All four teams saw their averages drop on the one day of play possible in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club over the weekend and as a consequence the top two are a little closer together, while fourth and fifth swapped places.

However, the biggest surprise of the session took place in the individual merit standings, when joint leader Glynn Hargraves (Incredabowls) lost his 100% record – to none other than his wife Kim.
After having to sit out the first set of fixtures, due to RBM being a player short, Glynn then had the unenviable task of maintaining his winning run against Kim who plays for Bits n Bobs.
Vying to retain the Derek Killey memorial trophy he won last year, Hargraves now has a seven point deficit on Seven-Up’s Jordan Cain, with the possibility of a head to head between them this Saturday, as both sides meet in a set of re-arranged fixtures.
Incredabowls began the afternoon with two games in hand and a gap of 147 points to catch up on Seven-Up; along with a tough encounter with RBM, which they came through with 74, exactly the same total as the last time these two met back in week one.

Also in action were the bottom two and this went true to their positions as Bits n Bobs came out on top against Spare Parts who ended this clash a further 14 points adrift.
RBM battled to 67 when they took on Spare Parts, but slipped down a position on averages below Parkers, mainly due to not having enough players on the day and with just one outing left could well find it tough to get that place back.
Current champions Incredabowls then passed their target with victory over Bits n Bobs and head into the final six fixtures with a slender 10 point advantage; both them and Seven-Up having an equal tally against.

There was no midweek round robin and a lack of action on Saturday, both due to the wet conditions. No confirmation of a new date for the league fixtures, but they have been provisionally pencilled in for Sunday 9 March. As mentioned earlier, a set of matches postponed last month, will be on the agenda this weekend.

One other item is that a measure has gone missing from No. 3 green, so can all members please have a search in their bags, the return of which would be much appreciated.

There was just one session of bowls last weekend in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club and thankfully for all those concerned it took place on a dry but breezy Sunday rather than 24 hours earlier when it was extremely wet.
Three of the participating teams improved their averages, but even though RBM moved to within 40 points of third place, theirs fell slightly and I feel with just four fixtures remaining they will have to settle for fourth position.
Erin Porters were RBMs first opponents and they missed out by just two points; Parkers meanwhile remain squeezed in between those two in fifth spot and overcame Bits n Bobs by a margin of 17.
Porters then recorded the highest score of the day, notching up an 80 points to 65 victory over Bits n Bobs and to conclude the action, Parkers just fell short as RBM had another close win, so all stay as they were in the table.

As the club moves into the last two months of the season this seems an appropriate time to feature the leading 20 players in the battles for the Derek Killey memorial trophy, awarded to the individual merit winner and Geoff Osborn trophy for the top woman competitor.
Out in front for the main honours, are Jordan Cain (Seven-Up) and Glynn Hargraves (Incredabowls), both with maximum points; leading lady is Margaret Tasker (Louie’s Angels) in third spot, just ahead of team-mate Tricia Bull who is fifth.
There are four junior members competing this winter and heading this section is Stefan Kelly (Incredabowls) holding onto 39th overall.

An entry of 34 took part in the midweek round robin and black jack triples winners were decided after a roll-up which went in favour of Bernie McPhee, Derek Allen and Derek Cadamy, just missing out were Edwina Reid, Voirrey Curphey and Alan Cromwell, and in third it was Peter Hughes, Doug Allan and Alec Taylor.
Viv Rush and Les Halsall led home the doubles section, with second going to Louis and Rita Callister. A roll-up also took place in this group as third spot went to Philippa Taylor and Derek Anscomb.

Much to the relief and perhaps surprise of all concerned, there were two days of action last weekend in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club and the outcomes saw a number of positional changes in the table.
A contrast of fortunes on the opening afternoon saw champions Incredabowls move into top spot for the first time this season, whereas their playing partners Spare Parts slipped down to the bottom; the leaders helped by the league’s seventh maximum, while the Parts were a player missing.
Two sets of three team sessions began with Incredabowls recording an above average 83 against in-form Erin Porters; they then moved into top gear to record their second full-house and left their opponents Spare Parts trailing with a total of only 44.
Finally Porters missed out on that elusive maximum by just one point, but they did strengthen their hold on sixth position; the only consolation for opponents Spare Parts, was that their two juniors had a great afternoon and were the top players – Austin Hart being an only winner, following Sam Stannard-Duke’s tally of 13 in their opener.

Sunday’s fixtures were in doubt until kick-off following another spell of heavy rain, and after a short hail shower at the beginning, players had a bitterly cold gale force wind to contend with.
All three teams did however head for home with one win apiece, first up Govags beat Castletown Corkers with a 20 point advantage, before the southerners were successful by a small margin over Beachcombers, who then defeated Govags.
At the end of play Beachcombers had moved back above Corkers in seventh and eighth places, while Govags improved their average and moved closer to Cannons in ninth.

A break in the seemingly never ending wet week days saw an entry of 42 participate in the midweek round robin and two groups of triples battled for honours.
Black jacks top spot went to Philippa Taylor, Pauline Worrall and Erwin Gelling, in second place were Terry Moore, Doug Allan and Voirrey Curphey, and occupying third it was Viv Rush, Les Halsall and Tricia Bull.
Sneaking home first in the yellow group were Derek Clarke, Alec Taylor and Jackie Elliott; followed by Steve Parker, Rosie Winckle and Ken Karran. A three-way roll-up for third went in favour of Derek Cadamy, Mavis Franks and Alan Cromwell.

As there are no fixtures planned for this Saturday, there will be a round robin, entries close at 1pm prompt.

Just one set of fixtures took place over the weekend in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club and with victory over their rivals RBM closed the gap to third.
Beginning the afternoon in fourth spot, they recorded a comfortable win over Castletown Cannons, dropping only four points; whereas Louie’s Angels, in third, drew on games with an above average score of 81 against bottom side Bits n Bobs.
Then in the big clash of the session, RBM ran out winners by four games to two and inflicted a second defeat of the campaign on Angels and are quite capable of taking crucial points of any team.
But with only six fixtures remaining it is perhaps a little too late for them to challenge for that third spot, even though they have narrowed the gap from 3.4 to 1.8 on average and moved further away from Parkers who are next in the table.
The two losing teams from the opening set then battled out a three-all draw on games, but it was Bits n Bobs who will feel happiest as they won by a margin of six points and as a consequence their opponents Cannons slipped down a position.

A group of just 24 attended a rather damp midweek round robin session and from two groups the winners were Derek Allen and Peter Karran, along with Mavis Franks and Tricia Bull.

Entries are now being taken for the club championships, which will be held over the weekend March 15-16.

Eight teams swung back into league action over the weekend as the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club heads for the finishing post and whilst there was no change of positions in the top five, the leading two are now separated by an average of just 0.2 of a point.
One major item before we move on; is that this Saturday’s programme has been postponed so members can attend a memorial service for Paul Parkinson which is being held during the afternoon. The new date will be Saturday 15 February.
Perfect conditions welcomed the players for the opening session of 2014 and leaders Seven-Up began with an 84 when they overcame Castletown Cannons, this while third placed Louie’s Angels dropped just three points in a four games to two success against Govags.
The last two fixtures, however, had rather unusual outcomes, with two teams winning 4-2 on games but losing out in the all-important points totals – Cannons just missed out by two against Govags, whereas Louie’s Angels recorded a double success over Seven-Up and improved their average in the process.
The final game of the afternoon threw together the leader of the merit, Jordan Cain (Seven-Up) and the player at the head of the ladies standings, Margaret Tasker (Louie’s Angels). Margaret led into the final end at 13-14 and had two good woods to lie game, but Jordan played a perfect bowl to keep his unbeaten run intact and leave his opponent just three points ahead of teammate Tricia Bull in the race for the Geoff Osborn trophy.

Sunday saw a big change in the weather in the form of a bitterly cold wind, but it did stay dry long enough – just – for no less than four changes in the league table, with Erin Porters being the biggest benefactors.
They kicked off the day down in 10th position, but ended in 6th after two great victories over teams that were above them in the standings; this while Castletown Corkers began in eighth and although they lost twice, did enough to move above their stablemates into seventh.
Biggest losers were Beachcombers, not helped when one of their players didn’t show up, they slipped down three places to ninth and sit at the bottom of this group, which also includes Cannons.
Also competing were Parkers who recorded their second and the season’s sixth maximum win, which along with the 76 they scored, helped them to move within touching distance of fourth spot.

A good entry of 32 attended the first midweek round robin of the year and they were split into groups of triples and doubles.
The pairing of Peter Karran and Tricia Bull were winners, with second place going to John Marsden and Mavis Franks, who were just ahead of Dee Lewis and Derek Clarke.
Topping the threesomes were Philippa Taylor, Bob Berry and Victor Corlett, runners-up Louis Callister, Jo Smith and Jean Thackrah and in third it was Derek Kneen, Alan Cromwell and Alec Taylor.

Members managed to squeeze in one round robin between periods of rain over the weekendin the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club and an entry of 22 enjoyed a dry Saturday afternoon.
They were split into two groups of doubles and the black jack winners were Bob Berry and Jo Smith, with second place going to Derek Allen and Margaret Tasker.
The other group victors were Mavis Franks and Philippa Taylor, who were just ahead of Sylvia Kennaugh and Alec Taylor.

Those attending were informed of the death of a former club member, Paul Parkinson, who was in fact the league’s merit winner in the 2003-04 campaign, playing for Govags.
Paul hadn’t played bowls for a number of years due to illness, but I am sure will be sadly missed by his many friends in and out of the game. Our sympathies go to his wife Connie and family.

On a happier note, congratulations go to Shirley Fargher, also a former member, who celebrated her 80th birthday recently. Shirley was runner-up in the club championships in the 2001-02 season. Best wishes from all club members.

With league fixtures due to resume this weekend after the festive break, here are the leading 30 players in the individual merit competition. Jordan Cain (Seven-Up) and Glynn Hargraves (Incredabowls) are both undefeated, one from each of the top teams, with Jordan having played two games more than his rival at this stage.
1. Jordan Cain (played 14, won 14) 210 points; 2. Margaret Tasker, Louie’s Angels (14, 12) 202; 3. Tricia Bull, Angels (14, 11) 196; 4. Steve Crampton, Seven-Up (14, 11) 194; 5. Alec Taylor, Seven-Up (14, 11) 188; 6. Steve Cook, RBM (14, 8) 181; 7. Glynn Hargraves (12, 12) 180; 8. Ben Dugdale, RBM (12, 9) 173; 9. Mike Alexander, RBM (12, 9) 165; 10. Lil Smith, Beachcombers (13, 6) 165; 11. Kim Hargraves, Bits n Bobs (14, 5) 162; 12. Steve Parker, Spare Parts (12, 8) 159; 13. George Peach, Castletown Cannons (12, 6) 157; 14. Rosie Winckle, Beachcombers (12, 8) 157; 15. Tony Dugdale, RBM (11, 10) 156; 16. Alan Phair, Cannons (12, 6) 154; 17. Alan Cromwell, Govags (12, 7) 152; 18. Kevin Quirk, Seven-Up (10, 10) 150; 19. Roy Murphy, Seven-Up (12, 7) 150; 20. Jo Smith, Parkers (12, 7) 149; 21. John Kennish, Incredabowls (10, 9) 148; 22. Alan Moore, Incredabowls (10, 8) 144; 23. Mark Kneen, Incredabowls (12, 6) 144; 24. Doug Allan, Govags (14, 4) 143; 25. Matthew Keggen, Angels (10, 9) 142; 26. Phil Taubman, Cannons (11, 8) 142; 27. Willie Corkill, Cannons (12, 7) 141; 28. Mavis Franks, Erin Porters (12, 6) 141; 29. Nigel Thomas, RBM (10, 8) 138; 30. Sefton Dent, Beachcombers (11, 4) 138.

Seven-Up head into the New Year with a slight advantage over current champions Incredabowls as they aim to wrestle the title away from their rivals in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club and both teams will have to keep an eye on the chasing pack who won’t have given up.

With the fixtures all up to date, members enjoyed two round robins over the final weekend of 2013; the first of them also saw the numbers drawn for the Christmas tombola.
An entry of 32 took part on Saturday and was spilt into groups of triples and doubles with the winners being Hazel Hughes, Lil Smith and Alan Moore; also the pairing of Lyn Bolton and Libby Andrade.
The threesome of Philippa Taylor, Pauline Worrall and Peter Hughes took second spot, as did Louis Callister and Steve Moore. In third it was Bob Berry, Margie Tasker and Tricia Bull, along with Ken Karran and Doug Allan.
Sunday saw another cold but thankfully dry session in which 27 took part in two sections of triples and in the black jacks, Shirley Corrin, Derek Allen and Peter Karran came out on top ahead of Jo Smith, Philippa and Alec Taylor.
Lil Smith, Alan Moore and Thomas Keggen were successful in the yellow gang, just in front of Libby Andrade, Rita Callister and Margie Tasker. There will be two more sessions this weekend, with the league fixtures due to recommence one week later.

A set of fixtures postponed seven days earlier took place on Saturday in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club and even though they started in great weather conditions, by the end of play it could only be described as horrible.
The strong overnight winds and rain had cleared as the final session of the year began, but about halfway through they were both back with vengeance; however the games were completed to leave the organisers back on schedule heading into the festive break.
Leaders Seven-Up began by recording 79 points from their clash with Erin Porters; while Parkers fell just short of a maximum with 86 from a comfortable win over Govags.
The westerners themselves then came very close to a full house; they were also just four short when overcoming Erin Porters with their highest score to date.
Coping best with the conditions in the final outcome of the afternoon were Seven-up, but saw their average drop below 80 even though they beat Parkers by five games to one.

No midweek round robin due to rain, whereas Sunday saw 21 entrants escape the hustle and bustle of Christmas and enjoy mince pies along with their drinks on a dry but cold afternoon. The winners were Derek Allen, Sefton Dent and Alec Taylor, second went to Steve Crampton, Philippa Taylor and Alan Moore and in third it was Jordan Cain, Steve Parker and Gordon Corrin.

Next session on the agenda will be a round robin accompanied by the Christmas Tombola draw where there will be somewhere in the region of £270 worth of prizes up for grabs. This will be held on Saturday 28 December. Good luck to all and a Happy New Year.

Just a week after clawing their way back into contention in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League; RBM recorded two fairly low scores on the club’s only day of play over a wet and windy weekend to see the gap open up once more.
The first planned session fell-foul of the conditions and has been rescheduled for this Saturday (December 21), while just 24 hours later four teams battled on a breezy Sunday that saw just two of them reach the 70-point mark.
Being a player missing did not help RBM’s cause and they only just lost in their opener against Castletown Corkers, but dropped 30 points in their chase of the leading three. This, while Beachcombers and Bits n Bobs fought out an honourable draw, with both sides scoring above their averages with 72 apiece.
Bits then continued their good form with victory over Corkers, who unfortunately were a player short themselves in this fixture and as a consequence slipped down behind their stablemates in the league standings, whereas the winners closed the gap to Govags.
Finally Beachcombers couldn’t take advantage of an extra player, as RBM managed to overcome them, but with only 63 points on the card their challenge for the top could well be over.

A glorious afternoon welcomed 39 entrants for the midweek round robin and once again two gangs of triples competed. The yellow group winners being Philippa Taylor, Ken Karran and Alec Taylor, in second it was Derek Clarke, Jack Lee and Mavis Franks and third Steve Moore, Louis Callister and Dot Mylchreest.
The other group was an example of why games must be kept going, as they finished almost half an hour later than the others – in the dark. Winners were John Lightfoot, Victor Corlett and Peter Daugherty, runners-up, Hazel Hughes, Viv Rush and Terry Moore, with third place going to Edwina Reid, Alan Cromwell and Peter Karran.
The next three free days indicated on the fixture list, starting with Sunday 22 December, will be used for round robins, this includes Saturday 28 December, when the Christmas tombola will be drawn. All sessions are weather permitting and entries close at 1pm prompt.

Finally may I take this opportunity to wish members all the best for the festive season.

A fourth team threw their hat into the title chase in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club over the weekend, as they raced through the fixtures halfway point with the weather remaining on their side.
Leaders Seven-Up were faced with a session without their leading player, Kevin Quirk, who was unfortunately taken ill on Friday and admitted into hospital. I am sure all club members and the remainder of the bowling fraternity join me in wishing Kevin a speedy recovery.
The team then had a very mixed afternoon; firstly going down to their lowest score when they took on fourth placed RBM, before recovering and finally notched up that elusive maximum win, with success over Bits n Bobs.
Govags were also in action and they managed to move off the bottom with two scores above their average; they began with victory over closest rivals Bits n Bobs, before doing just enough on the points front, second time out, to send Bits into last spot.
The afternoon’s biggest scorers were RBM and they cemented their position with an average of 81 and therefore moved closer to the three teams above them.

Sunday had the first three-team session of the campaign and surely a chance for Louie’s Angels to make Seven-Up suffer even more following their heavy loss the previous day, but Castletown Cannons had other ideas and blew their afternoon apart.
The southern outfit kicked off with the season’s fifth maximum whilst they inflicted defeat on Beachcombers; next the Angels had a slightly higher than average success and left Beachcombers with just 102 points from their efforts.
Finally the last unbeaten run in the league was broken when the Cannons completed their best afternoon of the season, dropping just 10 points and left their opponents trailing with only 58. This in turn saw the victors move up a place, while Louie’s Angels remain in third spot but with a lower average.

Participants in the midweek round robin were saddened to learn of the death of former member David Turner. David did try and take part this winter but on his first outing found things a little difficult after suffering illness earlier in the year.
He had been a regular during the winter months for I believe the past five years and took part in a large number of club events and social bowling in that period. Our thoughts and condolences go to his family at this difficult time.
The session had 36 entrants who took part in two sections of triples which were won by Mike Skelly, John Lightfoot and Rita Callister, along with Derek Clarke, Philippa Taylor and Peter Karran. Second places went to Mavis Franks, Pauline Worrall and Bernie Thackrah; Louis Callister, Gordon Corrin and Margaret Tasker.