Yearly Archives: 2022
Battle On for Second and Third Place in Ladies Open Age League
In the ladies Open Age crown green bowling league last Wednesday evening, rearranged matches took place between South Ramsey who were at home to Onchan and Marown B home to Douglas. South Ramsey won 7-2 on games, although Onchan nearly took another game when Lily Gawne lost to 20 against South’s Lauren Groen. In the Marown B versus Douglas match, the Crosby ladies won 5-4 on games and by three points. Again, scoreline could have been reversed as Douglas’s Emma Sayle lost to 20 against Lisa Pugh.
On Friday evening, current third placed Marown A scored a maximum away at Peel closing the gap to only 18 points on second placed South Ramsey who lost to Ballaugh. Three of Marown’s wins were to single figures with the two closest games being Elaine Dewhirst and Rosemary Winckle both winning to 16. South Ramsey lost 4-5 on games and by eight points away to an improving Ballaugh team. Like Marown, three games were won to single figures with Elaine Moore (South) and Christine McDonald having a real tussle with Elaine eventually winning to 18. Current leaders, Castletown A, had a comfortable 7-2 win at home against Douglas. Two winners for Douglas were Sue McCourt and Harley Garrett who won to 15 and 19 against Sue Peach and Stella Watterson respectively. Mooragh Park hosted Castletown B winning 5-4 on games and by 17 points. Shirley Corteen (Mooragh) and Aalish Moore had a nip and tuck game before Aalish ran out 21-18. Match between Port Erin and Port St Mary was played on Monday evening. Port St Mary won 5-4 on games and by 22 points with Trish Bull and Lorna Brady (PSM) plus Jean Thackrah (PE) all winning to single figures. The match between Marown B and Onchan has been postponed to Friday 23 September due to players being off-Island representing the IOM in England.
Gilmore Wins Pre-Festival Autumn Shield
Pre-Festival Autumn Shield Winner 2022 - Matt Gilmore
Photo: Arnie WithersPeel Bowling Club held the pre-festival Davisons Autumn Shield at Marown Bowling Club on Sunday, with the Peel green closed to allow work to be carried out to get the green back to its best condition ahead of next season.
A strong entry of 96 took part with many of the visiting bowlers having never played on the Marown green before, they quickly adapted to the pace of the green.
With some of the players having to win four games just to reach the quarter final stage, losing out were home greener Phil Kelly 20-21 to Matt Gilmore (Wirral), while his father Dave Gilmore (Wirral) lost 14-21 to Marown captain Paul Dunn.
In the other half of the draw, David Bradford got the better of South Ramsey teammate Bob Clark 21-18 while Neil Withers (Marown) had a comfortable 21-7 victory over Peel man Brian Lindsay.
The semi-finals were well contested, both games could have gone either way. However, Gilmore won 21-18 against Dunn, with his strikes proving the difference, while Bradford recovered from an 11-16 deficit as he went on to win 21-17 against Withers.
The final got underway with Gilmore a previous winner taking the first end with a single only for Bradford to level the score the following end. The Wirral man then went on to score five points over three ends, with Bradford hitting back with two quick-fire doubles to sit one point behind at 11-12.
An exchange of singles took place, with Gilmore then going on to win three of the next five ends as he went in to the lead 17-14. On the 15th end Bradford was counting two with his second bowl widening the target. His opponent didn’t turn down the opportunity to strike as he took the jack off the green to kill the end.
On the next end the South Ramsey man conceded the advantage of the jack as he sent it in to the ditch to allow Gilmore to set the mark along the edge of the green, with the latter taking full advantage scoring a double followed by a single on the next end to lead 20-14.
With Bradford in the last chance saloon, he picked up a double as he trailed 16-20. A poor lead was welcomed by Gilmore who seized the opportunity as he put his bowl eight inches to the side of the jack. A reaching bowl from Bradford saw him agonizingly hit the gap between the counting bowl and jack as Gilmore won 21-16 to pick up his second win in this competition.
The presentation was made by Peel competition secretary Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly who thanked the sponsor Davison’s for their continued support, Marown for the use of the green and for the excellent selection of refreshments provided throughout the day, of which the money raised was donated to various charites. Club secretary Lynda Wilson was then introduced to present the prizes with over £1200 paid out with Gilmore taking home the first prize of £500.
Ogden Wins Maiden Open
September Pre-Festival Open Winner 2022 - Joyce Ogden
Photo: Caroline WhiteheadAn entry of 35 ladies competed in the September Open at a perfectly prepared Castletown green on Sunday and no-one was more surprised to win the competition than local bowler Joyce Ogden (Marown) herself, who was a late entry and who had to play with spare woods from the home club’s cupboard!
She deserved her maiden singles Open victory as she played well all afternoon, none more so than in the final when she beat Shropshire’s Helen Clee (Wrockwardine Wood) 21-17 having previously seen off the challenge of another visiting bowler Pat Edwards (Garswood Hall) in the semi-final.
Port Erin’s Caroline Whitehead was the other faller in the last four, just losing to 20 to Helen Clee after being 10-20 down.
Going out at the quarters were Marown’s Rebecca Teare, Shropshire’s Louise Cotton (Wrockwardine Wood) as well as Kim Foy and Hilary Kermode from the home club.
Visiting Bowlers Win Keenan Fours
Keenan Fours Winners 2022 - Peter Harvey & Ken Wale with Sponsor John Keenan
Photo: Arnie WithersOn Saturday Ballaugh Bowling Club held the 33rd Keenan Fours which was first held in 1989. The weather forecast was horrendous with heavy showers of torrential rain. As I drove out from a wet Ramsey the sky brightened and it had almost stopped raining. For the most part the showers missed and it was mainly was light drizzle or dry for the duration of the competition.
In the first quarter Final James Teare & Steven Waters (South Ramsey) played last year’s winners Andy Kennish (Onchan) & Reg Temporaza (Onchan). Andy and Reg were always ahead winning 21-13. In the second quarter final father and son Colin & Tom Kelly (Marown/Peel) played South Ramsey’s Jordan Cain & John Kennish. The scores were equal at end five but then Colin & Tom scored two threes and a two to win 21-12. In the third quarter final James Kelly & Brian Kelly (Marown) played Phil Quayle (Ballaugh) & Paul Allison (North Ramsey). The scores were level at 11-11 and then James & Brian won the next three ends reaching 17, Phil & Paul got the jack back and scored a four, two singles & two doubles to win 21-17. In the fourth quarter final Peter Harvey and Ken Wale (Whitby Bowling Club) played Kevin Quirk & Steve Parker (Onchan). Peter & Ken were always ahead, Kevin & Steve got back to within three points of them but to no avail with Peter & Ken winning 21-16.
In the first semi-final, Colin & Tom Kelly played Andy Kennish & Reg Temporaza. Colin & Tom were well in control coming out winners 21-8. In the second semi-final, Phil Quayle & Paul Allison played Peter Harvey and Ken Wale. They were 12 across at end 9. Unfortunately Phil & Paul lost the jack and didn’t score again with the score 21-12 to Peter & Ken.
The final was between Marown’s Colin & Tom Kelly playing Whitby’s Peter Harvey & Ken Wale. At end nine they were 12 across, the next three ends went to the visiting bowlers taking them to 18-12. Colin & Tom pulled it back over the next four ends making the score 18 across. Finally Peter & Ken got a three giving them the win 21-18.
At the conclusion John Maddrell (Club Captain) introduced Sponsor and long-time member John Keenan. They thanked Pat & her helpers for running the kitchen, keeping us all fed and watered, and for Richard Faragher & Maurice O’Reilly for running the competition so efficiently. John then presented the prizes and in their speech the winners thanked everyone for a great day, and mentioned that Ballaugh Club was in a magnificent setting with good facilities and the green was the only one that they had played on lately that had grass on it.
Club Team Championship
The Club Team Championship quarter finals took place this week with the ties played home and away. The format continues with four drawn doubles games and six singles.
The most keenly contested tie of the week was between Port St Mary and Ballaugh with the latter falling short by 48 chalks (373-325). Port St Mary won the home leg by 51 chalks, while Ballaugh managed to turn this round to win the home leg by just three chalks as they picked up eight wins out of a possible 20 from the two legs.
The next closest match was between Finch Hill and Onchan with the latter winning by 116 chalks (283-399). Finch Hill did manage to pick up six wins over both legs, as they lost by 30 chalks at home (160-190), while they suffered an 86 chalk defeat in the away leg earlier in the week.
Marown took on North Ramsey and won overall by 128 chalks (406-278) and rather strangely the score in both the home and away leg was exactly the same 203-139, however North Ramsey won two games in the first leg and just one in the second leg at Crosby.
South Ramsey won by 163 chalks overall against Douglas (410-247), as they won by 82 chalks at home (206-124), while in the second leg Douglas fielded a number of newer bowlers to give them an opportunity to gain some experience. At the Villa the team performed just as well as the team lost by 81 chalks (123-204).
The semi-finals are due to be held on neutral greens – venues to be confirmed on Monday 26th September as Port St Mary take on Marown, while South Ramsey face Onchan, with the final to be held two days later on Wednesday 28th September for the successful teams.
September Festival Draws
September Festival Preview
September Festival 2021 Men’s Winner - Callum Wright
Photos: Arnie Withers and Mike AshmoleThe Isle of Man September Bowls Festival gets underway next week with a host of top names from across the game hoping to be the lucky winner who gets their name on the trophy and the winners cheque for £3,000. Callum Wraight is the current holder having won the event for the first time in 2021, the first festival held since the pandemic
On the first page of the draw this is fairly open with a few names standing out with Gareth Hughes (Castlefields) and Stewart Meddings (Royal Oak BC) both regular visitors who will be hoping for a good week, while locally June 2013 winner Neil Withers (Marown) has a tricky tie against the wily Mike Davies (Our Lady’s). Andy Kennish (Onchan) who has returned to form over the past few years could go far.
In the next section Danny Barwise (Birchley St Mary’s) could face Jon Palmer (Kings Heath Park) a past winner of the Autumn Waterloo or a previous festival runner up Matthew Quirk (Onchan) in the third round. The page is then littered with previous winners Ian Nicholson (Netherfield) a three time September winner, Matt Gilmore June 2003 winner (Wirral) is up against John Bailey (Castlefields) who picked up the title in September 2017 and 2019, while Gareth Lally (Crossgates) David Bradford (South Ramsey) both have their names etched on the famous trophy. Lee Johnstone (St Oswalds) completes the page as he looks to emulate his parents, who have both enjoyed considerable success on the Island.
South Ramsey’s Bob Clark will fancy his chances of navigating his way through the early rounds to make Thursday afternoon, however there are several hurdles he will need to get over to reach the Last 32. Jon Guess (Fairfield) could face September 2021 runner up Paul Bailey (Meersbrook) in the third round with the latter a previous two-time winner having won in June 2005 and September 2007. Martin Gilpin (Netherfield) is another winner of both festivals with 19 years passing between his first win in 1999 and second in 2018.
On page four there a couple of tasty first round fixtures as Richie Goddard (Castlefields) is up against Peel man Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly, while Paul Kissock (Netherfield) returns to our shores as he faces Daniel Petcher (Littleover).
In the next group South Ramsey’s Peter Collister who won the June Festival and Tourism Competitions in the same week in 1983 takes on Matty Stewart (Netherfield), while local player Nigel Tebay (Ballaugh) could be in for a shock as he takes on one of the greatest players to have picked up a bowl in Graeme Wilson (AEU) who will be looking to pick up his fifth Isle of Man Festival win. Marown man Peter Jones can now be considered a local having settled well into Island life over the past few months, he will be hoping for a good week.
Page six sees the current holder of the title Callum Wraight (Castlefields) two further back on the handicap due to his previous success, there a few obstacles in his way as he looks to win back to back September Festivals. One of the obstacles in his way is Alan Gilpin (Netherfield), son of Martin who picked up his title in 2004. June 2012 winner Robby Fitzpatrick (Hoylake) just sneaks into the bottom half of the page, as he faces James Higgins (Sheffield), with the winner potentially facing Marown captain Paul Dunn in the next round.
On page seven Craig Richardson (Castlefields) needs to get through two games to make the Last 32 on Thursday afternoon which is always a highlight of the week, with the tie of the page undoubtedly being John Kennish (South Ramsey) a five-time winner who looks to be making a long awaited return as he is pitted against Chris Barton (Wirral) in what could a blockbuster of a game if both players are firing on all cylinders. In the bottom half of the page Gareth Coates (Akroydon Victoria) has to get past South Ramsey’s James Teare in his first round fixture, while regular visitor Andy Mailer (Thongsbridge) is always a tricky opponent to get past.
On the final page it is good to see Barry Booth (Netherfield) in the draw, while June 2008 winner Marown man Colin Kelly has his last chance of qualifying for the Champion of Champions competition he won in 2019 and has held since due to the competition not being played for the past two seasons. Winning the September Festival is the last opportunity to stand a chance of qualifying should he wish to defend the title, with this event on the reserve list for qualifying.
With six greens in use and several different competitions throughout the week, there is plenty of bowls for everyone, which includes the return of the Triples competition, it will undoubtedly make for a great week of bowls. Bring your umbrella with the weather looking to be unpredictable. That said, have a great week!
Marown Retain JMS Title
JMS Shield Winners 2022 - Marown
Photo: Gill MorganOn Thursday morning, the final of the Over 60’s JMS knockout competition was played at Port Erin between Marown and South Ramsey. With the individual handicaps in place, Marown started with 12 points and South 20.
First three jacks on the green saw Joyce Ogden playing Gillian Jopson, Lynda Cadamy playing Elaine Moore and Celia Joughin playing South Ramsey captain Sue Collier. Joyce was in fine form winning her game to 4; Lynda and Elaine had a tough battle with Elaine eventually winning to 17, whilst Celia Joughin came back from being behind to run out 21-18.
At the halfway stage, including the handicaps, Marown led 71-63. The next game saw Marown’s Philippa Taylor give her team an excellent boost by winning to three against Ann Gale; this was followed by Rosie Winckle having a solid win to 14 against against Judy Kelly. The last game pitted Shirley Whelan (Marown) against Moira Anderson. This was the game of the morning as it was nip and tuck throughout with Moira eventually winning 21-20. Final score – Marown 133, South Ramsey 101, four games to two.
Janet Latham, Ladies Association Treasurer and sponsor of the competition, thanked all those for taking part, supporters and spectators and Port Erin ladies/gentleman for providing excellent refreshments before introducing and asking her grandson, Jack Shilling, to present the trophy and prizes. Many congratulations to Marown on their win and for retaining the JMS title.
JANET WINS OVER 60’s CHAMPIONSHIP
Over 60’s Ladies Manx Champion 2022 - Janet Monk
Photo: Gill MorganOn Tuesday the Ladies Association Over 60s Manx Championship was held at Ballaugh Bowling Club attracting an entry of 26 ladies.
Getting through to the semi-finals were Joyce Kelly (Peel) against Lynda Cadamy (Marown) and Janet Monk (Mooragh Park) against Paula Firth (Onchan). In the first semi, Joyce started off the stronger leading 10-2. Lynda got into her stride winning seven of the next 10 ends to claw the score back to 15-10 to Joyce. The following 11 ends were to and fro but with the lead advantage Joyce had earlier in the game, Joyce won 21-16.
The second semi-final was a similar scenio whereby Janet lead 17-5 on the 17th end, but Paula dug deep managing to score another seven before Janet ran out 21-12.
The final between Janet and Joyce could have gone either way as both ladies played excellent bowls and was evenly balanced throughout. On the 22nd end, the score was 15 across. Janet then, with a final flourish, took four of the next five ends to win 21-16. A well deserved win for Janet being pushed all the way by Joyce.
Presentation of trophy and prizes was made by Gill Morgan, Competition Secretary, who thanked Ballaugh for hosting and providing refreshments throughout the day, to all the competitors, spectators and supporters and to Elaine Moore for sponsoring the competition.
Kennish & Whitehead Win Sowerbutts Trophy
F.M. Sowerbutts Trophy Winners 2022 - Andy Kennish and Caroline Whitehead with Sponsor Janet Shilling
Photo: Glynn HargravesPort Erin Bowling Club hosted the F.M. Sowerbutts Memorial Trophy Mixed Doubles on Bank Holiday Monday. The competition matched the previous days entries with 26 pairs taking part despite the road closures.
Losing quarter finalists were home greeners Voirrey Curphey and Seamus Whelan 12-21 to South Ramsey pair Gill Dixon and Glynn Hargraves, while Marown duo Rebecca Teare and Peter Jones conceded 13 singles and a two in their 17-21 defeat against Jenny Moore and James Teare (South Ramsey). Another Marown pair lost out at this stage as Debbie Leece and Neil Withers were beaten 16-21 by Caroline Whitehead (Port Erin) and Andy Kennish (Onchan), while Sue Gawne (Onchan) and Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary) lost out 19-21 to the Husband and Wife Ballaugh pairing of Paul and Michele Cubbon.
Bowing out at the semi-final stage in an all South Ramsey clash were Dixon and Hargraves to club mates Moore and Teare 16-21, whilst in the other semi-final the Cubbon’s were defeated 10-21 by Whitehead and Kennish.
The final got underway with Kennish having won the day before with a different partner looking to make it a good bank holiday weekend and a strong start followed as Whitehead and Kennish went into a 11-6 lead. Moore/Teare hit back to win three consecutive ends, one of which was a full house scoring a four to lead 13-11. Another run of three scoring ends from Whitehead/Kennish resulted in them going into the lead 16-13 only for the South Ramsey pair to score a two and a three to lead 18-16. The Port Erin/Onchan partnership hit back with a single and double to lead 19-18 only to concede a single to square up the match 19-19. A single followed from Whitehead and Kennish which put them within touching distance of victory. In truth a poor last end from all four finalists resulted in a 21-19 victory for Caroline and Andy.
The presentation was made by Janet Shilling who thanked everyone who had entered, the club members for their support along with David and Susan Inch for serving the refreshments. Upon accepting the trophy Caroline expressed her delight at winning her first mixed doubles competition.