One of the biggest events on the bowls calendar – The Isle of Man September Bowls Festival took place last week, with the competition played out in mixed weather conditions throughout the week, however the weather turned out better than the forecast.

In the Men’s event it was Gareth Coates (Ackroydon Victoria) who secured his second September Festival title, following his first success in 2023. Coates made the better start against South Ramsey man David Bradford, as he went into a 12-7 lead in the corners. Two singles saw the deficit at just three chalks at 9-12 for the local man, however Coates managed to keep Bradford at arm’s length extending the lead to 15-10.

A good hit from Bradford on the following end resulted in a single scored, however Coates again went on to extend the lead to 18-11, with Bradford killing an end, and then another play through securing a double.

A strike from Coates along the heavy edge of the green killed the end, with Bradford heading back along the same edge on the following end, as two great bowls from the local man were applauded by his opponent leaving no target, with the Yorkshire man striking, hitting and getting a favourable result to score a single to lead 19-13 with his ability to strike proving crucial. Another single for Coates put him just one good bowl away from sealing the win, however Bradford scored a single with a good second bowl.

A double on the following end, could have put some doubt into Coates, as two good bowls from Bradford were missed by Coates who struck. Bradford headed to the side of the crown on a round peg mark, with a good second bowl leaving the South Ramsey man counting for one. The last bowl from Coates proved to be the winner, as he played a great bowl to sit out the counting bowl to seal a superb 21-16 victory.

Coates took home the winners’ cheque for £3,200, whilst Bradford received a cheque for £1,250 for his week’s work, also received the Chris Quayle for a third consecutive year as the furthest Manxman in the competition.

At the semi-final stage Coates made light work of Ross Hatzer (Bar Lane) who had performed brilliantly in his quarter final match, as Coates won 21-8 to ensure safe passage to the final.

The other semi-final was between arguably the two most consistent players on the Island this year, with several good battles between the pair already this season, this proved to be the toughest as Bradford took on Paul Dunn (Marown). Bradford performed well playing up to the crown and back to the corner to lead 17-9. As predicted, this match was not over by any means, with Dunn digging deep to close the deficit to just two chalks at 17-19. A single from Bradford saw the room allowed to him fully punished by Dunn to score a double. With the score now 19-20 Dunn headed for the heavy corner, however the Marown man left his second bowl short to allow a free shot at the counting bowl, however a miss from Bradford put the score at 20-20. Dunn led out on a sweeping round peg putting up a great lead eight inches to the side forcing Bradford to change his peg to play a reaching bowl to connect with the bowl and jack to leave over four foot of room. The second from Dunn only just crept in, leaving Bradford room to bowl in to seal a 21-20 victory and his place in the final.

The quarter finals saw Coates in his toughest battle of the day, as he trailed Mark Taylor (Crossgates) 9-16 and 12-18. A superb finish saw Coates win six consecutive ends, scoring nine chalks to run out with a 21-18 win, with Coates visibly breathing a huge sigh of relief. Hatzer turned in a fine performance as he took a 17-6 lead over 1989 winner Jon Teretta (Norton Arms), with Teretta threatening a comeback Hatzer sealed his spot in the next round 21-13. In the other half of the draw Bradford took on another Marown man, Neil Withers, with Bradford always in control as he won 21-15. Dunn had a battle with Joseph Cranston (Crossgates), trailing 12-17, with a strong finish from the Crosby man seeing him go on to win 21-17.

Men’s Tourism

The Men’s Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 1, and it was four-time festival winner Graeme Wilson (AEU Alstom) who managed to see off two previous festival winners on his way to picking up the title, beating James Wilcox (Crossgates) who has won two festival titles 21-14 with a solid display using all his experience as he moved around the green, changing the mark to never allow Wilcox to settle in to the game.

In the semi-finals Wilson had a battle against 2008 winner and furthest local Colin Kelly (Marown), with the local man leading 16-10, a stirring fightback from the AEU man ensured he got over the line 21-19. Wilcox made light work of Crossgates teammate Joseph Cranston 21-9 to book his place in the final.

The quarter finals saw three comfortable wins and one game going to the wire, with Wilson starting his morning with a 21-16 win over Chris Bly (Hollinhurst BC), while Kelly beat new Isle of Man resident Jamie Box (Quarry Vikings) 21-13. In the other half of the draw Wilcox had to scrap for his 21-20 win over Jon Guess (Fairfield), with Cranston the best winner of the round with a 21-11 win over Paul Bradley (Fairfield).

Other Events

The Men’s Consolation was won by last September’s Tourism winner Zach Walker (King Alfred) who beat previous Festival winner Robert Fitzpatrick (Hoylake) 21-20 in a keenly contested and entertaining final.

The Ladies Consolation was won by Sally Turner (New Mill) with a comfortable 21-12 victory over fellow clubmate Lorraine Hirst, following a strong finish from the former with the score at 15-12, a four-end winning streak sealed the win.

The Visit.Com Flyer title went to Callum Wraight (Llanrwst) who had a good 9-3 win over Mitch Toft 9-3, with this unusually being Wraight’s only success of the week. The Last Chance Mixed final was won by Paul Kissock (Netherfield), who held off Whitby man Ken Wale 21-15.

In the doubles competitions the Open doubles were won convincingly by Jack Dyson and Jon Palmer (Thongsbridge/Castlefields) with an 11-2 victory over John Bailey and Paul Bailey – no relation (Llanrwst/Belvedere). Dyson and Palmer reached the final with a solid 11-2 win over David and Steven Baskerville (Knutsford), whilst the Bailey pairing beat Sam Butler and Anthony Briddon (Fairfield) 11-6.

The Men’s doubles were won by Joseph Cranston and Joshua Mordue (Crossgates/Pudsey) as they convincingly beat Matty Gilmore and Gareth Coates (Quarry Vikings/Ackroydon Victoria) 11-2 in the final. Cranston and Mordue beat Callum Wraight and John Bailey (Llanrwst) 11-8 in the semi-final, whilst Gilmore and Coates had to work for their 11-9 win over Robert Fitzpatrick and Michael Coupe (Hoylake/Wirral).

The Ladies doubles were won by Clair Russell and Sharon Gadd (Alkincoats PWA/Cononley) as they beat local pairing Fiona Kennish and Jenny Moore (South Ramsey) 11-7 in the final. Russell and Gadd just got over the line in the semi-final as they trailed 3-10 to Sarah Weaver and Carol Faulkner (Wrockwardine Wood), only to see the game out 11-10 with a six-end, eight-point scoring streak. Kennish and Moore beat fellow local pair Sue Gawne and Lynda Cadamy (Nobles/Marown) 11-8 in their semi-final game.

Winning the Mixed pairs were Sara Boyd and Simon Tyler (Bolton-le-Sands/Gresford Village BC) with an emphatic 9-0 win over Susan Page and Richard Lockett (Bare/Wem BC).

The Triples was held once again this year with the competition due to be played on three greens over seven ends on Wednesday morning down to the winner from each green. The heavy rain put paid to the use of the Villa green, however both Noble’s greens were deemed playable. Winning on Noble’s 1 green for a second successive year were Joseph Cranston, Joshua Mordue, and Ryan Clark (Crossgates/Pudsey/Lower Hopton), whilst Adam Bishop, Richard Hindley, and Matt Sands (Lloyds) were the winners on Noble’s 2 green.

Castletown Bowling Club hosted the Wilfrid Quayle mixed doubles on Sunday with the competition attracting 22 pairs with the competition sponsored by the Sidings Pub. Just one pair did not brave the horrific conditions that awaited them, with the rain getting heavier throughout the afternoon and more puddles forming.

Falling at the quarter final stage were Peel pair Beverly Wilson and Andy Kennish to Kim and Glynn Hargraves with a 21-5 win. Home greeners Hannah Drewett and Dean Kinley came through a good battle with South Ramsey pair Jenny Moore and James Teare. In the bottom half of the draw Rebecca Kelly and Sam Stannard-Duke lost out to Town duo Stella Watterson and Nathan Hamilton, while Alison Kearsley and Billy Cooil got the better of father and son David and Kian Bradford.

Losing out at the semi-final stage were Drewett and Kinley to the Husband and Wife Hargraves pairing, with the former pair having trailed for most of the game they got in front 18-16 thanks to a four on a single end. Three singles and a double from the South Ramsey pair was enough to see them over the line 21-18 to book their place in the final.

The conditions hit breaking point by the start of the final with the heavens opening, with further and deeper puddles forming as a short jack on the first end from the Town pair allowed the South Ramsey pairing to head for the corners. Winning the first end Hargraves was back on the mark that had served him well all day. The early stages of the game saw Watters and Hamilton pick up three singles over five ends, however the Hargraves pairing led 11-8 after seven ends. This proved to the last points picked up by the Town pair with the jack never coming out of the corners, with ‘cobbing’ the bowls the order of the day as a three kicked off a six end scoring streak to see the game out with a well-deserved 21-8 to pick up their first mixed doubles win together.

The presentation was made by Castletown Bowling Club competition secretary Nathan Hamilton who thanked the sponsors for their support, everyone who had entered despite the forecast, along with the catering team and the club members who had helped with the smooth running of the competition throughout the day.

Noble’s Bowling Club hosted the Thurlwell Bowl on Saturday with a good entry of 58 taking part after a great week of Festival bowls, an increase of 14 on the 2024 entry.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were Rob Middleton (Peel) 8-21 to Paul Dunn (Marown), along with Rob Monk (North Ramsey) 20-21 to Glenn Boland (Marown), as the former got stuck on 20, with Boland recovering from a 16-20 deficit.

In the other half of the draw Neil Withers won 21-10 against Breagle’s Margie Tasker, while new Marown man Jamie Box recovered from a 11-17 deficit against Noble’s B team captain Steve Cain to claim his spot in the next round with a 21-18 win.

At the semi-final stage Boland claimed a second consecutive win in a week against his captain as he beat Dunn 21-17 to progress to the final. The other semi-final saw Withers take on new clubmate Box, with the former always in control of the game, taking a 21-15 victory.

Withers made a strong start in the final, getting out of the blocks the quickest taking a 17-7 lead after just eight ends. Boland got in as he clawed his way back in to the game to close the deficit to just three chalks at 15-18 after 15 ends. A final rally saw Withers get back in, as three singles secured the title and a 21-15 victory.

The presentation was made by competition secretary Lisa Bradshaw who thanked the sponsors IOM Steam packet for their continued support of the competition, along with the club members who had helped with the running of the competition. The winners were awarded with IOM Steam Packet vouchers.

North vs South Charity Challenge: Teams Announced for a Day of Sport and Fundraising

The stage is set for one of the most eagerly awaited community sporting events of the year, as the North and the South prepare to go head-to-head in the inaugural Charity Challenge, taking place on Saturday, 20th September 2025, at Nobles Greens 1 & 2. With a start time of 10:00, spectators can look forward to a full day of competition, camaraderie, and charity, all in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

This year’s event, proudly sponsored by IQ-EQ, Canada Life, and EVF, promises to deliver both entertainment and purpose. Thanks to their generous support, every bowl delivered on the day will help raise vital funds for the MNDA, an organisation providing essential care, research, and hope for those affected by the condition.

The match format has been designed to ensure plenty of variety and excitement. Spectators can expect to see contests across men’s doubles, ladies doubles, mixed doubles, mixed triples, and, to bring the day to a thrilling conclusion, men’s and ladies singles on the main green. With such a mix of styles and formats, there will be no shortage of drama, skill, and friendly rivalry on display.

Both teams have now confirmed their line-ups, with captains carefully selecting who will take to the greens in each match type. Importantly, every player is guaranteed to feature in at least two games, meaning fans will have ample opportunity to cheer on their local favourites throughout the day. The balance of competition promises a close contest, with bragging rights for either North or South on the line – but always in the spirit of fundraising and togetherness.

The Charity Challenge has grown into far more than just a sporting fixture; it is a celebration of community spirit. Friends, families, and supporters are encouraged to come along, lend their voices to the cheers, and soak up the atmosphere of what promises to be a memorable day. Whether you’re an avid bowls enthusiast or simply looking for a fun, family-friendly day out, this event offers something for everyone.

So mark the date in your calendar, dust off your team colours, and join us at Nobles Greens. The bowls will be fiercely contested, but the real victory lies in raising funds for such an important cause.

North or South – who will claim the honours in 2025? One thing is certain: the true winners will be the MNDA.

Ballaugh Bowling Club hosted the Dave McTaggart Memorial Trophy on Sunday, with an entry of 32 pairs on a green that became trickier to handle as the day went on it proved a challenge for the bowlers.

Losing out in the quarter finals were home greeners John Kneen and Barbara Graham 14-21 to South Ramsey’s Alan Moore and Glynn Hargraves, while Marown pair Philippa Taylor and Lynda Cadamy lost out 9-21 to Jordan Cain and John Kennish (South Ramsey).

In the other half of the draw Dido Kelly and Billy Cooil (South Ramsey/Castletown) got the better of South Ramsey’s Elaine Moore and Fiona Kennish 21-13, while home greeners Barry & Christine McDonald beat James Kelly and Trevor Quayle (Marown/Breagle Glen) 21-14.

At the semi-final stage an all South Ramsey affair was won comfortably by Cain and Kennish 21-8 against Moore and Hargraves, with the latter pair kept down to scoring two singles. The other semi-final saw Kelly and Cooil put an end to the home greeners challenge as they beat the McDonalds 21-11.

The final saw Kelly and Cooil start strongly, with the pair playing together for the first time in a competition, you would easily think they had played together for a number of years as they linked up well throughout the day, with Kelly leading well at the front on his favoured corner to crown mark and back, and Cooil playing the shots needed when they weren’t counting. The South/Town pairing had managed to build up a 15-10 lead, ensuring that Cain and Kennish never got a run of the jack, and crucially winning the ends in the corners to prevent the South men from getting in the corners.

The following end heading up to the crown saw a good four scored by Cain and Kennish to close the deficit to just one chalk. With the jack in the middle of the green heading to a corner was the only option. The South men were counting for one when a strike from Cooil had an element of good fortune about it hitting a short bowl onto the jack and killing the end.

With the jack in hand in the corner this was the opportunity Cain had been waiting for to get on a longer mark, however a good first bowl from Kelly ensured the hopes of getting a run in the corners were short lived, as Kelly and Cooil kept their opponents down to scoring just one more point to win 21-15.

The presentation was made by competition secretary Julie Reilly, with prizes paid down to the quarter finals. Julie thanked everyone who had entered, the catering team for the refreshments provided throughout the day. The sponsor Ann Gale was then introduced to present the prizes.

The Onchan Commissioners Any Combination Doubles took place on Sunday with a field of 29 pairs taking part on a green that got trickier as the day went on.

At the quarter finals stage Caroline Whitehead and Joyce Ogden (Breagle Glen/South Ramsey) lost out 9-21 to Marown’s Paul Dunn and Neil Withers, while another Marown pair lost out Walter McCarthy and Sid Bolton lost out 17-21 to South Ramsey’s Glynn Hargraves and Dido Kelly. In the bottom half of the draw Glenn Boland and Peter Jones (Marown) beat Lacey McMullan and Janet Monk (Mooragh Park) 21-14, while South Ramsey duo Jordan Cain and John Kennish beat Colese Creer and Lisa Bradshaw (Nobles) 21-11.

At the semi-final stage Dunn and Withers progressed to the final with a 21-17 win over Hargraves and Kelly, despite winning one end fewer throughout the game, as they scored three doubles and two three’s. Cain and Kennish made light work of Boland and Jones as they won convincingly 21-9 in just eight ends.

In the final Cain and Kennish started strongly scoring heavily to lead 14-8 after just four ends. This was the end of the heavy scoring until the 20th end as the next 15th ends were singles to show what a tight contest the final was. With the score at 20-16 to Cain and Kennish they were counting for game, however the Dunn and Withers got the result they needed to pick up a single to put the score at 17-20. The South Ramsey pair were still the favourites at this point, however two quickfire doubles saw the Marown men get over the line 21-20.

The presentation was made by Kevin Quirk and competition secretary David Tait, thanks were given for the running of the competition, the refreshments provided throughout the day, with the trophy & prizes presented by Oliver Lockwood of Onchan Commissioners to whom the Club are grateful for the continued support.

North Ramsey Bowling Club hosted the Ken Parker Memorial Rose Bowl at Mooragh Park on Saturday, with 23 pairs entered on a much improved surface, which was running well.

At the quarter final stage all four games were keenly contested with John Kennish and David Bradford (South Ramsey) beating Glenn Boland and Jordan Cain (Marown/South Ramsey) 21-16. Onchan pair Kevin Quirk and Steve Parker got over the line 21-18 against the home pairing of John Piekalns and Bryan Corner. In the bottom half of the draw Mooragh pair Rob Monk and Paul Allison were trailing 11-16 against Marown pair Philippa Taylor and Lynda Cadamy, as the home duo went on to win 21-18 on a longer length. The closest game of the quarter finals was between South Ramsey’s Dido Kelly and Glynn Hargraves and Marown’s Matthew Keggen and Paul Kelly, with the South men edging home 21-19 to take their place in the next round.

It was the end of the road for Quirk and Parker at the semi-final stage, as they were defeated 19-21 to Kennish and Bradford in a keenly contested game. In the other semi-final the home pairing of Monk and Allison were tied 13-13 with Kelly and Hargraves, as the Mooragh men went on to see the game out 21-13.

In the early stages of the final neither pairing was able to get a run of the jack with the score tied 9-9 after six ends, with six singles scored. Kennish and Bradford made their move as they went on to win five of the next six ends scoring heavily to take the lead 18-10.

What looked to be an unlikely comeback from the Mooragh men, after taking two singles, and a four to put the score at 16-18, which was followed by three good singles to put Monk and Allison ahead 19-18. To get into this position Monk had led brilliantly at the front to his own jack, putting pressure on with every bowl played, while Allison came to the rescue when they weren’t counting.

A single was picked up by the South Ramsey men to level the game at 19-19. On the following end Kennish played a short round peg, putting up two great bowls, with Monk taking the time to consider playing a reaching bowl which connected perfectly to count for one. Allison put the pressure on playing a good bowl to count for two, with Bradford saving one to buy another end. On the following end a great lead from Monk over distance ultimately went unbeaten to seal the comeback and a 21-19 victory. A final which was played with great sportsmanship between both pairings in the right spirit.

North Ramsey competition secretary Gary Merrill thanked those who had entered the competition. Ken was a popular member at both North & South Ramsey clubs. Gary introduced Ken’s daughter in law Caroline Parker to present the prizes. Thanks were also given to those that had helped run the competition, for the preparation of the green & running of the afternoon in particular the ladies in the beehive.

The 2025 Apollo mixed doubles comp was held at Finch Hill  in sunny & windy conditions the threat of Storm Floris did not deter the 22 entries. The Preliminary round saw Jamie Box and Debbie Leece (Marown) off to a flying start – “home-greeners” Les Brookes & Lil Smith, Peter Woods & Anne Hon had mixed fortunes with the latter pair narrowly missing out gaining six points when all-but against.

In round one the enthusiastic youngsters Grayse & Martha Blencoe (Mooragh Park) put up a creditable performance against the maturity of Les & Lil; surprise upset when youngsters Sam Quayle & Lacey McMullan (Castleotwn/Mooragh Park) narrowly progressed against the experience of Sid Bolton & Clare Cooper (Marown). Jamie & Debbie’s pairing again triumphed against the in-form Kim Hargraves and Alan Moore (South Ramsey) Willie & Pauline Cowley (Douglas/Ballaugh) saw off the runner up of Saturday’s competition – Brian Kelly & Sue Gawne (Marown/Nobles).

Calmer conditions had set in by the time of the quarter finals which saw two close fought games with remaining” home-greeners” Les & Lil winning by two points over Willie & Pauline and Sam & Lacey by three points over Steve & Judy Kelly (South Ramsey). Although hard fought, in the two other matches James Teare & Jenny Moore and Jamie & Debbie sailed comfortably into the semi-finals.

At the bottom half of the draw the good form of James & Jenny proved too strong for Les & Lil; in the top half of the draw Jamie & Debbie’s accuracy ended Sam & Lacey’s afternoon adventure.

The final was hard fought affair with Jamie & Debbie closing in on the eventual winners whilst they were standing at “all-but” for five ends finally the final bowl of the 20^th end clinched it.

Congratulations to James Teare & Jenny Moore on their victory. Thank you to Chris Reynolds of Apollo Blinds for support & sponsorship; to Joyce Ogden for her competent management of the event and to all Finch Hill members who helped and provided the refreshments.

Published by David Holmes

Last Saturday, 2^nd August saw Onchan Bowling Club host the Derek Killey Memorial Charity Trophy for mixed doubles. The weather was excellent for the 22 teams who entered.

The final was played between Sue Gawne and Brian Kelly (Nobles/Marown) against Kim Hargraves and Dido Kelly (South Ramsey) with both pairs having played the extra game in the preliminary round.  

Jenny Moore and James Teare (South Ramsey), considered strong contenders, were narrowly defeated in the first round by Mike Spooner and Julie Riley (Ballaugh) with a score of 21-18, after Spooner and Riley secured three points on the final end.

Three very close games were contested in the quarter finals with Gawne, and Kelly winning over Breagle Glen pair Anita and Wayne Roberts 21-19. Spooner and Riley couldn’t quite repeat their first round going down this time 18-21 to Debbie Leece and Jamie Box (Marown).

In the third quarter final Rose and Tom Waterworth (Ballaugh) edged out Cherise Fiahlo and Matthew Keggen 21-19 (Marown). In the last quarter final Hargraves and Kelly had a decisive win over Ballaugh’s Edward Trustham and Michele Cubbon 21-8.

The first semi-final was a close game at 11-11 until Gawne and Kelly picked up a single, three two’s and a three to beat Leece and Box 21-11. In the other semi-final the Waterworth’s were leading 15-9 over Hargraves and Kelly then lost a four, three singles, a two and finally a three going down 9-21.

In the final Hargraves and Dido Kelly were leading 16-6 after just seven ends played (with 5 handicap). Gawne and Brian Kelly took four points in the next three ends to make it 10-16 but Hargraves and Kelly replied with the same scores in the next three ends to make it 20-10. Once again Gawne and Kelly replied with singles on the next three ends to make it 13-20 but ran out of steam going down 21-13.

The presentation of the trophy and prize money was made by Onchan Bowling Clubs President Kevin Quirk who congratulated the finalists and thanked those who had helped to run the competition.

The winners and runners up kindly donated their winnings to this years charity which is the Parkinsons Disease Society Isle of Man. This added to the entrance fees, catering profit and a donation from the club came to £400.  A big thank you to all who entered.

The Isle of Man Team took part in the 2025 BCGBA Senior Supplementary County Championship which was held on Sunday at Fleetwood Bowling Club. The day started in wet conditions, with the wind playing a factor for the first two rounds of matches.

Drawn in Group 1, the opposition was tough with Staffordshire, North Midlands and Cheshire awaiting. The matches were played for on chalks with two points for a win, and one for a draw.

In the first round of matches the eight man team were up against Staffordshire, with the Manx men winning by 13 chalks (149-136). Peter Jones won 21-20 against Paul Evans, Neil Withers also crept home 21-19 against Reece Farr, with the latter hitting a high percentage of his strikes as the Marown man kept his composure to see the game out having trailed 13-19. Tom Kelly performed brilliantly leading 16-5 against Daryl Handley, as he went on to win 21-12 to give the Manx men an eight chalk lead at the halfway point.

The second half of the match saw Colin Kelly win 21-8 against Owen Evans, while Paul Dunn beat Kevin Hocknall 21-14. The five wins helped the team to secure the two points to get their day off to a good start.

In their second round match North Midlands were the opposition, they managed to share four individual games with the winners being Neil Withers who stormed to a 21-12 win against Ronan Allen, Glynn Hargraves wasn’t far behind as he beat Tyler Dewes 21-13, David Bradford won 21-16 against Jordan Badderley, while Paul Dunn beat Matt Horton 21-14. Tom Kelly lost out 18-21 after a good battle with Will Beal, while Colin Kelly lost out 20-21 to Max Jefferson. The chalks went in favour of the Island men by 10 (149-139) to put the team on four points and sitting in top spot after two games played.

In their final match they faced Cheshire. The team knew a win or a draw would guarantee safe passage to a first ever final, with a defeat leaving them in the unenviable position of relying on results in the other game. This fixture turned out to be their closest as they managed to secure a win by just three chalks (145-142) despite losing 3-5 on games, which says a lot about the games they did win and the chalks scored by the players who lost. Losing out 18-21 were John Kennish and Tom Kelly, with the former having a tough day at number one, but scoring well in each game as he lost to Richard Peach, while Tom lost out to Simon White. The three winners for the Island Team were Matthew Quirk who beat Nathan Brown 21-13, Neil Withers kept his 100% record going with a 21-15 win over Andy Gregory, as did Paul Dunn who was the last man on the green needing to win to 21-12 or better, he took any tension out of the situation with a 21-9 win over Darren O’Hanlon.

Taking six points from the group stages was enough to top the group with a chalks difference of +26. Staffordshire were runners up in the group with four points and a slightly better chalks difference of +28.

Group 2 consisted of Shropshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, and Merseyside with the latter topping the group to take their place in the final.

The final got underway with the first four games played on the green that the Manx men had been on all day. Tom Kelly didn’t get the chalks to reflect his performance as he lost 12-21 to Matt Gilmore, Paul Dunn had a battle with Stephen Glover only to lose out 17-21, Neil Withers picked up Manx win number one in the final as he trailed Phil Lee 15-17, finishing the game strongly with three doubles to win 21-17. Glynn Hargraves trailed 8-17 against Danny Barwise, with the former picking up another eight chalks to lose out 16-21.

The second half of the match moved to Green 2, with the Merseyside men building on the 14 chalk lead that they had built up from the first four games. Wayne Ditchfield won 21-5 against John Kennish to put the Merseyside men into a 30 chalk lead, to all but put the match beyond any doubt. Next off was Peter Jones who lost 15-21 to John Finch, swiftly followed by Matthew Quirk 12-21 to Andy Hayes. The last match off saw David Bradford recover from a 14-18 deficit to win 21-19 against Nick Burridge as the team lost by 43 chalks 119-162, picking up their second win of the match, as the Merseyside men took a deserved win.

The Isle of Man Team who were managed by Bob Clark and assisted by Nicola Kneale outdid any performance of any Manx team over the years as they reached the final, they can be proud of their performance to win all three group games and reach the final of this competition. Thanks must also go to Bob and Nicola for their efforts on the lead up to the day, especially on the day, with the incoming storm leading to a change in travel arrangements at short notice.

A great team effort overall, with Paul Dunn winning three out of four games, while teammate Neil Withers won all four games. The performance by the team and support from the supporters throughout the day was superb.