Monthly Archives: May 2015
Manx Youth Games :: Live Blog
North Ramsey Remain in Pole Position
League Leaders North Ramsey A have managed to avoid the curse of the leading team in the league by hanging on to top spot after defeating Onchan B by 7 games to 1 at the Mooragh on Tuesday and then sitting out the Thursday Game, This meant that both Douglas A and South Ramsey A had disappointing weeks, but to be fair Douglas A had two away games against top opposition, firstly they shared the points at Peel A before going down to Port St Mary by 6 games to 2, with South Ramsey losing both their games at home to Castletown A by 5-3 this was a very close match with the last game going in towns favour with John Alderson coming back to pip Chas Grills 21-20, South Ramseys misfortunes continued on their visit to Onchan A who are slowly finding their form to beat the northerners 5-3. This has allowed Port St Mary A to close within one point of North Ramsey A, both teams having played 8 games in third place are Castletown B who have played a game more but are level on 13 points with PSM A. Town B had a good victory over Ballaugh A at the Crofts 7-1 and followed up with a close win at Port Erin by 4 games to 3 with both teams being players short. Castletown A are a point behind their B team but have a game in hand, after another good week for the southerners, last week’s leaders Peel A and Douglas A are also on 12 points but both have played a game more than Castletown A, and Peel B are a point behind their first team but also have a game in hand. The Mini Cup saw holders North Ramsey B lose on their trip to Finch Hill A, while Douglas B had a great home win over a much depleted Port Erin team, and Nobles B also progress into the semis with a 6-3 win over PSM B.
Week of Shocks in League
The Tower Insurance Over 60’s League only had one set of league games this week, and what a surprise they turned out to be, with some of the lower teams gaining points from the top teams in what must be the most open league for years. Leaders North Ramsey A travelled to lowly Port St Mary B and ended up coming away with a solitary point in a 4-4 draw, with Castletown B using home advantage to beat a strong Nobles A team 6-2 it moves the southerners level on points with North Ramsey on 15 points albeit Castletown B have played 10 games to North Ramsey’s 9, Douglas A move into third place on 14 points edging Marown 5-3 at the Villa, Douglas having played 10 games, Castletown A travelled to Nobles B and ended up drawing 4-4 with Town losing two games to all but, this puts them on 13 points from 9 games. Next up come Port St Mary A whose game at North Ramsey B was called off due to a waterlogged green, Port also have 13 points but have only played 8 matches, also on 13 points are Peel Sunset A who were held at home by Onchan A, Peel Sunset B travelled to Onchan B and lost the chance to overtake their A team as Onchan B ran out 6-2 victors, leaving them on 11 points along with South Ramsey who sat out his week’s game. Douglas B travelled to Port Erin and came away with their first points of the season, as unfortunately Port Erin could only field six players. While Finch Hill used home green advantage to defeat Ballaugh 5-3. The Thursday was Ismay Cup Day with the top two teams at present in the league North Ramsey A and Castletown B playing at the Mooragh, North Ramsey were in sparkling form and ran riot against the town winning by 8 games to 1, as fate would have it third and fourth teams were also matched with Douglas entertaining Castletown A, again it was an 8-1 score line this time in the favour of Castletown. Ismay Cup holders Peel Sunset A lost their grip on the trophy going down at home to visitors Ballaugh in a very close game with the outcome resting on the final game which John Keenan just beating Alec Taylor of Peel 21-20. Port St Mary A travelled to Marown and came away happy with a 6-3 victory, while the Port St Mary B team joined them in the hat for the next round just edging out North Ramsey B by 5 games to 4, Nobles B on the back of their draw with Castletown A were unable to stop a rampant Onchan A from inflicting a 8-1 home defeat. Port Erin by virtue of having fixture against the now defunct Finch Hill B also go into the last eight, the final game was played on Friday and saw Peel Sunset B beat Douglas B by 7-2.
Mike Hargraves clinches Foster Cup
On a lovely day for bowls at the Villa, Mike Hargraves eventually got his name of the Foster Cup for the first time after in the first round beating last years winner Geoff Porter of North Ramsey in a very close game, he then put out last years runner up Stuart Garrett of Douglas in another close encounter 21-19. to reach the quarters where Mike beat another Douglas man Keith Rise to 16, the other quarters saw North Ramseys Brian Colquitt edge out team mate John Breen, Douglas man Bill Jones defeated Ian Kissack of Marown, and George Peach just managed to beat Colin Hinds of Onchan 21-20. The Semi Finals saw Bill Jones defeat Brian Colquitt 21-12 and Mike Hargraves saw of club mate George Peach 21-17 to set up a final between Mike and Bill, It was even stevens in the early part but them Mike found a good length to run out worthy winner 21 -11. Can I thank the two people who sponsor the Foster Cup Roy Williams and Stuart Garrett for their very kind sponsorship, Paula for looking after the catering side and Douglas Bowling Club for providing such a good green for the competition, and Ken and Roy for looking after the sheet. Unfortunately the entry was down on previous years with the Night League having fixtures in the evening, so a rethink into the possible day of the competition could be called for.
Top Lady
The Ladies’ Association “Top Lady” invitational event took place at Peel on Sunday 10 May when 32 ladies faced a tricky green, made more so by the windy conditions, to battle for the Top Lady title – at least it stayed dry with just a hint of rain at the end.
There were some very close (and long) games during the day so that despite the noon start, play went on till eight in the evening.
Quarter-finals: Ann Hollingworth 21, Ann Gale 11; Gill Dixon 21, Heather Horsburgh 12; Philippa Taylor 21, Lyn Bolton 20; Jenny Moore 21, Clare Cooper 16.
Semi-finals: Ann Hollingworth 21, Gill Dixon 19; Jenny Moore 21, Philippa Taylor 11.The final pitted last year’s winner, Jenny Moore, against Ann Hollingworth. Jenny took an early lead at 11-4 before Ann won the next six ends to go into a 12-11 lead, at which point Jenny upped her game a level to run out the winner, 21-13, and retain her title.
Association president, Pat Robertson, made the presentation thanking everyone who had helped in any way during the afternoon. She thanked the Peel Club, and the ladies who had provided the refreshments.
Greeba Cup
There was an entry of 22 pairs for the Greeba Cup ladies’ doubles played at Marown on Saturday 9 May.
The weather was fine for the afternoon’s play but turned bitterly cold for the latter stages which may partly explain the dearth of spectators staying to watch the final.
Both Semi-finals were close, Paula Firth and Lin Ruscoe coming back from 14-20 down against Mary Kinrade and Ellie Cowell to book their place in the final, while in the other Helen Martin and Kim Hargraves had the better of the early exchanges to hold a 12-7 lead over Tricia Bull and Margaret Tasker. Margaret and Tricia fought back to level 15 across, at which point Helen and Kim scored a 4 before the Port St Mary pair took the next four ends to win.
Semi-finals: Paula Firth and Lin Ruscoe 21, Mary Kinrade and Ellie Cowell 20; Margaret Tasker and Tricia Bull 21, Helen Martin and Kim Hargraves 19
The final could not have been more exciting with Paula and Lin racing to a 16-8 lead before Margsret and Tricia won the next four ends to pull back to 13-16. The PSM pair had the better of the next few ends to level at 19-19. Paula and Lin won the next end to get to “all but” first before Margaret and Tricia dug deep to take the next two ends and the title.
Final: Margaret Tasker and Tricia Bull 21, Paula Firth and Lin Ruscoe 20
The presentation was made by club president Rosie Winckle who thanked the Marown ladies for their help during the afternoon.
Onchan Express Back on Track – Games 7 & 8
Isle of Man Bank Division One leaders Onchan bounced back from last week’s defeat with two ruthless results to steam ahead of the chasing pack. They started the week with an extremely impressive 8-2 win away over a strong Port St Mary team before further stoking the fire behind their title defence with a 10-0 home win against struggling Ballaugh A.
Ballaugh will be disappointed with their showing though after a very impressive 7-3 win over Castletown A just two days earlier. Port were back to winning ways on Wednesday with an 8-2 victory at Nobles.
Whilst Monday’s performance against Port was extremely impressive it is the Champions ability to deliver devastating maximum results against the lower ranked teams which I think will see them on track for another title. Any other teams with title ambitions will need to take note and up their game if they want to halt the momentum of the Onchan express.
Douglas A have started the season on all steam ahead and followed up last week’s victory over the champions with two more solid performances to move into second place. They took North Ramsey’s 100% record with frightening ease as they won 9-1 on Monday before beating Peel 7-3 on their travels. This is a team with fire in their belly and they will be hoping to challenge for a top four place come the end of August.
Marown A are the most likely challengers to Onchan’s crown and are now in third place having played a game less than the top two. If they are to mount a serious quest for top honours they need to start now and will be pleased with two strong showings with a 9-1 win over Nobles before adding to North Ramsey’s woes by beating them 8-2 on their own patch.
South Ramsey A are a side who started the season with true title ambitions and after sitting out on Monday will be genuinely disappointed to have only left Castletown A with a 6-4 win. They need to get going, and get going fast if they want to get their hands on the silverware.
At the top of the Division Two tree South Ramsey B will be very happy with their progress this week beating Ballaugh B 8-2 before a recording great midweek win by the same score over high flying Onchan B.
Douglas B are in second place and despite a great start winning 8-2 away at Peel B they will be disappointed to have suffered their first setback of the season going down 6-4 at home to Port St Mary C.
Oncahn B and Port St Mary B are third and fourth respectively and just two points off Douglas B and six off the top. Port and Douglas have both played one game less than our current leaders and I think the winners of this hotly contested league will come from these four.
Onchan C are now the team to beat at the top of Division Three after two strong performances last week they began with a brilliant 10-0 whitewash of Ballauch C and followed it up with a battling 7-3 at Nobles C to move four points clear.
David Becomes Goliath with Manx Championship Victory
David ‘Drof’ Bradford (Onchan) etched his name into the record books as he beat Trevor Quayle (Port St Mary) 21-15 to win the Canada Life International Manx Championship. The final was a breath taking conclusion to an enthralling two days action with both players playing their part.
Bradford, who is fast becoming a colossus of the local game, added the coveted trophy to his ever increasing collection and despite being only Thirty years old will be relieved to have got this monkey off his back, as many past greats have failed to get their hands on the illusive holy grail of Manx bowls.
In the final, despite an even start, Bradford eventually moved through the gears quicker surging into a 16-8 lead over Quayle, who had played like a champion all day. Just when it looked like he might be running away with it his opponent dug deep, and using all his resolve mounted a spirited fight back. It was not to be for Trevor, and after seeing one of his best leads beaten at 20-15 adrift; he saw his second bowl go through a seemingly impossible gap to fall just short of his own quest for glory.
Whilst Bradford deserves all the plaudits and accolades afforded to him, spare a thought for Quayle who was at times equally brilliant over the course of the weekend. He started finals day in ruthless form with a 21-8 win over Mike Hargraves (Castletown) before turning on the style to eliminate eight times champion John Kennish (South Ramsey) in the quarter finals and followed this up with a hard fought 21-18 win over double champion Glynn Hargraves (Onchan) to book his final berth.
In my mind Trevor has been one of the most underrated players in the local game over the past few years, and this final appearance comes as no shock to me, and I by no means think it will be the last time we see him vying for silverware on the big stage. As they say in bowls ‘next end lad’ and I expect to see Trevor straight back in and gunning for glory the next time he steps onto the green.
Our champion had a trickier start to the day, however, and trailed 16-19 to former champion Neil Withers (Marown). With the scores finely poised at 19-19, and Neil lying in two for game his luck changed as a strike he sent flicked off the short wood to cut his opponent down to one and save game. It didn’t stop there and with him lying one next end to go to all but across his opponent went all out for the win with a questionable full blooded strike at his bowl, and in the process took his own wood off the green to see Bradford through by the narrowest of margins.
It takes a champion to come through at seemingly impossible odds and Bradford is a true champion. In the quarter finals he was too hot to handle for Alan Moore (South Ramsey) running away to a 21-9 win before meeting a battling Ewan Cooil (Port St Mary) in the semi-finals who made him work all the way to get over the line at 21-16. Cooil can also be pleased with his weekends work and he played some great bowls, none more so than beating home greener Paul Kelly (Douglas) 21-10 in the quarters.
With an entry of over 60 players for the first time in a good few years there were many highlights of the weekend but two players who shone for me were Michael Collister (Port St Mary) and Mervin Sayle (Finch Hill).
Despite his tender age Collister has struggled in the past few seasons, since winning the Clague Kermeen Trophy, and his performance was a real return to form and he should be very proud of his efforts. He not only qualified for finals days but made it to the quarter finals where he pushed Glynn Hargraves all the way 21-20.
Sayle, who is now playing in division one, showed his true pedigree with the upset of day one eliminating two time champion Kevin Quirk (Onchan) 21-9 with a devastating display.
At the conclusion of the competition IOMCCGBA President Phil Kerruish thanked Douglas for hosting the competition and Canada Life International for their continued support and sponsorship of the event, but the day belonged to Bradford.
It is the end to what has been a long wait for him after he sprung to the fore in 2002 by becoming the youngest ever winner of an Isle of Man Bowls Festival, at the tender age of seventeen. Since then he has emerged as true talent with the potential to reach the highest level, not only on our shores but also in the UK. Now he has a title under his belt the only question I have left to ask is how many more will he add?
His win qualifies him for the British Senior Merit and the famous Champion of Champions competition and with the Island team now represented at Senior County Level I know he will turn a few heads on every green he steps on. Well done Drof, this is your moment lad and you deserve to enjoy every second of it.
David Bradford Manx Champion!
David Bradford has won the Canada Life Manx Championship for the first time beating Port St Mary’s Trevor Quayle 21-15.
Full report here https://www.iombowls.com/david-becomes-goliath-with-manx-championship-victory/
The draw and results for each round can be found here http://iombowls.challonge.com/mensmanxchampionship2015
To recap on the blog of the weekends events click here https://www.iombowls.com/mens-manx-championship-2015-live-blog/
Ladies’ over 60’s Thursday 7 May
The weather relented on Thursday and all seven Trend sponsored over 60’s matches went ahead. Peel Sunset led the way with a full house against Breagle, three of the home players winning to single figures. The match at the Villa was a high-scoring affair with all players reaching double figures. The home side had a 4-2 advantage on games though five of the games could have gone either way , Villa winning two of their games to 19 and the two winners for Noble’s, Sonja Lees and Lin Ruscoe, winning to 18. The game of the match saw Pat Robertson just lose out 20-21 to Pat Kelly. Onchan A travelled to Port St Mary B where they won five of the six games although all games went to double figures. Sandi Lowe was the lone winner for the home side, denying Onchan A a maximum. Marown had a 4-2 advantage against Mooragh Park with Mary Black winning to single figures as did Moira Anderson for the visitors. 3-3 was the score in games at Onchan B, But with Jane Teare reaching 18 against Joyce Gardiner and Peggy Griffin getting 19 against Lynda Clarke, together with Ann Gale winning to single figures Bal laugh had a clear win on points. Port Erin had a close match with Douglas, all games going to double figures, the game of the match seeing Patsy Rush just come through 21-20 against Jackie Elliott. Port St Mary A did not have it all their own way at Castletown, winning 4-2 on games with Anne Oates and Marie Ashurst, to single figures, being the two winners for the home side. Wins to single figures by Win Collister and Margaret Tasker gave them a comfortable win on points in the end.