South Ramsey hosted the Manx Masters on Saturday, one of the highlights of the Manx bowls calendar with four separate competitions once again taking place.

Winner of the Young Manx Masters was Alex Hampson defeating Bailey McMullan 7-2 in the final. This competition was played in a round robin format with six players in each group playing five ends with the last end played as a ‘power’ end with points scored counting double. Alex won group A with 30 points, with 2018 winner Sam Colquitt the runner up on 24 points. Bailey won Group B with a staggering 39 points, with Alex Colquitt the runner up on 31 points.

The Junior Manx Masters was again played as a straight knockout for the older and more experienced players and the title was won for a third successive year by Glenn Boland (Noble’s) who beat Bethany Kennish (South Ramsey) 21-17 in the final, with Boland beating 11 year old Ryan Hargraves (South Ramsey) 21-13 to reach the final, whilst Kennish beat Austin Hart 21-16 to book her spot in the final.

The standard of play in both events was excellent and it was great to have a good crowd around the green supporting the future of the game with the numbers steadily increasing throughout, it made for a great morning.

The junior competitions were sponsored by Stonemasons IOM Limited for a third successive year with the presentation made by Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly. All those who took part received a prize, with the younger players also receiving a certificate.

Huge thanks must go to the six coaches – Colin Kelly, Brian Kelly, Debbie Leece, Clare Cooper, Chris Holland and Collin Holland, who helped the younger players with their games throughout the morning.

Once the Junior competitions came to a conclusion the Feltons sponsored men’s and ladies events got underway with the ladies event being an invitation of 16 players, whilst the men’s event had 32 taking part.

In the ladies losing out at the quarter final stages were Joyce Kelly (Peel), Mary Moffatt (Peel), Fiona Kennish (South Ramsey) and Paula Firth (Noble’s).

In the semi-finals Jenny Moore (South Ramsey) had enough to hold off Junior Manx Champion Shannon McMullan to claim a 21-18 win, whilst Alison Keggen (Noble’s) ended the challenge of team mate Clare Cooper with a 21-16 win to book her place in the final.

In the final Moore was quickest out of the blocks taking a 17-7 lead scoring six doubles on the way, before Keggen chipped away at the lead to cut the deficit to 12-17 only for Moore to take another double to take a commanding 19-12 lead. Keggen responded with a single, however Moore took the next two ends scoring singles to take a 21-13 win to retain the trophy to add to her Manx Championship & IOM Merit wins this year. Keggen can be pleased with her performance in reaching her second final on South Ramsey this season.

In the men’s event 10 of the 16 first round games were well contested with the player losing out scoring 15 or more to show there were some good contests taking place. This continued in the second round with four of the eight games being played going to 15 and above.

Losing out at the quarter final stage was former Manx Masters winner David Bradford (South Ramsey), who lost out 18-21 to Reginald Temporaza (Noble’s). The current holder Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly (Peel) lost 12-21 to Colin Kelly (Marown). Dido Kelly booked his place in the next round with a hard fought 21-19 win over Neil Withers (Marown), whilst James Teare also progressed thanks to his 21-15 victory over Tom Kelly (Peel).

In the semi-final Reginald Temporaza had his run ended by Colin Kelly who claimed a comfortable 21-8 win. Dido Kelly took on team mate James Teare in the other semi-final with Dido also making light work of his opponent on his way to a 21-11 victory.

In the final Colin took the first two ends, only for Dido to respond by taking the next eight ends scoring two doubles on his way to taking a commanding 13-5 lead on his traditional short lengths up to the crown and back into the corner. Colin got back in to then take the next five ends with two singles and three doubles back on his preferred longer length to level things up at 13-13. Dido got back in once again to take three of the next four ends to go 18-14 ahead, however Colin dug deep to run out on his opponent scoring a two, then singles on the next five ends to claim his seventh win in this competition. This victory sees Colin hold the all the Associations biggest prizes having won the Manx Championship, Association Cup to go with his win in the Manx Masters. Colin is also on course to win the individual merit in division one with Marown, who are on course to claim their first league title since 2013, which would crown a fantastic season both individually and with his club.

At the end of the competition the prizes were presented by Chris Perry on behalf of the sponsors Feltons who continue to supported this event for a number of years.

During the presentation competition secretary Glynn Hargraves announced that the day had 89 matches played, 73 bowlers take part, more than 150 watch the event throughout the day. Thanks were also given to those who had helped prepare the green, with the remarkable improvement noted since the start of the season, along with those who had helped in any way towards the smooth running of the competitions throughout. A special mention to the ladies who once again put on a superb selection of hot dogs, bacon baps, pasties, sandwiches, cakes etc along with the hot and cold refreshments provided throughout the entire day. Thanks were also given to Neil Withers for his live streaming of the Junior and Senior events which have proved popular this season, typically receiving over 1,000 views.

Castletown Bowling Club hosted the Wilfrid Quayle mixed doubles on Sunday with the competition attracting 36 pairs.

The eventual winners were Chris Price (Port St Mary) and Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly (South Ramsey) taking a comfortable 21-13 win over Helen Martin (Mooragh Park) and Nathan Hamilton (Castletown).

Losing out at the semi-final stage were two South Ramsey pairings Jenny Moore and James Teare 11-21 to the winning pair, whilst Elaine Moore and Glynn Hargraves lost out to the same score to the runners up.

Falling at the quarter final stage were Linda and Derek Cadamy (Port Erin), Tracy Moore (Castletown) and Alan Moore (South Ramsey), Joyce Ogden (Marown) and Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary), along with Dee Lewis (Onchan) and Kevin Firth (Noble’s).

The presentation was made by Ron Williams who thanked everyone who had entered and all the club members who had helped with the smooth running of the competition throughout the day. A special mention was also given to the green keeper for the fantastic condition of the green.

Noble’s Bowling Club hosted the Thurlwell Bowl on Saturday with a good entry of 32 taking part after a long week of bowls.

The winner was Paul Dunn (Marown) who defeated the current holder Rob Monk (Onchan) 21-19 in a hard fought final. Both players performed well with Monk favouring playing 19 metre marks up, down and round the crown leading well, whilst Dunn went for lengthy round pegs. Dunn struck the jack off twice during the final, once when both players reached double figures and again at 14-17 down, saving two on both occasions. Monk managed to take a 19-14 lead, only for Dunn to respond in style playing the corners well to claim a double, a single and two more doubles to see the game out and claim the trophy.

In the semi-final Monk ended the challenge of Shirley Whelan (Marown) with a good display to book his place in the final with a 21-8 win, whilst Dunn was pushed hard by club mate Walter McCarthy with the latter losing out 17-21.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were Nathan Hamilton (Castletown), Mike Alexander (Onchan), Derek Allen (Port Erin) along with home greener Reginald Temporaza.

The presentation was made by Noble’s Chairman Juan Qualtrough who thanked Rebecca Teare for running the sheet throughout the day and the club members who had helped with the running of the competition. The winner was awarded with a return booking of a car and two foot passengers generously provided by the sponsor IOM Steam Packet.

The Isle of Man September Bowling Festival takes place next week with a host of top names from across the game hoping to be the lucky winner who gets their name on the trophy and the winners cheque for £3,000. Entries are up on previous year’s with the highest September Men’s entry since 2009 and there is a good quality field entered.

On the first page of the draw 2010 winner Wayne Ditchfield (Kirkham) is rumoured to be a doubt to make it over for the week, whilst Joseph Cranston (Crossgates) will be hoping for a good run, this page carrying further names with festival history behind them. Neil Withers (Marown) won his title in June 2013, with the man he beat in the final Matthew Quirk (Onchan) a possible third round face off this time round. Two-time winner Martin Gilpin (Kendal Vic) could face former finalist Callum Wraight (Castlefields) should both players win two games for what could be an intriguing encounter half way through the week.

Page two also has three former winners with 2016 June winner Kez Smith (Crossgates), 2012 September winner Dave Phillips (Lloyd Hotel) and local David Bradford (South Ramsey) with his win as far back as 2002, whilst former finalist Craig Grant (Thongsbridge) also features and will be hoping to go one step further to take his first festival win.

Over to page three where another June 2000 winner Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly (Peel Sunset) has a tricky first round fixture against regular visitor Andy Mailer (Meersbrook BC), whilst John Bailey (Castlefields) will be keen to pick up his second September title having won his first title in 2017. 

On the next page it is 29 years since Kevan Shaw (Red Lion) picked up his only title, could come up against Stuart Mort (Kirkham) in round three, with a potential clash at the same stage between Steve Freer (Cradley Sports) and Jon Guess (Fairfield BC) should both players win their first two games.

On page five Onchan man Jordan Cain has suffered a blow having fractured a bone on his elbow after recently coming off his bike to put an early end to his season. This opens up a path for Mark Hughes (Crossgates) who lost out to John Bailey in 2017, however Port St Mary man Trevor Quayle will be confident of a good run himself.

Page six sees 1991 winner Phil Kerruish (Onchan) back from his travels in time to take part, whilst Matthew Kelly-Walley (Stretton Anglesey) will be hoping for a good week as will Marown captain Paul Dunn who could go far and will not fear anyone if he carries on his good form.

On page seven 2003 winner Matt Gilmore (Wallasey) is another former winner, whilst the experienced Billy Speed (Alexander Park) will be hoping to go far with a potential last 16 clash this could be a great game to watch for the spectators.

On the next page this has a potential second game clash between two former winners Gaz Lally (Crossgates) who has one festival win to his name from 2015, whilst local John Kennish is the current title holder and has five festival wins to his name. Not to be discounted is Paul Skelly (Port St Mary) another man capable of beating anyone on his day.

On the final page this is heavily littered with previous winners and finalists with 2014 runner up Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly (South Ramsey) potentially facing three-time winner Ian Nicholson (Kendal Vic), whilst regular visitor David Jackson (Knutsford) is another man looking for his second title. Paul Bailey (Meersbrook BC) is rumoured to missing out, whilst Colin Kelly (Marown) has one title to his name from 2008 and will be keen to fly under the radar.

With six greens in use and several different competitions throughout the week there is plenty of bowls for everyone it should make for a great week of bowls.

Have a great week!

On Bank Holiday Monday Port Erin Bowling Club hosted the Sowerbutts Trophy mixed doubles. There were 20 pairs entered who enjoyed the glorious weather.

Losing out in the quarter finals were two South Ramsey pairs, Elaine Moore & Glynn Hargraves, Kim Hargraves and Stefan Kelly, Steph Swift (Port Erin) and Rod Swift (Port St Mary) along with home greeners Lynda & Derek Cadamy.

Losing semi-finalists were Joyce Ogden (Marown) & Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary) along with Caroline Whitehead (Port Erin) & Edward Carlyle (South Ramsey).

In the final South Ramsey pair Jenny Moore & James Teare went one better than the previous day, having lost in the final at Ballaugh to take a fairly comfortable 21-14 win over Chris Price (Port St Mary) & Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly (South Ramsey).

The presentation was made by competition secretary and sponsor Janet Shilling, who thanked everyone who had entered, then went on to say that the trophy had been put up by her father. After being presented with the trophy James thanked Janet for sponsoring the competition.