All change at the top
It was all change at the top after yet another very wet weekend in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club which had three scores falling just short of the season’s 12th maximum.
Two of them resulted in new leaders, as Seven-Up took over at the summit of the table on an average of 117.6, which is 0.2 ahead of Mean Machine.
Sevens kicked-off the session with a comfortable success against Bits n Bobs, before overcoming Mooragh Lakers who had started the afternoon in second spot and were in a good run of form.
Lakers themselves had earlier defeated basement side Castletown Cannons who also lost out in their second encounter against Bits n Bobs.
Results for Saturday, January 16: Bits n Bobs 92 (1) Seven-Up 125 (5), Mooragh Lakers 124 (5) Castletown Cannons 81 (1), Seven-Up 125 (5) Mooragh Lakers 104 (1), Castletown Cannons 92 (2) Bits n Bobs 116 (4).
Parkers took an opportunity on Sunday to close the gap on the side directly above them and after scores of 117, against Bowl Rollers, and 121 whilst beating Erin Porters, they are now level with Titans on an average of 110.
The two remaining results saw Porters maintain their position just behind the leading six with a four games to two victory, while Bowl Rollers came within millimetres of recording their first maximum win, both played Castletown Corkers.
In the very last game on the green, Rollers player Sylvia Kennaugh measured for victory, but the decision went in favour of opponent Byron Mercer, who then went on to win the last end and secure his first winter league success and deny Bowl Rollers in the process.
Results for Sunday, January 17: Bowl Rollers 102 (2) Parkers 117 (4), Erin Porters 114 (4) Castletown Corkers 97 (2), Parkers 121 (5) Erin Porters 101 (1), Castletown Corkers 89 (1) Bowl Rollers 125 (5).
I think we can all guess what the conditions were like for the midweek round robin, but nevertheless an entry of 24 was split into two groups of doubles, each winning duo having a member of the Callister family – Rita, being partnered by Alec Taylor and Louis, making a rare outing was supported by Derek Clarke.
Finishing in second were Roy Moore/Sylvia Kennaugh and Shirley Whelan/Mike Ware; whilst third spots went to Mike Skelly/Derek Allen and Doug Allan/Tricia Bull.