News: Reports
A Sport for All
Grown Green Bowls on the Isle of Man has seen resurgence as of late with a lot of development work taking place at all levels of the game. Neil Withers is working tirelessly to make the sport truly accessible from the grass roots up with the new ‘Bowls for All’ project.
The work he has started could see him meet, and potentially exceed, his aspirations of making the game more accessible by providing more coaches, more equipment and providing more sessions where newcomers to sport can try for free in the very near future.
Neil is looking to achieve his aims by sourcing funding to purchase necessary equipment and coaching aids, and subject to meeting the criteria requested this project will be a massive step forward for the sport.
He is also keen that clubs wanting to benefit from the scheme put something back and really open themselves up to people wanting to try the game. To achieve this he has tied it in with existing work in the bowls development plan to launch a charter standard.
Development officer Mark Kneen has adjusted the charter to encompass all the aspirations of the ‘Bowls for All’ scheme and a draft of the proposed three tiered charter will be circulated around clubs soon.
It is envisaged that clubs achieving level 1 Charter Club status will reap the rewards by receiving equipment and support to continually develop their club as a breeding ground for new players. Neil should be commended by his vision, foresight and tireless effort to achieve his goal which will definitely seal a victory for bowls on the Isle of Man.
Ladies League Friday 15 May
It was not a good week for Peel Sunset in the C Tarleton Hodgson sponsored league as, after their debacle at Noble’s on Tuesday, they faced a rampant Port St Mary on Friday night. The home side won the first eight games, four to single figures, and at one point Joyce Kelly, in the last game, was 15-2 down before coming through to win 21-18 to give the home side a three figure total. It was also a last game for Connie Pettegrew before she returns to America-we all wish her well for the future.It was a hard fought battle at Marown, where all 9 games went to double figures, the visitors having the advantage 5-4 on games, although it could have been the other way round with Irene Corlett reaching 20 against Gill Aughton and Margaret Scarffe 19 against Roma Ware. South Ramsey had the better of things at Ballaugh, winning 5 games with Elaine Moore doing so to single figures, while Port Erin had a good win in a low-scoring match against Mooragh Park, winning 6 games, three of them to single figures. Noble’s put up a strong performance against Onchan, winning four of their six games to single figures. The game of the match saw Marilyn Ellison edge out Sylvia Kennaugh 21-19.At Douglas the home side won three games, two to single figures by Paula Garrett and Pat Kelly and in the third Lynne Mansley pipped Ann Hollingworth 21-20. In reply Castletown won six games with Kim Foy winning to single figures.
Over 60’s matches postponed from 5 May
Port St Mary A played their match on Monday 11 May, winning 4-2 on games with Tricia Bull winning to single figures. The two winners for Onchan B were Barbara Kennaugh and Wendy McDowell. Three other matches were played on Thursday 14 May, with Onchan A playing their match on Thursday 21 May..
Chris Holland spoiled the party for Ballaugh, denying them a maximum while at Mooragh Park Mary Kinrade was the fly in the ointment for Port Erin, preventing a full house. Peel Sunset had to give a game away at Villa but managed a draw on games. The games were all close with 15 being the lowest score achieved in play.
Over 60’s Tuesday 12 May
Onchan A were top scorers in the Trend sponsored over 60’s league on Tuesday 12 May, dropping just 7 points although the match ended level on games. Their three winners won to single figures while for the B team Eileen Killey came through 21-19 against Flo Kelly while Joyce Gardiner edged out Rita Callan 21-20.With four wins, Ann Gale’s to single figures, Ballaugh had a comfortable win over Castletown whose two winners were Anne Oates and Ann Hollingworth who just had the better of Brenda Bowyer 21-20. Peel Sunset travelled to Port St Mary A where the home team won four games, with all six games going to double figures. The two winners for the visitors were Joyce Kelly and Heather Horsburgh while Cath Parker came closest to adding a third game reaching 18 against Kath Looney. Villa had a successful trip south winning five games against Breagle, Sylvia Maddrell winning her game to deny them a maximum. Kay Primrose- Smith almost gave the home side a second game reaching 19 against Pat Kelly.Douglas were a player short, their only winner, Lynne Mansley doing so to single figures.Mooragh Park came through by 4 points against Pot St Mary B, with both teams winning three games and all games going to single figures while at Noble’s the home side won on games, although Sylvia Shelbourne almost levelled the gams reaching 20 against Pat Dacre.
Jean Kelly Quarter-finals
It turned into a bitterly cold night on Thursday 14 May for the quarter-finals of the Jean Kelly team handicap knockout competition.
At Ballaugh the home team won only three games to Onchan’s six, but with those three games being to single figures, as was Maureen Payne’s for Onchan, they had the advantage on points, 148-142, before the handicaps kicked in giving the visitors a 187-173 win.
It was another close match at Castletown, the home side losing out 4-5 on games to South Ramsey, although Sue Peach did win to single figures. The visitors won 156- 147 without the handicap which stretched their lead by a further 5 points.
The closest match of the night was at Noble’s where the home side won five of the nine games with Rebecca Teare winning to single figures. However Port St Mary won three of their four games to single figures to lead 149-132 which was a bit too close for comfort as Noble’s +15 handicap brought them within 2 points of their visitors.
Douglas struggled on their trip south to Purt le Moirrey, the home side winning 5 games with Chris Price winning to single figures. The visitors wins included one to single figures by Muriel Cain, while Joan Murphy edged out Dot Mylchreest 21-19 and Harley Garrett was taken all the way by Chris Holland before coming through 21-20.The home side were 164-145 and also had the advantage on handicap so ended with a comfortable points win.
Gladys Cowell over 60’s ladies’ singles
The sun shone on the 28 ladies who gathered at Peel on Saturday 16 May for the Gladys Cowell over 60’s singles competition.
The green was running well and the bowling was of a high standard played in good spirit.
Quarter-finals: Tricia Bull 21, Cath Parker 19; Brenda Bowyer 21, Mary Alderson 19; Joyce Kelly 21, Lin Ruscoe 17; Mary Kinrade 21, Peggy Griffin 18
Semi-finals: Brenda Bowyer 21, Tricia Bull 10; Joyce Kelly 21, Brenda Bowyer.
The final pitted Brenda Bowyer against Joyce Kelly, proving that even in bowls good things come in small packages ! Brenda, playing in her first final, started with a two on the first end but from that point Joyce was in control although Brenda fought well with the players winning alternate ends in the latter stages. Joyce came through to win 21-13, a fitting result as she was one of the few round the green who had played at Peel at the same time as Gladys.
The presentation was made by Heather Horsburgh, who thanked Nigel Rawlinson for his continued sponsorship of his grandmother’s competition. She also thanked the Peel ladies for their help throughout the afternoon, both round the green and in those who had provided, and sold, the refreshments
Onchan Ladies’ Singles
There was a disappointing entry of 20 for the ladies’ singles open played at Onchan on Wednesday 13 May. The green was a bit on the heavy side, but it was nice to see the club back on their own green and the weather staying fair.
Quarter-finals: Maureen Payne 21, Tricia Bull 19; Chris Price 21, Mary Alderson 20; Ann Hollingworth 21, Mary Kinrade 18; Janet Monk 21, Shirley Whelan 15
Semi-finals: Chris Price 21, Maureen Payne 19; Janet Monk 21, Ann Hollingworth 11.
In the final there was some beautiful bowling. Janet won the first three ends to lead 10-6. Chris took five of the next seven ends, with Janet keeping her down to singles, to close to 11-13, but could only manage one more two before Janet ran out the winner 21-13.
The presentation was made by club president Lynda Clarke who congratulated all the ladies on the standard of bowls during the competition, before thanking all the Onchan ladies who had helped in any way during the afternoon.
C Tarleton Hodgson postponed match
The match between Noble’s and Peel Sunset, postponed from Friday 8 May due to the weather conditions, was played on Tuesday 12 May. Peel were left wondering whether having four out of their nine players reaching a score of 4 was some sort of a record! The visitors did take three games with Joyce Kelly winning to single figures.
North Ramsey Remain in Pole Position
League Leaders North Ramsey A have managed to avoid the curse of the leading team in the league by hanging on to top spot after defeating Onchan B by 7 games to 1 at the Mooragh on Tuesday and then sitting out the Thursday Game, This meant that both Douglas A and South Ramsey A had disappointing weeks, but to be fair Douglas A had two away games against top opposition, firstly they shared the points at Peel A before going down to Port St Mary by 6 games to 2, with South Ramsey losing both their games at home to Castletown A by 5-3 this was a very close match with the last game going in towns favour with John Alderson coming back to pip Chas Grills 21-20, South Ramseys misfortunes continued on their visit to Onchan A who are slowly finding their form to beat the northerners 5-3. This has allowed Port St Mary A to close within one point of North Ramsey A, both teams having played 8 games in third place are Castletown B who have played a game more but are level on 13 points with PSM A. Town B had a good victory over Ballaugh A at the Crofts 7-1 and followed up with a close win at Port Erin by 4 games to 3 with both teams being players short. Castletown A are a point behind their B team but have a game in hand, after another good week for the southerners, last week’s leaders Peel A and Douglas A are also on 12 points but both have played a game more than Castletown A, and Peel B are a point behind their first team but also have a game in hand. The Mini Cup saw holders North Ramsey B lose on their trip to Finch Hill A, while Douglas B had a great home win over a much depleted Port Erin team, and Nobles B also progress into the semis with a 6-3 win over PSM B.
Week of Shocks in League
The Tower Insurance Over 60’s League only had one set of league games this week, and what a surprise they turned out to be, with some of the lower teams gaining points from the top teams in what must be the most open league for years. Leaders North Ramsey A travelled to lowly Port St Mary B and ended up coming away with a solitary point in a 4-4 draw, with Castletown B using home advantage to beat a strong Nobles A team 6-2 it moves the southerners level on points with North Ramsey on 15 points albeit Castletown B have played 10 games to North Ramsey’s 9, Douglas A move into third place on 14 points edging Marown 5-3 at the Villa, Douglas having played 10 games, Castletown A travelled to Nobles B and ended up drawing 4-4 with Town losing two games to all but, this puts them on 13 points from 9 games. Next up come Port St Mary A whose game at North Ramsey B was called off due to a waterlogged green, Port also have 13 points but have only played 8 matches, also on 13 points are Peel Sunset A who were held at home by Onchan A, Peel Sunset B travelled to Onchan B and lost the chance to overtake their A team as Onchan B ran out 6-2 victors, leaving them on 11 points along with South Ramsey who sat out his week’s game. Douglas B travelled to Port Erin and came away with their first points of the season, as unfortunately Port Erin could only field six players. While Finch Hill used home green advantage to defeat Ballaugh 5-3. The Thursday was Ismay Cup Day with the top two teams at present in the league North Ramsey A and Castletown B playing at the Mooragh, North Ramsey were in sparkling form and ran riot against the town winning by 8 games to 1, as fate would have it third and fourth teams were also matched with Douglas entertaining Castletown A, again it was an 8-1 score line this time in the favour of Castletown. Ismay Cup holders Peel Sunset A lost their grip on the trophy going down at home to visitors Ballaugh in a very close game with the outcome resting on the final game which John Keenan just beating Alec Taylor of Peel 21-20. Port St Mary A travelled to Marown and came away happy with a 6-3 victory, while the Port St Mary B team joined them in the hat for the next round just edging out North Ramsey B by 5 games to 4, Nobles B on the back of their draw with Castletown A were unable to stop a rampant Onchan A from inflicting a 8-1 home defeat. Port Erin by virtue of having fixture against the now defunct Finch Hill B also go into the last eight, the final game was played on Friday and saw Peel Sunset B beat Douglas B by 7-2.