Gladys Cowell ladies’ over 60s’ singles
The threatened drizzle held off and the weather stayed fair when twenty-four ladies, of a certain age, gathered at Peel to contest the Gladys Cowell over 60s’ singles.
Some close games in the preliminary round saw Mary Alderson come through 21-18 against Cath Parker while Shirley Corrin just lost out 19-21 to Margaret Tasker.
The first round saw Lynda Wilson win three ends in a row from 17-19 down to get past Celia Joughin 21-19 and Margaret Scarffe losing out 18-21 to Ann Gale. Sue Collier started like a greyhound against Pat Robertson, sprinting to a 13-6 lead after four ends, but Pat showed steely determination to get back to 20-21.
In the first of the quarter-finals, Shirley Whelan got off to a better start than her opponent, Tricia Bull, leading 13-8 after the seventh end, from which point the Port St Mary player matched her, but was unable to make inroads into her five point lead.
In the second, Lynda Wilson had a tough struggle with Ann Gale in a to-and-fro game which had Ann leading 18-17 before a pair of twos gave Lynda the game.
In the bottom half of the draw last year’s winner, Elaine Moore, had the better of home-greener Mary Moffatt, 21-9, while Margaret Tasker had a little more to do, coming through 21-15 against Sue Collier.
Quarter-finals: Shirley Whelan 21, Tricia Bull 16; Lynda Wilson 21, Ann Gale 18; Elaine Moore 21; Mary Moffatt 9; Margaret Tasker 21, Sue Collier 15
By the time they reached the semi-finals, neither Lynda nor Elaine were in the frame of mind to show their opponents any mercy, with Elaine progressing to the final with a 21-9 win over Margaret. After being evenly matched over the first half of the game, Shirley being 11-10 up after seven ends, Lynda got the bit between her teeth to romp home 21-14.
In the final, Elaine’s greater experience told with an excellent display of bowling to which Lynda was unable to find an answer. Congratulations go to both players for their standard of bowls throughout the afternoon, and well done to Lynda on reaching her first final.
Peel’s competition secretary, Heather Horsburgh, thanked all those who had taken part and the members of the Peel club who had helped in any way with the smooth running of the afternoon.
Thanks must also go to Gladys Cowell’s family for their continued support for the event.