News: Reports
Millennium Fours
There was an entry of thirteen teams for the Millennium Fours played at Noble’s Mixed on Saturday 20 July on a warm sunny afternoon.
The format of play was a doubles and two singles in each match, the protagonists chosen by lot by the organisers, the total scores from the three games giving the team total.
By the semi-finals the competition was hotting up with two close games, both depending on the result of the doubles. The Noble’s Mixed team, comprising Clare Cooper, Paula Firth, Lin Ruscoe and Rebecca Teare, had a 4 point lead going into the doubles where Lilian Slinger and Chris Price needed to win 15-10 to progress to the final. In the event the Noble’s Mixed pairing of Clare Cooper and Paula Firth won by that score to take their team through 45-35.
Semi-final 1: Lin Ruscoe 15, Rachel Quirk 14; Rebecca Teare 15, Janet Monk 12; Clare Cooper and Paula Firth 15, Lilian Slinger and Chris Price 10.
In the other semi-final where a combined South Ramsey and Douglas team of Casey and Lyn Bolton with Harley and Paula Garrett, met the Ballaugh team of Ann Gale Jenny Maddrell, Mary Simmonds and Jane Teare, the scores were level after the two singles meaning that whichever team won the doubles went through. In a tense match Ballaugh came through to take the doubles 15-14 to take the match 42-41.
Semi-final 2: Ann Gale 15, Paula Garrett 12; Lyn Bolton 15, Jane Teare 12; Jenny Maddrell and Mary Simmonds 15, Casey Bolton and Harley Garrett 14.
Two wins to Noble’s Mixed in the singles meant that Ballaugh would have to win the doubles 15-2.In a close match they did win but not by the required margin to give Noble’s Mixed victory 43-33.
Final: Paula Firth 15, Jane Teare 5; Rebecca Teare 15, Jenny Maddrell 13; Mary Simmonds and Ann Gale 15, Lin Ruscoe and Clare Cooper 13.
The presentation was made by Association president, Jenny Maddrell, who thanked all those who had taken part and helped in the smooth running of the event.
Clague Kermeen
The Clague Kermeen was played on Saturday 20th July in glorious sunshine with 28 men taking part.
The eventual winner was home greener David Bradford who retained the trophy with a 21-14 win over Colin Kelly of Marown. Losing semi finalists were Edward Trustham (Ballaugh) and Tony Hart (South Ramsey). Losing quarter finalists were Mike Alexander, Alan Moore, Peter Karran and Neil Withers.
Dreswick Cup
The Dreswick Cup, sponsored by the Albert Hotel, Port St Mary, was played for on Port St Mary Green on Thursday 18th July and attracted an excellent entry of 46 competitors.
The weather was hot and sunny and the Green was in superb condition and the bowling throughout the day was of a very high standard.
The eventual winner was Trevor Quayle who beat Mathew Quirk 21-17 in a closely contested final. In the semi finals, Quayle beat Glynn Hargraves 21-11 and Quirk beat Juan Hargraves 21-13. Losing out in the quarter finals were Seamus Whelan, Arnie Withers, Colin Kelly and Neil Withers.
At the conclusion of the competition the prizes were presented by the sponser Mr Pat Omeara, from the Albert Hotel.
Report by Sean Lillie
Rayner Shield Semi Finals
Holders Marown A and challengers Douglas A are set to face off in the final of the Canada Life International Rayner shield on Friday after they both picked up superb away wins to book their final berths.
Marown became the only the second team in 10 years to defeat Onchan A at the park with man of the match performances from Peter Kelly and Mark Moorley as they picked up respective victories over Phil Kerruish and Glynn Hargraves. The rest of the team worked well and the final nail was put in Onchan’s coffin by young Luke Hyland who came back from 19-11 down to win 21-19 against Peter Karran and seal a 6-3 win for his side.
Douglas had the tricky task of travelling to Castletown A and despite trailing 2-1 put in a masterful performance to finish 7-2 winners. It looked like it was going to be a lot more difficult but after Ian Moore held his nerve to finish off a great 21-19 win over Bob Clark, and Ken Williams waded in with a 21-16 win over Tony Dugdale momentum swung towards the visitors.
It should be a magnificent final with two of the top teams in the league competing for the magnificent shield.
Mark Kneen
Spar Mixed Doubles
There was a turnout of 35 pairs for the tournament with some excellent bowling throughout the day but it was David Bradford and Nicola Kneale, playing in her very first competition, that went on to win the event with a resounding 21-11 victory over Phil Kerruish & Amanda Lawler in the final.
Losing semi finalists were Harry & Joyce Kelly along with Paul Firth & Bob Clark. Fallers at the quarter final stage were Trish Bull & Ray Watterson; Phillipa Fletcher & Alec Taylor; Zoe & Sid Bolton together with John Keenan & Diane Hartup.
At the conclusion of the event, John Keenan, Vice President of Ballaugh Bowling Club, presented the trophy and prizes after paying particular thanks to the generosity of SPAR, the sponsors for the second year.
Ramsey Town Cup
David Bradford was the worthy winner of the magnificent Ramsey Town Cup at Morragh Park on Saturday with a dominant 21-9 final win over Paul Leece. Bradford got ahead and stayed there and on this occasion was too good for his opponent, who must also be commended as he played excellently all day to reach the final.
In the Semi- Finals Bradford knocked out newcomer Geoff Porter 21-11. Porter may have fell short this time but he is one to watch after only just taking up the sport this season. In fact in his quarter final he eliminated Island Champion Glynn Hargraves 21-13 which goes to show the progress he has already made!
In the other Semi-final Leece had his work cut out against the hard to handle Syd Bolton before progressing with a narrow 21-18 win. Other Quarter finalists were Brian Colquitt, Tony Smart and Peter Collister. At the conclusion of the competition prizes were presented on behalf of Ramsey Town Commissioners by Dr Alanson, head of parks and leisure.
Report by Mark Kneen
Omega Cup
The morning mist cleared to give a fine afternoon at South Ramsey on Saturday 13 July where a field of 25 gathered to compete for the Omega Cup. The very fast green did not suit everybody but games were played in good spirit punctuated by gasps of disbelief as woods trickled off the edge.
Quarter-finals: Philippa Fletcher 21, Mary Simmonds 14; Lyn Bolton 21, Jill Quayle 8; Rita Callan 21, Elaine Moore 12; Jenny Moore 21, Maureen Payne 9.
Semi-finals: Lyn Bolton 21, Philippa Fletcher 13; Jenny Moore 21, Rita Callan 13
With games starting off 3 the final started with the players matching each other up to 9-9 when Lyn went into a 13-10 lead. Jenny then got hold of the jack and gave a thrilling exhibition of playing a fast green which, despite Lyn also playing some good woods which did not count, took her through to win 21-13.
The presentation was made by Ladies’ President Moira Anderson who thanked everyone who had contributed to the success of the afternoon.
Report by Heather Horsburgh
Jean Kelly Winners
Congratulations to Raymotors Mooragh Park Ladies on winning the Jean Kelly
Onchan pip South Ramsey
South Ramsey A continued where they left off last week putting pressure on the top three with a magnificent four points away at Onchan A. This really is an indication that the northerners mean business and are in great form as they pushed the champions all the way drawing on games but just losing out on the aggregate points to go down 6-4.
There are a lot of positives for the Ramsey outfit to draw on and non-more so that the signs that former greats Andy Kennish and Peter Collister are now getting back to their best and a match for anyone on their day. They entertain third placed Douglas A tonight and a win by over 4 points would see them leapfrog their rivals into the much coveted third spot.
Onchan A surrendered top spot despite beating South and will be hoping to regain it tonight with a maximum against Peel A at home. The Govags beat Onchan last time out and the champions have along memory and will be hoping to right that wrong at the Park.
Marown A put in another strong display with a 9-1 victory over Castletown B to regain top spot with a game in hand over their closest rivals. They face Port St Mary A at home tonight and will be hoping that they can do enough to at least match Onchan’s result to allow them to maximise the effect of their game in hand next week.
If they win big tonight and next week I honestly think that there will be too much daylight between them and the chasing pack and that the championship will be heading to the memorial playing fields.
Douglas A won away from home 7-3 at Ballaugh A to keep them in the hunt for minor places ahead of their showdown with South tonight. If they escape with 4 or more points it will a great result for the Villa Men.
Castletown A remain in fifth place after a solid 7-3 home win over Port St Mary A, but have a game in hand on both South and Douglas and will want their rivals to take points off each other to allow them to close the gap. Town travel to North Ramsey A and will have their work cut out after North picked up a good 7-3 victory over Peel A last week to find some form.
I see this week as a turning point in the season a lot of the top outfits have the chance to throw down the gauntlet to their rivals and this week’s results could be fundamental in determining the fate of the top 3 place.
Division 2 leaders Port St Mary B put in a blistering performance to defeat fourth placed Finch Hill A 9-1 to extend their lead at the top and give themselves some breathing space in the title race. They face second placed Castletown C tonight at home and a big win will put them firmly in the driving seat for top honours.
Town C will be up for a challenge and after picking up a good 6-4 win last week away at the tricky Finch Hill B will hope to get some really valuable points from tonight’s top of the table match up.
Third placed Port Erin A won 6-4 at the battling Castletown D and find themselves equal on points with town C and will be hoping they can take advantage of their rivals facing off with a big win at home over Ballaugh B to move them up the tree.
Nobles Park A remain at the summit of division 3 after battling to a 6-4 win away at South Ramsey B last week.
North Ramsey B are the surprise package of this division and as this talented bunch of mainly new players find their feet they could become the force to be reckoned with. They picked up brilliant 7-3 away win over then second placed Onchan C to swap places with their rivals and move into the promotion places for the first time.
Onchan C were the early pace setters in this division and a recent slump have form has seen them falling down the table they really need to get hold of this soon if they are to genuine contenders for promotion. They have the time and quality to do this but they need to start now and a win away at Nobles Park B on Tuesday would be a good place to start.
Report by Mark Kneen
RNLI
Neil Withers lifted his second cup in two day last Sunday, as he won the RNLI cup at Nobles Mixed Bowling club, after finding himself on the right side of an epic 21-20 final encounter with Matthew Keggen.
It was a truly brilliant final with Keggen doing all the work in the early stages before Withers stepped in and found his customary length over the middle, moving through the gears to go from 13-10 in arrears to lead 20-13.
Keggen didn’t give in however and after trailing the jack set off to the corners where he picked up three quick two’s to draw level. With a great lead bowl he must have thought it was his day however Withers made sure he reached and ran the block for the final point required to secure victory.
Both players were at the top of their game in the semi-finals with Withers beating Trevor Qualye 21-8 and Keggen overcoming June Festival finalist Matthew Quirk 21-7. Fallers in the quarter finals were Arnie Withers, Paul Kelly, Phil Kerruish and Peter Lees. At the conclusion of the competition Douglas Lifeboat President Peter Cain presented the prizes and £150 was raised for the RNLI.
