It was a miserable wet night for the C Tarleton Hodgson and Son Ltd ladies’ league on Friday 25 April. After their heroics in the Jean Kelly Competition on Wednesday night, Port Erin travelled north to meet Mooragh Park for a second time in the week. History was not to repeat itself as, on their own green, The home side proved too strong for their visitors, winning 6-3 on games. The three winners for Port Erin were Sylvia Maddrell, Voirrey Curphey and Caroline Whitehead who won to single figures, as did three of the home team. Onchan were unfortunately a player short on their trip to Noble’s Mixed, and fell just short of 100 points as the home side piled on the pressure winning six games, three to single figures. The winners for Onchan were Heather Reynolds, Viv Rush and Phyllis Gelling who edged out Sylvia Kennaugh 21-19.Port St Mary did not have it all their own way against Purt le Moirrey coming through 5-4 in a low scoring match with the home team winning two games to single figures and the visitors one.The games all went to double figures at South Ramsey where the home side had a 6-3 advantage on games. For Ballaugh Voirrey Oates reached 19 against Casey Bolton while Maureen Trustham was pipped 21-20 by Jenny Moore. Peel Sunset showed the value of fighting for every point as despite losing 7-2 on games to Douglas they recorded a reasonable score with three games going to 19 and one to 18.Heather Horsburgh and Joyce Kelly, to single figures, were the two winners for the visitors. Castletown were too strong for Marown, winning six games, three to single figures. The winners for Marown were Celia Joughin, Lil Smith who edged out Kim Foy 21-19 and Mary Alderson who won to single figures.

The preliminary round of the Jean Kelly Took place on Wednesday 23 April, The game between Onchan and Port St Mary had to be postponed because of a water-logged green at Finch Hill.

PORT ERIN (+40) 186, MOORAGH PARK (Scr) 146

The holders, Mooragh Park, travelled to Port Erin where things didn’t go their way, the home side winning five of the nine games with three of their players winning to single figures. With Chris Price also winning to singles figures the chalks ended all square at 146 each before Port Erin’s +40 handicap came into play to give them the match. There were some close games, particularly Caroline Whitehead edging out Jean Radcliffe 21-20.

CASTLETOWN (+10) 166, BALLAUGH (+45) 152

Castletown proved too strong for Ballaugh winning six games, five of them to single figures. Voirrey Oates and Christine MacDonald also won to single figures, Ann Gale being their other winner. With the score at 156-107 on the green even Ballaugh’s handicap advantage could not save them.

DOUGLAS (+40) 207, PURT LE MOIRREY (+60) 192

With Douglas winning six games, three of them to single figures, and their other three players reaching double figures, they went through by 15 points after the handicaps kicked in. A high point of the match was the game between Paula Garrett and Pauline Worrell, the home player scraping through 21-20.

Wednesday 16 April

The closest match in the C Tarleton Hodgson and Son Ltd ladies’ league on Wednesday 16 April was at Ballaugh where the away team finished with just a seven point advantage despite winning 7-2 on games showing the value of fighting for every point even when you are losing. Christine Macdonald and Ellie Faragher were the two winners for Ballaugh while Ann Gale lost out 20-21 to Hilary Kermode. Noble’s Mixed and Peel Sunset posted the highest scores of the night, Mixed facing a Douglas Team who were a player short. The other games all went to double figures the closest being Kath King’s 21-19 win over Joyce Ogden. Peel Sunset won 7-2, the winners for Marown being Lil Smith and Shirley Whelan, while the battle between Pat Robertson and Mary Alderson went Pat’s way 21-20.In Onchan’s match wins by Heather Reynolds and Phyllis Gelling to single figures kept down Mooragh Park’s score despite them winning 7-2 on games with three wins to single figures. Port St Mary won 6-3 at Port Erin with Jayne Kneen and Val Macfarlane winning to single figures. Caroline Whitehead put up a good fight against Margaret Tasker, coming away with 19 points. South Ramsey had a successful trip “down South” winning 6-3 on games with Gill Dixon and Lyn Bolton winning to single figures. Lauren Groen had a tough match against Chris Holland, just taking it 21-20.

Friday 11 April

Port St Mary posted the first maximum of the season in their match against Onchan on Friday 11 April. Four of their players won to single figures while Marilyn Ellison’s 20 against Wendy Kennaugh was the highest score for the visitors, who fell just short of the 100 point mark.

Mooragh Park visited Noble’s Mixed where the home side took three games courtesy of Paula Firth, Sylvia Kennaugh and Clare Cooper who edged out Helen Martin 21-20. Wins by Edwina Reid, Tracey Moore and Roma Ware helped Purt-le-Moirrey over the 100 point barrier against Castletown who had five of their players winning to single figures.  The longest game of the night was possibly between Pat Robertson and Peggy Griffin at Peel, Pat eventually taking it 21-20 to help Peel to a 6-3 win over local rivals Ballaugh, while Sue Jones and Jayne Smith both won to single figures.

It was close at Douglas where, although Marown won 5-4 on games, the home side took the match by four points with Jan Osborne losing out 20-21 to Pat Withers. It was another close affair at South Ramsey where all nine games went to double figures with seven losing scores of 17or more. The closest game was between Jenny Moore and Lynda Cadamy with Jenny Coming through 21-20.

By Heather Horsburgh

C Tarleton Hodgson sponsored Ladies League

Wednesday 9 April

The ladies’ league,which is again sponsored by C. Tarleton Hodgson and Son Ltd, were treated to fine weather for its first round of matches on Wednesday 9 April. Top scorers were Mooragh Park who won 7-2 on games against Douglas with Lilian Slinger and Viv Grills winning to single figures, as did Jan Osborne for the home side. Patsy Rush was the other home winner. The match between Onchan and South Ramsey had to be played at Ramsey, as the Onchan green was unplayable. With Onchan being a player short South Ramsey took the match 5-4 on games by a margin of just one point.

By Heather Horsburgh

Congratulations to Raymotors Mooragh Park Ladies on winning the Jean Kelly

There was an entry of 38, including 10 visitors over for the Festival, at Mooragh Park on Sunday June 16 for the Pre-festival ladies’ singles open. The green was heavy after recent rain, but running true, and the weather stayed fair although unfortunately bringing out the midgies.

Quarter-finals;- Viv Grills 21, Chris Hardman (Tottington Con) 8; Ronnie Lyon (West Derby Recs) 21, Rosemary Quirk 19; Shirley Jones (Wrockwardine Wood) 21, Lin Ruscoe 16; Lyn Bolton 21, Elaine Moore 20.

Semi-finals:- Ronnie Lyon 21, Viv Grills 17; Lyn Bolton 21, Shirley Jones 18.

Lyn set off like a rocket, reaching 18 before Ronnie had a chance to blink !.Two 2’s from Ronnie looked as if a come-back might be on the cards, but Lyn got in again on the next end for a single which was followed by two more, giving her the match 21-10.

The presentation was made by Association vice-president, Pat Robertson, who thanked all those who had helped in any way with the smooth running of the event.

Report by Heather Horsburgh

The weather did not look promising on Sunday 26 May when a field of 32 gathered to contest the Ladies’ singles open at Onchan. However the clouds cleared to give a glorious afternoon where the standard of bowling matched the occasion. There were some very close games, particularly in the quarter-finals where three of the four games were won to 19.

Quarter-finals: Lilian Slinger 21, Chris Price 19; Shirley Whelan 21, Lil Smith 19; Theresia Britten 21, Rita Callister 13; Heather Horsburgh 21, Maureen Payne 19.

Semi-finals: Lilian Slinger 21, Shirley Whelan 15; Heather Horsburgh 21, Theresia Britten 7.

Heather got of to a flying start in the final, taking the first four ends to lead 13-6. In reply Lilian won 7 of the next 8 ends to go ahead 15-14.The players then won alternate ends to 19-18 in Lilian’s favour, before Heather took the final three to win 21-19 and get back the trophy she last won nine years ago !

The presentation was made by club Chairman Heather Reynolds who thanked everyone who had helped with the smooth running of the event.

Report by Heather Horsburgh

There was a strong entry of 28 pairs for the ladies’ doubles played at Marown on Saturday 11 May for the Greeba Cup. The weather was mixed, with sunshine, heavy showers and temperatures staying low.

Despite the changing conditions the standard of bowling, particularly in the latter stages, was of a high standard.

Semi-finals: Janet Monk and Lilian Slinger 21, Sonja Lees and Pat Robertson 13; Marie Ashurst and Kath Kinley 21, Helen Martin and Rachel Quirk 16.

In the final Lilian and Janet took an early lead with a 3 on the second end but from 7-10 down the Castletown pair won 4 ends in a row to lead 14-10.Points were shared up to 15-16 when a 1 and a 3 from Marie and Kath took them to “all but”. Despite a 2 on the next end from the Mooragh Park pair the trophy went to Castletown 21-17.

The presentation was made by Rosie Winckle who thanked all who had stayed to the end and everyone who had helped in the smooth running of the event.

Report by Heather Horsburgh

18 pairs gathered at South Ramsey on Saturday 4 May for the IOM Ladies’ Pairs. On a fast green and in a wind which got stronger as the afternoon progressed conditions were not easy. This did not prevent good bowling and some very close matches.

Semi-finals : Jenny Maddrell and Ann Gale 21, Lyn Bolton and Paula Garrett 19; Helen Martin and Rachel Quirk 21, Linda Richman and Casey Bolton 9.

In the final things were very even, and tactical, with one side taking a lead then the others catching up. Helen and Rachel surged ahead in the last few ends to take the title 21-16.

The presentation was made by Association Competition Secretary, Elaine Moore, who thanked South Ramsey for allowing the Association the use of their green and facilities, and the ladies in the kitchen for providing the refreshments.