Top three in action
It was another weekend with just one set of fixtures in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter Bowls League, but what a session it turned out to be with the top three all in action.
At the end of the day, the table had new leaders and the last unbeaten runs were broken – both on the team front and in the individual standings.
Second-placed Outsiders began the afternoon with a comfortable win against Govags, dropping just four chalks in their quest to close down the nine-point margin to the top.
This while the last two unbeaten teams went head-to-head with third-placed A-Team emerging triumphant over leaders Mooragh Lakers by five games to one.
The victors not only ended Lakers winning start, but also the last remaining unbeaten individual, Rob Monk, lost 21-19 to Alan Moore.
Lakers then recovered well and recorded their first maximum of the campaign, as they attempted to gain back that top spot, against opponents Govags.
But it was not to be as Outsiders produced the result of the session and overcame the A-Team to inflict their first defeat and in turn take over at the head of the table by six points.
Results for Saturday, December 8: Outsiders 122 (5), Govags 83 (1); Mooragh Lakers 97 (1), A-Team 114 (5); Govags 74 (0), Mooragh Lakers 126 (6); A-Team 103 (3), Outsiders 116 (3).
A-Team slipped to fourth as a consequence of this tough afternoon, but they have played five out of the eight clashes against sides in the top five and have an average of 109.6 from those battles.
Also with five under their belt are Louie’s Angels, however they are yet to win against the quartet above them and have an average of 96.8, whereas after four of the fixtures Seven-Up sit on 108.5.
Topping the list, but having only played three apiece, are Outsiders on 117.6 and Mooragh Lakers on 111.3, so it is all to play for in the second half.
One thing that has emerged from this first spell of contests is how well the rule allowing members to move amongst sides, up to and including five games, is working – no team has yet to concede a game due to being short of players.
No less than 16 different individuals have competed for more than one side and three of them have turned out for three or more teams; most of them are now tied to a particular gang, but there are still members available to perhaps fill a space.
A gang of 24, which was split into two groups, enjoyed a round robin session on Sunday, with the midweek outing not taking place due to the poor weather once again.
Played as doubles the winners in the yellow jacks were Derek Allen and Steve Crampton, with second spot going to Sam Clague and Tricia Bull.
In the other gang, it was the pairing of father and son, Steve and Alan Moore who came out on top ahead of Margy Tasker and Mark Kelly, who took the position and avoided a roll-up due to another pair having left for home.
There is just one weekend of league fixtures remaining before the festive break and the schedule during that period will be the J&M Lee memorial doubles competition on Saturday, December 22.
Following this round robins will be held on Sunday, December 30 and Wednesday, January 2; however there will be nothing held on Sunday 23, Wednesday 26 and Saturday, December 29.
Entries for the doubles competition will close this Sunday at approximately 2pm to allow the pairings to be drawn and format to be finalised.