Final round (game 6) of the JMS Veteran’s Shield took place last Thursday. Going through to the semi-finals are Port St Mary A from Group A, South Ramsey from Group B, Marown from Group C and Castletown A from Group D. Semi-finals and final will be held at Port Erin on Thursday 2 September commencing at 10.30 am.
Draw for semis – South Ramsey v Castletown A and Port St Mary A v Marown.
Jenny Moore (South Ramsey) and Janet Monk (Mooragh Park) travelled to Heaton Park Bowling Club, Manchester to compete in the British Crown Green Bowling Association Ladies Singles Merit Trophy competition on Sunday 15 August with an entry of 64 ladies who qualified through their respective counties. The British Merit title is highly sought after with many of Britain’s top lady bowlers taking part.
On the tricky No.1 green Jenny was up against No.1 green against Sue Nugent from Merseyside. Jenny got off to a great start playing a mark over the crown and with her opponent not getting to grips with this Jenny won comfortably 21-2.
Janet’s first game was on green No.2 against Steph Witherspoon from Warwick and Worcestershire which had more of a crown than the No.1 green. Steph started off the better building up a lead, but Janet never one for giving up, dug deep and started to pull back the points to level the score at 19 all. It was then Steph’s turn to dig deep and playing good lead bowls on the following two ends won 21-19.
Jenny’s second game was against Mandy Wilks from North Derbyshire. This was a much closer game with Jenny eventually winning 21-16 to go through to the quarter finals.
In the quarter final Jenny was up against Jayne Kent (previously Jayne Hamilton) from South Yorkshire. This was a real battle with the game going to and fro, but with a final flourish Jenny ran out 21-18.
At the semi-final stage Jenny went on against the experienced Sue Worrall from Mid Cheshire. Again this was another tough game for Jenny but as in her previous rounds Jenny upped her game to take the semi 21-17.
In the other half of the draw, Louise Ollerton from Greater Manchester won her semi-final 21-14 against Julie Alderman from South Staffordshire who had just beaten the 2019 British Merit winner Nicola Boulton from Mid Cheshire in the quarter finals.
With the atmosphere around the green becoming tense and exciting and with both ladies playing exceptionally well, the spectators and the remaining players anticipated a great final and were not disappointed. Jenny got off to a strong start leading 10-2 on the 8th end. Louise then got into her stride taking six of the next nine ends to trail 10-14. Jenny then clicked up a gear taking the next six ends to win 21-10.
This was a proud moment for Manx bowling and for Jenny and her family who were there supporting, but most of all a massive and emotional achievement to become the first Manx lady to win a British Association Ladies singles competition.
The previous day, Saturday 14 August, the British Crown Green Bowling Association held the Junior Merit Trophy competition again at Heaton Park. 32 Junior county merit qualifiers took part with Shannon McMullan (Mooragh Park) and Toby Hart (South Ramsey) representing the Isle of Man. First on the green was Shannon who took on Jordyn Hughes from Staffordshire. Shannon started off strong and halfway through the game it was 11 across before Jordyn got his length and stride to run out 21-11.
Toby was up against Tom Farmer from the Potteries and District. Although Toby played some great bowls during the game, Tom was too strong on the day winning 21-8. Both Shannon and Toby should be congratulated on the way they played and their conduct on the green. The future of crown green bowling on the island is certainly shining bright!
Open age league: Port Erin were on excellent form obtaining a full house at home against Peel in last Friday night’s Crown Green Bowling Ladies Open Age League. Di Benson and Jean Thackrah for Port won to single figures with the closest game being Caroline Whitehead (Port) winning to 19 against Mary Moffatt. Lynda Wilson and Louise Horsfall (Peel) couldn’t quite get over the line with both losing to 16 against Jacqui Elliott and Susan Inch. Marown B won 5-4 at home against Castletown B with Jo Corkill (Marown) just narrowly missing out making it six wins by losing to 20 against Sarah Morgan. Castletown A continue to head the leader board with a 7-2 win at home against Mooragh Park. Janet Monk and Shannon McMullan were the only winners for Mooragh winning to 15 and 6 respectively. Marown A won 5-4 away to Ballaugh with the game of the match being between Barbara Graham (Ballaugh) and Elaine Dewhirst with Barbara eventually winning to 20. Onchan played Douglas at home winning 7-2. Two winners for Douglas were Harley Garrett and Jan West who both won to single figures, as did Libby Andrade and Dee Lewis for Onchan. South Ramsey hosted Port St Mary with South winning 5-4. Result in games could have been the other way round with Jayne Kneen losing to 20 against Judy Kelly.
Over 60s league: Castletown A and Port St Mary B both recorded maximums at home against Finch Hill and Port Erin in Tuesday’s Over 60s league. All games went into double figures apart from Kath Kinley (Castletown) and Roma Ware (Port) who both won to single figures. Mooragh Park A had a good home win against Port St Mary A, although the match finished three all on games, Mooragh won on points. Onchan A had an impressive away win at South Ramsey winning 5-1. Five games were won to single figures apart from Sue Collier (South) who had a real tussle against Caroline Corlett before losing to 20 with the last twenty minutes of the game being played in torrential rain.
The Ladies Association IOM Merit (Barbara Lee Trophy) competition was played on Sunday at Onchan Bowling Club attracting an entry of 24 ladies. Fortunately, the weather stayed fine for a great afternoon of bowling.
Going through to the first semi-final was junior bowler Madison McMullan (Mooragh Park) against the more experienced Trish Bull (Port St Mary). On the 14th end, Trish led 12-5 but with some excellent bowls Madison reduced this deficit to 13 across on the 22nd end. Trish drew on her experience, started to pull away and eventually won 21-16. The second semi-final was an all South Ramsey affair with Kim Hargraves taking on Sue Collier. Sue got off to a blistering start leading 14-5 on the 15th end but with sheer determination Kim dug deep winning 10 of the last 11 ends to win 21-16.
The final was certainly exciting to watch and well contested. With both playing well, it was 19 all on 32nd end. With a final flourish Kim took the next two ends to win her first major singles title 21-19.
Presentation of trophy and prizes was made by the Ladies Association President. Kim then thanked all her opponents, Onchan for hosting and Gill Morgan for the smooth running of the competition finishing off by saying she was ‘over the moon’ at winning.
Castletown A continue to dominant at the top of the ladies Open Age league with a good away win against fourth placed Marown last Wednesday night. Philippa Taylor and Alison Kearsley had a tough game with Philippa just edging it 21-20. Sue Peach (Castletown) also had a battle against Shirley Whelan with the latter eventually winning to 19. Celia Joughin (Marown) and Amanda Lawler (Castletown) were the only players to win to single figures. Ballaugh were also on fine form winning by 16 points away to Peel. The closest game was between Lynda Wilson (Peel) who won to 17 against Pam Unsworth.
Results: South Ramsey 169 (6), Marown B 126 (3); Marown A 141 (4), Castletown A 158 (5); Peel 143 (4), Ballaugh 159 (5); Port St Mary 155 (5), Mooragh Park 118 (4); Castletown B 144 (3), Onchan 165 (6); Douglas 150 (6), Port Erin 121 (3)
In the Over 60’s league on Tuesday morning, Peel kept up the pressure on leaders Castletown A with a maximum away at Castletown B. The win was helped by Gill Clarke and Mona Kerruish winning to single figures. Susan Kerruish just missed out on winning a game for Castletown losing to 20 against Terri Berry. Another maximum was achieved by Finch Hill at home to Port St Mary B. with Port just missed out on winning two games as Chris Holland and Edwina Reid lost by 20 and 19 respectively.
Results: Ballaugh 81 (2), Castletown A 111 (4); Port Erin 109 (5), Onchan B 75 (1); Onchan A 119 (5), Mooragh Park A 68 (1); Port St Mary 110 (4), Marown 84 (2); Finch Hill 126 (6), Port St Mary B 84 (0); Castletown B 72 (0), Peel 126 (0); Mooragh Park B 41 (1), South Ramsey 120 (5)
JMS Veterans Shield. Results from Game 5 – Group A: Port St Mary A (+19) 144, Onchan B (+29) 95; Port Erin (+28) 154, Castletown B (+39) 108; Group B: South Ramsey (+19) 134, Port St Mary B (+31) 106; Group C: Marown (+11) 137, Ballaugh (+24) 89; Mooragh Park B|(+36) 89, Peel (+21) 128; Group D: Onchan A (+17) 122, Castletown (+24) 130
Last Thursday evening Finch Hill Bowling Club hosted the final of the Ladies Plate knockout between Port St Mary and Ballaugh. With the introduction of the new individual handicap system this season, Port were off +30 and Ballaugh +40. First five games saw Chris Price, Chris Holland, Kellie Maddrell and Jayne Kneen for Port winning to 6, 15, 12 and 7 respectively against Michelle Cubbon, Elaine Fenton, Louise Tebay and Pat Mason with Alison Millard for Ballaugh winning to 19 against Nicci Cain. With Port just ahead on points at the halfway stage, it was still all to play for. Katie Williams (Port) played next taking on Julie Reilly. Although Julie tried her best, Katie was on good form winning to 11. Seventh and eighth games saw Trish Bull and Margie Tasker (Port) take on Barbara Graham and Christine McDonald. All four ladies battled well, but Barbara and Christine just had the edge winning to 12 and 15. Last game was between Mavis Franks (Port) and Cath Harvey with Mavis eventually winning 21-14. It was a very good final with all the spectators enjoying some excellent bowling. Result : Port St Mary 193 (6), Ballaugh 168 (3). Presentation was made by the Ladies President with PSM Captain Chris Price, thanking Finch Hill for the use of their green, all those who helped in any way, the spectators, but most of all to her ladies for playing so well.
In the Open Age League last Friday night current leaders Castletown A were away to second placed Port St Mary A. Match was much closer than on their previous encounter earlier in the season with Port winning on games but losing on points. Closest games saw Nicola Cain and Trish Bull (Port) both winning to 19 against Hilary Kermode and Anne Oates with Kath Kinley (Castletown) being the only player to win to single figures. Marown home to Port Erin and Onchan away to Peel both had good eight games to one wins with both teams only dropping one point. Lone winners for Port Erin and Peel were Caroline Whitehead and Sue Jones. South Ramsey had a good away win at Castletown B with Lorraine Moore (South) winning her first league game.
There were four 5-1 results in the Ladies Over 60s matches on Tuesday morning. Closest of these was the match between Finch Hill and Peel where Peel won by 29 points. All games went into double figures apart from the lone winner for Finch, Jan Osborne, who won comfortably to 5. Brenda Williams for Finch battled well against Val Allwood eventually losing to 15.
There were some close matches last Friday night in the Open Age League. Marown B played Peel at home and although Peel won 5-4 on games they lost by 11 points. Port Erin played host to Mooragh Park with Port winning the match by 12 points. Mooragh Park junior, Lacey McMullan, won her first game to 18 against Rita Callister whilst Jenny Cain for Port came back from 16-8 down to win 21-17 against Lacey’s sister, Shannon.
In the Over 60s league on Tuesday morning, two full houses were achieved by Onchan A and Castletown A who were both home to Castletown B and Mooragh Park B respectively. Closest match saw Marown winning at home by four points against Finch Hill.
The Ladies Association Millennium Fours knockout was held last Saturday afternoon attracting an entry of 8 teams of four with each match consisting of two single games and one doubles. Losing out in the semi-finals were the mixed team of Maureen Payne, Sue Gawne, Tracy Moore and Caroline Whitehead who lost to the Marown Team of Rebecca Teare, Deborah Leece, Clare Cooper and Helen Withers, with the Marown/South Ramsey team of Lynda Cadamy, Philippa Taylor, Joyce Ogden and Lyn Bolton losing to the South Ramsey/Mooragh Park team of Kim Hargraves, Jenny Moore, Shannon McMullan and Janet Monk. In the final, Rebecca won the first of the singles games 15-10 against Shannon whilst Jenny for the South/Mooragh won the second singles 15-14 against Deborah. It was all to play for in the doubles with Marown just ahead by 4 points. Game was to and fro with the South/Mooragh pairing of Kim and Janet eventually overcoming Clare and Helen to win 15-13. Although South/Mooragh team won on games, they lost the match by two points. Result : Marown 42 points, South/Mooragh 40 points. Presentation was made by the Ladies President with Clare, on behalf of the Marown Team, thanking Nobles Bowling Club for hosting the competition, all their opponents and those involved for a great afternoon.
On Saturday morning an entry of 12 girls took part in the Junior Lady Crown Green Bowling championship at Nobles Park Bowling Club. Competition was run as a round robin with the girls being split into two groups and games played 11 up off scratch. All the girls played exceptionally well in the rounds with the winner of group one being Aailish Haworth (Mooragh Park) with 54 points and the winner of group two Rebekah Kelly (Marown) with 44 points. In the final the two girls were evenly matched and on 11th end Aalish lead 9-7. Rebekah, with some good lead bowls, won the next three ends to win her well-deserved first junior championship 11-9. The future for ladies bowling is certainly in good hands! Presentation was made by the Ladies President who thanked all the junior ladies for taking part and treating the spectators to some excellent bowling.
Semi finals of the Jean Kelly knockout competition were played last Thursday. First semi-final was between South Ramsey (+25) and Peel (+59). South won six games to three and by six points. Second semi between Castletown A (+19) and Marown A (+34) resulted Castletown winning five games to four and by 25 points. In the plate knockout semis, Port Erin (+42) took on Ballaugh (+53). Match resulted in Ballaugh winning six games to three and by 29 points. Second semi was between Onchan (+41) and Port St Mary A (+35). Port won five games to four and by 12 points. Final of the Jean Kelly Knockout will be at Onchan on Friday 6 August with the final of the Plate being held on Thursday 22 July at Finch Hill.
In the Open Age League last Friday night, Douglas and Mooragh Park both had good home wins against Castletown B and Onchan respectively. Douglas won seven games to two and by 58 points. The two winners for Castletown were Jo Robert and Elaine McElroy who won to 16 and 17. Mooragh won six games to three and by 46 points with five of Mooragh’s players winning to single figures. The closest games of the night saw Madison McMullan (Mooragh) beating Sue Gawne to 16 and Marilyn Ellison (Onchan) winning to 18 against Maureen Hamilton.
Results : Mooragh Park 162 (6), Onchan 116 (3); Douglas 180 (7), Castletown B 122 (2); Marown A 169 (5), Marown B 133 (4); Peel 131 (3), South Ramsey 167 (6); Castletown A 176 (7), Port Erin 107 (2); Port St Mary 183 (8), Ballaugh 127 (1)
In the Over 60s league on Tuesday morning Port St Mary B won by one point at home to South Ramsey. All games went into double figures with Brenda Hawkard (Port) and Ann Gale (South) both winning to 18. Second closest game saw Ballaugh winning by two points at home to Onchan A. Brenda Bowyer, Carol Holt and Maureen Trustham for Ballaugh plus Paula Firth for Onchan all won to single figures.
Results : Ballaugh 91 (3), Onchan A 89 (3); Port Erin A 109 (4), Marown 89 (2); Finch Hill A 100 (4), Mooragh Park A 81 (2); Castletown B 61 (1), Port St Mary A 116 (5); Mooragh Park B 54 (1), Peel 124 (5); Port St Mary B 105 (3), South Ramsey 104 (3). No result for Onchan B against Castletown A at time of report.
The inaugural Over 60s Ladies Manx Championship took place at South Ramsey last Wednesday with an entry of 23 ladies. The green was fast and tricky with some excellent bowling being played throughout the afternoon. In the first semi-final, Elaine Moore (South Ramsey) played Joyce Ogden (Marown) with Elaine eventually winning 21-15. In the second semi, Paula Firth (Onchan) played Margaret Tasker (Port St Mary) with Paula just having the edge winning to 12. Both ladies played well in the final and for most of the game it was very even, but with a final spurt Elaine ran out to win 21-14. Presentation of trophy and prizes was made by Janet Latham, Ladies Treasurer, who thanked South Ramsey for hosting the competition and providing superb refreshments, and Gill Morgan, Ladies Competition Secretary for running the sheet. Special thanks were given to Elaine for sponsoring the championship.
At the halfway stage of the ladies open age crown green bowling season, Castletown A are currently at the top just over 100 points ahead of Port St Mary with Onchan closely behind in third place. Castletown’s lead was helped by a good home win against an improving Onchan with Tracy Moore (Castletown) being the only player to win to single figures. Port St Mary are keeping up the pressure courtesy of a 7-2 win at home to Douglas with Paula Garrett and Jan West being the two winners for Douglas. Match of the night was between Peel who took on Castletown B at home. Although Peel won five games to four, Castletown B took the match by 33 points. Barbara Young, Linda Dawson and Joy Stephens (Castletown) won to single figures with Lynda Wilson doing the same for Peel.
Results: Port St Mary A 173 (7), Douglas 100 (2); Mooragh Park 162 ((5), Marown B 127 (4);; Castletown A 169 (6), Onchan 146 (3); Marown A 149 (6), South Ramsey 123 (3); Ballaugh 170 (5), Port Erin 147 (4); Peel 134 (5), Castletown B 167 (4)
In the Over 60’s league on Thursday morning, Port St Mary A, Onchan A and Peel had good home wins against Finch Hill, Port Erin and Port St Mary B respectively. Margaret Tasker and Chris Price (PSM A), Dee Lewis and Caroline Corlett (Onchan), Mary Moffatt (Peel) and Edwina Reid (PSM B) all won to single figures. Marown had the best win of the morning getting a full house against Onchan B. The home derby between Mooragh A and B resulted in a 3-3 draw with the A team winning by 14 points. Castletown A travelled to Ramsey for their match against South Ramsey. The match finished 4-2 and by 19 points to South.
Results: Onchan A 122 (5), Port Erin 722 (1); Castletown B 83 (2), Ballaugh 106 (4); Marown 126 (6), Onchan B 61 (0); Mooragh Park A 96 (3), Mooragh Park B 82 (3); South Ramsey 113 (4), Castletown A 94 (2); Peel 112 (4), Port St Mary B 91 (2); Port St Mary A 119 (5), Finch Hill 71 (1).
Therefore, at the halfway stage only five points separate the top three teams. Peel are currently in first place with 1607 points, second Castletown A 1603 and third Onchan 1602 points, so it is all to play for in the second half.
Second round of the Over 60s JMS competition was played last Thursday morning.
Results: – Group A: Onchan B (+30) 110, Port St Mary A (+25) 151; Castletown B (+36) 98, Port Erin (+30) 150; Group B: Port St Mary B (+23) 105, South Ramsey (+25) 148; Group C : Ballaugh (+23) 94, Marown (+17) 133; Peel (+18) 144, Mooragh Park B (+42) 99