Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

Monday night saw the halfway stage reached of Canada Life International League Division One, following lasts weeks blustery conditions this was extended to included heavy rain showers.

Marown A didn’t let the conditions affect them, as they secured their second 10-0 home win of the season against Peel A, as they claimed two 21-20 victories, with Paul Dunn holding off Gary Smith, whilst Peter Jones also edged home to the same score against Stevie Kelly. The next highest score for Peel was a 17-21 defeat for Pip Pemberton against Phil Kelly. Neil Withers and Glenn Boland won to single figures against Paul Quirk and Andy Mackie respectively. The result saw Marown A hit top spot having sacrificed it after game four in the season in their only league defeat of the season.

South Ramsey A took on their B team, despite winning all nine games of the season they surrendered top spot, as the A team claimed a 9-1 victory, with Tony Dugdale preventing the whitewash as he clawed back from a 14-20 deficit to run out with a 21-20 win over Glynn Hargraves. Ben Dugdale came next closest to picking up a second win for the B team, only to lose out 18-21 to Dido Kelly. Three single figure wins were claimed by Bob Clark, Peter Collister, and Jordan Cain.

Onchan A came away from Breagle Glen A with a solid 1-9 success, however the home team put up a good fight with their lowest defeat beat to 14. David Cain lost out 17-21 to Phil Kerruish, Steve Durcan lost to the same score to Matthew Quirk, Ewan Cooil was defeated 18-21 by Jamie Clague, whilst Breagle captain Chris Lever just fell short 19-21 against Mike Alexander. Wayne Roberts was the lone winner for the home team as he beat Will Penhallurick 21-11.

Castletown A will have been disappointed to draw 5-5 at home to Marown B, despite winning five of the eight games played. Of three defeats suffered, two were to single figures that ultimately cost them the aggregate by eight chalks (129-137). Andy Clark had a tough night losing 1-21 to Matthew Keggen, Kieran Krypner lost 6-21 against Peter Greenlees. The third winner for the Crosby men was John Gelling who held off Aaron Richardson 21-17. For Town Nathan Cooil just got over the line 21-20 against Brian Kelly, Dean Kinley impressed with a 21-11 win over Karl Parker, whilst Town captain Nathan Hamilton won 21-9 against Kevin Kelly.

North Ramsey A impressed with their 8-2 home win over Douglas A, with Joe Kneale beating Shaun Seal 21-5, whilst John Piekalns went one better with his 21-4 win over Mark Kneen. John Cannan had to battle for his 21-20 victory over Gordy Wynne-Smythe. For the visitors Ian Moore beat Allan Callow 21-14, whilst Andy Cannell beat Steve Walmsley 21-11.

In Division Two Ballaugh A made it nine consecutive wins in a row, as they beat their nearest rivals Marown C 7-3 at home, with just eight chalks separating the teams (146-138). The only game that was close was between Tony Quine and Steve Wilson as the Ballaugh man won 21-19. Three games were won to 13, a further three finished at 14, with Mike Spooner beating John Kelly 21-16.

Noble’s A just about hung onto third place, following their hard fought 3-7 win away to Peel B, as they claimed the aggregate by six chalks (150-156) in a high scoring contest, as four of their five wins were close. Captain Alex Yates got over the line 21-20 against Colin Moore, Martyn Hobson beat Rob Middleton 21-19, whilst Mark Bradshaw and Phil Salmon won 21-18 against Jimmy Corlett and Harry Kelly respectively. For Peel Andrew Cover beat Kevin Moore 21-20, with teammate Gordon Corrin beating Dave Naughton 21-17.

Noble’s B will have been disappointed to slip to a 4-6 defeat at home to Castletown B, as they lost the all-important aggregate by eight chalks (131-139). For the Town men Phil Cannon’s 21-8 win over Steve Brennan will have gone a long way to help secure the bonus two points available for the aggregate. Junior bowler Sam Quayle managed to hold off Dean Sowerby 21-17. All four of the home wins were comfortable with captain Steve Cain continuing to impress with a 21-13 win over Peter Oates.

Finch Hill A came away from the Villa with a 2-8 victory over Douglas B, as they won three games to 18, 19, and 20 with Mark Taylor, Paul Dougherty, and Sam Stannard all winning. Making a big difference on the chalks were big wins for Stephen Oates and Shay Waterworth, who won to single figures against Geoff Mayles, and David Pease respectively.

Onchan B were the biggest winners in Division Two as they won 9-1 at home to Breagle Glen B, with the visitors a man short as they missed out on scoring over 100 chalks (166-93). Onchan couldn’t quite get a 10-0, with Alan Crebbin the hero of the night in the visitors’ eyes, as he beat former clubmate Derek Allen 21-19.

In Division Three league leaders North Ramsey B were just two chalks shy of a full house, as they won 9-1 at home to their nearest rivals in the table Peel C. Marown D claimed a 7-3 home win over South Ramsey C by seven chalks (148-141), whilst the closest match of the night was between Ballaugh C and Noble’s D, with the Noble’s men taking a 4-6 victory by five chalks (145-150).

In Division Four Onchan C show no signs of slipping as they won 2-8 away to South Ramsey D, with three single figure winners, whilst South Ramsey captain Frank Feeney impressed with a 21-8 win over James McNee.

Douglas C came away from the Crofts with a 3-7 victory over Castletown C, with Junior bowlers from both teams continuing to impress on a weekly basis, as five of the games finished to 17 or above, showing a keenly contested fixture.

Douglas D won 7-3 at home to Noble’s E, with another Junior impressing as Clark Kelly won 21-6 against Ross Pulman.

North Ramsey C remained in second place thanks to their 3-7 away win over Peel D, as three single figure wins ensured they won the aggregate by 39 chalks (106-145).

Plumbmaster Rayner Shield

All four Rayner Shield fixture took place on Wednesday evening, with all four favourites progressing through to the semi-finals.

Marown A had a tricky looking fixture away to Onchan A, however they won 6-2 on the night, with Tom Kelly having to battle for his 21-20 win over Peter Slinger. Father and son were the two Onchan winners as Kevin Quirk beat Sam Clague 21-10, whilst Matthew won to the same score against Neil Withers.

South Ramsey A were drawn away to Douglas A, with Stefan Kelly stepping in following his return from his travels as he played his first game of the 2025 season. The South Ramsey men had to battle for three of the six wins, as Jordan Cain had a game on his hands with Nick Firth (21-17), Dido Kelly finished the game strongly scoring a good two to win 21-20, whilst James Teare recovered from a 15-19 deficit against Mark Kneen to win 21-19.

Breagle Glen A didn’t have it all their own way against second division side Noble’s B, as they had to earn their 5-3 home win. For the visitors Mike Caley caused the biggest upset of the night as he beat Trevor Quayle 21-19, whilst Mark Moorley made a guest appearance for the Breagle men, showing he has still got it as he beat Paul Moore 21-11.

Marown B progressed despite drawing 4-4 away to Peel B, however the chalks were never in doubt as they won by 22 chalks (127-149). Two single figure wins from Kevin Kelly and Marown captain Juan Killip over Paul Baker and Dougie Allan respectively ensured safe passage to the next round.

Plumbmaster Rayner Plate

The highest ranked side left in the competition Castletown A (+30) had to clawback 20 chalks against low lying third division side Ballaugh C (+50), who were not to be underestimated given home advantage. The result was looking precarious for the Town men at one stage, however Kieran Krypner stepped up to the plate in the second half of the match as he won 21-7 against Simon Clarke, as he held his nerve brilliantly to ensure the visitors edged home by six chalks (173-179). Ballaugh can be proud at their efforts as they took three wins from a team two divisions, and 23 places higher than their opponents, as Stephen Swift, Dicky Watson, and Richard Green all won.

Peel C (+45) vs Onchan B (+40)

Douglas C (+60) vs Castletown B (+50)

Onchan C (+60) vs Marown C (+40)