Monthly Archives: September 2020
Castletown B Defeat Port St Mary A to Claim Rayner Plate
Castletown B - Rayner Plate Winners 2020
Photo: Arnie WithersMarown was the venue agreed by the captains of Castletown B & Port St Mary A to host the final of the 2020 Rayner Plate.
Castletown B started the evening off a handicap of +32 as they were relegated from the top tier last season, were due to play second division bowls this season. The town men received a boost with Mark Moorley returning to the fold after a couple of years out of the game, having played for Marown A for a number of years, with Moorley having good knowledge of the Marown green, whilst the addition of Glenn Boland from Noble’s after a solid first season in division one was also a good addition. Port St Mary A were off a handicap of +10, having lost a couple of players from their first team last year, they were looking to go one better than 2019 when they lost in the final to Marown C.
In the first half of the match Castletown took control of the match with an almost unassailable lead, with Moorley storming to a massive 21-2 win over Will Cain, who was experiencing his first team final to stretch the lead to 41 chalks. Eating away at the lead for Port St Mary were Trevor Quayle who recovered from a slow start to win 21-15 against James Drinkwater, whilst Tim Williams had a comfortable 21-12 win over the experienced George Foy. Glenn Boland had a tight game with Dan McCabe with Boland winning 21-17 to ensure the town men had a 30 chalk lead at the half way stage.
In the second half of the match Port St Mary captain Wayne Roberts reduced the deficit to 19 chalks after his 21-10 victory over Ross Moore. The next two games to come off put the final nail in the coffin for the Port men with the game of the day on paper going all the way between Bob Clark & Paul Skelly with Clark just getting home 21-20, whilst Alan Phair excelled to see off Paul Russell 21-19. With the last game on the green Castletown had enough chalks on the board by this point, with captain Nathan Cooil losing out 16-21 to Rob Cooil. This resulted in a win for the Town men by 17 chalks (169-152), with the match games ending 4-4. If there were no handicaps in play then Castletown would have lost by just five chalks to show how well matched up these teams were.
The presentation was made by Association Chairman Neil Withers who presented the Castletown captain Nathan Cooil with the trophy. Neil congratulated Castletown on their win, also offered his commiserations to Port St Mary. Neil also thanked Marown for hosting the final, their club members for assisting and the greenkeeper for preparing the green.
Paul Dunn Crowned Manx Champion
2020 Manx Champion - Paul Dunn
Photo: Arnie WithersOnchan Bowling Club hosted this year’s Canada Life International sponsored Manx Championship. The competition attracted 73 entries, with the qualifying day held last Sunday with players having to win a minimum of two games on qualifying day to reach the finals day on Sunday. There was a crowd of well over 150 who came to support their club mates, which added to the atmosphere and the green was in fantastic condition for finals day, which made for some quality bowling.
Last 16 Results
Paul Dunn 21-5 Reginald Temporaza
Stefan Kelly 16-21 Tom Kelly
Neil Withers 21-19 Paul Skelly
Glynn Hargraves 21-9 Frank Watson
Matthew Keggen 21-12 James Teare
Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly 21-18 Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly
Paul ‘Pooky’ Quirk 5-21 Brian Kelly
Colin Kelly 13-21 Kevin Quirk
In the quarter finals Tom Kelly (Peel) had his challenge ended by Paul Dunn (Marown) losing 13-21, whilst former home greener Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey) disposed of Neil Withers (Marown) with a 21-10 win. Matthew Keggen (Marown) lost 11-21 to Dave ’Barney’ Kelly (Peel), whilst Brian Kelly (Marown) pushed Kevin Quirk (Onchan) before losing out 17-21.
The semi-finals had representation from each of the ‘big four’ clubs, with Dunn putting in a brilliant performance against Hargraves to win 21-9 to take his place in the final. The second semi-final was a lot closer with Quirk taking a 7-1 lead, only for Kelly to turn the game on it’s head to lead 15-10. Quirk responded to level things up at 17-17. This was a great game which either player could easily have gone on to reach the final, however Kelly just had enough to run out with a 21-17 victory.
The final started with the crowd knowing there would be a new name on the trophy for the first time since 2015. Both players had lost in the final previously, Dunn having lost to John Kennish at Port Erin in 2006 and Kelly at Castletown to Phil Kerruish in 1986 and Kevin Quirk at Ronairco in 2005. Dunn was quickest out of the blocks playing the marks that had served him well all day to take a 7-1 lead, with Kelly responding by getting into the corners taking a single and three doubles in between a single for Dunn to level things up at 8-8. Dunn went on another good run to lead 14-9 with his strike success rate making a huge difference in the game hitting four strikes from his first four attempts. During the middle of the game it is difficult to say if it is was the changing pace of the green or nervousness from the players who were attempting to win their first title that led to a few stray bowls. Kelly was lying one on a straight peg mark at 14-17 heading into the corner, having beaten Dunn’s first bowl after Dunn had gone in on the round peg to beat his lead. Dunn’s second bowl was crucial tipping the jack to count for two to lead 19-14. From there Dunn claimed a single to reach 20, then Kelly responded with a single and headed into the corners at 15-20 for a last throw of the dice. Kelly kept his jack on the green after previously sending off two jacks, playing cautiously into the corner leading with a yard bowl which he was unable to improve on. Dunn held his nerve to bowl in and claim the all important point needed for a 21-15 victory to deservedly be crowned Manx Champion. The win caps a fine couple of years for Dunn, who having picked up a number of titles over the past couple of seasons has gone on to deservedly win the big one, having been tipped by a number of bowlers to win his first title this year. The wait goes on for Barney, who despite having recently turned 60 proved he is more than capable of mixing it with the best.
The presentation was made by Association President John Ryder, who presented the prizes. Thanks were given to the competition committee for running the competition, Onchan for hosting the event, the greenkeeper for the excellent condition of the green, the ladies for the refreshments provided, and all the club members who assisted with the measuring & stewarding throughout. In his speech Dunn was clearly delighted and emotional upon claiming his first Manx Championship title with his parents, partner and club mates watching.
Castletown A Crowned Ladies Over 60s Champions
Over 60s Ladies Championship Winners 2020 - Castletown
Conditions could not have been better for both Over 60s ladies teams when they took to the green, at Nobles, for the champions place in the Mini league on Tuesday 1st September.
Castletown club had already won the Jean Kelly Cup last week and have been showing excellent form in their group matches and semi-final match.
Marown fielded a strong team of first-class players and the match was always going to be close.
In the first half Castletown won all 3 games. Hilary Kermode, for Castletown played Shirley Whelan Marown. This was a close game from the start but Shirley managed to get ahead and it looked as if Hillary would be beaten but she kept her cool and came back to pip Shirley at the post 21-20. Sue Peach played Elaine Dewhurst. Elaine preferred to play long at first and Sue struggled to reach but once Sue got the Jack she controlled the game coming back from 7-14 down to win the game 21-14. Ann Hollingworth played Margaret Scarffe. Ann had problems at first getting used to the green but she quickly adapted to the conditions. Both players showed their considerable skill and experience and the game was a pleasure to watch. The game ended 21-12 in favour of Ann.
At the halfway point Castletown were ahead by 17 points 63-46.
Next to the Jack were Joy Stephens and Celia Joughin. Marown player Celia got off to a flying start but after 6 ends Joy started the fight back. Both players won some great ends but knowing that every point would count increased the pressure on both players, however Joy stayed focused on the prize and won the game 21-15. Barbara Young was next up, against Philippa Taylor. The Marown player has had a good season and is always difficult to beat. Her recent form came to the fore and she dominated the first few ends. Barbara played very well even when Philippa played difficult long shots over the crown but in the end Marown won convincingly 8-21. Last to go was Anne Oates, captain of Castletown against Rosemary Winkle and this was another close game with both players taking some great ends. Rosemary preferring to play into the corners on long shots but Anne responded well with great skill and determination. Following the previous games Marown were closing the points deficit and Anne knew she had to hang on which she did to end her game 16-21.
And so the match ended Castletown A 108 Marown 103 (4-2).
President of the Ladies Association, Sue Gawne, made the presentations, first to runners up Marown and then to the Champions Castletown A. She thanked Nobles club for hosting the competition and sponsors Manx Paving and Slate for their continuing support saying also that the standard of bowling had been excellent on both teams. Both captains thanked the Association and everyone who had helped and contributed to a great morning of bowls.
Castletown Win Jean Kelly
Jean Kelly Knockout Winners 2020 - Castletown
The highly anticipated final of the Jean Kelly competition was played at Onchan Bowling green on Thursday 27th August.
The rather challenging weather conditions included heavy rain & strong winds but in no way dampened the enthusiasm of either the players or the many supporters around the green who were treated to a masterclass of bowling from the Ladies of Castletown A and Nobles, the latter having been given a handicap of 5. The standard of bowling throughout the evening was exemplary with extremely high levels of skills evident and all games were finally balanced.
Becky Teare was first on for Nobles and she eventually triumphed 21-16 over Tracy Moore. Paula Firth & Hilary Kermode had an excellent tussle but it was Hilary who eventually won the game 21-15. Fantastic bowling between Paula Garrett & Stella Watterson resulted in Stella winning 21-17 and Hannah Drewett overcame Nobles’ Debbie Leece to win 21-13. Next up was Sylvia Kennaugh who stormed to victory over the talented Amanda Lawler 21-7, meaning that at the end of the first five games, Nobles took the lead by 92 points to 86.
Jan West was on next for Nobles, but could not get the better of Ann Oates who scored 21 to Jan’s 13. Clare Cooper and Ann Hollingworth also had a fantastic game but it was Ann who came out the eventual winner, 21-15. Ali Keggen played brilliantly against Kim Foy to triumph 21-10 and with the competition poised at 141 to Nobles & 138 to Castletown A, it came down to the final game between Jayne Smith & Kath Kinley who, in the end, had the green to themselves. A further showcase of great bowling but it was Kath who brought it home for the Castletown Ladies 21-14, thus securing the Jean Kelly Shield for the team.
The presentation was made by Sue Gawne, President of the Ladies Association, who thanked Moore Kelly & his family for their continued support of this competition and also for the buffet and refreshments that they supply each year. She also thanked the Club, the supporters and everyone involved in making the evening such a great success. Moore’s Granddaughter, Kate Watson, made a short speech and presented the awards to each team.