Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

South Ramsey Bowling Club hosted the Manx Masters on Friday evening, one of the highlights of the Manx bowls calendar with the Junior bowlers playing in two separate competitions The weather, whilst blustery at times, with heavy rain earlier on in the day, the rain held off for the duration of the competition. With over 75 people around the green the event was well supported, with the Juniors having the unique opportunity to play under floodlights it led to a good atmosphere around the green.

Moira Anderson Junior Manx Masters

The Junior Manx Masters was played as a straight knockout 21up off a handicap of +10 for the older and more experienced players with an entry of 14 players this year.

The title was won for the first time by last year’s runner up Bailey McMullan (Mooragh Park) who went one better with a superb display against Alex Colquitt (Marown), in what was a superb final, with both bowling playing some excellent bowls to stay in the game.

Alex made the better start winning three of the first four ends to lead 14-12, with Bailey responding winning of the following four ends to lead 17-15. The Marown Junior went on to score a single and a double to lead 18-17, with the game now at the business end, both players kept their opponent down to singles.

Both players continued to pull out crucial bowls, however it was Bailey who just had the edge to hold her nerve to seal a 21-20 victory over Alex, with both players evenly matched throughout even on the number of ends won in the game (eight ends each) with Bailey crucially scoring three doubles, with Alex scoring two doubles being the difference.

Bailey had another battle at the semi-final stage with Nobles player Alex Hampson, who were well matched throughout, Bailey sealed her place in the final with a 21-20 victory. The other semi-final saw the current holder Katie Jacobs (Douglas) lose out 10-21 to Colquitt, who played superbly, winning in just seven ends, scoring four doubles on his way to victory.

At the quarter final stage Bailey had a comfortable 21-15 win against Aalish Moore (Castletown) keeping the Town player down to five singles. Hampson booked his place in the quarter finals with a 21-14 win over Kian Bradford (South Ramsey). In the other half of the draw Colquitt got the better of Sam Quayle (Castletown) with a 21-14, whilst Jacobs won to the same score against Enya Christian (Marown).

Moira Anderson Young Manx Masters

The Young Manx Masters competition for Primary School children was contested by six juniors, with four boys and two girls featuring. This competition was played in a round robin format playing six ends with the last end played as a ‘power’ end with points scored counting double.

After a good evening of bowls, which included plenty of smiles from all the younger bowlers it was Saskia Tebay (Marown) who picked up her second win in this competition having won the title in 2024.

Saskia edged to victory with a total of 28 points from her five round robin games, followed closely by Bertie Moss (Peel) and 2025 winner Cole Smart (North Ramsey) who both finished just one point behind on 27 points.

The standard of play in both events was excellent and some of the bowls played would not have been out of place in the senior events. The event was this year supported by House of Fae, the competitions has been renamed to the Moira Anderson Junior/Young Manx Masters, following the loss of a long serving and dedicated life member of the club who served as South Ramsey Bowling Club President for a number of years, with Moira always being on hand to help out at the club.

The presentation was made by Kim Hargraves (competition organiser), who thanked the new sponsors House of Fae, thanks were also given to the coaches, measurers, markers and green stewards, and Alan Moore for providing the refreshments in the kitchen. A special mention was also given to all the spectators who had attended, with the excellent standard of play in both competitions was also noted.