Yearly Archives: 2023
Castletown A win Ladies Open Age League
CTH Insurance Ladies League Champions 2023 - Castletown A
Photo: Phil CainThe final games of the Open Age League were played on Wed 30th August. Castletown A maintained their lead at the top when they played Mooragh Park with a full house 189 V 78 (9-0) This is Castletowns 3rd year on the run winning the league and their 17th time winning over the last 30 years which is a great achievement.
All of the top 3 teams won their games with a full house which shows just how close it was at the top of the table.
In 2nd Place saw Marown A 189 V 62 Douglas (9-0) and 3rd Place South Ramsey 189 V 63 Castletown B (9-0)
Port St Mary 154 V 152 Nobles (4-5) Port St Mary managed to just take the win by 2 points with some extremely close games on the night.
Another really close game was Ballaugh 149 V 143 Port Erin (4-5) with Ballaugh taking this win by 6 points.
Marown B 161 V 139 Peel Sunset (5-4) Marown B just taking the win.
Well done to all teams on a good season. It’s been great to see so many youngsters playing so well each week, with a few taking their first game wins too. We look forward to seeing what next season holds.
Well done again to winners Castletown A on their 17th Open Age League 2023 Title.
Kath Kinley wins Ladies Over 60’s Championships
Ladies Over 60’s Champion 2023 - Kath Kinley
Photo: Collin HollandThe Ladies Association Held the Over 60s Championships on Tuesday 29th August in the baking sunshine at Castletown Bowling Club.
It was a home green Final with Joy Stephens and Kath Kinley who both play for Castletown. Resulting in Kath Kinley overjoyed to win the Over 60s championships with a win 21-7. Both Kath and Joy have shown great form this season in the O60s league with Kath playing 21 games with 21 wins and Joy playing 10 games with 10 wins.
The day started with an entry of 25 ladies. Kath met her teammate Hillary Kermode in the prelim rounds coming out 21-11. This took her through to next play Pauline Worrall (Port Erin) where Kath showed her green experience to win 21-5. Joy had her work to do drawn to play Margaret Tasker (Port St Mary) who we all know masters any green with ease. But Joy played fantastic, drawing the perfect shot on the last end to take her through to the next round 21-20.
In the quarter final stages Kath overcame Caroline Corlett (Nobles) 21-10. Elaine Moore booked her place into the semi finals beating Lynda Wilson (Peel Sunset) 21-3. Joyce Ogden overcame teammate Linda Cadamy (Marown) 21-10 and Joy carried on her superb play against Peel Sunsets Joyce Kelly 21-13.
Booking their places into the final Kath next saw off Elaine 21-7, and Joy played Joyce to book her 1st championship final 21-17.
It turned out to be a very long day, with the 1st games starting at 10am. It was mid afternoon before the final got underway. Where Kath was on brilliant form taking the Championship title with a 21-7 win.
The Ladies Association made the presentation and thanked Castletown for hosting the Championships.
September Festival Preview
IOM Mens September Festival Winner 2022 - Stephen Glover
Photo: Arnie WithersThe 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 £3,200. Stephen Glover is the current holder having won the event for the first time in 2022. The weather looks promising for the week.
On the first page of the draw 2012 winner Dave Phillips (Lloyd Hotel) takes on Peel man Dean Kinley in his first-round game with the winner facing a tough second round game against Ryan Clark (Meersbrook BC) or Roger Morgan (Knutsford). South Ramsey’s Bob Clark will be hoping to make his first final after losing out at the semi-final stage last September, however he may have to face five-time winner John Bailey (Castlefields) should both players navigate their way through the early rounds.
In the next section Peter Jones (Marown) is now well settled into Island life, he could face Chris Kelly (Thongsbridge), with the latter having not travelled over in June he will looking to get his name etched on the famous trophy for the first time. Castlefields Callum Wraight plays his first festival in quite some time without having to give his opponents a start on the handicap, he could play a fellow previous winner Graeme Wilson (AUE) in what would be the blockbuster game of the week on Thursday afternoon, however Wilson may have to get past Ian Nicholson (Netherfield) who is something of a September specialist.
On the third page the top half of the page is fairly open for anyone who may be in good form, with Peel man Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly and Jordan Cain (South Ramsey) the locals most likely to progress. Crossgates man Mark Hughes could reach the latter stages, however the bottom half of the page does include 1997 winner Geoff Telford (Knutsford). Dan Petcher (Littleover) could have a game on his hands with David Halstead (Parkfield).
The next page see Gwerydd Buckland (Bangor) make a return to the Island having missed out for several years. Mike Heap (Garswood) could face June 2008 winner Colin Kelly (Marown) in the second round. The bottom half of the page could see some tasty ties with Gareth Hughes (Castlefields), Paul Bailey (Meersbrook BC), Gareth Coates (Ackroyd Victoria), and Andy Spragg (Chesterfield) all featuring.
Page five sees Barry Booth (Netherfield) another regular visitor back on the Isle of Man. James Wilcox (Crossgates) has two June titles to his name, he will be hoping for his first September title, however the top half of the page includes two previous winners in Robby Fitzpatrick (Wirral), and Carl Fielding (Castlefields). A few of the names in the bottom half of the page will fancy their chances of getting through with Danny Barwise (Birchleigh St Marys) the standout name.
On the following page in the top half of the draw 1998 winner David Jackson (Knutsford) is the only previous winner, whilst in the bottom half of the page Richard Goddard (Castlefields) will fancy his chances of making the quarter finals.
Page seven has three previous winners with current Manx Champion Neil Withers (Marown), Martin Gilpin (Netherfield), and Gareth Lally (Crossgates), whilst also including Andrew Sorsby (Thongsbridge), Dennis Herbert (Castlefields), and Kevin Quirk (Onchan). Another man making a return to our shores is Colin Scorah (Rothwell) famous for his multi-coloured bowls and his catchphrase ‘C’mon baby’ when coaxing his bowl to the jack!
The final page is littered with previous winners including David Bradford (South Ramsey), Kevan Shaw (Flixton Cricket), and Paul Morgan (Whitby BC) who won the September Festival in 1998 with a 21-17 win in the final over Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey). Also included on the page, are several bowlers who will fancy their chances with Paul Dunn (Marown), Jon Palmer (Castlefields), Matthew Kelly-Walley (Stretton Anglesey), Paul Kissock (Netherfield), and James Higgins (Sheffield) all featuring.
With six greens in use and several different competitions throughout the week, there is plenty of bowls for everyone, including the popular triples it will undoubtedly make for a great week of bowls. Have a great week!
Withers & Dunn Win Keenan 4’s
Keenan Fours Winners 2023 - Neil Withers & Paul Dunn
Photo: Arnie WithersSaturday 2nd September saw 28 pairs travel to sunny Ballaugh for the Keenan Mens Fours.
At the quarter final stage visitors Andrew White & Lee Whittle (Two Gates) took on Bryan Corner (South Ramsey) & Brian Colquitt (North Ramsey). A close game with the Ramsey men taking the win 21-17. Steven Waters (North Ramsey) & Fraser Rigg (Netherfield) were up against home greeners John Maddrell & John Keenan. Again a close one with a score of 21-17 to the newly formed pairing of Waters & Rigg. Ian Johnson & John Colebourne (Chesterfield) took on Marown pair Colin Kelly & Juan Killip. Just off the boat, Johnson & Colebourne took a 21-17 win. And the last quarter final saw Paul Dunn & Neil Withers (Marown) against Mike Spooner (Ballaugh) & Paul Moore (Noble’s) 21-13 in favour of the Marown pair.
The semi-finals saw a close win for Dunn and Withers over visiting pair Johnson & Colebourne 21-17, along with a 21-13 win for Rigg & Waters over Colquitt & Corner.
The final, played in scorching sunshine, was a little one sided. But none the less enjoyable for those who stayed to watch. Dunn and Withers straight away scored a four on the first end, with two’s following. Waters & Rigg battled on with three singles, before Dunn and Withers took two more doubles to take the game 21-10.
John Keenan the sponsor of the competition, presented the trophy and thanked the ladies in the kitchen, and Julie Reilly for running the comp. Neil thanked all his fellow bowlers for a great days bowling, and everyone at Ballaugh for hosting the competition.
Report by Julie Reilly.
Withers & Leece Win First Mixed Doubles
Sowerbutts Mixed Doubles Winners 2023 - Neil Withers & Debbie Leece
Photo: Glynn HargravesPort Erin Bowling Club hosted the F.M. Sowerbutts Memorial Trophy Mixed Doubles on Bank Holiday Monday. Entries were slightly lower than the previous day with 21 pairs taking part despite the road closures.
Losing quarter finalists were home greeners Alison & Mark Stockham 10-21 to South Ramsey pair Jenny Moore and James Teare, while Marown duo Debbie Leece and Neil Withers beat Caroline Whitehead (Port Erin) and Kevin Firth (Douglas) 21-13. Collin Holland (Castletown) and daughter Jayne Smith (Marown) just lost out 20-21 to home green pair Nigel Haymes and Sue Ricketts, whilst Cliff Clague played with his granddaughter Bethany Hamilton (both Castletown) as they lost out 12-21 to Sue Wilshaw (Port Erin) and Nick Peterson (Port St Mary).
Bowing out at the semi-final stage were Moore and Teare who led 13-6, with the South Ramsey pair going on to concede a costly four on the 10th end as they lost out 16-21 to Leece and Withers. The other semi-final went in favour of Wilshaw and Peterson who took a comfortable 21-14 win over Ricketts and Haymes to book their place in the final.
Leece and Withers started the final as heavy favourites despite having previously never won a mixed doubles together, although both have won with other partners. The Marown pair never fell behind in the game as they led 10-6, then 12-7 with the Port Erin/Port St Mary pair getting right back into the game at 11-12 as they picked up a single and then a three which brought a cheer from the home spectators.
Leece and Withers hit back immediately with a three of their own, before conceding just four more chalks with both players performing well to see the game out as they proved too strong for Wilshaw and Peterson with a 21-15 victory.
The presentation was made by competition organiser and sponsor Janet Shilling, who thanked everyone who had entered, the club members for their support. Neil thanked Port Erin for hosting the competition and commended their opponents in the final for a good performance.
Moore & Teare Win Maddrell Mixed Doubles
Maddrell Mixed Doubles Winners 2023 - Jenny Moore & James Teare
Photo: Glynn HargravesOn Sunday Ballaugh Bowling Club held the Maddrell Mixed Doubles for the Claret Jug Trophy. There was a good entry of 30 pairs, as the weather was mostly fine after a shower during the early part of the competition.
The Ballaugh interest ended in the quarter finals as Louise and Nigel Tebay lost out 20-21 to Margie Tasker (Port St Mary) and Derek Allen (Port Erin), as the home greeners led 20-11 they failed to score the one chalk needed to reach the semi-finals. Sue Gawne (Noble’s) and Andy Kennish (Marown) lost out 19-21 to Clare Cooper (Marown) and Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary).
In the other half of the draw the wins were comfortable as Marown pair Lynda Cadamy and Glenn Boland ended the hopes of Rose Waterworth and Paul Cubbon (Ballaugh) with a 21-12 win, whilst South Ramsey’s Jenny Moore and James Teare beat Caroline Whitehead (Port Erin) and Kevin Firth (Douglas) to the same score.
In the semi-finals Tasker and Allen were beaten 15-21 by Cooper and Roberts in 12 ends, whilst Moore and Teare ended the challenge of Cadamy and Boland with a 21-13 victory to book their place in the final.
The final was between Cooper & Roberts who were appearing in the final for a second successive year, with both pairs well matched in the early stages of the game with the score tied at 11-11 after eight ends, with good bowling from both pairs.
Moore and Teare shifted up another gear as they scored a three, followed by three consecutive doubles to lead 20-11 after 13 ends. Cooper and Roberts got back in with a good single, only for the South Ramsey pair to get the one chalk needed to secure a 21-12 victory as they followed up their win in the Spar Mixed Doubles last month.
At the conclusion of the competition the presentation was made by Maurice O’Reilly with Sponsor John Maddrell being introduced to present the prizes. John then went on to thank everyone including Maurice O’Reilly and Julie Reilly for running the competition.
Canada Life International Junior League – Sugarloafs enjoy Sweet Success
2023 CLI Junior League Winners - Sugarloafs
Photo: Phil KellyThe second year of the Junior League got underway on Thursday 10th August with four teams competing for the Phil Johnson Trophy sponsored by Canada Life International. With fixtures being held on Noble’s 1 & 2, there was once again a good crowd in attendance each week.
The teams were given new names this year, with Kitterlanders, Chicken Rocks, Sugarloafs and Drinking Dragons all vying for the title. The teams played each other over three consecutive weeks.
After matchday one Sugarloafs were top on the table, as they beat Chicken Rocks by 38 chalks (162-124), with Kitterlanders in second place just nine chalks behind as they beat Drinking Dragons by 24 chalks (153-129).
Matchday two had Kitterlanders take on Chicken Rocks with the former hitting top spot as they won by 39 chalks (157-118). Sugarloafs fell to second place as they suffered a defeat albeit by three chalks (126-129) at the hands of Drinking Dragons.
Matchday three saw Sugarloafs crowned as the overall winners, despite going into the final round of fixtures trailing Kitterlanders by 22 chalks. A huge win for Sugarloafs over Kitterlanders by 64 chalks (185-121) was enough to overtake their opponents by 42 chalks, with Drinking Dragons finishing in second place as they overtook Kitterlanders as they beat Chicken Rocks by 82 chalks (189-107) winning all nine games.
Results from Match Day 1, 2 and 3 are below, along with final League Standings.
CLI Junior League Round One Results 2023
CLI Junior League Round Two Results 2023
CLI Junior League Round Three Results 2023
CLI Junior League Final Standings 2023
Castletown A win Derby Match with Full House
Port St Mary A 84 V 97 Nobles (3-3) Jo Smith and Sue Gawne (Nobles) both had good wins to single figures. As did Port St Mary’s Brenda Harkard.
Castletown A were on good form when they played their B team.Winning all 6 games. Castletown B 70 V 126 Castletown A (0-6)
Ballaugh 99 V 88 Onchan A (3-3)
Mooragh Park B 51 V 121 Peel Sunset (1-5) Peel were in great form winning 4 of the games to single figures. Gillian Malpass was Mooraghs lone winner 21-16.
Finch Hill 89 V 93 Mooragh Park B (2-4) Both teams had a couple of single figure wins. Maureen Hamilton ( Mooragh Park) just managed to hold off Anne Hon 20-21.
Marown hosted Port Erin A who just managed to take the win from the marown side. Caroline Whitehead’s 21-6 win helped the Port Erin side edge enough points to take the win. Marown 94 V 107 Port Erin A (3-3)
Douglas A 53 V 126 South Ramsey (0-6) A full house for the visitors South Ramsey, with Judy Kelly, Elaine Moore and Jill Quayle all winning by single figures.
An extremely close game for Port St Mary A 84 V 97 Nobles (3-3) But Nobles Sue Gawne and Jo Smith winning 6-21 and 3-21. Nobles stretched ahead to take the win.
Thursday 17th saw the JMS Veteran Shield Quarter Final games played with the following results:
Marown (+24) 145 V 130 Peel Sunset (+32) 5-1
Port Erin A (+28) 127 V 134 Mooragh Park A (+33) 3-3
South Ramsey (+24) 114 V 132 Castletown A (+20) 2-4
Ballaugh (+26) 152 V 88 Mooragh Park B (+48) 6-0
The Semi Finals will be held on Thursday 31st August.
Ballaugh V Marown
Castletown A V Mooragh Park A
Ladies Open Age League results in a draw for Castletown B verses Port St Mary
Ballaugh 131 V 155 Marown A (3-6) Ballaugh hosted Marown on this rearranged date and it turned out to be an evening of gale force winds. Marown dug in deep against the recently strong Ballaugh side.
Nobles 163 V 131 Douglas (7-2) Sylvia Kennaugh and Sue Gawne (Nobles) both had comfortable 21-9 wins. Douglas side Shannon McMullan had a great 4-21 win.
Peel Sunset 162 V 149 Ballaugh (4-5) The Peel side played a great home green and although they only won 4 of the 9 games. They took the oval match win on points, with Linda Wilson and Joyce Kelly both winning on single figures.
Castletown B 135 V 135 Port St Mary (4-5) This was a second draw for the Castletown B side, who fought hard to win all those points to secure the draw, with the help of Barbara Young and her 21-0 win.
At Marown we saw the 2nd Derby game with the A team coming out on top 171 V 105 (8-1) with Elaine Dewhirst marown Bs only winner 21-3.
South Ramsey 178 V 130 Mooragh Park (6-3) South Ramsey are pushing hard onto Marown A for that 2nd spot on the league table, with only 1 game left and only 25 points between 2nd and 3rd place. Castletown A now sit in top spot a comfortable 32 points ahead of marown. The McMullan youngsters madison and Bailey played extremely well on the away green both winning 21-18 and 21-15 against very strong players.
Port Erin 68 V 189 Castletown A (0-9) A full house for the Castletown side just pushed them that bit farther away on the league table to sit them comfortably in top spot. I’m sure they will be chilling that champagne ready for the last game of the season on Wed 30th August.
FINCH HILL A EDGE CLOSER TO DIVISION ONE RETURN
South Ramsey D pictured prior to their home match with Peel D last week
Photo: Glynn HargravesWindy conditions hindered bowlers in Canada Life International League Division One on Monday night as runaway leaders South Ramsey A bounced back from the previous week’s defeat to Marown A to establish an 11-point lead the top, as they beat Marown C 10-0 at home. For the home team David Bradford was the only winner to single figures as he beat Jamie Joughin 21-4, whilst the highest scorers for the visitors were Kevin Kelly and Steven Rough who lost out 14-21 to Bob Clark and Glynn Hargraves respectively.
Strugglers Castletown A had a tough game on their hands as they hosted Marown A at the Crofts. At the halfway stage of the game it looked like a huge upset could be on the cards as the Town men led 3-1, however a good performance from the Crosby men in the second half secured a 3-7 win for Marown. Winning for the home team were Nathan Cooil who beat John Gelling 21-15, this was matched by captain Jordan Drewett as he beat Paul Kelly, whilst Ian Watson held off Glenn Boland 21-20.
The second half saw single figure wins from Marown captain Paul Dunn and Peter Jones against Alan Phair and Ron Williams, with Phil Kelly and Colin Kelly completing the comeback with wins against George Foy and Aaron Richardson respectively.
Onchan A came away from Crosby with a well-deserved 2-8 win over Marown B. Matthew Quirk was the best winner for Onchan with a 21-2 win over James Kelly, whilst Will Penhallurick was fairly comfortable with a 21-17 victory over Marown captain Darren Kerruish. Responding for the home team were Brian Kelly with a 21-15 win over Jamie Clague, whilst Harry Barton beat Neil Dunwell 21-3.
Port St Mary A did themselves a huge favour to give themselves some breathing room at the bottom of the table as they beat fellow strugglers South Ramsey B 9-1, with the visitors now eight points adrift of safety they look to be heading towards an immediate return to Division Two. Tony Hart prevented the whitewash as he beat Paul Skelly 21-16, with captain Ben Dugdale the highest scorer for the visitors as he lost out 17-21 to Robbie Cooil. Winning to single figures for the Port men were Tim Williams, as he beat Austin Hart 21-3, with teammate Trevor Quayle winning 21-4 against George Brew.
Peel B picked up a valuable four points to stay outside of the relegation spots, following their 4-6 home defeat to Douglas A, as two single figure defeats cost them the aggregate. For the visitors Jimmy Sansom held off Dougie Allan 21-20, Gordon Wynne-Smythe won 21-6 against Andy Mackie, whilst Villa captain Merv Sayle beat Mick Kavanagh 21-8. Winning for the home team in close games were Paul Quirk, who beat Andy Cannell 21-19, Robert Middleton held off Shaun Seal 21-18, whilst wins from Brian Lindsay and Gordon Corrin over Keith Raise and Gary Conwell respectively were comfortable.
North Ramsey A were due to host Peel A at Mooragh Park, however this fixture has been rearranged to a later date due to the Manx Grand Prix road closures.
In Division Two Finch Hill A are making a huge effort to return to the top division after a lengthy absence, with their last appearance back in 2016 as they beat Onchan C 10-0 at home, as they kept the visitors to just 90 chalks. Four single wins from Dave McCabe, Paul Dougherty, Tony Epifani, and Mark Taylor ensured low chalks for the visitors, with Neil Taylor coming closest to picking up a point for Onchan only to lose out 19-21 to Stephen Oates.
Douglas B beat Noble’s A 8-2 at the Villa, as Martyn Hobson lost out 20-21 to Geoff Mayles, Jim Collister also narrowly losing out 19-21 to David Pease. The best winner for the home team was Steve Cook as he beat Stephen Hampson 21-4. For the visitors Juan Qualtrough won 21-15 against Bob Callow, whilst Alex Yates got the better of Willie Cowley 21-18.
Noble’s B drew 5-5 at home to North Ramsey B despite losing 3-5 on games they edged the aggregate by just three chalks (142-139). Home team winners were Jay Elliott, Mikey Cooper, and Stephen Corkill with the latter beating Joe Kneale 21-6. For the visitors three wins were hard fought as Ray Skelly beat Noel Ash 21-18, with Tony Smart and Brian Colquitt both winning their games 21-17 against Alex Hampson and Phil Salmon respectively.
South Ramsey C won their home game against Port Erin A 7-3 by a solitary chalk. Winning for the visitors were David Cain who beat David Corkill 21-12, Bernie Durcan eased home 21-7 against Ian Moore, whilst Ed Benson won 21-11 against Andy Morgan. Winning for the home team were Paul Routledge, Greg Barlow, Richie Davies, Jay Moore, and Anthony Kelly with the latter pushed hard before winning 21-19.
Second placed Ballaugh A rearranged their home game with Castletown B to a later date.
In Division Three Port St Mary B now have a six-point lead over the teams chasing them as they won 8-2 at home to Douglas C. The home team wins were all comfortable, with Nicholas Peterson beat pushed furthest by Juan Readshaw with his 21-17 win. For the visitors David Caley beat Will Cain 21-20, with Greg Tomlinson beating Peter Lowe 21-16.
Noble’s D (3rd) went level with visitors Ballaugh B who occupy second place, thanks to an 8-2 victory for the Noble’s men. Winning to single figures for the home team were Andrew Bell, Kevin Moore, and Junior bowler Sam Colquitt. For the visitors Gary Griffiths impressed with a 21-8 win over Terry Bates, whilst Mike Buckeridge beat Charlie Bell 21-19.
Marown D won their home game with South Ramsey D 7-3, as the Crosby men won the aggregate by a margin of 16 chalks (151-135). For the visitors Franz ten Donkelaar beat 2022 Division Three merit winner Jay Waters 21-15, Steve Kelly was the joint best winner on the night as he won 21-11 against Phil Dunn, whilst Geoff Collier just edged home 21-20 against Andy Sykes. For the home team Alan Gault played a great last bowl to beat Ryan Hargraves 21-20, Stu Mason beat Frank Feeney 21-13, whilst Ryan Holdaway beat Chris Brown 21-11.
Another game brought forward was between Ballaugh C who welcomed Finch Hill B. Despite the home team winning 5-3 on games, they lost the aggregate by a solitary chalk (134-135) with Sam Stannard-Duke winning 21-2 against Tim Merriman, this helped the visitors to draw 5-5. Other winners for Finch were Peter Woods who beat Steve Bassil 21-10 and Tom Waterworth 21-17. For Ballaugh Ken Harding won 21-20 against Guy Smith and Jamie Kelly beat Tony Jones 21-18.
Elsewhere Noble’s C came away from Peel D with a 3-7 win in a high scoring contest (144-150), whilst Douglas D won 8-2 at the Villa against Port Erin B.