Two Horse Race Heading Into Final Week

With a week left to go Castletown A and Port St Mary A will battle it out to become champions of the Ladies Night Bowling League.

Last week, Castletown A faced a tricky away match against Nobles knowing they could not risk dropping too many points with the title in sight. Nobles saw wins from Clare Cooper, Rebecca Teare, Alison Keggen, Debbie Leece and Sylvia Kennaugh. Castletown’s winners were Anne Oates, Hannah Drewett, Hilary Kermode and Tracy Moore. The match finished with Nobles claiming a one chalk victory winning 164-163 (5-4). Castletown’s losing ladies all performed well pushing into double figures ensuring they dropped little points and retaining their advantage heading into the final week of the season.

Port St Mary A have done all they can to keep themselves in the title race with a crushing win over their B team in which they scored a maximum winning by an overall score of 94-189 (0-9).

Castletown B played their final match of the season, at home against Mooragh Park, as they sit out of the last round of matches. Mooragh Park won by 66 chalks 112-178 (2-7). Rosemary Quirk and Aalish Haworth top-scored both winning 21-2 with Janet Monk also winning to single figures. Victoria Johnson, Vicky Lloyd-West, Helen Martin and Shannon McMullan also won for the visitors. Castletown picked up their wins from Jo Robert and Rachel Palmer. In only their second season Castletown B have improved with each week and have scored over 250 points more than their debut season. I expect further improvements in 2020 and this team will begin to rise the table.

Peel Sunset travelled to face Douglas at the Villa green and left with a 41 chalk victory. Heather Horsburgh and Pat Robertson top-scored for Peel both winning 21-3 with wins also coming from Lynda Wilson, Joyce Kelly, Gill Clarke and Sue Jones. Douglas picked up three wins from Harley Garrett, Wendy Cowin and Pat Kelly with the match ending 120-161 (3-6).

Ballaugh had a home encounter against Onchan with the visiting team winning more games on the night but losing on chalks with having to give a walkover. Michelle Cubbon received the walkover whilst Elaine Fenton, Cath Harvey and Gill Dixon won for the home team. Onchan’s winners were Marilyn Ellison, Dee Lewis, Maureen Payne and Lynda Clarke. Final score 145-137 (4-5).

The final match last week saw another close result as Port Erin lost at home by three chalks to Marown. Port Erin picked up four winners from Di Benson, Carol Kaye, Kay Primrose-Smith and Lynda Cadamy. Marown’s winners were Lil Smith, Mary Alderson, Joyce Ogden, Rosie Winckle and Elaine Dewhirst. The five wins gave Marown the chalks they needed to win 144-147 (4-5).

With the final matches approaching Castletown A lead Port St Mary A by 25 chalks and face a tricky last match away to Marown. PSM have a home tie against Ballaugh and must look to score another maximum and hope their rivals drop points. It promises to be a great conclusion to the season and the closest finish to the season for several years. Should Castletown triumph it would be a record 16th league win and their first since 2009.

In the race for the individual merit, Elaine Moore remains top on 481 three chalks ahead of Rebecca Teare.