Monthly Archives: July 2015
Peel Town Cup
There was a stellar line up of 50 of the islands top bowlers at Peel on Saturday to contest the Town Cup.
Glynn Hargraves made it through a loaded top half of the draw to win the magnificent trophy with a 21-11 final win over homester Alec Taylor.
Hargraves, who was recovering from a spell out with a back injury, will be very pleased with his day as he picked up some magnificent scalps along the way including Peel legend Barney Kelly in the first round and Island regular Neil Withers in the semi-final.
Taylor should be very pleased with his days work to make it to the final as he fell just one short against a double Island Champion who was at the top of his game.
Ladies’ over 60’s league Thursday 2 July
Although there were no maximums in the ladies’ over 60’s league on Thursday 2 July, two teams came very close. Wendy McDowell was the fly in the ointment for Noble’s, winning her game 21-18 to deny them a full house while Jackie Elliott spoiled the party for Villa winning her game by the same score. Port St Mary A also won five games, three of them to single figures, but were denied a maximum by Lilian Slinger, while it was a similar tale at Castletown, only Gill Aughton denying the home side a 126. Peel Sunset had a 4-2 win against Marown, with Mary Moffatt winning to single figures, the two winners for the visitors being Celia Joughin and Shirley Whelan. Breagle had two winners, Joyce Henry and Kay Primrose-Smith, against Douglas while the closest match of the morning was at Ballaugh where despite the home side winning 4-2 on games with Peggy Griffin winning to single figures, a win to single figures by Dee Lewis for Onchan B kept the home side’s advantage down to 3 points.
Ladies’ over 60’s league Tuesday 30 June
Brenda Bowyer was the lone winner for Ballaugh at Noble’s in the Trend sponsored over 60’s ladies’ league on Tuesday 30 June although three of the other games were close with Jane Teare reaching 18 against Pat Robertson. Onchan A made things awkward for Port St Mary A, ending level on games with a deficit of just one point. Apart from Margaret Tasker’s win to single figures the games were close, Rita Callister coming through 21-18 against Hazel Hughes while Flo Kelly pipped Val Macfarlane by the same score. Breagle put up a good fight after their long journey north, ending level on games with Mooragh Park, all six games going to double figures. The tussle of the morning saw Anne Kean lose out 20-21 to Joyce Henry. Although Peel Sunset ended level on games with Port Erin, wins to single figures by Voirrey Curphey and Sylvia Shelbourne gave the home side a comfortable win on points. Douglas won 4-2 on games, a comfortable win to single figures by Jan Osborne giving them a good win on points. The other two matches ended level on games, wins to single figures by Ann Hollingworth and Eileen Killey giving Castletown and Onchan B respectively their games on points.
Ladies’ League Friday 3 July
Maureen Payne spoiled the party for Port St Mary on Friday 3 July in the C Tarleton Hodgson and Son Ltd sponsored ladies’ league, winning her game to deny them a maximum score. The home side won 8 games, four of them to single figures. South Ramsey were second highest scorers on the night, winning 7-2 on games with Lin Ruscoe and Clare Cooper, to single figures, being the two winners for Noble’s. Rhona Argallon came closest to adding a third game reaching 19 against Moira Anderson. Things were close at Peel, where Purt le Moirrey won 5-4 on games with Pauline Worrall winning to single figures. Mary Moffatt and Heather Horsburgh also won to single figures for the home side, while the match of the night saw Dot Mylchreest lose out 20-21 to Shirley Corrin. Douglas came through by 2 points against Marown, winning 5-4 on games. Apart from Rosie Winckle winning to single figures there were several close games, three ending 21-19. Castletown dropped just two games to Mooragh Park, Janet Monk and Rosemary Quirk being the two winners for the home side while at Ballaugh Port Erin had the better of it 5-4 on games. Apart from a master-class by Christine Macdonald the other eight games all went to double figures
Isle of Man vs Lancashire :: Blog
Ladies’ Manx Championship 2015
Ladies Manx Champion 2015
Elaine MooreWith a disappointing entry of 26 the 2015 Ladies’ Manx Championship, sponsored by Ann Gale and Dave McTaggart, was played over one day rather than the two scheduled. The weather stayed fine although the strong winds were having an effect on the behaviour of the woods. Despite that the quality of the field ensured that there was some fine bowling on view.
Quarter-finals: Jayne Kneen 21, Lil Smith 7; Elaine Moore 21, Paula Firth 15; Jenny Moore 21, Lilian Slinger 15; Helen Martin 21, Tricia Bull 11
Semi-finals: Elaine Moore 21, Jayne Kneen 19; Jenny Moore 21, Helen Martin 13.
The final pitted mum Elaine against daughter Jenny and was evenly matched, the score being all square at 7-7 after eleven ends. Elaine had the better of the next period of play, opening up a 15-10 lead which, with two 2’s and a single, Jenny caught up to 15-15 after twenty-three ends. From there Elaine took control, Jenny recording just one more single before her mother ran out the winner 21-16.
Association president, Pat Robertson, thanked the Douglas club for their help throughout the afternoon, measuring, stewarding and providing refreshments. Thanks also went to Chris, Heather and Elaine for running the sheet and doing the raffle.
She particularly thanked Ann Gale and Dave McTaggart who have generously offered to sponsor the event for five years, before asking Ann to present the prizes.
Kennish is the King of Crown
John Kennish became the first Manx Man ever to win back to back main festival titles, as he added the coveted June title to the one he won last September, and his two previous September wins.
What makes this achievement even more breathtaking is that he was handicapped from his previous victory and giving the field a three point start in most games he played.
It’s hard to put into words how amazing this feat is, especially with arguably the strongest line up in recent memory out to stop him.
If truth be known it was a workman like performance from the South Ramsey man for most of the week, finding crucial bowls when he needed them and doing enough to keep him in the competition ahead of Friday’s finals day.
Friday was a different story however, with him moving through the gears and finding his absolute best. His 21-20 quarter final victory over three time’s winner Ian Nicholson (Victoria) must be a contender for game of the tournament. Kennish led like a champion and Nicholson was determined not to let him have it his own way striking him off on no fewer than six occasions, before he managed to edge home.
He ramped it up another notch in Semis taking out one of the pre tournament favourites John Bailey (Conwy BC) 21-11 to move to within touching distance of his first June title.
In the final he played another Welshman Leighton Roberts, a stable mate of Bailey’s, and was simply mesmerising and in control from the start as he notched up another 21-11 victory to end his wait for the prestigious June crown.
Let’s not take anything away from Roberts though he was brilliant all week ending the challenge of all that stood in his way, before falling at the final hurdle. In the Semi-Finals he ended the challenge of Port St Mary’s Ewan Cooil, who himself had a tremendous week, 21-12 after knocking out Ryan Prosser (KVG) in the quarters.
In the ladies main event Tracy Wraight (Kirkham Cons) surpassed all expectation with a simply brilliant day in the sun, and rain, to lift the trophy. In the final she was on top of her game as she saw off the challenge of last years winner Alexi Lunn-Gadd 21-13.
Mooragh Park’s Janet Monk was picked up the trophy for furthest Manx woman in the competition with another great showing, losing out 21-16 to Lunn-Gadd in the semi-finals. Lets also spend a moment to congratulate the evergreen Lillian Slinger, Janet;s mum, on yet another finals day appearance as she made it to the quarter finals.
There was more local success the day before with South Ramsey’s Jenny Moore, Kennish’s niece, keeping it in the family as she was on fire to take the ladies tourism title with a 21-15 victory over visitor Veronica Lyons. Jenny picked up some great scalps along the way and was in imperious form throughout. She was joined in the last eight by teammate Lyn Bolton who narrowly lost out 21-17 to Jackie Owne (Whitfield BC).
Bookies favourite Callum Wraight from Shropshire took the men’s tourism title to set up another family affair, with his mum taking the main title the following day. In the final he beat Chris Kelly (Thongsbridge) 21-14 after getting the right side of a 21-20 after a ding dong battle with Owen Jackson (Kirkam Cons) the previous round. Onchan man Kevin Quirk was the only local to make it to the latter stages going out 21-11 to Jackson in the quarters.
The open double as always proved one of the most popular competitions of the week with entries selling out within minutes of opening. This year’s winners were Warwick & Worcester pairing Jon Palmer & Gareth Herbert who were victorious with a 11-7 win over Gaz Lalley & James Wilcox (Crossgates).
All of the other doubles competitions also proved as popular as ever with Ryan Prosser & Tom Prichard (KGV) winning 11-7 against Harry Hargreaves (Rishton) & Stuart Garrett (Douglas). The mixed doubles were won by Grahem Moore & Alexus Lunn-Gadd who saw off the challenge of Vinnie O’Donnell & Veronica Lyons 9-5.
Matthew Keggen (Onchan) put in a great performance in the consolation competition getting to the semi finals before losing out to Jon Marshall (Callow BC) 21-18. The competition was won by Nigel Hughes (Wirral) who beat Marshall 21-18.
Thanks as always got to Steve Moore and his team who did a great job in organising the best festival in the bowls calendar. Thanks must also go to the Department of Economic Development and Manx Telecom for their continued support of the competition. There really was an electrifying buzz of anticipation and excitement all week and with numbers fifty up on last year, and the reach of the Island lengthening it seems these tournaments are set to flourish in coming year.
When all is said and done there were plenty of other great performance, some of which I couldn’t mention, from both visitors and locals alike but all of the plaudits surely belong to John Kennish, who was quite simply brilliant. It is almost impossible for me to quantify quite how hard it must have been to win off a handicap and how strong the line was this year. If he wasn’t before he must now be regarded as the greatest Manx Bowler of all time. What ever era or what ever school of thought you belong to you must now take your hat off and applaud John Kennish – the King of Manx Crown.
Onchan on Top at Half Way
Onchan A take a ten point lead into the festival break thanks to a 9-1 win away at Nobles A. Tommy Collister was the star of the show for the home side, with a brilliant victory over David Bradford their only win.
Marown A were also in imperious form as they recorded a maximum 10-0 on their travels to Castletown B.
With half the season still to go it will be a massive challenge for anyone to catch the leaders of Isle of Man Bank Division 1, but Marown will relish this challenge and try to answer the gauntlet that has been thrown down to them.
South Ramsey A are also well and truly back in the race as they recorder their own devastating maximum on their travels to the Sunset City against Peel A.
Port St Mary A, who strengthened this year, are back to their best and equal on points with South after a 9-1 win in the local derby over Port Erin. Both Port and South only tail Marown by 3 points and will be hoping to keep pushing and maybe cause an upset by breaking into the top two.
These results leave Castletown B and Peel A routed to the bottom of the table at the half way stage and they will need to improve at the second time of asking if they want to remain in the top flight next term.
Douglas B remain at the top of Division 2 after a hard fought 7-3 win away at Marown B. They take a six point cushion into the break and have clear daylight between them and the chasing pack.
Port St Mary B are best place to challenge the Villa Men and will be very pleased with their work after a 10-0 win over Castletown C keeps them in the hunt.
South Ramsey B are only 3 points further back after they had to scrap for every point to overcome Port St Mary C 7-3 at home.
Onchan C recorded a strong 8-2 win over South Ramsey C to mover 6 points clear at the top of Division 3 and look like the team to beat going into the second set of fixtures.
June Festival
Another festival has been completed successfully, the wet finals morning being forgotten after it was followed by a fine afternoon.
As usual local ladies made their presence felt, with three getting through to the semi-finals of the ladies’ doubles, Helen Martin going out to Paula Firth and Carole Bleakley at that stage. Rachel Quirk was waiting in the final with her partner, Eileen Pye, the pair getting the better of Paula and Carole to take the title.
Philippa Taylor reached the quarter-finals of the Ladies’ Consolation just losing out 20-21 to Carol Ramsey.
Lyn Bolton and Jenny Moore reached the quarter-finals of the Ladies’ Tourism, Lyn going out 17-21 to Jackie Owen at that stage. Jenny beat Sandra Parfitt 21-10, going forward to meet Jackie Owen in the semi-final. A 21-17 win pitted her against Veronica Lyon in the final, where she came through, without too many scares, 21-15 to win the event.
There were five Manx ladies in the last 16 of the main, Janet Monk, Rachel Quirk, Ann Maddrell, Lilian Slinger and Val Macfarlane, who unfortunately played each other at that stage.
Janet moved into the last eight while Rachel lost to eventual runner-up, Alexis Lunn-Gadd. Ann Maddrell lost to Lisa Rice while Lilian just edged Val out 21-20.
Janet progressed to the semi-finals but Lilian went out 21-10 to Tracey Wraight who went on to win the event. Janet went out 16-21 to Alexis but was able to take the trophy for the best Manx Lady back home with her.
Junior Girls Qualifier
A field of four arrived at Ballaugh on Saturday 27 June to contest the Junior Girls Merit, the winner to represent the Island later in the summer.
The contest was played as a round-robin, each game being 15 up.
This is the last year that Casey Bolton will be eligible, as age is catching up with her, and she made the most of her opportunity, winning all three games, but it was good to see two new faces competing – I am sure there are others out there and hope that they will feel able to join in next year.
Casey Bolton 45; Bethany Kennish 35; Katie Sayle 33; Sarah Quirk 23.
We wish Casey the best of luck when she goes across later in the summer.