Author Archives: Elaine Moore

Ladies Crown Green Bowling Gets Underway

Ladies crown green bowling got underway on Friday night with the Open Age League following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.   It has been a bitter-sweet start to the bowling season with a couple of teams withdrawing from the Open Age League and Over 60s league due to dwindling club numbers and a couple of clubs forming a second team having increased membership of ‘new to the game lady bowlers’; Junior lady bowlers and bowlers transferring from other clubs.   Given these changes, this season has the promise of being an interesting one.

Featured match from the opening week in the Open Age Night League was between the newly formed Marown B playing host to their stable mates Marown A. This match was played on Thursday evening due to Marown having the official opening of their new clubhouse on the Friday evening.  Two new bowlers for Marown B, Jo Corkill and Amanda Butler, took on Marown A’s Elaine Dewhirst and Joyce Ogden respectively. Although Jo and Amanda played well they struggled against the more experienced bowlers with both losing 4-21.   The three junior lady bowlers of Marown B are sisters Grace and Emily Cooper (playing league bowls for the first time) and Rebekah Kelly.   Grace played Lynda Cadamy, Emily took on Marown A’s captain Lil Smith with Rebekah playing Shirley Whelan.   All three girls played exceptionally well, but couldn’t quite get over the line with Grace losing to 13, Emily losing to 6 and Rebekah losing to 3.  Next game saw Rebecca Teare for Marown B playing Philippa Taylor.  On paper this was always going to be a close game and it didn’t disappoint with Philippa eventually running out 21-18.   The two closest games of the night saw Deborah Leece for Marown B taking on Jayne Smith and Helen Withers, Marown B’s captain, playing Rosie Winckle.   Both games were nick and tuck throughout with Deborah losing 20-21 to Jayne and Helen beating Rosie by the same score line.  The remaining game was between Clare Cooper for Marown B and Celia Joughin for Marown A; this resulted in a comfortable 21-4 win for Clare.  Overall score: Marown B 110 – Marown A 171 (two games to seven).   

The remaining Open Age league matches were played on Friday.  There were some very close results, especially South Ramsey who lost on games, but won on points. 

Results :Onchan147–123Mooragh Park(6-3)
 Port Erin107–179Castletown A(2-7)
 South Ramsey161–146Peel(4-5)
 Ballaugh136–157Port St Mary(4-5)
 Castletown B175–151Douglas(6-3)

Post published by Elaine Moore

Ladies IOM Pairs

Last Sunday, the Ladies Association I.o.M Pairs competition took place at Douglas Bowling club with an entry of 18 pairs.   The weather stayed warm and sunny with some excellent bowling being played and enjoyed by all.  Getting through to the semi-finals were the pairings of Paula Garrett and Kay McKiernan (Douglas); Kim Hargraves and Shelley Kennish (South Ramsey); Philippa Taylor and Joyce Ogden (Marown) and Gill Dixon and Elaine Moore (South Ramsey).  The first semi saw Paula and Kay take on Kim and Shelley. The Douglas pair were always a step ahead with Paula especially playing some excellent end-winning bowls and after 16 ends they ran out winning 21-14.   The second semi-final was a much closer affair with Philippa and Joyce playing Gill and Elaine.  Both pairs played well, but credit must be given to Joyce and Gill who, playing at the back, bowled some amazing end-winning bowls.  At the 25th end it was 20 across; with Philippa and Joyce lying game, Gill played a great pressure wood to win the end and game 21-20. 

In the final Gill and Elaine started off strongest and on the 10th end led 15-8.   Paula and Kay picked up their pace, dug deep and with good bowls started to crawl back some of the points; unfortunately for them it was too little too late with Gill and Elaine scoring a four on the 17th end to win 21-14.

President of the Ladies Association, Sue Gawne, presented Gill and Elaine with the Pairs trophy saying it had been a good afternoon of bowling, thanking those who had stayed to watch the final. Elaine thanked Douglas Bowling Club for hosting the event, the Ladies Association competition committee on a very well run competition, all their opponents, but most of all thanked Gill for playing and pulling her out of some ‘tight spots’.

The Ladies Association Top Lady competition is being held at Marown Bowling Club this Sunday starting at 12 noon.   This is an invitational competition only and for all lady bowlers taking part please note it is strict dress code.   It would be greatly appreciated if as many spectators as possible could attend to support those playing.

Post published by Elaine Moore

Castletown A Open With Highest Score

The first set of fixtures in the Over 60s Ladies League was played on Tuesday morning.   Although the Over 60s league has lost two teams this season (Douglas and Port Erin B), the league has gained a new team (Onchan B). The closest match on points was between Finch Hill and Onchan A.  Jan Osborne for Finch Hill won to single figures, as did Paula Firth and Dee Lewis for Onchan A.  

Results :Ballaugh92–114Port St Mary A(1-5)
 Onchan B80–117Peel Sunset(2-4)
 Port St Mary B83–123Castletown A(2-4)
 Mooragh Park B61–121Marown(1-5)
 Castletown B70–107South Ramsey(2-4)
 Finch Hill77–98Onchan A(2-4)
 Port Erin87–110Mooragh Park A(2-4)

On looking at individual results from the above, it is encouraging for the game of crown green bowls to see quite a few junior lady bowlers playing in the Open Age league and new adult bowlers playing in the Open Age league and Over 60s ladies league.  I sincerely hope they enjoy the experience and camaraderie of a great sport.

Post published by Elaine Moore