Peel Bowling Club held the Peel Town Cup on Saturday with a healthy entry of 44 players keen to get their hands on the prestigious trophy it was Marown man Paul Dunn who won it, winning his first open competition in style.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were Sid Bolton (South Ramsey), Harry Minor (Port Erin), Colin Kelly (Marown) and Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary).

Falling at the semi-final stage was Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey) who was well beaten by home greener Stevie Kelly, who was the quickest out of the blocks with Kelly winning comfortably 21-13. Also losing out was multi time Peel Town Cup winner Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly to Paul Dunn, with Dunn performing well to see the game out 21-18. This put an end to the home crowds hopes of an all Peel final between father and son.

The final was sure to be entertaining, with both players knowing a new name would be on the trophy and that one of them would be winning their first open. Kelly started well, picking up the first few ends to take a 11-6 lead before Dunn got in to go on a good run turning the score from a five point deficit into a five point lead to go 16-11 up playing a lengthy mark over the crown, constantly altering the length slightly. Kelly got back in to take the next few ends to pull the score back to 14-16. Dunn showed a determined attitude throughout the final, with his composure helping to see the game out winning deservedly 21-15 to finally break his duck in open competitions.

The presentation was made by Peel President Dougie Allan, who thanked everyone who had entered, all the Peel members who had helped in any way throughout the day. It was also noted that £320 was paid out in prize money, in part thanks to an anonymous sponsor on the day which helped contribute to a good prize fund.

The final of the Rayner Plate was won by Noble’s A following a brilliant comeback to win 185-175, winning by just 10 points in a thrilling final against third division side South Ramsey D. The handicaps were set with Noble’s A on +40 and South Ramsey D on +76, giving the Ramsey men a start of 36. The rain throughout the day had taken the electric pace out of the Villa green, unfortunately the green became quite heavy despite the puddles managing to clear before play took place.

Things were looking good for the D Team with Richard Davies turning in a stunning performance to see off the ever improving Glenn Boland to win 21-7 extending the lead to 50 points. Next off for South Ramsey was third division merit leader Ian Moore, turning in a fine performance to see off the experienced Dave Pease to record a fine 21-12 win to extend the lead to 59 points. Noble’s responded as expected with Reginald Temporaza and David Quayle both performing well to both win 21-9 against Franz ten Donkelaar and Martin Caley respectively. At the halfway stage Noble’s had clawed just one point back, however they had a good back four to go on with it all to do.

First game off in the second half was the wily Tommy Collister, who took a 15-1 lead against Matthew Corkill, with Corkill doing well to dig in playing some excellent bowls before eventually losing 13-21. Next game off was between the two captains with Kevin Firth leading the way for his Noble’s team with a strong 21-9 win against James Moore. This pulled the deficit for Noble’s back to just 15 points. Mark ‘Postie’ Quinn was the next game off against 10 year old Ryan Hargraves who was competing in his first major final, giving a good account of himself throughout the game for the way he played and conducted himself throughout the game. Young Ryan started in style with a six inch bowl and a two foot bowl with Quinn bowling a good second to save one. From there Quinn played well, with Ryan chipping in with the odd point. At lying game down Ryan hit a great strike to take the jack off the green, which had the crowd cheering. Quinn finished the game off next end beating a good bowl, which Ryan just missed when playing up for Quinn to record a 21-7 win. This reduced the deficit to just one point with the last game on the green it was another experienced Noble’s player John Ruscoe needing to win his game against Jay Moore to secure the victory and a great comeback for Noble’s. Ruscoe wasted no time in doing this with an assured 21-10 win.

This South Ramsey team can take great pride in their performance in their first major final against a team that are looking favourites to be playing first division bowls next season, and they have players who can only improve in the future. All credit to the Noble’s players who performed brilliantly to turn around a huge deficit to record their first Rayner Plate win. Before Noble’s Park and Noble’s Mixed merged a few years ago to create Noble’s, Noble’s Mixed A won the Rayner Plate in 2006.

The presentation was made by Association Chairman Neil Withers who congratulated both teams on their performance, Douglas for the use of the green and the refreshments, Steve Moore for running the sheet and the supporters who turned up for what was an entertaining final, with good support for both teams around the green.

Port St Mary hosted the Dreswick Cup sponsored by the Albert Hotel on Thursday afternoon, with the competition attracting 43 entries to play on a tricky green in glorious sunshine.

The competition is unique in that it is the only Men’s Open Age competition that is held during the week on a working day. I have been reliably informed that the shops around the Island used to close on a Thursday afternoon, which would allow those that worked in the shops to enter the competition. School kids have been known to skip school to play in the popular competition, with the most notable being a 14 year old John Kennish winning his first open.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were Neil Withers (Marown), Brian Kelly (Marown), Keith Rise (Douglas) and home greener Paul Skelly.

In the first semi-final Jordan Cain (Onchan) had the tough task of facing South Ramsey man John Kennish, with Cain taking an early lead before Kennish fought back to go 19-18 up. Cain then secured three singles to see the game out 21-19 to book his place in the final. In the other semi-final Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly won his game comfortably 21-11 against Port St Mary player Wayne Roberts.

The final started as expected with Cain going for the shorter lengths and Kelly playing the longer marks as he had done all day. Kelly made the better start taking a 13-9 lead. Cain got back in but struggled to lead as well as he done throughout the day and during the semi-final, perhaps not helped by the green losing some of the pace with the shadow being cast over the green. Kelly managed to keep Cain at arms lengths throughout with the lead going to 17-12 and then 19-14. Cain then picked up a further two points to put the score at 16-19. On the last end Cain was unable to put up a good lead which Kelly managed to beat, with Cain then failing to better his first bowl it allowed Kelly to play a second counting bowl for game.

The presentation was made by Port St Mary Vice President, Peter Collins, who thanked the Ladies for the refreshments, everyone who had helped run the competition and prepare the green. Pat O’Meara from the Albert Hotel was then introduced to present the prizes.

The PokerStars IOM Invitation took place on Friday evening at South Ramsey Bowling Club immediately after the conclusion of the IOM bowls festival.

It was a strong field taking part with every player in the field having played county bowls. The format was 31 up with 5 on the card which is a format that hasn’t been played for a number of years on the Island, but is a popular format across the water.

Robby Fitzpatrick (Merseyside) was the first jack on taking on Billy Speed (Lancashire), with Speed taking control of the game early on without ever going behind in the game. Speed won to a comfortable 31-20 score.

Local player Jordan Cain made his first appearance in the competition, with Cain only one point behind Carl Fielding (Warwick and Worcester) at 20-21. Fielding took control from there to see the game out with a 31-22 victory.

Derbyshire man Conor Chamberlain took on five time Manx Champion Colin Kelly, with Kelly’s knowledge of the green over the years proving enough to take a 31-21 win.

The final game in the top half of the draw had top Merseyside player Matt Gilmore taking on North Lancs & Fylde man Dave Jackson with Gilmore taking the biggest win of the round with a 31-19 victory.

In the bottom half of the draw Jon Palmer (Shropshire) took on James Wilcox (Yorkshire) with Wilcox proving too strong for Palmer taking a 31-23 win.

Nidge Hughes (Merseyside) took on one of the top players on the bowls circuit Callum Wraight (Shropshire) with Hughes hanging on to the tail of Wraight throughout the game and lying two bowls on top of the jack at 27-29, however Wraight had one of his trademark strikes taking off both of Hughes’ bowls with the jack staying on the green to leave himself one. Wraight secured another single on the next end to win 31-27 with Wraight’s striking ability being the difference.

Richie Goddard (Shropshire) and Kevan Shaw (Lancashire) was a good encounter with several tight ends and measures with Shaw getting over the line 31-26.

The last game in the bottom half of the draw had Paul Bailey (South Yorkshire) taking on Merseyside man Phil Lee with the game being close throughout with Lee going 30-27 up before Bailey hit back with two singles and a two to edge it 31-30 to book his place in the quarter finals.

The first game of the quarter finals had Speed up against Fielding with Speed taking an assured 31-23 win to book his spot in the semi finals.

Colin Kelly had his challenge ended by Gilmore who had a comfortable 31-17 win.

In the third quarter final Wilcox took on Wraight with the game living up to expectations. It was close throughout with the score tied at 27 and then 29 with Wraight scoring a double to secure a hard fought 31-29 victory.

In the last quarter final game Bailey was always ahead against Shaw taking a 31-19 win.

In the first semi final Speed took on 2015 winner Gilmore with Speed using all his experience to book his spot in the final with a 31-28 win with Gilmore pushing hard to get through.

In the second semi final Wraight took on Bailey, with both players being big hitters their striking didn’t disappoint with a number of hits throughout the game with Wraight taking a 31-24 win over Bailey.

In the final Wraight was quickest out of the blocks taking a 12-6 lead, then extending this even further to 25-10 on his trademark short marks to the middle of the green. Wraight held off Speed to take a 31-15 win to secure the title and a cheque for £1,200. Speed will no doubt have been cheered up by his cheque for £600, with the losing semi finalists each receiving £250, and the losing quarter finalists taking home £125.

At the conclusion of play the presentation was made by event organiser Glynn Hargraves, who thanked the sponsor PokerStars for their continued support, the players for what made for an entertaining evening of bowls, the spectators for turning up to support, all the club members who had helped in any way to prepare for the competition ahead of the day and on the night. Special thanks were also passed to the South Ramsey Ladies who once again catered for the event.