News: Reports
Castletown A Edge It Over South Ramsey
Ladies night league bowling returned following the two-week break for the TT Races.
Castletown was the in-form team prior to the break and they faced a tricky away match against title rivals South Ramsey. The match produced a low scoring encounter as both teams managed some fine individual performances. Jenny Moore and Elaine Moore won to single figures, with Elaine retaining her 100 percent record. Ann Gale, Lyn Bolton also won for the home side. Amanda Lawler, Hilary Kermode, Hannah Drewett, Kath Kinley and Kim Foy all won for Castletown. Crucially with Castletown winning five games, they won the tie by a narrow two chalk margin 147-149 (4-5).
Champions Port St Mary A, faced a tough away match against Marown and would have been pleased to return south with a well earned 22 point victory. Three players won to single figures for PSM, Wendy Kennaugh 21-9 against Ceila Joughin, Val Macfarlane 21-9 against Margaret Scarffe and Margaret Tasker beat Mia Moore 21-4. Jayne Kneen (PSM) lost her unbeaten record as Lil Smith won 21-15 and Philippa Taylor defeated Ann Maddrell 21-5. The final score 138-160 (4-5).
Nobles defeated Ballaugh 188-128 (8-1) with Rebecca Teare and Sylvia Kennaugh winning to single figures. Cath Harvey (Ballaugh) lost her 100 percent record after losing 21-15 to Jayne Smith. Ballaugh’s sole win came from Barbara Graham who battled from behind to defeat Debbie Leece 21-20.
Port St Mary B had a convincing win at home against Onchan with Linda Dawson and Edwina Reid both winning 21-9. Dot Mylchreest, Pauline Worrall, Lesley Coker and Rita Callister also won for PSM. Onchan won three games from Dee Lewis, Wendy McDowell and Sue Gawne. Final score 163-136 (6-3)
Castletown B won four games at home against Port Erin but was unable to prevent the away side winning by 26 chalks. Rachel Palmer was the standout home player winning 21-8 and youngster Charlotte Peach won her first ever league game with a brilliant 21-18 win over Voirrey Curphey. Jenny Cain and Di Benson won to single figures for Port Erin helping them to victory. Result 137-163 (4-5).
The final match came from the North where Mooragh Park took on Douglas. Mooragh managed to overturn losing 5-4 on games as Helen Martin, Janet Monk and Caroline Parker all won to single figures. Paula Garett picked up the best score for Douglas winning 21-8 in her game. Final score 154-130 (4-5).
South Ramsey remain top having played an extra game over their rivals but sit out next week allowing the teams to catch up. The top four by averages see Castletown and Nobles leading on 170 with Port St Mary on 163 and South Ramsey 159.
Last week the semi-finals of the Jean Kelly Handicap Competition were contested. South Ramsey (+5) defeated Nobles (+10) 162-143 (4-5) and Mooragh Park (30) lost at home to Port St Mary A (0) 156-176 (3-6). The final will take place on Thursday 11th July at Onchan Bowling Club.
Lilian Slinger Pre-Festival
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.
Dunn Wins Ballacashtal Cup
Ballacashtal Cup Winner 2019
Photo: Arnie WithersThe Ballacashtal Cup was held on Sunday which attracted an entry of 61, made up of local and visiting bowlers. The Castletown green was in excellent condition with the players in the early rounds producing some exciting bowling with great atmosphere and plenty of banter.
At the quarter finals seven of the eight players were local men, and again some excellent bowling, which entertained the spectators. Losing out were Port St Mary’s Paul Skelly to Paul Dunn (Marown) 13-21, with Glenn Boland (Noble’s) losing to the same score against Neil Withers (Marown). Also losing out in a close game was James Teare (South Ramsey) to another Marown man Manx Champion Colin Kelly 19-21, whilst the furthest visitor was Paul Bailey (Meersbrook) who also lost 19-21 to Peel favourite Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly.
The semi-finals produced some phenomenal bowling and the games could have gone either way, such was the standard with Dunn booking his place in the final with a 21-18 win, whilst Barney had to work hard to edge over the line 21-20 against Colin Kelly.
Both players were making their first appearance in the final of this competition, with Kelly starting as favourite having won a number of the games top prizes over the years, whilst Dunn who won his first open competition last season is the man in form.
The final started with Kelly taking a 10-7 lead, only for Dunn to respond by winning the next seven ends to take the lead 16-10. Barney kept chipping away to reduce the deficit, however it wasn’t enough with Dunn picking up five more singles to take a 21-17 victory to win the famous trophy to top off what he been a great weekend for local bowlers and send an ominous warning to the visiting bowlers who will be hoping to win the June Festival this week.
Many thanks go to sponsors Friends Provident International for their continued support of the competition. The presentation was made by Adam Drewett on behalf of the sponsors. Thanks were given to the greenkeeper and all who helped run the competition.
Microgaming ‘PlayItForward’ Doubles
Microgaming Pairs Winners 2019
Trish Bull & Margaret TaskerThe Microgaming ‘PlayItForward’ sponsored Ladies’ Doubles competition took place on Saturday, 15 June 2019, at Castletown Bowls Club.
The Heavens smiled not just upon the remarkable winning pair of Tricia Bull and Margaret Tasker but upon all 22 pairs who had entered. Blue skies, wispy clouds and glorious sunshine complemented the cheerful spirit in which all of the games were played.
Fighting strong from the preliminary round, last year’s winners Jenny Moore and Fiona Kennish finally succumbed 17:21 in the semi-final to the superb pairing of Tricia Bull and Margaret Tasker.
Congratulations go also to the other semi-finalists, of whom Chris Price and Jean Radcliffe kept the upper hand over Lynda Cadamy and Mary Alderson 21-16 in an equally superb game.
An exciting final saw both pairs exchanging the lead numerous times, causing the watching crowd to ‘uh and ah’ with delight on more than one occasion. In the end, Tricia Bull and Margaret Tasker clinched victory over Chris Price and Jean Radcliffe 21-16.
Bradford Retains Jim Kernan
Jim Kernan Winner 2019
Photo: Glynn HargravesSouth Ramsey hosted the Jim Kernan on Saturday, the first of the pre-festival opens with a good entry of 50, which included nine visiting bowlers.
Losing out at the quarter final stage were Steve Parker (Onchan), who lost out 14-21 to regular Island visitor Andy Mailer. Marown man Neil Withers just lost out 20-21 to home greener Stefan Kelly with Withers letting slip a 10-3 lead on Kelly, whilst Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly (Peel) lost out 18-21 to home greener David Bradford in another close game. Marown captain Paul Dunn having earlier defeated Manx Champion Colin Kelly, then disposed of South Ramsey captain Glynn Hargraves 21-8 with relative ease to book his place in the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals Bradford then returned the favour to see off Dunn with a 21-9 win, with Bradford scoring 11 consecutive points to build a big lead which Dunn could not recover from. In the other semi-final Andy Mailer’s hopes were ended by Stefan Kelly with Mailer losing out 18-21.
The final started with Bradford favourite to win, however Kelly had other ideas performing well to take a 8-4 lead, then keeping Bradford at arms length to retain a four point lead at 13-9. Bradford hit back to level the game at 14-14 and his greater experience helped him get over the line to claim a 21-17 win to retain the title and take home £150 prize money.
The presentation was made by South Ramsey chairman Steve Moore, who thanked those who had stayed to support, everyone who had helped with the running of the competition throughout the day. During his speech Bradford thanked the ladies for the brilliant refreshments provided, also commented on the improvement in the green since the start of the season, with credit being given to the team who have helped get the green into the condition it is now in.
Parker Wins Ramsey Town Cup
Ladies Ramsey Town Cup Winner 2019
After 2 weeks of unsettled weather it was with relief that the Greek God Zeus took a day off and the Ladies Ramsey Town Cup was played on Saturday at North Ramsey Bowling club in the dry despite threatening clouds overhead.
23 bowlers from all over the Island competed for the Ladies Ramsey Town Cup. The entrants included 5 junior players who all proved to be tough opponents with the youngest, Megan Hargreaves from South Ramsey, gaining 16 points against one of the finalists, Tricia Bull.
The rest of the juniors also played very well with the McMullan sisters Shannon and Madison both scoring 18, Victoria Johnson 20 and Aalish Haworth won her match against Katie Johnson which took her through to the Quarter finals.
In the quarter finals Margaret Tasker lost out to Lil Smith 17-21 and Ann Chapman lost to Tricia Bull 15-21. Caroline Parker had a good win against Fiona Kennish 21-12 whilst Phillipa Taylor came out on top against Aalish Haworth 21-16.
Caroline Parker, from North Ramsey, and Phillipa Taylor, from Marown, had a very close game in the semi finals, which was thrilling to watch as it reached “all-but” across. However, it was Caroline who just managed to win the last all-important point to take the game 21-20.
In the other semi-final Lil Smith, also from Marown, and Tricia Bull from Port St Mary were neck and neck after 7 ends at 10 across but after 11 ends Tricia had gained a 5 point advantage. Although Lil played some great shots and fought back really hard, it was Tricia who won the match 21-18.
So it was a North against South final with Caroline Parker taking an early lead after 4 ends 12-6 but Tricia Bull dug deep and played some brilliant bowls to reduce the deficit at 12 ends to 16-13. However Caroline managed to hang on and gain the last 5 points winning the game 21-13 thereby retaining the Ladies Ramsey Town Cup in Ramsey for another year.
North Ramsey Bowling Club were very pleased to invite Michelle Quayle from Ramsey Town Commisioners to present the prizes to the runner up (Tricia Bull) and two losing semi-finalists (Philippa Taylor and Lil Smith) and the Cup and first prize to Caroline. Helen Martin, North Ramsey Bowling Club President congratulated all the players, Caroline in particular, and thanked Michelle Quayle for presenting the prizes, the park staff for the improvement of the green and everyone who helped in the running of the event.
Marown Trio Triumph
Threesomes Cup Winners 2019
Photo: Arnie WithersThe Men’s Threesomes Cup took place on Sunday 9th June at Port St Mary Bowling, kindly sponsored for the first time by Equiom IOM. 18 teams took part in perfect conditions on a very good green.
Making it through to the semi-final stages, Neil Withers, Paul Dunn and Darren Kerruish took on club mates Colin Kelly, Phil Kelly and Walter McCarthy. After nine ends Colin, Phil and Walter were just ahead 13-12, on the 10th end they scored an amazing six to go 19-12 ahead. Neil, Paul and Darren fought back to 17-19 before finally losing out 17-21. In the second semi-final Sam Clague, Harry Barton and Glenn Boland took on home greeners Paul Skelly, Dan McCabe and Paul Russell. At 20-15 up it looked like the home team would be in the final. However the teenage trio of Sam, Harry and Glenn scored a four on the next end to put the pressure on. They then went on to score two singles to win 21-20. Amazingly they had also won their previous two games 21-20, including beating last years winners John Kennish, Dido Kelly and Peter Collister in the first round.
In the final, the more experienced team of Colin, Phil and Walter proved too much for the youngsters as they raced into a 17-6 lead. Sam, Harry and Glen couldn’t get back into this match, eventually losing 21-7. Maybe they just ran out of steam after winning three tough matches, but they should be proud of the way they played today.
At the presentation, club Captain Ray Watterson thanked the Port St Mary ladies catering team, Wayne Roberts and Robbie Cooil for running the competition, and everyone else that helped on the day. Ray then thanked the sponsors and introduced Caroline Ashley of Equiom to present the prizes.
NEWSBEAT R.H. GREEN FOURS
R.H. Green Fours Winners 2019
Photo: Ken KinradeSaturday saw a quality field of 22 pairs of all ages entered for the R H Green Trophy at Finch Hill sponsored by Newsbeat and they were blessed with a cloudy but generally dry day and a very good green.
A number of Island players were entered and last year’s winning pairing of David Bradford and John Kennish had a bye in the first round and had a long wait for their first match despite being drawn first.
Steven Waters and James Teare therefore got the draw underway and quickly overcame Ian Kissack and Rob Corkill 21-10 to set up a second round tie against Bradford and Kennish. At the other end of the draw Neil Withers and Paul Dunn got off to a good start beating Derek Allen and Alec Taylor 21-10.
Other notable first round matches included good results for Peter Greenlees and Mike Ashmole, Les Brookes and Pat Maher, Brian Kelly and Juan Killip, and finally Jimmy Sansom and Shaun Seal with several strong pairings also receiving byes.
The long wait for their first match must have affected John Kennish and David Bradford as they had no answer to the steady scoring of Steven Waters and James Teare who won convincingly 21-11. Walter McCarthy and Luke Hyland showed that they would be a force to be reckoned with as they beat Tony Epifani and Reg Temporaza 21-13. Paul Leece and John Ruscoe had a close match with Peter Greenlees and Mike Ashmole but eventually won 21-18, however the closest match of the day was between Kevin Firth and Eddie Carlyle and Les Brookes and Pat Maher with the former just edging it 21-20. The home team of Paddy Murphy and Paul Dougherty had their chances against Brian Kelly and Juan Killip but eventually lost out 21-15 whilst the young pairing of Glenn Boland and Sam Clague pushed hard against Jimmy Sansom and Shaun Seal only losing out 21-16.
The penultimate match of the second round was an all Finch Hill affair as Peter Hughes and John Smith took on John Harris and Sefton Dent with the former coming through 21-15. The final match of the round saw the in-form pairing of Paul Dunn and Neil Withers take on father and son team of Glynn and Ryan Hargraves but Dunn and Withers easily overcame them and demonstrated why they would be contesting the latter stages of the competition.
As you would expect by the time we reached the quarter finals there were no easy matches and the top players were getting the feel of the green and we were treated to some wonderful bowls. In the top half of the draw the match between Steven Waters and James Teare and Walter McCarthy and Luke Hyland was expected to be very close but in the end McCarthy and Hyland eased to a 21-12 victory. Kevin Firth and Eddie Carlyle did enough against Paul Leece and John Ruscoe to win 21-15 and by a similar score Jimmy Sansom and Shaun Seal beat Brian Kelly and Juan Killip. The closest match of the round saw local favourites Peter Hughes and John Smith just lose out to Paul Dunn and Neil Withers 21-18.
The semi-finals saw Walter McCarthy and Luke Hyland pushed all the way by Kevin Firth and Eddie Carlyle but they just did enough to win 21-18 and it was a similar story in the other match as Paul Dunn and Neil Withers overcame Jimmy Sansom and Shaun Seal 21-16.
In the final, Walter McCarthy and Luke Hyland got off to a great start with a four pointer on the first end and led 13-6 before Paul Dunn and Neil Withers put a score on the board. However, Dunn and Withers levelled the score with the next three ends only to see the opposition bounce back to make the scoreline 17-13 after 10 ends. Unfortunately, McCarthy and Hyland could only muster another two points over the next six ends and Dunn and Withers ran out winners 21-19.
The prize presentation was made by Ken Kinrade, Competition Secretary for Finch Hill with the losing finalists receiving £50 Newsbeat vouchers and the winners £100 Newsbeat vouchers and the R H Green Cup. Special thanks go to our generous sponsors Newsbeat, to our ladies for keeping everyone fed and watered throughout the afternoon and to all the stewards, measurers and markers who helped make this a very successful competition.
Peel Edge It Over Port St Mary
In Ellan Vannin Fuels division one Peel A made the journey south to take on Port St Mary A securing a good 4-6 away win on the night. Winning big for the visitors were the experienced Andy Kennish and Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly with both men winning to single figures over Tim Williams and Glenn Hargraves respectively. Tom Kelly recorded a good 21-10 win over Dave McCabe whilst the ‘Admiral’ David Proctor performed brilliantly and will have been buoyed to see off home ‘captain’ Trevor Quayle 21-16. For the home team Juan Hargraves proved he has lost none of his natural ability dusting off his bowls for only the third time all season to defeat Stevie Kelly 21-19. Rob Cooil beat Peter Greenlees 21-11, with Wayne Roberts & Paul Russell seeing off Tommy McMeiken & Jerome Surridge respectively with both Peel men having been in good form so far this season.
Castletown A also slipped to a 4-6 home loss against Marown B with the visitors taking the two points for the aggregate thanks to Juan Killip’s 21-5 victory over David Quayle. Also winning for the Crosby men were the three Kelly’s – Peter, John and Brian. The four winners for the town men were Ian Watson, Peter Oates, Nathan Hamilton and Jordan Drewett.
Douglas A hosted Noble’s A at the Villa with the home team edging the match 6-4 (120-116) in a low scoring affair. Three single figures wins from Merv Sayle, Ian Moore and Keith Rise were the difference to the visitors two single figure wins from Glenn Boland & Tommy Collister.
Marown A edged another point away from the chasing pack with a good 9-1 home win over Castletown B who had star man Bob Clark missing. The sole winner for the visitors was Alan Phair who beat Darren Kerruish 21-8. For the home team Paul Dunn, Paul Kelly & Dean Kipling all recorded single figure wins.
Third placed Onchan A made the journey north to Mooragh Park to take on North Ramsey A with the visitors recording a 3-7 away win on the night. Home captain Allan Callow recorded a good 21-15 win over Kevin Quirk, Gary Merrill beat Frank Watson 21-17 whilst John Cannan beat the in form Jordan Cain 21-20. Winners for the away team were Peter Slinger, Rob Monk and Phil Kerruish, with Steve Parker and Matthew Quirk both winning to single figures.
South Ramsey A took on their B team, with the higher ranked team winning 8-2 to remain in second place. For the B team Austin Hart recorded a fine 21-17 win over the experienced Peter Collister, whilst Steven Waters performed well to beat Alan Moore 21-18. The winners for the A team were comfortable with Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly winning 21-2 over George Brew.
In division two top of the table Ballaugh A took on their B team who occupy bottom place in the table. The A team were in no mood to help out their club mates crushing them 10-0 on the night.
Second placed Onchan B kept up their quest for promotion following their 9-1 home win over North Ramsey B, whilst fourth placed Peel B went level on points with third placed Port St Mary B. The Peel men defeating the Port outfit 8-2 on the night. The two winners for Port St Mary were Tom Collins and Thomas Keggen.
Marown C recorded their first away league win of the season, winning 4-6 away to Peel C. Port Erin A could only draw 5-5 at home to Port St Mary C, they did win five games however their cause was not helped by having to give two walkovers to the opposition. This was disappointing as their lower ranked B team had put out a full team the night before.
Just four matches took place in division three with Finch Hill B recording a strong 9-1 win over Peel D. Junior player Ryan Tate prevented the whitewash with his 21-18 win over Guy Smith.
Douglas C drew 5-5 with visitors Onchan C. The Villa men had only three winners, however they won the two points for the aggregate on the night. It could well have been a 8-2 victory for the home side with James Teare and John Ferguson just losing out 20-21 to Denis Maxwell and Ken Clarke respectively, whilst Greg Brew lost 19-21 to Allan Kennaugh.
Noble’s B hosted their C team with the B team winning 7-3, winning for the lower ranked C team were Noel Ash, Jeff Crellin and Michael Cooper.
Castletown C won a tough home fixture 6-4 against Port Erin B with big single figure wins from John Matheson, Juan Drinkwater and Philip Smith enough to help secure the aggregate.
Bolton & Quayle Win Port St Mary Cup
Port St Mary Cup Winners 2019
Sponsor Mike Caley (Isle of Man Farmers) pictured with winners Lyn Bolton & Trevor Quayle
A total of 22 Pairs competed in this years Isle of Man Farmers sponsored Port St Mary Cup mixed doubles.
In the first quarter final, last years winners Paula and Stuart Garrettat 20-14 up against Lyn Bolton and Trevor Quayle looked like they would reach the semi-final again, however Lyn and Trevor went on a good run to win the match 21-20. The second quarter final Jenny Moore and James Teare beat Alec and Philippa Taylor 21-9. Jenny and James were in control of this match, only allowing Alec and Phillipa four single points. In quarter final number three, Wayne Roberts and Sue Gawne were in control and built up a 15-6 lead and lying two on the next end until Matthew played a great bowl to take the jack through and made a four. Matthew and Alison went on to win 21-17. Glynn Hargraves and Elaine Moore were up against Kim Hargraves and Stefan Kelly in the last quarter final. This was always going to be a ‘friendly’ game. The bragging rights going to Kim and Stefan this time winning a close match 21-18.
The first semi-final, Trevor Quayle and Lyn Bolton took on Jenny Moore and James Teare. Trevor and Lyn took charge of this match winning 21-12. The second semi-final was a bit closer with Kim Hargraves and Stefan Kelly winning a hard fought match against Matthew and Alison Keggen 21-16.
The final between Lyn Bolton and Trevor Quayle against Kim Hargraves and Stefan Kelly was a tight match early on. After 10 ends Lyn and Trevor were leading 11-10, this included two dead ends in which Stefan fired the jack off to keep them in the match. Lyn and Trevor then scored a single, four two’s and a single to win 21-10.
The presentation was made by Mike Caley of Isle of man Farmers. Lyn and Trevor thanked Mike for their continued sponsorship, the ladies for their catering, Ray Watterson for the excellent green and everyone who helped to run the competition.