News: Announcements
June Festival Preview
June Festival 2017
Men's Winner James WilcoxThe eagerly awaited Isle of Man June Festival takes place the week commencing 18th June with a good entry of over 340 in the Men’s competition.
On the first page of the draw former festival winner Gaz Lally (Crossgates) takes on Stewart Meddings (Royal Oak BC) in what should be a good game with both having expectations to go far in the competition. Former finalist Carl Fielding (Bradford Arms) will also be looking to make it to the latter stages, whilst Matthew Kelly-Walley (Stratton Anglesey) could face Billy Speed (Castlefields) in the second round. Local player and another former festival winner David Bradford will be looking to pick up his second title and first June win.
On the second page Ryan Clark (Thongsbridge) takes on Ian Sherbrooke (Wallasey) in the first round. Also on this page are current title holder James Wilcox (Crossgates) who starts off a handicap of two and Chris Mordue (Brighouse) who will be hoping to make it a memorable week.
On page three Joshua Mordue (Pudsey) will also be looking to have a good run, whilst regular visitor and serial winner Ian Nicholson (Kendal Vic) will be confident of another victory on Manx soil (or grass!) Another former winner Marown man Colin Kelly could well face Phil Lee (Wallasey) in what could be an entertaining game.
On the next page Andrew Spragg (Eastwood Park) will take on local Stevie Kelly (Peel) who will be looking to take a good scalp in his first game. If Martin Gilpin (Kendal Vic) and Nick White are able to navigate their way through their first game they could face each other in the second round. South Ramsey’s John Kennish the Islands most decorated player has his handicap back up to four, having been as low as scratch thanks to his September 2014 win, which was followed up in style with his June 2015 win despite giving most of his opponents a three start. Kennish will be confident of reaching the latter stages and would be a strong tip to make finals day.
On page five two players jump out with Richie Goddard (Castlefields) on the top half of the page and last year’s runner up Craig Gant (Thongsbridge) in the bottom half. Both players would need to win four games to face each other and if the festival has taught me anything it is that there is always plenty of shocks throughout the week, so neither player will be counting their chickens.
Looking at page six Andrew Duckett (Castlefields) will be hoping to have a good run with Brian Smith (Stratton Anglesey) standing firmly in his way with a potential second round face off.
Over to page seven and Nigel Hughes (Wirral) could face Conor Chamberlain (Stretton Anglesey) as early as Wednesday afternoon in the third round, whilst Kevan Shaw (Westhoughton RC) could play Carl Armitage (St Oswalds) in his second game with the winner potentially taking on Rob Fitzpatrick (Wallasey) in the next round.
On page eight Paul Morgan (Woodlands Park) winner of the September Festival in 1998 makes his long awaited return to the Island and faces Tommy King (Marton) who knows the Islands greens well with both players hoping to be on top of their game to ensure they make it through to the second round. Onchan man Kevin Quirk is finding form at the right time and will be hoping to pick up his first title after having gone close in previous years. Paul Bailey (Meersbrook) takes on Ian Hazlehurst (Wallasey) in his first round game, whilst Andrew Sorsby (Thongsbridge) will be keen to progress to the latter stages.
On page nine Marown captain Paul Dunn will be looking to take his league form into the festival, however he could have the tricky task of facing Kevin Nicholas (Gresford Colliery) in his second game. Chris Kelly (Thongsbridge) could have dodged a bullet in his second game with Danny Barwise (Wallasey) now rumoured to be unable to make it to the Island due to work commitments.
Page ten, this is littered with previous winners. Matt Gilmore (Wallasey) is the first of these and he could face Ben Gloag (Nursery Inn) in his third game which could make for great viewing, whilst Kez Smith (Crossgates) another former winner could face Jon Palmer (Castlefields) in his second game in what could be a fascinating battle. Jon Guess (Fairfield) could face Smith or Palmer in the next round should he find his way through two games. Neil Withers (Marown) is another of a handful of local players to have lifted the trophy and could face another former winner Alan Gilpin (Kendal Vic) in his third game, whilst Alan Belcher (Dukki Central) will be hoping to surpass his previous best in the competition to secure his first festival title.
On the final page Callum Wraight (Castlefields) is another regular visitor to the Island and will know full well that whilst it appears his half of the page is favourable, he will need to ensure he wins those games to make the eagerly anticipated Thursday afternoon, which never fails to throw out some classic encounters. Wraight will be a big favourite to reach the latter stages. On the other half of the page Jack Dyson (Thongsbridge) could face David Jackson (Knutsford) in Wednesday afternoon, whilst Mark Hughes (Crossgates) will be hoping to secure his first festival win having gone close previously.
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.
Rayner Semi-Finals
Rayner Plate Winners 2017
Marown CRayner Shield
In a repeat of last year’s semi-final South Ramsey A took on Onchan A at Onchan Park in what was expected to be a close match it didn’t disappoint. With heavy rain the green was constantly getting heavier. The home team adjusted to the conditions quicker with Jordan Cain winning 21-7 over Alan Moore, whilst Kevin Quirk turned on the style to see off Dido Kelly 21-9. Tony Dugdale replied for the visitors with a 21-11 win over Mike Thomas. It is worth mentioning that the home team must have been grateful for the weather as this led to Peter Slinger being available to play with the boat not sailing, Slinger made the most of this defeating Peter Collister 21-8. At the half way stage Onchan held a 3-1 lead and led by 29 chalks (74-45). As expected South Ramsey hit back in the second half with David Bradford clawing back 17 chalks with a 21-4 win over Phil Kerruish. Glynn Hargraves was next off winning 21-11 over Steve Crampton, after being 20-5 up and lying two for game Crampton bowled in to save game and then earned a six extra points which turned out to be crucial. This levelled the match on games at 3-3 and gave Onchan a lead of just two chalks (89-87). Sealing the win for Onchan was Matthew Quirk who beat Stefan Kelly 21-9. John Kennish was last game off beating Rob Monk 21-13 to level the match on games 4-4, however this left the chalks 123-117 in favour of Onchan which was enough to book their spot in the final. All of the Onchan winners won their games to single figures, which was the difference on the night.
Conditions were similar in the south of the Island with Port St Mary A hosting Marown A in the other semi-final. Neil Withers got the visitors off to a good start with a 21-4 win over Thomas Keggen, backed up by John Gelling who beat Rob Cooil 21-16. Port St Mary replied with Paul Skelly winning 21-16 over Dean Kipling, whilst captain Trevor Quayle beat Matthew Keggen 21-13. The match was finely balanced at the half way stage 2-2 on games with Marown leading by nine chalks (62-71). Colin Kelly extended the lead with a 21-7 win over Nathan Hamilton, with Wayne Roberts and Dan McCabe both holding their nerve to beat Paul Kelly and Phil Kelly 21-20 respectively. Visiting captain Paul Dunn knew a win to any score would do due to the advantage on chalks and wasted no time in securing the victory with a 21-11 win over Ewan Cooil. The match ended 4-4 on games with the visitors winning by 29 chalks this was enough to book their spot in the final.
The final of the Rayner Shield between Onchan A and Marown A is to be held on Friday 13th July with the venue to be confirmed.
Rayner Plate
In another thriller Noble’s A (+40) took on Peel A (+10) at Noble’s Park. Noble’s knew home advantage could be crucial along with a 30 point start. Gary Smith continued his fine form for the season with a 21-7 win, backed up by Tommy McMeiken who beat Reginald Temporaza 21-6. Glenn Boland was 20-12 up on Frank Watson, however Watson then took nine consecutive chalks to run out 21-20. Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly beat Bod Boland 21-16 to put the visitors just ahead 94-89 to leave the match finely poised at the half way stage. Tommy Collister beat Tom Kelly 21-16 to level the match on chalks. Kevin Firth handled the conditions well to beat Stevie Kelly 21-19, to give the home team a two point lead with two games left on the green with David Quayle 20-20 against Jerome Surridge. Surridge held his nerve to win 21-20 to reduce the deficit to just one chalk (151-150). David Pease was 19-19 with David Proctor, Pease managed to secure the win 21-19 to record a memorable win by just three chalks (172-169) for the home team to book their place in the final.
In the other semi-final South Ramsey D (+76) hosted Finch Hill B (+80) the visitors had their work cut out to win away to the team sitting nine points ahead of them in the table. 10 year old Ryan Hargraves was first off the green securing his second win of the week with a fine 21-17 win over Eric Stanley to level the match on chalks. Ian Moore beat Kevin Anderson 21-18, backed up by Martin Caley beating new comer Paddy Murphy 21-11. Richard Davies then beat Brian Murphy to the same score to give the home team a lead of 23 chalks at the half way point (160-137). Replying for Finch Hill Kevin Stannard beat Jay Moore 21-16, whilst Sam Stannard beat Matthew Corkill 21-7 to cut the deficit to just four chalks (183-179). Franz Ten Donkelaar eased the home team’s nerves with a 21-9 win over Frank Christian, whilst captain James Moore beat visiting captain Pat Maher 21-14. South Ramsey won the match by 23 chalks (225-202) whilst also winning 6-2 on games to ensure they take part in their first ever final.
The final of the Rayner Plate between Noble’s A (+40) and South Ramsey D (+76) is to be held on Friday 20th July with the venue to be confirmed.
June Festival Draw
Link to IOM June Festival Draw for Ladies & Men
Boland Crowned Junior Champion
Junior Championship Winner 2018
The Ellan Vannin Fuels sponsored Junior Championship took place on Saturday with 16 juniors entering the competition.
Losing out at the quarter final stage were Madison McMullan (Mooragh Park), Kiera Corlett (Castletown), Aalish Haworth (Mooragh Park) and 2017 winner Harry Barton (Marown) who lost 17-21 to Sam Stannard.
Falling at the semi-final stage were Sam Stannard (Finch Hill) 20-21 to Bethany Kennish (South Ramsey), who kept her composure to book her place in the final. In the second semi-final Sam Clague (Castletown) lost out 4-21 to Glenn Boland (Noble’s).
In the final Glenn made a strong start building a big lead on his favoured long marks. Bethany managed to pull a few points back to get the score back to 8-19, before Glenn secured a two to win his first Junior Championship, with a deserved victory thanks to winning all his games to single figures.
Both Glenn and Bethany have qualified to play off Island later in the year.
The presentation was made by Glynn Hargraves, with thanks given to Castletown Bowling Club for hosting and helping to run the competition. It was great to see so many supporters around the green, with the games played in the right spirit, also to see such a good standard of bowls throughout the day.
Hat-trick for Kennish
Manx Championship Winner 2018
John KennishThere was a bumper entry of 65 in this years Canada Life International sponsored Manx Championship held at Port St Mary on Saturday with the green running well and proving difficult to master.
The game of the first round on paper had 2017 champion John Kennish taking on Jordan Cain (Onchan). After a shaky start by both players Kennish pulled away to take a big lead to go 20-7 up before Cain replied with an eight point run to get back to 15-20 and was lying one until Kennish took out Cain’s counting bowl to win 21-15.
Home greener Paul Skelly had his work cut out to beat Jimmy Sansom 21-18 to book his place in the second round.
Peel man Gary Smith performed well to dispose of two South Ramsey players defeating Stefan Kelly 21-10 and Glynn Hargraves 21-16 to earn his place in the finals day.
Saturday’s theme seemed to be a tale of comebacks with Sam Clague (Castletown) holding a huge lead on Frank Watson (Peel) before letting it slip losing 21-19 to show the importance of having the jack on a tricky green.
Glenn Boland (Noble’s) was 11-2 down against Dave McCabe (Port Erin) then took 18 consecutive points to go 20-11 up. McCabe got two more points then Boland finished the game off taking a 21-13 victory.
In the second round Peel captain Stevie Kelly was 13-3, 14-7 and then 18-11 up on Onchan captain Peter Slinger who doesn’t know when he is beaten with Slinger just managing to earn his place in the last 16 with a 21-20 win.
Neil Withers (Marown) was 13-18 down to Stuart Garrett (Douglas) to then take four consecutive doubles to win 21-18. John Kennish was pushed even harder in his second game against Frank Watson with a similar story to the first game in that Kennish had a big lead of 17-8 before Watson started to claw his way back into the game. Kennish got over the line 21-17 in the end.
Dan McCabe (Port St Mary) had a fantastic 21-6 win over Tommy McMeiken (Peel). Home greener Wayne Roberts was another victim of letting a lead slip after going 20-16 up before losing out 20-21 to Rob Monk.
David Proctor performed well despite getting a walkover in the first round to beat Peel team mate Tom Kelly to win 21-9 to book his place in finals day.
Last 16 Line Up
Paul Skelly v Gary Smith
Peter Slinger v Neil Withers
Dan McCabe v John Kennish
Reginald Temporaza v David Bradford
David Proctor v Matthew Keggen
Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly v Rob Monk
Trevor Quayle v Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly
Colin Kelly v Paul Dunn
Paul Skelly got the action underway on Sunday in front of a good turnout for finals day and kept the home crowds dream of a home greener victory alive by ending the challenge of Gary Smith with a 21-13 win. Peter Slinger had to dig in once again to see off Neil Withers with a hard fought 21-18 victory. Port St Mary man Dan McCabe started well with John Kennish, then Kennish found his groove to book his quarter final spot with a 21-10 win. Noble’s Reg Temporaza’s challenge was ended by David Bradford (South Ramsey) who won comfortably 21-9.
In the second half of games Matthew Keggen (Marown) also had a comfortable win over David Proctor, whilst Onchan’s Rob Monk performed brilliantly to end the challenge of Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly for another year also winning 21-9. Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly played as well as anyone to see off Port St Mary captain Trevor Quayle with a 21-13 win. In the final game it was two Marown team mates pitted against each other with Colin Kelly holding off Paul Dunn with a 21-12 win.
In the first quarter final Paul Skelly got the applause of the home crowd with a 21-20 win over Peter Slinger after letting an 18-13 lead slip to book his place in the semi-final thanks to a good two to finish on the last end.
In the second quarter final it was another battle between team mates with John Kennish taking on his men’s doubles partner David Bradford with Bradford 13-3, 15-8 and 19-15 up with Kennish clawing his way back constantly throughout the game with Kennish getting over the line thanks to a double and four singles to win 21-19.
In the third quarter final Rob Monk took on Matthew Keggen with Monk taking a commanding 19-13 lead with Keggen chipping away at the lead to get back to 18-20 before Monk played a good first bowl to end Keggen’s hopes of a win on his former home green.
In the last quarter final Dido Kelly made a good start to go 11-4 up on Colin Kelly with Dido not sending his jack far enough which allowed Colin the opportunity to set the mark in the corners, which he took full advantage of, to then take a 14-13 lead. Dido responded with a double to re-take the lead 15-14. Colin then managed to see the game out taking a 21-15 win to book his place in the semi-final.
In the first semi-final John Kennish faced local favourite Paul Skelly with Kennish making a strong start going 15-3 up, before seeing the game out to win 21-13.
In the other semi-final Rob Monk started well taking a 7-2 lead with Colin Kelly responding with 12 consecutive points to take a 14-7 lead before Monk took a single and a double. Kelly responded with another run to book his place in the final with a 21-10 win.
The final started with a rematch from 2016 between the top two ranked players on the Island with Kennish making an assured start going 7-0 and then 16-3 up. Kelly started to work his way back into the game pulling the score back to 8-16 and then 11-17. Kennish then took three singles to stand just one point away from victory. Kelly scored two singles to hold Kennish off and then led a good lead before Kennish tapped the jack to lie one for game. Kelly played his last bowl and just missed taking out the counting bowl to hand Kennish his third successive Manx Championship and 11th in total to further etch his name into the history books.
Thanks must go to Port St Mary for the condition of the green, the excellent catering and club members who were on hand to help throughout the weekend.
Manx Championship Draw/Results
Draw / Results
Manx Championship Preview
Mens Manx Championship Winner 2017
John Kennish being presented the Manx Championship Trophy by 2017 Association President Clare CooperThe 2018 Manx Championship takes place over the weekend of Saturday 19th May, with the Port St Mary green in superb condition, this promises to be a great weekend of bowls. The competition is traditionally played down to the last 16 on the Saturday, then played down to the winner on the Sunday.
Massive favourites to add another Manx Championship to their trophy cabinets given their previous success are the top three ranked players on the Island. John Kennish (South Ramsey) will be looking for title number 11, Colin Kelly (Marown) has five wins to his name, and David Bradford (South Ramsey) who will be keen to add to his 2015 win.
Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey) will be hoping for his third title on his former home green following his successive wins in 2012 and 2013, whilst Neil Withers (Marown) will be looking to add to his 2009 success on Marown. Kevin Quirk will be hoping to find some form to pick up his third title.
Ewan Cooil is another who has a Manx Championship success under his belt over ‘recent’ history, whose sole victory came on his home green in 2001 the last time the Championship was held on Port St Mary in what was a nail biting final. Looking to emulate their team mate will be Trevor Quayle and Paul Skelly with Quayle losing out in the 2015 final and Skelly having reaching the semi-finals previously.
Whilst there has been only eight different winners over the past 20 years, there are players who will be looking for their first championship win, with Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly (Peel) having won a number of open competitions on Port St Mary over the years. Barney has started the season in good form reaching the final of two singles opens. Namesake Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly has also started the season in superb form and if the green is running well on the day then he could well add his name to the famous trophy.
That said it may well be a name not already mentioned that is crowned Manx Champion, with a few capable of beating anyone on their day. What I can guarantee is a few shocks along the way.
Entries close on Thursday 17th May at 12pm. Remember you’ve got to be in it to win it.
Rayner Shield & Plate Quarter Final Draws
Rayner Shield Winners 2017 - Marown A
Back: Ian Kissack, Paul Dunn, John Gelling, Phil KellyFront: Matthew Keggen, Colin Kelly, Neil Withers
Missing: Dean Kipling
Draws for the Quarter finals
Marown D (2025)
Men's Division 3
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | Pts | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Breagle Glen C | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 9 | ||
| 7 | Marown D | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | ||
| 8 | Ballaugh C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 |
| Pos | Player | Team | P | W | L | W/O | Dropped | For | Against | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Stu Mason | Marown D | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 63 | 41 | |
| 29 | Steve Wilson | Marown D | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 57 | 47 | |
| 41 | Brian Lindsey | Marown D | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 18 | |
| 44 | Phil Dunn | Marown D | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 39 | 31 | |
| 48 | Jay Waters | Marown D | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 36 | 35 | |
| 53 | Richard Bregazzi | Marown D | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 33 | 40 | |
| 57 | Ryan Holdaway | Marown D | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 49 | 60 | |
| 66 | Alan Gault | Marown D | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 21 | |
| 70 | Arran Dunn | Marown D | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 21 | |
| 81 | Steve Walters | Marown D | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 8 | 21 | |
| 85 | Andy Sykes | Marown D | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 26 | 42 | |
| 89 | Eddie Rough | Marown D | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 24 | 42 |
| Date | Match # | Home | Score | Away | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peel Sunset C | 8-2(155-107) | Marown D | ||
| 2 | Marown D | 5-5(136-140) | Ballaugh B | ||
| 3
| Nobles C | 5-5(145-148) | Marown D | ||
| 4 | Marown D | -:- | North Ramsey B | ||
| 5 | Marown D | -:- | Ballaugh C | ||
| 6 | Breagle Glen C | -:- | Marown D | ||
| 7 | Marown D | -:- | Nobles D | ||
| 9 | Marown D | -:- | South Ramsey C | ||
| 10 | Marown D | -:- | Peel Sunset C | ||
| 11 | Ballaugh B | -:- | Marown D | ||
| 12 | Marown D | -:- | Nobles C | ||
| 13 | North Ramsey B | -:- | Marown D | ||
| 14 | Ballaugh C | -:- | Marown D | ||
| 15 | Marown D | -:- | Breagle Glen C | ||
| 16 | Nobles D | -:- | Marown D | ||
| 17 | South Ramsey C | -:- | Marown D |
Venue: Nobles 2Marown D (2025)
Men's Division 3
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | Pts | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Breagle Glen C | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 9 | ||
| 7 | Marown D | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | ||
| 8 | Ballaugh C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 |
| Pos | Player | Team | P | W | L | W/O | Dropped | For | Against | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Stu Mason | Marown D | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 63 | 41 | |
| 29 | Steve Wilson | Marown D | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 57 | 47 | |
| 41 | Brian Lindsey | Marown D | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 18 | |
| 44 | Phil Dunn | Marown D | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 39 | 31 | |
| 48 | Jay Waters | Marown D | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 36 | 35 | |
| 53 | Richard Bregazzi | Marown D | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 33 | 40 | |
| 57 | Ryan Holdaway | Marown D | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 49 | 60 | |
| 66 | Alan Gault | Marown D | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 21 | |
| 70 | Arran Dunn | Marown D | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 21 | |
| 81 | Steve Walters | Marown D | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 8 | 21 | |
| 85 | Andy Sykes | Marown D | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 26 | 42 | |
| 89 | Eddie Rough | Marown D | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 24 | 42 |
| Date | Match # | Home | Score | Away | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peel Sunset C | 8-2(155-107) | Marown D | ||
| 2 | Marown D | 5-5(136-140) | Ballaugh B | ||
| 3
| Nobles C | 5-5(145-148) | Marown D | ||
| 4 | Marown D | -:- | North Ramsey B | ||
| 5 | Marown D | -:- | Ballaugh C | ||
| 6 | Breagle Glen C | -:- | Marown D | ||
| 7 | Marown D | -:- | Nobles D | ||
| 9 | Marown D | -:- | South Ramsey C | ||
| 10 | Marown D | -:- | Peel Sunset C | ||
| 11 | Ballaugh B | -:- | Marown D | ||
| 12 | Marown D | -:- | Nobles C | ||
| 13 | North Ramsey B | -:- | Marown D | ||
| 14 | Ballaugh C | -:- | Marown D | ||
| 15 | Marown D | -:- | Breagle Glen C | ||
| 16 | Nobles D | -:- | Marown D | ||
| 17 | South Ramsey C | -:- | Marown D |
Hannah Is Top Lady
Top Lady Winner 2018
Hannah DrewettPort St Mary Bowling Club hosted the annual Top Lady Bowling Competition with 32 ladies invited to play.
The first round saw some of the favourites fall with current Manx Champion Shelley Kennish losing 21-8 to Chris Price. Last years winner Janet Monk lost to Marown player Rosie Winkle 21-12 and Jenny Moore despite a late fight back lost to home-greener Trish Bull 21-18.
Quarter finals saw Katy Williams defeat teammate Chris Price 21-17. Jayne Kneen beat Peel Sunset’s Joyce Kelly 21-15. Castletown bowler Hannah Drewett won 21-15 against last seasons overall merit winner Ann Maddrell and Debbie Leece beat Mary Moffatt 21-11.
The first semi final saw a clash of home greeners, also sisters, Jayne Kneen and Katy Williams. After an early exchange of the jack Jayne built up a 11-5 lead. Katy, despite picking up a couple of two’s couldn’t get ahead and Jayne won 21-13 to book her spot in the final.
The other semi final between Hannah Drewett and Debbie Leece was nip-tuck all the way and after 27 ends the score was 18-17 to Debbie. Hannah dug in an won back to back twos and came out on top 21-18.
In the final, Hannah maintained a lead throughout and at the halfway stage led 12-7 before Jayne came back to trail 15-14. Another surge from Hannah put her 19-14 up and within touching distance of the win. Jayne used all her experience to close the gap but Hannah maintained her high standard of bowling and won her first Top Lady title 21-18.
Thanks go to the Association for running the competition and Port St Mary for hosting and providing an excellent playing surface.
A Fitting Tribute to Sophie
Income Plus Services Jim Senior - Winners 2018
Jordan Cain, Stefan Kelly, Alan Kelly & Dave 'Dido' KellyThe Income Plus Services sponsored Jim Senior Team Fours was held on Sunday at South Ramsey with 19 teams taking part which resulted in the games being played as two pairs instead of the usual doubles and two singles games with the team with the highest chalks taking the win in each tie.
The competition was a massive success with the aim being to raise £1,000 in favour of Rebecca House Children’s Hospice. This target was easily surpassed thanks to the generosity of the local bowling fraternity who dug deep for this very worthy cause with £1,400 being raised thanks in part to those who couldn’t be there but still purchased raffle tickets ahead of the day. This amount will be topped up by a further £1,000 by Barclays to give a grand total of £2,400 to be passed on to Rebecca House Children’s Hospice in memory of Sophie Kelly, which is a charity close to the heart of the family of Dido and Lisa Kelly following the loss of their daughter last year.
In what was a fitting tribute to Sophie, the winners at the end of a long day were Sophie’s brother Stefan Kelly, Dad Dido Kelly and Grandad Alan Kelly ably backed up by Onchan’s Jordan Cain. They held off the home team of Lyn Bolton, Sid Bolton, Steven Waters and included Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary) to record a win of 38-31 in the final. It was great to see Alan Kelly back playing and he defied his years to play superbly throughout the day to help his team win.
Losing out at the semi final stage to the eventual winners by eight chalks (34-42) were the Ballaugh Team of Patrick Grant, Steve Grant, Tony Quine and Edward Trustham, along with the Ladies Team of Lil Smith, Mary Alderson, Elaine Moore and Gill Dixon who lost out by just five chalks (31-36).
The presentation was made by South Ramsey Chairman Steve Moore and thanks were given to the sponsors Income Plus Services and everyone for their generosity. Thanks were also given to Glynn Hargraves for organising and selling the raffle, all the club members who contributed in anyway from those running the competition, to the Ladies for providing the top notch refreshments throughout the day. Not to forget the improvement on the green and to those who helped on and off the green to prepare for the competition.
In Dido’s speech he became understandably emotional and thanked everyone who made today possible as Rebecca House had helped the family so much.
The winner of the 2 foot passenger IOM Steam Packet vouchers was Gill Morgan who eventually claimed her prize after purchasing £20 worth of raffle tickets!
Finally a personal thank you to everyone who helped source raffle prizes and to all the local businesses who kindly donated a prize:-
IOM Steam Packet, Splinters, Feltons, JJ barbers, Intersport, Teare’s Butchers, Farmer Combine, Ramsey Garden Centre, Allan Callow, Bourne Plaice and Trawler Man Chippy