The Islands premier doubles competition was hosted by Port St Mary Bowling Club on Sunday afternoon. The competition was played 21 up off a handicap of +3 for all competitors. The event was well supported with 33 pairs taking part in a bid to win the title, with the event sponsored by members of the Executive committee this year.  With the recent good weather, this played a factor in the green becoming increasingly tricky throughout the afternoon.

From the quarter final stage there would be a new name on the trophy with John Kennish & David Bradford having lost out 18-21 in the last 16 in a fantastic game to Jordan Cain & Bob Clark to suffer their first ever defeat in the competition having won the competition for four consecutive years since its inception. Another notable game in the early rounds was between the juniors Ryan Hargraves (Age 12) & Alex Hampson (Age 11) who took on the experienced pairing of Frank Watson & Mark Kneen with the junior pairing agonisingly losing out 20-21, with Ryan leading well at the front and Alex playing some good length bowls and play throughs all spectators were keenly watching on the young duo during the latter stages of the game.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were the Port St Mary pair Pete Collins & Tom Collins who lost 11-21 to Nathan Hamilton (Castletown) & Tom Kelly (Peel), Marown C Team players Stephen Rundle & Walter McCarthy performed well before losing out 13-21 to father & son pair Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly & Stevie Kelly (Peel). Glenn Boland & Nathan Cooil (Castletown) were well beaten 9-21 by Paul Dunn & Neil Withers (Marown), whilst a fantastic start helped Mike Ashmole (Peel) & Karl Parker (Marown) to get over the line 21-16 against Jordan Cain (Onchan) & Bob Clark (Castletown).

In the semi-finals with the green starting to lose a bit of pace Dunn & Withers made no mistake against Ashmole & Parker claiming their place in the final with a 21-7 win. The second semi-final was more keenly contested with Nathan Hamilton & Tom Kelly taking on Barney & Stevie Kelly with the latter pairing having enough to take a 21-17 win with Barney making a good two on the last end to progress to the final.

In the final there was nothing between the two pairings in the early stages of the game with the score being level on three occasions. In the middle part of the game neither pair was able to get more than two points ahead of the other, with the Peel pair leading 14-12 after 12 ends, before the Marown duo took control winning four consecutive ends scoring doubles to need just one more point to seal the victory at 20-14. The Peel men weren’t done there, battling back taking a single, a double, and another single to trail by just two chalks at 18-20, with Stevie playing a good lead bowl on a tough mark which was beaten by Dunn who played his first bowl six inches to the side of the jack, which the Peel were unable to beat which sealed the title for the Marown pair.

The presentation was made by Association Competition Secretary Matthew Keggen, who thanked Port St Mary Bowling Club for the use of the green and its members for providing helpers throughout the day. Spot prizes were also awarded, with the prize for furthest juniors going to Ryan Hargraves & Alex Hampson. The prize for the furthest pairing with a second division player went to Mike Ashmole (Peel) who was paired with Karl Parker (Marown), whilst Paul Cowley (Douglas) & Steve Gregg (Douglas) received the prize for furthest third division players.

A bumper entry of 25 junior bowlers from all over the island entered the Ellan Vannin Fuels Junior Manx Championship on Saturday, it was 17 year old Glenn Boland who made the most of his final opportunity to win the Ellan Vannin Fuels Junior Manx Championship. This was a fantastic entry, that could have been a lot higher if some of the younger bowlers who attend the club sessions had also entered.

In what must be a first in the Junior Championship there were more girls entered to play than boys, which was fantastic to see, with some great bowls played by all the juniors. The experience gained from playing in these competitions will help the younger bowlers, however it was the older Juniors who progressed to the latter stages.

Losing out  at the quarter final stage were Victoria Johnson (Mooragh Park), who lost 16-21 to Grace Gawne (Onchan), Austin Hart (South Ramsey) who battled brilliantly pushing Glenn Boland (Noble’s) all the way before losing out 20-21, Aalish Howarth (Mooragh Park) who lost 19-21 to Toby Hart (South Ramsey), whilst last year’s winner Shannon McMullan (Mooragh Park) lost out to younger sister Madison McMullan (Mooragh Park) 16-21.

In the semi-finals Glenn Boland was up against Grace Gawne with the latter performing brilliantly, taking a 17-16 lead against the more experienced player, before eventually losing out 17-21. In the second semi-final Madison McMullan was up against Toby Hart with Madison starting well taking a 14-5 lead. Toby hit back with five doubles in the next six ends to level the match at 15-15. The unflappable Madison kept her composure well to take two singles and two doubles to take a fantastic 21-15 victory to reach the final.

In the final it was close over the first 11 ends with neither player able to build a lead. In the second half of the game Glenn got into his stride scoring several doubles, which ultimately proved to be the difference with Glenn scoring nine doubles to Madison’s three doubles during the course of the match. Glenn ran out to deservedly win 21-13 to take the Junior Manx Championship title, following his first win in 2018.

The presentation was made by Association competition committee member Mark Kneen, who thanked all the juniors for taking part, Douglas Bowling Club for providing the refreshments and measurers and the team who had prepared the green for the early start. A special mention was also given to the Mooragh Park girls who had performed really well.

Following the success of the Junior Championship on Saturday Onchan Bowling Club hosted the Derek Killey Memorial with 44 pairs entering on a good green with great weather throughout the afternoon. Some pairings turned up late due to the Junior event overrunning, however all pairings managed to make it without being scratched from the competition.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were Kim Hargraves & Stefan Kelly (South Ramsey) who were unlucky to lose 18-21 to club mates Elaine Moore & Glynn Hargraves. The Castletown/Marown duo of Hannah Drewett & Neil Withers made a rare appearance together before losing out to South Ramsey pair Jenny Moore & James Teare 17-21. A new pairing of Caroline Whitehead (Port Erin) & home greener Mark Kelly lost out 16-21 to Marown pair Helen Withers & Karl Parker, whilst another South Ramsey pair Fiona Kennish & Steven Waters ended the challenge of Sylvia Kennaugh & Terry Bates (Noble’s) 21-12.

Losing out in the semi-finals were Helen Withers & Karl Parker 12-21 to Fiona Kennish & Steven Waters, with the second semi-final a lot closer with Jenny Moore & James Teare recovering from a 12-19 deficit with Teare putting up good lead bowls and Moore performing brilliantly at the back to win some crucial points every end to run out with a 21-19 victory over Elaine Moore & Glynn Hargraves.

Moore & Teare started the final strongly taking a 15-7 lead, with Kennish & Waters not doing a lot if anything wrong in the early stages, however a switch round with Waters going to the front seemed to do the trick with Waters & Kennish digging in to pull the score back to 15-18, however Moore & Teare then took the next three ends scoring singles to take a hard earned 21-15 victory.

The presentation was made by Mike Thomas, who thanked the Onchan club members for organising and running the competition, everyone for entering, also to those who had stayed to watch the final. It was then announced that the fantastic sum of £850 had been raised for the Manx Kidney Patients Association, with a special thanks to the finalists who handed back their prize money to add to the total figure raised for the nominated charity.

Monday evening saw the quarter finals of the Rayner Shield take place with the tie of the week undoubtedly being the match at Onchan Park between Onchan A & South Ramsey A. The home team took control of the match in the first half with Reginald Temporaza winning 21-14 against Alan Moore, Kevin Quirk recovered from a 3-9 deficit to win 21-17 against Glynn Hargraves, whilst Jordan Cain fought back from trailing 16-19 to run out with a 21-19 win over James Teare. Keeping the visitors in the match was Steven Waters who claimed a 21-12 win over Steve Parker to ensure South Ramsey were still in the tie trailing 3-1 on games and by just four chalks (75-71) at the halfway stage.

In the second half South Ramsey fought back to turn the match around with David Bradford turning on the style to win 21-6 against Peter Slinger, whilst Austin Hart performed well to beat Mark Kelly 21-12. Matthew Quirk against Dido Kelly was the game of the night, with Quirk getting over the line 21-19. Stefan Kelly recovered from a dreadful start against Phil Kerruish (0-7) to run out with a fine 21-11 victory to seal the win for South Ramsey with the games ending 4-4 on the night, South Ramsey won by 28 chalks (125-153) to progress to the semi-finals.

If Onchan versus South Ramsey was a good match, then Marown A at home to North Ramsey A was the complete opposite, with the Crosby men crushing the Mooragh Park men 8-0 (168 -74) with just two of the visitor bowlers reaching double figures.

Peel A had the visit of Finch Hill A, with the home team winning 6-2 on the night. The two winners for Finch Hill were Paul Dougherty who beat Tommy McMeiken 21-17, whilst Pat Maher beat Peter Greenlees 21-14. Winning big for the home team were Tom Kelly who won 21-3 against Peter Hughes, whilst Ste Kelly beat Paddy Murphy 21-9.

The last quarter final tie was between Douglas A & Marown B at the Villa with the home team winning 6-2. On another night it could have been a different result with Peter Kelly losing out 20-21 to Andy Cannell, whilst Brian Kelly & Bobby Thorne lost 17-21 to Jimmy Sansom and Shaun Seal respectively.

In the Rayner Plate there was another good matchup between Peel B (+20) who had the visit of Port St Mary A (+10). Despite Tim Williams suffering a 7-21 loss to Paul Quirk the southern outfit were able to cancel this out with Trevor Quayle taking a 21-6 victory over Gordon Corrin, whilst good wins from Will Cain & Paul Russell also helped the team to take the win by just three chalks (149-152).

Ballaugh A (+22) made light work of Peel C (+48) winning 8-0 on games taking the win by 54 chalks (190-136). Castletown B (+32) are emerging as the team to beat in the Rayner Plate this season seeing off last season’s Rayner Plate Winners Marown C (+40) claiming a home victory by 69 chalks (195-126). Ballaugh B (+60) hosted Onchan B (+38) with the match ending 4-4 on games it was the home team who progressed to the next round with an 18 chalk victory (200-182).

The 3R’S Accountancy and Book Keeping sponsored Douglas Town Cup saw a great turnout for an event which featured both ladies and men’s competitions.

With the men’s event starting at the earlier time of 11:00 on Sunday morning we saw some great battles in the early stages, which led to the quarter finals where Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey) beat Sam Clague (Castletown) 21-13, Paul Dunn (Marown) took a 21-10 win from Willy Cowley (Douglas), Matthew Quirk (Onchan) beat Alec Taylor (Peel) 21-10 and an epic battle between Andy Kennish (Peel) and Dave McCabe (Finch Hill) saw Kennish just edge home 21-20.

The semi-finals saw a great match between 2019 finalists Paul Dunn and Glynn Hargraves with the latter winning 21-19, whilst Matthew Quirk outplayed a tiring Andy Kennish to win 21-16.

The final saw Hargraves start well building up a 11-4 lead. Quirk managed to pull the score back to 10-12, before Hargraves went on another run to lead 20-10. Quirk battled well to score a further five points before Hargraves secured the point needed to take a 21-15 victory to retain the Douglas Town Cup.

The Ladies event also had a good turnout. At the quarter final stage Amanda Lawler (Castletown) lost out 10-21 to Debbie Leece (Noble’s), Lynda Cadamy (Port Erin) was beaten 15-21 by Paula Garrett (Noble’s), Trish Bull (Port St Mary) defeated Tina Hampson (Onchan) 21-16, whilst Margie Tasker (Port St Mary) ended the challenge of Sue Gawne (Onchan).

In the semi-finals team mates Debbie Leece & Paula Garrett met up, whilst Trish Bull (Port St Mary) took on team mate Margaret Tasker. Debbie Leece and Paula Garrett had a great battle with Paula just taking a 21-18 win and Margie Tasker beat her old friend Trish Bull to earn a place in the final.

Once again we had a great final with Paula Garrett not leading quite as well as her opponent so it was Margie Tasker who took the 2020 Douglas Town Cup Ladies title with a 21-16 victory.

Many thanks must go to everyone who worked so hard to make this such a successful and friendly event and special thanks must go to Rob Matthews and his 3R’s company for their continued sponsorship. Rob not only sponsored the event but he played in it as well as selling raffle tickets and marking score cards all day.

Saturday saw a quality field of 31 pairs entered for the R & A Grimshaw pairs hosted by Marown Bowling Club. This competition is traditionally held on Tynwald Day, however due to COVID-19 it was hosted later this year. Handicaps ranged from +4 to +9, so a good start was vital for those on a low handicap.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were Peel men Peter Greenlees & Brian Lindsay 16-21 to South Ramsey’s Alan Moore & Stefan Kelly, Phil Kerruish & Glynn Hargraves (Onchan/South Ramsey) 20-21 to Dean Kinley & Sam Clague (Castletown). Home greeners Paul Dunn & Neil Withers ended the challenge of Glenn Boland & Nathan Cooil (Castletown) with a 21-10 win, whilst another home pairing of Matthew Keggen & Paul Kelly edged out Jay Waters (Marown) & father Steven Waters (South Ramsey) 21-19 to reach the semi-finals.

The two semi-finals could not have been any different with Alan Moore & Stefan Kelly making no mistake with a 21-6 win over Dean Kinley & Sam Clague, with the Castletown pair failing to score a point. The other semi-final was keenly contested early on with Keggen leading well in the corners and Paul Kelly playing some good through bowls when needed to ensure they took their place in the final with a 21-14 victory over Paul Dunn & Neil Withers.

The final started with home greeners Matthew Keggen & Paul Kelly hoping to go one better than last year with Paul making his third consecutive appearance in the final, whilst Alan Moore & Stefan Kelly were looking to take their first win as a pair. Alan & Stefan took a single on the first end, before Matthew & Paul took the next five ends with the Marown men scoring two singles and a three doubles in the corners to lead 12-6. Alan & Stefan started to work their way back into the game with four consecutive singles to trail by two at 10-12. Matthew & Paul scored a two to lead 14-10. From there Alan played some good lead bowls, with Stefan hitting some great strikes to turn the game around, taking five of the next seven ends with two singles and three doubles of their own to lead 18-16. Matthew & Paul responded with a double to level the game up at 18-18 after 19 ends, however the South Ramsey men had enough left in the tank taking a single followed by another double to run out with a 21-18 victory.

The presentation was made by competition secretary Philip Kelly, who thanked everyone for entering and assisting throughout the day. Upon being presented with the trophy Alan Moore thanked his partner for the day Stefan, Marown for hosting the competition, the ladies for providing the refreshments throughout the day, commented on the good condition of the green, and that it was great to see the new clubhouse being built.

The Rayner Plate got underway last week with one preliminary round match to be played between South Ramsey B (+30) hosted Marown C (+40) with the visitors taking the win by 23 chalks with two single figures winners from Jamie Joughin & Stephen Rundle being the difference on the night.

Onchan B (+38) hosted Finch Hill B (+52) with the Onchan men easily overturning the 14 chalk deficit to win by 41 chalks (197-156). Peel B (+20) who would have been competing in division one this season were too strong for home team Noble’s A (+18) taking the win by 33 chalks (135-168). Port St Mary A (+10) overturned a 24 chalk deficit against local rivals Port Erin A (+34) to crush them with an 8-0 win on games and winning by 51 chalks (178-127). Ballaugh A (+22) also whitewashed Peel D (+76), yet the match ended up fairly close with the Ballaugh men taking the win by 19 chalks (190-171).

The following evening (Tuesday) had South Ramsey C (+50) hosting Peel C (+48) with the Peel men claiming a comfortable win by 39 chalks (171-210). The closest match of the week was between Ballaugh B (+60) and Castletown A (+12) who despite winning 7-1 on the night lost the match by just nine chalks (178-169) with the 48 chalk deficit proving too much to pull back on the night. Castletown B (+32) made the short journey south to take on Port St Mary B (+42) with the town men taking a good victory by 22 chalks to progress to the next round. A new signing was also in their ranks with Glenn Boland surprisingly turning out for Castletown.

The final match of the last 16 was held on Friday evening with Marown C (+40) at home to Douglas B (+44). The Crosby men made no mistake with a 28 chalk victory (194-166) to progress to the next round, as they look to retain the title they won in style last season.

The mixed team group stages continued with six fixtures taking place. Port Mary A made sure it was a worthwhile trip to take on South Ramsey B, with the visitors crushing their opponents winning by 131 chalks (58-189), with only three of the home team reaching double figures.  Travelling to the opposite end of the island on the same evening South Ramsey C took on Port Erin A with the home team winning by 50 chalks (175-125), however the C Team did manage to claim four wins on the night with Steve Kelly performing well to beat the experienced David Cain 21-19. Captain Tony Hart won 21-15 against Jacqui Elliott, whilst son Austin Hart got home 21-18 against Voirrey Curphey, a score matched by Kim Hargraves against Harry Minor. Megan Hargraves made her competitive debut at the tender age of 9 for South Ramsey, losing out 8-21 to Seamus Whelan. Port Erin have recently taking over the maintenance of their green, it is great to see the condition of the green moving in the right direction.

Castletown A look to have strengthened their mixed team this year, they hosted Finch Hill at the Crofts with the home team winning by 35 chalks (164-129), however the Finch men did manage to get four winners on the night losing 5-4 on games. Onchan A made no mistake in their away tie taking on Marown B claiming the win by 75 chalks (114-189) with no home team winners, however highest Marown scorer was Celia Joughin who lost out 17-21 against Maureen Payne, whilst Helen Withers did well to score 16 against Reginald Temporaza.

Nobles who generally perform well in the mixed competition claimed a home win over Peel by 32 chalks (172-140) with Debbie Leece winning 21-5 over Sue Jones, whilst for the visitors Dougie Allan performed well to defeat Glenn Boland 21-16. Marown A visited Mooragh Park, they made no mistake winning by 92 chalks (93-185) over North Ramsey. Lone winner for the home team was Lee Christian who beat Lil Smith 21-17, whilst Paul Cannon agonisingly lost out 20-21 to Joyce Ogden.