News: Reports
Full House Thursday
The Over 60s league returned after a week off for the Festival with a double week of fixtures.
Tuesday saw league leaders Peel Sunset home to Port Erin with the home side dominating to win 119-80 (5-1). Mary Moffatt had the best result on the day winning 21-6 whilst away player Carole Kaye managed to prevent a whitewash winning 21-14 against Cath Parker.
In a low scoring game Onchan snatched victory from Marown by a single chalk winning 92-91 (3-3). Both teams exchanged big wins with Maureen Payne and Dee Lewis winning 21-9 and 21-5 respectively for Onchan. For Marown Philippa Taylor won 21-6 and Shirley Whelan won 21-8. Crucially in the other games for Onchan Marilyn Ellison won 21-14 and Marown’s Mary Alderson won 21-15. With Marown conceding that extra chalk Onchan took the win.
South Ramsey welcomed Port St Mary B who could only manage to take two games off their opponents with South Ramsey winning the match 107-92 (4-2). Elaine Moore top scored in the match with a fine 21-9 win over Edwina Reid.
Nobles played Villa and in another low scoring game lost only by four chalks despite giving a game away. Lin Ruscoe (Nobles) and Pat Kelly (Villa) both won to single figures with the match ending 88-92 (3-3).
Port St Mary A collected a full house beating Ballaugh 126-62 (6-0). Wendy Kennuagh, Val Macfarlane and Margaret Tasker all won to single figures with the result allowing PSM to close the gap on Peel.
Douglas produced a fine home performance to defeat Castletown 106-95 (4-2). Patsy Rush top scored for the home side winning 21-7 with Sue Peach winning 21-8 for the away team.
In the final match from Tuesday League newcomers Mooragh Park B faced their A team with the A team coming out on top 59-112 (2-4). Mooragh Park B will have been pleased to have picked up two wins with Peggy Freeman and Frances Radcliffe both winning.
Thursday saw a rush of full houses with four results ending with 126 maximum scores.
League leaders Peel Sunset had their sit out and could only watch as Port St Mary A notched up their second full house of the week and sixth overall by beating Villa away 57-126 (0-6). Val Macfarlane, Win Collister, Trish Bull and Rita Callister all put in fine individual performances to win to single figures. The result means Port St Mary go top by 124 points having played a game extra.
Marown’s green is very fast and they used all their home advantage to defeat Nobles 126-83 (6-0). Mary Alderson and Philippa Taylor won 21-9 and 21-5 respectively to top score for the home team.
Breagle were home to Onchan and were unfortunately a player short. Onchan won all five playable games with the final score 42-126 (0-6).
Port St Mary is another green which following this fine spell of weather is fast and tricky. Port St Mary B took full advantage winning 126-84 against Douglas with Roma Ware top scoring to win 21-7. Douglas were unlucky not to pick up a game with Kath King narrowly missing out losing 21-20 to Mavis Franks.
Further North a local derby took place as Mooragh Park A took on rivals South Ramsey. Janet Monk won 21-2 to give Mooragh a great advantage and despite Elaine Moore winning 21-9 for the away side the home team managed to win four games overall giving them a 18 point victory 108-90 (4-2)
Ballaugh played Mooragh Park B at home and bounced back from earlier in the week to win 118-60 (5-1). Jane Teare, Voirrey Oates and Mary Simmonds all won to single figures for the home side. Mooraghs lone winner was Gillian Malpass who defeated Elizabeth Morrison 21-13.
In the final match held on Thursday Castletown faced Port Erin. Both teams won three games each and in five of the matches the losing player reached double figures. One game stood out and Marie Ashurst top scoring win of 21-6 gave Castletown the edge they needed to win 112-96 (3-3)
Next week sees another break from the League as the Quarter Finals of the JMS Shield are held.
Kennish Reigns Supreme
Association Cup Winner 2018
Ballaugh Bowling Club was the venue for the rearranged Association Cup on Sunday. The green was in fantastic condition, with a smooth surface and it was lightning quick making for testing conditions for the 46 players taking part. The green was as fast as I can recall in my 25 years, which was great to see.
The eventual winner after a long, hot day was John Kennish (South Ramsey) who secured his third successive Association Cup win, defeating team mate Glynn Hargraves. This to go alongside his three successive Manx Championship wins that must be a record to hold both of the top Association competitions at the same time three years running to confirm his dominance of the Manx game.
The final started with Kennish taking the first two ends, before Hargraves hit back taking the next two ends to level the score at 6-6. Kennish took control from there taking four of the next five ends to go ahead 13-7. Hargraves fought back again to get back to 11-13, before Kennish once again had a run with the jack, which was key all day in the tricky conditions seeing the game out with a 21-13 win.
Kennish beat another team mate David Bradford in the semi-final with Kennish scoring six two’s, whilst Bradford was unable to make a two during the game to see Kennish win 21-11. In the other semi-final Hargraves booked his place in the final thanks to a 21-15 win over Tom Kelly (Peel) with Kelly only securing one two, whilst Hargraves scored four two’s.
Losing out in the quarter finals were Arnie Withers (Marown) who had put out Barney Kelly in the earlier rounds, Stevie Kelly (Peel) who had put an end to Dido Kelly’s hopes of a win, Matthew Keggen (Marown) and Sam Clague (Castletown) who performed brilliantly in only his second season of bowls and his first real experience of a quick green to beat Colin Kelly 21-20, then pushing Kennish to the limit, going 20-18 up before Kennish took the next two ends with a double and a single to win 21-20.
At the conclusion of the competition the presentation was made by the hard working competition secretary Matthew Keggen, who thanked Ballaugh for hosting the competition, providing the refreshments and preparing a superb playing surface. Thanks were also given to those who helped with the running of the competition.
Castletown A maintain their lead in Over 60’s.
After the break for the June Bowling Festival the Teams in the Tower Insurance Over 60’s Men’s League were all raring to go on a beautiful warm Tuesday.
League leaders Castletown A hosted Finch Hill A and this resulted in a 7-1 win for the ‘Town’ with the only winner for Finch Hill being Tony Epifani. The Castletown B Team travelled West to play the Peel Sunset B Team and it was the Westerners who took a 6-2 win with John Alderson and the ever steady Peter Curtis getting the wins for Castletown.
With second placed Peel Sunset A sitting it out the most intriguing match of the day was at Crosby where Marown hosted Douglas A on an extremely quick Green. In an encounter which Marown won 6-2 there were some very close games and at the end only 6 chalks divided the teams and the winners for Douglas A were Andy Kennish and Stuey Garrett.
Douglas B Team hosted North Ramsey A and the men from Ramsey showed no sympathy as they despatched the Douglas side 8-0 on a quick Villa Green.
Nobles A travelled to Onchan Park to play Onchan A and despite having only 6 players they managed to take a 4-4 draw while the Nobles B side hosted Port St Mary B at Nobles Park where the side from the South took a 5-3 win.
Ballaugh A took a trip to the Mooragh Park to play North Ramsey B where there was a tight game which ended in a 4-4 draw after a good performance from the Ramsey players. Ballaugh B hosted the other Ramsey side in South Ramsey with this game also resulting in a 4-4 draw.
And finally Port Erin took the short trip to play Port St Mary A with the Port St Mary men taking a 7-1 win with Derek Allen being the only winner for Port Erin.
So with the second batch of games on Thursday we has Castletown A again putting up a strong performance as they beat Onchan B 6-2 at the Park with the two winners for Onchan being Ken Clarke and Brian Woodall with the latter beating Peter Oates who was in contention for the Individual Merit.
The second placed team Peel Sunset A also put up a strong performance as they defeated Ballaugh B 7-1 with John Bolton being the only Ballaugh B winner.
After their good win over Douglas A on Tuesday Marown went down 5-3 to Nobles Park A in Nobles Park while Onchan A took a 7-1 away win at Finch Hill.
Ballaugh A welcomed Peel Sunset C to sunny Ballaugh and they were too strong for their visitors as they defeated them 8-0 while Peel Sunset B travelled even further North to South Ramsey where they were beaten 6-2 with Jimmy Corlett and Phillip Clarke being the winners for the Peel side.
North Ramsey A had a 7-1 win over Port St Mary A with Mike Ware being the only man to score points for the Southerners while North Ramsey B had a 4-3 win over Port Erin with both teams being one player short.
Douglas A took advantage of their ‘quick’ Green at the Villa to beat Nobles B 6-2 and Douglas B travelled to Port St Mary B where the Southerners won 7-1 with Tony Creer winning for the men from the ‘Villa’.
So Castletown A maintain their lead over Peel Sunset A by one point and it is difficult to predict who will win the League although in previous years Castletown A have proved that once they get to the top it is difficult to get past them.
The Individual Merit is currently being led by Andy Kennish of Douglas A and our best wishes go out to Andy as he represents the Isle of Man in the J and J Isherwood Vet’s Merit in Shropshire on Wednesday 4th July.
Quayle Wins Port Erin Singles Open
Port Erin Singles Winner 2018
The inaugural Port Erin Men’s Singles competition was held on Saturday. The green was somewhat heavy to start with having been well watered on Friday but, by the time 30 entrants had trampled all over it in the blazing sunshine, the green improved through the afternoon.
One person who mastered these changing conditions was Trevor Quayle (Port St Mary) beating home greener Ken Horsley 21-13 in the final.
The losing semi-finalists were Paul Quirk (Peel) and Tom Kelly (Peel).
Janet Wins 7th Manx Championship
Ladies Manx Championship Winner 2018
Mooragh Park hosted the Ladies Championship on Saturday 30th June with a field of 26 ladies.
Three former champions, Jenny Moore (South Ramsey); Janet Monk (Mooragh Park) and last years winner Shelley Kennish (South Ramsey), along with Lyn Bolton (South Ramsey), Alison Keggen (Nobles), Amanda Lawler (Castletown), Caroline Whitehead (Port Erin) and Rebecca Teare (Nobles) made up the quarter finals.
Two time champion Jenny Moore defeated fellow club mate Lyn Bolton to book her place in the semi finals and would face Rebecca Teare who booked her spot beating Caroline Whitehead.
Amanda Lawler ended Shelley Kennish title defence and six time champion Janet Monk defeated Alison Keggen.
In the first Semi Final Jenny Moore got off to a good start racing to a 13-4 lead after 11 ends. Rebecca dug in to chip away at the lead but couldn’t get a good run with the block and Jenny ran out 21-13 winner.
The second Semi Final was a repeat of the 2014 final with Janet Monk taking on Amanda Lawler. Janet started the game very well having a run with the block which saw her build up a 11-2 lead after 10 ends. Amanda closed the gap to 9-15 before a run of three 2’s saw Janet close out the game 21-9.
The final got underway with both players exchanging points in cagy a nip tuck battle which saw them level after eight ends with the score 5-5. Jenny and Janet tried to build momentum but with both bowling very well neither could make a break away. After 15 ends, with the game tight at 10-9 to Janet, the first decisive moment came. Janet reeled off a run of 6 ends to build a lead of 17-9. Jenny fought back with two quick doubles reduced the deficit to 17-13 before Janet moved within one point of victory 20-13. Jenny wasn’t done yet and came back finding a long mark which she settle on winning six ends to bring the scores level at 20-20. On the last end Jenny led a bowl which was just slightly tight and a yard through giving Janet room to leave her bowl counting for game. Jenny was unable to better her first bowl and Janet claimed her seventh Manx Championship extending her own record as the most decorated Ladies Manx Champion.
At the conclusion of the competition the presentation was made by Heather Horsburgh and President Sue Peach who thanked Mooragh Park for hosting the competition and to all those who assisted with the running of the competition.
BCGLBA Pairs Qualifier
The Dorothy Piearce Memorial pairs qualifier took place on Sunday at Finch Hill. Nine pairs entered the competition with the hope to represent the Isle of Man in August at Warrington.
The eventual winners were Clare Cooper and Rebecca Leece (both Nobles) who beat Mary Alderson (Marown) and Lynda Cadamy (Port Erin) 21-17. Losing in the semi finals were Jenny Moore & Fiona Kennish and Elaine Moore & Gill Dixon.
Port St Mary Show Why They Are Champions
Following a busy week of bowls for the June Festival the night league returned. The superb weather the island has been treated to over the last couple of weeks has made most of the greens fast and very tricky.
Kicking things off is the top 3 clash of Port St Mary vs Nobles. Second place South Ramsey sat out from this round of matches but were keeping a close eye on the match to see who would be top going into the final matches of the first half of the season. The Port St Mary green was running very fast with the home ladies using their home advantage to great effect to inflict Nobles biggest defeat since 2011.
Ann Maddrell and Trish Bull got Port St Mary off to a flying start both winning 21-2. Katy Williams and Val Macfarlane followed this up winning 21-12 and 21-16 respectively. Alison Keggen got Nobles on the board with a 21-11 victory. In the second half Port St Mary dominated winning all four games with Jayne Kneen 21-4, Chris Price 21-11, Margaret Tasker 21-12 and Kellie Maddrell-Reeve 21-14. The final match score was 179-94 (8-1).
Onchan welcomed Douglas with the match decided by 7 chalks. Onchan won five of the nine available games with Marilyn Ellison top scoring for the home side 21-6. The away side dug in and despite only winning four games Muriel Cain, Wendy Cowin and Paula Garrett all won to single figures to give the away side the chalks victory 136-143 (5-4).
Marown faced Purt Le Moirrey and it was the away side who mastered the very fast green the best taking an overall win by 45 chalks. Chris Holland and Roma Ware won to single figures for the away team with wins also from Sandra Lowe, Win Collister, Brenda Hawkard and Rita Callister. For the home side Rosie Winckle, Elaine Dewhirst and Lil Smith. Final match score 128-173 (3-6).
Peel entertained Ballaugh at Sunset City with the home-side just doing enough to take the victory. The match was tight on games with Peel winning five of the nine matches including single figure wins for Lynda Wilson and Sue Jones. Peel had the edge on the chalks to take the match 168-145 (5-4).
In the final match Castletown A faced their B team for the first time this year with the league newcomers suffering a whitewash defeat 189-85 (9-0).
With one game to go before the half way point Port St Mary hold a 20 chalk advantage over South Ramsey with Castletown only three points further back following their last four games in which they have averaged over 185. Nobles slip to fourth 104 points behind the leaders with clear daylight to fifth placed Peel Sunset. The title race will continue to be lively and I expect these top four teams to shuffle a little more before the end of the season.
Peel Sunset Top At Halfway Stage
The Trend sponsored Ladies Over 60s League returned from the break for TT with the teams reaching the halfway point in the season.
Before Thursdays fixtures South Ramsey welcomed Villa in a re-arranged match from earlier in the season. Villa won the match by 10 chalks with away player Muriel Cain ending Elaine Moores 100% record winning 21-17. The final score 85-95 (2-4)
Champions Port St Mary A were visited by Mooragh Park A who managed to take two wins from the home side with Ann Chapman and Julie Reiley winning for the away team. Val Mcfarlane, Win Collister and Trish Bull all won to single figures whilst Margaret Tasker ended Janet Monks 100% record winning 21-11. Final score 116-70 (4-2)
Peel Sunset have averaged 120 in their last three matches and improved this further by picking up their 5th maximum of the season defeating Douglas A away 48-126 (0-6). The result also means Peel Sunset take the top spot at the halfway stage nine points ahead of Port St Mary.
Marown remain third following their victory away to Breagle 91-116 (3-3). There were wins for home players Steph Swift, Gwen Tuck and Kay Primrose-Smith. For the away side Margaret Scarffe, Ceila Joughin and Philippa Taylor all won.
Nobles faced Ballaugh at home with the home side putting in a strong performance to win 112-74 (5-1). Flo Price and Joyce Ogden both won to single figures with Voirrey Oates picking up Ballaughs only win to prevent a whitewash.
Onchan had a comfortable 15 chalk victory over Villa winning four of the six games. Home player Maureen Payne top scored winning 21-8 with Villa player Joan Murphy winning 21-9. Final score 108-93 (4-2).
In the final match on Thursday South Ramsey were beaten at home by Castletown 85-104 (2-4)
The league takes another week off due to the June Bowling Festival but returns the following week with a double week of fixtures.
Champions Have It All To Do
Champions South Ramsey extended their lead at the top to eight points with a 10-0 away win against Castletown A. Dido Kelly and David Bradford both won 21-3, whilst Chas Grills recovered from a poor start going 8-0 down before winning 21-18. Having competed in the Parish Walk on Saturday Stefan Kelly was quick out of the blocks going 9-0 up on Mike Hargraves before stumbling over the line 21-20. Whilst South Ramsey sit top at the half way stage they still have it all to do in the second half of the season with having to travel to the teams that sit in the top five, Marown A, Peel A, Onchan A and Douglas A.
Marown A sit in second place and will have been delighted to come away from their visit to the Villa with a 9-1 win over Douglas A, which stretched the gap on the teams below them. Captain Andy Kennish spared the whitewash for the home team with a 21-13 win over Phil Kelly. Dean Kipling and Paul Dunn made light work of their games beating Stuart Garrett and Ian Moore to single figures. Paul Kelly and Matthew Keggen were pushed a lot harder by Mervin Sayle and Keith Rise winning their games 21-18. Marown have seven home games in the second half of the season (due to their B Team being in the same division) and only have to face Onchan A away out of the top five, will fancy their chances of closing the gap on South Ramsey A to take their first league title since 2013.
Third placed Peel A once again proved they are force to be reckoned with defeating visitors Onchan A 7-3, on another night it could have been 9-1 with Gary Smith and Tommy McMeiken both just losing out 19-21 to Jordan Cain and Phil Kerruish. Steve Crampton had a comfortable 21-13 win over David Proctor. For the home team winners Frank Watson was pushed hardest winning 21-18 over Mark Kelly. Captain Stevie Kelly had a good 21-10 win over June Festival quarter finalist Matthew Quirk, whilst Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly made it back from his World Cup visit to Russia to beat Kevin Quirk 21-14. Tom Kelly beat visiting captain Peter Slinger 21-13 and Jerome Surridge won 21-15 against Rob Monk in a result that put them eight points ahead of their opponents on the night.
Port St Mary A sit in mid table and made the trek north to take on South Ramsey B, coming away with a 7-3 away win. Wayne Roberts won 21-3 over Christian Caley, whilst Ewan Cooil, Dan McCabe and Thomas Keggen had fairly comfortable wins, with Trevor Quayle pushed a lot harder before getting out 21-18 against Tony Dugdale. Home captain Ben Dugdale led by example winning 21-8, whilst Sid Bolton and Steven Waters both won 21-18 to help secure an extra two points for the team.
North Ramsey A won 8-2 with Allan Callow and John Cannan both winning to single figures. Geoff Porter was pushed harder with a 21-18 win over Seamus Whelan. The winners for the visitors were Steve Durcan and Peter Addison.
Marown B appear to have settled into division one nicely now and have given themselves plenty of breathing space to remain in the top tier following their 10-0 win over Douglas B, who appear set for the drop sitting nine points away from the two teams above them. I tipped Marown B to stay up at the start of the season and they look well placed to achieve this. No doubt helped by a quick green, the Marown players winning to single figures were Brian Kelly, Arnie Withers and John Kelly. James Kelly did well to beat visiting captain Andy Cannell 21-20, whilst another young star Bobby Thorne beat the experienced Pat O’Donohue 21-19.
In division two, word is reaching me that Ballaugh have a running green, which hasn’t been the case for a number of years now, no doubt helped by the recent fine weather and taking advice from Mike Atherton. The A Team would appear to be enjoying this recording a 10-0 home win over Noble’s B. The visitors did have to give a game away due to being a player short. For the home team Steve Grant had a fine 21-4 win.
Noble’s B continue their quest for promotion with a 7-3 home win over Finch Hill A, with their green not as quick as Festival week having been well watered ahead of their match. At the halfway stage Noble’s sit six points ahead of Castletown B, who had a slip up away to Peel C losing 4-6. The match ended 4-4 on games, however Peel picked up the aggregate thanks in part to Bob Berry’s 21-6 win.
Onchan B drew 5-5 at home to Peel B, despite winning 5-3 on games they lost the aggregate by three chalks with David Smith defeating Bernie McPhee 21–9. Onchan returned the favour with Paul Bailey beating Peter Greenlees 21-8, however of their other four winners Mike Alexander, Mike Thomas and Edward Carlyle could only win 21-19, whilst Roger Payne just got over the line 21-20 against Paul Quirk.
Port St Mary B took on their C Team with three big wins for the B Team, Dave Saxon, Paul Russell and Ray Maddrell all winning to single figures. Winners for the C Team were Ken Karran who beat Peter Collins 21-17, whilst Milton Cubbon stepped in to roll back the years beating Tom Collins 21-13.
Port Erin B didn’t fare well on their visit north to take on North Ramsey B at Mooragh Park, with the home team winning 9-1. Sparing the visitors blushes was Christopher Dent who beat Barry Teare 21-15. Winning big for North Ramsey were Alex Yates, Bryan Corner and Brian Colquitt.
In division three match of the week was Ballaugh B who took on league leaders Marown C. The home team had an 8-2 win, which allowed them to leapfrog the visitors to sit top of the table at the halfway stage. The two winners for Marown were Dan Smith and Stephen Rundle, whilst Dicky Watson won to single figures for Ballaugh. The other five winners for Ballaugh rather unusually recorded wins to scores of 15,16 17,18 and 19.
Castletown C slipped up away to South Ramsey C with the home team winning 7-3. This only tells half the story as Castletown gave away three games due to only being able to field five players, which pains me as the club up until a few years ago regularly had four teams competing in the league. James Drinkwater, Juan Drinkwater and Philip Smith all won for Castletown, whilst the two winners for South Ramsey were Anthony Kelly and Paul Routledge.
Finch Hill B closed the gap on the teams above them with a 9-1 win over Douglas D. Greg Brew was the only winner for the visitors beating Guy Smith 21-17. Finch Hill were awarded two walkovers. Home captain Pat Maher and Sam Stannard both won 21-9, with new bowler Brian Murphy winning his second game of the season, along with another newcomer Paddy Murphy who I am tipping to come on leaps and bounds, as he picked up his first league win in only his second league game for the club. It is great to see a player who has recently taken up the game getting around the opens, as this will definitely help improve his game.
Onchan C recorded a 6-4 home win over South Ramsey D, helped in part by Paul Clinton receiving a walkover. Winners for Onchan were Brian Woodall, Mike Kelly and Derek Anscomb. For South Ramsey Matthew Corkill and Ian Moore both won to single figures, with James Moore and Franz Ten Donkelaar also winning.
Peel D had an outstanding 7-3 away win against Douglas C, with Steve Tate and Bert Quayle winning to single figures, John Lightfoot who won 21-19 and Leslie Halsall winning 21-20. Winners for the home team were Parish Walk finisher Juan Readshaw, along with Keith Fearnley and Mike Cain.
Father Is Still The Master
Ken Williamson Winner 2018
An entry of 40 contested the Ken Williamson Trophy at Onchan on Saturday. A hot summer’s day provided a fast green which would ultimately prove beneficial to the home players.
Eight preliminary round games were played with the highlight being young Ryan Hargraves’ first Open game win coming back from 20-13 down to win 21-20.
First round games saw players begin cautiously as finding a length proved difficult. Eight Onchan players eventually progressed through to the second round.
The most impressive result of the second round was Trevor Quayle’s (Port St Mary) defeat of home captain Peter Slinger.
Local knowledge proved decisive in the quarter finals with four Onchan players progressing through to the semi-finals with Quayle losing out, along with the Marown trio of Ian Kissack, Brian Kelly and Paul Dunn.
In the first semi-final Kevin Quirk defeated Mike Thomas 21-13 in the battle of the ‘old masters’ whereas Matthew Quirk came out on top against Rob Monk in the ‘young guns’ contest.
A tense final saw Kevin take an early lead only to be overtaken by Matthew on the 18th end. Kevin regained the block soon after, however, to run out a winner by 21-18.
A note of thanks to Ken Williamson’s family for their continued support & provision of replicas, also to the Onchan Ladies for providing the refreshments throughout the day.