News: Reports
Keggen is King of The Castle
Ballacashtal Cup Winner 2014
Matthew KeggenMatthew Keggen (Onchan) produced the display of his life to win the Ballacashtal Cup. Keggen overcame a stellar line up of 86 bowlers, the majority visitors to for the Isle of Man Bowls Festival, capping it off with a 21-20 final win over 8 times Manx Champion John Kennish (South Ramsey).
The final was of the highest quality and nip and tuck all the way with honours even at 12-12 after 10 ends. Kennish then found his usual mid game surge to move into what looked like a commanding 19-16 lead but Keggen had other ideas and clawed his way back to 20-18 behind.
He held his nerve brilliantly the next end and lying game down produced a wonder bowl to trail the jack for 2 and make it all but across. A brilliant lead was all he needed to seal the biggest win of his career.
Keggen booked his final berth with a brilliant 21-10 over former festival winner Robbie Fitzpatrick (Morton House) whilst Kennish fought his way past Mick Burns (Rishton) to book his place in the final.
Fallers at the quarter final stage were Nigel Hughes (Wirral), James Fitzpatrick (Morton House), Gaz Lalley (Crossgates) and Wayne Jevons (Wirral).
At the conclusion of the competition Castletown Chairman Ron Williams introduced Dave Mousley, Director of competition sponsors Veros Digital (IOM) Limited to present the prizes.
Kelly’s Kernan
Colin Kelly (Marown) was in imperious form as he won the coveted Jim Kernan trophy at South Ramsey on Saturday. Kelly, who had been in devastating form all day, saved his best for the final where he beat visiting bowler Matt Gilmore (Wirral).
Both players were on top form in the final however Kelly just hit a devastating length from the off and it always looked like it was going to be his day.
Neither player had it easy in the semi final either with Kelly battling his way past Dave ‘Dido; Kelly (South Ramsey) whilst Gilmore got the better of David Bradford (Onchan).
A fantastic entry of 61 players were treated to one of the best yet tricky playing surfaces around and the green keepers should be congratulated for doing an immaculate job. Thanks also go to George Brew for his continued sponsorship of the competition.
Ladies’ over 60’s Thursday 12 June
Thursday 12 June
With the Douglas match against Castletown being postponed to 24 June there were only five matches played on Thursday 12 June.
After their break on Tuesday the Port St Mary A team returned refreshed to clock up yet another maximum to increase their lead at the top of the table. Villa were left shell-shocked with four of their players just moving into double figures. Mooragh Park kept the leaders in their sights as they dropped just 2 points to Onchan B, Eileen Thomas being the lone winner for the visitors. Noble’s Mixed proved too strong for Peel Sunset, winning 4-2 on games with Lin Ruscoe winning to single figures, Joyce Kelly and Heather Horsburgh being the westerner’s two winners. Although Port Erin drew on games with Port St Mary B, wins to single figures by Sylvia Shelbourne and Jen Thackrah gave them a comfortable points advantage. Pearl Quinn and Audrey Gardner went all the way with Pearl just edging the game 21-20.With Phyllis Gelling and Lynda Clarke winning to single figures Onchan A had the better of Ballaugh, whose two winners were Jenny Maddrell and Jane Teare, by a margin of 22 points.
Marown Top after Toppling Onchan
Double weeks can seriously shape a bowls season and last week was no different as Champions Marown A climbed to the top of the tree.
They began the week with a treacherous trip away to then leaders, and closest rivals, Onchan A and must have started the match as underdogs. Whilst many may have written off Marown, you only achieve what you believe – and the Crosby men believed!
A string of brilliant performances helped them overturn a deficit to take the match 7-3, and whilst there was a string of breathtaking performances man of the match must be Phil Kelly who came from 20-11 behind to win 21-20, and help his side to the aggregate points.
They followed this up on Wednesday with a simply stunning 10-0 thrashing of Castletown C, allowing their opponents to amass a miserly 64 points in the process, to move above Onchan. The champions are now showing all of their championship credentials.
Onchan didn’t have long licking their wounds with a midweek match away at Port St Mary A on the cards, and they had to use all of their experience and ability to come out the right side of a 7-3 win. Many expect Onchan to regain the title they lost to Marown last year, and whilst they still might, they will have to do it the hard way from here on in.
Third placed South Ramsey A are making that position their own as of late, and a great week sees them stay in contention to make a move should the top two slim up. They started off with a solid 8-2 win away at Port Erin and followed this up with a 9-1 home win over Peel A. to match Marown;s impressive 17 points for the week.
Douglas A have managed to hang on to 4th spot despite losing out 6-4 at home to Port St Mary A after leading 3-1 at the half way stage. Port showed great fighting qualities to see out the win. The men from the Villa bounced straight back though with a very impressive 8-2 win away at North Ramsey A to put momentum back in their season.
Castletown A restored order at the Crofts with wins over their C team on Monday and their second string on Wednesday to move into 5th in the table and go above their B team for the first time this season.
Finch Hill A still leas the way in Division 2 after a mixed bag last week. They began with a stong 7-3 win over Douglas B however dropped points on Wednesday as they were beaten 6-4 by third placed Onchan B. Onchan preceded this victory with another win this time taking out Nobles Part A 7-3.
Peel B are the surprise package in second place after a couple of very impressive displays beginning with a 6-4 win over Nobles Mixed before travelling to Ballaugh B and leaving 7-3 victors.
In division three its Arnie Withers’ young starlets at Marown B who are shining brightest and a simply magnificent week has not only seen them move top but open up a 5 point gap at the top. They kicked off with an 8-2 win away at MooraghPark over North Ramsey C before their best result of the season so far as they brushed aside title favourites South Ramsey B 8-2 at the memorial playing fields.
Ladies’ over 60’s 10 June
After a fortnight off play resumed in the Trend sponsored over 60’s ladies’ league on Tuesday 10 June. Onchan A were top scorers winning five games the only fly in their ointment being Brenda Williams who took a game off them to prevent the full house. The Villa girls all reached double figures to give them a respectable score. Onchan B had a closer encounter with Douglas ending level on games and winning by just 2 points. The outstanding game of the match being Wendy Cowin’s 21-20 win against Joyce Gardiner. It was just as close at Peel where Sunset had a 2 point advantage over Marown in a lower scoring match. Noble’s Mixed had a good win, 4-2 on games with Lin Ruscoe and Josie Harding winning to single figures, with Pearl Quinn and Roma Ware being the winners for the home side, while Mooragh Park also won 4-2 at Ballaugh. Good wins by Ann Gale and Jenny Maddrell for the visitors kept the home team’s score down. The other game of the morning saw a 4-2 victory for Castletown, with Marie Ashurst winning to single figures as did the two winners, Gwen Tuck and Voirrey Curphey for Port Erin. By contrast Sue Peach was taken all the way by Sylvia Shelbourne before coming through 21-20.
Tony Brown Charity Mixed Doubles
Alan Moore and Hilary Kermode were not in a charitable mood as they fought their way through the field of 29 pairs to the Tony Brown Doubles title.
They were on their game all competition crowning a tremendous day with a 21-14 final win over Jordan Cain and Paula Firth.
The ad hoc pair of Moore & Kermode showed all the experience and tenacity of an established team which was no more evident than in their epic semi-final tussle with Neil Wilthers and Hannah Kermode, Hilary’s daughter, in which they edged home by the narrowest of margins winning 21-20. Firth and Cain were also on top form at the put out home greeners Peter and Ann Oates at the same stage.
Castletown should be commended on a great competition which raised £266 for Tony Brown’s nominated charity which this year is the Castletown Endowment Committee.
Marown Post Second Maximum
Torrential conditions could not do anything to halt the charge of Champions Marown A whose 10-0 win was as unforgiving as the rain.
They have now narrowed the gap to leaders Onchan A to just 5 points as they picked up a maximum over Port Erin A. They have been firing on all cylinders recently and it will be interesting to see what happens when they face of against their fiercest rivals next time out.
Onchan themselves have been in good form and wont be disappointed to have left North Ramsey A with 8 points on the board. If both teams keep picking up good points it really is going to come down to who comes out of their head to heads on top, and with the first scheduled to take place on 9th June we wont have to wait long to find out.
South Ramsey A have made third place their own with a stunning 10-0 whitewash of Ballaugh A away from home. They have some real quality in their ranks and whilst they are capable of beating anyone, including the top 2, on their day they need to show some more consistency if they want to challenge for silverware.
Douglas A find themselves in a lofty 4th position and if they keep putting points on the board like their 8-2 win over Castletown C it would not be a surprise if they stayed there.
With the match between Port St Mary A and Castletown B postponed until this week the final game in Division One saw Castletown A get the better of Peel A 7-3. Peel are moving along nicely in 6th place whilst Town who were fancied to challenge for a top 3 finish have not yet hit top gear.
Division Two leaders Finch Hill A turned on the style against their B team taking all 10 points to widen the gap at the top to 6 points.
Peel B are now their closest rivals thanks to a solid 8-2 win over Nobles Park A. Both these teams are performing extremely well and whilst neither were really tipped for top honours if they keep hammering out result like this who knows?
Douglas B have now got the pendulum of momentum swinging their way and another solid display saw them defeat Onchan B 7-3 away from home.
This slip up by Onchan B has allowed Port St Mary B to move into 4th spot thanks to an 8-2 win over their C team.
South Ramsey B are now in control at the top of division 3 and an 8-2 win away at Peel D has done their championship credentials no harm at all.
Marown B are now snapping on their heals though thanks to a superb 9-1 win over Port St Mary D where they missed out on the maximum by just two chalks.
Port Erin B are still in the hunt though and another solid display in beating Onchan B 8-2 has left them only a point behind Marown.
Nobles Mens Doubles
Phil Kerriush and David Bradford won the first men’s doubles competition at Nobles Park on Sunday 25th May in fine style.
They capped some great performances with a 21-17 final win over Jordan Cain and Bob Clark in a ding dong battle with the lead swinging backwards and forwards throughout.
In the Semi finals the eventual victors battled past Tony Smart and Geoff Porter whilst Cain and Clark put pay to the challenge of Kevin and Matthew Quirk.
It was fitting that a rejuvenated club ran such a tremendous competition from their recently renovated clubhouse, and a staggering entry of 32 pairs made the trip to the park for a brilliant day of bowls.
Ladies’ League 21 May and 23 May
It was a good week for South Ramsey where, although losing 3-6 to Mooragh Park on Wednesday they recorded a reasonable score and kept their opponent’s chalks down. On Friday they had a 6-3 win against Port St Mary with a margin of 20 points. On Wednesday Port St Mary won 8 games dropping just 7 points, the lone winner for Douglas being Brenda Williams. After a convincing win over Onchan mid-week, Peel Sunset played out a draw with Noble’s Mixed on Friday despite winning 6-3 on games, the Mixed wins were all to single figures. Although winning 5-4 on games at Port Erin, with their looses all to single figures Marown ended with a deficit of 20 points. Their week did not get much better as they were only able to field 8 players against Onchan, who were in the same position, giving a low scoring game with the home side in the ascendancy. .Friday night saw the clash between Castletown and Mooragh Park. In a hard fought match where every player reached double figures the home side had the advantage 6-3 on games while the visitors had a four point advantage on chalks.
Onchan Ladies’ Singles
There was an entry of 25 for the Onchan ladies’ singles played at Noble’s 2 on Sunday 25 May. After a chilly start the weather brightened up to give a warm sunny afternoon conducive to good bowls played in a friendly atmosphere.
Quarter-finals: Rosie Winckle 21, Mary Alderson 14; Janet Monk 21, Lilian Slinger 19; Philippa Taylor 21, Chris Price 19; Lin Ruscoe 21, Sylvia Kennaugh 11
Semi-finals: Janet Monk 21, Rosie Winckle 15; Philippa Taylor 21, Lin Ruscoe 17
In a very close and exciting final Philippa raced to an early lead at 14-8. Janet then got the jack and won seven ends in a rowto have the advantage 19-14. It was Philippa’s turn to make a come-back, levelling at 19-19, before Janet scored two singles to run out the winner 21-19.
The presentation was made by Lynda Clarke who thanked all those who had stayed to watch the final. She also thanked Noble’s Mixed for the use of their green and facilities, the ladies for their work in the kitchen, those who ran the sheet or helped in any way with the successful running of the event.