News: Reports
Top Teams Clash
In the Ellan Vannin Fuels sponsored first division South Ramsey A made the trip to Crosby on Monday night, with memories of last year’s 9-1 defeat fresh in their minds. They gave a much better account of themselves this time round, despite being beat 7-3 and losing the aggregate by only four chalks, they will feel it could have gone their way on another night. The first four games ended all square with Marown A captain Neil Withers taking the first win for his side with an assured 21-7 victory over Peter Collister, with Dido Kelly replying for the visitors with a 21-4 win over Phil Kelly. Matthew Keggen put the home team 2-1 ahead with a good 21-11 win over Alan Moore, shortly followed by Stefan Kelly levelling it up for the visitors with a 21-14 win over Bob Clark.
In the second half of the match the rain came, with South Ramsey looking like they could take an 8-2 win at one point, the Crosby men dug deep to respond. The Islands most decorated players Colin Kelly & John Kennish were drawn to play each other, in a game that neither player could shake the other off, however it was Kelly getting over the line to win 21-18 and in doing so ending an incredible run of 49 consecutive wins in the league for Kennish. John Gelling took on Chas Grills, with Gelling also winning 21-18. Mark Moorley came back from 17-7 down to win 21-20 over Glynn Hargraves, which ultimately earned his team the aggregate victory. Last game off on what ended up an awful night was David Bradford, who earned his team an extra point winning 21-18 over Paul Dunn.
Onchan A have been quietly plodding along this season, with a good 8-2 win over visitors Douglas A to close the gap to five points, this could have been even better with Rob Monk, just losing out 21-20 to Douglas captain Paul Kelly.
Peel A currently sit second in the table, also five points behind South Ramsey by virtue of having played a game more than their rivals, took the trip down to Castletown to take on the B Team, coming away with a good 9-1 win.
Port Erin A were unable to use their home advantage with North Ramsey A being pleased to take a 7-3 win.
South Ramsey B & Ballaugh A continue to pull clear of the relegation battle with South Ramsey beating Castletown A 7-3, whilst Ballaugh beat Douglas B at the Villa 6-4.
The battle to stay up is now looking like a three way fight between Castletown B, Port Erin A & Douglas B.
In the second division Onchan B stayed top thanks to an excellent 9-1 away victory against Port St Mary C, whilst Marown B had a tough trip to take on Port St Mary B, winning 8-2 to stay in touch with Onchan B.
Nobles B continue to make life hard for Finch Hill A courtesy of a 9-1 win, whilst Nobles A stayed in touch with their B Team winning 7-3 away to Peel B.
Port Erin B continue their rise up the table following a 9-1 away win against Onchan C, whilst Douglas C lost 7-3 at home to North Ramsey B.
In the third division South Ramsey D had a good 8-2 home win over Ballaugh C, with Peel C matching their result with a home win over Marown C. Peel C now have a chance to put a bit of daylight between themselves & other teams at the top, as they have a game in hand on their rivals.
Peel D carried on the run of 8-2 wins, following their visit to Douglas to take on Finch Hill B.
South Ramsey C kept their promotion hopes alive with a 7-3 away win against Ballaugh B. Douglas D won 5-3 on games against Nobles C, but missed out on the aggregate by just one chalk.
Onchan A go clear at the top.
As we came to Game 12 of the 2017 Men’s Over 60’s Season it is becoming apparent that this will be an exciting year with a number of teams in contention for the League Title.
Ballaugh A hosted Peel Sunset A and it was the home team who took the honours although a hard fought game between Barry McDonald and Peel’s Leslie Halsall which ended 21-19 to Barry could quite easily have gone either way.
Castletown A beat Nobles B 7-1 at Castletown with the only winner for Nobles being Brian Atherton who beat Dave Hollingworth 21-18. Castletown’s B Team travelled to Nobles Park A and this time the honours went to the Douglas club who won 6-2.
Douglas A travelled to the Mooragh Park to play North Ramsey A and in a match played in a really friendly atmosphere with lots of banter it was the Ramsey side who ran out 5-3 winners. After the match it was not the bowls that was the talking point but it was had Stuey Garrett eaten Norman Radcliffe’s scone with Mr Radcliffe feeling that Stuey was the prime suspect.
Douglas B hosted the North Ramsey B Team and this time the result was a 4-4 draw in a close match at the Villa.
Onchan B played against the Onchan A Team at the ‘Park’ and this although the A Team won 5-3 this could so easily have ended in a shock result as the B Teams Peter Wallis and Gary Lee both lost 21-19 to Mike Alexander and Bernie McPhee respectively.
Peel Sunset B took a 5-3 win from Ballaugh B in a match that had some very close games and the the Peel Sunset C men played a strong Marown side with the latter taking an 8-0 win with Bert Quayle and Phil Clarke getting the nearest to 21 for the Peel side.
Port St Mary B took their passports for the long journey to South Ramsey but the travel was not in vain as they came away with a 6-2 win with the winners for South Ramsey being Bill Callow and Chas Grills.
Finch Hill hosted Port Erin in a match that ended in a 5-3 win for the Douglas side although there were a couple of close games.
So after the completion of Game 12 we now have three teams level at the top on points, these being Castletown A, Nobles A and Onchan A who are all on 20 points and they are closely followed by Marown on 18 points in fourth place.
Game 13.
Castletown A travelled to a ‘hard to beat’ Marown and the home side took a 5-3 victory from the southsiders with the Castletown B Team having a better day at home to Finch Hill in a game that saw the Castletown men running out as 5-3 winners.
Port St Mary B hosted high flying Nobles A and again one of the top teams found the going tough as they were held to a draw by the home side and the Port St Mary A Team made the reverse journey to Nobles Park where they came away with a 5-3 victory.
Douglas B made the journey to Ballaugh B and were beaten 5-3 by the home side in a match that saw a number of close matches and could have gone either way. The Ballaugh A side held Douglas A to a draw at the ‘Villa’, again in a match with close finishes.
At the Mooragh Park North Ramsey B were beaten 7-1 by Onchan A with Bryan Corner being the only winner for the northern side and North Ramsey A travelled to Onchan Park where they came away with a 5-3 victory.
In the ‘Sunset City’ Peel Sunset A beat South Ramsey 6-2 while the Peel Sunset C Team played their Game 13 match the following day at home to Port Erin with the southerners emerging as 5-3 victors.
Game 14.
Top team Onchan A hosted Ballaugh B and despite a spirited effort by the boys from Ballaugh it was the Onchan team who eventually ran out 5-3 winners but it was not all joy for Onchan as Ballaugh A inflicted a similar 5-3 defeat on the Onchan B team back at Ballaugh.
After a ‘blip’ last week when they lost to Marown the Castletown A side had an emphatic 8-0 win against Peel Sunset C while Castletown B travelled further south where they were held to a 4-4 draw at Port Erin.
The forward surge of Marown was slowed a little as they were beaten 5-3 by Port St Mary A and the Port St Mary B men travelled to Finch Hill with the southerners getting a 5-3 win.
Nobles A and Peel Sunset A battled to a draw at Nobles Park whilst back in the west Peel Sunset B and Nobles B also recorded a draw.
In the north of the Island North Ramsey A played their B Team and this resulted in a 7-1 win for North Ramsey A with their only loser being Norman Radcliffe who lost 21-10 to his fellow ex South Ramsey player Brian Stewart.
South Ramsey hosted Douglas A and this match became the fourth draw of the day with a 4-4 scoreline.
So after fourteen games have been played we have Onchan A clear at the top of the League with 22 points and they are closely followed by Castletown A and Nobles A both with 20 points.
Ladies’ Night League Wednesday 17 May
There were no very high scores in the C Tarleton Hodgson sponsored ladies’ league on Wednesday 17 May. In the top of the table clash at Castletown, the tricky green caught several of the Port St Mary players out, the home side winning 6-3 on games, although Ann Maddrell and Margaret Tasker almost added to the visitors’ games tally, reaching 19 and 20 points against Marie Ashurst and Ann Hollingworth respectively. Top scorers of the night were Mooragh Park on their visit to Onchan. The two winners for the home side were Marilyn Ellison and Sue Gawne, while five of the visiting side won to single figures.South Ramsey were successful on their journey south, winning 5-4 on games, but with four wins to single figures they had a good points advantage. Nobles also won 5-4 and despite Rosie Winckle’s win to single figures for Marown, the home side’s three wins to single figures gave them the match .The star game saw Shirley Whelan edge out Alison Keggen 21-20. Purt le Moirrey had the better of Douglas 6-3 with three wins to single figures. Two of Douglas’s wins, by Brenda Williams and Jan Osborne were also to single figures, but it was not enough. Ballaugh showed the advantage of fighting for every point as, despite losing 4-5 on games, they came through to win by 5 points.
Ladies’ IOM Pairs
Twenty-two pairs assembled for the Ladies’ IOM doubles championship at Castletown on Sunday 21 May. Initially the weather was sunny but cold and clouded over mid-afternoon. However the latter stages of the event were played in beautiful, warm sunshine.
The Castletown green was fast-running and its usual tricky self, but despite that there were some very close and exciting games.
The outstanding player in the first few rounds was Rita Callister, showing that age is no handicap as she and her partner, Shelley Kennish, despatched Dot Mylchreest and Pauline Worrall 21-17, Maureen Payne and Chris Price 21-19 then Margaret Tasker and Tricia Bull 2!-20 before losing out in the semi-finals 21-20 to Ann Maddrell and Katy Williams, a game they were ahead in until the last four ends.
Quarter-finals; Sheeley Kennish and Rita Callister 21, Margaret Tasker and Tricia Bull 2o; Katy Williams and Ann Maddrell 21, Lyn Bolton and Paula Garrett 17; Ann Hollingworth and Heike Perry 21, Kath Kinley and Marie Ashurst 17; Debbie Leece and Alison Keggen 21, Philippa Taylor and Joyce Ogden 12.
In the first semi-final Rita and Shelley made the better start being 17-10 up after ten ends. Katy and Ann won five of the next six ends to level at 19-19, then the next end to reach “all but”. their opponents won the next end-20-20. It was all on the last end where Katy and Ann came through to win 21-20.
In the other semi-final, Debbie Leece and Alison Keggen, who had played well all afternoon, kept level with Ann Hollingworth and Heike Perry for the first part of the game, but a 4 and a 3 in the last few ends saw the Castletown pair through to the final 21-13.
The home pair shot off to a 15-10 lead before the Port St Mary girls won five of the next six ends to level at 16-16.Ann and Heike then got the jack back and won the next four ends to take the title 21-16.
The Presentation was made by Association president, Rosie Winckle, who thanked Castletown for the use of their green and their help in measuring, marking etc. She also complimented them on the state of the green. Thanks also went to Heather for running the sheet and Elaine for organising the competition.
Ladies’ over 60’s Tuesday 16 May
The conditions were anything but clement in the Trend sponsored ladies’ over 60’s league on Tuesday 16 May. Peel Sunset travelled North where the gale force winds and “different” green led to some very interesting bowling. The westerners were up to the task, winning all six games, although Ann Chapman almost spoiled the party, reaching 20 against Lynda Wilson. Philippa Taylor denied Port St Mary A a full house against Marown, while it was Villa’s Kay McKiernan who was the fly in the ointment for Castletown. The two winners for Breagle at Nobles were Sylvia Maddrell, to single figures, and Gwen Tuck who edged out Viv Cook 21-19. Kay Primrose-Smith almost levelled the games score, reaching 20 against Sylvia Kennaugh. Ballaugh had a successful journey to Douglas winning 4-2 on games, the two winners for the home side were Sue Caley and Jan Osborne who pipped Ann Gale 21-19.Port St Mary B demonstrated the advantage of fighting for every point, as despite losing 2-4 on games they won the match by two points. Their winners were Chris Holland and Roma Ware, while Dot Mylchreest lost out 20-21 to Jean Quine.
JMS Veterans’ Shield
The four matches in the preliminary round of the JMS Veterans’ Shield were very close and certainly it was a morning when the handicappers could be congratulated. The biggest winning margin was 6 points, posted by reigning champions, Port Erin, against Onchan. Although ending level on games wins to single figures by Jean Thackrah and Mavis Franks left the visitors short even with the handicap. Peel Sunset played host to Mooragh Park and had 45 points to make up on handicap. Maureen Lacey denied the home side a full house and despite their best efforts Peel fell 2 points short. Again it ended level on games at Nobles where Josie Harding’s win to single figures gave the home side a six point advantage which was reduced to one when the handicaps kicked in. Port St Mary B won 4-2 on games with Pauline Worrall winning to single figures as did Kath King for Douglas. In play the home side won 103-98, but the away side’s extra 5 point handicap left the scores level. However in this situation the side that scored the most points in play go through so Port St Mary B move through to the next round.
Marown Ladies’ Doubles
There was an entry of 21 pairs for the ladies’ doubles, played for the Greeba Cup, at Marown on Saturday 20 May. Although cold the afternoon was sunny and some exciting games took place on a green that was running well.
Three of the quarter-finals were very close, homegreeners Lil Smith and Rosie Wnckle took Lyn Bolton and Paula Garrett all the way before going down 20-21.
Quarter-finals: Shelley and Bethany Kennish 21, Josie Harding and Flo Price 17; Elaine Moore and Gill Dixon 21, Kath Kinley and Marie Ashurst 11; Lyn Bolton and Paula Garrett 21, Lil Smith and Rosie Winckle 20; Chris Price and Maureen Payne 21, Philippa Taylor and Joyce Ogden 17.
The two semi-finals were more competitive than the scores suggest, although in both cases the runners-up could only take four ends from their opponents.
Semi-finals: Elaine Moore and Gill Dixon 21, Shelley and Bethany Kennish 13; Chris Price and Maureen Payne 21, Lyn Bolton and Paula Garrett 14.
This left a very tasty looking final and the spectators were not disappointed, as every end was hotly contested. Elaine and Gill had the better start, leading 13 10 after eight ends, at which point Chris and Maureen reeled off six ends in a row to gain the advantage 17-13. A three and a one from Gill and Elaine levelled the scores. The next two ends were shared, then a two for the South Ramsey pair put them at 20-18. In a very exciting finish, Chris and Maureen scored three singles to take the match 21-20.
The presentation was made by club Treasurer, Pat Withers, who thanked all those who had entered and everyone who had helped with the event measuring and stewarding, and those responsible for providing and selling the refreshments
C Tarleton Hodgson Ladies’ League Friday 12 May
Peel Sunset struggled to pass the 100 point mark when they visited Port St Mary in the C Tarleton Hodgson sponsored ladies’ league on Friday 12 May. Joyce Kelly was the lone winner for the visitors, although Mary Moffatt and Shirley Corrin both came close reaching 19 against Kellie Maddrell-Reeve and Ann Maddrell respectively. Castletown won 9-1 on games when they visited Marown, Philippa Taylor being the home sides’ only winner, taking her game to single figures as did Ann Hollingworth for Castletown. Shirley Whelan and Lil Smith both reached 19 points against Hilary Kermode and Heike Perry. Debbie Leece and Rebecca both won to single figures when they visited South Ramsey, but were the only winners for Nobles, although Paula Firth came close to giving them a third game, losing out 20-21 to Kim Hargraves. Ballaugh also won eight games as they took on visitors, Purt le Moirrey, Tracy Moore and Edwina Reid taking two games for the visiting side.Douglas had the advantage 5-4 on games, and winning three games to single figure against Onchan’s one ended with a good points difference. At Mooragh Park all eighteen players reached double figures, with two games going all the way, Mavis Franks and Voirrey Curphey being edged out 21-20 by Julie Reilly and Maureen Lacey.
Canada Life Manx Championship preview
Manx Champion 2016
John Kennish with President Gary MerrillThe 2017 Manx Championship takes place over the weekend of Saturday 20 May, with the Nobles green in superb condition, this promises to be a great weekend of bowls. The competition is traditionally played down to the last 16 on the Saturday, then played down to the winner the following day.
Obvious favourites given their previous festival successes on this green are John Kennish (South Ramsey), who will be looking for title number 10, Colin Kelly (Marown) with five wins to his name, and David Bradford (South Ramsey) who will be keen to add to his 2015 win.
Others who have previous Manx Championship successes under their belt over ‘recent’ history, and will be keen to add to their tally are Andy Kennish (3), Kevin Quirk (2), Glynn Hargraves (2), Neil Withers (1), Ewan Cooil (1).
There has been only eight different winners over the past 20 years, however there are players who will be looking for their first championship win, with David Kelly (Peel), Dido Kelly (South Ramsey), Trevor Quayle (Port St Mary), whilst looking at the ‘younger generation’ Matthew Quirk, Jordan Cain and Rob Monk (all Onchan), Paul Dunn, Matthew Keggen and Bob Clark (all Marown), and Paul Skelly (Port St Mary) will all be looking to pick up their first win.
That said it may well be a name not already mentioned that is crowned Manx Champion, with a few capable of beating anyone on their day. What I can guarantee is a few shocks along the way.
Entries close on Thursday 18th May at 2pm. Remember you’ve got to be in it to win it.
Quirk Seals It With a ‘Kiss’
Henry Kissack Memorial Trophy Winner 2017
Kevin QuirkMarown hosted the Henry Kissack Memorial Trophy on Saturday, with 51 players taking part, it was Kevin Quirk (Onchan), overcoming the challenge of home greener Neil Withers to win the trophy. Quirk got off to a flier in the final going 10-4 up. Withers got back in to have a run of ends to level it at 10-10. At this point, Quirk won the jack back to hit top gear again to see out the game taking a 21-12 victory.
Quirk had to win six games on his way to victory, playing brilliantly all day. Quirk was at his best in his semi-final game beating John Kennish (South Ramsey) 21-14. Withers had a similar scoreline in his semi-final game, easing to a 21-15 over Peter Slinger (Onchan).
Losing quarter-finalists were home greeners Matthew Keggen, Ian Kissack and Colin Kelly, along with Steven Waters (South Ramsey).
At the conclusion of play thanks were expressed to everyone who helped made a success of the competition, with special thanks given to the Marown Ladies for the excellent refreshments provided throughout the day and the ‘grass cutter’ Colin Kelly who prepared the green in the absence of green keeper Arnie Withers.