Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

A healthy entry of 34 pairs took part in this year’s Port St Mary mixed doubles open competition held at Breagle Glen on Bank Holiday Monday on another fine day.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were Sue Gawne (Noble’s) and Andy Kennish (Marown) 17-21 to Marown pair Rebecca Teare and Paul Dunn. An all South Ramsey affair between Kim Hargraves and Peter Collister who were up against Elaine Moore and Glynn Hargraves was well contested with the latter pair progressing 21-18. Jean Thackrah (Port Erin) and Bernard Thackrah (Port St Mary) reached the end of the road as they were beaten 10-21 by South Ramsey’s Jenny Moore and James Teare, whilst Port Erin’s Voirrey Curphey and Seamus Whelan lost out 14-21 to Philippa and Alec Taylor (Marown/Peel).

The first semi-final was Teare and Dunn who were up against Moore and Hargraves with the latter pair forced to swap the playing order as they trailed 10-14, before going on to turn the game around to book their place in the final with a 21-17 win.

In the other semi-final Moore and Teare won 21-9 in just 11 ends as the Taylor’s scored a three on the single end they did win.

The all South Ramsey final was expected to be a tight match with Elaine and Glynn sticking to the order that had got them through the semi-final as they won the first two ends with singles. Jenny and James scored two doubles in between Elaine and Glynn picking up two more singles to tie the score at 10-10. The following two ends were dead ends with James taking the jack off the green, with Elaine returning the favour. The following end Elaine and Glynn were lying three only for James to play a great last bowl to edge ahead 11-10.

Elaine and Glynn then took control of the game with three consecutive doubles, conceding two singles in between another double to lead 18-13.

A single put Elaine and Glynn 19-13 ahead. On the next end Jenny and James were counting one, only for Elaine to trail the jack through to lie game which Jenny was unable to beat for Elaine and Glynn to take the win 21-13.

The presentation was made by Port St Mary Club President Margaret Tasker who thanked everyone at the club that helped on the day. In his speech Glynn noted that it had been a couple of years since he and Elaine had won a mixed doubles competition.