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Marown ‘Mix’ Things Up
Mixed Team Winners 2017 - Marown
Back: John Gelling, Mary Alderson, Shirley Whelan, Lil Smith, Philippa Taylor, Phil KellyFront: Colin Kelly, Neil Withers, Matthew Keggen Paul Dunn
The Ellan Vannin Fuels Mixed League was brought to a conclusion on Thursday evening.
The competition commenced in early May, with 14 teams entering the competition, the teams were split into four groups playing each team in their group home and away, earning two points for a win on chalks, one for a draw. The winners with the most points from each group then qualified for the semi-finals.
The four group winners were South Ramsey A, Port St Mary A, Marown A, and Onchan A. The draw for the semi-finals put South Ramsey A v Marown A and Port St Mary A v Onchan A. The semi-final fixtures were held on neutral greens. Last year’s winners South Ramsey were disposed of comfortably on Noble’s one by Marown, who had a convincing win by 39 points. The other semi-final was a lot closer with Port St Mary booking their place in the final winning by 10 points to book their place in the final.
The final was held on a fantastic Peel green, who were able to show off their new floodlights, against the backdrop of a stunning sunset.
The final got underway with Matthew Keggen first off for Marown, with a 21-18 win over Paul Skelly in a good quality and entertaining game to watch. Second game off was Phil Kelly who overcame the strong challenge of Chris Price to win 21-14 to extend Marown’s lead to 10 chalks. The third game off was Dan McCabe who had a comfortable 21-12 win over Mary Alderson, to reduce the deficit to one chalk for Port St Mary. This was swiftly followed by Neil Withers who won 21-8 defeating Margaret Tasker to extend Marown’s lead to 14 chalks. The last game of the first blocks on the green went to the wire, with Wayne Roberts just getting home with a 21-20 victory over Philippa Taylor, reducing the deficit to 13 chalks.
The second set of games all became vital, with Jayne Kneen leading 15-6 over Paul Dunn, with Dunn having to dig deep to get back into the game, however Kneen managed to get over the line with a 21-15 win to reduce the deficit to seven points for Port St Mary. Ewan Cooil put in a good performance for his team to turn the match on its head with a 21-5 win over Shirley Whelan to swing the match in favour of Port St Mary for the first time on the night by nine chalks. In the penultimate game, it was a blockbuster of a game with the men currently sat first and second in the division one merit facing off. After a slow start Colin Kelly built a commanding 15-6 lead over Trevor Quayle, with Kelly finishing the game off 21-13 to reduce the deficit to one chalk for Marown. At this point the last game of the evening was finely balanced between Lil Smith and Patricia Bull, with the match score being 4-4 on games only a win for Marown’s Lil Smith would do. The game could so easily have gone either way, however Smith wasn’t to be denied and became the hero of the night for her team, getting over the line 21-19 to secure a win by one chalk for Marown, who in doing so secured their first Mixed League title and are the only fifth team to take the title since its inception in 2005.
At the conclusion of play after what was a thrilling final, the presentation was made by the President of the Men’s Association Clare Cooper, who congratulated Marown on their win, thanked the sponsors Ellan Vannin Fuels for their continued support of the competition, Peel for hosting the final, and the spectators who came to support.
Mixed Team 2017 Runners Up – Port St Mary
Back: Paul Skelly, Ewan Cooil, Dan McCabe, Wayne Roberts, Trevor Quayle
Front: Trish Bull, Margret Tasker, Jayne Kneen, Chris Price
All To Play For
We’re heading into the final of week of the summer bowls season. It seems to have been a great success extending the season through September with clubs and players able to enjoy more bowling before the weather turns for winter.
There is still plenty to play for in the Ellan Vannin Fuels sponsored Men’s Leagues with Division and Merit titles up for grabs.
Starting with division one current champions South Ramsey A look to have done enough to secure back to back titles holding a comfortable 12 point lead over Marown A.
The battle at the bottom of division one rages on with Castletown B throwing Ballaugh A and Douglas B back into the relegation battle following their 8-2 win over Douglas B last week.
At the bottom Port Erin A sit on 53 points, Castletown B 59, Ballaugh A 60 and Douglas B 64.
Douglas B look safe on those points but they have played a game more than their relegation rivals and sit out on Wednesday. It will be season defining game when they make the trip up north to face South Ramsey B on Monday knowing they need to pick up points to distance themselves further.
Port Erin A who are rooted to the bottom of the league have two home games this week, first on Monday against fellow relegation candidates Castletown B and South Ramsey B on Wednesday.
Ballaugh A collected an important two points when they took the aggregate in a 6-4 win over Port Erin A last week. With a tough home match against Marown A followed by Wednesdays away trip to Castletown A they will have their work cut out to stay in the top flight, which they have been a part of since winning the division two league in 2008.
Castletown B who face Port Erin A on Monday then go to Marown A who have only dropped six points out of the available 50 in their last five home matches. Their Monday night encounter with Port Erin A could be the make or break game for the Balley Chashtal Men who were promoted only last season.
Division two and three have only one game remaining which are being played Monday or Tuesday night.
Marown B have already confirmed themselves as Champions as Onchan B had to bring their match forward to Friday and required a 10-0 win to have any hope of winning the league. They could only manage a 8-2 win over their C team confirming Marown B as league winners.
At the bottom of the table Douglas C who have struggled this season will finish bottom with Onchan C finishing above them.
It has been tight at the top of Division three for most of the season with Marown C, Peel Sunset C and Ballaugh C exchanging blows and places along the way. Marown C have fallen off the pace but should they hang on to third place it would be a great achievement in only their second season of bowls.
This leaves two teams Ballaugh C 126 points and Peel Sunset C 124 points. Incredibly the two teams meet on Tuesday at Sunset City which will provide a fantastic backdrop to the climax of division three.
In the League Merits. Trevor Quayle has been top of the division one merit for virtually the entire season having lost only one game 21-18. Chasing him are Colin Kelly, David Bradford and Neil Withers who could all still win the merit with two games to play.
Steve Crampton has already confirmed himself as division two merit winner with Kerry ‘Bod’ Boland runner up.
The division three merit has four players tied on 16 wins with chalks dropped separating them. Dave Smith, Paul Quirk, Arthur Moore and Ian Moore will all await each others results to find out which one has grabbed the merit.
Good luck to all the teams and players for the final weeks bowling.
Kennish at the Double
Mens & Ladies Manx Masters Winners 2017
Following the success of the Juniors, there was definitely a feel good factor around the green, with the Ladies and Men’s event immediately following the Juniors.
The Ladies event was an invitational 16, with the Men’s event being an invitational 32.
The eventual winner in the Ladies competition was the current Ladies Manx Champion Shelley Kennish, who overcame the challenge of teammate Lyn Bolton to win 21-20 after being 20-16 down.
Kennish came through her semi-final game with an assured win over last years winner Elaine Moore (South Ramsey), whilst Bolton had to dig deep with a 21-17 win over Chris Price (Port St Mary).
Kennish didn’t have it all her own way though, having to battle back from 19-10 down in her quarter final with Rebecca Teare (Nobles) to run out with a 21-19 victory. The other losing quarter finalists were Clare Cooper (Nobles), Philippa Taylor (Marown), and Gill Dixon (South Ramsey).
Glenn Boland carried his good form into the Men’s Manx Masters by winning his first game, demonstrating that he is one to watch out for in the Men’s game.
Not to be outdone by his daughter Shelley, John Kennish who is also the Men’s Manx Champion managed to retain the Men’s Manx Masters, with a resounding 21-6 victory over Neil Withers (Marown) in a good quality final.
In the semi-finals Kennish ended the challenge of Colin Kelly (Marown) with a 21-13 victory, whilst Withers booked his place in the final with a 21-15 win over Stuart Garrett.
Losing out in the quarter finals were Paul Skelly (Port St Mary), Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly (South Ramsey), Nathan Cooil (Castletown) and Phil ‘Rambo’ Kelly (Marown).
At the conclusion of the competition thanks were given to Feltons for their continued sponsorship of the Ladies and Men’s competitions, the South Ramsey Ladies for the excellent refreshments provided throughout a long day, those who helped run the competition and prepare the green.
Finally good luck to Jenny Moore, Shelley Kennish and John Kennish who will all be representing the Island next weekend (23rd/24th September) in Blackpool at the Waterloo in the Champion of Champions by virtue of their success in other competitions.
Boland Wins Junior Manx Masters
Junior Manx Masters Winner 2017
Glenn BolandThe Junior Manx Masters was held on Saturday morning at South Ramsey, with 15 juniors taking part, with Glenn Boland (Nobles) overcoming the challenge of current Junior Manx Champion Harry Barton (Marown) with a 11-5 victory in a good quality final.
It was an excellent morning of bowling, with the early stages split into three groups of five, with the three group winners automatically qualifying for the semi-final, along with a runner up from the three groups who had the best aggregate. Glenn didn’t have it all his own way, after a narrow defeat in the group stages against Bethany Kennish, Boland kept his cool to take the last spot in the semi-final courtesy of results in his other group games, showing he had not let his head drop despite the setback.
In the semi-final Glenn managed to end the challenge of last years winner Bethany Kennish, whilst Harry beat Austin Hart to book his place in the final.
At the conclusion of play the presentation was made by John Kennish, who thanked Stonemasons IOM Limited for the generous sponsorship, all those who were there to support the juniors.
Friends Provident Men’s Doubles
Friends Provident Men’s Doubles Winners 2017
Jordan Cain, Katy Williams (Friends Provident) & Nathan HamiltonAn Entry of 32 players (16 pairs) played at Port St Mary Bowling Club.
The 32 players were split into 2 groups, A and B, based on the league merit tables and which league the individuals play in, with group A being mostly 1st division bowlers.
One player was drawn from each group to make up the teams. This made for many close matches in every round of the competition, including the final which was won 21 – 20 by Jordan Cain & Nathan Hamilton against James Teare & Glenn Boland.
Losing at the semi-final stages were Alan Moore & Tom Collins and Glynn Hargraves & Derek Kneen.
With the weather also behaving itself, a very enjoyable afternoon was had by all.
At the Presentation, the President Of P.S.M. Bowling Club Ken Karran thanked the sponsors Friends Provident, the greenkeeper Ewan Cooil, the Ladies catering team, and everyone else that helped on the day.
Ken Karran then introduced Katy Williams of Friends Provident to present the prizes.
This open was added to this season’s schedule after some extra dates became available. After a lot of good feedback on the day from the players and spectators it is hoped that event will go ahead again next season.
Bailey is cream of crop
Mens September Festival Winner 2017
John BaileyJohn Bailey (Llanrwst) was the cream of the crop as he picked up his first title in the main event at the Isle of Man Bowls Festival last week, having been successful in the Tourism competition in previous years.
He began his day with a last bowl victory over Neil Rigden (New Longton), before getting the better of former champ Wayne Ditchfield (Kirkham) in the semis.
His opponent, Mark Hughes from Crossgates, began with a 21-16 win against Chris Slater (Colwyn Bay); then cruised to the final by beating another Welsh player, Gwerydd Buckland (Bangor City).
The destination of the Derek Killey memorial trophy was ultimately decided by a great spell in the middle of the game when Bailey notched up five successive two’s to turn a deficit into a seven point advantage.
He led 19-12 at this stage, however Hughes then dug deep to increase his total to 16, but it was not to be for the Crossgates man, who had won the Tourism event back in 2012, as his opponent scored the two required to taste victory with a 21-16 scoreline.
Competing in the quarter-finals of the ladies main tournament were locals Lyn Bolton (South Ramsey) and Caroline Parker (Mooragh Park); Lyn making it through to the semi-finals, whilst Caroline lost out in her opening game.
This final was fought out between Anita Richardson (Hoylake & Melrose) who had beaten Bolton, and Angela Gaut (Wrockwardine Wood) who eliminated her fellow Shropshire opponent, Julie Pearce (Meole Brace) in the last four.
Gaut, who had also been successful in the Tourism competition on previous visits, trailed her opponent in the early stages, before moving ahead 16-15 after 18 ends.
Richardson then put five chalks on the board, compared to just one for Gaut, and was on the brink of her first success leading out at 20-17.
Having been beaten in a pre-festival competition and not wishing to lose out in two finals on the Island, Gaut showed her battling qualities and notched up the four points needed to win the ladies September festival rose bowl.
Lyn Bolton won the Blanche Kaye memorial cup for the furthest Manx player in the ladies contest; whilst her club-mate Alan Moore did likewise in the men’s tournament, collecting the Chris Quayle memorial shield.
A wet Thursday morning saw the conclusion of the men’s and ladies Tourism competitions, with five locals in action – Matthew Keggen (Marown) bowed out first game and John Kennish (South Ramsey) lost in the semi-finals; whilst in the ladies, Margie Tasker (Port St Mary) and Philippa Taylor (Marown), both missed out by just one point; the latter beaten by Elaine Moore (South Ramsey), who fell at the next hurdle.
The men’s final saw two of the sport’s big names go head to head, as Wayne Ditchfield (Kirkham) took on Terry Glover (LCC), both having won major honours off-island as well as previous Isle of Man festivals.
Held on Noble’s number one green, the game was evenly balanced all through; they were level at nine apiece, again at 13, and then at 17 across, before Glover recorded the four points needed for victory.
Close-by on number two green, the Meole Brace club provided three of the last four in the ladies contest, with club-mates Julie Pearce and Alison Cotton battling it out for the championship.
Cotton took control in the early stages and led 18-13, before her adversary fought back to move ahead 20-18, however Pearce couldn’t carry on her good run of points and Cotton clinched the title by the closest of margins and completed a double over her fellow club members.
Rounding up the remaining competitions that took place throughout the week, Kevin Quirk (Onchan) just missed out on a win in the men’s consolation, going down 21-20 to Rob Winnington (Castle) and in the ladies consolation, it was Sue Hill from the Meersbrook club who triumphed over Elizabeth Foster (Orrell Rovers) with the same scoreline.
The visit Isle of Man.com flyer saw Mike Coupe (Hoghton) get the better off Neil Wright (Norton Central). Helen Martin (Mooragh Park) lost to the eventual winner in her semi-final.
Jamie King added to the tally of wins for the Wrockwardine Wood entourage when he was successful in the last chance mixed event with a 21-16 victory over Colin Johnstone (St Bernards).
King then went on to partner Sarah Fox (Woodlands Park) in their mixed doubles success. They beat Joan Jolly (Acregate) and Michael Burrows (Orford Warrington Memorial).
Neil Wright also made it into two finals, having taken part in the men’s doubles, which was one of three pairs competitions completed on Thursday evening; he partnered Ian Nicholson (Kendal Vic) to victory over Michael Davies (Netherton Park) and Stuart Sutton (Fairfield).
There was a local triumph in the open pairs when Neil Withers and Paul Dunn (Marown) defeated Craig Gant (Thongsbridge) and Duncan Reeves (Netherton Cons).
Lynda Cadamy from Port Erin competed in the ladies doubles final with Sandra Beveridge (Lansil), but missed out when beaten by Jacqueline Owen (Whitefield) and Eileen Pye (Acregate).
Thanks go to the Department of Economic Development for their continued support, of what is without doubt one of the premier events on the bowling calendar. Also Manx Telecom who provided a unit to help spread the news around the internet.
A big thank you as always to the many helpers who gave their time at all the venues used throughout the week; and a special mention to David Higgins who is stepping down after 15 years as helpers’ coordinator for the men.
Winter League Fixtures Available
OWL
The fixtures for the 2017-2018 Winter League season have been published on the website
If you are not automatically redirected click here view the full fixture list
Live: September Festival Blog
Festivals Help Required
The festivals organisers are always seeking help around the greens during the events, as stewards, measurers and referees seem to be dwindling in numbers, but at present they are also seeking someone to take over the role of organising those helpers.
David Higgins has been doing this job, extremely well, for 15 years, but has decided it is time to find a ‘new man’ for the task. A period for which thanks are expressed to David, not only for all his organising, but also doing duties.
So if you feel you would like to take over the position, please contact either David or Steve Moore the Events Manager. David has said that he will guide the person through the procedure, so if you are up to the challenge, please get in touch.
There is remuneration and expenses will be covered by the organisers. Contact numbers are – Steve on 472952, email: [email protected] or if you wish to speak to David his is available on 344229.
Please remember, we cannot hold these festivals without this help.
September Festival Draws
The Festival Organisers have released the draw for the Mens and Ladies main competition which you can download using the links below