News: Ladies General
Ladies League Reports
Over 60’s League Tuesday
Tuesday morning saw three maximums being scored. First of these saw the Nobles ladies travelling to Castletown B with Paula Garrett (Nobles) winning to single figures. Second and third maximums were scored by South Ramsey A who were at home to Mooragh Park B and Castletown A who were away to Breagle Glen C with eight games between the two matches being won to single figures. Peel hosted Breagle Glen B winning 5-1 on games. Lone winner for Breagle was Kay Primrose-Smith who won to 6. Finch Hill ladies travelled to Ballaugh A with the match finishing 4-2 to Ballaugh. Pat Mason and Julie Reilly (Ballaugh) both won to single figures with Lil Smith and Wendy Cowin for Finch winning to 10 and 12. Breagle Glen A drew three all at home against Marown but won by 10 points. Rita Callister and Caroline Whitehead for Breagle, plus Lynda Cadamy for Marown all won to single figures. Mooragh Park were at home to Ballaugh B winning 5-1 and dropping only 3 points. Stopping the full house was Carol Holt who won to 18. South Ramsey B visited Onchan. Unfortunately despite a good effort, South lost 4-2 and by 14 points. Anne Bannan for Onchan won to single figures as did Sue Collier for South.
Thursday morning fixtures
There was only one maximum scored on Thursday by Finch Hill at home to Mooragh Park B. Closest game saw Joan Henderson (Mooragh) losing to 18 against Pat Heesom with Lil Smith, Anne Hon and Wendy Cowin for Finch winning to 7, 9, 4 and 6. Marown hosted Breagle Glen C winning 5-1, only dropping five points. Stopping a full house for Marown was Kay Primrose-Smith who won to 16. Local derby between Mooragh Park A at home to South Ramsey A ended with a 4-2 win for Mooragh in a low scoring match. Janet Monk, Maureen Hamilton and Gill Malpass for Mooragh all won to single figures as did Joyce Ogden and Elaine Moore for South. Ballaugh A made their way to Castletown A. Town won 4-2 with four of their players winning to single figures. Christine McDonald and Julie Reilly were the two winners for Ballaugh winning to 14 and 13. Nobles won 4-2 at home against Peel dropping only four points. Libby Andrade and Dee Lewis (Onchan) won to single figures with Joyce Kelly and Val Allwood (Peel) winning to 20 and 18. Home derby between Breagle Glen B and A resulted in a 4-2 win for the B team. Trish Bull (A team) just missed out making it a three all draw losing to 20 against Pauline Worrall. Onchan travelled to Ballaugh B coming away with a three all draw but winning the match by two points. Closest game saw Ballaugh’s Brenda Clayton winning to 18 against Norma Cowell. South Ramsey B were at home to Castletown B and although match finished three all, Castletown took the honours by 10 points. Sue Collier for South, plus Castletown’s Pat Rigby, Marie Ashurst and Elaine McElroy all won to single figures.
Open Age League
Wednesday night saw the second set of fixtures played. Ballaugh A recorded a maximum at home to Castletown B with four of Ballaugh’s games being won to single figures. Closest game saw Joy Stephens (Castletown B) narrowly losing to 19 against Julie Reilly. Castletown A won 7-2 at home against Nobles with Aalish Moore, Hilary Kermode and Hannah Drewett all winning to single figures, as did Paula Firth for Nobles. Douglas travelled to Peel coming away with a 5-4 win. Winning their games to single figures were Harley Garrett for Douglas and Jo Corkill for Peel. Closest games saw Louise Horsfall and Beverly Wilson (Peel) winning to 19 and 18 against Katie Jacobs and Emma Sayle. Home derby between Breagle A and B resulted in a 7-2 win for the A team. Margie Tasker (A) had a good battle with Hannah Leece with Margie just pipping Hannah 21-20. Two winners for the B team were Roz Cannon and Alison Stockham who won to 7 and 16. Marown B were at home to Ballaugh B winning 6-3 with Crosby ladies Lil Smith and Sue Hammond winning to single figures. Elaine Fenton narrowly missed out winning another game for Ballaugh when she lost to 19 to Grace Cooper. South Ramsey played host to Marown A winning 6-3 on games with Jenny Moore and Kim Hargraves (South) winning to single figures. Closest games saw Rebekah Kelly for Marown and Gillian Jopson for South winning their games to 20 and 19 respectively. Mention must be made about the game between Lauren Groen and Clare Cooper – it was such a good game that both sides of the scorecard were used with Lauren eventually winning to 18. As Clare said ‘it was lovely night for a game of bowls and we were trying for a record number of ends’ – not sure if they did enough!
On Friday night Marown A were at home to Castletown B. Marown won 7-2 with Rebecca Teare and Helen Withers, plus Barbara Young for Castletown all winning to single figures. Closest game of the match saw Marown’s Jayne Smith just edging out Anne Oates 21-19. Castletown A hosted Ballaugh A winning 7-2 on games. Two winners for Ballaugh were Louise Tebay and Caroline Parker winning to 7 and 16. Closest game saw Stella Watterson just pip Ballaugh’s Christie McDonald 21-20. Marown B travelled to Nobles coming away with a 5-4 win. Celia Joughin and Jo Kelly for Marown plus Jo Smith and Colese Creer for Nobles all won to single figures. Marown’s Pippa Clague and Charlotte Clarke plus Nobles Kerri Hampson for Nobles all won their games to 18. Breagle Glen A visited Douglas winning the match 6-3. Two games for Breagle were won to 18, with two games for Douglas being won to 17. Margie Tasker (Breagle) was the only player to win to single figures. Ballaugh B were at home to Peel with the Peel ladies winning the match 6-3. Four of Peel’s wins and one of Ballaugh’s were won to single figures. Closest game saw Gill Clarke for Peel winning to 20 against Brenda Clayton. Mooragh Park travelled to Breagle Glen B coming away with a 7-2 win. Janet Monk, Katie Johnson and Madison McMullan all won to single figures for Mooragh with the two winners for Breagle, Angela Bennett and Roz Cannon, winning to 17 and 11 respectively.
Ladies Association Triples Competition
The Ladies Association triples competition was held on Sunday at Breagle Glen attracting an entry of 11 triples. Getting through to the first of the semi-finals were Tracy Moore, Joyce Ogden and Caroline Whitehead who played Debbie Leece, Helen Withers and Clare Cooper. This was a close game with Debbie, Helen and Clare eventually winning to 16. Second semi-final saw Sue Gawne, Paula Firth and Lynda Cadamy put in a solid performance to beat Voirrey Curphey, Jacqui Elliott and Jean Thackrah 21-9.
In the final, Debbie, Helen and Clare took control of the game and never looking back won 21-8 against Sue, Paula and Lynda. Congratulations to Debbie, Helen and Clare, and to all the lady bowlers who took part. Also thanks to Breagle for hosting the competition and to the Competition committee for the smooth running of the competition.
Dixon Wins Non-Winners Hands Trophy
Gill Dixon - Winner of 2025 Non-Winner Hands Trophy
Photo: Kim HargravesThe Ladies Association Non Winners competition (The Hands Trophy) was held at South Ramsey Bowling Club on Sunday 6 April attracting an entry of 18. Weather was warm and sunny, and some excellent bowling was played and enjoyed by all.
Progressing to the first of the quarter finals were Gill Dixon (South Ramsey) who played Sue Wilshaw (Castletown). Although Sue played some good bowls, Gill had the bit between her teeth winning 21-11. Second quarter final saw Jane Lothian (Douglas) against Pauline Cowley (Onchan). This was a good game to watch and it was nip and tuck between the two of them with Jane crossing the line 21-20.
In the third quarter final, Norma Cowell (Onchan) came up against Karen Young (Ballaugh). Again this was a close match but Karen just had the edge winning 21-15. Fourth quarter final was between Rose Waterworth (Ballaugh) and Sue McCourt (Onchan). Despite Sue’s best efforts, Rose was on fine form winning 21-10.
First semi-final saw Gill play Jane with stablemates Rose and Karen in the other semi. Despite some good bowling by all four, Gill and Rose were a little too strong winning to 10 and 12 respectively.
With both Gill and Rose playing exceptionally well, the spectators were expecting a great final and were not disappointed. The final was nip and tuck all the way with Gill eventually crossing the line 21-19. Congratulations to all ladies, especially to Gill on her win and to Rose for giving Gill a ‘run for her money’.
The presentation was made by Chris Holland, Ladies Association Competition Secretary, who thanked all those for taking part, those who helped in any way with the running of the competition and South Ramsey for their hospitality which was reiterated by Gill when presented with the trophy.
2025 LADIES CROWN GREEN BOWLING SEASON GETS UNDERWAY
The 2025 ladies crown green bowling got underway this week. With the amalgamation of Port Erin and Port St Mary becoming Breagle Glen, few player transfers, and a newly formed South Ramsey B Over 60’s team, it’s promising to be an interesting season!
2024 Jean Kelly Plate Final
Kicking off the season was the postponed Jean Kelly Plate final from last season between Nobles and Castletown B held at Finch Hill on Monday evening. Nobles started with a handicap of +30 and Castletown B +50. Match finished 7-2 on games to Nobles, points 209-173 including the handicaps. Closest game of the match was between Libby Andrade (Nobles) and Linda Dawson (Castletown) with Libby just pipping Linda to the post 21-19. Two other close games saw Noble’s Marilyn Ellison winning to 18 as did Sue Peach for Castletown B, with Jo Smith, Sue Gawne and Paula Firth (Nobles) all winning to single figures. Well done to the Nobles ladies and thanks to Finch Hill for holding the competition.
Over 60’s League
In the Over 60s on Thursday morning, Ballaugh A started the season in fine form with a maximum win away at Mooragh Park B with three of the games being won to single figures. Gill Hammond (Mooragh) and Kay McKiernan had a good tussle with Kay just edging it 21-19. Reigning champions Nobles hosted Onchan at home winning 5-1 on games with Paula Firth and Sue Gawne (Nobles) both winning to single figures. Lone winner for Onchan was Pauline Cowley who won to 13. Marown took on Peel at home also winning 5-1 on games with Lyn Bolton (Marown) and Shirley Corrin (Peel) both winning to singles figures. Castletown A took on Breagle Glen A at home and although match finished 3 all, Castletown won on points with Linda Dawson (Breagle) crossing the finishing line 21-20 against Anne Oates. South Ramsey A travelled the short distance to Ballaugh B coming away with a 3 all draw and just losing the match by 9 points. Closest game saw Carol Holt (Ballaugh) pipping Judy Kelly to 17. Breagle Glen B played Castletown B at home winning 4-2 on games with Voirrey Curphey (Breagle) winning to single figures. Two winners for Castletown B were Marie Ashurst and Pat Rigby winning to 13 and 14 respectively. Finch Hill were at home against Breagle Glen C with the match finishing 3 all and Finch winning by 15 points. Lil smith and Wendy Cowin (Finch) plus Steph Swift (Breagle) all won their games to single figures. The new team of South Ramsey B played host to Mooragh Park A with the Mooragh Team coming away with a 7-1 win. Anne Buck and Jackie Murley (South) both lost to 14 against Joy Morris and Chris Sims respectively with the lone winner for South, Sue Collier, winning to 7.
Open Age League
Marown started off the season with a solid 8-1 win at home against Mooragh Park. Stopping a full house for Marown was Mooragh’s Janet Monk who won to 19. Lynda Cadamy, Rebecca Teare and Debbie Leece (Marown) all won to single figures. Reigning Champions Castletown A also put in a solid performance when they travelled to Ballaugh B coming away with a 7-2 win. Five of Castletown’s wins were won to single figures, with the two winners for Ballaugh (Elaine Fenton and Gail Curphey) winning to 19 and 14 respectively. Castletown B took on South Ramsey at home with South just narrowly winning 5-4 games. Two closest games of the night saw Castletown’s Sue Peach and Jo Roberts both winning to 18. South’s Jenny Moore, Fiona Kennish and Gill Dixon all won their games to single figures. Ballaugh A made their way to Nobles and although Ballaugh won on games they lost on points with Tina Hampson, Jo Smith and Libby Andrade winning to single figures. Sue Gawne (Nobles) had a good battle against Louise Tebay with Louise just pipping it 21-20. Breagle Glen B played Peel Sunset at home. Match finished 5-4 to Peel with Jo Corkill (Peel) just crossing the line 21-20 against Hannah Leece. Breagle’s Alison Stockham and Jenny Cain won to single figures as did Louise Horsfall and Helen Cowley for Peel. Douglas hosted Marown B with the Crosby ladies coming away with a 5-4 win. Paula Garrett and Erin Quayle (Douglas) plus Rosie Winkle and Lisa Pugh (Marown) all won to single figures with Marown’s Jo Kelly crossing the line 21-20 against Mel Molesworth.
Castletown Narrowly Miss out on BCGBA Club Championship Final
BCGBA Ladies Club Championship - Castletown
Photo: Hannah DrewettThe top two teams from last season’s open-age ladies league travelled to the Fylde Coast at the weekend to represent the Island in the BCGBA Club Championship where four groups each of four teams played their initial games on a round robin basis.
IOM runners-up Marown were drawn in Group A on the Belmont green at Fleetwood and got off to a flyer against the Welsh club Vardre Deganwy winning by 100 chalks to 75 with five winners in their ranks – captain Jayne Smith and then came Lynda Cadamy and Lyn Bolton who each recorded wins to 3 though this was bettered by Debbie Leece who won to 2 before Clare Cooper (15-11) rounded off a great team win.
Next up for the Crosby girls was Springbank BC from Greater Manchester but it proved to be a hard task as it ended with a 77-114 loss with only Jayne and Helen Withers being victorious.
In their third game though they fired back with an excellent win over the Staffordshire side, Dilhorne BC, by 95-90 with the five tail-end players of Lynda, Lyn, Helen, Debbie and Clare gaining superb wins.
However, clawing back from losing one of the qualifying rounds is never easy and so it proved as Springbank qualified for the semi-finals with Marown just behind in a meritorious 2nd place in their group.
2024 League Champions Castletown played at Cavendish Park in Bispham and started their games with a resounding 120-60 win over Bowling Green from the local North Lancs & Fylde league. The full-house was achieved by Anne Oates, Tracy Moore, Kath Kinley (with a 15-0 win), Chris Price, Hilary Kermode, Kim Foy, Stella Watterson and captain Hannah Drewett.
Game two against Southport Town was slightly more difficult but wins from Anne, Kath, Hilary, Kim and Stella helped secure a 99-92 victory.
Knowing a win in their third game against the mid-Cheshire side of Winnington Park would secure a semi-final spot the team played arguably their best game of the day with only a 14-15 loss by Kim preventing a maximum chalks win.
So, it was on to Cleveleys WMC for the Town side who were buoyed to see the full Marown squad already at the green to give their support.
What a close semi-final it turned out to be against Springbank BC!
Anne Oates came off with a win to 9 to keep up her 100% win record for the day but though the next games were close the Town did not have another victory until game 6 when Kim Foy won to 10.
Hannah Drewett then pulled her team right back into contention with a resounding 15-3 win so suddenly it meant that Stella Watterson had to get to 12 for the team to be victorious.
However, despite a great attempt she ended one chalk short losing 11-15 so with the game drawn on chalks Springbank were deemed the winners having won 5-3 on games and after this narrow scrape they then went on to beat New Mill from Yorkshire in the final.
Photo: Helen Withers
Nobles Win Maiden Over 60’s League Title
Noble’s Ladies Over 60’s League Winners 2024
Photo: Paula FirthCongratulations to Nobles ladies’ on winning the Over 60’s League.
Nobles had been at the top of the table for most of the season. However with two tough matches to end the season it wasn’t a sure thing that they would take the title for the first time.
Going into their last match they had 15 points over second placed Castletown A, but Port Erin A proved to be tough opponents, and it looked like the title was slipping away. Nobles eventually won the title by just 3 points.
The Noble’s ladies won 21 of their 28 league games, suffering seven defeats. Castletown tasted defeat on just three occasions, however Noble’s scored slightly better on the all-important chalks throughout the season to secure the Manx Paving & Slate Over 60’s Ladies League Title.
BCGBA Club Championships
The open-age ladies league champions, Castletown, travelled to Cleckheaton at the weekend to represent the Island in the 2024 Club Championships.
In a round robin group that was reduced to four teams when the Staffordshire team pulled out, Castle Sports (Cheshire) got off to a flying start winning their first four games against Castletown. The Town rallied to win the last four games through Hilary Kermode (15-6), Kim Foy (to 14), Stella Watterson (6) and Hannah Drewett (8) but agonisingly fell short by eight chalks.
The second game against group favourites Dearne Sports from South Yorkshire was always going to be difficult and though Kath Kinley won the opening game 15-8 that was the only comfort as the Manx girls lost 67-113.
Far from being disheartened Castletown came roaring back in their final group game against Winnington Park (Mid-Cheshire) and won 6-2 on games and 95-80 on chalks. The winners were Kath Kinley (to 8), Chris Price (5), Tracy Moore (12), Hilary Kermode (7), Kim Foy (12) and Hannah Drewett (6).
The tournament winners included regular Festival players from Wrockwardine Wood who beat Dearne Sports in the final.
Castletown A Win Four In A Row
CTH Insurance Ladies League Winners 2024 - Castletown A
Photo: Phil CainCastletown A secured their fourth straight league title ahead of Marown A on Wednesday evening, scoring 177 chalks away to Ballaugh B, as the Town ladies won the league by just 64 chalks, bettering Marown by less than three chalks per game over the 24 game season as they averaged 178 chalks each game.
With 189 chalks available each game this is an incredible achievement to drop less than 12 chalks on average, whilst improving on their average of just under 175 chalks in 2023.
Marown A will be disappointed having averaged just over 175 this season, to show their improvement since 2023.
Drewett Wins Pre-Festival Open
Pre-Festival Open Winner 2024 - Hannah Drewett
Photo: Kath KinleyOn Sunday 1st September, Castletown Bowling Club hosted the pre-festival Ladies’ Open. 39 bowlers from the Island and the UK took part, playing on a green in excellent condition in showery conditions.
Losing at the quarter final stage were home greeners Joy Stephens, Marie Ashurst and Kath Kinley, and visitor Kath Watkinson (Mere Brow). In two well contested semi-finals, home greener Hannah Drewett just got the better of visitor Nicola Boulton (Frodsham Red Lion) and Helen Clee (Wrockwardine Wood) beat Olwen Edwards (Llanfairpwll).
In a very good final, Hannah Drewett was victorious 21-13 against Helen Clee.
Club President, Hilary Kermode, made the presentation and thanked everyone who had supported the competition and helped in any way. Special thanks were given to The Sidings who kindly sponsored the competition.
Bolton Wins Posh Paws Open
Posh Paws Winner 2024 - Lyn Bolton
Photo: Lynda WilsonReport on Posh Paws of Peel Ladies Singles Open Competition held at Peel Sunset BC on Saturday 31stAugust 2024.
There were 21 entrants. There was glorious wall to wall sunshine and deep blue skies and a lovely atmosphere around the green. Joyce Kelly was running the sheet and called 5 prelims to the jacks. Last year’s winner, Gill Dixon, and Louise Tebay were first off leaving Gill going forwards, Lynda Wilson and Pauline Cowley battled it out with a final score of 21-19 to Pauline. Helen Cowley and Margie Tasker score 21-14 to Margie. Lynda Cadamy and Caroline Whitehead with a final score of 21-20 to Caroline. The final pre-lim Gill Clarke and Elaine Hawkins final score 21-19 with Gill making it to the next round. Some really tough games on a green that was running superbly.
The third round did not disappoint, Dixon v Cowley 21-18, Whitehead v Tasker 21-13, Clarke v Joyce Kelly 20-21. Jo Corkill v Diane Fleming 17-21, Tricia Bull v Nicola Gilmore 21-16. Our only junior competitor, Martha Butler v Karen Young 21-18. Zoe Bolton v Kay McKiernan 21-17 and Lyn Bolton v Sherry Pedley 21-16
At the quarter final stage Dixon’s quest to retain the trophy stopped when Whitehead pipped her at the post 20-21 Kelly v Fleming 21-10. Bull finished off Butler with a creditable score of 21-16 and keep it in the family, Zoe Bolton v Lyn Bolton with Lyn storming through to the final. Kelly was on fine form and Whitehead was defeated with a score of 21-16.
The final was a fine display of precise bowling, Lyn found her favourite part of the green and whilst home greener, Joyce was on the defence for most of the game with most ends being remarkably close finally Lyn became the outright winner. The President of Peel Sunset BC, Lynda Wilson presented the prizes and thanked Posh Paws of Peel for their continued support over the last five years.
Castletown A stretch their lead with maximum points
CTH Insurance Ladies league top of the table Castletown A pulled away with their maximum points win against Peel Sunset, to give them a 56 point lead over second position Marown A. With only three games left to play, I can’t see much change happening at the top of the table.
Second position Marown A played South Ramsey after their defeat the night before in the Jean Kelly Final, Marown took full advantage of playing on their home green and took the win by just 6 points.
Nobles 153-99 Castletown B (6-3)
Marown A 159-153 South Ramsey (6-3)
Castletown A 189-101 Peel Sunset (9-0)
Mooragh Park 164-78 Port St Mary (7-2)
Port Erin 164-171 Ballaugh A (3-6)