Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

In Canada Life International Division One this week Marown A kept a firm grasp on their lead at the top as they remain on course to pick up their first league title since 2019 with a 9-1 home win over Douglas A in difficult conditions with wind and rain playing a factor. Single figure wins arrived from Glenn Boland and Peter Jones, over Gordy Wynne-Smythe and Shaun Seal respectively, whilst Mark Kneen pushed Neil Withers all the way before losing out 19-21. The lone winner for the Villa men was Andy Cannell, who beat Paul Kelly 21-8.

South Ramsey A got back to winning ways as they beat Port St Mary A 8-2 at home. Winning for the visitors were Dan McCabe who beat Glynn Hargraves 21-16, whilst Robbie Cooil edged home 21-20 against Stefan Kelly. The visitors were kept down to just 88 chalks, with five wins to single figures.

Castletown A set themselves up nicely for the Rayner Shield Final on Friday with a 7-3 home win over North Ramsey A, with wins for the visitors arriving from Rob Monk, Allan Callow, and Jimmy Moffatt who continues to impress into his 80’s.

Onchan A turned over Marown B 8-2 at the Park, with the two winners for the Crosby men John Gelling who comfortably beat Kevin Quirk 21-12, whilst Harry Barton won 21-16 against Steve Parker. Karl Parker missed out on picking up an extra point for his team, as he lost 19-21 to Neil Dunwell.

Peel A didn’t have it all their own way at home to bottom side Marown C, with the visitors pleased to have taken three points off the Peel men in their 7-3 defeat. Walter McCarthy beat Peel captain George Gadsby 21-16, Darren Kerruish won 21-18 against Gary Smith, whilst John Kelly held off Tommy McMeiken 21-19. Just missing out for the Crosby men were Jamie Joughin 18-21 to David Proctor, with Peter Kelly losing out 19-21 to Peter Greenlees.

In Division Two league leaders South Ramsey B are now three points ahead following their 2-8 win away to Noble’s A, with a welcome return for Tony Dugdale after a short absence, as he got back to winning way with a 21-11 win over Dave Naughton.

Second placed Ballaugh A will have felt like it was points dropped at home to Finch Hill A, as they won 6-4, with 12 chalks separating the sides (146-134). Just losing out for the home team to 19-21 were Mike Spooner and Patrick Grant to Sam Stannard-Duke and Les Brookes respectively.

Peel B having led for most of the season slipped to third place following their 7-3 defeat away to Douglas B.

Port Erin A hosted Onchan B at Breagle Glen, with the visitors taking a 4-6 win, as they won the aggregate by seven chalks (136-143), with the Onchan men scoring better in their four defeats.

North Ramsey B edged closer to safety following their 7-3 home win over Castletown B, with the Town men firmly rooted to the bottom.

In Division Three Noble’s D hit top spot as they beat their C Team 8-2, which shows their improvement since taking up the game only last year. Should Noble’s D get promotion ahead of the C Team then they will revert to being labelled as the C team as the higher ranked team.

Things are looking up for South Ramsey D who picked up another win, as they won 8-2 at home to Port St Mary B, with Billy Blair holding off Nick Peterson 21-20.

Marown D put in a great performance to beat high flying Noble’s B 7-3 at Crosby, as they damaged the visitor’s promotion hopes, with 11-year-old Arran Dunn continuing to shine as he held his nerve to beat Jay Elliott 21-20, with Alan Gault matching this score as he beat Rob Bell.

South Ramsey C returned to Onchan Park to take on their C team on Tuesday evening, just four days after their Rayner Plate Final defeat to Peel A. The home team took the spoils 7-3, with Greg Barlow losing out 20-21 to Colin Brown, whilst Paul Routledge slipped to an 18-21 defeat to Roger Payne.

Ballaugh B lost 3-5 on games at home to Peel C, however their high scoring defeats to 17, 18, 19, and 20 saw they win the aggregate by six chalks (150-144) to help secure a 5-5 draw.

In Division Four North Ramsey C stay in the hunt for promotion following their 3-7 away win over Noble’s E, with Paul Arthur helping his side to an extra point with a 21-20 win over David Garrett.

Douglas C recorded a solid 8-2 home win over Castletown C, with Town’s Kieran Krypner missing out 17-21 to Greg Brew, whilst Jacob Robert went closer still as he lost 18-21 to Daniel Jacobs.

The final match of the week was between Peel D and Douglas D in the West. The Villa men were four players short for the trip as they suffered a 9-1 defeat, with Junior bowler Clark Kelly the only winner as he beat Dave Wassall 21-5. For the home team Will Lyall beat David Manley 21-9, with teammate Josh Trickett going one better with a 21-8 win over James Teare.