Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

North Ramsey Bowling Club hosted the popular Ramsey Town Cup on Saturday with the competition attracting a good entry of 47, no doubt helped by the fine weather.

The winner was Peel man Tom Kelly who claimed a deserved 21-15 victory over Reginald Temporaza to claim his first open competition title. There would no doubt have been some nerves from both players with neither player having reached the final of a singles open competition previously, it was Kelly who made a good start with two doubles to take a 10-6 lead playing a short round peg, extending this further to 15-9 after switching tactics to a short mark over the middle of the green which had served him well throughout the day, before Temporaza hit back with a six point run on a round peg to level the game at 15-15. Kelly got back in on his favoured mark to run out with two singles and two doubles to claim his first open win and the £80 first prize. Kelly had performed well all day with his ability to hit strikes serving him well.

In the semis Tom Kelly had the unenviable task of overcoming his father Colin Kelly, with Tom doing just that beating Colin 21-20 to take his place in the final after fighting back from a 17-20 deficit and brilliantly saving game to beat two good bowls in the corners. Tom went on to claim two singles and a double, forcing Colin to strike on the last end but not getting the result he hoped for with the hit, whilst Temporaza was always in control in his game performing well to beat Steve Parker (Onchan) 21-11.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were Stefan Kelly (South Ramsey), who lost to Tom Kelly (17-21) in a good quality game, along with fellow South Ramsey men James Teare who lost to Colin Kelly (9-21), Sid Bolton was beaten by Temporaza (18-21) and Dean Kinley (Castletown) lost to Parker (15-21).

At the conclusion of play the presentation was made by competition secretary Gary Lenton who thanked everyone who had entered, along with the club members who had helped with the running of the competition. North Ramsey club president Helen Martin was then introduced to present the prizes.