s route to the final was equally impressive with impressive triumphs over the Villa’s Dave McCabe 21-13 followed by a 21-8 success against Mike Alexander of Onchan 21-8.

The remaining losing Quarter finalists were Glenn Boland who succumbed 21-19 to Gadsby and Jimmy Sansom of Douglas who went under to Alexander by the same scoreline.

At the conclusion, Competition Secretary Pip Pemberton was on hand to thank the sponsors, Utmost International, Peel’s new Catering Manager, Matthew Venables, who did a fantastic job all day keeping all the players and spectators fed and watered, the greensmen Gary Smith and Paul Quirk, who have worked miracles in reviving the green into fantastic condition, Club secretary and stalwart, Lynda Wilson for her continued  industrious work behind the scenes and all the other Peel members who had contributed with measuring and stewarding throughout the day, before handing over to Club President, Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly to present the prizes.