The Isle of Man September Bowls Festival gets underway 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 £3,200. Stephen Glover is the current holder having won the event for the first time in 2022. The weather looks promising for the week.

On the first page of the draw 2012 winner Dave Phillips (Lloyd Hotel) takes on Peel man Dean Kinley in his first-round game with the winner facing a tough second round game against Ryan Clark (Meersbrook BC) or Roger Morgan (Knutsford). South Ramsey’s Bob Clark will be hoping to make his first final after losing out at the semi-final stage last September, however he may have to face five-time winner John Bailey (Castlefields) should both players navigate their way through the early rounds.

In the next section Peter Jones (Marown) is now well settled into Island life, he could face Chris Kelly (Thongsbridge), with the latter having not travelled over in June he will looking to get his name etched on the famous trophy for the first time. Castlefields Callum Wraight plays his first festival in quite some time without having to give his opponents a start on the handicap, he could play a fellow previous winner Graeme Wilson (AUE) in what would be the blockbuster game of the week on Thursday afternoon, however Wilson may have to get past Ian Nicholson (Netherfield) who is something of a September specialist.

On the third page the top half of the page is fairly open for anyone who may be in good form, with Peel man Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly and Jordan Cain (South Ramsey) the locals most likely to progress. Crossgates man Mark Hughes could reach the latter stages, however the bottom half of the page does include 1997 winner Geoff Telford (Knutsford). Dan Petcher (Littleover) could have a game on his hands with David Halstead (Parkfield).

The next page see Gwerydd Buckland (Bangor) make a return to the Island having missed out for several years. Mike Heap (Garswood) could face June 2008 winner Colin Kelly (Marown) in the second round. The bottom half of the page could see some tasty ties with Gareth Hughes (Castlefields), Paul Bailey (Meersbrook BC), Gareth Coates (Ackroyd Victoria), and Andy Spragg (Chesterfield) all featuring.

Page five sees Barry Booth (Netherfield) another regular visitor back on the Isle of Man. James Wilcox (Crossgates) has two June titles to his name, he will be hoping for his first September title, however the top half of the page includes two previous winners in Robby Fitzpatrick (Wirral), and Carl Fielding (Castlefields). A few of the names in the bottom half of the page will fancy their chances of getting through with Danny Barwise (Birchleigh St Marys) the standout name.

On the following page in the top half of the draw 1998 winner David Jackson (Knutsford) is the only previous winner, whilst in the bottom half of the page Richard Goddard (Castlefields) will fancy his chances of making the quarter finals.

Page seven has three previous winners with current Manx Champion Neil Withers (Marown), Martin Gilpin (Netherfield), and Gareth Lally (Crossgates), whilst also including Andrew Sorsby (Thongsbridge), Dennis Herbert (Castlefields), and Kevin Quirk (Onchan). Another man making a return to our shores is Colin Scorah (Rothwell) famous for his multi-coloured bowls and his catchphrase ‘C’mon baby’ when coaxing his bowl to the jack!

The final page is littered with previous winners including David Bradford (South Ramsey), Kevan Shaw (Flixton Cricket), and Paul Morgan (Whitby BC) who won the September Festival in 1998 with a 21-17 win in the final over Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey). Also included on the page, are several bowlers who will fancy their chances with Paul Dunn (Marown), Jon Palmer (Castlefields), Matthew Kelly-Walley (Stretton Anglesey), Paul Kissock (Netherfield), and James Higgins (Sheffield) all featuring.

With six greens in use and several different competitions throughout the week, there is plenty of bowls for everyone, including the popular triples it will undoubtedly make for a great week of bowls. Have a great week!

One of the biggest events on the bowls calendar – The Isle of Man June Bowls Festival took place this week, with the event attracting over 500 entries, as entries continue to improve. The weather from Monday to Thursday was glorious, with many seeking the shade with the heat getting the better of many of the visiting bowlers. Friday saw the fine weather break with the rain arriving, this did not deter the spectators, who were treated to an entertaining day of good bowls to cap off a fine week. 

In the Men’s event it was Phil Lee (Quarry) who picked up his first Isle of Man Festival win, with Lee wondering if he was ever going to get onto the Island on Monday due to travel difficulties on the day, just four days later he finally got his hands on the famous trophy and took home the winners cheque for £3,200 as he beat Thongsbridge man Paul Bailey who last won the June title in 2005 with victory over Blackpool man Tommy King. Bailey also won the September Festival in 2007.

Lee made a confident start in the final winning six of the first eight ends as he played a round peg mark off the edge of the crown to build up a 13-8 lead over Bailey, with the latter having to play several reaching bowls due to the pressure that his opponent was putting him under.

On the ninth end with Lee counting for two, a great last bowl from Bailey just tickled the jack to pick up a single. From there Bailey got a bit of momentum as he turned the match on its head winning five consecutive ends scoring three doubles as he headed for a mark that had served him well earlier in the day, with Lee struggling to get hold of the jack, Bailey took the lead 16-13.

Lee kept his composure brilliantly as he took the first opportunity granted to him by his opponent on the 14th end to pick up a two, before conceding a single on the following end, with Bailey letting him off the hook in the corner as his second bowl went too far past the jack.

Lee responded once more with a brilliant single along the edge, beating a great lead bowl from his opponent. Another two good bowls in the corners made a target which Bailey couldn’t refuse to strike at as he hit the bowls cleanly, only for one of Lee’s bowls to hit the other as it stayed in to count one to level the match up at 17-17.

Bailey then played two good bowls in the corners to re-take the lead 19-17 and with jack in hand he headed back into the corners, however the Merseyside man levelled things up once more to tie 19-19 after 19 ends.

A good lead on the following end was enough to score a single, with Bailey saving game with his second bowl. Heading from the gate to the steps to the clubhouse on a round peg Lee put his lead just under a yard away, with Bailey playing his first bowl too far through and narrow. Lee then improved on his first bowl as he promoted his own bowl to just over a foot to the side of the jack. Bailey sent his last bowl and looked to be on a good road and a decent length, only to agonisingly slide through the gap between the jack and bowl for Lee to secure a hard fought 21-19 win in an entertaining final, with Lee celebrating his first June Festival title with his arms raised towards his supporters, whilst Bailey could console himself with a cheque for £1,250 for his efforts during the week.

Lee or ‘Sooty’ as he is known across the bowls world reached the final courtesy of a determined 21-17 win over Michael Tunstall (Tixall BC), with the players sharing a warm embrace at the end of the game. Bailey also ended up with a game on his hands in the semi-final with Gareth Hughes (Castlefields) as he also won 21-17, with the latter battling back from a 10-17 deficit and 13-20 to just lose out.

The quarter finals were all fairly straightforward except for Lee’s first game of the day as he faced Josh Mordue (Pudsey), with the former having to battle for his 21-18 win. Tunstall ended the hopes of Steve McManus (Hesketh Arms) who had taken a number of scalps on his way to reaching his first Isle of Man finals day with a 21-10 win. In the other half of the draw Bailey ended the hopes of a first June Festival & Tourism double winner since South Ramsey’s Peter Collister became the only man to achieve the feat in 1983 as he disposed of Callum Wraight (Castlefields) with a comfortable 21-12 win, whilst Hughes put out another man who had performed well all week in Keith Middleton (Fairfield) who lost out 21-12.
 
Men’s Tourism 

The Men’s Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 1, and it was Callum Wraight (Castlefields) who picked up another Tourism title to see off Joseph Cranston (Crossgates) to with a 21-17 win. Wraight never trailed in the game, however Cranston did level the game up at 13-13 after 13 ends, however the Shropshire man then won seven of the last 10 ends on his way to victory.

In the semi-finals Wraight’s path to the final was never in doubt as he stormed home with a 21-8 win over Chris Ellis (Spen Victoria), whilst Cranston had to dig deep for his 21-20 win over Jon Palmer (Castlefields).

In the quarter finals Wraight progressed with a 21-12 win over Dave McDermott (Tixall BC), while Ellis got the better of Michale Coupe (Castlefields). In the other half of the draw Cranston beat Paul Bailey (Thongsbridge) 21-14, whilst Palmer just got through with a 21-19 win over Daniel Jones (Castlefields) to reach the semi-final stage. 

Other Events 

The Men’s consolation was won by Daniel Barwise (Tixall BC) who beat David Jackson (Knutsford) 21-13 in the final, with Barwise winning 21-17 against Myles Summers (Clayton Victoria) in the semi-final, whilst Jackson had a comfortable 21-9 win against Tom Maryland (Thongsbridge). 

The Ladies consolation was contested between two locals with Paula Garrett (Douglas) overcoming Philippa Taylor (Marown) 21-16. Garrett reached the final courtesy of a 21-15 win over Diane Harrison (Lune Road), whilst Taylor edged through with a 21-20 win over Claire Frangleton (Burtonwood).

The Visit.Com Flyer title went to Gerald Merry (Delamere) who had a close 9-7 win over Paul Morris (Chapel Park). whilst the Last Chance Mixed Final was won by Gareth Coates (Ackroyden Victoria) who beat Barry Simm (Lune Road) 21-15 in the final. 

In the doubles competitions the Open doubles was won by Mark Hughes and Kez Smith (Both Crossgates) with an 11-10 win over Dean Butler (Two Gates) and Michael Coupe (Castlefields), as they fought back from a 5-10 deficit to run out with the win. Hughes and Smith reached the final with a 11-8 win over Rob Monk (North Ramsey) and Matthew Quirk (Onchan), whilst Butler and Coupe fought back from a 5-10 deficit against Bob Clark (South Ramsey) and Chris Bly (Hoghton) to win 11-10. 

The Men’s doubles were also well contested as Paul Roberts and James Fitzpatrick (both Wirral) performed well to see off favourites Richard Goddard and Billy Speed (both Castlefields) 11-10 in the final. Fitzpatrick and Roberts also crept into the final with a 11-10 win over Rob Monk (North Ramsey) and Matthew Quirk (Onchan), whilst Goddard and Speed were too good for Jordan Cain (South Ramsey) and Graham Hickey (Lower Hopton) as they won 11-4.

The Ladies doubles were won by Lindal BC pair Caroline Bushell and Jessica Pickthall who had an emphatic 11-0 win over Wrockwardine Wood pair Sian Skelton and Holly Bishton in the final. Bushell and Pickthall reached the final with an 11-8 victory over locals Caroline Whitehead (Port Erin) and Louise Tebay (Ballaugh), whilst Skelton and Bishton won 11-6 against Diane Harrison and Gill Simm (both Lune Road). 

Winning the Mixed pairs were Rita Manning (Brownmoor Park) and Gavin Ratcliffe (Meersbrook) thanks to a 9-6 win over Elaine Hawkins (Port St Mary) and Gareth Coates (Ackroyden Victoria) in the final. Manning and Ratcliffe reached the final with a 9-4 win over Kathryn Gee (Unison) and Michael Coupe (Castlefields), whilst Hawkins and Coates won 9-0 against Caroline Whitehead (Port Erin) and Ken Lethbridge (Victoria Park). 

In the Ladies main event previously beaten finalist Helen Clee (Wrockwardine Wood) took on June 2013 Festival winner Rachel Quirk (Crossgates) in the final. It proved to be Helen’s day, as Shropshire player Clee made a strong start to the game, winning the first four ends on a long length, scoring three doubles to settle into the game early to take a commanding 12-5 lead.

Quirk settled the early nerves scoring a good double, then took a further two singles to sit just three points behind Clee at 9-12. The Shropshire player responded with two good bowls to halt the comeback in its tracks, then restored the eight point lead with another double on the ninth end to lead 16-9, with Quirk going into the back of her opponents bowl with a certain winner with a miss.

The Crossgates player who used to live in the Isle of Man, took the next three ends with three good singles.

The mini-fightback ended there as Clee used her own bowl to count for one, then the following end gave Quirk the opportunity to play through, with Quirk not getting enough contact on the counting bowl. A good two on the following end put Clee 20-12 ahead.

With Clee heading into the corner, Quirk took the opportunity to make two to stay in the game with the score now 14-20. The following end proved to be the last as Quirk played just over the crown putting up a good lead, which Clee beat at the first time of asking with a bowl about nine inches short of the jack. This forced the former islander to play a reaching bowl, however this just got top side of the counting bowl which resulted in heartbreak for Quirk and delight for Clee who secured her first June Festival title and the £1,250 first prize, whilst Quirk could console herself with the runners up prize of £625.

In the semi-finals both finalists were always in control with Clee booking her place in the final with a comfortable 21-12 win over Helen Gilroy (Rufford Park BC), while Quirk’s win was never in doubt with a 21-11 victory over Sian Skelton (Wrockwardine Wood).

Clee started her day with a battle as she won 21-20 against Joyce Ogden (Marown) who received the visitiom.com trophy for being the furthest local, Gilroy had a battle with Heather Johnson (Chesterfield) before winning 21-18. In the other half of the draw Quirk progressed thanks to a 21-17 win over Tracy Wraight (Castlefields), whilst Skelton recorded a comfortable 21-13 victory over Amanda Nicholas (Gresford Colliery).

Ladies Tourism

The Ladies Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 2 green, it proved to be a good week for Lynda Hough (Norley) as she won the Tourism with a comfortable 21-12 victory over Holly Bishton (Wrockwardine Wood).

Hough reached the final with a 21-16 victory over Jenny Moore (South Ramsey), whilst Bishton booked her place in the final with a hard fought 21-18 win over Janet Monk (Mooragh Park).

In the quarter finals Hough took a hard earned 21-17 victory over Helen Clee (Wrockwardine Wood), whilst Moore got over the line 21-19 against Rebecca Teare (Marown). In the other half of the draw Bishton progressed to the next round with a 21-16 win over Wrockwardine Wood club mate Barbara Hughes, with Monk taking a comfortable 21-8 win over Sue Gawne (Noble’s).

The Isle of Man June Bowls Festival gets underway next week with a host of top names from across the game hoping to be the lucky winner who gets their name on the coveted trophy and pick up the winners’ cheque for £3,000. The festival numbers are heading in a positive direction with a bumper entry of 416 in the Men’s event – the highest we have seen for several years’ as it promises to be a fascinating week.

With most competitors starting off a +5 handicap, one of the previous winners John Bailey (Castlefields) appears on the first page of the draw as he starts off a +3 handicap, however Bailey should be able to navigate his way through the early rounds before facing some of the better-known names. In the other half of the page is Josh Mordue (Pudsey) who will be looking to claim his first Festival title.

On the second page local man Paul Dunn (Marown) has a tough early test as he faces Graham Hickey (Lower Hopton), whilst double winner and current holder James Wilcox (Crossgates) will he looking to create a bit of history and retain the trophy. Thongsbridge man and regular visitor Chris Kelly is in the draw, but rumoured not to be travelling, which could clear a path on the bottom half of the page for Billy Speed (Castlefields) to progress to the latter stages.

In the next section 1992 losing finalist Mike Telford (Knutsford) who lost out to Martin Bacon makes a long-awaited return. Ian Nicholson (Netherfield) is a three-time September winner, with all three wins picked up in the space of five years, the first title in 2004, then back to back in 2008 and 2009. Blackpool man Tommy King (Kirkham) who may still be celebrating Manchester City’s recent historic treble will be hoping for a good week on and off the green.

On page four local man Colin Kelly (Marown) is back in time from his tour of Canada as he looks to claim his second title, with his sole success arriving in 2008. Big hitter Chris Barton (Wirral) will be in the mix, whilst 1990 winner Kevan Shaw (Red Lion Whoughton) returns to our shores having not competed last year, he could well face 2018 Autumn Waterloo winner Jon Palmer (Castlefields) in the second round.

Moving onto the next page another familiar name features previous winner Geoff Telford (Knutsford), with his success in this competition arriving 26 years ago with victory in the final over Norman Fletcher – a legend of the game, as he faces local man Rob Monk (North Ramsey) in the first round. Recent South Yorkshire veterans merit winner Andrew Sorsby (Thongsbridge) looks well placed to go deep into the competition.

Another local man Matthew Quirk (Onchan) is on page six, he will be looking to go one step further than 2013, as he lost 18-21 to Marown’s Neil Withers in the final. The bottom half of the page looks open to anyone in good form, with James Higgins (Dronfield) featuring he will be keen to reach the latter stages,

September 2022 winner Stephen Glover (Liverpool CC) returns to the island for the first time since his success, he will be looking to have his name etched onto the June trophy. Two previous festival winners feature in the bottom half of the page as Neil Withers (Marown) plays Callum Wraight (Castlefields), with the latter carrying on where he left off last season picking up multiple titles in the UK. The winner of that tie could then face Dave McDermott (Tixall BC) with the winner undoubtably fancying their chances of a finals day appearance.

Regular visitor Mark Hughes better known as ‘Sparky’ will be another man from Crossgates looking to add his name to the Trophy, with his best effort to date reaching the final in 2017, only to lose out 16-21 to John Bailey. Former two-time winner (1999 & 2018) Martin Gilpin (Netherfield) could play 1998 winner David Jackson (Knutsford) in their second games should both men get through the first round.

On page nine 2016 winner Kez Smith (Crossgates) shouldn’t have too much trouble with his early round games, whilst September 2002 winner David Bradford (South Ramsey) could face previous winner Paul Bailey (Thongsbridge) as early as Wednesday morning.

On the next page Conor Chamberlain (Stretton Anglesey) features with 2019 winner Jack Dyson (Thongsbridge) in the bottom half there is a potential clash on Thursday afternoon in the last 32 with both players having to win four games to get to that stage.

Appearing on page 11 is September 2000 winner Andy Spragg (Chesterfield) who will be looking to be crowned the champion for a second time, whilst in the bottom half of the page Joseph Cranston is another Crossgates man will fancy his chances of reaching the latter stages.

South Ramsey’s Bob Clark who lost out in the semi-finals in September 2022 is rumoured to be missing out due to work commitments, whilst Ballaugh man Nigel Tebay (Ballaugh) will have his work cut out with June 2003 winner Matthew Gilmore (Castlefields). 32 years have passed since Onchan stalwart Phil Kerruish had his finest hour as he picked up the title in 1991.

On the last page Chris Mordue (Pudsey) will be hoping for his first win on Manx soil, he could face Ballaugh Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly on Wednesday morning, with another former winner Robby Fitzpatrick (Wirral) potentially awaiting the winner. Marown’s Peter Jones who relocated to the island last year faces former Merseyside teammate Danny Barwise (Tixall B.C.) in the first round, in what could be a great spectacle.

The Noble’s greens have improved considerably following the work that has gone onto all three greens over the winter, I am fully expecting visitors to be pleasantly surprised by the condition of the greens. With six greens in use and several different competitions throughout the week, there is plenty of bowls for everyone it will undoubtedly make for a great week of bowls. Have a great week!

One of the biggest events on the bowls calendar – The Isle of Man September Bowls Festival took place last week, with the competition one of the longest running, having first taken place in 1921.

In the Men’s event it was Stephen Glover (Liverpool CC) who picked up his first Festival win, 31 years after his father Terry won the same competition in 1991, when Stephen was just four months old, history repeated itself with Stephen recently becoming a father himself as he got his hands on the famous trophy and took home the winners cheque for £3,000. Glover more than deserved his victory as he had to overcome the challenge of another regular visitor, a two-time September winner from 2017 and 2019 John Bailey (Castlefields), whilst also beating another former winner in Graeme Wilson on finals day, Glover also got past June 2008 winner Colin Kelly (Marown) in the Last 16 to reach finals day.

The final started with Glover performing brilliantly to storm into a 14-5 lead playing his customary short length, albeit on a different mark to previous rounds, with Bailey not doing much if anything wrong. Bailey, looking to pick up his third September title and being the competitor that he is, responded well winning six of the next seven ends on a longer length to close the deficit to just three chalks at 12-15 after 13 ends, helped by Bailey playing a great last bowl when lying two down on the 12th end.

Glover got back in at just the right time with a single, thanks to a good last bowl just as Bailey was starting to find his stride. Two brilliant quick-fire doubles on the edge that Glover had enjoyed success on in previous rounds put him within touching distance of victory at 20-12. A good lead on the last end was beaten by Bailey, with Glover then beating the bowl to count one for game. Bailey played a reaching bowl, but failed to connect with anything as Glover picked up a fully deserved 21-12 victory as he expressed his joy with a gentle fist pump. Bailey took home a cheque for £1,000 as consolation for his efforts throughout the week.

Glover reached the final courtesy of a fairly comfortable 21-15 win over four-time winner Graeme Wilson (AEU), with Bailey having to battle for his 21-18 victory over Bob Clark (South Ramsey) after leading 16-8 the local man fought back well before losing out. Clark was the local player who had progressed the furthest and received the Chris Quayle Memorial trophy for the furthest Manx Man, as he reached his first finals day and will undoubtedly have gained vital experience from it. 

The quarter finals were all fairly straightforward for the winners with Glover ending the hopes of Gareth Coates (Akroydon Victoria) with a 21-16 win, with the score at 16-15 in favour of Coates a four end winning streak saw Glover run out. Wilson made light work of Dan Edmonds (Levens) with a 21-10 win after the latter had disposed of the 2021 winner Callum Wraight (Castlefields) 21-8 in the Last 16.

In the other half of the draw Clark performed well to beat Nathan Brown (Lloyd Hotel) 21-15, after trailing 9-14 Clark went on to win seven of the next eight ends to progress to the semi-final. Bailey was up against a surprise package in Alex Yates (Noble’s) who took up the game just six years ago, who more than deserved his spot in the quarter finals, coming through some tricky games to make finals day. Yates had to give one chalk away on the handicap playing on his home green, managed to hang in the game really well trailing by just one chalk after 12 ends with the score at 11-12, however the experience of Bailey came through in the end, as he went on to win 21-12. Yates can consider the week a success with his good run not going unnoticed as he picked up £300 for his efforts.

Men’s Tourism

The Men’s Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 1, and it was Callum Wraight (Castlefields) who performed well to see off his Stepdad Richie Goddard (Castlefields) to take the Tourism title with a comfortable 21-9 victory, with the result never really in doubt.

Both semi-finals were well contested with Wraight edging home 21-18 against Ben Phillips (Lloyd Hotel). Goddard booked his place in the final with a hard fought 21-19 win over Daniel Petcher (Littleover).

In the quarter finals Wraight progressed with a 21-11 win over Craig Richardson (Castlefields), Phillips (Lloyd Hotel) reached the semi-final with a 21-14 victory over Alan Gilpin (Netherfield), whilst Petcher ended the challenge of Ian Liley (Lune Road) 21-10. The closest game of the quarter finals was between Bob Clark (South Ramsey) and Goddard with the latter taking the win 21-19 to progress to the semi-final.

Other Events

The Men’s consolation was won by Neil Rigden (Bretherton) who beat Matthew Clegg (West Shore) 21-14 in the final, with Ridgen winning 21-12 against Thomas Dennison (Levens) in the semi-final, whilst Clegg won 21-13 against Martin Gaut (Wrockwardine Wood).

The Ladies consolation was won by Christine Lawton (Garswood Hall) defeating Lisa Downham (Bowling Green Lancaster) in the final. Lawton reached the final courtesy of a 21-14 win over Violet Dennison (Levens), whilst Downham won 21-17 against Eileen Pye (Canberra Club).

The Visit.Com Flyer title went to Martin Gilpin (Netherfield) who had an emphatic 9-1 win over Harry Chapman (Baddesley Colliery), whilst the Last Chance Mixed Final was won by Martin’s son Alan Gilpin (Netherfield) who beat Ken Wale (Whitby) 21-15 in the final.

In the doubles competitions the Open doubles was won by Callum Wraight and John Bailey (Both Castlefields) with a resounding 11-0 win over Paul Kissock (Netherfield) and Barry Simm (Lune Road). Wraight and Bailey reached the final with a 11-0 win over Amanda and Kevin Nicholas (Gresford Colliery), whilst Kissock and Simm ended the challenge of South Ramsey pair Jenny Moore and James Teare 11-5.

The Men’s doubles were won by Marown pair Colin Kelly and Peter Jones who performed well to see off John Colebourne and Ian Johnson (Both Chesterfield Cylinders) 11-2 in the final. Kelly and Jones reached the final with a hard fought 11-9 win over Paul Kissock and Matty Stewart (Both Netherfield), while Colebourne and Johnson also won to the same score against James Higgins (Sheffield) and Ian Nicholson (Netherfield).

The Ladies doubles were won by Sue Gawne (Onchan) and Sue Emmerson (Whitby) defeating Debbie Leece (Marown) and Veronica Lyon (Unison) 11-10 in a close final. Gawne and Emmerson reached the final with an 11-6 victory over Caroline Whitehead (Port Erin) and Janet Hargreaves (Netherfield), whilst Leece and Lyon won 11-3 against Elaine Hawkins (Port St Mary) and Diane Harrison (Lune Road).

Winning the Mixed pairs were Eileen Pye (Canberra Club) and Michael Coupe (Wirral) thanks to a 9-3 win over Catherine Wilson (AEU) and Stevie Cain (Marown) in the final. Pye and Coupe reached the final with a 9-3 win over Kath Watkinson (Mere Brew) and Andy White (Two Gates), whilst Wilson and Cain won 9-0 against Nicola Gilmore-Coupe and Matthew Gilmore (Both Wirral) to reach the final.

The Triples returned this year with the competition played on three greens over six ends on Wednesday morning down to the winner from each green. Winners at the Villa were Paul Bailey (Meersbrook), James Higgins (Sheffield) and Matt Whitaker (Sheffield), with the Marown trio of Colin Kelly, Neil Withers and Juan Killip winning on Noble’s 1 green, while Brian Rathbone (Fairfield), Matt Sands (Lloyd Hotel) and Nathan Brown (Lloyd Hotel) were the winners on Noble’s 2 green.

In the Ladies main event local bowler Rebecca Teare (Marown) took on Sarah Weaver (Wrockwardine Wood) in the final. It proved to be Rebecca’s day, with the Ladies final going to the wire, with plenty of drama for the spectators throughout the game.

Teare made a strong start to the game, with Weaver lying two down on the third end a good strike killed the end, the score could have been worse than 13-7 after eight ends. With Weaver threatening a comeback at 9-13 and counting for two a great last bowl from Teare kept her opponent at arms length to put the score at 14-9 to the latter.

A huge turning point in the game arrived with the rain setting in and Weaver having the jack with the ever changing pace of the green proving crucial as Weaver took five of the next seven ends to close the deficit to just two chalks at 13-15 after 14 ends.

Another twist was to follow with Weaver sitting just one chalk behind at 15-16 and lying a good two bowls a strike was expected from Teare, however Rebecca played no more than a yard over to flick off Weaver’s bowl just over a foot away from the jack as it came to rest to the side of the jack to count for one. A good two followed on the next end for Teare to lead 19-15.

Setting a mark along the edge, perhaps a bit of nerves understandably set in with Rebecca’s first bowl going in the ditch which Weaver punished to full effect. Teare over-corrected with her second bowl taking too much out to leave Weaver an easy two.

Three successive singles followed for Weaver, with another crucial moment arriving with Teare sitting out her opponent’s second counting bowl to prevent giving away a two to her opponent. With the score now 20-19 to Weaver a two foot lead was beaten by Teare, with her opponent playing a ‘reacher’ as her bowl flicked the jack closer to the counting bowl to give Rebecca the opportunity to get another in for game. A measure to decide who was in for second bowl went in favour of Rebecca who won her first Festival title in an excellent final.

In addition to taking her first win and the winners cheque for £1,000 Rebecca received the Blanche Kaye Trophy for the furthest Manx Lady, while Sarah took the runners up prize for £600.

In the semi-finals Rebecca was always in control as she booked her place in the final with a comfortable 21-16 win over good friend Sharon Rigden (Penwortham), while Weaver’s result was never in doubt with a 21-13 victory over September 2018 festival winner Elaine Moore (South Ramsey).

Teare started her day in good form with a 21-15 win over Sarah Fox (Maltby BC), while Ridgen had a battle with Joanne Smith (Little Eaton) before winning 21-17. In the other half of the draw Moore progressed thanks to a 21-15 win over Angela Gaut (Wrockwardine Wood), while Weaver had to dig deep for her 21-19 victory over Joyce Ogden (Marown) after leading 19-13 the latter fought back before losing out.

Ladies Tourism

The Ladies Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 2 green, it was local bowler Elaine Moore (South Ramsey) who had a successful week taking a comfortable 21-11 victory over Catherine Wilson (AEU) in the final.

Moore booked her place in the final with a hard fought 21-18 win over Jane Glaister (Windermere), whilst Wilson also had to battle for her hard earned 21-19 victory over Tracy Wraight (Castlefields).

In the quarter finals Moore progressed with a 21-14 win over fellow local bowler Joyce Ogden (Marown), Glaister had a comfortable 21-11 win over Janet Monk (Mooragh Park). In the other half of the draw Wilson took a hard earned 21-18 victory over Jenny Moore (South Ramsey), while Wraight made light work of Helen Clee (Wrockwardine Wood) with a 21-9 win.

The Isle of Man September Bowls Festival gets underway 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. Callum Wraight is the current holder having won the event for the first time in 2021, the first festival held since the pandemic

On the first page of the draw this is fairly open with a few names standing out with Gareth Hughes (Castlefields) and Stewart Meddings (Royal Oak BC) both regular visitors who will be hoping for a good week, while locally June 2013 winner Neil Withers (Marown) has a tricky tie against the wily Mike Davies (Our Lady’s). Andy Kennish (Onchan) who has returned to form over the past few years could go far.

In the next section Danny Barwise (Birchley St Mary’s) could face Jon Palmer (Kings Heath Park) a past winner of the Autumn Waterloo or a previous festival runner up Matthew Quirk (Onchan) in the third round. The page is then littered with previous winners Ian Nicholson (Netherfield) a three time September winner, Matt Gilmore June 2003 winner (Wirral) is up against John Bailey (Castlefields) who picked up the title in September 2017 and 2019, while Gareth Lally (Crossgates) David Bradford (South Ramsey) both have their names etched on the famous trophy. Lee Johnstone (St Oswalds) completes the page as he looks to emulate his parents, who have both enjoyed considerable success on the Island.

South Ramsey’s Bob Clark will fancy his chances of navigating his way through the early rounds to make Thursday afternoon, however there are several hurdles he will need to get over to reach the Last 32. Jon Guess (Fairfield) could face September 2021 runner up Paul Bailey (Meersbrook) in the third round with the latter a previous two-time winner having won in June 2005 and September 2007. Martin Gilpin (Netherfield) is another winner of both festivals with 19 years passing between his first win in 1999 and second in 2018.

On page four there a couple of tasty first round fixtures as Richie Goddard (Castlefields) is up against Peel man Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly, while Paul Kissock (Netherfield) returns to our shores as he faces Daniel Petcher (Littleover).

In the next group South Ramsey’s Peter Collister who won the June Festival and Tourism Competitions in the same week in 1983 takes on Matty Stewart (Netherfield), while local player Nigel Tebay (Ballaugh) could be in for a shock as he takes on one of the greatest players to have picked up a bowl in Graeme Wilson (AEU) who will be looking to pick up his fifth Isle of Man Festival win. Marown man Peter Jones can now be considered a local having settled well into Island life over the past few months, he will be hoping for a good week.

Page six sees the current holder of the title Callum Wraight (Castlefields) two further back on the handicap due to his previous success, there a few obstacles in his way as he looks to win back to back September Festivals. One of the obstacles in his way is Alan Gilpin (Netherfield), son of Martin who picked up his title in 2004. June 2012 winner Robby Fitzpatrick (Hoylake) just sneaks into the bottom half of the page, as he faces James Higgins (Sheffield), with the winner potentially facing Marown captain Paul Dunn in the next round.

On page seven Craig Richardson (Castlefields) needs to get through two games to make the Last 32 on Thursday afternoon which is always a highlight of the week, with the tie of the page undoubtedly being John Kennish (South Ramsey) a five-time winner who looks to be making a long awaited return as he is pitted against Chris Barton (Wirral) in what could a blockbuster of a game if both players are firing on all cylinders. In the bottom half of the page Gareth Coates (Akroydon Victoria) has to get past South Ramsey’s James Teare in his first round fixture, while regular visitor Andy Mailer (Thongsbridge) is always a tricky opponent to get past.

On the final page it is good to see Barry Booth (Netherfield) in the draw, while June 2008 winner Marown man Colin Kelly has his last chance of qualifying for the Champion of Champions competition he won in 2019 and has held since due to the competition not being played for the past two seasons. Winning the September Festival is the last opportunity to stand a chance of qualifying should he wish to defend the title, with this event on the reserve list for qualifying.

With six greens in use and several different competitions throughout the week, there is plenty of bowls for everyone, which includes the return of the Triples competition, it will undoubtedly make for a great week of bowls. Bring your umbrella with the weather looking to be unpredictable. That said, have a great week!