Eight teams swung back into league action over the weekend as the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club heads for the finishing post and whilst there was no change of positions in the top five, the leading two are now separated by an average of just 0.2 of a point.
One major item before we move on; is that this Saturday’s programme has been postponed so members can attend a memorial service for Paul Parkinson which is being held during the afternoon. The new date will be Saturday 15 February.
Perfect conditions welcomed the players for the opening session of 2014 and leaders Seven-Up began with an 84 when they overcame Castletown Cannons, this while third placed Louie’s Angels dropped just three points in a four games to two success against Govags.
The last two fixtures, however, had rather unusual outcomes, with two teams winning 4-2 on games but losing out in the all-important points totals – Cannons just missed out by two against Govags, whereas Louie’s Angels recorded a double success over Seven-Up and improved their average in the process.
The final game of the afternoon threw together the leader of the merit, Jordan Cain (Seven-Up) and the player at the head of the ladies standings, Margaret Tasker (Louie’s Angels). Margaret led into the final end at 13-14 and had two good woods to lie game, but Jordan played a perfect bowl to keep his unbeaten run intact and leave his opponent just three points ahead of teammate Tricia Bull in the race for the Geoff Osborn trophy.

Sunday saw a big change in the weather in the form of a bitterly cold wind, but it did stay dry long enough – just – for no less than four changes in the league table, with Erin Porters being the biggest benefactors.
They kicked off the day down in 10th position, but ended in 6th after two great victories over teams that were above them in the standings; this while Castletown Corkers began in eighth and although they lost twice, did enough to move above their stablemates into seventh.
Biggest losers were Beachcombers, not helped when one of their players didn’t show up, they slipped down three places to ninth and sit at the bottom of this group, which also includes Cannons.
Also competing were Parkers who recorded their second and the season’s sixth maximum win, which along with the 76 they scored, helped them to move within touching distance of fourth spot.

A good entry of 32 attended the first midweek round robin of the year and they were split into groups of triples and doubles.
The pairing of Peter Karran and Tricia Bull were winners, with second place going to John Marsden and Mavis Franks, who were just ahead of Dee Lewis and Derek Clarke.
Topping the threesomes were Philippa Taylor, Bob Berry and Victor Corlett, runners-up Louis Callister, Jo Smith and Jean Thackrah and in third it was Derek Kneen, Alan Cromwell and Alec Taylor.

Members managed to squeeze in one round robin between periods of rain over the weekendin the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club and an entry of 22 enjoyed a dry Saturday afternoon.
They were split into two groups of doubles and the black jack winners were Bob Berry and Jo Smith, with second place going to Derek Allen and Margaret Tasker.
The other group victors were Mavis Franks and Philippa Taylor, who were just ahead of Sylvia Kennaugh and Alec Taylor.

Those attending were informed of the death of a former club member, Paul Parkinson, who was in fact the league’s merit winner in the 2003-04 campaign, playing for Govags.
Paul hadn’t played bowls for a number of years due to illness, but I am sure will be sadly missed by his many friends in and out of the game. Our sympathies go to his wife Connie and family.

On a happier note, congratulations go to Shirley Fargher, also a former member, who celebrated her 80th birthday recently. Shirley was runner-up in the club championships in the 2001-02 season. Best wishes from all club members.

With league fixtures due to resume this weekend after the festive break, here are the leading 30 players in the individual merit competition. Jordan Cain (Seven-Up) and Glynn Hargraves (Incredabowls) are both undefeated, one from each of the top teams, with Jordan having played two games more than his rival at this stage.
1. Jordan Cain (played 14, won 14) 210 points; 2. Margaret Tasker, Louie’s Angels (14, 12) 202; 3. Tricia Bull, Angels (14, 11) 196; 4. Steve Crampton, Seven-Up (14, 11) 194; 5. Alec Taylor, Seven-Up (14, 11) 188; 6. Steve Cook, RBM (14, 8) 181; 7. Glynn Hargraves (12, 12) 180; 8. Ben Dugdale, RBM (12, 9) 173; 9. Mike Alexander, RBM (12, 9) 165; 10. Lil Smith, Beachcombers (13, 6) 165; 11. Kim Hargraves, Bits n Bobs (14, 5) 162; 12. Steve Parker, Spare Parts (12, 8) 159; 13. George Peach, Castletown Cannons (12, 6) 157; 14. Rosie Winckle, Beachcombers (12, 8) 157; 15. Tony Dugdale, RBM (11, 10) 156; 16. Alan Phair, Cannons (12, 6) 154; 17. Alan Cromwell, Govags (12, 7) 152; 18. Kevin Quirk, Seven-Up (10, 10) 150; 19. Roy Murphy, Seven-Up (12, 7) 150; 20. Jo Smith, Parkers (12, 7) 149; 21. John Kennish, Incredabowls (10, 9) 148; 22. Alan Moore, Incredabowls (10, 8) 144; 23. Mark Kneen, Incredabowls (12, 6) 144; 24. Doug Allan, Govags (14, 4) 143; 25. Matthew Keggen, Angels (10, 9) 142; 26. Phil Taubman, Cannons (11, 8) 142; 27. Willie Corkill, Cannons (12, 7) 141; 28. Mavis Franks, Erin Porters (12, 6) 141; 29. Nigel Thomas, RBM (10, 8) 138; 30. Sefton Dent, Beachcombers (11, 4) 138.

Seven-Up head into the New Year with a slight advantage over current champions Incredabowls as they aim to wrestle the title away from their rivals in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club and both teams will have to keep an eye on the chasing pack who won’t have given up.

With the fixtures all up to date, members enjoyed two round robins over the final weekend of 2013; the first of them also saw the numbers drawn for the Christmas tombola.
An entry of 32 took part on Saturday and was spilt into groups of triples and doubles with the winners being Hazel Hughes, Lil Smith and Alan Moore; also the pairing of Lyn Bolton and Libby Andrade.
The threesome of Philippa Taylor, Pauline Worrall and Peter Hughes took second spot, as did Louis Callister and Steve Moore. In third it was Bob Berry, Margie Tasker and Tricia Bull, along with Ken Karran and Doug Allan.
Sunday saw another cold but thankfully dry session in which 27 took part in two sections of triples and in the black jacks, Shirley Corrin, Derek Allen and Peter Karran came out on top ahead of Jo Smith, Philippa and Alec Taylor.
Lil Smith, Alan Moore and Thomas Keggen were successful in the yellow gang, just in front of Libby Andrade, Rita Callister and Margie Tasker. There will be two more sessions this weekend, with the league fixtures due to recommence one week later.

A set of fixtures postponed seven days earlier took place on Saturday in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club and even though they started in great weather conditions, by the end of play it could only be described as horrible.
The strong overnight winds and rain had cleared as the final session of the year began, but about halfway through they were both back with vengeance; however the games were completed to leave the organisers back on schedule heading into the festive break.
Leaders Seven-Up began by recording 79 points from their clash with Erin Porters; while Parkers fell just short of a maximum with 86 from a comfortable win over Govags.
The westerners themselves then came very close to a full house; they were also just four short when overcoming Erin Porters with their highest score to date.
Coping best with the conditions in the final outcome of the afternoon were Seven-up, but saw their average drop below 80 even though they beat Parkers by five games to one.

No midweek round robin due to rain, whereas Sunday saw 21 entrants escape the hustle and bustle of Christmas and enjoy mince pies along with their drinks on a dry but cold afternoon. The winners were Derek Allen, Sefton Dent and Alec Taylor, second went to Steve Crampton, Philippa Taylor and Alan Moore and in third it was Jordan Cain, Steve Parker and Gordon Corrin.

Next session on the agenda will be a round robin accompanied by the Christmas Tombola draw where there will be somewhere in the region of £270 worth of prizes up for grabs. This will be held on Saturday 28 December. Good luck to all and a Happy New Year.

Just a week after clawing their way back into contention in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League; RBM recorded two fairly low scores on the club’s only day of play over a wet and windy weekend to see the gap open up once more.
The first planned session fell-foul of the conditions and has been rescheduled for this Saturday (December 21), while just 24 hours later four teams battled on a breezy Sunday that saw just two of them reach the 70-point mark.
Being a player missing did not help RBM’s cause and they only just lost in their opener against Castletown Corkers, but dropped 30 points in their chase of the leading three. This, while Beachcombers and Bits n Bobs fought out an honourable draw, with both sides scoring above their averages with 72 apiece.
Bits then continued their good form with victory over Corkers, who unfortunately were a player short themselves in this fixture and as a consequence slipped down behind their stablemates in the league standings, whereas the winners closed the gap to Govags.
Finally Beachcombers couldn’t take advantage of an extra player, as RBM managed to overcome them, but with only 63 points on the card their challenge for the top could well be over.

A glorious afternoon welcomed 39 entrants for the midweek round robin and once again two gangs of triples competed. The yellow group winners being Philippa Taylor, Ken Karran and Alec Taylor, in second it was Derek Clarke, Jack Lee and Mavis Franks and third Steve Moore, Louis Callister and Dot Mylchreest.
The other group was an example of why games must be kept going, as they finished almost half an hour later than the others – in the dark. Winners were John Lightfoot, Victor Corlett and Peter Daugherty, runners-up, Hazel Hughes, Viv Rush and Terry Moore, with third place going to Edwina Reid, Alan Cromwell and Peter Karran.
The next three free days indicated on the fixture list, starting with Sunday 22 December, will be used for round robins, this includes Saturday 28 December, when the Christmas tombola will be drawn. All sessions are weather permitting and entries close at 1pm prompt.

Finally may I take this opportunity to wish members all the best for the festive season.

A fourth team threw their hat into the title chase in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club over the weekend, as they raced through the fixtures halfway point with the weather remaining on their side.
Leaders Seven-Up were faced with a session without their leading player, Kevin Quirk, who was unfortunately taken ill on Friday and admitted into hospital. I am sure all club members and the remainder of the bowling fraternity join me in wishing Kevin a speedy recovery.
The team then had a very mixed afternoon; firstly going down to their lowest score when they took on fourth placed RBM, before recovering and finally notched up that elusive maximum win, with success over Bits n Bobs.
Govags were also in action and they managed to move off the bottom with two scores above their average; they began with victory over closest rivals Bits n Bobs, before doing just enough on the points front, second time out, to send Bits into last spot.
The afternoon’s biggest scorers were RBM and they cemented their position with an average of 81 and therefore moved closer to the three teams above them.

Sunday had the first three-team session of the campaign and surely a chance for Louie’s Angels to make Seven-Up suffer even more following their heavy loss the previous day, but Castletown Cannons had other ideas and blew their afternoon apart.
The southern outfit kicked off with the season’s fifth maximum whilst they inflicted defeat on Beachcombers; next the Angels had a slightly higher than average success and left Beachcombers with just 102 points from their efforts.
Finally the last unbeaten run in the league was broken when the Cannons completed their best afternoon of the season, dropping just 10 points and left their opponents trailing with only 58. This in turn saw the victors move up a place, while Louie’s Angels remain in third spot but with a lower average.

Participants in the midweek round robin were saddened to learn of the death of former member David Turner. David did try and take part this winter but on his first outing found things a little difficult after suffering illness earlier in the year.
He had been a regular during the winter months for I believe the past five years and took part in a large number of club events and social bowling in that period. Our thoughts and condolences go to his family at this difficult time.
The session had 36 entrants who took part in two sections of triples which were won by Mike Skelly, John Lightfoot and Rita Callister, along with Derek Clarke, Philippa Taylor and Peter Karran. Second places went to Mavis Franks, Pauline Worrall and Bernie Thackrah; Louis Callister, Gordon Corrin and Margaret Tasker.

Leaders Seven-Up extended their advantage over the weekend in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club, mainly due to the second and third placed outfits slugged out a fairly low scoring result.
Most teams have drafted in new players this winter and as a consequence the league is a bit more open and in fact it has only just had its third maximum win, all too different sides.
A team yet to hit that top mark is Seven-Up, but they came very close again on Saturday and dropped just two chalks in a comfortable win against Castletown Corkers.
Struggling to hit the form of earlier in the campaign are Beachcombers, but they overcame opponents Govags with a 16 point margin. They next took on leaders Seven-Up and even though they won three games, their average fell, resulting in them dropping a place down the table.
Last placed Govags headed back to west with two defeats from their outing, after losing to Castletown Corkers, and will be disappointed not to have closed the gap at the bottom.

A repeat set of fixtures from a few weeks previous took place on Sunday with three of them having the same outcome; while Incredabowls and Spare Parts improved their tallies from last time by nine points apiece.
The afternoon kicked off with the season’s third maximum and the first for current champions Incredabowls, recorded when they beat Castletown Cannons; this while Louie’s Angels strolled home against Spare Parts to keep the league’s last unbeaten run going.
As the sun set on another weekend of bowls, the Parts got the better of Castletown Cannons and finally the biggest clash of the two days saw Louie’s Angels win and maintain the same margin between themselves and their opponents Incredabowls, who are just ahead in second.
A session which saw the chasing pair slip further behind the leaders after they both dropped crucial points – a total of 45 between them. Perhaps surprisingly all four fixtures involving the top three sides have seen relatively low scores – 69-78; 69 apiece; 67-57 and now 64-71, although the most points have been secured by the Angels with 207 and two wins, average 69.
Incredabowls have 202 (67.3) from three encounters; and having just played two, Seven-Up are averaging 67.5, so it looks like the title will be won and lost on how they get on in their other fixtures.

A good entry of 39 attended the midweek round robin and competed in two sets of triples. Alec Taylor, Doug Allan and Jack Lee were winners, in second came Derek Clarke, Steve Parker and Pauline Worrall, and third place went to Jo Smith, Elaine McElroy and Trish Bull.
The black jack group top three were Bernie Thackrah, Ray Kelly and David Galbraith, followed by Sheila Preston, Peter Karran and Sefton Dent and in third, John Marsden, Irene Cowin and Victor Corlett.

There was just one set of fixtures last weekend in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club from which Erin Porters emerged as the biggest benefactors and moved up one position in the standings.

The afternoon began with the Porters falling just one point short of a full house when they overcame Castletown Cannons, the team just one place above them. ‘Christmas had come early’, said their captain.

A clash between Parkers and third placed Louie’s Angels ended with the closest of winning margins in favour of the Angels who continue to chase the leading duo above them.
Cannons and Parkers then fought out a 70 points apiece encounter, the third draw on points in three weekends; while the Porters pushed their opponents Louie’s Angels all the way taking three games, but losing the all important points outcome.

Two round robins took place either side of the league fixtures; firstly the midweek session was hampered by the weather once again; however a gang of 19 were split into two groups of doubles and triples. Jo Smith, Ken Karran and Dee Lewis won their section, with the pairing of Trish Bull and Alec Taylor taking theirs.

A good entry of 33 attended the Sunday afternoon event, with two sets of triples being won by Alan Moore, Louis Callister and Jack Lee, along with Stefan Kelly, Derek Allen and Margaret Tasker.

Like chalk and cheese is the only way to describe the weather over the latest two days of the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club, with the Saturday gang playing on a fantastic afternoon, while the Sunday participants got a soaking for their troubles.
Over 100 players have now taken part in the league, with some of those making the most of the great conditions on the first day. RBM began with an 80 plus score in a victory over Erin Porters, they then shared the spoils in a 75-all against Parkers, improving their average to 74.3 in the process.
Also in action were Bits n Bobs, but they struggled against Parkers in their opener as their opponents gained maximum points from the five games, due to being a player missing. A situation Parkers rectified in time for their later encounter.
Bits then lost out to the team directly above them, as the Porters recorded their first success to hang onto ninth position; Bits n Bobs however slipped down a place following results the following day.

Sunday afternoon saw two teams win both their games and each move up a place in the table for their efforts.
Incredabowls are now second after they dropped just one point when they overcame Castletown Corkers; then followed with an 86-58 victory against Beachcombers, who were just one place behind them in the standings.
Also ‘enjoying’ the horrendous conditions were Spare Parts who began with their highest tally so far, a score of 83 against Beachcombers; they then sneaked home by just two points in a hard fought encounter with the weather and Castletown Corkers.

An entry of 34 took part in the midweek round robin and were safely on their way back home before yet another wet Wednesday kicked-in. Emerging as winners of the doubles section were Derek Clarke and David Galbraith, followed in second by Viv Rush and Ann Rooney. Third was taken by Derek Cadamy and Mavis Franks.
The remainder played triples with the victors being Rosie Winckle, Doug Allan and Peter Daugherty, next were Derek Allen, Erwin Gelling and Les Halsall, with third spot being occupied by Rita Callister, Dee Lewis and Trish Bull.

With the league fixtures all up-to-date a round robin session is planned for this Sunday, November 24, start 1pm prompt, weather permitting. Also members can now enter the Christmas Tombola which is on sale at club sessions.

A clash between the top two sides concluded both days of action in perfect weather at the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter League Bowling Club over the weekend.
However, things did not go the way of the leaders who had their advantage pegged back by 15 points after their first loss of the campaign.
A maximum win for Parkers was the highlight of the opening fixtures as they overcame newcomers Spare Parts; this while Incredabowls won a closer contest against Erin Porters.
In the second set of games there was a rare draw on points as Erin Porters and Spare Parts shared the spoils of 68 apiece. Parkers however could not keep the momentum going as Incredabowls improved their average to 77.6 with an 85 on the card.

Leaders Seven-Up began their Sunday afternoon with a comfortable win over Castletown Cannons, while second placed Louie’s Angels went five points better with victory against Govags, who did in fact take three games of their opponents.
The Cannons then recorded the session’s highest score as they dropped just one point in an outing against Govags who remain in bottom spot.
As the sun set on another weekend, the biggest clash of the season took place, with Seven-Up who had their best start for a number of years, taking on their closest rivals Louie’s Angels.
But after a rather strange set of games the teams lower down were the biggest benefactors as they dropped 56 points between them in a very low scoring encounter which went in favour of the Angels by 67 to 57.
This leaves Seven-Up on 80.2 average, Louie’s Angels on 78 and close behind Incredabowls on 77.6, all having played eight games, next come Beachcombers on 76.2 after six games.

Four players have won all eight of their games and are separated by the points against, they are in order, Kevin Quirk (Seven-Up), Margaret Tasker (Louie’s Angels), Jordan Cain (Seven-Up) and Glyn Hargraves (Incredabowls).

Once again the weather was not on the side of the midweek round robin gang with showers forecast for the afternoon; the session did go ahead with an entry of 33, but unfortunately it turned into one awfully long shower, as rain fell for most of the time.

From two sets of triples the winners were John Lightfoot, Alan Moore and Mavis Franks, along with Doug Allan, Hazel Hughes and Jo Smith.