The eagerly awaited Plumbmaster Limited Rayner Shield final between Marown A and Marown B was held at Onchan Bowling Club on Friday evening. The draw took place ahead of the match, with plenty of potential banana skins for the higher ranked team, who were missing their captain Paul Dunn. There was a healthy crowd in attendance to watch events unfold with good support for both teams. League leaders Marown A were the clear favourites on the night, however the lower ranked team would have been hoping to pull off a huge upset.

First off the green for the A was Tom Kelly, who having faced younger brother Kevin a number of times, it was the younger sibling who had prevailed on each occasion. Tom didn’t give Kevin a sniff in the game, as he built a 14-6 lead, then went on to finish the game 21-11 to put the A team 1-0 up in the match.

Game two off the green made it 2-0 as Dean Kipling did not display any signs of rustiness, as he beat Stephen Rundle 21-12, keeping the latter down to 12 singles, while picking up five doubles himself.

Game three was keenly contested throughout between Paul Kelly and Phil Kelly, it was Paul who prevailed having trailed in the game on several occasions before getting over the line 21-17.

For the B to have any chance of winning they needed a win in the first half of the match, it was Peter Greenlees the 2020 Rayner Shield hero for Peel who came closest to doing so against Neil Withers, with the former having trailed 3-11, Greenlees, got ahead 20-19, only for Withers to hold his nerve to get over the line 21-20 to put the A team 4-0 ahead at the halfway point of the match, with a 23 chalk lead.

In the second half of the match it became a case of who would officially seal the win by getting the fifth game on the board, it was Glenn Boland who picked up a solid 21-11 win against Matthew Keggen, while Boland’s doubles partner Peter Jones swiftly followed with a win to the same score against Karl Parker.

Game seven saw super sub Sam Clague defeat B team captain Juan Killip 21-15, this left one game on the green – Colin Kelly against John Gelling, with the match a dead rubber, there would be no doubting that Kelly would want to win, however Gelling managed to prevent an 8-0 whitewash as held off Kelly 21-19.

The presentation was made by Brian Kelly, who thanked Plumbmaster for sponsoring the competition, Onchan Bowling Club for the use of the green. The Rayner Shield was presented to stand in Marown captain Neil Withers, who congratulated the B team on reaching the final, who had put up a spirited performance. This is Marown’s 17th win in this competition, their first win in the final since 2018.

Plumbmaster Rayner Shield Final Results

Marown A	Chalks	Chalks	Marown B
Tom Kelly	21	12	Kevin Kelly
Dean Kipling	21	12	Stephen Rundle
Paul Kelly	21	17	Phil Kelly
Neil Withers	21	20	Peter Greenlees
Glenn Boland	21	11	Matthew Keggen
Peter Jones	21	11	Karl Parker
Sam Clague	21	15	Juan Killip
Colin Kelly	19	21	John Gelling
7 Games Won	166	119	1 Game Won

The top two clashed in Canada Life International League Division One this week, with South Ramsey A hosting Marown A on a tricky green. Going into the clash the Crosby men had built up a two-point lead despite losing 3-7 at home to South Ramsey earlier in the season, by winning bigger in most games since that night. The visitors came up confident in the knowledge they had beaten their opponents a couple of weeks ago in the semi-final of the Plumbmaster Rayner Shield (5-3) despite losing out on the chalks.

The home team got off to a great start as John Kennish won to single figures 21-9, having led 8-6 he stepped up a couple of gears as Kelly scored just three more singles. Peter Jones levelled the match up, as he trailed 10-12 against South captain Glynn Hargraves, as the Marown man went on to win eight consecutive ends to win 21-12. It went from bad to worse for the home team as Peter Collister lost 11-21 to Paul Kelly. The last game of the first half of the match levelled the match 2-2 on games as David Bradford came through a good battle with Paul Dunn 21-16. Marown held a two-chalk advantage at the halfway point (65-67).

The second half of the match also went 2-2, with three close games. Neil Withers had a solid 21-11 win against James Teare. Bob Clark held a 10-5 lead over Glenn Boland, with the former getting over the line 21-18. For the visitors Colin Kelly recovered from a 4-10 deficit against Stefan Kelly to win 21-18, while the last game on the green was between Dido Kelly and Phil Kelly. The South Ramsey man was 8-0 up and counting for two, only for Kelly to just nibble the jack with his last bowl to get a chalk on the board. From there the Marown man worked his way back into the game closing the deficit to one chalk at 11-12. Dido rallied to lead 20-14, however Phil got back to 20-20, only for Dido to get the one chalk needed to ensure the result wasn’t even worse for the home team. The match finished 4-4, with Marown winning the aggregate on chalks by 11 to take home a 4-6 win on the night and extend their lead to six points with just five games left to play.

Elsewhere in Division One Rayner Shield finalists Marown B slipped to a 3-7 defeat at home to Peel A, with Matthew Keggen ensuring it wasn’t a heavier defeat with a 21-20 win over Andy Mackie. Winning close games for Peel were Tommy McMeiken and Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly 21-18 against John Gelling and Juan Killip.

Castletown A and bottom side Breagle Glen A had a good battle at the Crofts, with the visitors winning five games, but losing the chalks (148-138) to draw 5-5. Winning close games for the visitors were Ewan Cooil, Wayne Roberts, and Chris Lever who continues to excel against his former teammates beat opposing captain Nathan Hamilton 21-17. Dean Kinley helped the home team with the aggregate as he beat Mark Moorley 21-7.

With Breagle picking up five points the team closest to them South Ramsey B are also picking up points, as they were another team to win five games away to North Ramsey A, as they also lost out on the aggregate with this being harder to take by two chalks (134-132) for another 5-5. Steve Walmsley’s 21-4 win over Ben Dugdale, was almost cancelled out by Tony Dugdale’s 21-6 win over Richie Blencoe. The Hart brothers both won close games, as Austin held on to beat John Cannan 21-19, while Toby beat David Kinrade 21-20.

Another 5-5 was played out at the Villa between Douglas A and Onchan A, with the visitors winning five games but losing the aggregate by five chalks (142-137), with Jamie Clague’s 3-21 defeat to Ian Moore being the most damaging. Winning close games were Will Penhallurick 21-20 against Shaun Seal, Mike Alexander held off Dave McCabe 21-18, with Steve Parker losing out 19-21 to Keith Rise. Onchan captain Matthew Quirk returned to league action, only to suffer a 10-21 to Andy Cannell.

South Ramsey B made the most of their game in hand, as they won 7-3 at home to Castletown A. Tony Dugdale clung on for a 21-20 win, with the next closest games being Nathan Hamilton beating Stefan Kelly 21-18, and Nathan Cooil’s 21-17 win over Eddie Carlyle for the visitors. Two big wins for both teams as Toby Hart beat Dave Evans 21-3, while Dean Kinley responded with a 21-4 win over Alan Moore.

In Division Two Ballaugh A maintained their three point lead at the top, following a hard earned 4-6 win away to Onchan B, as the visitors lost two games 20-21, with Sid McKnight and Colin Spence inflicting defeats on Ed Trustham and Steve Grant respectively.

Marown C matched the Ballaugh result as they won 6-4 at home to Noble’s B, who continue to improve. With the match 4-4 on games, winning by seven chalks (144-137) made sure the Crosby men took the aggregate for a 6-4 win.

The closest match of the week saw Breagle Glen B draw 5-5 at home to Finch Hill A. The visitors were a man short, despite this managed to win five games, but cruelly lost out on the aggregate by a solitary chalk (140-139), with Ben Mowle the lucky recipient of a 21-0 walkover.

Peel B beat Douglas B 6-4 on a fast improving Peel green, with the home team taking the aggregate by just four chalks (133-129).

Noble’s A crushed Castletown A 10-0, with the Town men losing out three close games to 18,19, and 20 with George Foy, James Drinkwater, and David Quayle all just falling short.

North Ramsey B are eight points ahead in Division Three following their 8-2 home win over Marown D as the Crosby men hi the 100 chalk mark.

Two more games finished 8-2 in favour of the home team as South Ramsey C beat Ballaugh C, while Noble’s C won against Breagle Glen C despite the Noble’s men being a player short.

Ballaugh B managed to close the gap on the league leaders by a point, as they won 9-1 at home to Noble’s D, just missing out on a maximum by two chalks as Richard Fisher lost 19-21 to John Andrew. The visitors cause was not helped by being two players short on the night.

In Division Four Onchan C are a massive 26 chalks ahead on 95 points, look the most likely team to break the 100 point barrier first across all four divisions, following their 9-1 home win to Douglas D, with Junior player Clark Kelly preventing the whitewash with a 21-14 win over Lawrence McMullen.

Castletown C have a strong junior and new improving bowler contingent who continue to improve, following their 8-2 home win over Peel D. Freddie Palmer beat Owen Crompton 21-18, Jacob Robert won 21-14 against John Sayle, Chris Palmer won 21-11 against Mike Flowers, while Dominic Bowrey beat Ash Leece 21-9.

Douglas C also won 8-2 at home against Noble’s E, with the Villa men winning three close games to 18, and two to 19. For the visitors Lee Cain beat Andrew Tomlinson 21-6, while Matthew McKeoun held off Greg Brew 21-17.

Rounding off the league action Finch Hill B beat South Ramsey D 7-3 at home with Chris Thompson beating Chris Brown 21-4, with Tony Epifani beating Steve Kelly 21-18. For the visitors Matt Rees won 21-9 against Samson Smith, while South captain Frank Feeney got over the line 21-20.

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.

In Canada Life International league Division One bowlers were treated to fine weather and perfect bowling conditions this week, as the league season reached two thirds of the way through with just six rounds of fixtures left.

Onchan A hosted South Ramsey A, with the home side missing two of their top players Peter Slinger and Matthew Quirk, it was the visitors who took advantage of this to take an 2-8 win, just missing out on an extra point, as Kevin Quirk held off Glynn Hargraves 21-20. The other winner for Onchan was Reg Temporaza, who beat James Teare 21-11. The next closest Onchan came to picking up a third win was Neil Dunwell, who led 12-3 against Bob Clark, with the latter responding to get over the line 21-17.

Marown A were just two chalks away from a 10-0 home win, with North Ramsey A captain Rob Monk ensuring the Mooragh men got a point as he beat Neil Withers 21-19. David Kinrade came closest to a second win as he lost out 19-21 against Tom Kelly. Three single figures wins for the home team saw the visitors score 92 chalks.

Peel A beat Douglas A 8-2, with Ste Kelly beating Ian Moore 21-6, whilst Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly won 21-7 against Villa captain Merv Sayle. Winning for the visitors were Shaun Seal (21-14) against Andy Mackie, while Nick Firth held his nerve to beat Paul Quirk 21-20.

Breagle Glen A suffered a second defeat in a week at home to Marown B, with this victory less nervy than the Rayner Plate semi-final the previous week, as they took home a 2-8 win, taking the aggregate by 13 chalks (130-143). Winning two close games for the visitors Kevin Kelly beat Chris Oates 21-19, while Jamie Joughin held off Ray Maddrell 21-20. For the home team Dan McCabe beat Stephen Rundle 21-16, with Ewan Cooil beating last minute stand in Tareq Taher 21-1.

On Friday evening Onchan A played their rearranged game with Marown A at the Park, with the Crosby men coming away with a 2-8 victory, with the visitors dropping just six chalks with two 21-18 losses, as Kevin Quirk beat Phil Kelly, and Reg Temporaza getting the better of Tom Kelly. Marown won three games to single figures, as they regained top spot by four points ahead of the crucial clash away to South Ramsey A on Monday evening.

In Division Two league leaders Ballaugh A bounced back from last weeks defeat to beat Peel B 8-2, whilst second placed Marown C lost ground on Ballaugh, as they won 3-7 away to Finch Hill A, it could have been worse as the Crosby men won the aggregate by just four chalks (138-142).

Noble’s B will have gone home happy, thanks to their 91 home win over Onchan B, helped by two single figure wins from Lee Price and Lee Greggor. Castletown B continue to drag themselves away from the danger zone, as they won 9-1 at the Crofts against Breagle Glen B, with Nick Peterson the lone winner for the visitors 21-16 against Ross Moore.

Douglas B slipped to a 3-7 defeat at home to Noble’s A, as they had to give a walkover, with Martyn Hobson the lucky recipient, while Steve Cook was on the wrong side of a 21-20 score line against Jim Callister.

North Ramsey B missed the opportunity to extend their two point lead at the top of Division Three, as they managed to sneak away from their match with Ballaugh C with a 4-6 win taking the all important aggregate by a solitary chalk (126-127). Peel C failed to close the gap on the leaders as they also won 4-6 away to Noble’s D.

Ballaugh B aren’t completely out of the hunt for promotion, as they are nine points off top spot following their 3-7 win away to Breagle Glen C. Marown D went one point ahead of Noble’s C following their 7-3 home win over the Park men.

In Division Four Onchan C continue to keep the chasing pack playing catch up following their 3-7 win away to North Ramsey C. Second placed Finch Hill B got the better of Douglas D 4-6, while Peel D suffered a 4-6 defeat at home to Douglas C, as the Villa men edged the aggregate by eight chalks (134-142).

The Dreswick men’s singles took place on Thursday afternoon at Breagle Glen Bowling Club, with the competition being held for the first time by Breagle Glen Bowling Club. There was an entry of 35, with everyone treated to an afternoon of glorious sunshine, once the mist cleared.

The fallers at the quarter final stage were Brian Kelly ( Marown) 10-21 to David Bradford (South Ramsey), Arran Dunn (Marown) 12-21 to Will Penhallurick (Onchan). The last home greener Wayne Roberts ended the challenge of Mike Hargraves (Castletown) 21-11, whilst the closest quarter final match was between Marown clubmates James Kelly and Paul Dunn, with the latter prevailing 21-15.

The first semi-final was between Bradford and Penhallurick, it was the South Ramsey man who eased to a 21-13 win. In the second semi-final Dunn won to the same score as the previous round, as he defeated Roberts 21-15.

The final between Dunn and Bradford was a repeat of the 2024 final, with Bradford the current holder, as the pair faced off in a final for the second time in less than a week, with Dunn having the psychological edge following his Ramsey Town Cup win on Saturday. Dunn got off to a great start, never taking his foot off the gas throughout the game as he eased to a 21-8 win to lift the Dreswick Cup for the first time.

The prize presentation was made by Steve Durcan who thanked Pat O’Meara from the Albert Hotel for the sponsorship, Breagle Glen competition secretary Angela Bennett for running the competition, and all the Breagle Glen club members that helped make the day a success.

Marown hosted the ever-popular Tynwald Day R & A Grimshaw Pairs Trophy on Bank Holiday Monday with the green in superb condition. 28 pairs took part, and the competition was once again sponsored by Investasure Financial Services Ltd.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were home greeners Kevin Kelly and Phil Kelly 12-21 to clubmates Colin Kelly and Tom Kelly, Jordan Cain and Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey) lost out 16-21 to Marown’s Glenn Boland and Peter Jones. Matthew Keggen and Paul Kelly (Marown) lost out to single figures 9-21 to John Kennish and David Bradford (South Ramsey) whilst another all Marown game was won 21-5 by Neil Withers and Paul Dunn 21-5 against James Kelly and Brian Kelly.

At the semi-final stage both winning pairs came through their games relatively comfortably, as Boland and Jones ended the hopes of father and son Colin and Tom Kelly 21-16, while Kennish and Bradford relinquished a 16-7 lead, only to get back in at the right time at 16-15 to run out with a 21-15 win over Withers and Dunn.

So to the final, it was a tight encounter throughout, with just one double scored after 10 ends played the home pair were 10-9 ahead. A four for Boland and Jones appeared to turn the game in their favour with a 14-9 lead, however this sparked the South Ramsey men into action as they got in and went for distance. Whilst it took another 11 ends to finish the game with Kennish and Bradford kept down to eight singles, and two doubles, they seen the game out with a 21-15 win to remarkably pick up their first Tynwald Day win together.

At the conclusion of the competition the presentation was made by Phil Kelly, who thanked the sponsors for their support, Brian Kelly for running the sheet, everyone who had helped with the running of the competition, the Marown Ladies for the refreshments provided. Martin Corkish from Investasure was introduced to present prizes. In his speech John praised the greenkeeper for the condition of the green.

Following his first win in 2020 Paul Dunn overcame a strong field to pick up his second Ramsey Town Cup trophy five years later. There was a healthy entry of 59 bowlers from across the island, with the competition once again sponsored by Corkhill & Callow Ltd.

In the first of the quarter finals Peel man Paul Quirk reached the end of the road, as he lost out 18-21 to Castletown captain Nathan Hamilton 18-21, with newly crowned Manx Champion David Bradford seeing off home greener Paul Cannan 21-14. In the other half of the draw Paul Dunn (Marown) won comfortably 21-10 against James Teare (South Ramsey), while John Cannan (Mooragh Park) lost out 16-21 to Glenn Boland (Marown).

The first of the semi-finals between Bradford and Hamilton was level 10-10 after six ends, as the former went on to win nine consecutive ends to runout with a 21-10 win. The second semi-final was less straightforward with Boland taking an early 13-8 lead against Dunn, with the latter responding to win six ends to lead 15-13. The next four ends were shared with Boland reducing the deficit to one chalk at 16-17, as Glenn went on to score four chalks to lead 20-17. Not done there Marown captain Dunn picked up a double and two singles, using all his experience to get over the line 21-20.

The final was expected to be a close contest between two top players, however in reality on this occasion it was anything but that, as Dunn never allowed Bradford to win two consecutive ends, while four mini-runs of winning ends was enough to secure a deserved 21-9 victory, with it his second Ramsey Town Cup.

John Cannan of North Ramsey Bowling Club introduced Brian representing the sponsors Corkhill and Callow Ltd and thanked him and the club members who organised the competition and provided catering and raffle support for their efforts. The prizes were then presented to the losing quarter and semi-finalists, runner up and winner. The trophy was then presented to Paul Dunn, who said perhaps 2030 would be the next time that we would win it, with five years having passed since his first success.