News: Reports
Kennish Double & ‘Moore’
Bethany Kennish won the first Junior Manx Masters beating Sarah Quirk in the final. The event was well supported with a good entry of 13 juniors. The early stages were played in a round robin format.
There was some excellent bowling from these games that would not have been amiss in the seniors competitions that were taking place later on.
Qualifiers from the round robin stages were Bethany, Sarah, Austin Hart & Glenn Boland.
Bethany & Sarah came through tough semi finals against Glenn & Austin respectively.
In the Ladies event Elaine Moore beat daughter Jenny Moore 21-8. Losing semi finalists were Shelley Kennish & Mary Moffatt. Losing out in the quarter finals were Kath Kinley, Janet Monk, Philippa Taylor & Fiona Kennish.
The Men’s competition had a field of 32. The eventual winner was John Kennish beating South Ramsey team mate David Bradford 21-3. Losing semi finalists were Glynn Hargraves & Kevin Quirk. Losing out in the quarter finals were Chas Grills, Rob Monk, Ewan Cooil & Trevor Quayle.
Full report to follow.
Roberts & Ryan Win September Festival
Welsh wizard Leighton Roberts (Cunliffe) picked up his first ever Isle of Man Main Men’s Bowls Festival title last week at the second time of asking.
After falling at the final hurdle in June last year, Roberts was in no mood to let this final slip through his fingers against former Champion, and festival stalwart, Martin Gilpin (Kendal Vic).
That said he didn’t have things his own way and despite leading 14-10 found himself level at 15-15 and then again at 17-17 as Gilpin, the master tactician from Cumbria, tried to use all his experience to outfox the youngster and add another festival title to his long list of honours.
Conditions on finals day deteriorated with every bowl sent, but not even the foul weather could stop Roberts who dug deep, and when some thought he might falter due to nerves he found the composure of a true champion. as he managed to seal the win 21-18.
Champion Roberts booked his final birth thanks to a 21-12 win over James Wilcox (Crossgates) and a nail biting 21-20 win over Neil Slattery (Nimble Nook), in which he came from behind with some brilliant bowls to edge to victory.
Gilpin was on song in the semi-finals where he eliminated bookies favourite, close friend and Kendal Vic stable mate Ian Nicholson 21-15 after starting the day with a 21-9 win over Graham Higgins (Lower Hopton).
Marown’s Colin Kelly was the furthest local in the men’s main competition losing out in the last eight to James Wilcox.It was a much better showing for Manxmen in general as in June they failed to get a single player to the last 32 of the competition and this time around eight of our own made it to the same stage.
Tracy Ryan (Meole Brace) bagged the ladies title with a dominant finals day display which never really saw her threatened. She lifted the trophy after a 21-16 final victory over Olwen Edwards (Llanfair Pwll).
Ryan was control from the off and after going 11-6 up managed to ensure Edwards never closed the gap moving to 19-14 up before the latter rallied but could never get back on terms.
Janet Monk (Mooragh Park) was the furthest local lady in the competition as she did exceptionally well to make the semi-finals before going down to Ryan 21-10.
Monk wasn’t the only Manx player in finals day and was in good company as Lyn Bolton and Elaine Moore (both South Ramsey) made the last eight. In fact Monk played Bolton winning 21-14 to make the semis whilst Moore fell 21-18 after a highly entertaining affair against Carleen Doody-Millington (Meole Brace).
Thursday morning saw the final stages of the Mens and Ladies Tourism Competitions and there was some good local presence and some brilliant performances as both Glynn Hargraves and Christine Price made it to the finals of their respective competitions.
Hargraves eventually lost out 21-11 to Ian Nicholson after battling hard in his two previous matches, beating Paul Beer (Meole Brace) 21-20 in his first match of the morning and David Halstead (Kirkham) 21-16 next time out. It was a good week for Glynn who showed some of his best form throughout the week, as he also made the last 32 of the main competition and he should be very proud of his efforts.
South Ramsey team mate John Kennish was also in fine fettle to make the last eight before being eliminated by eventual winner Ian Nicholson 21-16 in the quarter-finals.
It was a similar story for Price who won well in her first two games before going down after a fight 21-17 to Sarah Fox (Woodlands Park). In her semi-final she beat Julie Pearce (Meole Brace) 21-12 after taking down Doody-Millington 21-15 in the quarters. Again Christine should be really proud of her efforts as she really did give a great showing in the competition.
In the Men’s consolation competition Peter Yates (Kirkham) took the win with a 21-15 result over Merseyside’s Danny Barwise. Hazel Borrowdale (Nether Field) won the ladies competition with a win by the same score-line over Joyce Jones (Syke BC)
The last chance Mixed Final saw one of the main competitions pre-tournament favourites Chris Slater (Colwyn Bay Legion) produce a good display to beat Martin Middleton (Meole Brace) 21-14.
The final singles competition of the week, the visit.com flyer, saw two locals battling out with Alec Taylor (Peel Sunset) handling the conditions better to defeat Edward Carlyle 7-0. Congratulations to Alex on his win.
As always the doubles competitions provided a lot of entertainment and another chance of success for visiting and local bowlers alike. The main open doubles was won by Dave & Ben Phillips (Lloyd Hotel) who were on song winning 11-2 against Leighton Roberts & Nick Hughes (Cunliffe).
In the men’s event Bob Whyatt & Steve Baskerville took the title with an 11-1 victory over Mel Hobson & Andrew Moore. Jimmy Samson (Douglas) was the furthest of the locals losing out with visitor Stuart Marshall 11-8 to the eventual winners at the semi final stage.
In the ladies competition there was a Manx victor as June festival champion Jenny Moore (South Ramsey) took the crown with Patricia Lonsdale (Morecambe Bay Mixed) as they beat Dawn Bray and Janet Cropper 11-5.
Elaine Moore just missed out on a mixed doubles win as her and partner Tony Parsons went down 9-5 to Paul Drabble & Nicola Gilmore.
Thanks as always goes to the Department of Economic Development for their continued support of what is without doubt one of the premier events on the bowling calendar.
It was also great to see quite a lot of new faces, as well as regular ones, which is a good indicator that Steve Moore and his team are continuing to do a fantastic job in both promoting and running both the June and September Bowls Festivals.
Keenan 4’s Mens Doubles Trophy
Keenan Pairs 2016 Winners
Robert Monk & Matthew KeggenOn Saturday the Ballaugh Bowling Club held the Keenan 4’s Mens Doubles Trophy. With an entry of 39 pairs it was always going to be a long day for both the Competition Hut and the Kitchen teams as well as the players. Despite the forecasted bad weather most of the rain passed us by and the green was running well. By the time the final was played there was blue skies over Ballaugh..
After nearly 7 hours play the winners were Matthew Keggen & Rob Monk who beat Colin & Tom Kelly In the final. Losing semi-finalists were Jordan Cain & Bob Clark and Neil Withers & Paul Dunn and the losing quarter finalists were Adrian Skinner & Kevin Quirk, Mike Hargraves & Ian Kissack, John Keenan & Peter Graham and Geoff Porter & Norman Radcliffe.
At the conclusion Club President John Keenan thanked all those who helped to make it a success and presented the prizes..
Best placed home greeners were John Keenan and Peter Graham getting into the quarter finals with three other pairs getting two games.
Once again thanks to the lades keeping us fed and watered together with Paul Bradford and Ann Gale for help in the Competition Hut
JMS quarter-finals
The last two quarter-finals of the JMS Veterans shield took place on Thursday 18 August.Mooragh Park visited Marown but were unfortunately unable to replicate their form from Tuesday. With Marown winning four games to single figures the visitors had little chance despite a win from Moira Anderson and a 19 from Maureen Wright against Celia Joughin.
Things were much tighter at Port St Mary A, where the home side won 4 games, with Ann Maddrell winning to single figures, the two winners for Ballaugh being Mary Simmonds and Jenny Maddrell. When the handicaps, based on league positions at the half-way point of the season, kicked in, the visitors went through by just 2 points.
MAROWN 138, MOORAGH PARK 112:
Handicap 20, Handicap 45; Shirley Whelan 21, Iris Chiles 5; Celia Joughin 21, Maureen Wright 19; Margaret Scarffe 21, Frances Radcliffe 4; Marcia Pearson 13, Moira Anderson 21; Maureen Quilliam 21, Peggy Freeman 9; Mair Moore 21, Anne Kean 9; PORT ST MARY A 117, BALLAUGH 119: Handicap 0, Handicap 25; Tricia Bull 21, Brenda Bowyer 13; Rita Callister 19, Mary Simmonds 21; Wyn Collister 21, Peggy Griffin 18; Val Macfarlane 21, Ann Gale 15; Ann Maddrell 21, Maureen Trustham 6; Margaret Tasker 14, Jenny Maddrell 21;
JMS SEMI-FINALS
The JMS semi-finals take place on Tuesday 13 September at 10.30 am.
Ballaugh (+20) v Onchan (+10)
Marown (+20) v Port Erin (+10)
Ladies’ over 60’s league
The Trend sponsored over 60’s league came to a close on Tuesday 16 August with Port St Mary A retaining their title with a margin of 200 points over their nearest rivals Peel Sunset who ended 15 points clear of Castletown.
With Ann Hollingworth and Margaret Tasker both losing their last games it left the field open for Maureen Payne to leap-frog over them both to claim the individual merit, with Ann Hollingworth in second place and Tricia Bull just pipping Margaret for third.
Onchan finished the season with a bang, recording a maximum against Breagle, with Lynda Clarke coming through 21-20 against Kay Primrose- Smith, and Steff Swift reaching 19 against Libby Andrade. Nobles won two games at Port St Mary A, Sylvia Kennaugh and Lin Ruscoe coming through Tricia Bull and Margaret Tasker respectively. Runners-up Peel Sunset finished their campaign at Port Erin, winning 4-2 on games with Mary Moffatt and Heather Horsburgh winning to single figures as did Jackie Elliott for the home side.It was a close affair at Villa, ending level on games with Castletown finishing with a two point advantage, while Ballaugh were unfortunately a player short for the visit of Port St Mary B. Mooragh Park finished strongly against Marown, winning 4-2 on games with Peggy Freeman winning her first game of the season and Anne Kean her second.
C Tarleton Hodgson sponsored ladies’ league
The final scheduled matches in the C Tarleton Hodgson sponsored ladies league were played on Friday 19 August and despite losing to South Ramsey Port St Mary are once again league champions. Second place still hangs in the balance as two matches postponed from earlier in the season have still to be played. The match between Peel Sunset and Mooragh Park will have little impact on the overall table, but South Ramsey need to score 163 against Nobles (not an easy task!) to overtake Castletown for second place.
With a game still to play, Jenny Moore looks to be favourite for the league merit but strange things do happen and it is not yet cut and dried.
South Ramsey and Nobles both put in strong performances this week, South having a 5-4 win over Port St Mary, with a comfortable points difference, while Nobles were ruthless against Douglas who failed to pass the 100 point mark. Brenda Williams was the only winner for the visitors, denying the home side a full house. Onchan were once again three players short, although the six they fielded fought well with four wins, a 19 and Barbara Kennaugh’s 20 against Celia Joughin. It can only be hoped that they will be able to find some new players over the winter and come back next year with all guns blazing ! Top scorers of the week were Purt le Moirrey against Mooragh Park, who were also a player short, Caroline Parker being the fly in their ointment when she denied them a full house.
South Ramsey Close In On History
With only a few weeks left of the Ellan Vannin Fuels Crown Green Bowls Leagues South Ramsey A have one hand on winning their first League Trophy and end 19 years of dominance of Marown A and Onchan A.
With Marown sitting out the Wednesday games they needed to better South’s score on Monday however they faced Nobles A who are fighting for their lives to stay in the top flight. Marown came away with a 7-3 win but crucially South Ramsey won 9-1 home to Ballaugh. Wednesday South Ramsey turned in their fourth 10-0 of the season moving them 11 points clear with three games to go.
At the other end Ballaugh A, Finch Hill A and Nobles A are fighting to remain in the 1st Division. Finch Hill have played an extra game than the other two teams and have tough games against Port St Mary A and Douglas A to come. Nobles and Ballaugh face off in what could be a relegation showdown this week.
In Division Two Peel Sunset A are still comfortable at the top of the League despite losing 7-3 to Marown B who are rallying to take 2nd place from Castletown B
Division Three remains tight as only 3 points separate Port Erin B and Douglas C at the summit of the table with two games to go.
Port St Mary Ladies Retain League
Jean Kelly Winners 2015 - Port St Mary
Port St Mary have retained the Ladies League for a third successive season and win their 6th title overall.
South Ramsey may have ended Port St Mary’s undefeated season by beating them 139-161 on Friday night but it wasn’t enough to affect the final outcome of the league.
Castletown beat Port Erin 161-141 in their final game and will hope their 163 point cushion ahead of South Ramsey is enough to hold onto second place with South Ramsey still to play Nobles in a re-arranged game this week
(Photo 2015 Jean Kelly)
W. A. Roberts ladies’ singles
There was a field of 34 for the W.A.Roberts ladies’ singles played at Port St Mary on Wednesday 10 May. The event was sponsored once again by Celtic Associates, represented by Iain Wood who showed how his bowls has progressed since last year by delivering the first wood of the afternoon.
Despite the miserable wet weather the players produced some superb bowling throughout the afternoon, with some close matches and surprise results particularly in the early rounds.
Quarter-finals: Janet Monk 21, Hannah Drewett 14; Philippa Taylor 21, Caroline Parker 18; Margaret Tasker 21, Alison Keggen 10; Val Macfarlane 21, Mavis Franks 16.
Semi-finals: Janet Monk 21, Philippa Taylor 10; Val Macfarlane 21,Margaret Tasker 15.
Janet seemed to become more consistent as the afternoon progressed and Val found herself up against it in the final. Janet played very few loose woods, and although Val did not play badly her good woods were usually removed by her opponent. It was a final of high quality with Janet just having that all important edge.
Kath Looney thanked everyone for coming and those who stayed to the end. Thanks also went to Celtic Associates for their continued sponsorship of the event, and to everyone who contributed to the smooth running of the afternoon. She then introduced Iain Wood to make the presentations. Iain had been impressed by the standard of bowling and stated that Celtic Associates would be pleased to continue to sponsor the event next year.
Flo Doan ladies’ doubles
21 pairs entered the Flo Doan ladies’ doubles played at Peel on Saturday 30 July, where the green was running well and the weather stayed fair until the latter stages at which point it became a little cooler. There was some excellent bowling on view throughout, with most players enjoying their games.
Semi-finals: Jenny Moore and Elaine Moore 21, Ann Hollingworth and Heike Perry 19; Helen Martin and Janet Monk 21, Jean Thackrah and Mavis Franks 7.
Helen and Janet made the better start in the final, leading 12-7 after five ends, but Elaine and Jenny won the next 5 ends, which included a 2 and a 3, to nudge ahead 15-12. The Mooragh pair scored a 3 followed by a single to give them a one point lead, but this was the end of their resistance as the pair from South Ramsey had another run of five ends to take the match 21-16.
The presentation was made by club president, Heather Horsburgh, who thanked everyone who had entered, those who had stayed to the end, and everyone who had contributed to the smooth running of the afternoon.
Elaine thanked the Peel club, particularly the green keeper for the beautiful condition of the green.