News: Announcements
Teare & Skelly Win Heywood Gelling Trophy
Heywood Gelling Trophy Winners 2019 - Paul Skelly & Rebecca Teare
Photo: Arnie WithersMarown hosted their second open of the bank holiday weekend with 32 pairs taking part in the Heywood Gelling Trophy on Sunday on a scorcher of a day with the green quicker than it was on Friday.
At the end of the competition it was Noble’s/Port St Mary pairing of Rebecca Teare and Paul Skelly, who beat the Noble’s/South Ramsey duo of Paula Firth and Sid Bolton by the closest of margins 21-20. The final started with Firth/Bolton taking a 11-6 lead, then 14-9 and extending this further still to 19-13. At 20-16 it looked like it wasn’t going to be Teare/Skelly’s day however they fought back well from lying game down on more than occasion to take a single, a three with Teare playing a great second bowl under pressure at 20-20 to beat Firth’s bowl which Bolton was unable to beat to give the victory to Teare & Skelly. This win qualifies the winners to play in the UK later in the season.
Both semis were well contested with another Noble’s/South Ramsey pairing of Clare Cooper & Lee Dawson losing out 19-21 to Firth and Bolton, whilst in the other semi a new partnership of Pat Mason (Ballaugh) and Andy Kennish (Peel) almost made it to the final only for Skelly to play a couple of great bowls after earlier fearing for his safety from his partner Teare when lying two up for game he inadvertently flicked the jack to end up two down at a crucial point of the game. His relief was clear for all to see at the end of the game after helping secure a 21-19 win to reach the final.
Losing out in the quarter finals were South Ramsey pair Jenny Moore & James Teare, another new partnership from Onchan Caroline Corlett & Les McClellan, Joyce Ogden (Marown) & Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary) along with Sue Gawne (Onchan) & Brian Kelly (Marown).
At the conclusion of the competition the presentation was made by competition secretary Philip Kelly, who thanked the club members who had helped with the running of the competition and the Marown Ladies for the refreshments provided. Marown President Lil Smith was then introduced to present the prizes.
Tom Kelly Wins Ramsey Town Cup
Ramsey Town Cup Winner 2019
Photo: Margaret KellyNorth Ramsey Bowling Club hosted the popular Ramsey Town Cup on Saturday with the competition attracting a good entry of 47, no doubt helped by the fine weather.
The winner was Peel man Tom Kelly who claimed a deserved 21-15 victory over Reginald Temporaza to claim his first open competition title. There would no doubt have been some nerves from both players with neither player having reached the final of a singles open competition previously, it was Kelly who made a good start with two doubles to take a 10-6 lead playing a short round peg, extending this further to 15-9 after switching tactics to a short mark over the middle of the green which had served him well throughout the day, before Temporaza hit back with a six point run on a round peg to level the game at 15-15. Kelly got back in on his favoured mark to run out with two singles and two doubles to claim his first open win and the £80 first prize. Kelly had performed well all day with his ability to hit strikes serving him well.
In the semis Tom Kelly had the unenviable task of overcoming his father Colin Kelly, with Tom doing just that beating Colin 21-20 to take his place in the final after fighting back from a 17-20 deficit and brilliantly saving game to beat two good bowls in the corners. Tom went on to claim two singles and a double, forcing Colin to strike on the last end but not getting the result he hoped for with the hit, whilst Temporaza was always in control in his game performing well to beat Steve Parker (Onchan) 21-11.
Losing out at the quarter final stage were Stefan Kelly (South Ramsey), who lost to Tom Kelly (17-21) in a good quality game, along with fellow South Ramsey men James Teare who lost to Colin Kelly (9-21), Sid Bolton was beaten by Temporaza (18-21) and Dean Kinley (Castletown) lost to Parker (15-21).
At the conclusion of play the presentation was made by competition secretary Gary Lenton who thanked everyone who had entered, along with the club members who had helped with the running of the competition. North Ramsey club president Helen Martin was then introduced to present the prizes.
Kerruish & Hargraves Win Tynwald Day Pairs
Tynwald Day Grimshaw Pairs Winners 2019
Photo: Arnie WithersMarown hosted the popular Tynwald Day R & A Grimshaw Trophy on Friday with 34 pairs taking part on a tricky green.
There were plenty of shocks in the early rounds, with some of the favourite pairings taking an early bath.
At the end of a long day it was the Onchan/South Ramsey pairing of Phil Kerruish and Glynn Hargraves, who beat the Marown duo of Matthew Keggen and Paul Kelly 21-18. The final started with neither pairing able to break away from the other, with no more than two points between the finalists until Kerruish & Hargraves trailing by one point at 13-14 took the next three ends with a three, a single and a double to leap ahead 19-14. The Marown pair fought back with two doubles in between a single to the opposition to pull the score back to 18-20 before Kerruish/Hargraves secured the one point needed to take the win and the trophy.
Losing out in the semi-finals to the winners were the young pairing of Sam Clague (Castletown) and Glenn Boland (Noble’s) who lost out 12-21. The other losing semi-finalists were Onchan pair Jordan Cain and Matthew Quirk who lost out 14-21.
Losing out in the quarter finals were home greeners Gary Cooper & Arnie Withers, Paul Dunn & Neil Withers, South Ramsey duo Stefan Kelly & James Teare, along with Peel men David Proctor and Andy Kennish.
At the conclusion of the competition the presentation was made by competition secretary Philip Kelly, who thanked everyone who had helped with the running of the competition and the Marown Ladies for the refreshments provided throughout the day. Marown President Lil Smith was then introduced to present the prizes.
Jenny Moore Crowned Manx Champion
Ladies Manx Championship Winner 2019
Jenny MooreThe weather was not kind to the twenty-two ladies who gathered at Onchan on Saturday 29th. June to contest the Manx Championship. Starting dull and misty the afternoon produced some short, heavy showers and a brief thunderstorm.
On the green the match of note in the preliminary round saw Norma Cowell take on Margaret Tasker, and keep with her up to 15-15, at which point Margaret took control coming through 21-15. The closest game in the last sixteen was a draw to savour as Clare Cooper took on reigning champion Janet Monk, and indeed Clare had the better start leading 14-12 after twenty ends causing Janet to dig deep and take control, allowing Clare just one more point, progressing to the quarter-finals 21-15.
In the top two quarter-finals, Rebecca Leece was in dominant form against Elaine Moore, while Lynda Cadamy had to work hard to overcome Debbie Leece, pulling out all the stops to win 21-15 in a game which had been nip and tuck up to 15-15
The third quarter-final saw seven times champion, Janet Monk, up against two times winner, Jenny Moore. The two ladies stayed together, 6-6,10-10 etc. up to 15 across. Janet, winning the next four ends, giving her a 19-15 lead before Jenny regained control of the jack and did not relinquish it again.
Lil Smith and Lyn Bolton also had a ding-dong battle with the early skirmishes seeing them level at 7-7. Lil then had the advantage to lead 14-11 before Lyn regrouped to go 17-14 up. The next three ends saw Lil get to 19 first, but, regaining the jack, Lyn ran out a 21-19 winner.
Quarter-finals: Lynda Cadamy 21, Debbie Leece 15; Rebecca Teare 21, Elaine Moore 6; Jenny Moore 21, Janet Monk 19; Lyn Bolton 21, Lil Smith 19.
In the semi-finals, Rebecca had the better start, leading 9-2 after eight ends, but Lynda moved up a gear and after fifteen ends was only one behind at 9-10. With Rebecca then racing to 18-10, Lynda tried to stage a come-back, winning another three ends, but had to bow out 21-14.
It was a similar story in the other semi, with Jenny sprinting to a 10-3 lead after ten ends. Lyn is made of stern stuff and fought her way back to 15-15, but could only score one more point as her opponent progressed to the final 21-16.
Throughout the afternoon there had been some excellent bowling and the final was no exception. Once again Jenny was quick off the blocks, leading 12-4 after eleven ends. Rebecca then scored three twos and two singles in the next six ends to get to within two points of Jenny, but could only manage one more two before Jenny took the Championship 21-14. Both finalists should be congratulated on their performances.
Heather Horsburgh thanked all those who had entered and the spectators who had come along to support the event. Thanks also went to the Onchan Club for the use of their facilities, and their members for their help during the afternoon.
She particularly thanked Ann Gale for her continued sponsorship of the event, before asking her to present the prizes.
Ann said it was a pity that more people did not enter this event, but that aside, and despite the weather, she had an enjoyable afternoon watching some bowling of a very high standard.
Dyson Cleans Up
Lynsey Gorman & Jack Dyson June 2019 Festival Winners
Photo: Arnie WithersThe top prizes in the Isle of Man June Bowls Festival went to two visitors with Jack Dyson (Thongsbridge) winning the men’s event, whilst Lynsey Gorman (Wirral) won the ladies event.
Popular Yorkshire man Dyson known throughout the bowling community as ‘Hoover’ – no explanation required, picked up his first June Festival win and the winners cheque for £3,000. Dyson had to overcome the challenge of Andy Spragg in a thrilling final on a tricky green. Dyson was quickest out of the blocks taking a 12-5 lead, then 14-9 and 16-11 to keep his opponent at arm’s length. Spragg responded with a double to sit just three points behind at 13-16, only for a determined Dyson to take two singles and a double to sit just one point away from glory. Spragg counted one next end and headed towards the corner, Spragg’s first bowl was about 18 inches off the jack, with Dyson putting his first bowl approximately 12 inches away to count one for game. Spragg made sure he reached with his second bowl, just tipping Dyson’s bowl, however it wasn’t enough to save game with Dyson taking a 21-14 victory. Dyson’s joy was clear for all to see with his second bowl still in his hand he threw it up in celebration. Spragg had the blow softened in receiving a cheque for £1,000.
Dyson reached the final courtesy of a quick fire 21-7 win over Wayne Jevons (Wirral), whilst Spragg booked his place in the final with a hard fought 21-18 victory over Andy Limbert (Brighouse).
In the quarter finals Dyson ended the challenge of Chris Bly (Hopwood) with a 21-13 win, whilst Jevons won 21-8 against David Halstead (Kirkham). The closest game of the quarter finals was between Mark Rose (Royal Oak BC) and Spragg, with Spragg having to dig deep to get over the line 21-20. Limbert ended the run of Robert Hopper (Brighouse) with a 21-16 win.
Receiving the George Craine Trophy for the furthest local player was Stevie Kelly (Peel) who lost out agonisingly 20-21 in the last 16 to Wayne Jevons to just miss out on finals day.
In the ladies main competition Lynsey Gorman (Wirral) won her first June title receiving a cheque for £1,000 to take a deserved 21-7 win over Sarah Fox (Woodlands Park). Fox received £600 as runner up.
In the semi-finals Gorman ended the run of Bev Beeley (Houldsworth WMC) with a 21-13 victory, whilst Fox ended the hopes of two time June winner Alexis Lunn-Gadd (Ossett Flying Horse) with a 21-19 win in an entertaining game.
Furthest local player reaching the quarter finals was South Ramsey’s Kim Hargraves who received the Visit IOM.com trophy to claim bragging rights in the Hargraves household. Hargraves would have been delighted with her weeks work and can now take confidence in her own ability going forward, however her challenge was ended by Fox who won 21-8. Lunn-Gadd ended the hopes of Rachel Quirk (Crossgates) with a hard fought 21-19 win, whilst Bev Beeley booked her place in the semi-finals with a 21-20 win over Caroline Bushell (Co-op) with Gorman taking a comfortable 21-14 win over Wendy Allen (Castle Private).
The Men’s Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 1 with Mark Hughes (Crossgates) taking the Tourism title defeating Chris Mordue (Pudsey) with a convincing 21-13 victory.
Losing semi-finalists were Martin Gilpin 15-21 (Kendal Vic) to Hughes, whilst Chris Ellis (Brighouse) just lost out 20-21 to Mordue.
The Ladies Tourism was also played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 2 green with another entertaining final it was Rebecca Teare (Noble’s) who held her nerve to take a deserved 21-18 victory over Jenny Moore (South Ramsey) to pick up her first win in the Tourism event.
Teare earned her place in the final following a fairly comfortable 21-15 semi-final win over Lynsey Gorman (Wirral) with Gorman bouncing back in style the following day going on to win the main event. In the other semi-final Moore recorded a 21-16 win over Janet Monk (Mooragh Park) to book her place in the final.
The Men’s consolation was won by Peter Jones (Wirral) who beat Craig Gant (Thongsbridge) 21-12. The Ladies consolation was won by Lorraine Hirst (New Mill) defeating Julie Green 21-13.
The Visit.Com Flyer title went to Gerald Merry who wasted no time with his 9-0 win over Craig Ramell (Rishton), whilst the Last Chance Mixed Final was won by Jack Bushell (Knutsford) who beat Katie Morgan 21-11.
The men’s Open doubles was won in style by Larry Wells (St Oswalds) & David Penketh (St Oswalds) who beat the top pairing of Martin Gilpin (Kendal Vic) and Ian Nicholson (Kendal Vic) with a convincing 11-2 victory in the final.
The men’s pairs was won by Richard Hodgson (Pudsey) & Craig Shore (Burbage) beating Michael Andrews (Wirral) & Michael Upton (Myrtle Park) 11-9 in a close final.
The ladies pairs final was won 11-6 by Debi Davis (Brighouse) & Pam Nixon (Poynton Sports) who beat Sarah Fox (Woodlands Park) and Eileen Pye (Acregate).
The Mixed pairs ended in defeat for Sarah Fox (Woodlands Park) & partner John Colebourne (Eastwood Park) losing out 4-9 to Eileen Pye (Acregate) and Joseph Cranston (Crossgates) in the final.
Callum Cashes In At PokerStars Super 32
PokerStars Super 32 2019 Winner - Callum Wraight with Event Organiser Glynn Hargraves
Photo: Arnie WithersThe PokerStars IOM Invitation took place on Friday evening with the event being hosted by South Ramsey Bowling Club at Noble’s Park immediately after the conclusion of the IOM bowls festival. The change in venue allowed the field to increase from last years format of 16 to go back up to 32.
It was a strong field taking part with every player in the field having played county bowls. The format was 21 up with 3 on the card.
There was plenty of local interest in the first round, however Peel favourite Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly was beaten 15-21 by Andy Sorsby (South Yorkshire), Jordan Cain (Onchan) lost 14-21 to Kev Shaw (North Lancs & Fylde), whilst Marown captain Paul Dunn lost 13-21 to Craig Gant (Yorkshire).
Faring better were South Ramsey’s David Bradford who won 21-13 against Dave Jackson (North Lancs & Fylde), Neil Withers made light work of Ian Nicholson (North Lancs & Fylde) with a 21-12 win, whilst Marown stalwart Colin Kelly seen off Richie Goddard (Shropshire) with a 21-10 win.
There were several close games in the first round with James Wilcox (Yorkshire) seeing off South Yorkshire rival Nick White 21-20, whilst another South Yorkshire man Paul Bailey got over the line 21-19 against Martin Gilpin (North Lancs & Fylde) after Gilpin recovered from a 12-19 deficit to level the game at 19-19, only for Bailey to take two singles to progress to the next round. Chris Barton (Merseyside) also lost out 19-21 to Jon Palmer (Shropshire), whilst another Merseyside man Danny Barwise lost 20-21 to 2018 British Merit Winner Chris Mordue (Yorkshire). Melvyn Byron (North Lancs & Fylde) recovered from a 14-19 deficit to win 21-20 against Nidge Hughes (Merseyside), whilst newly crowned June festival winner Jack Dyson (Yorkshire) held off Merseyside man Peter Jones 21-18.
In the second round Gareth Herbert (Warwick & Worcs) won a close game 21-18 against Sorsby to take his place in the quarter finals, whilst Bradford lost out 18-21 to Dan Jones (Wales) after recovering from a 10-16 deficit to go 18-16 ahead with eight singles before Jones got back in to finish the game. Paul Bailey came back from 11-19 to run out with a 21-19 victory over Jon Palmer. In an all Yorkshire clash Gant lost out 19-21 to Chris Mordue, whilst Byron lost 18-21 to Dyson.
At the quarter final stage it was all visiting bowlers who had progressed, in the top half of the draw Herbert lost 19-21 to Dan Jones, whilst Wilcox lost out for a second year running to Callum Wraight (Shropshire) 17-21. In the bottom half of the draw Paul Bailey ran out from 11-11 against Mordue to win 21-11 to take his place in the semi-finals, whilst Dyson won 21-13 against John Bailey (Wales).
Both semi-finals could not have been any close with Wraight taking a 11-3 lead against Jones, only for Jones to level the score at 13-13. Jones then scored better than Wraight over the next nine ends to lead 20-18, only for Wraight to hit back to see the game out 21-20 to book his place in the final. In the second semi-final Dyson took a 13-8 lead, with Paul Bailey recovering to level the score at 14-14. Dyson then went 20-15 ahead, however Bailey managed to find a bit more in the tank to run out with a 21-20 win.
In the final there was plenty of striking and dead ends with Wraight and Bailey up against each other. It was Wraight who was quickest out of the blocks taking a 13-3 lead against Bailey, then led 16-7 and 19-10 under the fading light the floodlights had to be put on. Bailey then took three singles before Wraight retained the trophy and in doing so secured the £1,000 first prize with a double to win 21-13. Bailey will no doubt have been cheered up with his cheque for £500, with the losing semi finalists each receiving £250, and the losing quarter finalists taking home £125. Those who lost out in the second round took home £75 each.
At the conclusion of play the presentation was made by event organiser Glynn Hargraves, who thanked the sponsors PokerStars for their continued support, Noble’s Bowling club, the Department for Enterprise and Douglas Corporation, all the players for what made for an entertaining evening of bowls, the spectators for turning up to support along with anyone who had helped in the running of the event.
Dunn Wins Ballacashtal Cup
Ballacashtal Cup Winner 2019
Photo: Arnie WithersThe Ballacashtal Cup was held on Sunday which attracted an entry of 61, made up of local and visiting bowlers. The Castletown green was in excellent condition with the players in the early rounds producing some exciting bowling with great atmosphere and plenty of banter.
At the quarter finals seven of the eight players were local men, and again some excellent bowling, which entertained the spectators. Losing out were Port St Mary’s Paul Skelly to Paul Dunn (Marown) 13-21, with Glenn Boland (Noble’s) losing to the same score against Neil Withers (Marown). Also losing out in a close game was James Teare (South Ramsey) to another Marown man Manx Champion Colin Kelly 19-21, whilst the furthest visitor was Paul Bailey (Meersbrook) who also lost 19-21 to Peel favourite Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly.
The semi-finals produced some phenomenal bowling and the games could have gone either way, such was the standard with Dunn booking his place in the final with a 21-18 win, whilst Barney had to work hard to edge over the line 21-20 against Colin Kelly.
Both players were making their first appearance in the final of this competition, with Kelly starting as favourite having won a number of the games top prizes over the years, whilst Dunn who won his first open competition last season is the man in form.
The final started with Kelly taking a 10-7 lead, only for Dunn to respond by winning the next seven ends to take the lead 16-10. Barney kept chipping away to reduce the deficit, however it wasn’t enough with Dunn picking up five more singles to take a 21-17 victory to win the famous trophy to top off what he been a great weekend for local bowlers and send an ominous warning to the visiting bowlers who will be hoping to win the June Festival this week.
Many thanks go to sponsors Friends Provident International for their continued support of the competition. The presentation was made by Adam Drewett on behalf of the sponsors. Thanks were given to the greenkeeper and all who helped run the competition.
Microgaming ‘PlayItForward’ Doubles
Microgaming Pairs Winners 2019
Trish Bull & Margaret TaskerThe Microgaming ‘PlayItForward’ sponsored Ladies’ Doubles competition took place on Saturday, 15 June 2019, at Castletown Bowls Club.
The Heavens smiled not just upon the remarkable winning pair of Tricia Bull and Margaret Tasker but upon all 22 pairs who had entered. Blue skies, wispy clouds and glorious sunshine complemented the cheerful spirit in which all of the games were played.
Fighting strong from the preliminary round, last year’s winners Jenny Moore and Fiona Kennish finally succumbed 17:21 in the semi-final to the superb pairing of Tricia Bull and Margaret Tasker.
Congratulations go also to the other semi-finalists, of whom Chris Price and Jean Radcliffe kept the upper hand over Lynda Cadamy and Mary Alderson 21-16 in an equally superb game.
An exciting final saw both pairs exchanging the lead numerous times, causing the watching crowd to ‘uh and ah’ with delight on more than one occasion. In the end, Tricia Bull and Margaret Tasker clinched victory over Chris Price and Jean Radcliffe 21-16.
Bradford Retains Jim Kernan
Jim Kernan Winner 2019
Photo: Glynn HargravesSouth Ramsey hosted the Jim Kernan on Saturday, the first of the pre-festival opens with a good entry of 50, which included nine visiting bowlers.
Losing out at the quarter final stage were Steve Parker (Onchan), who lost out 14-21 to regular Island visitor Andy Mailer. Marown man Neil Withers just lost out 20-21 to home greener Stefan Kelly with Withers letting slip a 10-3 lead on Kelly, whilst Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly (Peel) lost out 18-21 to home greener David Bradford in another close game. Marown captain Paul Dunn having earlier defeated Manx Champion Colin Kelly, then disposed of South Ramsey captain Glynn Hargraves 21-8 with relative ease to book his place in the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals Bradford then returned the favour to see off Dunn with a 21-9 win, with Bradford scoring 11 consecutive points to build a big lead which Dunn could not recover from. In the other semi-final Andy Mailer’s hopes were ended by Stefan Kelly with Mailer losing out 18-21.
The final started with Bradford favourite to win, however Kelly had other ideas performing well to take a 8-4 lead, then keeping Bradford at arms length to retain a four point lead at 13-9. Bradford hit back to level the game at 14-14 and his greater experience helped him get over the line to claim a 21-17 win to retain the title and take home £150 prize money.
The presentation was made by South Ramsey chairman Steve Moore, who thanked those who had stayed to support, everyone who had helped with the running of the competition throughout the day. During his speech Bradford thanked the ladies for the brilliant refreshments provided, also commented on the improvement in the green since the start of the season, with credit being given to the team who have helped get the green into the condition it is now in.
June Festival Preview
IOM June Festival Winner 2018
The eagerly awaited Isle of Man June Festival takes place the week commencing 17th June with a good entry of over 314 in the Men’s competition.
On the first page of the draw Andy Duckett (Crossgates) will be hoping to go far in the competition, he takes on the bookmaker Graham Hirst in the first round. Local man Geoff Collier (South Ramsey) who only took up the game last year has the unenviable task of taking on Ben Gloag (Grapes Hotel) for his first time competing in the festival, whilst 2017 winner James Wilcox (Crossgates) will be looking to go far with some tricky fixtures along the way.
On the second page Callum Wraight (Castlefields) will once again be one of the hot favourites to take the title and his first festival win, having won the majority of the games biggest prizes and ended his week last June on a high winning the PokerStars Invitation at South Ramsey. Should Matthew Quirk (Onchan) make it through his first game he could well face Wraight in the second round, whilst Gareth Herbert (George BC) has a tough game against Joshua Mordue (Crossgates). Ian Hazlehurst has once again been handed a tough first round game taking on the ‘Hoover’ Jack Dyson (Thongsbridge).
On page three another regular visitor Mark Hughes (Crossgates) will be hoping to break his duck in the main event with several of his team mates having taken the trophy over the past few years, whilst 1998 winner David Jackson (Knutsford) will be keen to take his second June title. Current holder Martin Gilpin (Kendal Vic) starts three points back due to his 2018 win and will need to make a good start in his games to ensure he doesn’t fall too far behind. Mel Byron (Duki Central) takes on local man Steve Parker (North Ramsey).
On the next page Gaz Lally (Crossgates) takes on Craig Shore (Burbage) in the first round, with local player David Bradford keen to reach the latter stages of the June festival having won the September title at the tender age of 17, however should he get through his first round game Bradford could have to face the likes of Barry Booth (Kendal Vic) and Ryan Clark (Thongsbridge) if he is to progress.
On page five Nick White (Thongsbridge) will fancy his chances of getting through the top half of his page, whilst Kevan Shaw (West Houghton) will be favourite to make the latter stages in the bottom half of the page, however Phil Kerruish (Onchan) may well be one of his opponents who will be confident of performing well against Shaw.
Looking at page six Chris Kelly (Thongsbridge) will once again be looking to reach the latter stages of the festival, will have to beat the likes of Nidge Hughes (Wirral) & Billy Speed (Castlefields) to make it to finals day on Friday.
Over to page seven September 2018 festival winner John Kennish (South Ramsey) is another man to start three points back on his opponents due to his recent success in the festival, will be hoping to find some form to take him through the week. A man in form is Paul Dunn (Marown) who is unbeaten in the league this season, having switched bowls over the winter Dunn will be hoping this is his year. A game everyone will want to watch is two of the games top players with both having won a number of the top competitions, John Bailey (Castlefields) could take on Chris Mordue (Pudsey) on Wednesday morning.
On page eight regular visitor to the Island Kevin Nicholas (Gresford Colliery) won’t be missed on the green with his yellow bowls. Another local in form is Jordan Cain (Onchan), who could face one of the games entertainers Michael Leach (Kirkham) who is fascinating to watch on the green, whilst 2012 winner Rob Fitzpatrick (Wirral) could face Andy Mailer (Thongsbridge) or Ian Nicholson (Kendal Vic) with Nicholson somewhat unbelievably having never won a June Festival with all his festival wins coming in September. Dan Jones (Castlefields) will be keen on making good progress having not visited the Island for a couple of years.
On page 9 it has been 19 years since local man Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly (Peel) took his only festival win beating Kev Shaw back in the ‘good old days’ when the finals used to be held on the Villa, whilst Craig Gant (Thongsbridge) could have a tasty second round game against Richie Goddard (Castlefields).
On the final page 2013 winner Neil Withers be looking to progress having recently lost in the final of the Big Smash, whilst Andrew Sorsby (Thongsbridge) could face off against Matthew Kelly-Walley (Stretton Anglesey) in the second round. 2016 June winner and recent Big Smash winner Kez Smith (Crossgates) could face big hitter Paul Bailey (Meersbrook), whilst another big hitter Chris Barton (Wirral) will be hoping for a good week.
Whilst I can’t guarantee the weather what should shine through, however, is the quality of the field and the week of bowls we have in store for us, with the Tourism, Men’s Doubles, Open Doubles, various flyers and consolation competitions there is plenty of bowls to be played & enjoyed for all.
Best of luck to all visitors and locals who are taking part throughout the week.