Leaders are High Flyers
Four more maximums over the latest weekend in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter Bowls League took the season’s tally to 20, with no less than seven of those going to runaway leaders, Jacks Off.
They racked up another two with a second faultless afternoon on Sunday, while just 24 hours earlier their nearest challengers, Mooragh Lakers, dropped 27 points in their third defeat of the campaign.
Now on an increased average of 122.5, over six ahead of Lakers, Jacks Off are well on their way to wrestling the championship shield away from their closest rivals and current holders, who will have to improve if they are to hold onto second spot.
The two days began with Louie’s Angels coming out on top by four chalks in a fairly low scoring encounter against Mooragh Lakers; this while Castletown Corkers notched up only their second success with victory over basement side Bits n Bobs.
Bits were unfortunately the first team this season not to have a full team, whereas the two Castletown outfits are making great use of the rule where players can compete for more than one side for up to five times before the individual is tied to any particular one – Corkers are now up to 21 different names, whereas Cannons are close behind on 17.
On the green, Angels and Lakers both recorded maximum scores in their final outings as they overcame Bits n Bobs and Corkers, who, over the session improved their average slightly to stay above their stablemates who were due to play the following day.
Results for Saturday, January 6: Louie’s Angels 103 (3), Mooragh Lakers 99 (3); Castletown Corkers 109 (4), Bits n Bobs 81 (2); Mooragh Lakers 126 (6), Castletown Corkers 77 (0); Bits n Bobs 56 (0), Louie’s Angels 126 (6).
Sunday’s quartet arrived to a slightly frozen green, which did not stop two of the teams taking advantage – Jacks off with those maximum scores and Govags who racked up a pair of good wins and as a result moved up a position in the standings.
Whilst Jacks Off eased passed an out of sorts Parkers outfit, the westerners dropped just four chalks in a five games to one victory over Castletown Cannons.
Cannons next had the arduous task of taking on Jacks Off and with a total of just 73 they slipped further behind Corkers on an average of 88.9, whilst their stablemates are on 90.5.
Jacks Off meanwhile are on course to set more records, they are already on course to beat the best average over a season of 119.4 they set in 2015 and are currently are on a total of 73 games for, with just 11 against.
The final clash of the session saw Govags beat Parkers by a margin of eight points and now lead them in the table by seven and in turn are now just 15 behind seventh placed Bowl Rollers.
Results for Sunday, January 7: Parkers 76 (0), Jacks Off 126 (6); Castletown Cannons 91 (1), Govags 122 (5); Jacks Off 126 (6), Castletown Cannons 73 (0); Govags 104 (4), Parkers 96 (2).
The first round robin of the New Year attracted an entry of 28 and the winners of the two groups were Sefton Dent, partnered by Peter Kelly and the duo of Janet Monk and Tricia Bull.