The first set of fixtures in the Over 60s Ladies League was played on Tuesday morning.   Although the Over 60s league has lost two teams this season (Douglas and Port Erin B), the league has gained a new team (Onchan B). The closest match on points was between Finch Hill and Onchan A.  Jan Osborne for Finch Hill won to single figures, as did Paula Firth and Dee Lewis for Onchan A.  

On looking at individual results from the above, it is encouraging for the game of crown green bowls to see quite a few junior lady bowlers playing in the Open Age league and new adult bowlers playing in the Open Age league and Over 60s ladies league.  I sincerely hope they enjoy the experience and camaraderie of a great sport.

With the play offs for the ladies JMS Veterans Shield completed and all the mini league matches played, their only remains one match to complete this year’s fixture list.

The quarter finals for the JMS saw Ballaugh, Peel Sunset, Port Erin A and Mooragh Park all beaten in matches that witnessed some tremendous bowls take place.

The semi-finals were played on Thursday 10th September.

Castletown A travelled to Marown who were determined for some pay back following their 5-point defeat against Castletown A in the mini league championship final played recently. However, Marown were on their own green, which for every club is preferable. Shirley Whelan, Rosemary Winkle and Philippa Taylor all scored maximum points and kept their opponents to scores in the low teens while Elaine Dewhurst had a very close game against Ann Hollingworth and just piped her to the post 21-20 these good scores tipped the scales to give Marown a clear win and a place in the final. 106-97 (4-2) both teams off scratch.

In the other semi-final Onchan were at home to Finch Hill but had a mountain to climb, even on their own green, to beat their visitors who started the match with a 60 point advantage. Onchan played really well and won 5 games but were up against experienced players especially Lil Smith, who won her game alongside Jan Osborn and Sue Caley who scored into the high teens. These high scores combined with 60 points took Finch Hill to the final in a match that ended 116-154 (5-1).

At the time of writing this report the venue for the JMS Veterans Shield final is still undecided but wherever it is, one thing is certain, it’s going to be a great match between Marown and Finch Hill on Thursday 17th September.

Storm Frances proved too much for bowling greens on Tuesday and the decision was made to delay the semi-finals by 24 hours. So, in much improved conditions players from South and Middle came together in two very close semi-finals on Wednesday.

Port St Mary A and Marown played their match at Port Erin’s Breagle Glen and it was a fantastic match with winners and losers on both teams resulting in a tie. In these circumstances the winner is decided on whichever team has the best individual winner and in this case it was Marown by just one point, in the Shirley Whelan game where she won 21-3. The final match score was 95-95 (3-3).

The other semi-final was played at Peel. Castletown A against Port Erin A and again it was a very close match with 3 wins for each team but Castletown just managed to keep the average score of the non-winners higher than that of Port Erin’s and now face Marown in the final next Tuesday. Final score 109-104 (3-3).

By Thursday storm Frances had moved on but more rain was forecast, however Ramsey remained dry which facilitated both Ramsey clubs to play their matches in the Prelim JMS Veterans Shield. Mooragh Park were at home to visitors Douglas and the North Ramsey team knew that they had a hill to climb playing off scratch against a +15 advantage for Douglas but their recent form and home green knowledge gave them a convincing win. Douglas were on the back foot from the start with a player short but their remaining team played well. Final score 108-80 (4-2).

The other local club, South Ramsey, have already experienced disappointment as a result of this year’s handicap system. In the ladies night league they played Castletown B, won all 9 games but lost the match on points and unfortunately it was a similar story for them in their match against Finch Hill. The visitors started the match with 60 points which gave the home team a near impossible task. However, they played brilliantly and the final score was 121-145 (5-1) taking Finch Hill to the quarter finals.

Because of the weather Onchan vis Port St Mary B decided to delay their match until Tuesday 01 September but the match between Marown and Port St Mary A did go ahead.

Both teams must have been very tired after their match just 24 hours earlier in the Team Championship semi-finals but Marown at home and with a 45-point start proved too much of a challenge for the reigning champions who were knocked out in a very close game that Marown would have won without the points advantage. Final score 146-94 (3-3).

Next week the Team Championship Final is at Nobles on Tuesday 1st with the quarter finals of the JMS Veterans Shield being played on Thursday.

Pat Lenton.

The final matches before the semi-finals took place on Tuesday 18th August. The winners from each of the four groups will play on Tuesday 25th August with the final taking place on Tuesday 1st September.

In GROUP D Finch Hill knew that every point would count but just couldn’t get the full house that they needed against Castletown B who went home with 2 wins 120-80 (4-2). This left Finch Hill very disappointed and just 3 points behind Marown who now qualify for the semi-finals.

In GROUP C Port Erin A made certain of their place in the semis with a convincing win away to Peel Sunset. Port Erin only managed to win 2 of their games but these were to single figures which made all the difference to the final score with both teams playing brilliantly all morning. Final score 88-100 (4-2).

GROUP A leaders are Port St Mary A who finish 121 points clear at the top of their group and face Marown in the semis. They played at home this week against South Ramsey who managed just one win from Elaine Moore who had a close game against Chris Price who proved a very worthy opponent scoring into the mid-teens 15-21. The rest of the match was dominated by the Port St Mary team who are always at their best when playing at home. Final score 120-64 (5-1). Also in group A are Port Erin B who this week played against Onchan. The match was at Port Erin with Kay Primrose-Smith playing for the home team and gaining a good win against Marilyn Ellison. However, Onchan are a very good team and won the match. Final score 88-117 (1-5).

GROUP B qualifiers are Castletown A who are 111 points clear of the next team in their group. This week they played at home against Ballaugh. The visitors played well with 4 of their players reaching double figures but it wasn’t enough to make any difference to the final result and it was a full house for Castletown A 126-69 (6-0). Castletown A now face Port Erin A in the semi-finals. Also in group B and at the other end of the Island Mooragh Park were in top form on their own green and won their first match this season against the visitors Port St Mary B. Wins from Pat Lenton ,Maureen Hamilton, Peggy Freeman and Chris Sims gave the home team a comfortable win and a final score of 116-92 (4-2).

Lots to look forward to next week with the semi-finals on Tuesday and the first round of the JMS Trophy on Thursday.

With just one match to go before the semi-finals on Tuesday 25th August Port St Mary A in GROUP A are still in pole position despite their defeat this week at Onchan.

The match was played in near perfect conditions and both teams claimed 3 games but Onchan just had the edge on points in what must have been one of the closest matches so far this season. Final score 97-94 (3-3). Also in Group A are South Ramsey who played host to Port Erin B. Unfortunately the home side were a player short but of the remaining 5 players four won their games and Moira Anderson was just piped at the post by Joyce Henry. Final score 104-92 (4-2).

In GROUP B Castletown A are out in front and set to secure their place in the semi-finals. Currently they have a 54-point lead but still have Ballaugh to play. This week they played away at Port St Mary against their impressive B team and were held to a 3-3 result but a comfortable win on points. Final score 92-110 (3-3). At the other end of the Island Ballaugh were at home to Mooragh Park. In very hot conditions the visitors kept there cool and won 3 games but the home side were the final winners 115-95 (3-3).

In GROUP C Douglas were at home against the visitors from Peel. Unfortunately the home side were a player short and the visitors romped home winning all 6 games, however, Kay Mckiernan and Pat Kelly both played exceptionally well and made sure that the visitors didn’t have it all their own way. Douglas have now played all their matches in this mini league and next week’s match between Peel Sunset and Port Erin A will be a nail-biting match for both teams with only 4 points separating them at the top of Group C.

In GROUP D Marown have now played all of their matches and will be on pins next Tuesday as the results come in. Their match this week was at Castletown against their newly formed B team and the final score of 41-105 (1-5) might not be enough to decide the winner of this group. Finch Hill have still got Castletown B to play, at home, and are, at the moment trailing Marown by just 123 points so it really couldn’t be any closer.

Some clubs had the difficult decision “Do we play or don’t we” on Tuesday August 4th .

Strong winds and the threat of heavy rain delayed some of the matches but most took a chance and carried on. One of those was the match between Port St Mary A and Port Erin B. The reigning champions have been in top form since the start of this mini league but dropped some points this week. Gwen Tuck proved a tough opponent for Trisha Bull and won her game 21-10. Final score Port St Mary A 115 Port Erin B 60 (5-1).

Also, in Group A are Onchan and South Ramsey. They decided to reschedule their match and played it in much improved conditions on Thursday which produced some great bowls. The home side played very well against the Ramsey team. Final score 104-90 (4-2).

In Group B Castletown A were nearly blown away when they played at Mooragh Park but thankfully the rain stayed away and the morning produced some good games. The Ramsey team tried hard against a strong Castletown team and managed to win one game thanks to Peggy Freeman. Final score 85-125 (1-5).

The other match in group B was between Ballaugh, at home to, Port St Mary B. Both teams needed maximum points to try to close the gap on Castletown and now with just 2 matches left every point will count in this group. The home side fielded a strong team and gained 3 wins from Peggy Griffin, Julie Reilly and Barbara Graham but the visitors also played very well with three wins . Final score 97-72 (3-3).

In Group C Douglas made the trip south to Port Erin to play the A team but were unfortunately a player short, this gave Port Erin a comfortable win and puts them in a strong position to challenge Peel Sunset to top this group. There match on Tuesday 18th August will undoubtedly be close and also the decider for this group. Final score at Port Erin was 126-63 (6-0).

In Group D the match between Marown and Finch Hill was crucial in deciding who would top their group and go through to the play offs. Both teams have just one more match to play and both against Castletown B.

In this week’s match Marown were at home and came out on top with a final score 122-102 (5-1) this leaves them just 20 points in the lead which might not be enough to prevent Finch Hill from pulling ahead.

Group A leaders Port St Mary A are now 65 points clear of 2nd place South Ramsey having only dropped 5 points in 3 matches.

The ladies from Port St Mary travelled to South Ramsey this week and romped home with a 1-5 victory 75-125.

Onchan were hosts to Port Erin B securing a 5-1. The visitors played well with one win and 3 players into double figures. Final score 111-79.

Group B still shows Castletown A as leaders but with 2 away matches for them to play in the final 3 they will need every point to retain their lead. Ballaugh are hot on their heels with just 31 points separating the two after their match this week when Ballaugh won at home 106-95 (4-2).

Mooragh Park made the journey south to play Port St Mary B and were made most welcome. Although Port St Mary won the match 116-90 (4-2) the ladies from Ramsey put up a strong performance with wins from Pat Lenton and Peggy Freeman.

Of the three teams in Group C Peel Sunset and Port Erin A are only separated by 4 points so it was all to play for in their match this week. As predicted the match was very close with wins for each team, but the convincing wins by Lynda Cadamy and Jean Thackrah swung it for the home team. Final score 105-92 (3-3).

Another photo finish for the lead is in Group D where there is a race between Marown and Finch Hill with just 2 points separating them at the half way point.

With no match for Marown this week it was the turn of Castletown B to play Finch Hill. The newly formed B team of Castletown came up against tough opponents but they played well with Linda Dobinson winning her game 21-8. Final score 69-113 (1-5).

Next week, Tuesday 4th August, Marown play, at home, against Finch Hill! Now that will be a game to watch.

Two more teams played their opening matches in the over 60’s Team Championship on Tuesday 21st July.

In Group C Peel were at home to visitors Douglas who tried very hard to win points from the home team but home green advantage and accuracy won the day with 6 wins for Peel. Final score 126-49.

In Group D Castletown B headed to Marown with 3 brand new players. Ann Watkinson, Pat Rigby and Susan Kerruish were made most welcome by the hosts and all three played well and showed that they are future stars in the making. Very well done all three. The rest of the team kept Marown on their toes but in the end Marown won 6 games Final score 126-52.

In Group A Port St Mary A were at home to Onchan. The visitors certainly made the current champions dig deep for every point gained and each match was played to double figures. Caroline Corlett for Onchan managed the only win for the visitors leaving a final score of 122-83 (5-1).
South Ramsey made the journey to Breagle Glen to play Port Erin B and went home with a 1-5 win. Joyce Henry for Port Erin had a win against Judy Kelly 21-12 and Joan Ryder narrowly missed out to Helen Caley 19-12. Final score 77-117 (1-5).

In Group B Castletown A were at home again this week and it was Port St Mary B team that made the short journey to play them. The visitors went home with 2 wins . One from Chris Holland, who had a close match with Joy Stephens 19-21 and the other from Lesley Coker who is an experienced player and has recently qualified for our league. She won her game against Barbara Young 17-21. Final score 120-71 (4-2). Also in group B was the match between Mooragh Park and Ballaugh. Chris Sims, for the home team won her game against Brenda Bowyer for Ballaugh and Gill Malpass for Mooragh Park, had a nail biting finish against Carol Holt being “all but “ for 2 ends. Final score 72-111 (1-5).