Douglas Bowling Club hosted both the Mens & Ladies Jaks Group Douglas Town Cups on a very tricky Villa Marina Green this Sunday, on what was a great day for bowls, despite a couple of minor showers.

The green was in fantastic condition and running faster than much of what we’ve seen on the Island this year. In fact I would say, especially in the early stages, the playing surface was each bowlers toughest opponent. Changing weather conditions mean a changing green and the winners were those who adapted the best throughout the day.

Clare Cooper of Marown reigned supreme in the ladies competiton beating the prolific Janet Monk (Mooragh Park) 21-14 in a high quality final. Both players were excellent all day but Clare really had the bit between her teeth in the final and ran out the deserved winner.

Defending champion Paula Garrett (Douglas) went out 21-15 at the semi final stage to our eventual winner whilst Janet ended the charge of Breagle’s Margie Tasker 21-14.

Just falling short at the quarter finals stage were Martha Blencoe (Mooragh Park), Lyn Bolton (Marown), Jane Lothian (Douglas) & Trish Bull (Breagle Glen) .

Trevor Quayle (Breagle) won the coveted trophy for a second time halting the efforts of Paul Dunn (Marown) who is still to add this title to his ever growing resume. The game was nip and tuck in the early stages but Trevor found tip gear and accelerated to a 21-15 win.

It was great to see two seasoned veterans having a great run to the semi-finals with Steve Parker (Onchan) going down 21-9 to Dunn whilst home greener Keith Rise turned in a battling performance to narrowly lose out 21-18 to Quayle.

Neil Withers, Paul Kelly, Peter Greenlees ( all Marown), and Merv Sayle (Douglas) all had good days before dipping out in the quarters.

At the conclusion of the event Mark Kneen thanked Jaks Group for their continued support and introduced Steve Pickett who presented the prizes on behalf of the sponsor.

Noble’s Bowling Club hosted the Roy Williamson Memorial Cup Junior Boys competition on Saturday morning, with a good standard of bowls from the Juniors.

With nine entries Arran Dunn beat Alex Colquitt to reach the quarter finals in the only preliminary round game.

The first quarter final saw Sam Colquitt beat Arran Dunn 21-18. Sam Quayle lost out 20-21 to Clark Kelly. In the bottom half of the draw Freddie Palmer beat Bertie Moss 21-7, while Alex Hampson won 21-11 against Archie Dunn.

In the semi-final both games were straightforward wins as Colquitt won 21-12 against Kelly, while Hampson beat Palmer 21-10.

The final swung one way and then the other as Colquitt took the first four ends. By end 20 Hampson held a one chalk lead at 13-12. A six end winning run saw Colquitt go within touching distance of the trophy to lead 20-13. Five consecutive singles for Hampson, saw the deficit close to just two chalks, only for Colquitt to score the single needed to secure a 21-18 victory to win the trophy for the first time.

The presentation was made by Tina Hampson, with Roy’s wife Jacqueline Williamson presenting the prizes to all competitors.

The Kennish Cup took place at South Ramsey Bowling Club on Sunday afternoon with 38 pairs taking part, with the competition played for a second time in an any combination doubles format. The competition was once again sponsored by Voice Over Sarah Hart.

Losing out in the quarter finals were home greeners Toby Hart and Alan Moore 16-21 to Marown pair Peter Jones and Glenn Boland. Ballaugh’s Shay and Tom Waterworth lost out 19-21 to Andy Kennish and Lee Dawson (Peel/South Ramsey). In the other half of the draw John Kennish and David Bradford (South Ramsey) won 21-15 against Kieran Krypner and Nathan Hamilton (Castletown), while an all South Ramsey tie was won 21–8 by Glynn Hargraves and Dido Kelly against Jenny Moore and James Teare.

In the semi-finals Boland and Jones eased through their game with Andy Kennish and Lee Dawson, having trailed 7-12 the Marown men scored heavily over six ends to win 21-12, while John Kennish and Bradford finished the game strongly to win 21-15 against Hargraves and Kelly.

The final got underway with the Marown pair winning the first three ends to lead 10-5, then the lead went to 12-7 after six ends. Some heavy scoring over distance in tough conditions saw Kennish and Bradford score 10 chalks with two three’s and a full house (four) to take the lead 18-14. By this point the rain had become particularly heavy, it took three singles for the South Ramsey men to see the game out 21-14 as they retained the trophy.

The presentation was made by South Ramsey Chairman Steve Moore, who thanked the sponsors for supporting the competition, the ladies for the catering, the team who helped run the competition, along with the measurers. James Teare then presented the prizes on behalf of the sponsors.

Ballaugh Bowling hosted the Spar Mixed Doubles on Sunday afternoon with a superb entry of 51 pairs taking part, with the glorious weather continuing from the following day. The green was in excellent condition, proving tricky for the 102 bowlers taking part.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were Sue Gawne and Brian Kelly (Noble’s/Marown) 12-21 to South Ramsey pair Jenny Moore and James Teare, Shannon McMullan and Joe Kneale (North Ramsey) got the better of Ballaugh pair Lynn Mayers and Stephen Swift 21-20. In the other half of the draw Michele Cubbon and Ed Trustham got over the line 21-19 against Kian Bradford and David Bradford (South Ramsey) 21-19, while another home pair Louise and Nigel Tebay lost 14-21 to Helen Withers and Karl Parker.

The first semi-final saw Moore and Teare up McMullan and Kneale, as the former pairs greater experience paying off with a 21-11 win. In the other semi-final the home hopes ended with Cubbon and Trustham losing out 15-21 to Withers and Parker.

The final started with the Marown pair edging ahead by one point 11-10 after seven ends, with the South Ramsey duo going on to win three consecutive ends, scoring a two, a three and a single to go ahead 16-11. A change in the playing order saw Parker go up, this seemed to have an immediate impact as they scored a three to close the deficit to two chalks at 14-16.

Jenny and James put an end to any hopes of a win, as they managed to see the game out with two doubles and a single, in between conceding a single as they wrapped up the game with a 21-15 victory to lift the trophy once more.

The presentation was made by Ballaugh Assistant Competition Secretary Mark Dimsdale, who thanked Julie Reilly and the club members for helping run the competition along with the ladies for providing the catering throughout the day.

In the Ladies main event Jenny Moore etched her name further into the history books, smashing more records along the way as the South Ramsey favourite picked up her fourth festival title following her previous successes in June 2016, September 2021 & 2023.

What made this win more impressive, due to previous success in the festival, is that Moore was four points back on all her opponents, starting off +1, with Jenny incredibly facing the prospect of being off -2 in the September festival, with the winner being docked three chalks for picking up the title.

With Moore having to score 20 chalks to her opponents 16 chalks to win, a good start was vital as Jenny took on her biggest rival on the Island for several years Janet Monk (Mooragh Park), as the four-chalk deficit was swiftly turned into a three-chalk lead after six ends to lead 9-6.

Jenny only relinquished the lead once from this point, crucially did not trail as the game was level at 13-13 after 14 ends. Jenny made her move once more scoring five chalks over three ends on a longer length to lead 18-13. Janet went on to pick up two singles, only for Moore to jump in with a double to restore her five-chalk lead at 20-15.

As Jenny headed for the corner, a good two bowls from Janet saw a glimmer of hope for Monk, as the Mooragh Park player headed to the crown. The Mooragh Park bowler picked up another single to close the score to 18-20. Monk then headed from the crown back to the corner. With nerves of steel Moore bowled in with a great last bowl to secure her second June festival title and fourth overall.

Whilst receiving the £1,250 first prize, Jenny also received the visitiom.com trophy for being the furthest local lady. Janet could console herself with the runners up prize of £625.

In the semi-finals Jenny put paid to the challenge of Clair Russell (Alkincoats PWA) with a 21-10 win, whilst Janet had a battle on her hands with Elaine Moore (South Ramsey), with the latter leading 14-9 Janet used all her experience to overturn the deficit and book her place in the final with a 21-17 victory.

Moore started her day with a comfortable 21-9 victory over previous festival winner Alexis Lunn-Gadd (Ossett Flying Horse), whilst Russell beat rising star Alex Edmondson (Pudsey BC) 21-14. In the other half of the draw Monk held off Emma Earlam 21-16 (Castle Sports & SC), whilst Elaine overturned a 10-16 deficit against Jayne Kent (Meersbrook BC) to edge home 21-20.

Having picked up the Tourism Title on Thursday morning, it is believed that Jenny is the first to achieve the feat of winning the ladies June main event and Tourism Title in the same week, and only the third person to do this overall following Katrina Caley (Bentley Colliery) in September 1995, and Jane Jones (Wirral) in September 1994. The week saw Jenny go 14 singles games unbeaten – seven games in the Main event giving her opponents a four-chalk head start and a further seven games in the Tourism.

Ladies Tourism

The Ladies Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 2 green, with Jenny Moore setting herself up nicely for the last 32 in the main event on Thursday afternoon, with a hard fought and nail-biting 21-20 victory over Louise Cotton (Wrockwardine Wood). Moore had led 17-8 at one point in the game, looked to be cruising only for Cotton to get hold of the jack to pull the deficit back to one chalk at 16-17 after 15 ends. Jenny got back in at the right time to maintain her lead, however both players alternated winning ends from this point until the end of the game for the score to be tied at 20-20. Cotton led out and played a good lead bowl approximately 18 inches past the jack. Showing no sign of pressure Jenny played a front toucher gently nudging the jack to count one for game. Louise was unable to beat this, which sealed the Tourism title for Jenny.

Moore reached the final thanks to a 21-15 win over Jayne Kent (Meersbrook BC), whilst Cotton finished her game with Hazel Borradaile (Netherfield BC) strongly to get over the line 21-19.

In the quarter finals Moore beat Katie Morgan (Denby Grange) 21-14, whilst Kent beat Sharron King (Kirkham) 21-12. In the other half of the draw Cotton started her day with a 21-15 win over Karen Hill (New Mill), whilst Borradaile just got over the line 21-20 against Caroline Bushell (Lindal BC).

One of the biggest events on the bowls calendar – The Isle of Man June Bowls Festival took place this week, with the event attracting well over 500 entries in both the men’s and ladies’ events, as entries continue to improve, with the weather from Wednesday to Friday perfect conditions for the visiting bowlers to bask in the sun. The spectators were treated to an entertaining finals day to cap off a superb week.

In the Men’s event it was Callum Wraight (Llanrwst BC) who picked up his first June Isle of Man Festival win, despite having won the Isle of Man September Festival in 2021, the June title was the one he really wanted. Wraight now has all the top U.K. titles on his C.V.

Wraight took home the winners’ cheque for £3,200 and lifted the famous trophy as he beat local man Matthew Quirk (Onchan) 21-13. Quirk made a positive start scoring on the first end, on the second end he was counting for two only for Wraight to kill the end with one of his renowned strikes. A further single was scored by the Onchan man to lead 7-5. Wraight got in on the following end with a perfect bowl to score his first point of the game.

Wraight got into his stride playing his customary short marks to take the lead 14-9, with the local man never far away. Quirk started to find his way back into the game, closing the deficit to three chalks at 11-14 after 12 ends. The 13^th end was decided by a measure with Wraight picking up the point, whilst the following end saw all four bowls finish on the same line with Matthew scoring to trail 12-15. A poor end followed to gift wrap a cheap double for Callum, with Quirk missing the opportunity to double up himself on the following end.

A single from Wraight saw him lead out at 18-13, with Quirk playing a great bowl. What happened next will be remembered for a long time. A full-blown strike and direct hit from Wraight saw the side of Quirk’s bowl smash and fly up in the air, in what must be a first in a major final. Almost unnoticed the jack eventually rolled off the green to kill the end. The rules allow for bowls to be changed during a game – if a bowl is damaged. Whilst a replacement pair of the same make of bowls and weight were sourced it led to a short break in the game.

With play back underway, Wraight scored a single from the corner, then played an even shorter length on the following end as the Shropshire man secured the two points needed to lift the June title for the first time and with it the cheque for £3,200.

Wraight reached the final with a comfortable 21-11 win over previous Festival winner Phil Lee (St Mary’s) taking 16 ends to claim the win, whilst Quirk progressed with a 21-16 victory over Dean Missere (Sheffield), with the former scoring more consistently over the course of the game.

The quarter finals saw Wraight get his day off to a dream start with a 21-6 win over James Fitzpatrick (West Kirby Vics), as the Merseyside man only managed to score one chalk with a running bowl on the second end of the game. Despite both players preferring a shorter length the Shropshire man dominated the game. Lee reached the next round with a 21-14 win over Martin Gaut (Wrockwardine Wood), whilst in the other half of the draw Quirk eased to a 21-8 victory over Gareth Lally (Crossgates) with a great display. Missere also made safe passage to the semi-finals with a 21-12 win over Peter Jones Llanrwst BC).

Quirk picked up the George Craine Trophy as the only local bowler to reach finals day, whilst he also took home a cheque for £1,250 for his efforts throughout the week.

At the presentation Wraight thanked the Department of Economic Development for their continued support of the event, expressed his pleasure at finally achieving the Holy Grail in Crown Green Bowls, having now secured all the top titles to be won in the game.

Men’s Tourism 

The Men’s Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 1, and it was Chris Kelly (Thongsbridge) who picked up the Tourism title to see off Kevan Shaw (Red Lion), with Kelly taking a five-chalk lead at 14-9, Shaw fought back to close the deficit to one chalk at 14-15. The Thongsbridge man shortly put paid to any hopes of a win for Shaw, as he picked up the Tourism Title with a 21-16 victory.

In the semi-finals Kelly took on Callum Wraight (Llanrwst BC) the man who would go on to lift the main event the following day, making light work of Wraight. Despite losing the first two ends, 11 consecutive scoring ends from Kelly, with five doubles and six singles saw the Thongsbridge man romp home 21-8, whilst Shaw beat Conor Chamberlain (Stretton- Anglesey) 21-14.

In the quarter finals Kelly started his morning with a battle against Joshua Mordue (Pudsey BC) taking the win 21-17. Wraight beat Jon Edmondson (Heckmondwike BC). In the bottom half of the draw Shaw had the closest game of the round with a 21-18 victory over James Davison (Thongsbridge), whilst Chamberlain made light work of Ryan Marks (Wirral) with a 21-7 win to progress to the next round.

Other Events 

The Men’s consolation was won by Dan Edmonds (Dalton Cricket Club) who beat Gareth Coates (Ackroydon Victoria) 21-20 in the final, having led 20-16 with Coates fighting back to 20-20 only for Edmonds to get the one chalk required. Edmonds beat Paul Bradley (Fairfield) 21-17 in the semi-final, whilst Coates had a comfortable 21-11 win over Ian Howard (Meanwood BC).

The Ladies consolation final was more straightforward for the winner Sarah Weaver (Wrockwardine Wood) who beat Jessica Pickthall (Lindal BC) 21-10 in the final, with the latter scoring four singles. Weaver reached the final courtesy of a 21-10 win over Diane Harrison (Lune Road), whilst Pickthall took her place in the final with a 21-14 win over Natalie Sanderson (Crossgates BC).

The Visit.Com Flyer title went to Callum Wraight (Llanrwst BC) who had a warmup on the green ahead of the men’s main final, as he made light work of Dave McCabe (Douglas) 9-1, whilst the Last Chance Mixed Final was won 21-20 by Andy Gregory (Comberbach) in a final that went to the wire against Harry Hargreaves (Two Gates).

In the doubles competitions the Open doubles was won by Michael Coupe (Wirral) and Rob Fitzpatrick (Lever Club), following an entertaining final against Neil Withers and Paul Dunn (Marown), which went all the way 11-10. Both semi-finals were keenly contested as Coupe and Fitzpatrick reached the final with a 11-9 win over Chris Mordue (Pudsey BC) and Gaz Lally (Crossgates BC), whilst Withers and Dunn got over the line 11-10 against Phil Lee (St Mary’s) and Louis Fazakerley (St Mary’s).

The Men’s doubles final saw an emphatic 11-1 win for Ian Hazlehurst (Wirral) and Phil Lee (St Mary’s) who retained the title they won in June 2024 as they beat Simon Walder (Crossgates BC) and Gareth Coates (Ackroydon Victoria). Hazlehurst and Lee won their semi-final 11-5 against Barry Simm (Lune Road) and Gareth Jones (Dalton Cricket Club), whilst Walder and Coates booked their place with a 11-8 victory over James Fitzpatrick (West Kirby Vics) and Paul Roberts (West Kirby).

The Ladies doubles final saw a good tussle with Sharon Rigden and Clair Russell up against Carly Williams and Paula Gamon, with the latter pair leading 6-0, only for Rigden and Russell to get over the line 11-8. The winning pair got through to the final with a hard fought 11-9 win over Emma Earlam (Castle Sports & SC)) and Wendy Allen (Castle Sports & SC), whilst the losing finalists were run closer again, with a 11-10 win over Sharon Gadd (Ossett Flying Horse) and Amanda Nicholas (Gresford Colliery).

Winning the Mixed pairs were Carly Williams (Comberbach) and Colin Crawford (Two Gates BC) with an emphatic 9-1 win over Tricia Bull (Breagle Glen) and Steve Shannon (Woodlands Park). Williams and Crawford progressed to the final with a 9-5 win against Suzanne Sinclair (Lowther Gardens BC) and Paul Moore (Chesterfield), whilst a 9-7 win for Bull and Shannon over Emma Earlam (Castle Sports & SC) and Barry Simm (Lune Road) booked their place in the final.

South Ramsey Bowling Club hosted the Over 60’s any combination doubles competition sponsored by Corkhill and Callow Funeral Directors with a healthy entry of 24 pairs taking part with the fine weather enjoyed during May making a timely return. The competition was being played for the fifth time in its current format and was previously known as the Pro Tours Gold Cup.

At the quarter final stage Caroline Whitehead and Joyce Ogden (Breagle Glen/South Ramsey) easily overcame the challenge of Ray Skelly and Mike Dransfield (North Ramsey) 21-9. Siblings Janet Monk and Peter Slinger (Mooragh Park/Onchan) beat home greeners, husband and wife pairing of Steve and Judy Kelly 21-14. In the other half of the draw Les Brookes and Derek Allen (Nobles/Onchan) lost out to Julie Reilly and Elaine Moore (Ballaugh/South Ramsey) 15-21, whilst Mooragh Park pair Lynn Mayers and Pat Lenton performed well before losing out 18-21 to South Ramsey’s Ian Colquitt and Lee Dawson.

In the first semi-final Whitehead and Ogden got the better of pre-tournament favourites Monk and Slinger 21-19, whilst Reilly and Moore took a fairly straightforward 21-13 win over Colquitt and Dawson.

The final was extremely well contested with both pairings featuring home greener and an away greener, it was Whitehead and Ogden who made the first move winning the first three ends with a three, and two doubles to lead 12-5. Reilly and Moore hit back scoring 10 chalks over five ends to lead 15-12. A three from Caroline and Joyce levelled the game up after nine ends at 15-15, only for Julie and Elaine to restore their three chalk least ends later at 18-15. The Breagle/South Ramsey pair looked like they were going to get over the line as a single and two doubles got them within grasp of lifting the trophy, however the Ballaugh/South Ramsey pair rallied once more scoring a single and a double to get over the line 21-20 in a thrilling final.

At the conclusion of the competition the presentation was made by South Ramsey Treasurer Geoff Collier, who thanked Corkhill and Callow Funeral Directors for once again sponsoring the competition, the club members who helped with the running of the competition and the Ladies for the refreshments provided throughout the day.

Despite the poor weather conditions, gusty winds and occasional heavy downpours, a strong field of 31 mixed pairs battled it out to lift the Lilian Slinger Trophy.

The first round saw the departure of the fancied pairing of Kim and Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey) narrowly beaten by Glenn Boland (Marown) and home player Madison McMullan 20-21. A tight game in the second round saw home favourites Rob and Janet Monk pipped at the post 20–21 by Sue Gawne (Noble’s) and Andy Kennish (Peel).

In the quarter final Jayne Smith and Walter McCarthy overcame Marown clubmates Neil Withers and Debbie Leece 21-20 whilst the surprise scratch home pairing of Katie Johnson and Joe Kneale finally met their match against Clare Cooper and Sid Bolton losing 13–21.

The first semi-final saw James Teare and Jenny Moore (South Ramsey) take a comfortable win against Clare Cooper and Sid Bolton 21–11 whilst the second semi-final saw Jayne Smith and Walter McCarthy tied at 16 each with Peter Jones and Lyn Bolton (Marown) after 16 ends. However, Peter and Lyn ran out 21–16 winners, winning the last five ends without reply.

The final between James Teare and Jenny Moore versus Peter Jones and Lyn Bolton was expected to be a cracker and did not disappoint. The latter pairing raced into a 17–10 lead after nine ends and the writing seemed to be on the wall for James and Jenny, however a run of 1, 1, 3, 1, and 2 shots on consecutive ends brought them back to lead 18–17 after 14 ends. One shot on the 15^th end for Peter and Lyn brought the score back to 18 across before three shots on the next end for James and Jenny saw them home as worthy winners of the trophy 21-18.

The competition was sponsored by Lilian’s family and the trophy and prizes were presented by Paul Slinger.

The Canada Life International sponsored Manx Junior Championship took place on Saturday 24th May at Nobles Bowling club number one green. There was a field of 19 juniors who bowled fantastically.

The quarter finals were Freddie Palmer (Castletown), who had defeated Grace Cooper (Marown) and Lacey McMullan (Mooragh Park) in previous rounds, against Bailey McMullan (Mooragh Park). A third 21-up game proved too much for Freddie who tired and lost 21-6. The second quarter final saw Aalish Moore (Castletown) beat Kian Bradford (South Ramsey) who has a broken left arm. Luckily not his bowling arm.

The third quarter final saw the battle of the Colquitt brothers Sam and Alex (Nobles). It could not have been closer, but older brother Sam pipped Alex 21-20. The fourth quarter final saw Alex Hampson beat Lillie Barrett (Peel).

The first semi-final saw Bailey come from behind against Aalish to win 21-14. In the second semi-final and another 21-20 game for Sam against Alex Hampson, this time didn’t go in his favour.

So the final was between Bailey and Alex. Keeping the trophy in the McMullan household Bailey took the game 21-10. Congratulations Bailey and all juniors, you did yourselves proud. Bailey follows in the footsteps of sisters, Lacey and Shannon, who have all won the Junior Manx Championship. The trophy was presented by the Association President Hilary Kermode.

18-25 BCGBA Qualifier

On Saturday 24th May the newly introduced 18-25 qualifier was held on Nobles 2 Green. Six entrants battled it out to qualify to play in the BCGBA 18-25 Open Championship.

The two quarter finals were Kieran Krypner (Castletown) against Glenn Boland (Marown) and Toby Hart (South Ramsey) against Keri Hampson (Nobles). Kieran came from 8-16 behind to take the game 21-20. Toby proved too big a match against Keri on the longer marks.

Kieran took on Toby in the first semi-final with a very similar performance coming from behind to pip Toby 21-20. The second semi-final saw Rebekah Kelly (Marown) play Dylan Marsh (Breagle Glen). Another close game with Dylan winning 21-19.

The final was yet another battle for Kieran again coming from behind taking it to the wire and winning 21-20. He qualifies to play at Owley Wood in Northwich on Sunday 10th August.

On Saturday 17th May, six of our island juniors represented the Isle of Man in the BCGBA 6-a-side competition held at The Grange Sports & Social Club in Warrington.

Aalish Moore (Castletown), Lacey and Bailey McMullan (North Ramsey), Alex Hampson (Nobles), Erin Quayle (Douglas) and Sam Quayle (Castletown).

The Isle of Man were drawn in Group A along with South Yorkshire B, Shropshire B and Greater Manchester B. The Isle of Man won all three matches, improving their scores with each match. 83-58 against South Yorkshire B, 88-48 against Shropshire B and 90-22 against Greater Manchester B.

Topping the group they play along with South Yorkshire B and Cheshire and Greater Manchester A from Group B in the final at Windle, St Helens on Sunday 29th June.

Thanks go to the Development Committee for organising, the BCGBA for hosting and the IOM Steam Packet for the supported travel.