There was an entry of nine pairs for the Dorothy Piearce Ladies’ Doubles Qualifier played at Finch Hill on Sunday 23^rd. June. The fine weather of the previous days had departed, but the rain stayed away until the event was concluded.

There was one preliminary round game, and Finch Hill players Sue Collier and Norma Cowell found themselves facing the formidable pairing of Jenny Moore and Fiona Kennish. The South Ramsey pair raced to 20-2 but their opponents did not give in scoring a 3, followed by a 2, in the next two ends to  finish with a score of 7.

The first quarter-final was a closer affair than the score might suggest with seventeen of its twenty-two ends being won by a single. However, on this occasion, Jenny and Fiona proved too strong for the Noble’s pairing of Clare Cooper and Rebecca Teare, moving through to the semi-finals 21-7.  Lynda Cadamy and Mary Alderson struggled to come to terms with either the green or their opponents. A powerful performance by Chris Price and Kellie Maddrell saw them progress 21-3.

Shannon McMullan, who had reached the final of the junior girls event the day before, was joined by her sister, Madison, to take on Iris Kermode and Pauline Cowley. Youth won out by a score of 21-7.

In contrast, the other quarter-final, which pitted Philippa Taylor and Joyce Ogden against Kim Hargraves and Elaine Moore, was the match of the afternoon. Kim and Elaine sprinted to a 10-0 lead after just four ends, scoring a 4 and a 3.  From that point on Philippa and Joyce had the better of it scoring 18 points to their opponents 11, but unfortunately they had left themselves too high a mountain to climb and had to bow out 21-18.

In the first semi-final Jenny and Fiona played Chris and Kellie. The pairs won ten ends each, but with Jenny and Fiona having a four and a three, with only two singles they scored 21 to their opponents 13. Kim and Elaine faced Shannon and Madison, and were faced with quite a struggle in the first half, the younger pair being 9-8 up after nine ends. However experience told and Elaine and Kim did not relinquish the jack again, progressing to the final 21-9.

In the final, an all South Ramsey affair, Kim and Elaine shot out of the starting blocks to lead 14-5 after eleven ends. The pairs were evenly matched over the rest of the game, but Jenny and Fiona were unable to make any inroads into the lead.

Elaine and Kim took the match 21-12 and will be representing the island in the Dorothy Piearce Memorial Pairs competition at Ashton in Makerfield on Saturday 10^th. August.

Thanks go to Finch Hill for the use of their green and facilities, and also the help given by their members during the afternoon.

There was a magnificent entry of fifteen for the Junior Girls Merit Qualifier held at Marown on Saturday 22 June. The weather was beautiful and the standard of play during the morning confirmed that the future of ladies’ bowls on the island is in safe hands.

Several of the girls were competing for the first time and it is to be hoped they enjoyed themselves. Spectators were impressed by all the girls, and it was commented by one that they were a splendid advertisement for the game.

In the first round,  Grace Quayle and Emily Cooper had a ding-dong battle, keeping level to 17-17, when Grace won three ends on the trot to win 21-17. Another close game saw Grace Gawne get off to a flyer, leading 15-6 before Bailey McMullan pulled back to 12-16. Even at 20-14 Bailey persevered, before Grace eventually came through 21-16.

Grace Cooper, Melody Marsh and Lily Gawne did well to reach double figures against more experienced players, while, although falling just short with scores of 9, Aalish Moore and Megan Hargraves can feel pleased with their performances – the score doesn’t always tell the full story !

The star quarter-final match pitted Rebekah Kelly against Aalish Howarth. Rebekah had the better start, taking a 14-11 lead before Aalish pulled back to 15-15, then 17-17. Rebekah reached 20 first but we all know how elusive that last point can be, Aalish progressing to the semi-finals 21-20.

Grace Quayle faced Bethany Kennish, and put up a terrific performance against her more experienced opponent before losing out 21-15, While Shannon McMullan eased through 21-11 against Grace Gawne.

In the last quarter-final Victoria Johnson had a tussle with her younger team – mate, Lacey McMullan, before coming through 21-16.

The semi-finals saw the experience of Shannon and Bethany prevail as they each came through 21-7 to meet in the final.

Semi-finals: Bethany Kennish 21, Aalish Haworth 7; Shannon McMullan 21, Victoria Johnson 7

Bethany got off to the better start in the final, racing to an 18-9 lead, at which point Shannon started a come -back but had left herself too much to do, Bethany winning 21-15.

Bethany won the Wilson Trophy, and will be representing the island at Heswall. on the Wirral, on Saturday 7^th. September.

Thanks go to the parents and spectators for their support, and their help.

Thanks also go to the Marown Club for the use of their green and facilities.

There was an entry of thirty-three for the Pre-Festival ladies’ singles, sponsored by the family of Lilian Slinger, and played at Mooragh Park.

Although the event started in reasonable weather, it got worse as the day progressed and by mid afternoon was quite cold and very wet. It was to be hoped the weather would improve for the Festival taking place over the next five days.

The field consisted of local players and some old familiar faces over for the festival, many of whom had not visited the green before and were very impressed with its surroundings.

In the first round there were some close games, four of them finishing on 21-18, Jenny Moore, Karen Hill. Rachel Quirk and Sue Sinclair all coming through by that score against Lynsey Gorman, Sarah Edmondson, Eileen Pye and Fiona Kennish respectively.

In the second round Elaine Moore lost out 21-16 to Karen Hill while Lorraine Hirst came through against Joan Jolly by the same score.

In the quarter-finals, Madison McMullen, following wins against Mary Alderson and Linda Burns, reached a very creditable 16 before going out to Nicola Gilmore, while Jenny Moore and Lorraine Hirst had a real ding-dong battle. The game was even for the first six ends with Lorraine just ahead 12-11, when Jenny took control winning eight of the next nine ends to lie 20-13. Lorraine re-grouped winning the next five ends to close to 19-20, before Jenny took the next end, and the match.

Quarter-finals: Nicola Gilmore 21, Madison McMullen 16; Sharon Rigden 21, Janet Monk 8; Jenny Moore 21, Lorraine Hirst 19; Rachel Quirk 21, Karen Hill 9.

In the semi-finals, which were not so one sided as the scores suggest, Jenny and Sharon both came through 21-11 – jenny against Rachel and Sharon against Nicola.

Jenny made the better start , leading 14-9 after eight ends when six singles put Sharon ahead 15-14. The game was evenly poised at 17-17 when two 2’s gave Jenny the title 21-17.

Association vice-president,. Heather Horsburgh, thanked all those who had entered, those who had helped in any way with the smooth running of the afternoon and the Slinger family for their continued sponsorship of the event, before introducing Mr Norman Slinger to make the presentations.