New season underway

Last weekend saw the start of the 18th season of outdoor winter bowls when the Manx Petroleum sponsored league kicked into action with three maximum wins recorded over both days.

The opening two fixtures had 5-1 victories on games, with Sonya Mercer preventing a whitewash for her team Castletown Cannons against southern rivals Erin Porters.

This while Mike Thomas (Parkers) held his nerve against opponent Thomas Keggen (Louie’s Angels) to win 21-19 and record the only win for his side.

Parkers next took on Erin Porters and recovered well from their earlier disappointment to notch up their opening victory by just eight points in a close encounter that ended three-all on games.

Having missed out by two chalks in the first outing, Louie’s Angels aimed to improve and this they did with the campaign’s maiden maximum win, achieved with comfortable ease against Castletown Cannons.

Results for Saturday, October 6: Castletown Cannons 82 (1), Erin Porters 116 (5); Parkers 83 (1), Louie’s Angels 124 (5); Erin Porters 105 (3), Parkers 113 (3); Louie’s Angels 126 (6), Castletown Cannons 71 (0).

Sunday saw a new look Outsiders square up against Bits n Bobs, who themselves had three newcomers in the team and it was the experienced outfit who came out on top, winning all six games.

Also taking part were last season’s runners-up, Mooragh Lakers, another squad with some new faces in the line-up and they went within one game of a perfect start against opponents Bowl Rollers.

Unfortunately for Rollers the afternoon didn’t get any better and they ended up on the wrong side of a six games to nil encounter with Outsiders.

Last up were Bits n Bobs and Mooragh Lakers and with the away side cruising through the first four games, things looked good for the former champions.

However in the final two games off the green Geoff Mayles and Franz ten Donkelaar both sneaked home with 21-19 wins against Janet Monk and Harry Barton.

Results for Sunday, October 7: Outsiders 126 (6), Bits n Bobs 64 (0); Mooragh Lakers 117 (5), Bowl Rollers 83 (1);  Bowl Rollers 69 (0), Outsiders 126 (6); Bits n Bobs 80 (2),  Mooragh Lakers 122 (4).

The club’s opening round robin session took place on the Wednesday prior to the league games and an entry of 38 was split into two groups from which the winners were Jeff Wilson, Lynda Wilson and Derek Clarke in the triples and the pairing of David Clucas and Mike Kelly.

All members are reminded that entries close for the round robin sessions at 1pm prompt and anyone arriving after that time will be denied entry.

For sides competing at weekends there are a number of club members available who are not allocated to a team, details of which will be held by the secretary should any captain require extra players.