Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

Marown Bowling Club hosted the Juan Kelly Cup, with the competition now in its seventh year 44 pairs taking part as the curtain was brought down on the 2023 season.

There were some interesting pairings making use of the handicap system which was played over two qualifying nights (Monday and Tuesday), with four pairs qualifying each night to qualify for the finals night on Wednesday evening.

The format was any combination doubles, played over 15 ends with ends 5, 10 and 15 played as ‘power’ ends with the points scored counting double. The pairs were given a handicap based on their rankings in the Men’s and Ladies game. If scores were tied after 15 ends a one bowl shootout would take place to decide the winner.

There were some high-profile casualties on both qualifying nights, as some of the more fancied pairings made an early exit. For finals night a re-draw took place to determine who the pairings would play on the night, with a good mixture of high and low handicaps still in the competition. The excellent floodlights came into good use for the duration of the competition.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were Marown’s Martha Butler and Brian Kelly (+7) 14-25 to Stevie Kelly (Peel) and Paul Dunn (+2) (Marown), Colin Kelly and Juan Killip (+2) lost out 11-16 to fellow home greeners Jayne Smith and Lyn Bolton (+4).

In the other half of the draw brothers Tom and Kevin Kelly (+2) were beaten 14-22 by Paula Firth (Noble’s) and son Nick Firth (+8) who plies his trade for Douglas, whilst the Noble’s father and son pairing of Andy and Lee Greggor (+8) lost out 13-23 to Castletown’s Chris Lever and David Quayle (+4).

The first semi-final was a big win for Kelly and Dunn who beat Smith and Bolton 25-10 to go through to the final. The other semi-final was a good game between Lever and Quayle, who were up against the Firth’s was edged by the latter pair as the game had just a chalk separating the pairs with three ends left to play, with the score 20-19. A strong finish from Paula and Nick ensured they went through to the final.

The final got underway with Kelly and Dunn having to give a six start to Paula and Nick, however this advantage was wiped in just two ends to put the score level at 8-8. Kelly and Dunn shown their dominance with a strong performance to keep their opponents down to three scoring ends, with Kelly finding a tricky mark on the riverbank side of the green to see the Peel/Marown combination runout with a 28-12 victory.

At the conclusion of play the presentation was made by Marown Club President Peter Kelly, who thanked Juan Kelly for once again sponsoring the competition, the Ladies for the refreshments over all three nights, everyone who entered, and all those who came to support. Juan Kelly’s son Colin was then introduced to present the prizes.