News: Reports
What a difference a year makes!
The Isle of Man Bank Man’s league springs into life tonight (7th April) and the much anticipated first set of fixtures will pose as many questions as they give answers. With the Isle of Man’s probable inclusion in the full county championship from next season this will be one of exploration and innovation with the men’s game moving into uncharted waters for the first time. This is an exciting time for our sport, and the winds of change are definitely at full force with more changes in personnel than usual amongst the top team.
Last season ended with a major change as Marown A completed an historic double, winning both the league title and much coveted Rayner shield, to leave perennial champions Onchan A without a trophy for the first time in over a decade. Onchan will be a wounded animal intent on fighting their way out of the corner that they find themselves trapped in to prove that the are still the major force in the Manx game.
Marown, fresh from their trip to the world club championship, have the unenviable task of starting their campaign away to South Ramsey A. Whilst Marown have the ninth man of confidence on their side South have a realistic shot a the title and former Island Champion Gary Conwell is just one of a string of new players to strengthen their ranks. South will want to lay down a marker tonight and the champions will need to be right on their game to leave with points.
Onchan A face what, on paper, looks like a much easier trip to Castletown B but as the ‘Crofters’ showed them last year this game isn’t played on paper and they will be looking to stun the title favourites once again this term. Gary Conwell’s departure has made way for Matthew Keggen to join Onchan and he will be hoping to start with a bang.
Castletown A are always a force to be reckoned with in the local game and whilst they can challenge for top honours it will be interesting to see how this fantastic club copes with three teams in the top tier. Even with a rule change allowing players to move between teams in the same division, I still think this may hamper their title ambitions.
I don’t know what will happen this season, but with 4 new teams joining the leagues, and the new Island adventures looming on the horizon I know it will be a ground breaking one with more twists and turns than can ever be imagined and the only certainty is that the sport of crown green bowls will be the winner.
Predictions:
Pos Div 1 Div 2 Div 3
1 Onchan A Nobles Mixed A South Ramsey B
2 South Ramsey A Onchan B Marown B
3 Marown A Port St Mary B South Ramsey C
Rel Castletown C Finch Hill B
Rel Port Erin A Castletown D
Kenny Parker Trophy
It was an all Ramsey affair in the latter stages of the Any Combination doubles played at North Ramsey’s Mooragh Park green on Sunday 6th April. This was particularly appropriate as the trophy had kindly been sponsored by the Parker family in memory of the late Kenny Parker who was a longstanding and popular member of both North and South Ramsey Clubs.
A total of 28 pairs braved the early wind and drizzle to compete for the trophy and fortunately before long blue skies prevailed allowing the latter part of the competition to be completed in much better conditions. The first semi final was an all North Ramsey battle between the mother and son pairing of Janet and Robert Monk against Steve Gill and Brian Colquitt. In a very close fought tussle it was the latter pair that just emerged victorious by 21 – 17. The second semi final was an even closer affair between Andy Kennish and Alan Moore from South Ramsey and Tony Smart and John Cannan from North Ramsey. Thanks to a four on the last end it was the North Ramsey pairing that edged through by 21 – 19.
The final looked as though it was going to be extremely one sided as Steve Gill and Brian Colquitt raced into a 20 – 10 lead but they lost the jack with the winning post in sight and were never quite able to get the crucial final point as Tony Smart and John Cannan fought back to win 21 – 20.
Fallers at the quarter final stage were Margaret Tasker and Trish Bull, Steve Walmsley and Steve Parker, Matthew Quirk and Michael Collister and Ray Hardman and Gordon Corrin.
The prizes were presented by Steve and Anthony Parker who stated how proud their father would have been to have seen the competition played in his memory.
Over 60’s Mens Bowls League gets underway
The Tower Insurance Over 60’s Bowls League rolled into action on Aprils fools day, which was a nice sunny day, however it was back to the wet weather gear for the Thursday fixtures. On Tuesday the top clash was at the Crofts where defending champions Castletown hosted last year third placed team North Ramsey A, and although Town came away with both points in a 5-3 win, North Ramsey scored more chalks and came very close to at least a draw. The other match between teams in last years top five, Port St Mary A and South Ramsey saw the southerners win by a convincing 6-2, Douglas A who have lost a few top players this season, hosted Peel A but could not get their season off to a flier going down by 5 games to 3 at the Villa, Ballaugh used their home knowledge to defeat Noble’s Park by 6 games to 2, While Onchan A hit the road running on their visit to North Ramsey B by getting the first 8-0 of the season. Home side Onchan B had a 6-2 win over Douglas B, as did Noble’s Mixed with a similar home win against Finch Hill B. Marown had a 5-3 home win over Port St Mary B while Port Erin visited Finch Hill A and came home with a 5-3 win as did Castletown B on their visit to Peel B.
The Thursday games saw South Ramsey bounce back from their trip to PSM by using their Home advantage to inflict a close 5-3 win over Castletown A. After just 2 games only five teams have a 100% record, Onchan A team continue to impress with a fine 7-1 victory over Port St Mary A, while Onchan B travelled to Finch Hill B and came away with 2 points in a 6-2 win, the other three teams to have full records are Ballaugh who defeated Douglas B 6-2 at the villa, Peel A who could also be a surprise team this year had a 6-2 home victory over Noble’s Mixed, while Castletown B won by a similar margin against Finch Hill A. North Ramsey A got back on track with a 5-3 win at the Mooragh against Marown, Port St Mary B also had a close home win over Peel B by 5-3 while Port Erin shared the points with Douglas A, and Noble’s Park did likewise with North Ramsey B.
Can I thank all the captains for getting their cards back to me and also thank them for letting Matthew Keggen know the results for inclusion on the website
Hands Trophy
The ladies’ Association Non-winners Competition for the Hands Trophy , which had to postponed from the end of last season, took place at Peel on Saturday 5 April, with an entry of thirty players.
The morning weather threatened that the competition may again have to be postponed, but after the rain stopped a delayed start allowed the green to dry out enough for play to commence.
Despite the dampness the green was running well allowing some good play.
Quarter-finals: Jean Thackrah 21,Voirrey Curphey 17; Trish Bull 21,Lil Smith 15; Rosie Winckle 21, Margaret Tasker 16; Viv Grills 21, Shirley Corrin 13
Semi-finals: Trish Bull 21, Jean Thackrah 9; Viv Grills 21, Rosie Winckle 16
In the final Trish had little answer to Viv’s bowling which improved as the afternoon progressed, Viv taking the game, and the trophy, 21-10
The presentation was made by Association president, Pat Robertson, who thanked all those who had turned out to play on what had started out as such a miserable day.
Ladies Season Preview
Suddenly the new bowls season is here without, hopefully, the snow that blighted last year’s early fixtures. The first thing to find out is who has moved clubs and how this will affect the end of season results.
Although Mooragh Park dominated both leagues last season, Port St Mary were snapping at their heels, ending less than 100 points behind in the night league and just over 100 behind in the over 60’s league, and could be a stiffer challenge this year. In the Friday night league, Castletown and South Ramsey will be doing their best to ensure it is not a two horse race, while Peel are lurking just behind and could cause a surprise .
The over 60’s league has been reduced by the withdrawal of Breagle and it will be interesting to see how their having separate Tuesday and Thursday teams pans out.
It is to be hoped that the weather stays fair and the players have a successful and enjoyable season.
Report by Heather Horsburgh
It’s tight at the top
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.
Fixtures avoid wet conditions
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.
Incredabowls hit the top
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.
RBM close the gap
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.
Changes in middle table order
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.