News: Reports
Trend over 60’s Tuesday 3 May
It was a pleasant morning for bowls on Tuesday 3 May in the Trend sponsored over 60’s league, and with the sun on their backs two teams were able to record maximums. Port St Mary A were merciless against Ballaugh, with Tricia Bull and Margaret Tasker winning to single figures. The best score for Ballaugh was Voirrey Oates’ 16 against Rita Callister. Onchan were even more ruthless against Mooragh Park with four of their players winning to single figures. Ann Keane fought well for the visitors reaching 19 against Jan Kniveton. Joyce Henry spared Breagle’s blushes against Peel, winning her game and denying them a full house. There were some close games with Steph Swift reaching 19 against Joyce Kelly while Gwen Tuck took Lynda Wilson all the way before going down 20-21.Castletown also recorded five wins against a Douglas side who were unfortunately a player short. Jan Osborne was the lone winner for the visitors although Patsy Rush nearly added a second game reaching 19 against Anne Oates. It was a high scoring game at the Villa with all six players reaching double figures. Although winning 4-2 on games, with Muriel Cain and Margaret Corlett reaching 19 for the home side, Port Erin won by the narrow margin of 4 points.
Nobles’ also won 4-2 against Marown with Sylvia Kennaugh winning to single figures as did Mary Alderson for the visitors.
Ladies’ over 60’s Thursday 28 April
Winter returned with a vengeance on Thursday 28 April. The rain caused the match between Douglas and Villa to be postponed to Monday 2 May, while at Port Erin the match was abandoned at the half-way point, the remaining three games to be played on Friday 6 May. At Peel conditions were pretty dire towards the end of the match and despite winning 4-2 on games with a win to single figures by Mona Kerruish, single figure wins by Anne Oates and Ann Hollingworth together with Barbara Young reaching 19 against Cath Parker and Sue Peach’s 20 against Joyce Kelly the visitors won by 6 points. Port St Mary A recorded a maximum away to Mooragh Park, with Maureen Wright being the only home player to reach double figures, while at Marown Gwen Tuck prevented a whitewash for Breagle. The game of the match saw Hesba Skelly just lose out 20-21 to Margaret Scarffe. It was a draw on games at Port Erin, but a good win to single figures by Carol Kaye, together with no member of the home side scoring less than 15 gave the hosts a comfortable points victory. The postponed match between Douglas and Villa saw Douglas with the advantage 4-2 on games and a 28 point victory.
Ladies’ over 60’s league Tuesday 26 April
Four of the six games played in the Trend sponsored over 60’s league on Tuesday ended 5-1 on games. Ballaugh came closest to a maximum, dropping just one point when Maureen Wright edged out Peggy Griffin 21-20. A second game went to the wire when Mary Simmonds had the better of Moira Anderson by the same score. Patsy Rush saved Douglas’ blushes against Onchan, Moire Turner almost giving them a second game when she reached 18 against Rita Callan. Port St Mary A won three of their five games to single figures, the main resistance for Port Erin coming from Carol Kaye, who won her game, and Mavis Francks who lost out 19-21 to Win Collister. Castletown had two wins to single figures in their 5-1 win over Marown, whose lone winner Mary Alderson also won to single figures. Breagle were a player short against Port St Mary B, but managed a draw on games, and Hesba Skelly, with her 90th. birthday looming, reaching 20 against Edwina Reid, losing the match by a mere 6 points. It was also close at the Villa, ending level on games. Muriel Cain won to single figures for the home side, as did Mary Moffatt and Joyce Kelly for the visitors giving Peel victory by 5 points
Ladies’ Night League Friday 29 April
Port Erin recorded the highest score of the night in the C Tarleton Hodgson sponsored ladies’ league on Friday 29 April, against a depleted Onchan team. Dee Lewis was the loan winner for the visitors, while as well as two walk-overs the home side won four of the seven games played to single figures. There were some very close games at Castletown, where despite a close win on games the home team finished with a sizeable points advantage. Sue Peach reached 18 against Kim Hargraves while Marie Ashurst lost out 20-21 to Sylvia Kennaugh. South Ramsey maintained their pressure towards this year’s title with a good win at Peel, winning 7-2 on games with three wins to single figures. The two winners for the home side were Shirley Corrin and Heather Horsburgh. With two good wins, Mooragh Park kept Port St Mary’s total down, although the reigning champions won 7-2 in games, four of the games to single figures. Ballaugh had a 5-4 advantage on games against Marown, although Rosie Winckle almost reversed that reaching 19 against Ellie Faragher. However the home team’s three wins to single figures meant they won by a clear points margin. The points at Purt le Moirrey were very similar to those at Ballaugh, the home team winning three of their 5 games to single figures to give them the advantage on points.
Top Lady
Top Lady Winner 2016
Jenny MooreThe weather stayed fair, if a little chilly, for the Top Lady event played at Noble’s 1 on Saturday 30 April.
The thirty-two ladies who had qualified to play produced some hotly contested bowls of the highest order.
Quarter-finals: Jenny Moore 21, Lil Smith 9; Elaine Moore 21, Alison Keggen 16; Anne Oates 21, Helen Martin 17; Mary Moffatt 21, Mary Alderson 8
The first semi-final saw mother, Elaine, against daughter, Jenny. Despite Jenny winning the first three ends the first half of the match was evenly contested with the scores level, 10-10, after fourteen ends. At this point Jenny took control, coming through to win 21-12.
In the other semi-final after a cagey beginning, Mary won four ends in a row, then Anne did the same levelling the score 7-7. After another single each Mary prevailed, booking her place in the final 21-11.
In the final Mary had the advantage 6-5 after nine ends, then levelled the scores at 12 all. From that point Jenny just had the upper hand, although Mary did not make it easy for her, coming through to take the title 21-16.
Those who had braved the cold to stay and watch the final saw an excellent match and congratulations should go to both players.
The Association president, Rosie Winckle, made the presentation, and Jenny thanked Noble’s for the use of their facilities, the measurers and markers, and those responsible for the refreshments
Pearl Kaighin Ladies’ Singles
There was an entry of 30 for the ladies’ singles open, played at Ballaugh on Saturday 23 April, for the Pearl Kaighin Trophy.
The conditions were tricky with a fast green combined with a strong wind. Although the conditions were warm and pleasant during the afternoon for spectators sitting in sheltered spots, towards the latter stages winter returned and Sylvia Kennaugh’s blanket was the envy of many !
Quarter-finals: Jenny Maddrell 21, Sylvia Kennaugh 10; Shirley Whelan 21, Tricia Bull 19; Lil Smith 21, Helen Martin 12 (ret.); Rosie Winckle 21, Margaret Tasker 17.
It was unfortunate that Helen had to retire from her match after twisting her knee.
The final stages were dominated by Marown players, three of them in the semi-finals, two of whom made it to the final.
Both semi-finals were very close. In the first Shirley made the better start, racing to a 12-7 lead before Jenny had the advantage over the next few ends, closing to level at 15-15 and going on to lead 20-17, winning four ends in a row on the way. However Shirley took the next three ends to take the game 21-20 and progress to the final.
In the other semi-final it was Rosie Winckle who got off best to lead 16-10, then 18-12, before Lil started a revival, catching up to 17-18 before Rosie took two of the next three ends to go through 21-18.
In the final we were treated to some wonderful play from both players, although Shirley had the edge throughout, taking the title 21-14.
Final: Shirley Whelan 21, Rosie Winckle 14.
Club chairman, Jenny Maddrell, thanked those who had stayed to the end in the bitter conditions, those who had helped measuring, marking and in the kitchen. Special thanks went to Bernard Kaighin for continuing to sponsor the event and providing the trophy in memory of his mother, and also to Richard for running the sheet and keeping the afternoon going smoothly.
Jean Kelly Preliminary Round
The Jean Kelly Memorial Handicap team knock-out competition got under way on Wednesday 20 April. Douglas did not have too far to travel for their match at Noble’s, but the home side had the upper hand, leading 5-4 on games, although once the handicaps kicked in they won by a narrow margin of 7 points. The battle of the Smiths saw Julie have the better of Jayne by 2 in the closest game of the match.
Onchan could only field eight players to give Castletown an advantage that they didn’t really need, as the visitors won six of the eight games played, Hannah Drewett and Kath Kinley winning to single figures. The two winners for Onchan were Maureen Payne and Lynda Clarke while Dee Lewis reached 19 against Kim Foy.
Port St Mary were in imperious form for the visit of Ballaugh winning seven games, five of them to single figures. The two winners for the travellers were Jenny Maddrell, to single figures, and Pat Mason who edged out Tricia Bull 21-20.
South Ramsey were another team not to be denied on the night, their form making short work of Marown’s handicap. Five of their seven wins were to single figures, as was Shirley Whelan’s for Marown. The other winner for the visitors was Mary Alderson, while Rosie Winckle fought hard to reach 18 against Lyn Bolton.
Cringle 4’s
Ewan Cooil & Waybe Roberts were in tremendous form on Saturday as they won the Cringle Cup at Castletown with a 21-16 final win over Barney Kelly and Mark Kneen.
The Port St Mary pair settled immediately with a four first end and from there were in control from the off. Kelly & Kneen who had been imperious on their way to the final had their chances at 16-15 up however the latter trailed the jack to award their opponents two and that sealed their fate.
Cooil & Roberts deserve all the accolades afforded them for mastering a tricky but immaculately prepared surface. En route to victory they knocked out John Kenninsh & James Teare in the semi finals, whilst the runners up eliminated Jerome Surridge & Frank Watson at the same stage.
Thanks go to Castletown Bowling Club and to Noel Cringle for providing the prizes for this charity competition in which over £200 was raised for Manx Blind Welfare.
Port St Mary A out on their own
Sad news reached us this week with the death after a short illness of Peter Fargher a stalwart of Finch Hill Bowling Club, could I pass on the Over 60’s condolences to his wife Shirley and daughter Paula and family, who are also both extremely well known to the islands bowling community. Peter was one of the characters of Bowls and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.
The Team of the week must be former bottom club Peel Sunset C who have had back to back wins to shoot up the league table in their inaugural year. Well done to Ray and his troops, they had a home win over a depleted Port Erin team on Wednesday and followed that up with a 5-3 away win at Nobles B. While the Peel C team were doing well their B team hit a bad patch losing 8-0 at home to North Ramsey A, before going down 7-1 at Ballaugh. Nobles A had a mixed week defeating Castletown A on Tuesday 5-3 at home before going down to new league leaders and the only club with a 100% record Port St Mary A by a 8-0 scoreline. Port also had a 5-3 win at Onchan A with Louis Callister just edging out David Higgins 21-20 to give the Port maximum points. North Ramsey A after their win at Peel entertained Port St Mary B who nearly provided another upset before going down 5-3 to the Northerners. Peel Sunset A had another good week to move into second place in the table behind PSM A with a 6-2 win at Douglas B before beating Onchan A 6-2 at Peel It is nice to see Peter Moffatt back on the green again for Peel. Marown are at the moment struggling to get their first victory going down 5-3 away to Ballaugh before losing by a similar scoreline on their visit to Castletown A. It won’t be long before they are firing on all cylinders again. Castletown B had a good week beating Douglas A at the Crofts 5-3 before repeating the score on their trip to Finch Hill. Finch Hill did win on their visit to PSM B again by a close 5-3 margin. South Ramsey beat Onchan B at home 6-2 before going down to Douglas A at the Villa, and Port Erin had a 7-1 win over Douglas B
Southern Teams lead league
After only two weeks only two teams can boast 100% records in the Tower Insurance Over 60’s League which indicates that it is again going tight at the top. The Southside duo of Castletown A and Port St Mary A are the two top teams with Port beating league newcomers Peel Sunset C 7-1 on Wednesday before having a good 6-2 win over South Ramsey, while Town had an 8-0 away win over Douglas B and then a 7-1 victory at home against North Ramsey B which was a lot closer that the final score indicated. The other two teams that had 100% records were Peel Sunset B but they dropped a point in the 4-4 home draw against Douglas, and repeated the score line against Nobles B on the Thursday, Nobles A had a visit from Champions North Ramsey on Tuesday and suffered a 6-2 defeat, after losing at home they then went to near neighbours Douglas A and came away with the spoils in a 5-3 win, this allowed Peel Sunset A to move up to third in the table on seven points with a 6-2 win against North Ramsey B at Ballaugh, before receiving a bit of a fright from visitors Castletown B who were leading 3-1 at the half way stage before Peel A fought back to win 5-3, joining Peel B and Nobles on six points are North Ramsey A who again took maximum points this week. On five points are the two Onchan clubs and South Ramsey, with Douglas A on 4 points, on 3 points come Port Erin, Castletown B, Ballaugh and Marown, with both Nobles B getting a point of Peel B and Douglas B doing likewise against Ballaugh, with only new boys Peel C still awaiting their first point of the campaign.