Peel Bowling Club hosted the Pre-Festival Davison’s sponsored Autumn Shield on Sunday attracting a strong entry of 96 as visiting bowlers were welcomed back to the Island. All players were off a handicap of +6 in order to get through the field in good time with a 10:00 start time it was a long day for some on a green that was running well throughout the day.

Losing out in the quarter finals were home greener Tony Carroon who had his challenge ended by club mate Peter Greenlees 12-21, whilst Gareth Jones (Dalton Cricket) lost out 13-21 to Reg Temporaza (Onchan). In the bottom half of the draw Marown’s Neil Withers battled well before losing out 19-21 to Jamie Fitzpatrick (West Kirby Victoria), while Tony Carter (Fairfield) lost to the same score to Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey).

In the semi-final Fitzpatrick trailed 10-12 to Hargraves, before moving up a gear as the former ran out with a 21-14 win to take his place in the final. The other semi-final was close throughout with Temporaza leading 19-18, a double took Greenlees into a 20-19 lead only for Temporaza to level things up at 20-20. On the last end a good first bowl from Greenlees to Temporaza’s jack was enough to take a 21-20 win to go through to the final.

The final got underway in front of a good crowd who had stayed to watch the final under the excellent floodlights. With the green having lost some of the pace from earlier in the day neither player was able to take firm control of the game in the early stages.

With the score tied at 14-14 after 12 ends, it looked like Fitzpatrick was making his move as a two on the following end took him into the lead by two points at 16-14.

Greenlees responded brilliantly, as he kept his composure, taking his time with every bowl as he got in with a single, then headed over the crown playing a good length as he scored two consecutive doubles followed by another single to get within touching distance of glory as he led 20-16. Fitzpatrick responded with a good two to reduce the deficit to 18-20 and headed for the corner. Two short bowls gave Greenlees some room to go in for game, which he did as he changed his peg to claim his first open competition win.

Greenlees has shown that with dedication and a positive mentality that it is possible to get to a standard in a short space of time to be able to compete with and beat the best as he came through a field of 96 bowlers, which included a resounding victory over the seven time Manx Champion Colin Kelly in the early rounds.

The presentation was made by Peel President Dougie Allan who thanked Davison’s for the generous sponsorship, the club members for assisting throughout the day, along with competition secretary Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly for organising and running the competition. A special mention was also made on the ongoing improvement seen in the Peel green over the past couple of years. Vice President Lennie Kerruish was then introduced to present the prizes with over £700 paid out with Greenlees taking the £250 first prize as the competition finished just under 12 hours later.

In his speech Peter became understandably emotional as he dedicated the win to his father in law Ray Osborne who has since passed away, as it was Ray that introduced him to the game after Peter had moved to the Island four years and was wondering what to do, he took up bowls and hasn’t looked back since taking up the game.

In Ellan Vannin Fuels Division One the match of the week, was for a second successive week at Crosby between Marown A and South Ramsey A, with the visitors arriving in the knowledge they had already beaten Marown on their own green this season, that the home team would be looking for revenge and to close the nine-point gap between the teams at the start of play.

First off the green was Neil Withers with a resounding 21-11 win over Tony Dugdale, who was standing in for Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly. The visitors responded with David Bradford taking out one of Marown’s big hitters as he continued his good form to beat Paul Dunn 21-10. The next game off was the shock of the night as Stefan Kelly carried his Rayner Shield Final form into his game as he found an edge to play along on the park side of the green to go into a 15-8 lead against seven time Manx Champion Colin Kelly, who got in and looked to get into his trademark corners as he scored three quick-fire doubles and a single to level things up at 15-15. Stefan got back in at the perfect time and headed straight for the edge that had served him well all game to run out with a convincing 21-15 win. The last game in the first half was between Phil Kelly and Peter Collister with the latter recovering from an 8-14 deficit to go 17-14 ahead and then led 20-18 only for Kelly to muster all of his experience to respond with three singles to win 21-20 and leave the match finely poised at 2-2 at the half way stage.

The second half got underway with the excellent floodlights coming into play, it was Dean Kipling who was next off with a 21-8 win over Alan Moore as the former trailed 7-8 to go on a 14 point scoring streak to run out on his opponent playing an edge of the green. Next off was South Ramsey captain Glynn Hargraves who beat Matthew Keggen 21-11. Chas Grills for the second week running pulled off another great result as he beat Paul Kelly 21-18, with the latter having played the same opponent in the Rayner Shield semi-final and winning 21-5 this was a remarkable turnaround from Grills. The last game off sealed a 4-4 win on games for Marown with John Gelling recovering from a 1-9 deficit and still trailed at 8-14 to kick up a few gears to see the game out with a 21-16 win over James Teare.

The chalks could not have been closer between the teams as South Ramsey edged the aggregate by a solitary chalk (138-139) to win 4-6. The teams have been well matched in head to heads in the league this season, as whilst Marown won 7-3 at South Ramsey earlier this season they also took the aggregate by a solitary chalk. The result extends the northern men’s lead to 11 points over Marown A with four games to play.

Peel A bounced back from their two defeats the previous week to beat Douglas A 7-3 at home as they stayed in contention with an all-important home fixture to come against South Ramsey A. The home team may yet see this as an opportunity missed as they had two losers to 20-21 with Shaun Seal impressing with his win over Andy Kennish having recovered from a 11-20 deficit, while Kevin Firth also inflicted a rare home defeat on Tommy McMeiken. Ian Moore was the other winner for the Villa men as he beat Tom Kelly 21-14. All the home team wins were comfortable for Peel with George Gadsby leading the way with a 21-6 win over Keith Rise, while Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly beat Andy Cannell 21-12 with the latter tasting defeat for only the second time this season.

Castletown A were missing a couple of regulars, despite this they managed a good 9-1 home win against Ballaugh A who are in danger of being cut adrift as they sit nine points from safety.

North Ramsey A are pretty much assured of their first division status for next year following their 7-3 home win over Peel B, with the visitors edging further towards safety as they attempt to retain their top flight status for another season having just come up to Division One.

Noble’s A who are all but mathematically relegated will not have been disheartened by their 4-6 loss at home to Port St Mary A as they lost out on the aggregate by just four chalks (142-146), they will look to find their level in Division Two next year as the club looks to rebuild after a tough year. The positive attitude and efforts from the club members this season has been exemplary.

Onchan A just missed out on a whitewash as they won 9-1 at home to Marown B with Peter Kelly ‘spoiling’ the party as he won 21-19 against Frank Watson.

In Division Two South Ramsey B were quite possibly the biggest winners this week without even playing as the teams around them all dropped points.

Port Erin A went top by a point as they hit 101 points for the season, but may feel this was an opportunity missed as they lost 7-3 away to Finch Hill A who are eight points further back on the Breagle Glen men in fifth place. The Finch men may be a bit too far back to make a long awaited return to Division One with only four games remaining.

Marown C took four vital points off third placed Onchan B, as they were defeated 4-6 at home with the visitors on 99 points, the Onchan men are well placed to return to Division One for the first time since the ‘noughties’.

Castletown B are a bit further back on 94 points, they suffered a mini disaster as they lost 6-4 away to Douglas B, losing out on the aggregate by just two chalks (132-130), while Peel C won 8-2 at home against South Ramsey C.

With the club in its 100th year Port St Mary B played their last ever home match on their current green and they signed off with a 10-0 home over Finch Hill B, with the club now looking to the future with some positive news hopefully to come shortly, with work having already started on clearing the site (see picture). Also pictured is Louis Callister (3^rd from right) the clubs oldest member, who has been around for 93 years of the clubs 100 year existence.

In Division Three Onchan C stayed in top spot on 114 points despite suffering a second straight 7-3 away from home to Douglas C.

Ballaugh B won 7-3 at home to Marown D, the home team sit in second place behind Onchan with a game in hand and more importantly with a 14-point lead over third placed Ballaugh C who have played a game more, it should merely be a formality for both teams to be promoted barring a mini disaster.

Elsewhere in Division Three South Ramsey D enjoyed a good week with an 8-2 home win over Douglas C, Castletown C beat Ballaugh C 7-3 at the Crofts, while Port Erin B won 6-4 at home to Peel D.

Port Erin Bowling Club hosted the F.M. Sowerbutts Memorial Trophy Mixed Doubles on Bank Holiday Monday. The competition was well supported.

Bowing out at the semi-final stage were Marown Pair Debbie Leece & Neil Withers to Elaine Moore & Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey), whilst in the other semi-final it was an all-South Ramsey affair with club mates Fiona Kennish and Steven Waters who were beaten by Jenny Moore & James Teare.

In a repeat of the 2020 final Jenny and James got off to the better start with Elaine and Glynn the current holders of the trophy taking the first end then lying four in the corner only for James to play a great counting bowl. From there Jenny and James took control of the game to go into a 16-6 lead. Elaine and Glynn got back in to score a single, a four in the corner and another single to pull the deficit back to 12-16 to threaten a comeback. With the comeback on Jenny and James responded with two singles and a double to go 20-12 ahead and then conceded a single. On the last end Jenny and James were counting two, with Elaine being slightly unlucky with her last bowl connecting with the jack but carrying it through to Jenny’s bowl to secure the one point they needed to take a 21-13 victory and in doing so went one better than the previous year.

The presentation was made by Janet Shilling who thanked everyone who had entered, the club members for their support & providing the refreshments. In his speech James thanked Port Erin for running the competition along with Janet Shilling for sponsoring the competition in memory of her father.

On Sunday Ballaugh Bowling Club held the Maddrell Mixed Doubles. There were 36 pairs entered, the weather being fine but generally cloudy perfect for playing bowls.

In the top half of the draw the first quarter final was Grace Gawne (Onchan) & Kevin Firth (Douglas) against Paula Firth (Onchan) & Sid Bolton (South Ramsey). Paula & Sid took an early lead which they kept winning 21-15. The second quarter final was between Rebecca Teare (Marown) & Nathan Hamilton (Castletown) and South Ramsey’s Elaine Moore & Glynn Hargraves. A high scoring game after nine ends it was 15-12 to Elaine & Glynn they then scored another four chalks to reach 19. They then lost the jack and in 5 ends Rebecca & Nathan reached 21 with a final score 21-19.

In the bottom half of the draw the third quarter final was between Tina Hampson (Onchan) & Dave Naughton (Nobles) and Clare Cooper (Marown) & Wayne Roberts (Port St. Mary). Clare and Wayne scored steadly to win 21-13. The final quarter final was Philippa Taylor (Marown) & Alec Taylor (Peel Sunset) and Sue Gawne (Onchan) & Andy Kennish (Peel Sunset). Another steadily scoring game saw Philippa & Alec win 21-14.

Both semi finals were one sided affairs, with the same score 21-9, Rebecca & Nathan beat Paula and Sid, while Clare & Wayne beat Philippa and Alec to go through to the final where Cooper & Roberts were the winners 21-11.

At the conclusion Club Captain & Sponsor John Maddrell thanked everyone for supporting the event Matt Moffatt, the green keeper for preparing the green, Pat Mason and her team of ladies for the catering plus John Bolton, Dickie Watson and Paul Davies for the barbeque. John also thanked Richard Faragher, Maurice O’Reilly & Trevor Jones for running the competition so efficiently.

The final of the Canada Life International sponsored Rayner Shield takes place on Thursday evening at the Villa between league leaders South Ramsey A and Peel A, the current top two teams in Division One for what promises to be a close encounter.

Peel A are the current holders of the Rayner Shield following their upset over a heavily fancied Marown A at Port St Mary last year, while South Ramsey A won a thriller in 2019 which also happened to be at the Villa against Marown A.

Peel A were the first team to reach the final following their convincing and expected 7-1 home win over Castletown B to reach the final, while South Ramsey A had a much tougher task in their semi-final having to overcome Marown A at Crosby, which they did in style as they won 6-2 away from home to cause a massive upset on the night in front of a good home crowd.

South Ramsey are led by captain Glynn Hargraves, start as slight favourites and they have a few of their players in good form performing well in the individual merit this season, however they will not underestimate the Peel men who are just six points behind them in the league and are more than capable of turning over anyone having beaten Marown A twice in the past year.

Peel have a new captain this year with Gary Smith stepping up to lead the team, with their star man Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly having won an open this season and retaining the Over 60’s Manx Championship, they also have a good mixture of youth in the form of Stevie Kelly and Tom Kelly, along with the experience of three time Manx Champion Andy Kennish who has returned to form over the past couple of years, while the return of Tommy McMeiken and George Gadsby to the Peel Team cannot be understated. Another man to mention for Peel is the 2020 Rayner Shield final hero Peter Greenlees who will be looking to turn in another standout performance for his team having only taken up the game in 2018, his rise has been meteoric.

The eight-man team format has worked well over recent years with the chalks adding an extra element to what teams have to play for, as whilst players could lose their individual game they can still contribute to the team’s victory should the match end up 4-4 on games by contributing to the chalks.

The draw took place at Onchan Bowling Club on Friday evening prior to the Rayner Plate Final, with some great match ups this could turn out to be another great final for the spectators. The match starts at 6:45pm. Peel have won this competition three times to date, while South Ramsey have four wins. Best of luck to both teams.