Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

South Ramsey Bowling Club hosted the Association Cup on Sunday with the competition attracting 63 entries. The green was in excellent condition with the green getting quicker throughout the day.

The quarter finals were well contested with home greener Glynn Hargraves losing out 18-21 to Marown’s Matthew Keggen, Bob Clark (Castletown) just lost 20-21 to Colin Kelly (Marown). Jordan Cain (Onchan) ended the challenge of Dave McCabe (Finch Hill) with a 21-16 win, whilst home greener David Bradford progressed with a 21-17 victory over the 2020 winner Sam Clague (Castletown).

In the semi-finals Bradford put paid to the run of Cain who had won the half mountain marathon the previous day, with a 21-13 win, whilst Kelly booked his place with a 21-18 win over Keggen.

The final got underway with Kelly winning the first eight ends in the corners, playing brilliantly with Bradford never far away, building what looked to be an unassailable 16-6 lead over Bradford, who got in with a single then cleared the jack off the green when lying one down on the following end, only to concede a two to trail 7-18. From there Bradford started to pull some points back to trail 12-18 only for Kelly to take two singles and within touching distance of picking up the title. Bradford got back in and headed for the corners playing them well to recover to 16-20 and was counting with two good bowls. Kelly made sure he reached and flicked away Bradford’s bowl and left himself counting for one to win the trophy he last won in 2019.

The presentation was made by competition committee officer Dave Kelly, who thanked South Ramsey for the excellent condition of the green, the club members for providing helpers and refreshments throughout the day and the competition committee for the smooth running of the competition.