Castletown B ladies recorded their first Over 60’s win of the season last Tuesday (9^th) at home against Mooragh Park B. The result was a three all draw, but the Town ladies won the match by 20 points – result was awaited when reporting on last week’s fixtures. On Thursday morning last week, Port Erin B and Castletown A both recorded maximums at home against Castletown B and Port Erin A respectively. Two of Castletown A games and one in the Port Erin game were won to single figures. Castletown B just missed out on winning a game when Susan Kerruish lost to 20 against Sue Ricketts. Elsewhere, Onchan A had a convincing 5-1 win at home against Port St Mary A. Lone winner for Port St Mary A was Chris Holland who won to 16 against Caroline Corlett.  The home derby between the Mooragh Park teams resulted in a 5-1 win for the ‘A’ team with Gail Corrin and Joy Morris (A team) winning their games to single figures. South Ramsey also had a good 5-1 win at home to Onchan B. The lone winner for Onchan was Sue McCourt who won to 19 against Gillian Jopson. Marown travelled to Ballaugh coming away with a good 4-2 win.  The two winners for Ballaugh were Barbara Graham and Carol Holt who both won to 17. Peel hosted Finch Hill with Peel winning 4-2 on games and by six points. The closest game saw Mary Moffatt (Peel) winning to 20 against Sue Caley. Tuesday morning’s fixtures resulted in Peel getting a maximum away to Castletown B and Onchan A scoring a maximum at home to Port St Mary B with two games in each match being won to single figures. Port Erin A just missed out on a maximum at home by one point against Mooragh Park when Mary Bruce (Mooragh) just pipped Voirrey Curphey to 20. Mooragh Park A hosted Port Erin B winning 4-2 on games. The two winners for Port were Steph Swift and Alison Stockham who both won to 16. Finch Hill had a very good 5-1 home win against South Ramsey. Lone winner for South was Elaine Moore who won to single figures. Marown A were at home to Castletown A and although the match finished three all, Marown won by 20 points with all games bar one going into double figures. On Wednesday morning, the rearranged match between Marown A and South Ramsey resulted in a 5-1 win for the Crosby ladies and by 28 points with Joyce Ogden (Marown) and lone winner for South, Elaine Moore, both winning to single figures. Result of rearranged match between Port St Mary A and Onchan B awaited at time of report.

In the Open Age league on Friday evening, Marown A won 7-2 away at Port Erin and by 82 points with six of the Crosby ladies winning to single figures. Two winners for Port (so I am reliably informed) were the oldest, Rita Callister, and the youngest Caroline Whitehead, who won to 18 and 13 respectively. The home derby between the Castletown teams resulted in a 7-2 win for the A ladies and by 51 points. The two closest games saw Rachel Palmer (B) and Hannah Drewett (A) both winning to 17. Ballaugh were at home to Port St Mary winning the match 6-3 and by 39 points. Christine McDonald and Elaine Fenton (Ballaugh) both won to single figures as did Margaret Tasker for PSM. Peel visited Mooragh Park coming away with a 5-4 win and by 16 points. Closest games saw Madison McMullan and Katie Johnson (Mooragh) and Val Allwood for Peel all winning their games to 19. The matches between Marown B/Douglas and South Ramsey/Onchan have been postponed to Wednesday 31 August due to ladies representing the IOM in competitions off-Island. The rearranged match between Marown B at home to Castletown A took place on Monday evening with the game finishing 6-3 to Castletown with three games being won to single figures. Helen Withers (Marown) nearly made another win for Marown when losing to 20 against Stella Watterson.

BCGBA Dorothy Piearce Pairs Competition: On Saturday, Rebecca Teare and Debbie Leece (Marown) plus Elaine Moore and Gill Morgan (South Ramsey) represented the IOM in the British Crown Green’s Dorothy Piearce Memorial Pairs at Fox Lane Sports & Social Club in England. Rebecca and Deborah were drawn on green 1 against Tasmin Birkett and Rose Walker from Mid-Cheshire with Elaine and Gill on the smaller No.2 green against Mo Corley and Tina Ralphs from North Shropshire. Despite the Island ladies trying their best on tricky greens, they lost to 15 and 12 respectively. The eventual winners of the competition were Belinda Lloyd and Linda Williams from Wales who beat Fay Carson and Janet Hargreaves from Staffordshire 21-13.

Barbara Lee Trophy (IOM Merit): On Sunday afternoon the Barbara Lee Trophy (IOM Merit) was held at Douglas Bowling Club attracting an entry of 16 ladies. The competition was played in glorious weather on an extremely fast green. Getting through to the semi-final stage was Sue Gawne (Onchan) against Fiona Kennish (South Ramsey) and Jenny Moore (South Ramsey) against Tracy Moore (Castletown). Both Sue and Jenny were in fine form winning their respective games to 9 and 11. In the final, and in slightly cooler conditions, Sue started off the stronger leading 14-10 on the 21^st end. Jenny then scored two on the next end and with a final flourish didn’t look back running out to win 21-14. The presentation was made by Chris Holland from the Ladies Association who thanked Douglas for hosting and providing much needed refreshments and all those who stayed to watch and support, but most of all congratulated all the ladies on their performances throughout the day, especially Jenny and Sue for an excellent final.

Peel and South Ramsey both recorded good home wins against Port Erin and Douglas respectively in last Friday evening’s Ladies Open Age league. Peel won seven games to two only dropping nine points, whilst South Ramsey won eight games to one but dropping 13 points. Two of Peel’s games were won to single figures with Beverley Wilson (Peel) just getting the better of Susan Inch 21-20. In the South Ramsey and Douglas match, lone winner for Douglas was Sue McCourt who won to single figures as did Jenny Moore and Gill Dixon for South. Marown A took on Castletown A at home with the match finishing five games to four in favour of the Crosby ladies and by 17 points. Closest game of the match saw Joyce Ogden (Marown) winning to 16 against Tracy Moore. Port St Mary played host to Marown B winning seven games to two with four of the games being won to single figures. Two winners for Marown were Rebecca Teare and Deborah Leece who won to 4 and 13 respectively. Ballaugh travelled to Castletown B coming away with a seven-two win. Closest of the games saw Louise Tebay (Ballaugh) crossing the line 21-17 against Linda Dawson. Battle of the evening was between Onchan at home to Mooragh Park.  Onchan won five games to four and by five points with six of the nine games being won to single figures – three for Onchan and three for Mooragh. Shannon McMullan narrowly missed out on another win for Mooragh when she lost to 19 against Paula Firth.   

In the Ladies Over 60’s league on Tuesday this week, both Marown and Finch Hill scored maximums at home against Port St Mary B and Port Erin B. In the  Marown/Port St Mary B match, scoreline could have been 4-2 to Marown as Brenda Hawkard and Edwina Reid for PSMB both lost to 20 against Elaine Dewhirst and Rosemary Winckle respectively. Likewise in the Finch Hill/Port Erin B match, Port missed out on winning a game when Sue Wilshaw lost to 20 against Anne Hon. Peel travelled to Onchan B coming away with a solid five games to one win with four of Peel’s games being won to single figures. Lone winner for Onchan B was Jean Quine who won to 13.  Port Erin A hosted Ballaugh winning the match 4-2 and by 10 points. Two winners for Ballaugh were Barbara Graham and Brenda Bowyer who won to 6 and 11 respectively.  Castletown A were away to Mooragh Park A. Match finished 4-2 to Castletown with Janet Monk (Mooragh) and Anne Oates (Castletown) winning their games to single figures. Closest game saw Joy Stephens (Castletown) winning to 16 against Maureen Hamilton. At the time of reporting, no result available for match between Castletown B and Mooragh Park B. The following morning, Wednesday, South Ramsey travelled to Port St Mary A. Match finished 4-2 in favour of PSM A and by three points. Closest game saw Gillian Jopson (South) just  losing to 20 against Chris Holland.

JMS Veteran’s Shield: Quarter final results – Marown (+12) 138, Port Erin (+35) 108; Mooragh Park A (+29) 114, South Ramsey (+26) 124; Castletown A (+10) 130, Port St Mary (+23) 115; Port Erin B (+33) 120, Finch Hill (+32) 147. Semi-final line-up on Thursday 18 August is: Marown home to Castletown A and South Ramsey home to Finch Hill.

In the Open Age League last Friday evening, five of the six fixtures were won 5-4; these were South Ramsey at home to Port St Mary, Ballaugh home to Marown A, Marown B home to Castletown B, Onchan away to Douglas and Mooragh Park away to Port Erin. PSM nearly reversed the scoreline in their match against South when Margaret Tasker lost to 19 against Elaine Moore with four of the nine games being won to single figures. In the Ballaugh and Marown match, closest game saw Christine McDonald winning 21-20 against Lil Smith with Elaine Fenton (Ballaugh) and Philippa Taylor (Marown) both winning to single figures. In the Marown B/Castletown B fixture, four games were won to single figures with Martha Butler just missing out on another win for Marown when she lost to 19 against Elaine McElroy. In the Douglas v Onchan match, four games were won to single figures. Game of the match saw Sue McCourt (Douglas) just pipping Sylvia Kennaugh 21-18. Tussle of the 5-4 matches was between Port Erin and Mooragh Park with Mooragh winning by only one point.  Aalish Howarth and Caroline Parker for Mooragh won to single figures as did Di Benson for Port with Alison Stockham (Port) and Shannon McMullan (Mooragh) winning their games to 19 and 18 respectively. Remaining fixture of the night was a good 8- 1 home win for Castletown against Peel. Three closest games saw Hilary Kermode and Hannah Drewett winning to 19 and 18, with Shirley Corrin being the lone winner for Peel winning to 19.

In the Over 60’s league last Wednesday morning, Peel travelled to Port St Mary A and although Peel won 4-2 they won the match by only two points with two games being won to single figures. Game of the match saw Joyce Kelly (Peel) just getting the better of Chris Holland 21-17. On Friday morning, Onchan A recorded another maximum away to Port Erin A with all games, bar one, going into double figures. Voirrey Curphey nearly won a game for Port when she lost to 20 against Caroline Corlett. On Tuesday morning this week, Castletown A scored another maximum this time against their B team. Highest scorer for ‘B’ was Judith Moore who lost to 14 against Anne Oates. Finch Hill had a good 5-1 away win at Mooragh Park B; lone winner for Mooragh was Peggy Freeman who won 21-19 against Iris Kermode. Marown travelled to Onchan A coming away with a three all draw, but winning the match by two points. Closest game saw Lynda Clarke (Onchan) just crossing the line 21-20 against Mia Moore. South Ramsey also had a good 4-2 win away to Peel with all games, bar one, going into double figures. Ballaugh were at home to neighbours Mooragh Park A at winning 5-1. Lone winner for Mooragh was Janet Monk who won her game to single figures, as did Julie Reilly and Brenda Bowyer for Ballaugh.  Port Erin A hosted Onchan B in a 4-2 result for the home side. Dawn Finlay (PE) and Ann Davies (Onchan) both won their games 21-18 with Alison Stockham  (PEB) winning to single figures. On Wednesday morning, rearranged game between South Ramsey at home against Port Erin B resulted in a maximum for South. 

JMS Veterans Shield – results from Preliminary round held last Thursday morning: Onchan B (+33) 121, Finch Hill (+32) 152; Marown (+12) 129, Onchan A (+18) 111; Ballaugh (+23) 111, Port Erin (+42) 151; Port Erin A (+24) 150, Castletown B (+45) 118; Castletown A (+10) 128, Peel (+22) 107. Mooragh Park A and South Ramsey had byes due to Port St Mary B and Mooragh Park B withdrawing from the competition. Therefore, Quarter final line-up on Thursday 4 August is : Castletown A v Port St Mary A; Marown v Port Erin A; Port Erin B v Finch Hill, and Mooragh Park v South Ramsey.

There were three 8-1 results in the Ladies Open Age league last Wednesday evening. These were Port St Mary at home to Douglas with Castletown A away to Mooragh Park and South Ramsey away to Castletown B. Lone winners were Paula Garrett (Douglas) who won to 6; Janet Monk (Mooragh) who won to 7 and Joy Stephens for Castletown who won to 14. Three of PSM, five of Castletown’s and one of South’s games were all won to single figures. The home derby between Marown A and B ladies resulted in a five games to four win for the B team but they lost the match by 23 points with five of the nine games being won to single figures. Closest game saw Helen Withers (B) just pipping Lynda Cadamy 21-20. Onchan and Ballaugh both had good 6-3 wins at home to Port Erin and Peel with Maureen Payne and Sue Gawne (Onchan) and Louise Tebay with stablemate Maria Dimsdale all winning to single figures. Closest games saw Caroline Whitehead (PE) winning to 18 against Grace Gawne and Joyce Kelly edging it 21-20 after a tough battle with Pat Mason. With eight fixtures left to play, Castletown A are currently top with 2304 points but still have a rearranged game to play; South Ramsey second with 2274 and Marown A third with 2203.

In the Ladies Over 60’s league on Tuesday 19^th, Peel recorded a maximum away to Mooragh Park B with Mary Moffatt and Joyce Kelly (Peel) winning to single figures. South Ramsey had a good home win against Castletown winning four games to two and by 40 points. Closest game saw Gillian Jopson (South) winning to 18 against Sue Peach. Onchan A won 5-1 away to Castletown B with lone winner for Castletown, Pat Rigby, winning to 14. Marown travelled to Port Erin A coming away with a 4-2 win; closest game saw Voirrey Curphey winning to 20 against Mia Moore. Finch Hill won four games to two at home to Port St Mary B with Brenda Williams for Finch and Elaine Hawkins for PSMB winning to single figures. Ballaugh visited Onchan B coming away with a 4-2 result with three of Ballaugh’s games being won to single figures. The following morning Port St Mary A were at home to neighbours Port Erin B. Match finished 5-1 in favour of PSM A with Alison Stockham being the lone winner for PE winning to nine. Next day (Thursday 21st), Castletown A recorded another maximum of the season at home to Onchan B with three games being won to single figures. South Ramsey had good 5-1 win away to Mooragh Park B. Lone winner for Mooragh was Mary Bruce winning to 15 against Judy Kelly. Peel drew three all away to Port Erin B but won the match by 15 points. Susan Inch for PE narrowly missed out on another win for Port when she lost to 18 against Mary Moffatt. Onchan A won comfortably at home to Mooragh Park A winning five games to one. Closest game of the match saw Sylvia Kennaugh for Onchan winning to 15 against Gail Corrin. Ballaugh drew three all at home against Finch Hill but won on points with Jane Teare and Barbara Graham (Ballaugh) winning their games to single figures. Closest match of the morning saw Port St Mary A win 4-2 away at Marown but losing by two points. Mavis Franks and Wendy Kennaugh for PSM A and Philippa Taylor for Marown all won their games 21-19. On Friday morning Port St Mary B beat Castletown B 5-1 at home. Lone winner for Castletown B was Judith Moore who won to 15 against Elaine Hawkins. On Monday 26^th, a rearranged fixture was held between Ballaugh and South and although match finished three all, South won by 12 points. On Tuesday morning (26^th), Onchan B scored a maximum at home against Mooragh Park B with Jane Robinson for Onchan pipping Glenys Harley 21-20. Port St Mary B travelled to Mooragh Park A and although PSM B won 4-2 they lost the match by only one point with all games bar one going into double figures. Castletown A won 4-2 away at Finch Hill with three games being won to single figures. Closest game saw Anne Hon (Finch) winning to 20 against Barbara Young. Ballaugh travelled to Castletown B coming away with a 4-2 win, again another close match resulted in Julie Reilly (Ballaugh) winning to 20 against Susan Kerruish. With six fixtures left to play Castletown are currently top, but with the five following teams still having fixtures in-hand, it is still all to play for!  

Last Thursday morning, Onchan A had a good home win against Finch Hill in the Ladies Over 60’s league winning five games to one. Maureen Payne and Sylvia Kennaugh for Onchan both won to single figures with Jan Osborne for Finch winning 21-16. Marown also won 5-1 at home to Mooragh Park A with three games for the Crosby ladies being won to single figures. Janet Monk was the lone winner for Mooragh winning to 14. Mooragh Park B hosted Port Erin B and although the match finished three all, Mooragh won by 12 points with Susan Inch (Port) winning to 20 against Anne Kean. The two closest matches of the morning resulted in Port St Mary losing 4-2 away to Port Erin A but winning the match by one point, and Peel winning 4-2 away to Castletown A and by three points. Trish Bull (PSM), Mary Moffatt (Peel) and Kath Kinley for Castletown all won their games to single figures. The match between Ballaugh and South Ramsey was postponed to a later date. The following morning, Port St Mary B were at home to Onchan B. The match finished three all but Onchan took the honours by seven points.

In the Open Age league on Thursday evening Mooragh Park were at home for their rearranged match against Douglas. Douglas won 6-3 and by 31 points with four games being won to single figures. On Friday night, Castletown A won 8-1 at home to Port Erin with Jean Thackrah being the lone winner for Port. Marown B won 6-3 at home to Peel with Marown’s Rebecca Teare and Rebekah Kelly winning to single figures. Douglas had another 6-3 win but this time at home to Castletown B. The closest game saw Sue McCourt (Douglas) just pipping Charlotte Peach 21-20. South Ramsey entertained Marown A with the match finishing 6-3 to South. Closest game saw Kim Hargraves (South) cross the line 21-19 against Philippa Taylor. Ballaugh travelled to Mooragh Park coming away with a 4-2 win with all games bar two going into double figures. Port St Mary hosted Onchan and although Onchan won 4-2 on games, they lost the match by 11 points. Closest game saw Sandra May (Onchan) winning 21-20 against Margaret Tasker.

The Final of the Plate Knockout was played last Thursday evening at Douglas between Marown B and Ballaugh with Marown off +47 and Ballaugh off +38. First five games off saw Marown’s Clare Cooper giving the Marown ladies a boost by winning to single figures, Rebekah Kelly winning to 16 and Helen Withers winning to 14 with Ballaugh’s Maria Dimsdale winning to 17 and Julie Reilly to 11. With Marown ahead by only 16 points (not including handicaps) at the halfway stage, it was still all to play. Next three jacks on the green saw Ballaugh’s Louise Tebay winning to 18, Pat Mason to 10 and Christine McDonald to 12. Last jack on the green was between Deborah Leece (Marown) and Elaine Fenton. Deborah got the stronger start and not looking back won to 6. Although Ballaugh won 5-4 on games, Marown won the match by 17 points. Congratulations to both teams for playing well on a fast green and treating supporters and spectators to some excellent bowling. Presentation of trophy and prizes was made by Janet Latham, Ladies Association Treasurer.

Junior Manx Ladies Championship: On Saturday morning the Junior Ladies Manx Championship was played at Noble’s Park attracting an entry of 15. Junior ladies were split into two groups played as a round robin.  Group 1 was highly contested with Grace Gawne (Onchan) and Shannon McMullan (Mooragh Park) both tying on 74 points. With only one junior from each group able to go through to the final round, Grace won on a one shot shoot out. Group 2 scores were slightly more open with Madison McMullan (Mooragh) winning with 63 points and progressing to the final with Katie Jacobs (Douglas) runner up on 59 points. In the final both junior ladies played very well with Grace eventually winning 11-6. Congratulations to all the junior ladies, but especially to Grace and Madison. It is hoped both Grace and Madison will be able to represent the IOM at the British Crown Green Ladies Junior Merit competition being held at Heswall, Wirral, first weekend in September.

Ladies Association Millennium Fours: On Saturday afternoon at Noble’s Park, the Ladies Millennium Fours competition was played with an entry of 10 fours. Losing semi-finalists were Lynda Cadamy, Lil Smith, Philippa Taylor and Lyn Bolton plus Jayne Smith, Trish Bull, Margaret Tasker and Chris Holland. The final was between the South Ramsey four of Jenny Moore, Fiona Kennish, Kim Hargraves and Shelley Kennish against Maureen Payne, Paula Firth, Sue Gawne and Caroline Whitehead. First game saw Jenny win to 18 against Caroline Whitehead, second saw Fiona win to 14 against Sue Gawne and third game was the pairs resulting in a win for Shelley and Kim to 7 against Maureen and Paula. Final score 63-39 to the South Ramsey ladies. 

Presentation of trophy and prizes was made by Gill Morgan, Competition Secretary, who thanked all those for taking part and to Noble’s for the use of their green.

At the halfway stage of both the ladies open age and over 60’s leagues, Castletown A ladies are in pole position. In the Open Age, second place is closely contested between Marown A and South Ramsey. The top positions were enhanced by all three teams having good wins last Wednesday night with Castletown A winning 7-2 away to Onchan and by 41 points; South Ramsey winning 6-3 away to Peel and by 36 points and Marown A having a good 8-1 home win against Douglas and by 80 points. Marown B ladies had a good away result at Mooragh Park winning 8-1 with Janet Monk being the lone winner for Mooragh. Ballaugh and Port St Mary A both had good 6-3 wins away to Port Erin and Castletown B with all games bar two in both fixtures going into double figures. Closest games were Pauline Worrall (Port Erin) winning to 17 against Barbara Graham and Barbara Young (Castletown B) winning to 18 against Trish Bull.

In the Over 60s’ league last Thursday morning, Castletown A ladies scored a maximum at home to Mooragh Park B consolidating their position at the top of the league with Peggy Freeman being the highest loser for Mooragh. Second placed Onchan A hosted South Ramsey resulting in a three all match with Onchan winning by only two points. The closest game saw Ann Gale for South pipping Marilyn Ellison to 20. Marown A won 4-2 at home against Finch Hill dropping only three points. The two winners for Finch were Jan Osborne and Wendy Cowin. Another close fixture saw Port St Mary A winning 4-2 and by two points away to Mooragh Park A with Janet Monk for Mooragh and Trish Bull for PSM both winning to single figures. Port Erin A hosted Castletown B winning the match 4-2 and by 44 points. Rita Callister (PE) and Elaine McElroy had a good game with Elaine eventually crossing the line 21-16. Ballaugh ladies were at home to Port Erin B and although match finished three all Ballaugh won by 10 points with all games bar one going into double figures. Last Friday morning, Port St Mary B won 4-2 at home against Peel but lost by 5 points. The two winners for Peel were Mary Moffatt and Joyce Kelly. On Tuesday morning, Castletown A scored another maximum away to Port Erin B with Anne Oates and Sue Peach winning to single figures. The home derby between Onchan B & A resulted in the A ladies scoring another maximum with Jean Quine and Norma Cowell (B) both losing to 17 against Caroline Corlett and Wendy McDowell. Marown and Port Erin A both had good 4-2 wins away to Castletown B and Mooragh Park A. Crosby ladies Rosie Winckle, Philippa Taylor and Celia Joughin all won to single figures as did Elaine McElroy for Castletown, with Jenny Cain (PE A) just getting the better of Chris Sims (Mooragh) winning to 19. Peel hosted Ballaugh ending in a three all match with Peel winning by 15 points. Ballaugh nearly made it 4-2 as Brenda Bowyer just lost to 20 against Terry Berry. South Ramsey were at home to Port St Mary B; match finished 4-2 to South with Ann Gale and Judy Kelly (South) both winning to single figures. The result from Wednesday morning’s match between Port St Mart A and Mooragh Park B awaited.

On Saturday 9th July, Jenny Moore (South Ramsey) and Sue Gawne (Onchan) travelled to Brighouse, Yorkshire to compete in the Ladies British Crown Green Senior Individual Merit competition. 64 of Britain’s top lady bowlers took part with the competition being played on two greens. Sue was the first of our ladies to play playing on the very fast green 1. Sue handled the green very well winning her first game to 16 against Dawn Parkes (Staffordshire). Jenny played her first game on green 2 against Amanda Nicholas (Wales). This green was slower in pace but tricky in places. Jenny, like Sue, handled the green well winning to 14. Both Jenny and Sue then swapped greens to play their next game. Sue took on Sonia Robson from North Warwickshire and with some excellent lead bowls won 21-13. Jenny played Louise Ollerton from Greater Manchester. Unfortunately for Jenny, Louise played extremely well on the faster green and not giving Jenny a chance won to single figures. In Sue’s third game she returned to green 1 this time coming up against Chloe Hirst from Yorkshire. Chloe got to grips with the green building up a strong lead and despite Sue’s best efforts, won to single figures. Chloe went on to win the competition beating Nicola Boulton from Mid-Cheshire 21-20 in the final. Both Jenny and Sue should be congratulated on their performances throughout the day; they certainly did the Island proud.

There were two tight matches in last Thursday morning’s Over 60’s ladies league. These were Onchan away to Peel and Port Erin A away to Finch Hill. Both matches finished three all on games with Onchan A and Port Erin A both winning by only five points. Closest games saw Lynda Wilson (Peel) winning to 18 against Caroline Corlett, and Jan Osborne (Finch) just crossing the line 21-20 against Jean Thackrah.  Ballaugh travelled to Mooragh Park B coming away with a good 5-1 win with Brenda Bowyer and Maureen Trustham for Ballaugh winning to single figures as did Anne Kean for Mooragh. Port Erin B hosted neighbours Port St Mary B with the match finishing three all on games. It could have been 5-1 to PSM B as both Pauline Worrall and Elaine Hawkins both lost to 20 against Alison Stockham and Dawn Finlay. Mooragh Park A visited Castletown B winning by four games to two with three of the six games being won to single figures. On Friday morning, Port St Mary A were at home to Castletown A and although match finished three all, Castletown won by 13 points. The closest game saw Wendy Kennaugh (PSM A) winning to 18 against Barbara Young.

In the Open Age league last Friday night, Castletown A ladies recorded a full house at home against Ballaugh. Julie Reilly narrowly missed out on winning a game for Ballaugh when she lost to 20 against Kath Kinley. Marown A also put in a good home performance when they won 6-3 on games against Port St Mary. The closest games saw Crosby ladies Jo Corkill winning to 20 against Chris Holland, with Joyce Ogden and Lil Smith both crossing the line 21-19 against Margaret Tasker and Nicola Cain. South Ramsey visited neighbours Mooragh Park coming away with a 7-2 win, the two winners for Mooragh were Janet Monk and Aalish Howarth. Castletown B travelled to Onchan and although Castletown won 5-4 on games, they lost by 29 points due to the four winners for Onchan winning to single figures. Marown visited Port Erin with Marown winning 5-4 on games and by 20 points. Helen Withers and Rebecca Teare (Marown) both won to single figures, as did Caroline Whitehead for Port Erin. Douglas had a good 5-4 home win against Peel with all bar one game going into double figures.

Jean Kelly Knockout and ‘Plate’ semi-finals were held last Thursday night.

Results: Jean Kelly Knockout – South Ramsey (+26) 182, Mooragh Park (+59) 152; Castletown A (+21) 184, Marown A (+40) 198. ‘

Results Plate Knockout – Ballaugh (+45) 206, Onchan (+37) 188; Marown B (+50) 200, Port St Mary (+41) 186. 

The Final of the ‘Plate’ to be held on Thursday 14th July with the final of the Jean Kelly on Friday 22nd July; venues for both finals TBC.

Apologies to Jo Smith  from Onchan who was missed in the list of Manx ladies who got through to the last 16 of the main competition in the recent IOM June Bowls Festival.   

Marown A were on fine form in the ladies open age league last Friday night away to Castletown B, although the match finished six games to three for Marown they dropped only nine points. Closest game saw Linda Dawson for Castletown just crossing the line 21-20 against Philippa Taylor. Two other winners for Castletown were Charlotte Peach and Barbara Young. Onchan also had a good six games to three win at Ballaugh with Onchan’s Libbi Andrade, Sue Gawne, Marilyn Ellison and Jo Smith all winning to single figures. South Ramsey played host to Port Erin winning seven games to two with three of South’s games being won to single figures. Two winners for Port were Rita Callister and Jean Thackrah. Port St Mary had a tough game at home to Peel winning six three and by 18 points. Val Allwood nearly made it another win for Peel losing to 20 against Dot Mylchreest. Matches between Mooragh Park and Douglas, and Marown B against Castletown A were postponed due to junior bowlers representing the IOM in England.

Ladies Over 60’s

On Tuesday morning, only five of the six matches were played due to the deteriorating weather conditions. Of the remaining five matches two maximums were scored by Port St Mary A who were away to Castletown B and Onchan A home to Port Erin B. Mavis Franks for PSM A won her game to single figures with the closest game being between Wendy Kennaugh (PSM) and Elaine McElroy with Wendy crossing the line 21-18. Four of Onchan’s ladies won their games to single figures with Sue Wilshaw for Port Erin B getting to 13 against Lynda Clarke. Castletown A had a good 4-2 win away at Ballaugh with all games bar one going into double figures. Two winners for Ballaugh were Barbara Graham and Julie Reilly who both won 21-11. Finch Hill travelled to Mooragh Park A coming away with a 4-2 win and by 21 points with Janet Monk (Mooragh) and Brenda Williams (Finch) winning their games to single figures. Port Erin A played host to Onchan B with the home side winning 5-1. Lone winner for Onchan B was Libbi Andrade who won her game 21-13. Postponed match between Marown and South Ramsey to be rearranged.

On Sunday, the Ladies Association held the Dorothy Piearce Ladies Doubles BCGBA qualifier at Finch Hill with the winners representing the IOM on Saturday 13th August at Fox Lane Sports and Social Club, Leyland, Preston. The competition attracted an entry of seven pairs. At the semi-final stage, sisters Rebecca Teare and Debbie Leece (Marown) beat Fiona Kennish and Kim Hargraves (South Ramsey) 21-13 with Elaine Moore and Gill Morgan (South Ramsey) winning 21-9 against Philippa Taylor and Joyce Ogden (Marown). In the final, although Gill and Elaine tried hard, Rebecca and Debbie were in devasting form playing some excellent bowls for a well deserved 21-10 win. Gill Morgan, Ladies Association Competition Secretary, thanked those who took part, Finch Hill for the use of their green and providing refreshments and wish Rebecca and Debbie all the best for when they play across in August.

Many congratulations to Philippa Taylor (Marown) for being the furthest manx lady in last week’s Bowling Festival reaching the last 8. Also to Joyce Ogden (Marown) and Paula Firth (Onchan) for reaching the last 16.

In the Over 60’s ladies league last Thursday morning, Castletown A and Finch Hill both scored maximums against Port St Mary B and Castletown B. Highest losers for Port St Mary B and Castletown B were Pauline Worrall scoring 11 against Hilary Kermode and Linda Dobinson who lost to 19 to Brenda Williams. Onchan A had a good five games to one away win at Mooragh Park B dropping only six points. Lone winner for Mooragh B was Peggy Freeman. Marown ladies were away to Peel coming away with a four games to two win, but this could have been five-one as Rosemary Winckle just lost out to 20 against Mary Moffatt. South Ramsey played host to Port Erin A winning the match four-two with Dawn Finlay making her first debut appearance for Port. Mooragh Park A visited Onchan B. Match finished three all, but Mooragh won overall by 13 points helped by Janet Monk winning her game to single figures. Following morning Port St Mary A took on Ballaugh at home winning five games to one with the lone winner for Ballaugh being Barbara Graham.

In the Open Age League, all matches were won by the home sides with all bar one match being won five games to four. Spoiling the pattern was Castletown A who had an impressive eight games to one win at home against South Ramsey although it could have been six-three as Gill Morgan and Elaine Moore both lost to 20 against sisters Tracy Moore and Amanda Lawler. Lone winner for South was Fiona Kennish who won to single figures. Closest of the remaining matches saw Marown A winning at home by five points against Onchan. Two highest scoring games saw Lynda Cadamy for Marown winning to 14, as did Grace Gawne for Onchan. Although Ballaugh won five games to four at home against Marown they won by 45 points. Closest games saw Helen Withers and Deborah Leece (Marown) both winning to 20 against Elaine Fenton and Cath Harvey. Mooragh Park won their game at home against Port St Mary by 13 points Madison McMullan (Mooragh) just pipping Kellie Maddrell to 20. Port Erin won by 31 points against Douglas with Caroline Whitehead, Voirrey Curphey and Pauline Worrall for Port all winning to single figures as did Sue McCourt for Douglas. Peel took on Castletown B at home winning by 20 points with Charlotte Clarke (Peel) and Aalish Moore (Castletown) being the highest winners for their teams.

On Sunday the Ladies Association Pre Festival competition was held at South Ramsey Bowling Club. The competition attracted a small entry of 26 ladies, including visiting bowlers and was sponsored by Andy and Gill Morgan.

Getting through to the final was Jenny Moore from South Ramsey, who beat Sally King from Wrockwadine Wood 21-18, and Lorraine Hirst from New Mill Bowling Club who beat Rita Manning from Browmoor Park 21-20.

The final was extremely well contested with both ladies playing exceptional lead bowls. With a little flourish at the end, Jenny ran out to win 21-16. The presentation of the trophy and prizes was made by Gill Morgan, sponsor and Ladies Association Competition Secretary, who thanked those for taking part, South ladies for providing excellent refreshments throughout the day, but most of all to everyone for a great afternoon of bowling and camaraderie.