Castletown March On Ahead Of Crunch Tie

Only two matches were able to take place on Wednesday 1st August as heavy downpours waterlogged many of the bowling greens across the island.

Castletown who have been the form team over the last two months made it 14 wins on the bounce mastering the wet conditions to beat Mooragh Park 162-130 (5-4).  Amanda Lawler retained her position at the top of the individual merit with a 21-3 win with Heike Perry and Hannah Drewett winning 21-1 and 21-8 respectively.  Janet Monk top scored for the away team beating Kim Foy 21-9 and Shannon McMullan, Caroline Parker and Helen Martin also won to restrict the home side to under 170.

Onchan faced Marown but the conditions played their part as they lost 98-163 (3-6).  Shirley Whelan, Celia Joughin, Rosie Winckle, Philippa Taylor and Lil Smith won comfortably to single figures with Mary Alderson also winning 21-13.  Onchan picked up their three wins from Sue Gawne, Joanne Kelly and Libby Andrade.

The league returned on Friday with a full set of fixtures and two maximum scores.

The first maximum was at Marown who eased past Castletown B 189-87 (9-0).  Nobles also produced a full house winning away at Ballaugh 76-189 (0-9).

With Castletown A sitting out on Friday Port St Mary should have had their chance to catch up however, with their match postponed on Wednesday they remain a game behind.  Port St Mary did make some ground back with their away win against Mooragh Park.  Jayne Kneen, Val Macfarlane, Wendy Kennuagh and Ann Maddrell all won to single figures with Kellie Maddrell-Reeve and Chris Price both winning 21-13.  Katy Williams battled from being down to beat Island Champion Janet Monk 21-19 with Mooragh picking up their two wins from Helen Martin & Caroline Parker.  The match finished 114-169 (2-7).

South Ramsey defeated Onchan with wins for Lauren Groen 21-7, Elaine Moore 21-5, Jenny Moore 21-9, Sue Collier 21-15, Kim Hargraves 21-18 and Bethany Kennish who just got over the line 21-20 against Marilyn Ellison.  For Onchan Dee Lewis beat Fiona Kennish 21-15 and Caroline Corlett won 21-13 against Gill Morgan with the match score ending 175-124 (7-2).

Peel welcomed Douglas to Sunset City with the home side using their home advantage to win by a comfortable 35 chalks.  Peel had wins from Sue Jones 21-9, Joyce Kelly 21-5, Shirley Corrin 21-11, Heather Horsburgh 21-12, Pat Robertson 21-14 and Mary Moffatt who beat Paula Garrett 21-18.  Douglas picked up two wins from Brenda Williams, Wendy Cowin and Shantelle Thorpe.  Final score 167-132 (6-3).

In the final match on Friday Purt Le Moirrey suffered a home defeat to Port Erin despite winning five games.  The home side had wins from Roma Ware 21-20 against Phil Dobson, Pauline Worrall beat Steph Swift 21-18, Edwina Reid won 21-17 against Voirrey Curphey, Debra Cooper defeated Joyce Henry 21-18 and Mavis Franks won 21-18 against Jean Thackrah.  Port Erin had two big wins to setup their victory with Carol Kay beating Dot Mylchreest 21-5 and Lynda Cadamy winning 21-7 against Linda Dawson.  Jacqui Elliott won 21-15 against Chris Holland and Slyvia Shelbourne just held on to win 21-20 over Brenda Hawkard.  The match finished 152-175 (5-4).

Looking ahead to next week the tie which could define the season takes place as Champions Port St Mary face a home tie against current league leaders Castletown A.  Port St Mary trail by 115 points with a game in hand and will hope to close that gap as they look to wrestle control back at the top of the league.  Castletown will be confident that they could cause an upset given their current form and run of 14 wins on the trot.  Should the tie produce a low score South Ramsey, who only sit 30 points behind Castletown, will look to leap back into contention for the top spots.