News: Reports
IOM Merit
There was an entry of 36 for the IOM Ladies’ Merit, for the Barbara Lee Trophy, played at Port St Mary on Sunday 11 August. Apart from a few light showers the weather was fine although cold for the latter stages, and the green was playing well allowing for some excellent bowling.
Quarter-finals: Ann Maddrell 21, Rita Callister 3; Jayne Kneen 21, Lin Ruscoe 8; Lilian Slinger 21, Rachel Quirk 12; Lyn Bolton 21, Helen Martin 13
Semi-finals: Jayne Kneen 21, Ann Maddrell 15; Lilian Slinger 21, Lyn Bolton 12
In the final Jayne raced to a 9-1 lead at which point Lilian won four ends in a row to narrow the gap to 6-9. They then shared the ends to 9-13 before Jayne won the last six ends to run out the winner 21-9.
Janet Shilling thanked all who had helped during the afternoon before introducing Rob Lee, Barbara’s son, to make the presentations with the help of Association vice-president Pat Robertson. She also thanked Rob for his contributions to the raffle, the proceeds of which will be given to Hospice, and also for the prizes where he had provided, chocolates for the losing semi-finalists and champagne for the finalists.
Advantage Marown
It was a monumental week at the top of Isle of Man Bank Men’s division one with second placed Onchan A throwing down the gauntlet to league leaders Marown on Monday with arguably their best performance of their ten year reign as champions, before they went head to head on Wednesday. In the first of a double set of fixtures the champions continued their charge with a 10-0 demolition of Castletown A at the Crofts to cut the gap at the top to just four points.
They say when the going gets tough, the tough get going and this was certainly true of Onchan on Monday night. Few teams leave the Towner’s realm with a win let alone a maximum and the intensity of the Onchan performance is one that would be hard to match with every single one of their players giving their all, straining every sinew to keep their slim title hopes alive.
League leaders Marown A also put in a good shift away from home picking up a solid 8-2 win away at North Ramsey A to keep them in pole position prior to their eagerly anticipated midweek clash with the Champions at the Park. I don’t think I can over emphasise the magnitude of this clash for the local game with the perennial champions Onchan needing a win over the only team to realistically challenge them in a decade to further extend their record run of league wins.
If I am honest, going into this fixture, I firmly believed that Onchan would triumph relatively easily and regain top spot, especially with the deteriorating almost torrential conditions. I desperately wanted Marown to be up to the challenge, as I will always have a strong affinity with the great club, but genuinely didn’t think they would do it. Even with this doubt though I knew it wasn’t going to be easy for the second placed outfit, it wasn’t going to be enough for them to simply step up to the plate they were going to have to hit a home run to regain supremacy in the title race.
The Crosby men however did not share my doubts and went into the game believing they could win, that they deserved to win, after all the have been the best team in the division without questions this term. There was no way they were going to crumble they were going to scrap for every point; they knew they were in a fight, and fight they did.
First blood went to Marown with their Captain and June festival winner Neil Withers producing his best to see off the challenge of double Manx Champion Glynn Hargraves 21-11, in a game on paper that could have gone either way. Phil Kelly kept the momentum going for his side as he took out David Bradford 21-16. This is one that the champions would have thought they should win, with Bradford one of their best exponents at home, but Kelly more than justified his current fourth place in the league merit with another brilliant display.
Onchan were never going to go down without a fight and it was time for a family revival as father and son Kevin & Matthew Quirk picked up respective hard fought wins over Mike Cain & Ian Kissack to draw level on games with a narrow 3 point aggregate lead at the halfway stage. The home side weren’t don’t there with Phil Kerruish increasing their advantage by a game and 5 points as he beat last year’s division one merit winner Dean Kipling 21-16.
Marown stalwart Colin Kelly returned parity for his side on games and gave them a lead on chalks after a dominant 21-7 win over home captain Peter Slinger to leave everything hanging in the balance with just two games left on the green. Iron arm Gary Conwell put in an amazing second half of his game to come back from 18-9 adrift to beat John Gelling 21-18 and put the champions back in the driving seat. Marown, however, had their own man of steel though as seasoned campaigner Peter Kelly proved age and experience can overcome youth and treachery as he sealed the overall win for his team with a 21-17 victory over Jordan Cain.
This 6-4 win leaves Marown six points clear at the top and favourites to win their first title in eleven years and end Onchan’s era of invincibility, however there is still a lot of work to be done. With four games left each, forty points to play for, and Onchan with arguably the slightly easier run in Marown still have plenty of work to do.
I think Neil Withers’ charges will do it but I think there could be another twist in the tail yet and I firmly believe that both teams will be going into their final fixtures with the league still to play for.
Remaining Games:-
MAROWN
Douglas A (H)
Ballaugh A (H)
South Ramsey A (A)
Castletown B (A)
ONCHAN
Castletown B (H)
North Ramsey A (H)
Ballaugh A (A)
South Ramsey A (A)
Bill Oliver Junior
The Bill Oliver Junior Open was played for on Port St Mary Green on Saturday 3rd August and attracted a very good entry of 25 young bowlers.
It was a perfect day for bowling and the Green was in excellent condition. The Competition was played in a round robin format and was split into two sections, the younger juniors and the older juniors.
The winner of the younger section was Thomas Young who beat Juan Kneen in the final. The winner of the older section was won by Bobby Thorn who beat Casey Bolton in the final.
The standard of bowling throughout the afternoon was of a very high standard and bodes well for the future of Manx bowling. Bobby Thorn in particular is one to watch out for. He played excellent bowls all afternoon.
Roy Oliver, the sponsors son, was present from the start of the competition and presented the prizes at the conclusion. All of the competitors were presented with a commemorative medal.
Special thanks must go to Louis Callister and Chris Holland for running the comp. in a very professional way and to Jayne Kneen, Colin Holland and George Peach for acting as coaches to the younger section players and Sam Palmer for all his assistance during the competition.
Thomas Young
Bobby Thorne & Casey Bolton
Kennish Cup
A couple of showers didn’t spoil a great afternoon at South Ramsey on Sunday as 32 pairs competed for the Kennish Cup, on a green in superb condition.
At the end of the day the same surnames as the previous year will go on the trophy with Jenny Moore and Bob Clark following on from Elaine Moore and Andy Clark in 2012. This was in fact Jenny’s fourth time winning this event, all with different partners; Bob also having been successful in 2008.
In a final that went all the way the victors beat the pairing of Viv and Chas Grills who opened with a three on the first end; but then Moore and Clark moved into a 17-12 lead, before their opponents fought back to a deficit of just one.
A pair at the next end saw a score of 19-16; but not to be outdone the Grills moved back into the lead at 20-19; two singles decided the outcome and brought to an end a very successful afternoon.
Losing semi-finalists were Alison Keggen and Michael Collister, along with Jordan Cain and Paula Firth. Falling at the quarter-finals stage were Irene Brew and Alan Moore; Mary and John Alderson; Casey Bolton and Trevor Quayle; and Elaine Moore and James Teare.
The prizes were presented by Fiona and Shelley Kennish on behalf of the family who thanked everyone for any help and those who took part.
Flo Doan
Competitors at Peel on Saturday 3 August got away with just one heavy shower on an otherwise bright and breezy afternoon as 22 pairs gathered for the Flo Doan Ladies’ doubles competition. As usual the green was tricky although running well.
Semi-finals: Pat Robertson and Sonja Lees 21, Rose Corfield and Mona Kerruish 16; Lin Ruscoe and Paula Firth 21, Ann Gale and Jane Teare 8
Lin and Paula took an early lead of 11-6 in the final before Pat and Sonja took the next 5 ends to have a 14-11 advantage, at which point they seemed to have shot their bolt, as they only managed one more point before Lin and Paula ran out 21-15 winners.
The presentation was made by club president Mary Moffatt who thanked the green keepers and everyone else who had helped with the smooth running of the afternoon.
Game 14 & 15
Marown A remain at the summit of Isle of Man Bank Men’s league division one however their lead has been cut to just six points after a tricky double week of fixtures. They started a week with what was expected to be a formality at Nobles Mixed A, but the home side did anything but lie down and give the league leaders and easy ride, they scrapped and fought for every point and were unlucky to go down 4-6 as the Crosby side just had the edge on aggregate. They followed this up midweek with a good 7-3 victory over the talented Castletown A side to keep their hopes of a first league title in over a decade alive.
Onchan A faired better over the week to narrow the gap at the top of the table, they have been lacking their air of invincibility recently but these results go someway to showing why they have been perennial champions recently. They picked up a good 7-3 away win at Port St Mary before dominating Nobles Mixed 9-1 at Onchan Park. They are now in touch with the leaders and if they continue to better Marown’s results it will not be long before they are literally breathing down their neck.
Marown have been the class act this term and have earned their position at the top of the table but it frightens me when I see how close Onchan are now, especially after their under par performances during this campaign. Marown have put themselves in pole position thanks to a number of exceptionally heavy wins earlier in the season, and Onchan’s inability to either match or better their results. If they want to take the heat off themselves and see out their challenge they need to start bettering the Champions results again and will be looking to start tonight when they travel to North Ramsey A as Onchan have the tricky trip to Town A.
South Ramsey A are now in third place but didn’t have things their own way on Monday as they drew 5-5 with Peel A in the Sunset City. This match was as close as it gets as the teams tied on both games won and points. They beat Port St Mary A 7-3 at home on Wednesday, to climb above Douglas in the table who only had one game last week.
Douglas A will feel extremely lucky to have escaped with a 7-3 win over Castletown B as Town pushed them all the way picking up three wins and just losing out 21-20 in two other games. This leaves them four points behind South with a game in hand.
Town B stepped up a gear on Wednesday as they whitewashed Peel A 10-0 at the crofts to climb away from the drop zone and to relative safety. This result leaves Peel A stranded in no-mans land four points behind the rest routed to the bottom of the table.
Port Erin A have now built themselves a four point cushion at the top of Division 2 thanks to a couple of 7-3 wins over two of the divisions strongest outfits, with wins away at Castletown C and at home to Onchan B. They are stringing the results together well now and I genuinely think they will finish top of the tree.
Second placed Port St Mary B can blow hot and cold and this was evident last week as they dipped 6-4 away at Onchan B on Monday before reversing this score line at home against Peel C midweek. They are nine points ahead of Town C in third, and as long as they keep chipping in with wins they should have enough in the tank to finish second and make the trip to the top flight next term.
Nobles Park A started up their engine again to stay at the top of the third tier with a strong 9-1 home win over Ballaugh C. This win leaves them three points ahead of Onchan C in the title race. Onchan C were the early pacesetters in the division and faltered a few weeks ago, but are now firing on all cylinders after beating South Ramsey B 8-2.
Kermeen/Quayle 4s
Ian Kissack & Mike Hargraves turned back time as these two evergreen over 60’s put in some tremendous performances to win the men’s doubles at Peel Bowling Club on Saturday.
There was another blast from the past in the final and it was great to see multiple Island champion Andy Kennish back on the open circuit partnered by Lee Dawson. Kennish & Dawson played brilliantly all day but were no match for Kissack & Hargraves in the final who put their foot on the gas from the off and never backed off with a 21-9 win.
In the semi finals our eventual victors were equally as ruthless against Jordan Cain & Bob Clark beating the youngsters 21-11 whilst our runners up just had the edge to see off the challenge of homegreeners Frank Watson & Jerome Surridge.
As always it was a well run competition on a tricky playing surface and our winners fully deserve every accolade afforded them as they were the class act on the day – well done fellas!
Ramsey Town Cup
On a fine afternoon in Ramsey Mooragh Park held their ladies’ singles open for the Town Cup. Unfortunately there was a small entry of eight players so games were played to 21 off scratch on a fast green which obviously suited the eventual winner, Lilian Slinger.
Quarter-finals: Viv Grills 21, Maureen Payne 10; Jenny Maddrell 21, Jean Radcliffe 18; Janet Monk 21, Sylvia Kennaugh 6; Lilian Slinger 21, Rita Callan 12.
Semi-finals: Viv Grills 21, Jenny Maddrell 16; Lilian Slinger 21, Janet Monk 17.
In the final Lilian came through to beat Viv 21-14.
The presentation was made by Lady President, Janet Monk, who thanked everyone who had helped in any way during the afternoon.
Onchan Commissioners Cup
Despite a forecast of possible heavy showers the weather stayed warm and sunny at Onchan on Wednesday 24 July for the ladies’ doubles competition for the Commissioner’s Cup. A field of 18 pairs produced some close and exciting games particularly at the semi-final stage.
Semi-finals: Kath Kinley and Marie Ashurst 21, Casey and Lyn Bolton 19; Lin Ruscoe and Paula Firth 21, Janet Monk and Lilian Slinger 20.
In the first semi-final the game was even until a 3 on the fifteenth end followed by a single gave Casey and Lyn a 19-16 lead. The Castletown pair then dug in to get a single followed by two 2’s to see them through to the final 21-19.
The fight-back was even more dramatic in the other semi as after 16 ends Lilian and Janet held the advantage 20-14. A 2 and a 1 brought Lin and Paula up to 17 then a 4 finished the game off with the Noble’s Mixed pair going through 21-20.
The final stayed all square to 12-12 on end 8. From then Lin and Paula took control allowing Kath and Marie just one more single before running out 21-13.
Final: Lin Ruscoe and Paula Firth 21, Kath Kinley and Marie Ashurst 13.
Unfortunately the chairman of Onchan Commissioner’s was delayed so the presentation was made by Heather Reynolds, Chairman of Onchan Ladies, who thanked everyone involved in the afternoon.
Report by Heather Horsburgh
Rayner Shield Final
Marown A beat Douglas A at Finch Hill bowling green on Friday evening to win the coveted Canada Life International Rayner Shield for a third successive year, in arguably the most dramatic final ever in the illustrious competitions history.
It wasn’t a bowling match it was a war, with the challengers throwing everything in their arsenal at the defending champions who fought to the death as if their lives depended on it. The teams on paper looked evenly match, and on the impeccable yet tricky playing surface things were even closer.
Marown took the initiative in the early stages with Colin Kelly drawing first blood for his side with a 21-10 win over Keith Rise. The next three games came off the green in quick succession with Marown moving further ahead thanks to wins from seasoned campaigners John Gelling and Phil Kelly, but then something happened.
Stuart Garrett picked up a superb 21-18 win over June Festival winner and Marown Captain Neil Withers to give his side hope, and the Douglas troops responded brilliantly to this rallying cry with Paul Skelly and Matthew Keggen notching up wins to draw the challengers level. The balance of power seemed to be swinging towards to underdogs.
Then there was another twist in the tale as Mike Cain, who had trailed by a couple of points for most of his game, edged passed Douglas Captain Mark Kneen 21-19 to leave his team needing only one more win to retain their crown. With the two remaining games on the green finally balanced the scene was set for an ending so suspenseful that it could have been scripted.
Paul Kelly moved through the gears and held his nerve brilliantly to see off the challenge of Peter Kelly 21-16 to keep his team in the running leaving everything resting on the game between Ian Moore (Douglas) and Dean Kipling (Marown).
Moore was ahead 20-17 and led out to try and bring home the trophy for his team. He headed straight for the corner however he got a little tight with his first bowl and it just went off the green. Last years division 1 merit winner Kipling capitalised and played a great bowl which Moore just failed to beat with his second. Kipling then picked up a two to tie the scores at 20-20.
Kipling put up two brilliant woods to leave Moore lying game down but he held his nerve and with everything resting on the fate of his final bowl he struck the jack off the green, killing the end and keeping the Douglas hopes alive in the process. However it was not meant to be for the challengers as Kipling, who seemed to thrive in the pressure cooker atmosphere, led magnificently and picked up the final point required for a Marown win.
It is heartbreaking for Douglas who came so close to winning the shield for the first time in over 50 years, but it wasn’t meant to be. Marown just had the edge by the smallest of margins winning 5-4 on games with the scores ending 167-165 on points in a match that had everything. In sport there are always winners and losers and Marown are brilliant champions but Douglas are far from losers after this performance, the real winners on Friday night were those lucky enough to watch this epic encounter which I am sure will be stored in the memory banks for years to come.
Winners (Marown A)
Runners Up (Douglas A)
