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History Made as Moore is ‘Two’ Good
IOM June Ladies Festival and Tourism Winner 2025 - Jenny Moore
Photo: Arnie WithersIn the Ladies main event Jenny Moore etched her name further into the history books, smashing more records along the way as the South Ramsey favourite picked up her fourth festival title following her previous successes in June 2016, September 2021 & 2023.
What made this win more impressive, due to previous success in the festival, is that Moore was four points back on all her opponents, starting off +1, with Jenny incredibly facing the prospect of being off -2 in the September festival, with the winner being docked three chalks for picking up the title.
With Moore having to score 20 chalks to her opponents 16 chalks to win, a good start was vital as Jenny took on her biggest rival on the Island for several years Janet Monk (Mooragh Park), as the four-chalk deficit was swiftly turned into a three-chalk lead after six ends to lead 9-6.
Jenny only relinquished the lead once from this point, crucially did not trail as the game was level at 13-13 after 14 ends. Jenny made her move once more scoring five chalks over three ends on a longer length to lead 18-13. Janet went on to pick up two singles, only for Moore to jump in with a double to restore her five-chalk lead at 20-15.
As Jenny headed for the corner, a good two bowls from Janet saw a glimmer of hope for Monk, as the Mooragh Park player headed to the crown. The Mooragh Park bowler picked up another single to close the score to 18-20. Monk then headed from the crown back to the corner. With nerves of steel Moore bowled in with a great last bowl to secure her second June festival title and fourth overall.
Whilst receiving the £1,250 first prize, Jenny also received the visitiom.com trophy for being the furthest local lady. Janet could console herself with the runners up prize of £625.
In the semi-finals Jenny put paid to the challenge of Clair Russell (Alkincoats PWA) with a 21-10 win, whilst Janet had a battle on her hands with Elaine Moore (South Ramsey), with the latter leading 14-9 Janet used all her experience to overturn the deficit and book her place in the final with a 21-17 victory.
Moore started her day with a comfortable 21-9 victory over previous festival winner Alexis Lunn-Gadd (Ossett Flying Horse), whilst Russell beat rising star Alex Edmondson (Pudsey BC) 21-14. In the other half of the draw Monk held off Emma Earlam 21-16 (Castle Sports & SC), whilst Elaine overturned a 10-16 deficit against Jayne Kent (Meersbrook BC) to edge home 21-20.
Having picked up the Tourism Title on Thursday morning, it is believed that Jenny is the first to achieve the feat of winning the ladies June main event and Tourism Title in the same week, and only the third person to do this overall following Katrina Caley (Bentley Colliery) in September 1995, and Jane Jones (Wirral) in September 1994. The week saw Jenny go 14 singles games unbeaten – seven games in the Main event giving her opponents a four-chalk head start and a further seven games in the Tourism.
Ladies Tourism
The Ladies Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 2 green, with Jenny Moore setting herself up nicely for the last 32 in the main event on Thursday afternoon, with a hard fought and nail-biting 21-20 victory over Louise Cotton (Wrockwardine Wood). Moore had led 17-8 at one point in the game, looked to be cruising only for Cotton to get hold of the jack to pull the deficit back to one chalk at 16-17 after 15 ends. Jenny got back in at the right time to maintain her lead, however both players alternated winning ends from this point until the end of the game for the score to be tied at 20-20. Cotton led out and played a good lead bowl approximately 18 inches past the jack. Showing no sign of pressure Jenny played a front toucher gently nudging the jack to count one for game. Louise was unable to beat this, which sealed the Tourism title for Jenny.
Moore reached the final thanks to a 21-15 win over Jayne Kent (Meersbrook BC), whilst Cotton finished her game with Hazel Borradaile (Netherfield BC) strongly to get over the line 21-19.
In the quarter finals Moore beat Katie Morgan (Denby Grange) 21-14, whilst Kent beat Sharron King (Kirkham) 21-12. In the other half of the draw Cotton started her day with a 21-15 win over Karen Hill (New Mill), whilst Borradaile just got over the line 21-20 against Caroline Bushell (Lindal BC).
Wraight Completes Holy Grail
IOM June Men’s Festival Winner 2025 - Callum Wraight
Photo: Arnie WithersOne of the biggest events on the bowls calendar – The Isle of Man June Bowls Festival took place this week, with the event attracting well over 500 entries in both the men’s and ladies’ events, as entries continue to improve, with the weather from Wednesday to Friday perfect conditions for the visiting bowlers to bask in the sun. The spectators were treated to an entertaining finals day to cap off a superb week.
In the Men’s event it was Callum Wraight (Llanrwst BC) who picked up his first June Isle of Man Festival win, despite having won the Isle of Man September Festival in 2021, the June title was the one he really wanted. Wraight now has all the top U.K. titles on his C.V.
Wraight took home the winners’ cheque for £3,200 and lifted the famous trophy as he beat local man Matthew Quirk (Onchan) 21-13. Quirk made a positive start scoring on the first end, on the second end he was counting for two only for Wraight to kill the end with one of his renowned strikes. A further single was scored by the Onchan man to lead 7-5. Wraight got in on the following end with a perfect bowl to score his first point of the game.
Wraight got into his stride playing his customary short marks to take the lead 14-9, with the local man never far away. Quirk started to find his way back into the game, closing the deficit to three chalks at 11-14 after 12 ends. The 13th end was decided by a measure with Wraight picking up the point, whilst the following end saw all four bowls finish on the same line with Matthew scoring to trail 12-15. A poor end followed to gift wrap a cheap double for Callum, with Quirk missing the opportunity to double up himself on the following end.
A single from Wraight saw him lead out at 18-13, with Quirk playing a great bowl. What happened next will be remembered for a long time. A full-blown strike and direct hit from Wraight saw the side of Quirk’s bowl smash and fly up in the air, in what must be a first in a major final. Almost unnoticed the jack eventually rolled off the green to kill the end. The rules allow for bowls to be changed during a game – if a bowl is damaged. Whilst a replacement pair of the same make of bowls and weight were sourced it led to a short break in the game.
With play back underway, Wraight scored a single from the corner, then played an even shorter length on the following end as the Shropshire man secured the two points needed to lift the June title for the first time and with it the cheque for £3,200.
Wraight reached the final with a comfortable 21-11 win over previous Festival winner Phil Lee (St Mary’s) taking 16 ends to claim the win, whilst Quirk progressed with a 21-16 victory over Dean Missere (Sheffield), with the former scoring more consistently over the course of the game.
The quarter finals saw Wraight get his day off to a dream start with a 21-6 win over James Fitzpatrick (West Kirby Vics), as the Merseyside man only managed to score one chalk with a running bowl on the second end of the game. Despite both players preferring a shorter length the Shropshire man dominated the game. Lee reached the next round with a 21-14 win over Martin Gaut (Wrockwardine Wood), whilst in the other half of the draw Quirk eased to a 21-8 victory over Gareth Lally (Crossgates) with a great display. Missere also made safe passage to the semi-finals with a 21-12 win over Peter Jones Llanrwst BC).
Quirk picked up the George Craine Trophy as the only local bowler to reach finals day, whilst he also took home a cheque for £1,250 for his efforts throughout the week.
At the presentation Wraight thanked the Department of Economic Development for their continued support of the event, expressed his pleasure at finally achieving the Holy Grail in Crown Green Bowls, having now secured all the top titles to be won in the game.
Men’s Tourism
The Men’s Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 1, and it was Chris Kelly (Thongsbridge) who picked up the Tourism title to see off Kevan Shaw (Red Lion), with Kelly taking a five-chalk lead at 14-9, Shaw fought back to close the deficit to one chalk at 14-15. The Thongsbridge man shortly put paid to any hopes of a win for Shaw, as he picked up the Tourism Title with a 21-16 victory.
In the semi-finals Kelly took on Callum Wraight (Llanrwst BC) the man who would go on to lift the main event the following day, making light work of Wraight. Despite losing the first two ends, 11 consecutive scoring ends from Kelly, with five doubles and six singles saw the Thongsbridge man romp home 21-8, whilst Shaw beat Conor Chamberlain (Stretton- Anglesey) 21-14.
In the quarter finals Kelly started his morning with a battle against Joshua Mordue (Pudsey BC) taking the win 21-17. Wraight beat Jon Edmondson (Heckmondwike BC). In the bottom half of the draw Shaw had the closest game of the round with a 21-18 victory over James Davison (Thongsbridge), whilst Chamberlain made light work of Ryan Marks (Wirral) with a 21-7 win to progress to the next round.
Other Events
The Men’s consolation was won by Dan Edmonds (Dalton Cricket Club) who beat Gareth Coates (Ackroydon Victoria) 21-20 in the final, having led 20-16 with Coates fighting back to 20-20 only for Edmonds to get the one chalk required. Edmonds beat Paul Bradley (Fairfield) 21-17 in the semi-final, whilst Coates had a comfortable 21-11 win over Ian Howard (Meanwood BC).
The Ladies consolation final was more straightforward for the winner Sarah Weaver (Wrockwardine Wood) who beat Jessica Pickthall (Lindal BC) 21-10 in the final, with the latter scoring four singles. Weaver reached the final courtesy of a 21-10 win over Diane Harrison (Lune Road), whilst Pickthall took her place in the final with a 21-14 win over Natalie Sanderson (Crossgates BC).
The Visit.Com Flyer title went to Callum Wraight (Llanrwst BC) who had a warmup on the green ahead of the men’s main final, as he made light work of Dave McCabe (Douglas) 9-1, whilst the Last Chance Mixed Final was won 21-20 by Andy Gregory (Comberbach) in a final that went to the wire against Harry Hargreaves (Two Gates).
In the doubles competitions the Open doubles was won by Michael Coupe (Wirral) and Rob Fitzpatrick (Lever Club), following an entertaining final against Neil Withers and Paul Dunn (Marown), which went all the way 11-10. Both semi-finals were keenly contested as Coupe and Fitzpatrick reached the final with a 11-9 win over Chris Mordue (Pudsey BC) and Gaz Lally (Crossgates BC), whilst Withers and Dunn got over the line 11-10 against Phil Lee (St Mary’s) and Louis Fazakerley (St Mary’s).
The Men’s doubles final saw an emphatic 11-1 win for Ian Hazlehurst (Wirral) and Phil Lee (St Mary’s) who retained the title they won in June 2024 as they beat Simon Walder (Crossgates BC) and Gareth Coates (Ackroydon Victoria). Hazlehurst and Lee won their semi-final 11-5 against Barry Simm (Lune Road) and Gareth Jones (Dalton Cricket Club), whilst Walder and Coates booked their place with a 11-8 victory over James Fitzpatrick (West Kirby Vics) and Paul Roberts (West Kirby).
The Ladies doubles final saw a good tussle with Sharon Rigden and Clair Russell up against Carly Williams and Paula Gamon, with the latter pair leading 6-0, only for Rigden and Russell to get over the line 11-8. The winning pair got through to the final with a hard fought 11-9 win over Emma Earlam (Castle Sports & SC)) and Wendy Allen (Castle Sports & SC), whilst the losing finalists were run closer again, with a 11-10 win over Sharon Gadd (Ossett Flying Horse) and Amanda Nicholas (Gresford Colliery).
Winning the Mixed pairs were Carly Williams (Comberbach) and Colin Crawford (Two Gates BC) with an emphatic 9-1 win over Tricia Bull (Breagle Glen) and Steve Shannon (Woodlands Park). Williams and Crawford progressed to the final with a 9-5 win against Suzanne Sinclair (Lowther Gardens BC) and Paul Moore (Chesterfield), whilst a 9-7 win for Bull and Shannon over Emma Earlam (Castle Sports & SC) and Barry Simm (Lune Road) booked their place in the final.
Photo: Arnie Withers
Hargraves Wins Sheila Freeman Memorial 32 Invitational
SHEILA FREEMAN MEMORIAL 32 INVITATIONAL 2025 WINNER - GLYNN HARGRAVES WITH SPONSOR DEREK HALSALL
Photo: Tash FenlonFriday evening saw the return of the post festival invitational competition, with the competition organised by local bowler Paul Dunn, with Douglas Bowling Club hosting the event and 32 bowlers accepting the invitation to play. The competition featured 16 local bowlers, and 16 visitors who had taken part in the Isle of Man June Bowls Festival.
The competition was put in place in memory of the late Sheila Freeman, who visited the Island for a number of years with her partner Derek Halsall who sponsored the competition.
The format was 21 up with 3 on the card, with the draw taking place earlier in the afternoon from two pots with visiting bowlers playing local players in the first round.
With a strong field taking part, it proved tough for the local bowlers, with just five of the 16 locals winning their first round games, with Jamie Box (Marown), Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey, John Kennish (South Ramsey), Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly (Peel) and Stevie Kelly (Peel) going into the second round.
Box won 21-14 against Ryan Clark, Hargraves beat Gareth Hughes 21-17, Kennish held off Mark Hughes 21-17, Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly breezed through 21-9 against Joe Cranston, whilst Stevie Kelly impressed with a 21-19 win against Chris Mordue.
Other notable first round results were Castletown’s Nathan Hamilton losing out to Conor Chamberlain 19-21, Paul Dunn (Marown) was pipped to the post 20-21 by Josh Mordue, Gaz Lally got over the line 21-19 against Phil Kelly (Marown), whilst Jack Dyson just edged home 21-20 against Tom Kelly (Marown).
At the quarter final stage Conor Chamberlain lost out 18-21 to Reece Farr, Glynn Hargraves won 21-16 against Gaz Lally. In the bottom half of the draw the current holder John Kennish had an epic battle with Callum Wraight, with the spectators treated to some fine bowling, with the pair clashing at the same stage as they did in last year’s competition, it was Kennish who prevailed again with a 21-19 victory to progress to the semi-final, whilst Stevie was up against it with John Bailey losing out 8-21.
The first semi-final saw Hargraves up against Farr, after exchanging ends in the early part of the game, Hargraves got a run with the jack with the score at 13-11 to lead 20-11 playing a sweeping round peg off the edge of the crown. Farr got in to take a single, however a good first bowl from the South Ramsey man was enough to book his spot in the final with a 21-12 win.
The other semi-final saw Bailey take a 13-7 lead over Kennish, however the local man stepped up a couple of gears to see the game out with a 21-15 victory playing the edge in front of the kitchen on a falling mark.
The final got underway with the floodlights coming into play, with the green still proving tricky. For a second consecutive year it was two locals vying for the title, with Kennish the current holder starting as favourite. A two on the first end saw Kennish head for the edge that had served him well in the semi-final, however Hargraves got in immediately to win three ends on the bounce as he headed for the mark that had won him the semi-final.
Kennish got in with a single and headed for the crown, was counting for two with Hargraves playing a rambler in an effort to save, he somewhat fortuitously counted one, went on to win four ends on the spin to lead 10-6. Two quick fire doubles from Kennish saw the game level at 10-10 after 11 ends.
With both players throwing the jack off the green on consecutive ends it was Hargraves who pressed ahead 17-13 having won five of the next seven ends returning to a mark played in the earlier rounds over the middle of the green. Kennish hit back once again to close the deficit to a solitary chalk at 16-17. With Kennish in the corners and counting for two, there was room to get in, with the last bowl of the end just getting in between two short bowls to count.
A single on the next end put Hargraves within touching distance of the title and £500 first prize, and he duly obliged putting up two good bowls on the final end to win the game 21-16, whilst Kennish took home £250.
At the conclusion of play the presentation was made by competition organiser Paul Dunn who thanked everyone had had accepted the invitation to play, Douglas Bowling Club for hosting the event, providing a superb playing surface, all the club members who had helped, along with competition sponsor Derek Halsall who was introduced to present the prizes.
Taylor wins Julia North Trophy
Winner of 2025 Julia North Trophy - Philippa Taylor with Sponsor Debbie Leece
Photo: Arnie WithersAfter a few years hiatus, on a warm and sometimes wet afternoon, Marown Bowling club held the Julia North Ladies Singles competition. With an entry of 20 bowlers there were some great games that were all played in lovely spirits, with the competition sponsored by Debbie Does Nails. All of the home green Ladies started off 5 with everyone else off 6.
The quarter final stage was a bit of ballaugh versus Marown, which saw Rose Waterworth 21 ended Lisa Pugh 15 of progressing any further. Lyn Bolton 21 made sure the sponsor Debbie Leece 18 wasn’t taking home any winnings. Jayne Smith 21 and Maria Dimsdale 16 had a close battle, and the final quarter winner Philippa Taylor 21 ended Michele Cubbon 12 good run.
The two finalists were on top form at the semi-final stage with Philippa winning 21-14 against Jayne and Rose 21-10 against Lyn.
The Final started with some top bowling from both players, after five ends Rose was leading 10-7. Philippa picked up a two and changed the length of play to win herself a few two’s and take the lead. After 14 ends the game was at 16-15 where Philippa found her mark and didn’t look back. Taking the win 21-15.
The presentation was made by Lisa Pugh and Debbie Leece our sponsor Debbie Does Nails, who thanked everyone who supported and helped on the day.
Report by Lisa Pugh
AND THERE’S MOORE
Ladies Pre-Festival Singles Winner 2025 - Jenny Moore
Photo: Kim HargravesThe 2025 Ladies Association Pre festival singles competition was held on Sunday at Marown Bowling Club attracting an entry of 27 ladies including seven visiting lady bowlers from the UK.
Getting through to the quarter finals were Karen Hill (New Mill BC) who beat Michele Cubbon (Ballaugh BC|) 21-17; Ronnie Lyon (Unison BC) who beat Zoe Bolton (Marown BC) 21-17; Chelsie Walne (Donnington Wood BC) who beat Elaine Hawkins (Breagle BC) 21-8; Jenny Moore South Ramsey BC) who beat Janet Monk (Mooragh Park) 21-8; Helen Withers (Marown BC)) who beat Katharine Gee (Unison BC) 21-20; Lyn Bolton (Marown BC) who beat Sue Collier (South Ramsey BC) 21-11, and Roz Cannon (Breagle BC) who beat stablemate Angela Bennett 21-17.
First of the quarter finals saw Karen have a comfortable 21-7 win against Ronnie; second quarter final was between Louise and Chelsie with Louise Tebay (Ballaugh) winning 21-16; third quarter final saw Jenny take on Helen winning 21-14. Last of the quarter finals saw a nip and tuck game between Lyn and Roz with Lyn eventually winning 21-17.
The semi-finals resulted in Jenny easing through to the final with a 21-11 win over Lyn, whilst the other semi saw Karen lead 18-16 on the 18th end before Louise dug deep to score five consecutive singles to take the game 21-18.
With both Jenny and Louise playing well, the final was expected to be a hotly contested game but Jenny came out of the blocks the strongest and despite Louise’s best effort ran out a worthy 21-11 winner.
Presentation of the trophy and prizes was made by Chris Holland, Competition Secretary. On receiving the trophy, Jenny thanked all the lady bowlers who took part, all her opponents, Marown Bowling Club for hosting and providing refreshments throughout the afternoon, and Chris Holland for the smooth running of the competition.
The Price is Right for Colin in Ballacashtal Cup
Ballacashtal Cup Winner 2025 - Colin Price with sponsor James Hinchliffe of JRH Plumbing & Heating
Photo: Glynn HargravesThe ever-popular pre-festival Ballacashtal Cup was held on Sunday attracting an entry of 84 bowlers, matching the 2023 entry, made up of locals and visiting bowlers. The Castletown green was in good condition, with the pace of the green picking up throughout the day following the recent downpours. The competition had a new sponsor on board with JRH Plumbing and Heating supporting the event.
At the quarter final stage Ricky Cochrane (Kirkham) held on to beat former winner Charlie Roberts (Dukinfield Central) 21-19, whilst Colin Price (Dukinfield Central) beat Josh Cotton (Wrockwardine Wood) 21-16.
In the other half of the draw Stefan Kelly (South Ramsey) led 19-11 against Neil Wright (Kirkham), with the latter fighting back to 17-19, however Kelly managed to see the game out with two singles to win 21-17. Chris Heyes (Dukinfield Central) took on home greener Nathan Hamilton, with the latter having played a great bowl on the deciding end against Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly to take his place in the quarter finals 21-20. Heyes took a 14-7 lead, eventually went on to win 21-15 against the last home greener.
At the semi-final stage, it was the end of the road for Cochrane, with Price never trailing in the game, as the latter won 21-17 to book his spot in the final. The other semi-final was even closer as Kelly had to dig deep to get over the line 21-19 against Heyes.
The final saw two players with different game plans, as Kelly preferred to play up to the crown, whilst Price opted for the longer length in the corners. With neither player able put up a good lead bowl in the early part of the game, it was Price who made the first move to lead 17-12 after 11 ends.
A change in game plan arrived when Kelly got in on the 12th end, as he won four consecutive ends in the corners to close the deficit to one chalk at 16-17. A timely two, followed by a single for Price put the visiting bowler within touching distance of the trophy, however Kelly got back in to pick up a single. On the next end Price was confident he had bowled the winner, singled for one shortly after sending his bowl with this coming back to haunt him, as his bowl just hung out wide. When given some gentle banter from some of his mates Price replied that he was thinking about the next end, so it proved, as a great last bowl from Price, saw him get over the line 21-18, as Price took home the famous trophy for the first time and the first prize of £400, whilst the South Ramsey man could console himself with £200 for his efforts on the day.
The presentation was made by Competition Secretary Nathan Hamilton who thanked the sponsors JRH Plumbing and Heating for sponsoring the competition, the ladies for the refreshments and Kath Kinley for the great work in the competition hut. Castletown Bowling Club President Hilary Kermode then introduced the sponsor James Hinchliffe to present the prizes. Upon accepting the trophy Colin commented that he had been coming to the Island for 49 years, since 1976, and that it was the first competition that he had won on the Isle of Man, also stated that this competition was his favourite day of the week.
Moore Wins Pre-Festival Jim Kernan Cup
Jim Kernan Cup Winner 2025 - Alan Moore
Photo: Glynn HargravesSouth Ramsey hosted the Jim Kernan Cup on Saturday afternoon, in what is traditionally the first of the pre-festival opens with a healthy entry of 62 matching the 2024 entry. With heavy thunderstorms and lightning in the morning, the green was deemed playable with bursts of rain throughout the afternoon, however all 62 entrants turned up to play. The competition was sponsored by George Brew and CEF also on board this year.
At the quarter final stage Matthew Quirk (Onchan) beat Steve Barber (Grapes) after finishing the game strongly scoring six doubles on his way to a 21-15 win. Nick Wyer (Penn) was 19-19 with Paul Dunn (Marown) only for the latter to finish the game with a two to progress to the semi-final 21-19.
In the other half of the draw Reece Farr (Penn) seen off Andy Kennish (Peel) 21-16, whilst the last home greener Alan Moore put paid to the challenge of Joe Dicken (Woodfield) 21-14.
Both winners of the semi-finals ended up with comfortable wins as Quirk trailed 6-12, and 13-15 to Dunn who was the current holder having won the competition for the past two years, with the former running out to win 21-15. Moore managed to build up a healthy 16-8 lead over Farr, as the latter fought back only to lose out 16-21.
The final saw neither player able to win more than two consecutive ends in the early stages, it was Quirk who led by two chalks after nine ends at 13-11. Moore went on to win seven of the next eight ends playing the corners to go within touching distance of his first win in this competition, however two doubles from Quirk cast a shadow of doubt on the outcome, however a single was enough for Moore to lift the trophy, along with the £350 first prize, whilst Quirk took home £150 for his efforts. This was also Moore’s third singles open competition win overall having previously lifting the Autumn Shield and Dreswick Cup.
The presentation was made by South Ramsey club member Glynn Hargraves, who thanked the ladies for providing the refreshments throughout the day, along with everyone who had helped with the running of the competition. Thanks were given to long term sponsor George Brew, along with Richard Butler from sponsor CEF who presented the prizes.
Gawne & Firth Win Pre-Festival Doubles
Pre-Festival Ladies Doubles Winners 2025 with Nicola Lewthwaite from Sponsor Picaro Limited
Photo: Nathan HamiltonDespite persistent rain throughout the day, the Pre-Festival Ladies Doubles competition – kindly sponsored by Picaro Limited went ahead in great spirits at Castletown Bowling Club on Saturday, 14th June.
A strong field of 24 pairs took part in the popular round-robin format, with four groups of six pairs playing 7-end matches to determine the semi-finalists. The wet conditions didn’t dampen the level of play, with spectators treated to a day of competitive and entertaining bowling.
After an excellent display in the group stages, the four group winners progressing to the semi-finals were:
* Hannah Drewett & Alison Kearsley (Castletown)
* Linda Dawson & Mavis Franks (Breagle Glen)
* Kim Hargraves & Jenny Moore (South Ramsey)
* Sue Gawne & Paula Firth (Nobles)
Hannah Drewett and Alison Kearsley were quickest out the blocks in the first semi-final securing their place in the final with a straightforward win against Linda Dawson and Mavis Franks, Kim Hargraves and Jenny Moore narrowly missed out on a spot to Sue Gawne and Paula Firth in the final losing the last end to end their hopes, after strong showings throughout the day.
The final saw Sue Gawne and Paula Firth (Nobles) take on home favourites Alison Kearsley & Hannah Drewett (Castletown). In an exciting match played with great spirit and skill, it was Gawne and Firth who came out on top, securing the title and capping off a fine day of bowls.
Thanks must go to Castletown Bowling Club for hosting the event so efficiently, especially under challenging weather conditions. A special mention to the ladies in the kitchen, who kept everyone warm and well-fed throughout the day, and to the Castletown club members who assisted with measuring and stewarding duties. And, of course, a heartfelt thanks to Picaro Limited for their generous sponsorship and continued support of ladies’ bowls, with Nicola Lewthwaite from Picaro Limited presenting the prizes.
Published by Nathan Hamilton
REILLY & MOORE WIN CORKHILL & CALLOW OVER 60’S ANY COMBINATION DOUBLES
CORKHILL & CALLOW OVER 60’S ACD WINNERS 2025 - Julie Reilly & Elaine Moore
Photo: Jenny MooreSouth Ramsey Bowling Club hosted the Over 60’s any combination doubles competition sponsored by Corkhill and Callow Funeral Directors with a healthy entry of 24 pairs taking part with the fine weather enjoyed during May making a timely return. The competition was being played for the fifth time in its current format and was previously known as the Pro Tours Gold Cup.
At the quarter final stage Caroline Whitehead and Joyce Ogden (Breagle Glen/South Ramsey) easily overcame the challenge of Ray Skelly and Mike Dransfield (North Ramsey) 21-9. Siblings Janet Monk and Peter Slinger (Mooragh Park/Onchan) beat home greeners, husband and wife pairing of Steve and Judy Kelly 21-14. In the other half of the draw Les Brookes and Derek Allen (Nobles/Onchan) lost out to Julie Reilly and Elaine Moore (Ballaugh/South Ramsey) 15-21, whilst Mooragh Park pair Lynn Mayers and Pat Lenton performed well before losing out 18-21 to South Ramsey’s Ian Colquitt and Lee Dawson.
In the first semi-final Whitehead and Ogden got the better of pre-tournament favourites Monk and Slinger 21-19, whilst Reilly and Moore took a fairly straightforward 21-13 win over Colquitt and Dawson.
The final was extremely well contested with both pairings featuring home greener and an away greener, it was Whitehead and Ogden who made the first move winning the first three ends with a three, and two doubles to lead 12-5. Reilly and Moore hit back scoring 10 chalks over five ends to lead 15-12. A three from Caroline and Joyce levelled the game up after nine ends at 15-15, only for Julie and Elaine to restore their three chalk least ends later at 18-15. The Breagle/South Ramsey pair looked like they were going to get over the line as a single and two doubles got them within grasp of lifting the trophy, however the Ballaugh/South Ramsey pair rallied once more scoring a single and a double to get over the line 21-20 in a thrilling final.
At the conclusion of the competition the presentation was made by South Ramsey Treasurer Geoff Collier, who thanked Corkhill and Callow Funeral Directors for once again sponsoring the competition, the club members who helped with the running of the competition and the Ladies for the refreshments provided throughout the day.
Bolton Wins Ramsey Town Cup
2025 Ladies Ramsey Town Cup Winner - Lyn Bolton
Photo: Gary LentonLyn Bolton was crowned Ladies Ramsey Town Cup champion after a near faultless afternoon’s bowling display seeing off the challenges of Kim Hargraves (21-13), Pat Lenton (21- 8), Gail Corrin (21-8) in the top half of the draw to reach the final.
Janet Monk was the leading bowler in the bottom half of the draw beating Martha Blencoe (21-11), Jayne Smith (21-14), Sue Collier (21-16) and Madison McMullan (21-15) to set up a final showdown with Lyn. (In the quarter-final Madison had defeated her sister Bailey McMullan 21-15 to set up her semi-final match against Janet.)
The final, between two such strong players, did not disappoint with the lead changing hands several times until the eighth end when the score reached 12 across. Lyn then took control of the game and by the 14th end had manged to establish a three-shot lead at 17-14. The 15th end was declared a “No End” with both players closest bowls being equidistant from the jack. Janet won the 16th end to get back to within two shots of Lyn, but Lyn fought back on the 17th end to re-establish a three-shot lead. However, the momentum swung again towards Janet on the next end two ends to bring the score back to eighteen across-it was anyone’s game at that stage. The next two ends, however, swung back in Lyn’s favour with a 2 and a 1shot to clinch the Cup 21-18.
The competition was sponsored by Safetynet Ltd, and the Cup and prizes were presented by Peter Slinger.