A small, but select, field gathered at Marown on Saturday 13 June to compete for the Julia North ladies’ singles trophy. The weather played its part being dry and sunny if a little on the windy side, while the tricky green seemed to improve as the afternoon progressed allowing for some quality bowling. Quarter-finals: Lil Smith 21, Tricia Bull 18; Philippa Taylor 21, Margaret Tasker 15; Maureen Wright 17, Katy Williams 21; Caroline Whitehead 21, Mary Kinrade 20. Semi-finals: Philippa Taylor 21, Lil Smith 15; Caroline Whitehead 21, Katy Williams 15 The final was evenly contested with Caroline having the advantage at 12-9 at which point Philippa won the next four ends to lead 14-12. Winning the next three ends put Caroline ahead at 16-14 but Philippa took a 2 on the next end and did not relinquish the jack again, a single and two more 2’s giving her the title 21-16. Club president, Rosie Winckle, thanked those who had entered and all those who had stayed to watch the final. She also thanked the Marown ladies for providing the refreshments before introducing Julia North to make the presentations. Julia said she always enjoyed coming to watch the competition and commented on how nice it was to see some new faces in the final.

There was an entry of 21 pairs for the ladies’ doubles played at Noble’s on Sunday 24 May. It was a good afternoon with nice weather and some excellent bowling, the atmosphere being enhanced by the large number of men playing their doubles on the other green.

Semi-finals: Clare Cooper and Sonja Lees 21, Ann Gale and Jenny Maddrell 15; Janet Monk and Lilian Slinger 21, Jenny Moore and Shelley Kennish 13.

In the final Clare and Sonja kept Janet and Lilian in their sights in the early stages, being within striking distance at 12-14, at which point the Ramsey pair took charge coming through to win 21-12.

The presentation was made by John Ruscoe, chairman of Noble’s bowling club, who thanked everyone who had helped in any way with the smooth running of the afternoon.

There was a disappointing entry of 20 for the ladies’ singles open played at Onchan on Wednesday 13 May. The green was a bit on the heavy side, but it was nice to see the club back on their own green and the weather staying fair.

Quarter-finals: Maureen Payne 21, Tricia Bull 19; Chris Price 21, Mary Alderson 20; Ann Hollingworth 21, Mary Kinrade 18; Janet Monk 21, Shirley Whelan 15

Semi-finals: Chris Price 21, Maureen Payne 19; Janet Monk 21, Ann Hollingworth 11.

In the final there was some beautiful bowling. Janet won the first three ends to lead 10-6. Chris took five of the next seven ends, with Janet keeping her down to singles, to close to 11-13, but could only manage one more two before Janet ran out the winner 21-13.

The presentation was made by club president Lynda Clarke who congratulated all the ladies on the standard of bowls during the competition, before thanking all the Onchan ladies who had helped in any way during the afternoon.

The Ladies’ Association “Top Lady” invitational event took place at Peel on Sunday 10 May when 32 ladies faced a tricky green, made more so by the windy conditions, to battle for the Top Lady title – at least it stayed dry with just a hint of rain at the end.

There were some very close (and long) games during the day so that despite the noon start, play went on till eight in the evening.

Quarter-finals: Ann Hollingworth 21, Ann Gale 11; Gill Dixon 21, Heather Horsburgh 12; Philippa Taylor 21, Lyn Bolton 20; Jenny Moore 21, Clare Cooper 16.

Semi-finals: Ann Hollingworth 21, Gill Dixon 19; Jenny Moore 21, Philippa Taylor 11.The final pitted last year’s winner, Jenny Moore, against Ann Hollingworth. Jenny took an early lead at 11-4 before Ann won the next six ends to go into a 12-11 lead, at which point Jenny upped her game a level to run out the winner, 21-13, and retain her title.

Association president, Pat Robertson, made the presentation thanking everyone who had helped in any way during the afternoon. She thanked the Peel Club, and the ladies who had provided the refreshments.

There was an entry of 22 pairs for the Greeba Cup ladies’ doubles played at Marown on Saturday 9 May.

The weather was fine for the afternoon’s play but turned bitterly cold for the latter stages which may partly explain the dearth of spectators staying to watch the final.

Both Semi-finals were close, Paula Firth and Lin Ruscoe coming back from 14-20 down against Mary Kinrade and Ellie Cowell to book their place in the final, while in the other Helen Martin and Kim Hargraves had the better of the early exchanges to hold a 12-7 lead over Tricia Bull and Margaret Tasker. Margaret and Tricia fought back to level 15 across, at which point Helen and Kim scored a 4 before the Port St Mary pair took the next four ends to win.

Semi-finals: Paula Firth and Lin Ruscoe 21, Mary Kinrade and Ellie Cowell 20; Margaret Tasker and Tricia Bull 21, Helen Martin and Kim Hargraves 19

The final could not have been more exciting with Paula and Lin racing to a 16-8 lead before Margsret and Tricia won the next four ends to pull back to 13-16. The PSM pair had the better of the next few ends to level at 19-19. Paula and Lin won the next end to get to “all but” first before Margaret and Tricia dug deep to take the next two ends and the title.

Final: Margaret Tasker and Tricia Bull 21, Paula Firth and Lin Ruscoe 20

The presentation was made by club president Rosie Winckle who thanked the Marown ladies for their help during the afternoon.

On a bitterly cold afternoon when the weather threw everything at the players, wind, rain and hail interspersed with sunny periods, a field of 22 pairs gathered at Port St Mary on Wednesday 29 April for the Sylvia Cashen Charity ladies’ doubles.

The weather did not spoil the occasion and there were some close and exciting games with a high standard of bowling on display.

Semi-finals: Marie Ashurst and Kath Kinley 21, Philippa Taylor and Heather Horsburgh 10; Jayne Kneen and Val Macfarlane 21, Chris Price and Rita Callan 9

In the final Val and Jayne played a mark up the side of the green superbly giving their opponents little chance to get in, finally running out 21-10 winners.

President Ann Maddrell made the presentation, pointing out that Val had won the trophy on 13 previous occasions and Jayne on six. She thanked all those who had entered and helped to raise £300+ for the Anti-Cancer (Breast care unit)

Thanks also went to Ray for the condition of the green, to Gill for running the sheet and the ladies’ fo baking cakes and doing the refreshments.

There was a good entry of 32 for the Pearl Kaighin ladies’ singles played at Ballaugh on Saturday 25 April, where the sun shone but the weather stayed cold, particularly for the later stages.

The green was interesting, running well but it helped to have the jack!

Quarter-finals: Sylvia Kennaugh 21, Tricia Bull 14; Philippa Taylor 21, Pat Robertson 16; Lilian Slinger 21, Helen Martin 15; Margaret Tasker 21, Janet Monk 14.

In the semi-finals Margaret found a mark that she played well with Lilian struggling to respond, while the other semi-final was closer with Philippa having the advantage but Sylvia did not give up easily.

Semi-finals: Margaret Tasker 21, Lilian Slinger 11; Philippa Taylor 21, Sylvia Kennaugh 16.

Margaret was in imperious form in the final, playing a long mark then leaving Philippa little room to get in despite her trying everything she could to change the course of the game (I did think turning cart-wheels on the crown a little excessive)

Final: Margaret Tasker 21, Philippa Taylor 9

Club chairman, Jenny Maddrell, thanked those who had entered and those who had stayed to the end before introducing Bernard Kaighin to make the presentation, thanking him for his continued sponsorship of the competition.

Margaret thanked her opponents and everyone responsible for the smooth running of the event

There was a disappointing entry of eight ladies’ for the British Merit Qualifier played at Finch Hill on Sunday 19 April.

The sunshine at the start of the afternoon soon disappeared to leave a very cold and windy afternoon, but the inclement weather did not detract from the standard of bowls on display.

In the first round ( the quarter-finals) there were some close games with Rosie Winkle reaching 17 against Helen Martin and Lil Smith coming from behind to pip Lyn Bolton 21-20.

Quarter-finals: Caroline Whitehead 21, Mary Alderson 7; Helen Martin 21, Rosie Winkle 17; Lil Smith 21, Lyn Bolton 20; Janet Monk 21, Shirley Whelan 14.

The weather was probably at its worst for the semi-finals where, despite some good bowling from their opponents, Helen and Janet came through to meet in the final.

Semi-finals: Helen Martin 21, Caroline Whitehead 12; Janet Monk 21, Lil Smith 13.

Janet had the better of the early exchanges in the final, having the advantage 10-4 before Helen started to fight back closing to 12-14. With two 2’s and a single Janet stretched her lead to 19-12, before Helen won the next six ends to make it 17-20 her opponent taking the next end to win 21-17.

Janet will now represent the island in the British Merit at Nuneaton on 11 July.

Association President, Pat Robertson congratulated the players and thanked the Finch Hill for the use of their facilities.

Special thanks go to Anne Caine who came along and provided very welcome warm drinks on a very cold afternoon.

The ladies’ season got under way at Port St Mary on Saturday 4 April with the non-winners Hands Trophy 2014 held over from last season when it could not be played due to inclement weather.
The disappointing entry of 15 may have been due in part to the cold weather endured so far this season, but conditions could not have been better as the event started, although the mist rolled over later in the afternoon. There were some very close matches throughout and this carried through into the final.

Quarter-finals: Margaret Tasker 21, Connie Pettegrew 7; Kim Hargraves 21. Tricia Bull 19; Paula Firth 21, Rita Callister 13; Maureen Payne 21, Lin Ruscoe 20.
Semi-finals: Kim Hargraves 21, Margaret Tasker 6; Paula Firth 21, Maureen Payne 14

In the final Paula stormed into an early lead of 14-6 before Kim clawed her way back having the better of the middle stages leaving a very exciting “nip and tuck” finish with Paula coming through to take the trophy 21-19.

The prizes were presented by Association president, Pat Robertson, who thanked the Port St Mary club for their hospitality, congratulated the greenkeeper on the state of the green and also thanked everyone involved in the smooth running of the afternoon.