Marown Bowling Club hosted the Henry Kissack Memorial Trophy on Sunday attracting an entry of 56, which was an increase of 12 on last year’s entry of 44, with a notable absentee as the holder from last year Phil Kelly was away on holiday, as he missed out on the opportunity to defend the title. The handicaps for the competition ranged from +3 to +9, with the players enjoying another fine day after the overnight rain, which had taken a bit of pace out of the green, however the green quickened up as the day went on. 

Losing out in the quarter finals were Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly (Peel) who had his challenge ended 19-21 by Marown captain Paul Dunn, Onchan’s Matthew Quirk got the better of Tom Kelly (Marown) 21-12, Dean Kinley (Peel) just lost out 19-21 to Peter Jones (Marown), whilst Andy Kennish’s (Marown) hopes of a third win in four years were ended by South Ramsey’s Glynn Hargraves 12-21. 

The semi-final saw Hargraves earn his third consecutive 21-12 victory as he booked his place in the final to beat Jones. The second semi-final was keenly contested with Dunn ending the game strongly as he trailed 17-18 to Quirk to run out with two doubles to earn a 21-18 win. 

The final started with both players off a +3 handicap, as the two captains battled it out for the trophy. Hargraves took the first end with a single only for Dunn to score four consecutive doubles moving around the green to take control of the game to lead 11-4. Hargraves responded to level the game up 11-11 after 10 ends as he played a straight peg mark over the middle of the green.  

Dunn managed to prevent his opponent from taking the lead as he scored three singles to lead 14-11. Hargraves battled back once beating a good lead bowl from Dunn along the river edge, as he went on to take the lead 15-14. The following end was a key turning point in the final as Hargraves played two good bowls inside two feet, only for the Marown man to use his home green knowledge to change his peg and bowl in to level things up at 15-15, which was followed by a single to edge ahead 16-15. 

The South Ramsey man then scored a good double to re-take the lead 17-16. A poor end from Hargraves was fully punished by Dunn. On the next end a poor lead from Dunn was punished by Hargraves only for a great change of peg to rescue Dunn with his second bowl. Hargraves managed to kill end as he hit his opponents bowl to spring the jack off the green.  

Dunn headed for the river edge and a good lead secured a single to put the score 19-17 in favour of the Marown man. Heading back on the same mark they had just came from a good lead from Dunn put the pressure on. Hargraves looked to have a good first bowl going in only to promote his opponent’s bowl, as Dunn played a great second bowl to count for game. A play through from Hargraves pegged away early as Dunn secured a hord fought 21-17 win in an entertaining game. 

The presentation was made by Marown President Peter Kelly, who thanked the club members for assisting throughout the day, the team in the kitchen for the refreshments and the green keeper for preparing the green. 

With evening T.T. practice sessions underway last week league fixtures were held as local as possible week as Marown A had an ‘away’ fixture against their B Team on Tuesday night in Canada Life International League Division One.

The Crosby men took the opportunity to close the gap on league leaders South Ramsey A to just two points following their 1-9 victory. With Colin Kelly missing Dean Kipling stepped back in for the A Team, it was like he has never been away as he was the best winner on the night with a 21-7 victory over Sid Bolton. Peter Jones just edged home 21-20 against Juan Killip, whilst Matthew Keggen was the lone winner for the B Team as he beat Phil Kelly 21-18.

South Ramsey A hosted Douglas A with the green proving tricky for both teams, however the home team prevailed 8-2, with the Ramsey men just four chalks off a 10-0 win, however it could just as easily have been 6-4 on the night. Winning for the Villa men were Jimmy Sansom who recovered from a 9-18 deficit against South Ramsey captain Glynn Hargraves to score 12 consecutive chalks to win 21-18 as Sansom claimed his first night league win of the season. Also winning was Andy Cannell who got the better of James Teare 21-20. For the home team Bob Clark had to work for his 21-17 win against Mervin Sayle, whilst Alan Moore was pushed further as he won 21-19 against Gary Conwell.

Onchan A came away from Breagle Glen with a 3-7 win over Port St Mary A. For the visitors Kevin Quirk won 21-7 against Robbie Cooil, only for his captain Peter Slinger to win 21-4 against Tim Williams. Returning the favour for the Port men Wayne Roberts beat Jamie Clague 21-4, whilst Dan McCabe won 21-8 against Will Penhallurick, with Trevor Quayle picking up the third win as he beat Reg Temporaza 21-12.

Peel A were in no mood to do their B Team any favours as they won 9-1 in the Sunset City to go joint third with Onchan A on 54 points. Gordon Corrin was the lone winner for the B Team as he beat Peter Greenlees 21-14, whilst teammate Michael Kavanagh just missed out 20-21 to Pip Pemberton. For the A Team George Gadsby was the best winner with a 21-7 victory over David Smith.

North Ramsey A continued their climb up the table to move in to fifth place, thanks to a 8-2 home win against neighbours South Ramsey B. For the Mooragh men captain Rob Monk faced off against South Ramsey captain Ben Dugdale, with the former winning 21-6, whilst Steven Waters got the better of Tony Dugdale 21-19. For the visitors Frank Watson stormed home 21-4 against Gary Merrill, whilst Bryan Corner beat Brian Colquitt 21-10.

The closest match of the week took place at the Crofts between bottom of the table Castletown A and Marown C, with the home team claiming the all-important aggregate chalks (148-142) winning 6-4  to close the gap on the teams above them. Town Captain Jordan Drewett was the best winner as he beat Dan Smith 21-4, Chris Lever won 21-17 against Jamie Joughin, Nathan Hamilton beat Tom Kelly 21-18, whilst Nathan Cooil beat Marown captain Stephen Rundle 21-19. For the visitors Peter Kelly beat Ron Williams 21-16, with Conor Keenan winning to same score against Aaron Richardson, whilst Kevin Kelly beat Mike Hargraves 21-17.

In Division Two Finch Hill A had a tough home fixture against Castletown B, however the Finch men prevailed 8-2 to leapfrog their opponents on the night to hit top spot. Four single figure wins from Dave McCabe, Stephen Oates, Mark Taylor, and Tony Epifani helped the home team. Having to work hard for his 21-20 win was Les Brookes who beat Ian Watson. For Town Alan Phair beat John Qualtrough 21-14, whilst John Matheson continued his good form as he beat Brian Murphy 21-11.

Douglas B stayed firmly in the race for promotion as they beat Onchan C 9-1 at the Villa. The lone winner for Onchan was Denis Maxwell who beat Steve Cook 21-17, whilst Bernard Galka just missed out 20-21. For the home team Andy Foster beat Ray McMullen 21-4.

Port Erin A will have been pleased to take an 2-8 away win over Onchan B. For the Breagle men Bernie Durcan beat Steve Parker 21-6, whilst David Cain won 21-19 against Mark Kelly. For Onchan Mike Alexander had a comfortable 21-10 win over Chris Dent, whilst Paul Callister picked up their second win as he beat Mark Stockham 21-18.

Noble’s B managed to take three points off their A Team with Phil Salmon beating Juan Qualtrough 21-15, Jay Elliott won 21-6 against John Short, whilst Stephen Corkill beat John Andrew 21-7. Responding for the A Team Jim Collister beat Alex Hampson 21-3, Martyn Hobson won 21-9 against Michael Cooper, whilst Alex Yates beat Michael Johnson 21-18.

North Ramsey B sit safely in mid table as they won 7-3 at home to South Ramsey C on Thursday evening. For South close games were won by Jay Moore who beat Adam Greenwood 21-17, and Paul Routledge also won to the same score against Lee Christian, whilst captain Dave Corkill eased home with a 21-7 win over Joe Kneale. For the Mooragh men Ray Skelly beat Anthony Kelly 21-19 and Tony Smart won 21-8 against Tony Marler.

In Division Three league leaders Ballaugh B gave the chasing pack the opportunity to close the gap, as they slipped to a 4-6 away defeat to Peel D with just four chalks separating the teams (130-126). Winning to single figures for Peel were James Lee who won 21-5 against John Kneen, whilst Kevin Murray won 21-7 against John Looney. For Ballaugh Fred Waggett was the best winner as he won 21-7 against Charlie McMeiken.

Port St Mary B made up ground on Ballaugh B following their 10-0 win over Port Erin B, who weren’t helped as they were three players short, with just two of their players reaching double figures as Dylan Marsh lost 14-21 to Nicholas Peterson and Ben Mowle was beaten 10-21 by Thomas Keggen.

Douglas C just lost out 4-6 at home to Ballaugh C, with the visitors winning the aggregate by five chalks (134-139). Paul Cubbon was the best winner for Ballaugh as he beat Les Quayle 21-8, with Mark Dimsdale winning 21-17 against Greg Brew. For the Villa men Dave Corkish beat Tom Waterworth 21-6, whilst Mark Clarke just got the better of Tim Merriman 21-20.

Marown D welcomed Noble’s C to Crosby, with the visitors coming away with a 3-7 win, with 12 chalks separating the sides (122-134). Winning for the home team were Jay Waters who beat Dean Sowerby 21-7, with Eddie Rough winning to the same score against Paul Moore, whilst Phil Dunn beat Andy Greggor 21-15. For Noble’s Steve Brennan won 21-9 against Bobby Kerruish, Lee Price beat James Kelly 21-7, with Lee Greggor beating Richard Bregazzi 21-19.

Noble’s D stayed in the mix as they sit in third place following their 8-2 home win over Finch Hill B. For the home team Terry Bates beat Sam Stannard-Duke 21-16, Alex Colquitt won 21-17 against Chris Wilson, whilst Roy Moore cruised to a 21-6 win over John Smith. For Finch Peter Woods beat Sam Colquitt 21-8, and their second win was courtesy of a walkover due to Noble’s being a man short.