Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

South Ramsey Bowling Club hosted the Association Singles on Saturday with the competition attracting 61 entries, an increase of 16 on the 2024 entry, on a tricky green with everyone in attendance treated to glorious conditions.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were Colin Kelly (Marown) 13-21 to David Bradford (South Ramsey), Walter McCarthy 9-21 to Marown clubmate Neil Withers. In the other half of the draw Kevin Airey (Noble’s) run was ended by Marown captain Paul Dunn 11-21, whilst home greener John Kennish got the better of Wayne Roberts (Breagle Glen) 21-13.

The semi-finals were polar opposites, with Withers having a tough time with Bradford, scoring in just two ends with a 8-21 defeat to Bradford. The other semi-final was well contested throughout between Dunn and Kennish, with the latter going ahead 18-17. The Marown man got in with a single to level the game up 18-18. Playing in to a green area of the green, this may have caught Kennish out as Dunn was grateful to have picked up a cheap two to lead 20-18. A single for John on the next end put him within one end of victory, however Dunn stepped on a short leading bowl from Kennish to see the game out 21-19.

The final was a third consecutive in a row between Bradford and Dunn, following the Ramsey Town Cup, and Dreswick Cup at Breagle Glen two days earlier, both of which Dunn had got the better of Bradford in to comprehensive scores. A steely determination and home green advantage saw Bradford use his green knowledge playing tricky marks brilliantly to build a nine chalk lead at 19-10. Dunn managed to win four of the next five ends, helped by two doubles to close the deficit to four chalks at 16-20. On a longer mark the Marown man left room for Bradford to jump in, which he did playing a two foot bowl, which Dunn didn’t beat which sealed a 21-16 win for Bradford.

The presentation was made by Association Competition Officer Steve Moore, who thanked South Ramsey for the use of the green, providing measurers and the superb refreshments throughout the day.