Yearly Archives: 2023
Onchan A Win Ismay Cup Again
Ismay Cup Winners 2023 - Onchan A
Photo: Norman KneenOn Thursday the Over 60’s Men’s Ismay Cup Final between Onchan A and Peel Sunset A was held on a well prepared Green at Castletown Bowling Club.
The match started well for Onchan A with Mike Alexander beating Peel Captain Brian Lindsay 21-12 but then they lost the next game as Kevin Quirk went down 19-21 to Dougie Allan. In the following game Onchan’s Neil Dunwell lost 16-21 to Andy Kennish and then Colin Spence levelled the match score to two games each at the halfway stage by beating Alec Taylor 21-11.
Onchan’s Peter Slinger played well to beat Alan Cromwell 21-7, then Tony Carroon pulled one back for the Westerners as he beat Bernie McPhee 21-17. At this stage it looked as if the match could well end at four games all although Onchan A had a considerable chalks advantage but then Mike Thomas ran out with a 21-16 win against Paul Baker and Onchan Captain Phil Kerruish played strongly to beat Dave (Barney) Kelly 21-13 and give his side a 5-3 win.
The trophies were presented by Phil Taubman and Phil Kerruish thanked Castletown for hosting the competition on a superb playing surface and thanked the Over 60’s Committee for their work.
Mini Cup Win for Ballaugh B
Mini Cup Winners 2023 - Ballaugh B
Photo: Norman KneenOn Wednesday the Mini Cup Final which is for teams in the League Two of Men’s Over 60’s Bowls took place at Marown between Finch Hill A and Ballaugh B.
In the first half of the match Finch Hill A drew the first blood with Paul Dougherty beating Ray Griffin 21-9 but Gordy Moore hit back immediately to beat Dave Jones 21-17. We then saw Ballaugh’s Wilfred Waggett lose 13-21 to John Qualtrough and after the first four games were completed the score was two games each with John Maddrell beating Finch Hill’s John Harris 21-12.
In the second half of the match we saw a titanic struggle between Ballaugh’s Barry McDonald and Tony Epifani which ended with McDonald winning 21-20. The next game saw Ballaugh Captain John Keenan play superbly to beat Les Brookes 21-3 and after being behind Gary Griffiths fought back to beat Dave Dixon of Finch Hill 21-20 giving the Ballaugh men the five games that they needed. The excitement was still not over however as in the last game Tom Waterworth of Ballaugh who is in his first full season of bowls looked down and out but he fought back to eventually go down 21-20 to Brian Murphy.
The Chairman of the Over 60’s Bowling League Norman Kneen thanked Marown for hosting the competition and Terry Bates for acting as Referee and Competition Secretary Mark Kelly for running the match before introducing Neil Withers to present the awards.
Gill Dixon wins Posh Paws of Peel Ladies Singles
Posh Paws of Peel Winner
Gill DixonPosh Paws of Peel Ladies Singles Open Competition held at Peel Sunset BC on Saturday 2nd September 2023
The weather was wonderful, and the 32 ladies who entered enjoyed wall to wall sunshine all afternoon. Happy to see 2 junior ladies taking part with one going on to the second round; unfortunately, some notable players were knocked out leaving Caroline Whitehead (Port Erin) v Louise Tebay (Ballaugh) Janet Monk (Mooragh Park) v Celia Smith (Peel Sunset) Gill Dixon (South Ramsey) v Maureen Payne (Onchan) and Shirley Corrin (Peel Sunset) v Lynn Bennett (Visitor) to battle it out in the quarter finals. Caroline and Janet and Gill and Lynn went through all ending in very close scores. An exciting final between Caroline and Gill ensued with Gill Dixon being the winner of The Posh Paws of Peel Trophy. Joyce Kelly (Peel Sunset) ran the competition. The President of Peel Sunset BC, Lynda Wilson presented the prizes and thanked the Sponsors and Posh Paws of Peel for their continuing sponsorship.
Drewett & Clark Win Wilfrid Quayle Mixed Doubles
Wilfrid Quayle Winners 2023 - Hannah Drewett & Bob Clark
Photo: Arnie WithersCastletown Bowling Club hosted the Wilfrid Quayle mixed doubles on Sunday with the competition attracting 30 pairs with the competition sponsored by the Sidings Pub.
Falling at the quarter final stage were home green pair Sam Quayle and Joy Stevens, who were beaten 10-21 by Marown’s Debbie Leece and Neil Withers. Caroline Whitehead (Port Erin) and Kevin Firth (Douglas) just lost out 20-21 to Elaine Moore (South Ramsey) and Nathan Hamilton (Castletown). Home greeners Hilary Kermode and Alan Phair were well beaten 8-21 by Hannah Drewett (Castletown) and Bob Clark (South Ramsey), whilst Jenny Moore and James Teare (South Ramsey) won 21-6 against Marown’s Lisa Pugh and Walter McCarthy.
Losing out at the semi-final stage were Leece and Withers who were kept to just two singles as they lost 8-21 to Moore and Hamilton, whilst Moore and Teare lost out 16-21 to Drewett and Clark.
In the early stages of the final neither pairing were able to build a lead, with the score at 9-8 to Drewett and Clark counting for three a superb last bowl from Hamilton won the end to level the score at 9-9. Drewett and Clark responded to go into the lead at 17-12 as they kept their opponents down to singles. Moore and Hamilton picked up their first double of the game with a great strike from Elaine to turn a two down into two up to put the score at 14-17. Three singles followed over the next three ends for Drewett and Clark, with their opponents picking up a three to put the score at 17-20. The single point needed by Drewett and Clark was picked up on the next end to seal a 21-17 victory.
The presentation was made by Castletown Bowling Club President Hilary Kermode who thanked everyone who had entered, along with the club members who had helped with the smooth running of the competition throughout the day. Thomas Callister from the Sidings presented the prizes.
First Festival Title for Coates
Men’s September 2023 Festival Winner - Gareth Coates
Photo: Arnie WithersOne of the biggest events on the bowls calendar – The Isle of Man September Bowls Festival took place last week, with the competition played out in glorious weather throughout the entire week, with the best week of weather the Island has enjoyed since June.
In the Men’s event it was Gareth Coates (Ackroyd Victoria) who picked up his first Festival win, having reached the quarter finals last September he was determined to pick up the coveted title as he got his hands on the famous trophy and took home the winners’ cheque for £3,200, with the victory clear to see how much it meant to him upon winning and during his speech.
Coates more than deserved his victory as he had to overcome the challenge of another regular visitor, June 2012 winner Robby Fitzpatrick (Wirral) whilst also beating another former winner Callum Wraight (Castlefields) in a thrilling semi-final.
To reach finals day Coates cruised through both games at the last 32 stage as he beat Stuart Sutton (Fairfield) 21-8, then went on to beat another former winner Colin Kelly (Marown) to the same score. In the early rounds Coates took two single figure victories and a 21-11 win in the last 64.
In the final Coates was the quickest out of the blocks as he stormed into a 15-5 lead in the corners, with Fitzpatrick clawing back five chalks at 10-15, however the comeback was short lived as Coates kept the pressure on playing good bowls forcing his opponent to strike on more than one occasion to hang in the game. Coates ensured his the Wirral man scored just two more singles to seal a superb 21-12 victory with a dominating performance in the final.
Both semi-finals were absolute thrillers and could not have been closer as Coates looked nailed on to reach the final as he went into a 15-8 lead on a longer length against Wraight. The latter responded with three quick fire doubles and a single to level the game up at 15-15, then went ahead to lead 20-17, with Coates having earlier killed an end with his opponent counting for two. On the following end Wraight was counting two good bowls, it was all or nothing for Coates who hit a great strike making a full connection to take both of Wraight’s bowls off the green with his second bowl rolling to the edge and just holding on the green to make two. With the score now at 19-20 Coates again went for a bit of distance as he put up two good bowls to lie game. Wraight went for a strike, which went through the gap to seal a superb comeback from Coates to win 21-20.
The other semi-final between Robby Fitzpatrick and Martin Gilpin (Netherfield) saw the former go into a 14-10 lead, only for Gilpin to get back into the game to lead 19-17, with Fitzpatrick playing a good first bowl to sit one chalk behind at 18-19. On the next end, for Gilpin it was an opportunity missed with the chance to make two for game, as he picked up the jack making too heavy a connection as he scored a single to lead 20-18. A great two on the following end from Fitzpatrick resulted in a one end shootout with Fitzpatrick playing a good lead bowl sitting just behind the jack, which Gilpin couldn’t beat as the Wirral man reached the final.
The quarter finals were all straightforward for the winners with Coates ending the hopes of Glen Herbert (Castlefields) with a 21-14 win, with Wraight beating South Ramsey’s Bob Clark 21-9 with the latter reaching his second successive September finals day. In the bottom half of the field Fitzpatrick beat Neil Rigden (Bretherton) 21-6 with an emphatic victory, whilst the closest game of the round was between Gilpin and David Bradford (South Ramsey), with Gilpin prevailing 21-16. Bradford was the local player who had progressed the furthest and received the Chris Quayle Memorial trophy for the furthest Manx Man.
Men’s Tourism
The Men’s Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 1, and it was Ryan Clark (Meersbrook BC) who performed brilliantly to see off James Higgins (Sheffield) with a resounding 21-8 victory.
In the semi-finals Clark beat Colin Kelly (Marown) 21-8 to reach the final, whilst Higgins got through a hard fought game with James Wilcox (Crossgates) 21-18.
In the quarter finals Clark progressed with a 21-19 win over Dave Phillips (Lloyd Hotel), Kelly reached the semi-final with a 21-10 victory over Gareth Hughes (Castlefields), whilst Higgins ended the challenge of Ben Phillips (Lloyd Hotel) with a 21-13 victory. The last quarter final was between Wilcox and Rob Monk (North Ramsey) with the former winning 21-11.
Other Events
The Men’s consolation was won by Dan Petcher (Littleover) who beat Kevin Williams (Knutsford) 21-12 in the final, with Petcher winning 21-17 against Colin Scorah (Rothwell) in the semi-final, whilst Williams edged home 21-20 against Gerald Merry (Delamere).
The Ladies consolation was won by Caroline Whitehead (Port Erin) defeating Joyce Jones 21-16 (Sykes BC) in the final. Whitehead reached the final with a 21-18 win over Marian Woods (Lindal BC), whilst Jones beat Amanda Nicholas (Gresford Colliery) 21-20.
The Visit.Com Flyer title went to Robert Monk (North Ramsey) who had a good 9-4 win over Gareth Jones (Dalton CC), whilst the Last Chance Mixed Final was won by a regular visitor Gwerydd Buckland (Bangor City) who beat Clair Russell (Alkin Coats) 21-17 in the final.
In the doubles competitions the Open doubles was won by Marown’s Neil Withers and Paul Dunn with a resounding 11-3 win over South Ramsey pair Jordan Cain and Stefan Kelly. Withers and Dunn reached the final with a 11-5 win over Paul Morgan (Whitby BC) and Gareth Coates (Ackroyd Victoria), whilst Cain and Kelly ended the challenge of Claire Pugh (Woodfield) and Joe Dicken (Woodfield) with a 11-5 victory.
The Men’s doubles were won by South Ramsey pair Glynn Hargraves and Bob Clark as they beat Kevin Quirk and Steve Parker (both Onchan) 11-6 in the final. Hargraves and Clark reached the final with a comfortable 11-3 win over Ieuan Pugh and Andrew Armstrong (both Hanmer), whilst Quirk and Parker came through a tough game against Nathan Brown and Matt Sands (both Lloyd Hotel) with a 11-8 victory.
The Ladies doubles were won by Diane Harrison and Gill Simm (both Lune Road) defeating Veronica Lyon (Unison) and Christine Lawton (Garswood Hall) 11-10 in the final, with Harrison and Simm reaching the final with a 11-6 win over Lisa Pessall and Shavorne Osborne (both Trench BC). whilst Lyon and Lawton won 11-5 against Claire Pugh and Mandy Pagett (both Woodfield) to book their place in the final.
Winning the Mixed pairs were Nicola Gilmore-Coupe (Wirral) and Gareth Coates (Ackroyd Victoria) with an emphatic 9-2 win over Caroline Whitehead (Port Erin) and David Knights (Whitby BC) in the final. Gilmore-Coupe and Coates reached the final with a 9-7 win over Lorraine Hirst (Lindal BC) and Andy Mailer (Meersbrook BC) Whitehead and Knights won 9-1 against Caroline Bushell (Lindal BC) and John Colebourne (Chesterfield) to reach the final.
The Triples was played once again this year with the competition played on three greens over six ends on Wednesday morning down to the winner from each green. Winners at the Villa were Gill Simm, Barry Simm, and Peter Shallis (all Lune Road) with the trio of Amanda Nicholas, Kevin Nicholas (both Gresford Colliery), and Tom Lowndes (Hanmer) winning on Noble’s 1 green, whilst Dave Baskerville, Steve Baskerville, and Dave Jackson (all Knutsford) were the winners on Noble’s 2 green.
David Bradford – Winner of Chris Quayle Memorial – Furthest Manx Man 2023
Photo: Arnie Withers
IOM September Open Doubles 2023 – Runners Up Jordan Cain & Stefan Kelly with Winners Paul Dunn & Neil Withers
Photo: Arnie Withers
IOM September Mens Doubles 2023 – Runners Up Kevin Quirk & Steve Parker with Winners Glynn Hargraves & Bob Clark
Photo: Arnie Withers
Moore Festival Titles for Jenny
Ladies September 2023 Festival Winner - Jenny Moore
Photo: Arnie WithersIn the Ladies main event local bowler Jenny Moore (South Ramsey) took on Michelle Mackay (Lindal BC) in the final. It proved to be a great week for Jenny as she picked up her third festival title following her June 2016 and September 2021 successes.
In the final the early part of the game saw Mackay lead 9-6, with Moore levelling the game up at 9-9, then 10-10. On the next end with Moore counting for one the watching crowd expected a reaching bowl, however it fell short to put Moore in the lead for the first time in the game at 11-10. It went level at 11 for the third time in the game the following end, this proved to be the last point picked up by Mackay with the South Ramsey player then moving through the gears on a longer mark picking up the final seven ends alternating the first five ends with singles and doubles with a great performance to lead 19-11, before going on to see the game out with two good singles to seal a fully deserved 21-11 victory.
In addition to taking her first win and the winners’ cheque for £1,250 Jenny received the Blanche Kaye Trophy for the furthest Manx Lady, while Michelle took the runners up prize for £625.
In the semi-finals Moore booked her place in the final with a comfortable 21-14 win over Sharon Rigden (Bretherton) having built up a 15-8 lead, Rigden fought back to 13-16, only for Moore to see the game out with two doubles and a single, while Mackay took on local bowler Louise Tebay (Ballaugh) who despite only taking up the game in 2021 the latter just lost out 20-21 in a thrilling finish to the game with Tebay doing all she could to reach the final counting one for game. With her last bowl Mackay was inside the jack land with the pace of the bowl holding it to pick up the jack to win 21-20 to go through to the final.
Moore started her day with a 21-16 win over Lynda Cadamy (Marown), whilst Rigden had a good battle with Shavorne Osborne (Trench BC) with the former winning 21-18. Mackay started her day beating last year’s losing finalist Sarah Weaver (Wrockwardine Wood) with a 21-13, whilst Tebay also had a comfortable 21-12 win over Lisa Pessall (Trench BC).
The question will be how many festival titles Moore will pick up, with age most definitely on her side, as Moore reached finals day with comprehensive victories in the last 32, beating both players to single figures with a 21-9 victory over Mandy Pagett (Woodfield), then went on to beat Marilyn Kelly-Walley (Stretton Anglesey) 21-7 to book her place in Finals day.
Ladies Tourism
The Ladies Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 2 green, it was Sarah Weaver (Wrockwardine Wood) who claimed a comfortable 21-12 victory over Lyn Bolton (Marown) in the final.
Weaver booked her place in the final with a hard fought 21-18 win over Caroline Bushell (Lindal BC), whilst Bolton took a comfortable 21-10 victory over Sophie Briddon (Fairfield)
In the quarter finals Weaver progressed with a 21-11 win over local bowler Elaine Moore (South Ramsey), whilst Bushell beat Lisa Pessall (Trench BC) 21-7. In the other half of the draw Bolton beat Clair Russell (Alkincoats PWA) 21-14, whilst Briddon won 21-9 over Josephine McGhee (Knutsford).
Hargraves Takes Thurlwell Title
Thurlwell Bowl Winner 2023 - Glynn Hargraves
Photo: Arnie WithersNoble’s Bowling Club hosted the Thurlwell Bowl on Saturday with a good entry of 50 taking part after a great week of Festival bowls, with the Noble’s greens being widely praised by local & visiting bowlers throughout the week.
Losing out at the quarter final stage were home greener Mark Bradshaw who lost out 9-21 to Marown captain Paul Dunn, Margie Tasker (Port St Mary) was defeated 16-21 by South Ramsey’s Glynn Hargraves. In the other half of the draw Lee Dawson (South Ramsey) beat Grahem Moore (Noble’s) 21-15, whilst Peel man Rob Middleton ended the hopes of Glenn Boland (Marown) with a good last end to win 21-19.
In the semi-final Hargraves made the better start against Dunn to lead 11-7, then settled for a longer length to extend the lead to 17-12. The Marown man fought back level the game up at 18-18, then conceded a single with Hargraves playing through to take out Dunn’s counting bowl. On the following end with the South Ramsey man leading 19-18 and counting two for game Dunn bowled in to level the game up once more at 19-19. Two great bowls from the Marown captain on the next end had Dunn lying game himself with both bowls next to the jack and touching each other, a strike from Hargraves came off perfectly to go 20-19 ahead. On the next end a good lead bowl from the South Ramsey captain was unbeaten to seal a place in the final with a 21-19 win.
In the other semi-final between Middleton and Dawson the game was keenly contested in the early stages, with Middleton stretching away in the second half of the game to seal a 21-14 win and his first appearance in a final of a singles open.
The final started with Hargraves being favourite, however it was Middleton who made a strong start to lead 9-6 after four ends, the lead could have been bigger with Hargraves taking the jack off when lying two down for a dead end. With the ends being exchanged in the early part of the game neither player could get away from the other with the score being level at 10-10 and 11-11. The next two ends Middleton played four great bowls with Hargraves just missing strikes on both ends for the Peel man to lead 15-11. Hargraves got back in and headed for the corners that had served him well earlier in the day to turn the game around to lead 17-15.
A strong response followed with three consecutive singles from Middleton. Hargraves got back in with a single, then played two good bowls on the following end to lead 20-18. On the following end Hargraves played a good lead six inches to the side of the jack, which Middleton played out with his first bowl, the latter made two with his second bowl for a one end shootout with the score tied once again at 20-20. Middleton played his lead 18 inches away from the jack, which Hargraves used to count for one. With his last bowl the Peel man got inside the jack land with Hargraves winning an entertaining final 21-20.
The presentation was made by competition secretary Tina Hampson who thanked the club members who had helped with the running of the competition. The winners were awarded with IOM Steam Packet vouchers, with Juan Qualtrough presenting the prizes. In his speech Hargraves congratulated Middleton for a great performance.
Clark Wins Pre-Festival Autumn Shield
Autumn Shield Winner 2023 - Bob Clark
Photo: Arnie WithersPeel Bowling Club held the pre-festival Autumn Shield on Sunday, as a strong entry of 96 took part on a fine day with the competition running like clockwork throughout the day with the competition starting at 10:00 in the morning.
Some players had to win four games just to reach the quarter final stage, losing out were home greener Gordon Corrin 14-21 to Marown captain Paul Dunn, whilst Bob Clark (South Ramsey) eased through 21-11 against Reg Temporaza (Onchan). Both games in the other half of the draw were well contested as Martin Gaut (Wrockwardine Wood) edged home 21-20 against Ryan Clark (Meersbrook BC), whilst Neil Withers (Marown) beat Dave Jackson (Acregate) to the same score.
At the semi-final stage Dunn was up against Clark, with the latter never falling behind in the game as the South Ramsey man built up a five-chalk lead at 15-10, only for Dunn to work his way back into the game in the corners to get to within one chalk at 14-15. With Dunn lying two a good last bowl from Clark put him on another mini run to go into a 19-14 lead. A single and a double from Dunn had the game finely poised at 17-19, only for Clark to get the two he needed to seal a 21-17 win to book his place in the final. Withers was in complete control of his semi-final as he only conceded just three chalks, whilst scoring five doubles with his 21-9 victory over Gaut.
Clark made the better start in the final as he went into an early 11-7 lead, with Withers picking up two singles to put the score at 9-11. A poor end from Withers was fully punished by the South Ramsey man who counted for two, who then picked up a further single and two doubles to lead 18-9 as Clark opted for a longer length. On the following end Clark played a good lead, however failed to count with his second allowing Withers a free shot to play out the counting bowl to make two to put the score at 9-18.
Another poor end from Withers was punished to full effect as Clark scored two to lead 20-11, then scored the one point needed to secure a fully deserved 21-11 win and the £400 first prize, with Withers taking home £200.
The presentation was made by Peel competition secretary Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly who thanked the sponsor David Lancaster Limited for their continued support. Club President Lynda Wilson was then introduced to present the prizes with over £1,160 paid out down to the Last 16.
Jean kelly winners Marown A by 3 points in close contested final
Jean Kelly Memorial Winners 2023 - Marown A
Photo: Arnie WithersJean Kelly Final was held on Friday 3rd September at Onchan
South Ramsey V Marown A on paper this was always going to be a close contest. Which ended up a nail biting final down to the last end. South Ramsey had a +22 handicap where Marown had + 11. The 1st 5 games off saw (including handicap) South Ramsey leading 110 and Marown 102.
Judy Kelly 13 v 21 Rebekah Kelly
Jenny Moore 21 v 10 Helen Withers
Helen Groen 21 v 18 Debbie Leece
Kim Hargraves 17 v 21 Rebecca Teare
Sue Collier 16 v 21 Philippa Taylor
The next 3 games off saw Marown close the gap on South Ramsey 157, Marown 154
Fiona Kennish 14 v 21 Lyn Bolton
Elaine Moore 12 v 21 Linda Cadamy
Gill Dixon 21 v 10 Clare Cooper
With the last game on it was all quite intense and some good bowls played by both players early on in the match. The final end was wide open with Smith leading 19-15 and holding 1 just managed to get her second bowl inside Morgans to seal the match.
Gill Morgan 15 v 21 Jayne Smith
South Ramsey 172 v 175 Marown A
Ladies Millenium 4’s concluded after postponed by torrential rain
Millennium Fours Winners 2023 - Lynda Cadamy, Trish Bill, Lyn Bolton & Margie Tasker
Photo: Collin HollandThe Ladies Millenium 4’s was completed on the morning of Sat 2nd September, due to having to be postponed due to horrific weather the previous month.
The semi final stage saw eventual winners Margaret Tasker, Trish Bull, Linda Cadamy and Lyn Bolton take on Debbie Leece, Clare Cooper, Helen Withers and Rebecca Teare. 45 v 35. Cath Harvey, Rose Waterworth, Loiuse Tebay and Maria Dimsdale played Jenny Moore, Gill Dixon, Kim Hargraves and Fiona Kennish 32 v 35.
The final saw Trish Bull 9 V 15 Jenny Moore, Linda Cadamy 15 V 14 Kim Hargraves and the doubles game Margaret Tasker and Lyn Bolton 15 V 5 Fiona Kennish and Gill Dixon. Which resulted in a final score of 39 V 34 to Margaret, Trish, Lyn and Linda.
The Ladies Association presented the Trophy and prizes and thanked Douglas Bowling Club for accommodating the 2 dates to hold the competition. Also thank you to the players for returning to conclude the event on a much sunnier day.