Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

North vs South Charity Challenge: The stage was set for one of the most eagerly awaited community sporting events of the year, as the North and the South went head-to-head in the inaugural Charity Challenge, on Saturday, 20th September 2025, at Nobles Greens 1 & 2. With a start time of 10:00, spectators were treated to a full day of competition, camaraderie, and charity, all in support of Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

The event was proudly sponsored by IQ EQ, Canada Life, and Ellan Vannin Fuels. Thanks to their generous support, every bowl sent on the day helped raise vital funds for the MNDA, an organisation providing essential care, research, and hope for those affected by the condition.

With team photos taken, the bowlers and spectators were treated to a superb performance by local singer Alexandra Slater who performed the British National Anthem, followed by the Manx National Anthem. A roll up consisting of Junior Bowlers, over 70’s along with the Governor Sir John Lorimer and his Wife Lady Philippa Lorimer, who were upstaged by the Mayor Steven Crellin and his Wife Sarah with the Mayor taking bragging rights by winning the roll up.

The match format was set to ensure plenty of variety and excitement. Spectators were treated to a day of men’s doubles, Ladies doubles, mixed doubles, mixed triples, Junior bowls, and over 70’s in the mix and, to bring the day to a thrilling conclusion, men’s and Ladies singles on the main green. With such a mix of styles and formats, there was always entertainment for the spectators.

The rain held off for the majority of the day, which was a bonus given the forecast earlier in the week, even when the rain did start it was at the business end of the afternoon, did not dampen spirits in the slightest.

The categories played 11-up were Junior Singles, over 70’s Doubles and Junior Doubles, while the Mixed Triples, over 70’s Singles, Mixed Doubles, Ladies Doubles, and Men’s Doubles all 21-up off six. For each win by either team half a point was awarded, which set up the 18 singles Ladies and Men’s matches for a thrilling finish with the 18 singles with a whole point being awarded for each win.

The target was clear the first team to score 19.5 points would win the inaugural North versus South Charity Tournament. With a few last-minute tweaks to the lineup for both teams, the day got underway with North sporting Black Polo Shirts and South in White to make both teams easily identifiable.

On Green one Harrison Moore stepped in to the North Team for the Juniors and beat rising star Freddie Palmer 11-10 to get the North on the board. As the morning went on there was a common theme – the results coming in were heavily favouring the South with North losing two games 20-21 with Dougie Allan being edged out by Les Brookes, while Husband and Wife pairing Glynn and Kim Hargraves squandered a 20-9 lead to lose out 20-21 to Debbie Leece and Glenn Boland in the Mixed Doubles. A close game finally went in favour of the North as Joyce Kelly and Maureen Payne got home 11-10 to earn a rare half point for the North. Once the various categories were complete on Green One the South had scored three points more than North 6.5 to 3.5.

On Green two the North won the first triples game, however a six-game winning streak for South was responded to by North to see the match level 3-3 on Green two. A four-game winning streak from South in the over 70’s doubles, Junior doubles, Ladies, and Men’s doubles saw another two points go to South. The men’s doubles fared slightly better for North with 1.5 points scored to South’s 1 point, with Dan McCabe and Phil Salmon edging home 21-20 against James Teare and Stefan Kelly. Once the various categories were complete on Green Two the South had scored 1.5 points more than North (6 to 4.5).

With the 18 singles matches going on slightly ahead of schedule North were on 8 points, while South were sitting pretty on 12.5 points, knowing just seven wins (seven points) from 18 singles games would be enough to see them over the line.

The singles were well contested with 13 games finishing to 16 or more, things looked to be on course for South after the first six blocks with another three points acquired, with just four more wins needed. For South Lyn Bolton came back from a 15-17 deficit against Kim Hargraves to win 21-18, while Caroline Whitehead won to the same score against Junior bowler Bailey McMullan. Picking up a third win for South was Wayne Roberts with a 21-20 victory, with the latter picking up a double on the last end in a game that changed the lead several times.

Hitting back for South with three wins were Jordan Cain who stormed to a 21-11 win over Jamie Box, Kevin Quirk’s experience carried him over the line 21-19 against Glenn Boland, while Rob Monk finished his game strongly to beat Andy Cannell 21-17.

There was still no sign of a comeback from North, what happened next with the next six blocks flipped the match on its head, with the South team stunned by the North. Peter Collister made light work of Tom Kelly 21-12, while Madison McMullan had the finish of the day with her game with South’s Tracy Moore tied at 20-20, with Moore counting for two with two good bowls – a foot and 18 inches away only for McMullan to display nerves of steel to play her last bowl just nine inches away from the jack to seal a 21-20 win. The momentum continued to gather for North with Bob Clark bating Ewan Cooil 21-16, with Fiona Kennish putting North ahead for the first time in the match by half a point (16-15.5) getting over the line 21-17 against Jayne Smith. The next block off saw the lead extended to 1.5 points as Glynn Hargraves recovered from a slow start to beat Peter Jones 21-16.

With the tension and excitement building around the green, the rain was finally starting to set in, the South hit back with two points to retake the lead by half a point 17.5-17 as Paula Garrett breezed to a 21-12 win over Louise Tebay, while Neil Withers got over the line 21-19 against Barney Kelly with the score tied at 19-19 a two secured another point for South.

A grandstand finish awaited with eight top bowlers left on the green. North captain Jenny Moore sealed a superb 21-11 win over Debbie Leece as North edged ahead again, with Janet Monk putting North just one victory away from sealing the win with a 21-16 win over Clare Cooper.

Rather fittingly it was North Vice-Captain John Kennish, who sealed the win to pass the magical 19.5 points required for North as he faced Colin Kelly, with the two having dominated the sport for over 30 years. Kennish built up a 16-8 lead over his old adversary Kelly, playing from the edge to just over the crown. Conceding the jack nearly proved costly as Kelly levelled the game 16-16 in the corners, with Kennish getting back in at the right time to see the game out 21-16 with five singles.

If Kennish and Kelly have dominated the sport for over 30 years, then two bowlers widely considered to be the best on the island this year faced off for the umpteenth time this season, with Bradford the number one and current Manx Champion. The two have shared several top titles on the Island this year. A fascinating battle took place with the players well matched the game was level 14-14 after 11 ends, then level once more (16-16) after 14 ends, with the odd end killed off. Dunn edged ahead 17-16, it was around this time that word came through that North had sealed the title, with both players visibly relaxing and providing further entertainment for the crowd. Bradford went on to pick up a double and a single and was counting for two on the following end with Dunn killing the end. Two more singles followed for Bradford, who sealed a 21-17 victory, and somewhat spookily the match score finished 21 points to North with South on 17.5.

The day ran like clockwork thanks to the efforts of Mark Dimsdale and Joyce Ogden whose energy and enthusiasm over the Tannoy kept the crowd informed, with cheers each time a result came in.

The organisers of the event promised a close contest, which proved to be the case with bragging rights for the North, but always in the spirit of fundraising and togetherness.

Joyce Ogden thanked Noble’s Bowling Club for hosting the event, along with all the players for taking part. Roy Moore, a former Island Golf Champion went on to making a witty and entertaining speech, as he kept the crowd guessing as to who the winner was, before revealing North as the true winners.

Event Organiser Michele Cubbon (IOMCCGBA) Chairperson went on to present Christine Pain from Motor Neurone Disease Association, Isle of Man with donations of over £1,000. Thanks were also given to the sponsors IQ EQ, Canada Life, and Ellan Vannin Fuels for their valued support, South Captain Trevor Quayle, Vice-Captain Clare Cooper, North Captain Jenny Moore and Vice-Captain John Kennish, everyone who had contributed in any way and Elaine Moore for keeping everyone well fed. The idea was muted at the start of the year with nearly eight months of graft to get everything in place for what turned out to be a superb day.

North Captain Jenny Moore and Vice-Captain John Kennish were presented with the trophy, with the latter going on to say that the format and scoring had been set up in a Ryder Cup style format based on a concept of Lynn Pritchatt, whose partner Mel Evans MBE, a man who did so much for the sport over the years getting the game back onto National Television passed away with Motor Neurone disease several years ago. It was also mooted that the event could be held every other year going forward.

The Charity Challenge was so much more than a sporting fixture; it was a celebration of community spirit. The real victory on the day was in raising funds for such an important cause – with over £1,000 raised from player donations alone, along with a raffle. The final figure raised is expected to be considerably more for Motor Neurone Disease Association, Isle of Man.