Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

South Ramsey hosted the Jim Kernan Cup on Saturday afternoon, in what is traditionally the first of the pre-festival opens with a fair entry of 46, on a superb playing surface and ideal conditions to play bowls.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary), who just lost out 19-21 to Neil Withers (Marown), home greener Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly beat visitor Andy Mailer (Meersbrook) comfortably 21-13, with another home greener Peter Collister just losing out 20-21 to team mate James Teare. Peel man Tom Kelly had his run ended with a 16-21 defeat to Steve Barber (Chapel Park).

In the semi-finals Withers was quickest out of the traps against Kelly taking an early lead 10-7, with the latter responding to win nine of the next 10 ends scoring 14 points to run out with a 21-11 win to book his place in the final, while Teare was always in control against Barber with his 21-13 win taking him through to his first singles final.

The final started between the South Ramsey team mates with Teare winning the toss of the coin and heading for the mark that he had been playing throughout the day, however Kelly got in immediately and took a single on the following end. Over the next seven ends the player who won the end scored a double, with five of them being scored by Kelly he leapt into a commanding 16-8 lead playing his customary short length. Teare hit back with three singles, only to concede another two doubles to be staring down the barrel at 11-20. On the next end Kelly was lying game, with Teare taking the jack off the green to kill the end to hang in the game, he then picked up a single in the middle of the green, with no choice but to head into the corner, Kelly jumped in at the opportunity to win the game and secure the title with a 21-12 victory.

The presentation was made by South Ramsey chairman Steve Moore who thanked George Brew for once again sponsoring the competition, along with everyone who had helped with the running of the competition throughout the day. During his speech Kelly said he was delighted to pick up the trophy, with not entering many competitions over the past few years.