The final of the Canada Life International Sponsored Mixed Team Championship, Plate, and Bowl competitions took place simultaneously on both Noble’s greens on Thursday evening, with the Championship final seeing South Ramsey A take on Marown B. The floodlights were required, things got underway in perfect conditions for a bowls final.

With the league season finished in August, the previous three weeks had been reserved for a new format in the Mixed Team competitions. With a healthy entry of teams taking part, once again this allowed for a third competition to be played for. The Plate competition was for teams knocked out of the Championship in the early rounds, whilst teams losing out in the Plate competition went into the newly introduced Bowl competition.

The finals of the Championship and Plate took place on Noble’s One green, the final of the bowl was contested on Noble’s Two green.

The Championship saw South Ramsey progress to the final thanks to a hard fought 5-chalk victory (144-139) over the current holders Marown A on Monday evening, winning 5-4 on games, with South winning two games to single figures, whilst Marown won three games to single figures. Marown B reached the final thanks to their win by 16-chalks against last year’s beaten finalists Castletown A (169-153) with the Crosby team winning 6-3 on games.

South Ramsey were quickest out of the blocks building a commanding 35-chalk lead from the first three games, as Glynn Hargraves beat Helen Withers 21-11, John Kennish won 21-8 against Zoe Pearson, whilst Jenny Moore won 21-9 against Rebekah Kelly.

The lead was extended to 43-chalks following the next three games with Jordan Cain beating Peter Greenlees 21-10, with Peter Jones cancelling this win out for Marown with his own 21-10 win over Gill Dixon. Peter Collister ensured the match was out of reach for the Crosby team with his 21-13 win over Philippa Taylor.

Fiona Kennish finished the game strongly to beat Matthew Keggen 21-15, South Ramsey captain Kim Hargraves lost out 8-21 to Walter McCarthy, whilst Dido Kelly recorded a solid 21-10 win over Juan Killip.

The final match score was a win for South Ramsey by 47-chalks, winning 7-2 on games. South Ramsey have now claimed the Mixed Team Championship 14 times since the competition was first held in 2005.

Association Competition Secretary Matthew Keggen thanked Noble’s for the use of the green for the duration of the competition, for providing the refreshments each night. South Ramsey captain Kim Hargraves congratulated her team for their performance on the night, whilst offering commiserations to Marown.

The final of the Mixed Team Plate competition took place at Noble’s One green on Thursday evening, with North Ramsey A taking on Breagle Glen A.

Both teams lost out in the early rounds of the Championship, North Ramsey losing out in the early rounds to South Ramsey A, in a keenly contested match, with South finishing the game strongly to win by 30-chalks, whilst Breagle Glen were defeated by 25-chalks by Marown B.

This final turned out to be the most keenly contested of all three mixed team finals with just six chalks separating the teams at end of the match, with the Northern team winning by just six chalks (164-158), and winning 5-4 on games.

From the first three games on the green North Ramsey won two games, with Tom Collins beat Margie Tasker 21-19, whilst Tony Lloyd-Davies held off Nicci Cain 21-16. Despite winning two games Breagle Glen held a 5-chalk lead thanks to Wayne Roberts winning 21-9 against Lacey McMullan.

Breagle went on to double their advantage to 10-chalks from the next three matches, as Mavis Franks beat Bailey McMullan 21-15, Steve Durcan held off Joe Kneale 21-19, whilst Bernie Durcan lost out 18-21 to North Ramsey’s top man Rob Monk.

The sting in the tail for Breagle came in the next two matches as Janet Monk beat Lina Urbaniak 21-5 to swing the match in favour of North to give them a six chalk lead, then came the big upset of the night as Grayse Blencoe stunned Ewan Cooil with a brilliant performance to seal a 21-16 victory to extend the lead to 10-chalks. The remaining match on the green saw Anita Roberts up against Paul Allison with the Mooragh man only needing to reach 10-chalks, with North having won five games if the teams tied on chalks North would win the match. Despite a solid performance from Roberts, Allison had enough in the locker to secure the chalks needed to seal the win for North Ramsey to win the title for the first time.

Association competition secretary presented the Shield to North Ramsey captain Joe Kneale.

The final of the Mixed Team Bowl competition took place at Noble’s Two green on Thursday evening, with Douglas A taking on Marown C.

With both teams taking an early bath in the Championship and Plate competitions, the teams were keen to pick up the title, with Douglas starting as favourites with a more experienced side.

Douglas A reached the final courtesy of their hard fought Monday evening victory over South Ramsey B by just nine chalks (155-146) winning 5-4 on games. Marown C played on the same evening as they held off Ballaugh B, booking their place in the final as they won by 11 chalks (152-141), winning 6-3 on games.

In the final the first three games off saw the Villa side build a 14-chalk lead, as Emma Sayle lost out 20-21 to Lillie Barrett having led 20-11, the junior bowler ran out to claim the win. Villa captain Mervin Sayle beat Matthew Crabtree 21-13, whilst Villa junior Katie Jacobs beat Paul Sheffield 21-14.

The next three games off saw the deficit reduced to nine chalks despite Andy Cannell beating the youngest player to feature in any of the finals – Harrison Moore 21-6, as Nigel Tebay beat Harley Garrett 21-11, a score which James Kelly matched with a solid win against Paula Garrett.

Any hopes of a Crosby win were extinguished in the last three games on the green, as Gordy Wynne-Smythe beat Martha Butler 21-9, the evergreen Keith Rise beat Enya Christian 21-8, with Paddy Murphy winning 21-13 against Emily Cooper.

The Crosby team which featured five junior bowlers will have enjoyed the experience of playing in a team final under floodlights. The Bowl which was in it’s second year of being played was presented to Douglas captain Mervin Sayle.

Last Saturday Finch Hill Bowling Club hosted the Douglas Corporation Any Combination Doubles event which attracted a field of 21 pairs.  With last year’s winners Dunn and Withers missing, there was going to be new names of the trophy.

The draw produced some really tough preliminary round games, with several juniors, past and present festival winners and newcomers making for a very interesting competition. Anita and Wayne Roberts had a long and hard fought game against homegreeners Mark Taylor and Sam Stannard-Duke, winning eventually 21-19. Another tough game was Richard Blencoe and his partner Sam Quayle against family membersMartha and Grayse Blencoe taking a  21-19 win.

In the quarter finals Peter Greenlees and Walter McCarthy ended the hopes of Philippa Taylor and Lynda Cadamy 21-11.  Anita and Wayne met a very in-form Glenn Boland and Jamie Box losing 21-12.  Also securing a place into the semis was John and Fiona Kennish taking a 21-14 win over sisters Madison and Lacey McMullan.  Special mention goes to newcomers Efren Cagadas and Arnold Nor, both only started playing bowls 6 weeks ago and delighted the spectators with their enthusiastic and very emotional style of play, who also won a place in the semi-finals by defeating Paddy Murphy and Dave McCabe 21-15.

Semi final line up was Efren and Arnold against Glenn Boland and Jamie Box, with some very entertaining ends and emotions running high, the experience of Boland and Box was just too much for Efren and Arnold with them taking a 21-13 win.  The other semi final was a match of two experienced teams of John and Fiona Kennish against Greenlees and McCarthy.

Peter and Walter’s excellent run up to this stage was no match for the Kennish pairing with the latter running out a 21-7 win and taking their place in the final.

The final saw Boland and Box move into a comfortable early lead and never looked back, despite John and Fiona battling every end in an attempt to catch up.  Boland and Box lifted the trophy with an impressive 21-9 win.

The presentation was made by Finch Hill member Mark Taylor on behalf of Douglas Corporation.  Jamie Box thanked the sponsors and hosts, all the competitors and helpers and especially to the ladies in the kitchen for the excellent refreshments available all afternoon. Thanks also to Joyce Ogden for running the sheet.

That almost brings the season to an end.  So winter well everyone and see you in 2027.

The Felton’s Manx Masters took place on Sunday in fair weather conditions and on a good playing surface. The 48 invited bowlers -16 ladies and 32 men – competed in their respective competitions, while a good crowd watched the events unfold.

Felton’s Ladies Manx Masters

In the ladies’ event, Lynda Cadamy lost 21-6 to home greener Jenny Moore at the quarter-final stage, while Shannon McMullan was also held to single figures, losing 21-8 to Mooragh Park clubmate Janet Monk. In the other half of the draw, 2024 winner Louise Tebay recorded a comfortable 21-10 win over Hilary Kermode (Castletown), while recent Isle of Man September Festival winner Lacey McMullan (Mooragh Park) held off former teammate Caroline Parker (Ballaugh) 21-18 to advance to the semi-finals.

At the semi-final stage, Moore recovered from a 13-9 deficit on a longer length to defeat Monk 21-16. Tebay had complete control of her semi-final encounter with McMullan, leading 17-6 and then 20-9. McMullan fought back on a longer length, winning five consecutive ends to close the gap to five chalks at 20-15; however, Tebay secured her place in the final with a single to win 21-15.

Moore began the final as the overwhelming favourite, as she often is in any game on the Island, and would not have forgotten her 21-15 defeat to Tebay at the semi-final stage in 2024. Jenny was quickest out of the blocks, taking an early 8-3 lead after four ends. Tebay fought back, winning six of the next seven ends to level the game at 10-10 after 11 ends.

Moore stepped up a couple of gears from there, winning seven of the next nine ends and conceding just two chalks. She scored four doubles on her way to a fully deserved 21-12 victory, playing two great bowls on the final end as she headed into the corner on a round peg to finish the match in style.

This was Jenny’s seventh win in the competition, following a two-year gap since her previous title. Before that, she had won the competition for six consecutive years (2018-2023).

Felton’s Men’s Manx Masters

In the men’s event, several first- and second-round matches were closely contested.

Neil Withers (Marown) lost at the quarter-final stage to John Kennish (South Ramsey). Kennish was in complete control in the corners at 18-9, but Withers fought back with a five-end winning streak to reduce the deficit to one chalk at 18-17. Kennish regained the lead at a vital moment to finish the game 21-17. Breagle man Ewan Cooil lost 21-11 to home greener Dido Kelly, with the South Ramsey player scoring nine doubles and no singles throughout the game.

In the other half of the draw, Stevie Kelly (Peel) had a battle with North Ramsey’s Rob Monk. With the Mooragh man counting one for game with the score at 20-20, Stevie played a great final bowl to run the jack and seal his place in the semi-final with a 21-20 win. Onchan’s Matthew Quirk faced Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey), with Quirk retaining the lead throughout the early part of the game. After 16 ends, Quirk was two chalks ahead at 15-13 before finishing strongly with five singles and a double to progress to the next round with a 21-13 win.

Both semi-finals ended in comfortable wins for Kennish and Quirk. With Kennish leading 12-11, a flourish of doubles sealed his place in the final with a 21-13 win over South Ramsey teammate Dido Kelly.

The other semi-final saw Quirk face Peel man Stevie Kelly. Kelly won six of the first 10 ends, but being restricted to singles meant the score was tied at 9-9 after 10 ends. Quirk then returned to the short round-peg mark that had served him well in the previous three rounds and ran out a 21-9 winner.

Quirk appeared to be the in-form player going into the final; however, Kennish found a way to win once he settled into the game after conceding singles on the first two ends. After nine ends, the South Ramsey man had built a six-chalk lead at 12-6, having scored three doubles along the way.

The Onchan man responded by winning three ends in succession, although Kennish restricted him to singles. With three ends going in Quirk’s favour and two in Kennish’s, the deficit had been reduced to two chalks after 16 ends, with Kennish leading 14-12.

From there, Kennish made his move, scoring three doubles and a single to secure a 21-14 win. This was the 12^th time Kennish had won the trophy, including victories when it was played in its previous Champion of Champions format. This matches the number of times the South Ramsey man has won the Manx Championship.

The presentation was conducted by South Ramsey Chairman Steve Moore, who thanked everyone who had accepted the invitation to play and everyone who had helped to run the competitions. He also thanked the ladies, who once again outdid themselves with the catering, and the club members who assisted throughout the day. Long-term supporters of the event, Chris and Lynnette Perry of Felton’s Ironmongers, were then introduced to present the prizes. Without their support, the event would not be possible.

South Ramsey Bowling Club hosted the Manx Masters on Friday evening, one of the highlights of the Manx bowls calendar with the Junior bowlers playing in two separate competitions The weather, whilst blustery at times, with heavy rain earlier on in the day, the rain held off for the duration of the competition. With over 75 people around the green the event was well supported, with the Juniors having the unique opportunity to play under floodlights it led to a good atmosphere around the green.

Moira Anderson Junior Manx Masters

The Junior Manx Masters was played as a straight knockout 21up off a handicap of +10 for the older and more experienced players with an entry of 14 players this year.

The title was won for the first time by last year’s runner up Bailey McMullan (Mooragh Park) who went one better with a superb display against Alex Colquitt (Marown), in what was a superb final, with both bowling playing some excellent bowls to stay in the game.

Alex made the better start winning three of the first four ends to lead 14-12, with Bailey responding winning of the following four ends to lead 17-15. The Marown Junior went on to score a single and a double to lead 18-17, with the game now at the business end, both players kept their opponent down to singles.

Both players continued to pull out crucial bowls, however it was Bailey who just had the edge to hold her nerve to seal a 21-20 victory over Alex, with both players evenly matched throughout even on the number of ends won in the game (eight ends each) with Bailey crucially scoring three doubles, with Alex scoring two doubles being the difference.

Bailey had another battle at the semi-final stage with Nobles player Alex Hampson, who were well matched throughout, Bailey sealed her place in the final with a 21-20 victory. The other semi-final saw the current holder Katie Jacobs (Douglas) lose out 10-21 to Colquitt, who played superbly, winning in just seven ends, scoring four doubles on his way to victory.

At the quarter final stage Bailey had a comfortable 21-15 win against Aalish Moore (Castletown) keeping the Town player down to five singles. Hampson booked his place in the quarter finals with a 21-14 win over Kian Bradford (South Ramsey). In the other half of the draw Colquitt got the better of Sam Quayle (Castletown) with a 21-14, whilst Jacobs won to the same score against Enya Christian (Marown).

Moira Anderson Young Manx Masters

The Young Manx Masters competition for Primary School children was contested by six juniors, with four boys and two girls featuring. This competition was played in a round robin format playing six ends with the last end played as a ‘power’ end with points scored counting double.

After a good evening of bowls, which included plenty of smiles from all the younger bowlers it was Saskia Tebay (Marown) who picked up her second win in this competition having won the title in 2024.

Saskia edged to victory with a total of 28 points from her five round robin games, followed closely by Bertie Moss (Peel) and 2025 winner Cole Smart (North Ramsey) who both finished just one point behind on 27 points.

The standard of play in both events was excellent and some of the bowls played would not have been out of place in the senior events. The event was this year supported by House of Fae, the competitions has been renamed to the Moira Anderson Junior/Young Manx Masters, following the loss of a long serving and dedicated life member of the club who served as South Ramsey Bowling Club President for a number of years, with Moira always being on hand to help out at the club.

The presentation was made by Kim Hargraves (competition organiser), who thanked the new sponsors House of Fae, thanks were also given to the coaches, measurers, markers and green stewards, and Alan Moore for providing the refreshments in the kitchen. A special mention was also given to all the spectators who had attended, with the excellent standard of play in both competitions was also noted.