Ladies’ IOM Pairs
Twenty-two pairs assembled for the Ladies’ IOM doubles championship at Castletown on Sunday 21 May. Initially the weather was sunny but cold and clouded over mid-afternoon. However the latter stages of the event were played in beautiful, warm sunshine.
The Castletown green was fast-running and its usual tricky self, but despite that there were some very close and exciting games.
The outstanding player in the first few rounds was Rita Callister, showing that age is no handicap as she and her partner, Shelley Kennish, despatched Dot Mylchreest and Pauline Worrall 21-17, Maureen Payne and Chris Price 21-19 then Margaret Tasker and Tricia Bull 2!-20 before losing out in the semi-finals 21-20 to Ann Maddrell and Katy Williams, a game they were ahead in until the last four ends.
Quarter-finals; Sheeley Kennish and Rita Callister 21, Margaret Tasker and Tricia Bull 2o; Katy Williams and Ann Maddrell 21, Lyn Bolton and Paula Garrett 17; Ann Hollingworth and Heike Perry 21, Kath Kinley and Marie Ashurst 17; Debbie Leece and Alison Keggen 21, Philippa Taylor and Joyce Ogden 12.
In the first semi-final Rita and Shelley made the better start being 17-10 up after ten ends. Katy and Ann won five of the next six ends to level at 19-19, then the next end to reach “all but”. their opponents won the next end-20-20. It was all on the last end where Katy and Ann came through to win 21-20.
In the other semi-final, Debbie Leece and Alison Keggen, who had played well all afternoon, kept level with Ann Hollingworth and Heike Perry for the first part of the game, but a 4 and a 3 in the last few ends saw the Castletown pair through to the final 21-13.
The home pair shot off to a 15-10 lead before the Port St Mary girls won five of the next six ends to level at 16-16.Ann and Heike then got the jack back and won the next four ends to take the title 21-16.
The Presentation was made by Association president, Rosie Winckle, who thanked Castletown for the use of their green and their help in measuring, marking etc. She also complimented them on the state of the green. Thanks also went to Heather for running the sheet and Elaine for organising the competition.