Marown A take on South Ramsey A in the final of the 3R’s Limited Rayner Shield at Castletown tomorrow evening with just four points separating both teams in the league it could be too close to call.

The Crosby men have won this competition 16 times to date, with their last success a stunning comeback against South Ramsey A in 2018. South Ramsey are the current holders and have won the competition five times, with four of those wins arriving from 2015 onwards.

Over the past 10 years these teams have faced off in four finals with both teams picking up two wins each.

Game 1 – David Bradford vs Peter Jones

Bradford is without doubt the man in form for both teams, having picked up three open wins in the past few weeks, with his second Manx Championship being one of them to follow up on his 2015 success. A Festival winner as a teenager in 2002, Bradford is a regular winner of opens, has won the Manx Masters on three occasions.

Marown have undoubtedly strengthened their ranks with the mid-season signing of Jonah who has been a regular for Merseyside over the years, and has been a frequent visitor to the Isle of Man for the Festival. Jonah has recently relocated to the Island and is starting to settle into life on the Isle of Man having picked up his first Open win since moving over as he beat team mate Neil Withers in the final of the Douglas Town Cup.

Game 2 – Dido Kelly vs Colin Kelly

A pre-festival winner of the Autumn Shield, recent open winner at South Ramsey with the Jim Kernan Cup, Dido’s main focus these days is towards his club team as he rarely enters opens. His club record is second to none over the past three league seasons and that is in a team that includes David Bradford.

Colin is a seven time Manx Champion, the most decorated player appearing in the final. Colin has won the Festival once, is probably unlucky not to have won it more. His defining and proudest moment was winning the Champion of Champions title in 2019. His last Manx Championship success – won on his home green won’t have been far behind though. Too many open wins to mention is fair to say with one in the bag so far this season.

Game 3 – Glynn Hargraves vs Sam Clague

Hargraves suffered two defeats in the final of the Manx Championship in 2007 and 2009, before going on to win back to back titles in 2012 and 2013 the second of which was at Castletown, to become the first father and son to win the coveted trophy, with his Dad winning in 1987 at South Ramsey. Retaining the trophy in 2013 Hargraves became one of just four people to do so after winning the title for the first time. A previous Manx Masters winner and has won two singles opens to date this season.

‘Sammy’ was a surprise package in the Association Cup in 2020, as he went on to win beat an in form Paul Dunn in the final at Castletown. Clague made the move to Marown over the winter. A former home greener at Castletown, which his team will be hoping to use to their advantage on Friday evening.

Game 4 – James Teare vs Dean Kipling

T-Bag came into the A Team in 2019, winning an impressive 18 out of 22 games as a replacement for John Kennish, no mean feat in itself. T-Bag is a regular winner of Mixed Doubles competitions, and has picked up more than one Men’s Doubles title. James is comfortable with the added pressure of appearing in finals, once he gets into his groove he can be difficult to stop.

Kipling picked up his one and only Manx Championship in 1992 at Port Erin beating Dennis Gelling in the final. Dean doesn’t get in opens as much these days, but is a big game player and is as important to Marown off the green as he is on it. His record representing the Isle of Man is up there with the best.

Game 5 – Bob Clark vs Phil Kelly

The 2021 runner up in the Manx Championship, Bob has stepped up his performances over the past 18 months, with his new approach towards his game paying off. Bob picked up the Dreswick Cup last year recovering from a 20-14 deficit against Glynn Hargraves to win 21-20 and in doing so became the last winner on the old green. He wasn’t quite able to repeat the trick this year coming up against team mate David Bradford in the final. Following a move to South Ramsey over the winter, he hasn’t disappointed with his performances.

Rambo won the Manx Championship in 1994 at Noble’s on his former home green with a 21-20 win in the final over John Saunders, he was the first winner of the Manx Masters in its current format. Rambo has been in good form recently picking up the June Player of the Month having won the Heywood Gelling beating Marown’s ‘big three’ on the way to victory.

Game 6 – Jordan Cain vs Neil Withers

Jords was runner up in the final of the Manx Championship in 2019, with Colin Kelly the only man able to stop him on the day. Having spent nine years at Onchan, Jordan made the move north for a fresh challenge, he is starting to settle in well as he gets to grip with the South Ramsey green.

For Nev home green glory arrived in the Manx Championship in 2009, with a 21-19 victory over Glynn Hargraves, however his finest moment was winning the June Festival in 2013. A winner of multiple opens over the years. Nev is one half of the best doubles partnership in recent years, with the pair proving difficult to shift.

Game 7 – Peter Collister vs Paul Kelly

Collie famously did the double winning the 1983 June Festival and Tourism competitions and was one of the most consistent players in the 80’s and 90’s. After a lengthy spell out of the game Collister returned to league bowls full time in 2013. Collie turned 60 earlier this year, however he is in fine form for his team this season having lost just two league fixtures to date, picked up the Noble’s Cup last weekend with John Kennish.

PK is well travelled having learnt his craft at Noble’s Mixed, turning out for Castletown, Douglas and has now settled at Marown. Another who doesn’t get in many singles opens, however he has picked up two mens doubles wins so far this season. Another former home greener, who loves to have a strike.

Game 8 – Stefan Kelly vs Paul Dunn

The Peel Town Cup last year wasn’t Stefan’s first singles win, this was actually achieved in the U.K. a few years earlier beating John Kennish en-route to victory. ‘Stiffy’ as he is affectionately called by his team mates has won several doubles titles with a variety of partners. Relishes the big games and performs well when needed.

Dunner was hot favourite to become Manx Champion in 2020 and didn’t disappoint. He has become a regular winner of Opens over the past few years, with his time and dedication towards his bowls now reaping dividends, he is one of Marown’s most consistent performers in recent seasons, is going well in the individual merit as he currently occupies top spot.

Noble’s Bowling Club hosted the Noble’s Cup Mens Doubles on Saturday with 24 pairs taking part.

Losing out in the quarter final stage were Onchan pair Kevin Quirk and Steve Parker, Walter McCarthy and Karl Parker (both Marown), Ciaran Broad and Michael Johnson (both Noble’s) along with Charlie Bell (Marown) and Steve Hampson (Noble’s).

The semi-finals were well contested with Marown duo Paul Dunn and Neil Withers lost out 19-21 to South Ramsey pair John Kennish and Peter Collister, whilst Derek Allen (Port Erin) and Alec Taylor (Peel) were defeated 15-21 by home greeners Alex Yates and Jim Callister.

The final went the way of the more experienced pair Kennish and Collister who ruthlessly won 21-5 against Yates and Callister in just eight ends to pick up the £100 first prize.

At the conclusion of the competition the presentation was made by Tina Hampson, who thanked Steve Moore and the club members who had helped with the running of the competition. Thanks were also given to sponsor Stuart Hampson from Burgerman Catering and Tanfastic.

The BCGBA Senior Individual Merit was held at Hawcoat Park Sports Club in Barrow-in-Furness on Saturday with the two qualifiers from the Isle of Man taking part in proceedings. A whole day of wet weather did put a dampener on the day.

Manx Champion David Bradford was on in the first set of games against Andy Fergus from Greater Manchester, with Bradford leading 16-5, his opponent then found his length to ultimately runout with a 21-19 victory.

Peel favourite Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly was drawn against Gareth Hughes from Wales, with Barney always being behind in the game he battled back to 18-19 only for Hughes to score the two chalks needed to progress.

The final had 2019 runner up Gary Owen (Potteries and District) up against previous winner Callum Wraight (Shropshire) with the latter storming into a 10-0 lead, who then went 20-4 up. Owen managed to get a run of ends together only to lose out 21-9 for Wraight to pick up his second win in this competition following his win on Merseyside in 2009.

It was another busy week of bowls in the Canada Life International bowling leagues, with a double week.

In Division One League leaders South Ramsey A started their week at Breagle Glen as they took on Port St Mary A with the visitors picking up a 3-7 win. Winning for Port St Mary were Trevor Quayle who beat Stefan Kelly 21-9, Paul Skelly beat Dido Kelly 21-11, whilst Robbie Cooil beat South Ramsey captain Glynn Hargraves 21-17.

On Wednesday South Ramsey A fared much better as they beat Onchan B 9-1 at home on a tricky green, with the home team handling it extremely well as they won four games to single figures, with David Bradford winning 21-1, whilst Bob Clark, Dido Kelly and Glynn Hargraves all won 21-2.

Marown A started their week off matching the leaders result as they came away from the Crofts with a 3-7 win over Castletown A. Winning for the Town men were Ron Williams who beat Peter Jones 21-13, Chris Lever won 21-16 against Paul Kelly and Mark Moorley won 21-20 against Harry Barton. Marown did manage to prevent the result from being any more damaging as Neil Withers beat George Foy 21-20.

On Wednesday evening Marown A recorded an 8-2 home win over North Ramsey A, as they lost one point this week to South Ramsey A. Three single figure wins from the home team came from Paul Dunn, Paul Kelly and Neil Withers. Winning for the visitors were Paul Allison who beat Sam Clague 21-19, whilst Rob Monk heavily defeated Harry Barton 21-7.

Douglas A slipped to two defeats as they were well beaten 1-9 at home to Onchan A, ended their week with a 3-7 away defeat to Castletown A.

Peel B started the week well with a 10-0 home win over Port Erin A, but ended it with a heavy 9-1 away defeat to Onchan A.

Marown B slipped to a rare home defeat as they lost 3-7 to Peel A at Crosby, bounced back to win 2-8 away to Port Erin A. The Breagle Glen men are in danger of being cut adrift as they currently sit 18 points from safety, which is a lot to make up with just six fixtures left to play.

Pacesetters South Ramsey B had a good week in Division Two as they recorded the biggest win in the second division, beating Noble’s A 9-1 at home. Four single figure wins from the home team proved their dominance, with Martyn Hobson being the lone winner as he had a comfortable 21-15 win over Austin Hart.

On Thursday night South Ramsey B were away to Port St Mary B, they matched Monday’s win to stretch their lead at the top to 11 points.

Second placed Marown C had a slender one-point lead over Ballaugh A prior to their league fixture, with the Crosby men coming away with a solid 2-8 win to extend their lead to seven points and consolidate second place. The two wins for Ballaugh could have gone the other way as Richard Hainge beat work colleague Jamie Joughin 21-17 to ensure he had office bragging rights, whilst John Keenan reminded his opponent he is still tough to shift on his own green as he beat John Kelly 21-18. The visitors had three close wins from Kevin Kelly, Stuart Clague and Walter McCarthy. Ballaugh’s hope of promotion appear to be fading away.

On Thursday night Marown C hosted Finch Hill A with the home team suffering an upset as they lost out 4-6, with the chalks going in favour of the visitors (147-148).

At the bottom of the table it is looking like a three-way fight between Onchan C on 51 points, Port St Mary B and Ballaugh B with both teams on 48 points.

In Division Three North Ramsey B could only come away from Crosby with a hard fought 4-6 win over Marown B, which allowed Noble’s B the opportunity to close the gap as they won 8-2 at home to Port Erin B on Tuesday evening.

On Thursday evening Noble’s B took their turn to sit the fixtures out as North Ramsey B hoped to capitalise on this with a home fixture with Douglas C. The Mooragh Park men didn’t disappoint as they won 9-1 to sit top by 13 points.

In third place Marown D headed north to take on South Ramsey D, as they looked to make up ground on second place Noble’s B, the visitors came away with a 3-7 victory, with Sam Colquitt winning the battle of the Juniors with a 21-13 win over Ryan Hargraves.

Peel Sunset Bowling club hosted the popular Peel Town Cup on Saturday afternoon, attracting a perfect entry of 46 men, with Ballaugh being the venue of choice in a bid to attract a healthy entry. The green was in good condition with the rain falling in the early stages of the competition, the weather improved as the day went on to end in sunshine. With handicaps ranging from +3 to +9, once again it made for an interesting day with some shock results. There were a number of high profile casualties early on with some excellent ties, as the handicaps did the trick with plenty of high scoring games throughout the competition.

Losing out at the quarter-final stage were Peel man Dougie Allan (Peel) who lost out to Steven Waters (South Ramsey) 19-21, Walter McCarthy (Marown) was beaten 18-21 by Philip ‘Pip’ Pemberton (Peel). Marown man Colin Kelly had his hopes of victory dashed by Bob Clark (South Ramsey) with the latter winning 21-14, whilst Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey) won 21-15 against Derek Allen (Port Erin).

Both semi-finals were well contested with Waters (+6) just losing out to Pemberton (+7) 19-21, as the latter reached the final, whilst the two South Ramsey teammates faced off in the other semi-final with Hargraves (+3) getting the better of Clark (+3) this time out as he won 21-17.

The final got underway with Hargraves having enjoyed previous success in this competition in 2015, whilst Pip was making his first appearance in a final of a singles open. Pemberton made the stronger start building on the four chalk start on the card, playing a round peg to extend his lead to six chalks after eight ends with the score 13-7 to the Peel man. Hargraves responded to take five consecutive ends on a short round peg to edge ahead 14-13. A great last bowl on the following end from Pip when lying two down sent him on another mini-run as he won four of the next five ends to lead 18-15.

A change of tactics saw the South Ramsey captain opt for a longer length, with this appearing to work as Hargraves went 19-18 ahead and was counting two for game only for Pip to bowl in to level the game up at 19-19. A good lead on the following end wasn’t beaten, with Pip missing the opportunity to count for two to pile on the pressure. At 20-19 a loose end from both players resulted in Hargraves somewhat fortuitously scoring a single to level the game at 20-20. On the deciding end Hargraves composed himself picking a mark from the gate to the glass shelter approximately two thirds the length of the green and put up a good lead bowl 15 inches to the side of the jack. Pip left his first bowl just over two foot short, with Hargraves improving on his first bowl to play a side toucher, leaving Pip no other option other than to attempt to kill the end or trail the jack, however he got slightly low on the line as Hargraves claimed a 21-20 victory and with it his second win in this competition.

At the conclusion of play the presentation was made by competition secretary Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly, who thanked the sponsors IOM Seafoods for their continued support, and Assistant Tournament Director nine year old Arran Dunn for his efforts throughout the day. Club President Lenny Kerruish was then introduced to present the prizes, he thanked Ballaugh for hosting the competition, their Ladies for catering, the greenkeeper for preparing the green and anyone else who had helped on the day.