Current Champions Produce Impressive Win

Castletown A weathered the first of two tough fixtures by producing a fine home performance to beat South Ramsey by nine chalks and remain favourites to lift the ladies league title.

South Ramsey will take a moral victory in the match-winning more games but with the only single figure win going to Castletown as Kath Kinley beat Lyn Bolton 21-9 it made the difference on the team score. Castletown’s other wins came from Marie Ashurst 21-19 against Jill Quayle, Hilary Kermode 21-13 against Gill Morgan and Hannah Drewett 21-13 against Sue Collier. Winners for SR were Kim Hargraves 21-19 vs Kim Foy, Fiona Kennish 21-15 vs Anne Oates, Jenny Moore 21-15 over Tracey Moore and Elaine Moore who just did enough coming past Heike Perry 21-20. Final score 168-158 (4-5).

Current champions Port St Mary A gained 19 chalks on Castletown and in doing so put themselves right back in title contention following their impressive home win over Marown, dropping only two chalks across the nine games. Jayne Kneen and Chris Price both won to single figures with wins also coming from Ann Maddrell, Val Macfarlane, Katy Williams, Kellie Maddrell and Trish Bull. Marown picked up two 21-20 wins from Shirley Whelan and Philippa Taylor with PSM taking the victory 187-129 (7-2).

Ballaugh welcomed Nobles with the away team taking the victory however, Nobles would have been looking for a larger score to keep up their title race. Nobles had four winners to single figures Sylvia Kennaugh, Alison Keggen, Clare Cooper and Debbie Leece. Lin Ruscoe, Rebecca Teare and Jayne Smith also won for Nobles. Ballaugh’s two wins came from Alison Millard and Elaine Fenton with the away team running out to win 106-165 (2-7).

Port Erin faced Castletown B at Breagle Glen and comfortably won by 59 chalks. Home players Di Benson and Jenny Cain both won 21-3 with Phil Dobson, Susan Inch, Jacqui Elliott, Voirrey Curphey and Lynda Cadamy also winning. Castletown collected two wins from Barbara Young and Angela Quayle with the match ending 177-118 (7-2).

Douglas slipped to a 15 chalk loss at home against Mooragh Park with the away team also picking up five winners. Caroline Parker, Anne Kean and Helen Martin won to 21-9, 21-3 and 21-7 respectively with Aalish Haworth and Vicky-Lloyd West also picking up wins. Paula Garrett top-scored for Douglas 21-7 whilst Kay McKiernan, Pat Kelly and Wendy Cowin added to the home wins. The match finished 128-143 (4-5).

Onchan against Port St Mary B is the final match from Friday night with the home side winning six games to win by a healthy 58 chalks. Sue Gawne, Maureen Payne, Marilyn Ellison and Jo Smith won to single figures and Caroline Corlett, Dee Lewis rounded off Onchan’s winners. Chris Holland, Debra Cooper and Elaine Hawkins won for PSM with the final match score 172-114 (6-3).

With only two weeks to go Castletown A lead at the top of the league by 51 chalks from Port St Mary A. South Ramsey sit second but have played an extra match and sit out this round of fixtures and will drop to fourth position.

Nobles are 63 points behind Castletown and this week sees those two teams face off in what could be the crunch game of the season. Port St Mary A take on their B team and will look to score a maximum 189 points as they continue to chase down Castletown.