Posh Paws Ladies’ Singles
There was a field of 28 for the ladies’ singles open played at Peel on Saturday 1st September. The competition had a new sponsor in Posh Paws of Peel, and the players enthusiasm was not dampened by the inclement drizzly weather. Despite the conditions and the problems Peel have been having with their green there was some fine bowling on display.
There were some very close games and in the first round visitor Christine Lawton, St. Judes, just lost out 20-21 to Lyn Bolton while Jean Thackrah came through against Celia Joughin by the same score.
In the second round Voirrey Curphey edged out Lil Smith 21-20 while another visitor. Pat Edwards, Winstanley, just lost out on the last end to Philippa Taylor.
The quarter-finals all went to double figures with Mary Moffatt, Caroline Whitehead, Philippa Taylor and Chris Price going through to the semis.
Quarter-finals: Mary Moffatt 21, Voirrey Curphey 14; Caroline Whitehead 21, Lyn Bolton 17; Philippa Taylor 21, Jean Thackrah 17; Chris Price 21, Joyce Kelly 16.
Philippa had a struggle in her semi-final as Chris was quickly off the blocks, leading 11-5 after four ends. The Marown player won three of the next four ends to close to 9-12, but from that point Chris was unstoppable coming through to win 21-9.
The other semi-final was a bit tighter, with Mary having slightly the better of the early exchanges, leading 11-8 after six ends. Caroline scored seven in the next four ends to take a 15-11 advantage which Mary closed down to 14-15. With just another 2 being scored by the home player, the Port Erin player progressed to the final 21-16.
Semi-finals: Chris Price 21, Philippa Taylor 9; Caroline Whitehead 21, Mary Moffatt 16.
The final was a close affair with scores being level at 8-8,11-11 and 13-13. At that point Chris had a run of six ends taking the score to18-13. Caroline was not finished and fought to the end but could not overcome Chris’s mid-game advantage, eventually losing out 21-16.
The Presentation was made by Heather Horsburgh, who thanked Liz Shergold, of Posh Paws of Peel, for sponsoring the event. She also thanked the members of the Peel club for their help during the afternoon, and special mention was made of green keeper, Eddie Phillips, who was thanked for his efforts to overcome the difficulties of the green, and also for selling the raffle tickets !