Bradford is the Mannin form at the Mannin Hotel Douglas Town Cup.
Saturday the 19th August saw the Mannin Hotel sponsored Douglas Town Cup Event being staged by Douglas Bowling Club at the Villa Marina.
With both Ladies and Men’s events being held side by side on the ‘Villa’ Bowling Green there a great day of bowls with the events starting at 10-30am and finishing around about 5pm.
The men’s event started with some great early games being played in the blustery but dry conditions with just the very occasional short light rain shower not really being enough to dampen anyone’s spirits.
As we got to the semi-final stage we saw two interesting matches with the first being between South Ramsey Club mates Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly and Glynn Hargraves with Glynn eventually running out as the 21-18 winner.
In the other semi final we saw ‘dark horse’ Edward Carlyle who had already despatched John Kennish and Neil Withers up against an on form David Bradford.
It was not to be Edward’s day however as David was to strong and took a 21-14 win which put him into the Final against Glynn Hargraves.
There was some good bowling in the Final but it was David Bradford who took the Trophy with another strong performance winning 21-16.
In the Ladies Event there was once again some great bowling and the first semi final was between Paula Garrett who had beaten good opposition in Alison Keggin and Fiona Kennish en route and Helen Martin who had beaten Lisa Boland and Janet Monk to get through.
Paula seemed to handle the blustery conditions better but both ladies played really well with Paula running out the 21-14 winner and earning a place in the Final.
The second semi final saw a tough battle between Lyn Bolton and Margie Tasker and after some great bowling Lyn just made it past the post with a 21-20 win.
So with the Final being between good friends Paula Garrett and Lyn Bolton we were looking forward to some good bowling and that is what we got.
Lyn looked at one stage as if she was building up a significant lead over Paula but the Douglas Bowling Club player held her concentration and came back to take the Trophy with a 21-17 victory.
So after a great days bowls the two Mannin Hotel Douglas Town Cup winners were David Bradford and Paula Garrett.
In their ‘Winner’s speeches’ both competitors thanked Mr Keith Lord and the Mannin Hotel for sponsoring the event and thanked all those who helped on the day.