As part of the recently introduced National Development Strategy, all 16 affiliated Crown Green Bowling Counties will receive kits to support their County Development Officer with the initiative. On Friday 21st February, British Crown Green Bowling Association CEO Paul Ashmore presented the Isle of Man Development Officer (Tracy Moore) with the first part of their development kit.

The equipment provided consisted of eight sets of Taylor coloured junior bowls, 12 sets of Taylor adult bowls and four jacks. The kit is available for use by all affiliated Clubs to support the growth of our sport across our grassroots.

Also present at the presentation were IOM Sport, along with some of the Manx Youth Games coaches, Sue Gawne, Christine Holland, George Peach, Jo Robert and Michele Cubbon. Making the most of half term and the sun, some of the Association’s junior bowlers attended to test drive the new sets of junior bowls and, as you can see, had a great time!

The 2024 BCGBA Mel Evans MBE Centenary Mixed Pairs was held on Saturday 5th October at Owley Wood Recreation Club, Barrymore Road, Weaverham.

The first games of the day got underway at 10:00 with South Ramsey pair Elaine Moore and Greg Barlow facing Louise Ollerton and David Molyneux (Lancashire) on number one green with the IOM pair losing out 17-21 in the first round.

On Green Two Castletown’s Hannah Drewett and Nathan Hamilton had built up a 16-8 lead against Shropshire pair Jodie Taylor and Daniel Taylor only for a stirring fightback from their opponents seeing the Town pair score just two more points as they lost out 18-21.

There was better success for Sue Gawne and Andy Kennish (Noble’s/Peel) as they won their first game 21-12 against North Lancs & Fylde pair Emily James and Darren James. In their second round game the Manx pair lost out 13-21 to the beaten finalists Emma Earlam and Rob Winnington from Cheshire.

The eventual winners were North Lancs & Fylde pair Clair Russell and Steve Clamp who took a resounding 21-9 victory over the Cheshire pair.

World Club Championships

South Ramsey qualified for the World Club Championships at Alkincoats Park, Colne by virtue of winning the Rayner Shield earlier in the season. The competition was played as a straight knockout, with the winner on chalks going through to the next round to face the winners from the same green.

In their first round game they were up against Wigan Parish B.C. as they turned in a strong performance to win their first round match by 19 chalks, winning four games, whilst losing three games to 20-21.

Scores below…

Their second game was always going to be much tougher as they faced Crossgates, with the team featuring several top bowlers. The South Ramsey team turned in a solid performance as they lost by 17 chalks, taking four wins off their opponents.

Crossgates go through to the finals day which is being held at Spen Victoria Bowling Club next Sunday, as one of eight teams in a bid to become World Club Champions.

Men’s Player of the Month: David Bradford – South Ramsey

Ladies Player of the Month: Louise Tebay – Ballaugh

Under 21’s Player of the Month: Alex Colquitt – Noble’s

The men’s pick went to David Bradford who impressed as he swept aside Matthew Quirk, John Kennish, Colin Kelly, and Paul Dunn on his way to winning a fourth Manx Masters title. Bradford also won both league games for South Ramsey, this included a 21-1 win as he won his third game to just one chalk for the season, whilst also finishing third in the overall league merit despite missing a game earlier in the season.

The Ladies pick went to Louise Tebay who picked up her first Ladies Manx Masters title at South Ramsey recently, as Louise picked up her best win to date having only taken up the game four years ago, beating Jenny Moore 21-15 on the way to picking up the title. Tebay put an end to Jenny’s hold on the trophy that she had won for six years in a row. In addition to this the Ballaugh captain won both league games played in September to single figures, as she finished the season strongly to finish 10th in the Ladies merit, whilst her team finished in fourth place in the Ladies night league.

Alex Colquitt went to a Junior bowler, as Alex picked up the Under 21’s award, winning the Bill Oliver Junior Trophy at Breagle Glen, with the score tied in the final an extra end was played with Colquitt winning the crucial deciding end to seal the victory. Alex also helped his team Noble’s C to finish in second place in Division Three to cap off a fine season.

Marown Bowling Club hosted the Juan Kelly Cup, with the competition attracting 46 as the curtain was brought down on the 2024 bowling season.

The competition was played over two qualifying nights (Monday and Tuesday), with four pairs qualifying each night to qualify for the finals night on Wednesday evening. The format was any combination doubles, played over 15 ends with ends 5, 10 and 15 played as ‘power’ ends with the points scored counting double. The pairs were given a handicap based on their rankings in the Men’s and Ladies game. If scores were tied after 15 ends a one bowl shootout would take place to decide the winner. For finals night a re-draw took place to determine who the pairings would play on the night, with a good mixture of high and low handicaps still in the competition.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were home greeners Glenn Boland and Peter Jones (SCR) 10-19 to teammates Colin Kelly and Tom Kelly (SCR), whilst the 2023 winners Paul Dunn and Stevie Kelly (SCR) (Marown/Peel) managed to see of the +8 handicappers of Paul Moore and Lee Price (Noble’s) 21-13. In the other half of the draw Kim and Glynn Hargraves were off a +2 handicap (South Ramsey) as they beat Peel pair Tony Carroon and Dougie Allan (+3) 18-10, whilst Phil Kelly and John Gelling (+2) won the all-Marown battle as they beat Debbie Leece and Neil Withers (+1) 18-14 in the closest tie of the round.

The Kelly father and son combination progressed to the final with a 19-14 victory, despite conceding eight chalks to Dunn and Kelly on the first power end, as they won the last two power ends with eight chalks of their own. The South Ramsey combination reached the final with a 19-16 win over Phil Kelly and John Gelling despite losing two of the power ends themselves.

The final got underway with the South Ramsey pair scoring a three on the first end, they then conceded a single, were lying one on the following end only for Tom to take the jack off the green. Another single followed for Kim and Glynn. The game swung on its head on the first power end as a four scored by the Marown men turned a 1-6 deficit into a 9-6 lead.

The home greeners went onto score a two on the following end with another great bowl from Tom just tipping the jack going into the river corner. Kim and Glynn pulled a two back on the following end in the corners, then conceded a two and a three to trail 8-16. The second power end was won by the visiting bowlers with a single, with a bigger scoring end needed to close the deficit. A single on the following end proved to be their last point as Colin and Tom scored two doubles, and a single on end 14 was enough to lift the title for the first time to put the game out of reach at 21-11.

At the conclusion of play the presentation was made by Marown Club President Peter Kelly, who thanked Juan Kelly for once again sponsoring the competition, Brian Kelly for running the sheet, the Ladies for the refreshments over all three nights, everyone who entered, and all those who came to support. Juan Kelly was then introduced to present the prizes.

Sunday 22nd September 2024 Finch Hill Bowling Club hosted the Douglas Borough Council Challenge Cup competition for the any combination pairs. A total of 27 pairs entered for the end of season event on a warm and sunny afternoon.

The opening rounds saw some excellent close games and particular mention goes to southern teammates Caroline Whitehead and Angela Bennett taking on seasoned-campaigners Matthew Keggen and Paul Kelly to a 21-20 win.

It was good to see some of the juniors in the competition as Grayse Blencoe and Bailey McMullan had a tough game against the experienced players Margie Tasker and Mavis Franks, just losing out 19-21.

At the quarter finals stage last year’s winner Nathan Hamilton and his partner Kieran Krypner lost out to Neil Withers and Paul Dunn 14-21. Philippa Taylor and Lynda Cadamy ended the hopes of Peter Jones and Cherise Fialho 21-11 and Sue Gawne and Andy Kennish beat Janet Monk and Lacey McMullan 21-14. Caroline and Angela ended the challenge of home greeners David Holmes and Peter Woods 21-17 from progressing to semi-finals.

In the semi-finals Sue and Andy galloped to a commanding leading against Philippa and Lynda and despite a late rally from the girls who were unable to repeat their earlier form, took a 21-8 win. The other semi-final saw some very hard fought ends but the experience of Neil and Paul was in the end no match for Caroline and Angela with the boys winning 21-8.

The final was Sue and Andy against Neil and Paul which promised to be a good battle. Despite some very closely fought ends the boys managed to accrue a commanding lead and held back the challenge from their opponents and ran out the victors 21-7. Congratulations to Neil and Paul on yet another fine victory.

Many thanks to Finch Hill for hosting the event, Douglas Council as sponsors, Joyce Ogden for running the sheet and all competitors for a lovely afternoon’s bowling.

See you all next year.

Joyce Ogden