Monthly Archives: August 2020
Barney Kelly Wins Over 60’s Manx Championship
Over 60’s Manx Champion - Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly
Photo: Glynn HargravesSouth Ramsey Bowling Club hosted this year’s Over 60’s Manx Championship with the competition attracting 64 entries, 32 played on each of the qualifying days on the Tuesday & Wednesday afternoon with players having to win two games on their qualifying day to reach the finals day on Thursday.
Reaching the Last 16 before losing out were Bryan Corner (North Ramsey), Mike Thomas (Onchan), Steve Kelly (South Ramsey), there were five players who pushed their opponents all the way with Andy Kennish (Peel) losing out 19-21 to Steve Bridson (Marown), Geoff Porter (North Ramsey) lost 18-21 to Derek Allen (Onchan), team mate Colin Spence reached 20 against Frank Watson (Peel), as did Mike Alexander (Onchan) against Peter Oates (Castletown), whilst Alec Taylor (Peel) lost 19-21 to Ron Williams (Castletown).
In the quarter finals Harry Kelly (Peel) had his challenge ended by Steve Bridson, whilst home greener Chas Grills was leading 19-14 and lying game against Derek Allen, only for Derek to wick in and go on to run out with a 21-19 win. Frank Watson lost 16-21 to Ron Williams, whilst Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly (Peel) won 21-11 against Peter Oates.
The semi-finals were straightforward with Derek Allen taking a 21-15 win against Steve Bridson to take his place in the final, whilst Dave ’Barney’ Kelly took a comfortable 21-6 win over Ron Williams.
The final started with Derek Allen taking a single on the first end, then putting his jack into the corner which Barney jumped on to score a single to get into the corners, then picking up a two on the next end. Derek capitalised on two poor bowls from Barney to score a good two to level things up at 3-3. This proved to be the last end that Derek scored, and was possibly one game too many on the day for Derek, with Barney eventually coming out of the corners to play a tricky mark over the crown due to not playing up to his usual standard in the corners. Barney scored 18 consecutive chalks to take an emphatic 21-3 victory to seal the Over 60’s Manx Championship title at the first time of asking.
The presentation was made by competition secretary John Ryder, who introduced Roger Thomas to present the prizes. Thanks were given to John & Joan Ryder for running the sheet, South Ramsey for hosting the event over the three days, the greenkeepers for the excellent condition of the green, the ladies for the selection of refreshments provided, and all the club members who assisted with the measuring & stewarding throughout.
Home Greeners win the Greeba Cup
Greeba Cup Winners 2020
Philippa Taylor & Joyce OgdenThe Ladies Greeba Cup was held at Marown last Sunday, with an impressive entry of 25 pairs it was brilliant to see so many people around the green.
There were a couple of junior girls playing in the competition, all playing remarkably well with brilliant attitudes on the green, Megan Hargraves played with her mother Kim, winning their first game and just losing out in the second to Caroline Corlett and Lily Gawne. Lily, another junior lady, played some cracking bowls all afternoon and lost out in the quarter final stage.
In the semi-finals Hilary Kermode and Ann Hollingworth, both from Castletown, lost out to home greeners Philippa Taylor and Joyce Ogden, with the latter securing some valuable 3s to win 21-15. In the other semi-final sister duo Debbie Leece and Beckie Teare lost to South Ramsey’s Fiona Kennish and Jenny Moore, another score of 21-15.
In the final, Philippa and Joyce got off to a good start, winning the first few ends to give them an advantage. The South Ramsey pair managed to win two ends with an impressive 4, giving the home green pair a lot to do to make back the points. They fought back, eventually playing deep into the corners and playing some great bowls to finally win the game 21-18. A very close final which could have ended either way.
Competition secretary Rosie Winckle made the presentation and thanked everyone for the smooth running of the competition and to everyone who helped out and made the day a success. Special thanks were made to Gary Cooper, for being everywhere and doing everything.
Clague Takes Top Title
Association Cup Winner 2020 - 19 Year Old Sam Clague who won his first open competition
Photo: Glynn HargravesCastletown Bowling Club hosted the Association Cup on Sunday with the competition attracting 47 entries. The green was in excellent condition and was running as well as it has done for a number of years.
There were a number of shocks in the first round with some big names Neil Withers, David Bradford, Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly and last year’s winner Colin Kelly all making an early exit, which meant by the quarter final stage there would be a new name on the trophy.
Losing out in the quarter finals were home greener Nathan Hamilton, who lost out 16-21 to team mate Sam Clague, Trevor Quayle (Port St Mary) was beaten 15-21 by South Ramsey’s Stefan Kelly, another home greener Nathan Cooil lost 16-21 to Tom Kelly (Peel) whilst Ron Williams (Castletown) lost out 14-21 to Paul Dunn (Marown).
In the semi-finals Paul Dunn ended Tom Kelly’s run with Dunn taking a comfortable 21-14 victory, whilst in the other semi-final Sam Clague just got over the line 21-19 defeating Stefan Kelly to take his place in the final.
Dunn started as favourite with the form he is in, was looking to win his second open competition of the weekend, whilst 19 year old Clague was looking to win his first singles open competition since taking up the game just over three years ago. Dunn made a good start making a great two on the first end, then moving around the green, constantly changing the mark to build up a 12-6 lead. Clague won the next four ends playing a tricky mark over the crown to trail by one chalk at 11-12. Clague continued to plug away taking three of the next four ends to take the lead for the first time in the game at 14-13. The game swung back and forth from there with Dunn responding to go 17-14 ahead and lying two only for Clague to pull out a great bowl on a long length to count and went on to take the next three ends to lead again at 18-17. Dunn wasn’t done there responding with a single and a double to lead 20-18 and was lying game only for Clague to gently tap the jack to save game and bring the score to 19-20. On the next end Dunn was once again lying game after playing a good first bowl only for Clague to play a great second bowl to once again save game and level the scores at 20-20. With a one end shootout Clague played his jack over the crown with his lead bowl going 18 inches past the jack, which Dunn failed to beat, Clague won one of the Associations top titles. Whilst the defeat was harsh on Dunn who had played his part in a great final, it was great to see Clague win his first open to the delight of his team mates and his grandad Cliff who was watching on proudly, with the final being live streamed a number of the Castletown Ladies who were bowling at Marown eagerly watched on and were said to be in tears after the final.
The presentation was made by Press Officer Glynn Hargraves, who thanked the Castletown green keeper Dave Faragher for the excellent condition of the green, thanked the club members for providing helpers throughout the day and the competition committee for running the competition.
Club Team Championship Commences
The preliminary round of the Club Team Championship took place last week with three matches taking place. The format this year is a straight knock out with matches played home and away decided on the total chalks scored over the two matches.
The closest match of the week was between Douglas and Noble’s with just 19 chalks separating the teams, with Douglas claiming a home victory by 37 chalks (192-155), whilst Noble’s took an 18 chalk victory in the return leg (190-172), however this wasn’t enough to recover the deficit from the first leg with the Villa team progressing to the next round by 19 chalks (364-345). There was very little to choose from between the two teams with the games ending up 10-10 over both legs.
Finch Hill played host to Onchan, with a couple of couple of new names turning out for Onchan, however it later transpired that the two players hadn’t been registered to play, therefore the results resulted in walkovers in favour of Finch Hill. This didn’t stop the Onchan men from taking a 17 chalk victory in the first leg (148-165), whilst in the second leg they ensured the players were correctly registered and romped home to a 42 chalk victory (189-147), winning by 59 chalks over the two legs (354-295) to progress to the next round.
Port St Mary made light work of Castletown with a 38 chalk victory in the first leg at home (185-147) winning 7-3 on games, whilst away from home they won 8-2 on games but only won by 26 chalks (189-163). Overall Port St Mary won the tie by 64 chalks (374-310) to take their place in the quarter finals.
Ladies Announcement
The final of the inaugural Ladies Association Plate competition is being held on Friday 21st August at Finch Hill Bowling Club between Onchan (+15) and Mooragh Park (SCR). This was previously published in The Courier last week as being held at Peel, however it has been confirmed that Finch Hill will be hosting this final. It is hoped that there will be a good crowd there to support both teams.
Nobles Storm Their Way to The Final
Friday saw the two semi-finals of the Jean Kelly Knockout Competition, with Port St Mary A hosting Castletown A (+20), and Nobles played Douglas at their home green.
Friday saw the two semi-finals of the Jean Kelly Knockout Competition, with Port St Mary A hosting Castletown A (+20), and Nobles played Douglas at their home green.
In the first semi-final, Castletown A showed their strength, with 5 winners overall. Kim Foy of Castletown just lost out to 20 against Katy Williams, and in another close game Kath Kinley fought against Port St Mary’s Chris Price, to come back from 12-0 down, fighting back to 20 just to lose the final match point. New Port St Mary player Nicola Cain beat Castletown’s Sue Peach to 4, a low loss, but it didn’t affect the overall match score. Final score was 150 Port St Mary A and 187 Castletown A.
In the second semi-final, Nobles had a massive hurdle to overcome, with Douglas starting on a high handicap of 90. Knowing that they couldn’t let their opponents gain more than 99 points between them, every Nobles lady stepped on the green determined to be ruthless. Although Douglas only managed to score 66 points between them, this score does not reflect the matches. New Douglas player Jane Lothain scored 16 against Nobles Tina Hampson, and Pat Kelly racked up 13 against Paula Firth. The rest of the Nobles ladies kept their opponents to single figures, securing their place in the final.
The final will take place at Onchan green on Thursday 27th August, and as always supporters and spectators are greatly welcomed and encouraged. Castletown, having won the Jean Kelly 5 times, will be looking to bring the trophy home, but Nobles, who have won it twice, most recently in 2018, will be putting up a fierce battle. With both teams having strong players, the match is set to be very close.
Front: Paula Firth, Debbie Leece, Rebecca Teare, Sylvia Kennuagh
Front Row L-R: Anne Oates, Joy Stephens, Heike Perry, Sue Peach
Sue Gawne wins Ladies Ramsey Town Cup
It was in glorious sunshine and a beautiful setting that Sue Gawne, who is President of the ladies section Isle of Man crown green bowling association, played her way through to the final and won the Ladies Ramsey Town Cup on Saturday.
The event was staged by North Ramsey bowling club at Mooragh Park with the cups presented by Laurie Hooper MHK.
There was a good entry of experienced and up and coming young bowlers which produced some good games.
Losing out in the quarter finals were Margaret Tasker against an on-form Jenny Moore 8-21 and Maureen Lacey whose challenge was ended by Sue Gawne 10-21. Kim Hargreaves had a very close game against Shannon McMullan and was unlucky to be knocked out 20-21 and Fiona Kennish had a great game against Lyn Bolton and just missed out 18-21.
The semi-finals proved to be very close games. Jenny Moore against Lyn Bolton, both from South Ramsey, had a fantastic game with some great shots. In the end someone has to win and it was Lyn who got to the finish line first. 20-21. The other semi was between Shannon and Sue. Even though Shannon played a brilliant game she just couldn’t hold off Sue in the final ends 16-21.
In the final Sue dominated the game having played well all day but Lyn had also played some amazing games against talented players but she just couldn’t catch Sue and the game ended 21-9.
The presentation was made by Mike Skelly and the prizes awarded by Laurie Hooper MHK.
Thanks were given to everyone who entered and all the helpers on the day.
Dunn Wins Ramsey Town ‘Cup’
Ramsey Town ‘Cup’ Winner 2020 - Paul Dunn
Photo: Arnie WithersNorth Ramsey hosted the Ramsey Town Cup on Saturday attracting 40 entries on one of the hottest days of the year. Due to the town cup being damaged a few years ago it has now been replaced by a shield.
Losing out in the quarter finals were home greener Brian Colquitt, who lost out to 15-21 to South Ramsey’s Austin Hart, last year’s winner Tom Kelly (Peel) lost out Alan Moore 14-21 (South Ramsey), Bryan Corner (North Ramsey) who lost to the same score to Marown captain Paul Dunn, whilst Richard Hainge (Ballaugh) reached his first quarter final in an open competition before losing out to Dave McCabe (Finch Hill) 11-21.
In the semi-finals Alan Moore ended Austin Hart’s hopes of reaching his first open final with Moore taking a convincing 21-13 victory, whilst in the other semi-final Paul Dunn had it all to do with a tough encounter against Dave McCabe before taking a 21-17 win.
In the final Dunn was quickest out of the blocks, sticking to a comfortable length to build up a good lead over his opponent. Moore could never quite recover from a poor start and was unable to get a run in the corners, as he had done in previous games throughout the day. Dunn performed well to take a deserved 21-15 victory to win his first Ramsey Town Cup. Dunn’s game has gone from strength to strength since his first open win in 2018, having won several opens since then. The win meant each men’s singles open played for so far this year has had a different name win the competition.
The presentation was made by Mike Skelly, who thanked everyone for entering and the club members for all their assistance throughout the day. Lawrie Hooper MHK for Ramsey was then introduced to present the prizes.
Reigning champions beaten at Onchan
With just one match to go before the semi-finals on Tuesday 25th August Port St Mary A in GROUP A are still in pole position despite their defeat this week at Onchan.
The match was played in near perfect conditions and both teams claimed 3 games but Onchan just had the edge on points in what must have been one of the closest matches so far this season. Final score 97-94 (3-3). Also in Group A are South Ramsey who played host to Port Erin B. Unfortunately the home side were a player short but of the remaining 5 players four won their games and Moira Anderson was just piped at the post by Joyce Henry. Final score 104-92 (4-2).
In GROUP B Castletown A are out in front and set to secure their place in the semi-finals. Currently they have a 54-point lead but still have Ballaugh to play. This week they played away at Port St Mary against their impressive B team and were held to a 3-3 result but a comfortable win on points. Final score 92-110 (3-3). At the other end of the Island Ballaugh were at home to Mooragh Park. In very hot conditions the visitors kept there cool and won 3 games but the home side were the final winners 115-95 (3-3).
In GROUP C Douglas were at home against the visitors from Peel. Unfortunately the home side were a player short and the visitors romped home winning all 6 games, however, Kay Mckiernan and Pat Kelly both played exceptionally well and made sure that the visitors didn’t have it all their own way. Douglas have now played all their matches in this mini league and next week’s match between Peel Sunset and Port Erin A will be a nail-biting match for both teams with only 4 points separating them at the top of Group C.
In GROUP D Marown have now played all of their matches and will be on pins next Tuesday as the results come in. Their match this week was at Castletown against their newly formed B team and the final score of 41-105 (1-5) might not be enough to decide the winner of this group. Finch Hill have still got Castletown B to play, at home, and are, at the moment trailing Marown by just 123 points so it really couldn’t be any closer.
Moore Wins IOM Merit
The Ladies Association IOM Merit took place at Castletown last Sunday, and it really was a beautiful day for bowling. With 28 ladies all hoping to take the IOM Merit title, it was South Ramsey player Jenny Moore who became overall winner. Playing outstanding all day, she won the majority of her games to single figures, it was only Nobles player Alison Keggen who managed to score 13 against her in the semi-finals. In the other semi-final Port St Mary’s Chris Price racked up 19 against South Ramsey player Elaine Moore.
The mother and daughter final then saw Jenny comfortably beat Elaine, with a final score of 21-9. The presentation was made by Ladies President Sue Gawne, who thanked the competition committee for another fantastic day.
Onchan To Take on Mooragh in Ladies Plate
Last Friday was the semi-final round of the Ladies Plate competition, and in the first semi-final, Onchan had a close game against Port Erin, with Onchan just scraping through by 10 points, even despite Port Erin having 5 winners. With both teams off of scratch, it really was every point to play for, and Dee Lewis of Onchan managed to defeat Susan Inch to 6, which helped the away team with the final score of Port Erin 154 Onchan 164.
In the second semi-final Marown travelled up to Mooragh Park, where they unfortunately lost their place in the final. Once again the junior girls at Mooragh did themselves proud, with Aalish Haworth beating Elaine Dewhirst to 9, and Victoria Johnson beating Mary Alderson to 10. Final score, was Marown 160 and Mooragh Park 203, after the 55-point handicap for Mooragh.
The final will be held at Peel Sunset Bowling Club on Friday 21st August, Onchan will have a handicap of 15, and Mooragh Park will be off scratch.