Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

With a welcome break in the monsoon like weather Finch Hill welcomed 26 pairs on Sunday at the Douglas Borough Council Challenge Cup.

The first half of the draw saw some close games with several strong pairings making their way into the second round, notably Mike Caley and Steve Cain (Nobles) and Matthew Keggen and Paul Kelly (Marown). In the bottom half of the draw Jamie Box (Marown) and Jordan Cain (South Ramsey) together with Ed Carlyle (South Ramsey) and Les Brookes (Finch Hill) all starting off strong. In an all-ladies games Janet Monk and Lacey McMullan (Mooragh Park) just pipped Lynda Cadamy and Philippa Taylor (Marown) 21-19. Sisters Shannon and Bailey McMullan (Mooragh Park) had a tough game against Peter Jones and Cherise Fialho (Marown) taking a 21-20 win.

Special mention to Castletown juniors Sam Quayle and Freddie Palmer who didn’t quite get the better of Brian Lindsay (Peel) and Kevin Airey (Noble’s) this time. Hard luck boys but possible stars of the future?

The second round saw several close games, Mark Bradshaw and Alex Yates (Nobles) just losing out 19-21 to Lindsay and Airey, then Carlyle and Brookes (South Ramsey/Finch Hill) taking a 21-18 win against home-greeners Taylor and Brookes.

Into the quarter finals defending champions Neil Withers and Paul Dunn (Marown) showed their dominance by beating Box and Cain 21-9. Castletown pairing Nathan Hamilton and Kieran Krypner lost out to Carlyle and Brookes 21-17. The closest game this round was between Keggen and Kelly who just won 21-20 against Pip Pemberton (Peel) and Peter Greenlees (Marown).

On to the first semi-final where Caley and Cain continued their challenge beating Keggen and Kelly 21-18. The second semi-final saw Withers and Dunn ending the charge of Carlyle and Brookes 21-14. Both these games saw some very close ends and skilful bowling.

On to the final. Caley and Cain who had played exceptionally well all afternoon, came up against the full might of Withers and Dunn. Every end was hard fought but Withers and Dunn proved just too much and ran out the eventually winners 21-8. Congratulations to Neil and Paul and well played Mike and Steve.

The presentation was made by Brian Murphy on behalf of Finch Hill and Douglas Borough Council. Thanks to the stewards, markers, measurers, the ladies providing the usual excellent refreshments and to Joyce Ogden for running the sheet.

Published by Joyce Ogden