News: Reports
Ladies’ league 13 & 14 August
Thursday 13 August
Rearranged match from Friday 7 August .
South Ramsey’s rearranged match against Marown took place on Thursday 13 August and although finishing a close 5-4 on games in the home side’s favour, winning four of those games to low single figures gave South Ramsey a win by a large margin on points, with all their players reaching double figures. Lil Smith and Lauren Groen had a tough battle with Lil coming through 21-20, while Jill Quayle reached 19 against Mary Alderson.
Friday 14 August
The penultimate match in the C Tarleton Hodgson and Son Ltd sponsored ladies’ league season took place on Friday 14 August, when South Ramsey were in imperious form winning 8 games, three of them to single figures, Wendy McDowell being the lone winner for the home side. It was a rare result at Purt le Moirrey, where the two sides recorded a draw on points despite the home side winning 6-3 on games. The three winners for Mooragh Park won to single figures, as did Tracy Moore for Purt Le Moirrey. Vicky Lloyd West had a good result reaching 19 against Roma Ware. Port St Mary travelled to Ballaugh, winning 5-4 on games. The home side fought well to keep the points deficit down to 10, the feature match seeing Ellie Faragher just lose out 20-21 to Katy Williams. At Port Erin the home side won 5-4 with a 15 point advantage, while Douglas had the advantage over Nobles 6-3, Sylvia Kennaugh coming closest to adding another game for the visitors reaching 19 against Wendy Cowin. Castletown had the better of their match against Marown, 5-4, with two wins to single figures – they also lost two games to single figures keeping their points total down.
Onchan Retain Title
Onchan A 2015
Matthew Quirk, Phil Kerruish, Glynn Hargraves, Kevin QuirkDavid Bradford, Matthew Keggen, Jordan Cain, Peter Slinger
Onchan A have done it, they have retained the Isle of Man Bank Men’s division one title with a game to spare after another couple of superb results.
A 9-1 win at Catletown A followed by a 10-0 home win over North Ramsey A really did reiterate how dominant this fantastic team is.
After losing out in the title race two years ago, and battling to win it back last year I was yet to be convinced that this team had the desire and hunger to remain on top but their devastating form has proved me wrong.
Whilst I genuinely believe the three of four teams below them in the league have enough in their arsenal to defeat them on any given day I don’t believe that anyone has the strength in depth to challenge them over a full season, especially an extended one like this year.
Bowls, however, is a fickle sport and if one player was to leave or if other top five teams were to strengthen it could be a very different story but if things remain the same the ending could be the same for quite a few years to come.
Marown A have all but secured second place with a gutsy performance in the one game they had last week. They travelled to and inform Douglas A, who were fresh off the back of a 10-0 win over Port Erin A, and at 3-0 down looked like they were down for the count. This wasn’t the case though and they showed great resolve to win all of the remaining games and take a 7-3 victory as the only team to beat the Villa men on their own patch all season.
Third place Port St Mary A also only had one game last week and impressed with a 10-0 maximum win over Peel A to keep on track for a good third place finish.
South Ramsey A are the only team who could take third place of Port and two 9-1 wins have left them needing to overturn two point deficit in two games.
It is far from all done and dusted in the race for the division two title with South Ramsey B leapfrogging Douglas B into top spot and they are now two points ahead of their closest rivals with two games to go.
South pulled off probably the biggest result of the season from any division to go top at they white washed North Ramsey B 10-0 on their own turf. To put this into perspective North hadn’t dropped a single point at home until last week, in fact their worst result was a 7-3 win, so for South to go their with the pressure on and leave with a maximum is absolutely incredible.
Douglas B also picked up a win beating Castletown 7-3 at the crofts. Whilst it is advantage South the men from the Villa will fight it out to the end and any slip from their rivals will open the door and I am sure they are more than capable of stepping in. This title battle is going to the wire and we will have to wait with anticipation as we watch the tale unfold.
It is a similar story in Division 3 with two teams locked in battle as they fight it out for the silverware. Onchan C top the tree on 132 points with Peel C just behind on 131.
With two games to go it really is anyone’s guess who will be crowned champions on Thursday evening. Onchan C on paper have a slightly easier finish to the season, but with both their games away from home won’t be taking anything for granted and if Peel can turn in a good home win on Tuesday who knows where the destiny of division three lies.
Commissioners Cup
Onchan Commissioners Cup Winners 2015
Onchan Bowling Club hosted the any combination doubles Commissioners Cup on Sunday with 24 pairs making the most of the immaculate weather and immaculate green.
Home greeners Jordan Cain and Matthew Quirk were on the top of their game to claim the title thanks to a 21-12 final win over Andy Kennish and James Teare of South Ramsey.
Losing out in the semi-finals were Derek Allen & Mavis Franks (Port Erin) and Debbie & Paul Leece (Nobles).
Praise must go to Onchan Commissioners for the work they have done on the green over the past twelve months to restore it to its former glory, and in my mind the best playing surface on the Island this year.
Ladies league 5 & 7 August
Wednesday 5 August
Despite the wet weather the matches in the C Tarleton Hodgson and Son Ltd sponsored ladies league on Wednesday 5 August were all played. Top scorers of the night were Castletown, winning 6-3, two of the wins to single figures. The match-up between Ann Gale and Anne Oates was closer, the visiting player coming through 21-19. The Peel players had problems with the wet conditions at Douglas, with three players losing to single figures and only three winners, Sue Jones, Philippa Taylor, to single figures, and Joyce Kelly who edged out Paula Garrett 21-20. It was a low scoring match at Marown, the home side winning four games, two of them to single figures courtesy of Celia Joughin and lil Smith, while three of Mooragh Park’s wins were also to single figures, while things were close at Port Erin where South Ramsey won 6-3 on games. Mavis Franks’ win to single figures together with Carol Kaye’s 20 against Casey Bolton kept the points difference down to 6 points. At Port St Mary Jayne Kneen won to single figures,as did Rebecca Teare for their visitors the rest of the games being hotly contested, but a 6-3 win on games gave the home side a clear win on chalks. Purt le Moirrey were another team who won 6-3 on games in a relatively low scoring match with both teams winning two games to single figures.
Friday 7 August
Jan Osborne saved Douglas’ blushes on Friday 7 August, denying Port St Mary a full house as the home side won 8 games, four of them to single figures. Castletown had three wins to single figures as they came through 7-2 against Port Erin whose two winners were Lynda Cadamy and Carol Kaye. Ballaugh put up a strong performance at Peel, winning 7 games with Pat Mason winning to single figures, while the two winners for the home side were Mary Moffatt, to single figures, and Joyce Kelly. Despite losing 4-5 on games Purt le Moirrey, with Chris Price winning to single figures, and Debra Cooper reaching 19 against Flo Price, the visitors finished with a 10 point advantage. The Mooragh Park match against Onchan was rearranged and played on Tuesday 4 August. Onchan were unfortunately a player short, and won just two games thanks to Ann Rooney and Jo Smith while Libby Andrade almost added a third game reaching 19 against Kim Hargraves.
W.A.Roberts ladies’ singles
There was a disappointing entry of 25 for the W.A.Roberts ladies’ singles, sponsored by Celtic Associates Ltd., played at Port St Mary on Wednesday 12 August. The entry may well have been affected by the men’s Ismay Cup final which was taking place at the same time.
A fast running green and fine weather enabled some enjoyable bowling.
Quarter-finals: Jayne Kneen 21, Roma Ware 6; Paula Firth 21, Mary Alderson 17; Ann Maddrell 21, Lil Smith 14; Mavis Franks 21, Win Collister 18
Semi-finals: Jayne Kneen 21, Paula Firth 17; Ann Maddrell 21, Mavis Franks 20
In the final Ann took the first two ends before Jayne won 9 of the next 10 to lead 18-9.Ann then staged a come-back making the score 15-19 after winning 5 of the next 6 ends, Jayne took the next end to reach all-but. The next two ends went Ann’s way before Jayne was able to win the game 21-18.
Lady President, Ann Maddrell, thanked everyone who had helped to make a successful afternoon, Sean and Gill for organising the competition, the green-keeper Ray, and the ladies doing the refreshments in the kitchen. She also thanked Celtic Associates Ltd. for their continued sponsorship before introducing Iain Wood to make the presentations. Iain said how much he enjoyed the event and promised continued sponsorship for next year.
The Barbara Lee Trophy
There was a disappointing entry of 24 for the IOM Merit, for the Barbara Lee trophy, held at Port Erin on Sunday 9 August. However the weather stayed fair ensuring an enjoyable afternoon for bowling.
Quarter-finals: Debbie Leece 21, Elaine Moore 19; Lyn Bolton 21, Caroline Whitehead 11; Mary Alderson 21, Phil Dobson 13; Paula Firth 21, Lynda Cadamy 13
Semi-finals: Lyn Bolton 21, Debbie Leece 7; Paula Firth 21, Mary Alderson 12
Lyn had been gaining momentum throughout the afternoon and Paula could not stay with her in the final, although she did show some resistance when Lyn reached 20-4, winning the next three ends, but it was too little too late as Lyn ran out the 21-8 winner.
The presentation was made by Association president, Pat Robertson, who congratulated the players and thanked Port Erin for the use of their facilities. She also thanked all those who had helped in any way with the smooth running of the afternoon, in particular the two gentlemen who had a very busy afternoon manning the measures.
Keith and Helen Surridge Memorial Rosebowl
Youth held sway at the Mooragh Park on Saturday when 18 year old Casey Bolton and her young partner, visiting bowler Gavin Radcliffe, triumphed over a field of 24 pairs to win the Keith and Helen Surridge Memorial Rosebowl. The two of them had to do things the hard way, triumphing 21 – 13 over Janet and Robert Monk in the quarter final before edging a tight semi final 21 – 17 against Jenny Moore and James Teare.
In the final they faced Paula and Stuart Garrett who also had a fight in the semis before coming through 21 – 17 against Jayne Kneen and Andy Kennish. Bolton and Radcliffe edged ahead in the final and despite a late wobble that saw them concede a four and a two to the Douglas pair they ran out winners 21 – 19. The other losing quarter finalists were Alec and Philippa Taylor, Lyn Bolton and Trevor Quayle and Brenda Bowyer and Bobby Clayton.
A consolation competition for first game losers run alongside the main event proved popular and was won by North Ramsey pairing of Mary Kinrade and Brian Colquitt.
This competition has been kindly sponsored by the Surridge family since 1993 and at the end of a good day’s bowling in excellent weather the prizes were presented by North Ramsey competition secretary Mike Skelly. A raffle during the day raised £145 for Hospice Care.
Report by John Cannon
Ladies’ over 60’s league Tuesday 4 August
Pat Kelly spoiled the party for Port St Mary A, in the Trend sponsored ladies’ over 60’s league on Tuesday 4 August, as her 21-20 win over Rita Callister left the host side just one point short of a maximum, while Nobles fell just short of the 120 point mark as Kay Primrose-Smith and Gwen Tuck won their games for Breagle. It was 3-3 at Ballaugh, but wins to single figures by Voirrey Oates and Mary Simmonds gave the home side a comfortable victory. Two matches of note saw Joyce Kelly come through 21-19 against Brenda Bowyer and Mary Moffatt pip Jenny Maddrell 21-20. Onchan B were a player short at Mooragh Park where they had their blushes spared by Eileen Killey whose win prevented their being white-washed. Onchan A had a good win over Castletown, winning 4 games, two of them to single figures. The two winners for the visitors were Ann Hollingworth and Anne Oates while Sue Peach nearly levelled the game score, reaching 19 against Dee Lewis. Douglas and Port St Mary B ended level on games but two wins to single figures and Jan Osborne’s 20 against Edwina Reid gave Douglas the advantage on chalks. The two winners for Marown at Port Erin were Mair Moore, to single figures, and Mary Alderson who came through 21-20 against Mavis Franks.
Onchan Close In On Title
Another brilliant week for league leaders Onchan A leaves them within touching difference of retaining their Isle of Man bank Men’s Division One Title.
Two more superb results leaves them needing just fifteen points from their remaining three games to make certain of their twelfth title in just thirteen years, although with the champions in such a rich vein of form I am certain it will be all over this week.
They would have been pleased with an above par 8-2 home win over South Ramsey on Monday night before yet another maximum 10-0 win, this time at the expense of Peel A, on Wednesday.
Second placed Marown only had one game last week and put in a strong performance winning 9-1 away at Peel A. They have a game in hand over Onchan but at twenty six points adrift with only forty for them to play for nothing short of a miracle will be enough if they want to halt the champions charge.
Douglas A remain in third place, having played a game more than the two teams below them, after an impressive 9-1 away win at Finch Hill A was followed up with a hard fought 6-4 home win over fourth placed Port St Mary A.
Port had a tough week and had to fight hard in their first game just getting the better of North Ramsey 7-3 at the Mooragh.
Ramsey teams occupy 5th and 6th places after South A finished the week on a high with a 10-0 mauling of Port Erin A at home and North A picked up and 8-2 home win over Nobles A.
With second division leaders South Ramsey B sitting out Douglas B ceased their opportunity and moved into pole position thanks to an 8-2 home win over Nobles B. The Villa men now lead by a solitary point and with three games to go its all to play for in the battle for silverware.
Port St Mary B are third seven points further back after they had to dig deep to beat Peel B 6-4 at home.
Its just as tight at the top of Division 3 with Peel C holding the slenderest of leads over Onchan C after they both picked up respective 7-3 wins. Port St Mary D are still in with an outside chance of the title five points further back.
RNLI Trophy
RNLI Trophy Winner 2015
Neil WithersNeil Withers was the victor of Nobles on Saturday after he lifted the RNLI Trophy after a superb final win over John Kennish on the green where he won the June Festival.
It was an even affair in the early stages before Kennish moved into a 10-6 lead. This is when Withers really found his form winning eight of the next nine ends to move 17-11 ahead. Kennish dug deep but it wasn’t to be with the Crosby man having enough in the tank to get home 21-14.
Kennish had to be at his best in the Semi-Final as he edged past Kevin Quirk 21-19 whilst Withers ended the challenge of elder statesman Mike Hargraves 21-13.
Fallers at the quarter final stage were Jordan Cain, Ian Kissack, David Bradford and Bernard Thackrah.