News: Reports
South Ramsey A tighten their grip
South Ramsey A tightened their grip last week on retaining champions status in the Isle of Man crown green bowls league. In week 14 of the Ellan Vannin Fuels sponsored league, Monday evening saw them romp to a 10-0 victory over Ballaugh A with a (168-84) aggregate scoreline telling the story, they increased their lead at the top by another point on the chasing teams.
Marown A had an impressive 9-1 win away against Port Erin A to keep them in second place, Seamus Whelan was only winner of the night for the home side. Onchan A hosted Douglas B and matched Marown with a 9-1 win, they are now on top form but as good as they may be playing still lost ground on the champions elect.
North Ramsey A were at home to Port St Mary A and secured a 6-4 win by taking the aggregate (155-132). Peel A were the vistors to Douglas A and were looking to bounce back after last weeks disappointment, both teams had regular players missing but a 7-3 win for Peel A puts them back on track and allowed them to leapfrog Port St Mary back into fourth place.
Castletown A and B faced each other in the Town derby, it was A team that came out on top with a 7-3 win and keeps them a respectable seventh place in the league.
Division Two
Division two leaders Onchan B were away at Finch Hill A and came away with a 6-4 win, second place Marown B were away to Noble’s B and secured a 7-3 victory this puts them level Onchan B at the top on 92 points.
Peel B had a storming 10-0 win at home over Port St Mary C and are now in fourth place, Port Erin B had an identical 10-0 win over Douglas C and are now one point behind Peel B in Fifth. North Ramsey B versus Noble’s B was a very close affair, it ended 5-5 with Nobles B taking the aggregate (134-135). Port St Mary B had a good 9-1 win over Onchan C.
Division Three
Peel C had a 10-0 home win over Finch Hill B and puts them six points clear at the top. Douglas D hosted Castletown C and suffered an 8-2 defeat, Marown C won by the same margin at home to Ballaugh C and means the two teams are level on 73 points second and third respectively. South Ramsey had a 6-4 home win over Noble’s C and Ballaugh B had a solid 8-2 win over South Ramsey D.
Onchan Step Up Their Challenge

Onchan A 2017
Back: Kevin Quirk, Peter Slinger, Rob Cowley, Mike Thomas, Phil KerruishFront: Jordan Cain, Robert Monk, Adrian Skinner, Matthew Quirk
Onchan showed last week how they are ready to mount a serious on the two sides above them in men’s crown green bowling league. In week 13 of the Ellan Vannin Fuels-sponsored league, they turned out a very strong team at Castletown B on Monday night when they came away with a 10-0 victory. In doing so they closed the gap on the leading two Division One sides by a single point.
The whitewash included an impressive 21-3 win for Mike Thomas and identical 21-9 score lines for Robert Monk, Jordan Cain and Matthew Quirk.
The problem for the chasing teams is that reigning champions South Ramsey A don’t look like they are about give any ground away to the teams below them. Last week they took on local rivals North Ramsey A at the Mooragh and handed out a clinical 9-1 beating, Steve Walmsey won 21-13 for the North but that was there only joy of the night as they were firmly put in their place.
Second placed team Marown A took on Douglas B at the Villa and ended the night with nine points which included impressive 21-3 and 21-4 wins for Bob Clarke and Paul Dunn respectively.
Peel A were held 5-5 by Castletown A over in the Sunset City, a good result for the visitors but the home side were left feeling they should have done better after losing ground on the teams above them.
South Ramsey B entertained Port St Mary A but could only manage two winners on the night as the away side powered to an 8-2 win with Trevor Quayle maintaining his unbeaten run. Ballaugh A were at home to Douglas A with the Villa men having much the better of the evening with a solid 8-2 win .
In Division Two league leaders Onchan B were at home to Peel B and ended the night with 7-3 win, but second placed Marown B had an impressive 9-1 win over Finch Hill A closing the gap to One point on the leaders.
Noble’s B in third place looking to close in on the top two teams had a 8-2 home win over Port Erin B to keep up their challenge. In the remaining games Post St Mary C had a good 8-2 win over Onchan C, Port St Mary B defeated North Ramsey B 7-3 at the Mooragh.
Lying at the bottom of Division Two Douglas C suffered a crushing 10-0 home defeat at the hands of Noble’s A which sets them three points adrift at the foot of the table.
Division Three fixtures saw Peel D take on Peel C in what turned out to be a well supported and fiercely competitive game, it resulted in 5-5 draw with Peel D down 3-5 on games but winning the aggregate but the five points keep Peel C level with Ballaugh C at the top of the table. At the wrong end of the table Finch Hill B and Douglas D both suffered heavy defeats.
Trend sponsored over 60’s league
Heavy rain on Tuesday 27 June saw just one match being played as Mooragh Park made the long journey south to Port Erin to play Breagle. Both teams are to be commended for playing in the inclement conditions. Moira Anderson won her game for the visitors to deny the home side a maximum score
Monday 3 July
Villa and Douglas played their match, postponed from Tuesday 27 June on Monday 3 July. The “visiting side“ had the better of the encounter, winning 4-2 on games, with three of their wins being to single figures. Pat Kelly and Muriel Cain were the two winners for Villa, Muriel winning to single figures, while Pat came through a tough tussle against Patsy Rush 21-19..
Thursday 6 July
After the chaos caused by the weather the previous week, it was a relief to get back to normal with all matches being played on Thursday 6 July. The only complaints about the weather were that it was “too hot” ! Top scorers of the morning were Nobles, who were denied a full house by Jan Osborne, while Port Erin won 4-2 on their travels to Breagle, three of their wins being to single figures. They did not have it all their own way as Sylvia Maddrell and Gwen Tuck posted good wins for Breagle. Onchan recorded two wins, courtesy of Libby Andrade and Maureen Payne against Port St Mary, while Lynda Clarke reached 18 against Val Macfarlane The match between Marown and Peel was a high scoring battle with all twelve players getting into double figures, the visitors just having the advantage 4-2 on games and a lead of 12 points. Castletown won four games, two to single figures, while Mooragh Park had two wins by Ellie Cowell and Linda Morgan to single figures. It was a nail-biter at Villa with the home side winning three games, one to single figures and the visitors, Ballaugh doing the same. The closest game of the match saw Ann Gale come through 21-19 against Pat Kelly. In the end Villa snatched victory by just 3 points.
Ladies’ League Friday 7 July
It was a night of devastation and destruction, if not quite murder and mayhem, in the C Tarleton Hodgson sponsored ladies’ league on Friday 7 July. Douglas travelled to Port St Mary where the reigning champions, buoyed by their cup win the previous day, were in ruthless form, winning all nine games, five of them to single figures. The visitors’ main resistance came from Jan Osborne who reached 19 against Margaret Tasker. Ballaugh put up a bit more resistance on their visit to Castletown but still ended on the wrong end of a full house. Six of their players reached double figures, with Voirrey Oates reaching 15 against Kim Foy and Alison Millard taking Hannah Drewett all the way before going down 20-21.Onchan were another team who failed to pass the 100 point mark when faced by a rampant Port Erin who won seven games, five of them to single figures. Onchan avoided a white-wash with two winners in Libby Andrade and Sue Gawne. Nobles Also won 7-2 on games, with Paula Firth and Rebecca Teare winning to single figures, while Purt le Moirrey had two winners in Roma Ware and Lesley Coker and very nearly made it four as Edwina Reid and Tracy Moore both lost out 20-21 to Debbie Leece and Clare Cooper. Mooragh Park entertained Marown and won 5-4 on games with Julie Reilly winning to single figures. The closest match-up saw Aalish Hawarth just lose out 19-21 to Margaret Scarffe. Peel and South Ramsey squared up at Peel, but the visitors had the better of the encounter 5-4 on games. A win to single figures by Jenny Moore was balanced by one to Joyce Kelly, but most of the other games were more closely contested , with Jill Quayle reaching 19 against Lynda Wilson and Mary Moffatt coming through 21-20 against Fiona Kennish
South Ramsey Omega Cup
This year the South Ramsey ladies tried a new format for the competition for the Omega Cup. It was decided to do it as a round-robin doubles with partners being drawn.
The twenty ladies who entered were drawn to make ten pairs who were then split into two groups of five pairs, who played everyone else in the group in games of ten ends. The winners of each group then played each other to get the winner and runner-up.
With the weather behaving, to give a glorious warm afternoon, the players enjoyed their afternoon, with a lot of laughter throughout the competition.
In the first group Tricia Bull and Helen Martin came top with a total of 43 points, just one point ahead of Moira Anderson and Philippa Taylor on 42 points.
The other group was even closer with two teams drawn on 41 points. The winner of the group was decided by a roll to the jack. which was beautifully delivered into a tricky position by Heather Horsburgh, and a representative of each pair then delivered a wood. Jenny Moore won that to ensure that she and Fiona Kennish topped the group, while Lynda Cadamy and Caroline Whitehead had to settle for second place.
Then final saw Tricia and Helen face Fiona and Jenny in a match of ten ends.
The ten ends were split with each team winning five ends, but with Helen and Tricia scoring a single at each end and Jenny and Fiona getting three 2’s the cup stayed in South Ramsey.
The presentation was made by Gill Dixon who thanked all those who had supported the event, and praised the cracking bowling throughout the afternoon.
Thanks also went to those who had helped in the kitchen.
Ladies’ over 60’s JMS Veteran’s Shield
The quarter-finals of the ladies’ over 60’s JMS Veteran’s Shield took place on Tuesday 4 July. The very wet conditions meant that only three of the four games took place, with the Mooragh v Villa match to be played at a later date. Last year’s winners, Port Erin, were ruthless in their match with Castletown, winning five of the six games, three to single figures. In reply Ann Hollingworth was the lone winner for the visitors although Anne Oates almost added a second game, reaching 20 against Mavis Franks. Perhaps the surprise result of the morning occurred at Marown. Although the home side won four games, with Tricia Bull and Val Macfarlane winning to single figure for the visitors it meant that without the handicap Port St Mary A had an 11 point advantage. Marown’s 20 point handicap then kicked in giving them the match by 9 points. It was very tense at Port St Mary for the match between Port St Mary B and Nobles. The home side won 4-2 on games with Chris Holland and Lesley Coker winning to single figures. The two winners for Nobles, Lin Ruscoe and Sylvia Kennaugh were in devastatingly good form, with a total of 1 point scored against them. Both teams then had a total of 85, but with Nobles having a five point advantage on handicap, as the away team, they go through to the semi-finals.
Three Teams level on points at the top.
The end of the Bowling Festival which saw a break in the Over 60’s Fixtures also ended a run of good weather with so many fixtures being affected and it has taken some time to catch up on the postponed matches.
As we went into Game 21 we saw Ballaugh A travel to play North Ramsey B and it was the team from Ballaugh that played out a 6-2 win while back in Ballaugh their B Team held South Ramsey to a 4-4 draw.
North Ramsey A took an 8-0 win away at Douglas B in atrocious conditions at the Villa.
Peel Sunset B hosted Castletown B in a close encounter and although it ended in a draw both teams had a chance to get a win in some very close games.
Douglas A travelled to Crosby to play Marown and once more this was a tight match with Marown eventually running out 5-3 winners whilst in an all South contest Port St Mary A beat Port Erin 7-1.
Onchan A hosted Nobles A and took a 5-3 win while back at Nobles Park the Nobles B Team played out a 4-4 draw with Port St Mary B.
League leaders Castletown A beat Finch Hill 7-1 and finally Peel Sunset C lost 8-0 to their Club’s A Team.
Game 22 saw the League Leaders Castletown A travel to play Onchan B and come back with an 8-0 victory whilst the Onchan A Team took a 7-1 victory at Finch Hill.
Peel Sunset A had a comfortable 6-2 win against Ballaugh B but the Peel C Team were not so successful losing 7-1 away to Ballaugh A.
North Ramsey A had a 5-3 win over a strong Port St Mary A side, a result which has to be a setback for the men from the South who have been pushing for a top position this Year.
At the ‘Villa’ Douglas A put up a strong performance to beat Nobles B 8-0 on a Green that was running well despite all the recent rain.
Peel Sunset B went down 5-3 at South Ramsey despite a great effort by Jeff Wilson for Peel who eventually lost 21-20 to Roger Thomas.
Unfortunately as we came to July 4th and Game 23 we still had more rain but despite this only one game was postponed with this being Castletown A against Port Erin.
Onchan A hosted Ballaugh A at the Park and it was the home side that got a 5-3 win while Onchan B must have forgotten to say hello to the Fairies at the Fairy Bridge as they travelled South as they were beaten 8-0 by Port St Mary A.
Peel Sunset A had a successful trip through the Central Valley to beat Marown 5-3 while the Peel Sunset B Team had an equally successful trip to Port St Mary B where they won 6-2.
In the ‘Capital’ Douglas B lost 6-2 to Castletown B and Nobles B beat South Ramsey 5-3.
At the Mooragh Park North Ramsey B lost 5-3 to Finch Hill whilst a little farther South Ballaugh B lost 5-3 to Douglas A in a match that saw some close games.
Game 24 saw better weather and provided better playing conditions and at a sunny Onchan Park the strong Onchan A Team beat Douglas A 7-1 to maintain their challenge for the League Title.
Both of the Ballaugh Teams played Clubs from the South and Ballaugh B beat Castletown B 5-3 at Ballaugh while their A Team drew 4-4 at Port St Mary A.
Castletown a once again sent out the message that they were strong contenders to win the League with an 8-0 victory over Nobles A at Castletown.
Douglas B hosted Port Erin in a match that ended ‘all square’ at 4-4 and at Crosby Marown beat Port St Mary B 6-2.
North Ramsey A travelled to Nobles B where they took a 6-2 win while their B Team were beaten 6-2 at the Mooragh Park by Peel Sunset A.
Peel Sunset B were beaten 5-3 by Onchan B and the Peel Sunset C Team were also beaten 5-3 by South Ramsey.
So after Game 24 we have three Teams level on points at the top, those being Cstletown A, Peel Sunset A and Onchan A.
Port St Mary Win Jean Kelly

Jean Kelly Memorial Winners 2017
Back: Wendy Kennuagh, Chris Price, Kelly Maddrell-Reeve, Margret Tasker, Ann Maddrell, Trish Bull, Val MacFarlane, Win CollisterFront: Jayne Kneen, Katy Maddrell
Port St Mary Ladies have won the Jean Kelly Memorial Competition for a fourth time beating Nobles by 17 chalks 178-161.
For once the weather suited the occasion as the two teams, Port St Mary and Nobles, met at Onchan on Thursday 6 July for the final of the Jean Kelly Memorial competition. It was gratifying to see so many spectators there, enjoying the evening sunshine and some fine bowling.
There were some very close games and when the first block of five games came off, Port St Mary had a narrow lead of four points once Nobles’ handicap was taken into account. The last four games were shared with Nobles having good wins from Rebecca Teare and Debbie Leece, but wins from Tricia Bull and Chris Price, to single figures, gave the victory to Port St Mary 178-161.
The main difference was the winning team’s consistency, with each of their players scoring at least 16 points. The other winner for Nobles was Clare Cooper, while Sylvia Kennaugh reached 19 against Jayne Kneen and Paula Firth lost out 20-21 to Wendy Kennaugh.
Association vice-president, Sue Peach, thanked the two teams for giving us such a good match, and also thanked all those who had come along to support the event, before introducing Moore Kelly, who sponsors the event so generously every year.
Moore thanked his family and friends for providing the food for the buffet, which was much appreciated by players and spectators alike. He then introduced his daughter-in-law, Ruth Kelly, to present the prizes.
Runners Up – Nobles

Front: Sylvia Kennuagh, Lisa Boland, Paula Firth, Debbie Leece, Lin Ruscoe
R & A Grimshaw Pairs
On what turned out to be a glorious Tynwald Day at Marown, the R & A Grimshaw pairs was won by young duo of Jordan Cain and Matthew Quirk from Onchan, they beat fellow Onchan player Phil Kerruish and his partner from Douglas Paul Kelly 21-14.
In the semi-final Jordan and Matthew beat Alan Moore and Nathan Cooil again 21-14, with Kevin Quirk and Peter Slinger just losing out in the other closely fought semi-final 21-18.
The losing quarter-finalists were Jodan Drewitt and Dean Kinley, John Kennish and Glynn Hargraves, Bernie McPhee and Steve Crampton and Bod & Glenn Boland
An excellent entry of 33 pairs entered the competition and the trophy was presented by the hard working greenkeeper at Marown, Arnie Withers.
C Tarleton Hodgson Ladies’ League Friday 30 June
Nobles were top scorers in the C Tarleton Hodgson sponsored ladies’ league on Friday 30 June, dropping just three points. The two winners for Onchan were Libby Andrade, coming through 21-19 against Lisa Boland, and Marilyn Ellison who was taken all the way by Joyce Ogden before taking the game 21-20.Another game to go all the way saw Clare Cooper edge out Maureen Payne. South Ramsey and Castletown also took seven games, but with Helen Martin and Janet Monk having good wins to single figures, as did four of their players, South Ramsey had to settle for a relatively moderate total score while, despite Edwina Reid having a win to single figures for Purt le Moirrey, Castletown managed to pass the 170 point mark. Port St Mary won 6-3 on games and with all of their players scoring 17 points or more dropped only ten points, the winners for Ballaugh being Jane Teare, Barbara Graham and Christine Macdonald. Peel‘s visit to Port Erin saw them come out second best , losing 4-5 on games and by a deficit of 7 points. How well-matched the two teams are is highlighted by looking at their performances this season where they have ended level on points over their two games. Marown travelled to Douglas, winning 5-4 on games, but with Philippa Taylor and Rosie Winckle winning to single figures they came through by a comfortable points margin.