News: General
Moore & Teare Win Spar Mixed Pairs
Spar Mixed Pairs Winners 2023 - James Teare & Jenny Moore
Photo: Glynn HargravesBallaugh Bowling hosted the Spar Mixed Doubles on Sunday afternoon with 34 pairs taking part with the rain holding off for the entire competition.
Losing out at the quarter final stage were Douglas pair Pauline and Willie Cowley, who lost 14-21 to Marown’s Lyn Bolton and Peter Jones, Clare Cooper (Marown) and Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary) were well beaten 8-21 by South Ramsey’s Jenny Moore and James Teare. Home green pair Rose Waterworth and Paul Cubbon put paid to the hopes of Marown duo Rebecca Teare and Paul Dunn with a 21-16 win, whilst another South Ramsey pair Gill Dixon and Stefan Kelly won 21-10 against Margaret Tasker (Port St Mary and Les Brookes (Finch Hill).
The first semi-final saw Moore and Teare up against Bolton and Jones, with the Marown pair building up a four point lead after 10 ends at 15-11. The South Ramsey pair rallied over the next three ends scoring two consecutive three’s and a single to lead 18-15. Bolton and Jones responded with three singles to level the game up at 18-18, then three consecutive singles of their own saw Moore and Teare win 21-18 to reach the final.
In the other semi-final Waterworth and Cubbon took on Dixon and Kelly with the latter pair scoring just three doubles on their way to a hard earned 21-16 victory.
The final was expected to be a tight match with both pairs performing well all day. Dixon and Kelly scored a double first end to lead 8-6, then lost six consecutive ends as Moore and Teare scored heavily to go within touching distance of victory. A two for Dixon and Kelly on the eighth end for them into double figures at 10-20 and they were lying four on the following end only for Moore to find a gap and score the one point needed to secure victory.
The presentation was made by Chairman Gordie Moore, who thanked Maurice O’Reilly and the club members for helping run the competition along with the ladies for providing the catering throughout the day. In his speech James passed on his condolences to the members of Ballaugh Bowling Club following the recent loss of a great club man Richard Faragher, with a minutes silence held before play got underway for the day.
June CLI Players of the Month
June 2023 - Canada Life International Players of the Month
Congratulations to June Canada Life International Award winners:-
Men’s Player of the Month: Bob Clark – South Ramsey
Ladies Player of the Month: Louise Tebay – Ballaugh
Under 21’s Player of the Month: Ryan Hargraves – South Ramsey
Bob was in top form in June as he picked up his second open competition win of the season as he won the Ken Williamson Cup for a second time having previously won the competition in 2010 as a 17-year-old, he won it this year as a 30-year-old. Clark brushed aside all before him on the day, as he beat Glenn Boland, Kevin Quirk, Matthew Quirk, Peter Jones and Glynn Hargraves. For his club team South Ramsey Clark maintained a 100% record winning all four games, including a vital home win over Peter Jones in the Rayner Shield quarter finals.
Louise Tebay was the clear choice for the Ladies section this month winning the award for the first time, with the highlight of the month being a first singles open win having recently won a ladies doubles at Onchan, Louise went on to win the Ladies Ramsey Town Cup beating Sue Gawne in the final. Louise also reached the latter stages of the June Festival. In a display of dedication towards the sport taken up just over two years ago Louise has recently obtained her Level 1 coaching qualification.
Junior bowler Ryan is the third person to win the award for the first time this month as he picked up the under 21 title, having recently represented the Junior Island team in St. Helen’s the 15-year-old has kicked on this season with his league form seeing him win all four games played in June, to rise to third place in the Division Three night league individual merit.
Phil Lee Lands Maiden June Festival Title
Men’s June 2023 Festival Winner - Phil Lee
Photo: Arnie WithersOne 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.
Photo: Gary Weightman (Vannin Photos)
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).
June Festival Glee for Helen Clee
Ladies June Festival Winner 2023 - Helen Clee on her way to Winning the Main Event
Photo: Arnie WithersIn 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).
June Festival Preview
June Festival Winners 2022 - Alexis Lunn-Gadd and James Wilcox
Photo: Arnie WithersThe 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!
MADISON RETAINS RHEUBEN THOMAS JUNIOR TROPHY
Madison McMullan (holding the trophy) with her sisters Bailey and Lacey who also took part in the competition
Photo: Denise HoriskThe third running of the Rheuben Thomas Junior Bowling Trophy was held on the morning of Sunday 11th June on the glorious setting of the North Ramsey Bowling Club green in Mooragh Park. An entry of 22 competitors was split into two groups, the younger/less experienced bowlers playing in a Round Robin event with the older/more experienced bowlers playing in a knockout competition for the Rheuben Thomas Junior Bowling Trophy.
In the Round Robin event the competitors were split into two groups with the winner of each group meeting to decide the outright winner of the event. Enya Christian was a clear winner of one group with newcomer Landon Allison winning his group by just one chalk. In the final Enya got off to a flying start leading 4– 0 after the first four ends and despite a determined comeback by Landon in the last few ends Enya ran out as the winner 7–3.
In the knockout event Madison cruised through the quarter-finals to set up a semi-final meeting with Clark Kelly. Madison led 12-4 after 12 ends and looked to be well on her way to reaching the final however Clark fought back gamely and was leading 19-18 after the 27th end. It was Madison, however, who won the contest scoring a 2 and a 1 on the last two ends, winning 21-19. The other half of the draw saw Victoria Johnson playing Lola Tebay in the semi-finals. This was again a very close game with the lead changing multiple times and after 28 ends Lola led by 19-18. Mirroring the scoring of the other semi-final it was Victoria who ran out as the winner scoring a 2 and a 1 on the last two ends.
In the final Madison dominated the game and was never behind winning the match in the 18th end 21-7, thereby retaining the trophy she had won the previous year.
The prizes were presented by Heidi Thomas (Rheuben’s widow) assisted by NRBC Junior Coach Janet Monk. In addition to the main trophy presented to Madison she and Enya Christian received small trophies to keep whilst runners up Victoria and Landon received silver medals. All competitors received a bronze medal commemorating the event.
NRBC would like to thank Heidi and all her family for their efforts to support the event and everyone else who contributed to the running of the competition.
May CLI Players of the Month
Congratulations to May Canada Life International Award winners:-
Men’s Player of the Month: David Bradford – South Ramsey
Ladies Player of the Month: Janet Monk – Mooragh Park
Under 21’s Player of the Month: Grace Gawne – Noble’s
David or ‘Drof’ was a clear pick for the men’s player of the month as the player ranked number one on the island picked up two singles titles during the month, as he won the big money Villa Classic, whilst also lifting the Association Cup for the second time. Bradford’s form for his team also saw him lose just one game in the month of May, at the hands of Kevin Quirk at Onchan Park.
The pick from the Ladies Section this month was Janet Monk who won the award for the second time as Janet won 15 games in the Over 60’s and night leagues, with 11 of those wins to single figures. Janet also demonstrated good form as she went on to win the George Hawkins Memorial Shield which is open to Over 60’s Men and Ladies.
Junior bowler Grace picked up the under 21 title, representing the Junior Island team in St. Helen’s dropping just four chalks on the day in her four games to score 56 chalks out of a possible 60. Ending the month on a high in the Junior Manx Championship, held recently at Noble’s Grace brushed aside all before her as she went one better than 2022 to pick up her first Junior Championship title. Grace will also travel to the UK later in the year to represent the Island.
Moore & Hargraves Win Port St Mary Cup Mixed Doubles
Port St Mary Cup Mixed Doubles Winners 2023 - Elaine Moore & Glynn Hargraves
Photo: Neil WithersA healthy entry of 34 pairs took part in this year’s Port St Mary mixed doubles open competition held at Breagle Glen on Bank Holiday Monday on another fine day.
Losing out at the quarter final stage were Sue Gawne (Noble’s) and Andy Kennish (Marown) 17-21 to Marown pair Rebecca Teare and Paul Dunn. An all South Ramsey affair between Kim Hargraves and Peter Collister who were up against Elaine Moore and Glynn Hargraves was well contested with the latter pair progressing 21-18. Jean Thackrah (Port Erin) and Bernard Thackrah (Port St Mary) reached the end of the road as they were beaten 10-21 by South Ramsey’s Jenny Moore and James Teare, whilst Port Erin’s Voirrey Curphey and Seamus Whelan lost out 14-21 to Philippa and Alec Taylor (Marown/Peel).
The first semi-final was Teare and Dunn who were up against Moore and Hargraves with the latter pair forced to swap the playing order as they trailed 10-14, before going on to turn the game around to book their place in the final with a 21-17 win.
In the other semi-final Moore and Teare won 21-9 in just 11 ends as the Taylor’s scored a three on the single end they did win.
The all South Ramsey final was expected to be a tight match with Elaine and Glynn sticking to the order that had got them through the semi-final as they won the first two ends with singles. Jenny and James scored two doubles in between Elaine and Glynn picking up two more singles to tie the score at 10-10. The following two ends were dead ends with James taking the jack off the green, with Elaine returning the favour. The following end Elaine and Glynn were lying three only for James to play a great last bowl to edge ahead 11-10.
Elaine and Glynn then took control of the game with three consecutive doubles, conceding two singles in between another double to lead 18-13.
A single put Elaine and Glynn 19-13 ahead. On the next end Jenny and James were counting one, only for Elaine to trail the jack through to lie game which Jenny was unable to beat for Elaine and Glynn to take the win 21-13.
The presentation was made by Port St Mary Club President Margaret Tasker who thanked everyone at the club that helped on the day. In his speech Glynn noted that it had been a couple of years since he and Elaine had won a mixed doubles competition.
Moore Sibling success in Lilian Slinger Pairs
Lilian Slinger Mixed Pairs Winners 2023 - Alan Moore & Jenny Moore
Photo: Arnie WithersIn glorious sunshine and on a much-improved green 37 any combination doubles bowlers played in the Lilian Slinger competition at Mooragh Park on Sunday afternoon.
With some pairs having to play three games to reach the quarter final stage all four matches were well contested with Rob Monk (North Ramsey) and Matthew Quirk (Onchan) just edging out Marown pair Glenn Boland and Peter Jones 21-20. South Ramsey pair James Teare and Glynn Hargraves battled back from an 8-19 deficit to Marown duo Brian Kelly and James Kelly, with Teare and Hargraves lying two only for James to play a great bowl to split the two counting bowls and trail the jack to win the game 21-18. The home green pairing of Geoff Porter and Brian Colquitt just lost out 18-21 to the brother and sister pairing of Alan Moore and Jenny Moore, whilst another North Ramsey pair Allan Callow and Tony Smart lost to the same score to Eddie Carlyle (South Ramsey) and Les Brookes (Finch Hill).
At the semi-final stage it was the end of the road for the Marown all Kelly pairing as Monk and Quirk won 21-15 to book their place in the final, whilst the Moore’s won to the same score against Carlyle and Brookes.
The final was nip and tuck early on with neither pairing able to get a run, with the score 10-9 to Monk and Quirk after eight ends. The following end resulted in the Moore’s scoring a three, only for the North Ramsey/Onchan pair to respond by taking three of the next four ends as they also scored a three to take the lead 15-13. Six singles followed with Alan and Jenny winning four of the six ends to tie the score at 17-17.
On the 21st end the South Ramsey pair were lying three, with Quirk having no option other than to strike, a clean hit of the bowl which was touching the jack which ricocheted several times before settling only to inexplicably still be three down to fall behind 17-20.
On the following end a great lead from Alan fell over kindly to sit directly behind the jack, only for the end to be disturbed, then killed when the jack was knocked off the green by their opponents. The next end proved to be the final end of the match with Alan again putting up a good lead, which Rob beat, only for this to be beat back once more. After a few efforts at taking out the counting bowl it was a 21-17 victory for the brother and sister pairing in what proved to be a great final for the watching crowd.
The presentation was made by Gary Lenton, who thanked the catering team for all the refreshments, Mike Skelly for running the sheet and the team for preparing a much-improved bowling green. The prizes were presented by Lilian’s daughter Janet, who sponsored the competition. In his speech Alan thanked North Ramsey for holding the competition, commenting on the ongoing improvement in the green, also went on to say it was nice to win with Jenny as they would have been arguing when they played together as kids!
Grace Secures Maiden Junior Manx Championship Title
Junior Manx Champion 2023 - Grace Gawne
Photo: Arnie WithersA healthy entry of 26 junior bowlers from all over the Island entered the Junior Manx Championship at Noble’s Bowling Club on Sunday. There was a good crowd in attendance on a hot day, with the winner of the competition having to win five games to claim the title. With several of the older Junior Bowlers now ineligible to enter, it was guaranteed to be a new winner this year.
This year, going against recent years it was more boys than girls through to the latter stages, as six boys made it through to the quarter finals and two girls, with some great bowls played by all the Junior bowlers.
Losing out at the quarter final stage were Katie Jacobs (Douglas), who just lost 18-21 to Alex Colquitt (Noble’s), home greener Alex Hampson was beaten 17-21 by Clark Kelly (Douglas), Grace Gawne (Noble’s) ended the hopes of Dylan Marsh (Castletown) 21-11, whilst Castletown’s Sam Quayle came through 21-14 against Sam Colquitt (Noble’s).
In the semi-finals Grace kept up her good form as she ended the challenge of Sam, who had performed well all day, displaying great composure only to lose out 14-21. The other semi-final was between Alex and Clark, with the latter at one point looking favourite to progress to the final leading 15-10 only for Alex to work his way back into the game, and to see the game out with a 21-19 win to book his place in the final.
In the final Grace who suffered heartache last year in the final looked nailed on to win only to eventually lose out 21-18 she took the early initiative, taking the lead 4-0 after just three ends, only for Alex to settle into the game well to lead 5-4.
Grace responded to win seven of the next 10 ends scoring five doubles’, conceding just three singles to build up a commanding 16-8 lead – coincidentally the same score she led last year. Despite losing three consecutive singles Grace rallied once more to close the game out in style with a single, a two, then two further singles, beating a good first bowl from Alex on the final end to claim her first Junior title with a 21-11 victory.
The presentation was made by Association Press Officer Glynn Hargraves, who thanked Noble’s Bowling Club for hosting, Wayne Roberts for running the competition. Glynn went on to say how good the standard of bowls was along with how well all the Juniors had behaved. Grace was then presented with the Shield.
Both Grace and Alex will represent the Isle of Man at the UK Junior Individual Merit on Saturday 19th August at Essington Bowling Club in Staffordshire.