Peel Sunset B provided the shock result of the week travelling to 2nd Place Douglas A they come away with a superb 5-3 victory to put a dent in the home teams title aspirations, this goes to back up the thought that on their day most teams can pull off surprise results, Douglas bad week continued as they had to visit Castletown A and went down 6-2 to leave them in 5th position having played 14 for 18 points, With leaders North Ramsey A having a superb win at tough to beat at home Onchan A before having a superb 7-1 win over another title contender Peel Sunset A THE Northerners sit looking down on everyone having played 13 games for 23 points, Two points in arrears of North Ramsey A on 21 points come Castletown B who used home advantage to beat South Ramsey 5-3 in a very close game before beating Douglas B to get maximum points this week, One point behind come Castletown A who still have the important game in hand on their B team. Castletown A had a very close 4-4- draw at Ballaugh with four games going to all but across, but vitally 3 of those games went to the home side, before as already mentioned they beat Douglas A at the Crofts On 18 points level with Douglas come Port St Mary A, but they have only played 12 but their rearranged game against North Ramsey B should off been played on Friday so the result will be in next week which should move them up the table. Port however suffered a hiccup on Tuesday going down 5-3 on their visit to Marown before getting back on track with 8-0 whitewash over visitors Nobles B. Peel Sunset A hold 6th place on 17 points after whitewashing Douglas B they suffered at leaders North Ramsey A on the Thursday. Marown had a superb week with two home fixtures they had wins over PSM And Ballaugh to climb to 7th place on 16 points with the all-important, game in hand on 6th place Peel. South Ramsey occupy 8th place on 15 points after losing out on their trip south to Castletown B they had a good 8-0 win over Port Erin. With Nobles A, Peel Sunset B both on 14 points. Peel B after beating Douglas A away were brought down to earth by next to bottom North Ramsey B who travelled west and came away with a point, which again proves any team can get points from each other. At Present Stuart Garrett of Douglas A leads the Merit having played and won 14 games, next come George Peach played 14 won 13 and Brian Redman played 14 won 12 both from Castletown B, closely followed by Geoff Porter (North Ramsey A) played 13 won 12, then on 11 wins are Tony Carroon (Peel B), Harry Kelly (Peel A), Peter Kelly (Marown), Dave Foulis (Ballaugh) Ron Maycox (PSM A) and Mike Hargraves (Castletown A)

League Leaders North Ramsey A have managed to avoid the curse of the leading team in the league by hanging on to top spot after defeating Onchan B by 7 games to 1 at the Mooragh on Tuesday and then sitting out the Thursday Game, This meant that both Douglas A and South Ramsey A had disappointing weeks, but to be fair Douglas A had two away games against top opposition, firstly they shared the points at Peel A before going down to Port St Mary by 6 games to 2, with South Ramsey losing both their games at home to Castletown A by 5-3 this was a very close match with the last game going in towns favour with John Alderson coming back to pip Chas Grills 21-20, South Ramseys misfortunes continued on their visit to Onchan A who are slowly finding their form to beat the northerners 5-3. This has allowed Port St Mary A to close within one point of North Ramsey A, both teams having played 8 games in third place are Castletown B who have played a game more but are level on 13 points with PSM A. Town B had a good victory over Ballaugh A at the Crofts 7-1 and followed up with a close win at Port Erin by 4 games to 3 with both teams being players short. Castletown A are a point behind their B team but have a game in hand, after another good week for the southerners, last week’s leaders Peel A and Douglas A are also on 12 points but both have played a game more than Castletown A, and Peel B are a point behind their first team but also have a game in hand. The Mini Cup saw holders North Ramsey B lose on their trip to Finch Hill A, while Douglas B had a great home win over a much depleted Port Erin team, and Nobles B also progress into the semis with a 6-3 win over PSM B.

The Tower Insurance Over 60’s League only had one set of league games this week, and what a surprise they turned out to be, with some of the lower teams gaining points from the top teams in what must be the most open league for years. Leaders North Ramsey A travelled to lowly Port St Mary B and ended up coming away with a solitary point in a 4-4 draw, with Castletown B using home advantage to beat a strong Nobles A team 6-2 it moves the southerners level on points with North Ramsey on 15 points albeit Castletown B have played 10 games to North Ramsey’s 9, Douglas A move into third place on 14 points edging Marown 5-3 at the Villa, Douglas having played 10 games, Castletown A travelled to Nobles B and ended up drawing 4-4 with Town losing two games to all but, this puts them on 13 points from 9 games. Next up come Port St Mary A whose game at North Ramsey B was called off due to a waterlogged green, Port also have 13 points but have only played 8 matches, also on 13 points are Peel Sunset A who were held at home by Onchan A, Peel Sunset B travelled to Onchan B and lost the chance to overtake their A team as Onchan B ran out 6-2 victors, leaving them on 11 points along with South Ramsey who sat out his week’s game. Douglas B travelled to Port Erin and came away with their first points of the season, as unfortunately Port Erin could only field six players. While Finch Hill used home green advantage to defeat Ballaugh 5-3. The Thursday was Ismay Cup Day with the top two teams at present in the league North Ramsey A and Castletown B playing at the Mooragh, North Ramsey were in sparkling form and ran riot against the town winning by 8 games to 1, as fate would have it third and fourth teams were also matched with Douglas entertaining Castletown A, again it was an 8-1 score line this time in the favour of Castletown. Ismay Cup holders Peel Sunset A lost their grip on the trophy going down at home to visitors Ballaugh in a very close game with the outcome resting on the final game which John Keenan just beating Alec Taylor of Peel 21-20. Port St Mary A travelled to Marown and came away happy with a 6-3 victory, while the Port St Mary B team joined them in the hat for the next round just edging out North Ramsey B by 5 games to 4, Nobles B on the back of their draw with Castletown A were unable to stop a rampant Onchan A from inflicting a 8-1 home defeat. Port Erin by virtue of having fixture against the now defunct Finch Hill B also go into the last eight, the final game was played on Friday and saw Peel Sunset B beat Douglas B by 7-2.

On a lovely day for bowls at the Villa, Mike Hargraves eventually got his name of the Foster Cup for the first time after in the first round beating last years winner Geoff Porter of North Ramsey in a very close game, he then put out last years runner up Stuart Garrett of Douglas in another close encounter 21-19. to reach the quarters where Mike beat another Douglas man Keith Rise to 16, the other quarters saw North Ramseys Brian Colquitt edge out team mate John Breen, Douglas man Bill Jones defeated Ian Kissack of Marown, and George Peach just managed to beat Colin Hinds of Onchan 21-20. The Semi Finals saw Bill Jones defeat Brian Colquitt 21-12 and Mike Hargraves saw of club mate George Peach 21-17 to set up a final between Mike and Bill, It was even stevens in the early part but them Mike found a good length to run out worthy winner 21 -11. Can I thank the two people who sponsor the Foster Cup Roy Williams and Stuart Garrett for their very kind sponsorship, Paula for looking after the catering side and Douglas Bowling Club for providing such a good green for the competition, and Ken and Roy for looking after the sheet. Unfortunately the entry was down on previous years with the Night League having fixtures in the evening, so a rethink into the possible day of the competition could be called for.

The lead in the Tower Insurance Over 60’s League has changed yet again, after a black week for previous leader Peel Sunset A, who entertained reigning champions Castletown A on Tuesday and ended up on the wrong end of a 6-2 defeat, this was followed by a similar score line on their trip to Port St Mary A to compound a poor week for the westerners, however I am certain that they will come back from this setback stronger than ever. This allowed Douglas A to take over the mantle as top dog, with a fine 5-3 win on their trip to Onchan A, however the curse at the top say them drop at point at home to an accomplished Nobles A team to allow North Ramsey A to head the table after beating Finch Hill at the Mooragh 7-1 and then beating Nobles B by 6-2 at Nobles, this game was a lot closer than the score line suggests with Nobles having one player scoring 20 and two on 19. North Ramsey have 12 points from 7 games one ahead of Douglas A and South Ramsey, who beat Nobles B 7-1 in the north before visiting Onchan B and getting a 5-3 victory. On 9 points come Port St Mary who have a game in hand after two victories this week. Also on 9 points but having played 7 games come previous leaders Peel Sunset A, and Castletown B who also had two good wins
Next up come defending Champs Castletown A who like Port St Mary have a game in hand and are on 8 points along with Nobles A, while on 7 points are three clubs that also all have a game in hand these being Marown A, Ballaugh A and Peel Sunset B. This means that once the teams that have played a match more have to sit out their game there could be 10 teams within 3 points of the top. And this is not including the two Onchan teams who are going through a bad spell at present but both have the players to climb up the league. The Preliminary round of the Ismay Cup was also played this week and which pitted a lot of the top clubs against each other. Ballaugh A had a good away win over Nobles A by 6-3 while the other three games saw wins for home teams, Douglas A defeating Onchan B 7-2, Onchan A beating Finch Hill 7-2 and Port St Mary had a home win over South Ramsey with a 6-3 score line. Finch Hill gained some revenge on the Thursday when they used home advantage to beat Onchan A 5-3 in the League. The top fixtures next week are on Tuesday when Peel A’s tough fixtures continue with Douglas A turning up in the west, while third place South Ramsey entertain Castletown A. On Thursday Douglas travel down south to Port St Mary A, while leaders North Ramsey A have their turn to sit a game out. And a resurgent Marown visit Castletown A. Could I remind all captains that the postage rate is going up on 5th May and could they please put an extra 2p stamp on the result cards. Many thanks and good bowling

After only 5 games into the season every team has lost its 100% record in what is looking like the most open Tower Insurance Men’s Over 60’s League for a long time. Peel Sunset A now top the league with 9 points after a 6-2 home victory over North Ramsey B, then they visited Ballaugh and came away with a point in a very close match, I feel this could be a valuable point gained as Ballaugh have a very strong team with John Keenan and Peter Graham turning out for them to bolster an already good team. Douglas A travelled to South Ramsey on Tuesday and left the north empty handed going down 5-3. North Ramsey A had a close shave against Peel B at the Mooragh in their earlier game by 5-3 with one of the Peel B players losing to 20. This set up nicely the top game of the day between Douglas A and North Ramsey A, and it turned out to be a good day for the side from the Villa winning by 6 games to 2 to leapfrog North Ramsey into second place both teams on 8 points, South Ramsey completed a good week with an away win at Finch Hill to move into fourth place on 7 points. Two teams are on six points Nobles A and Peel B. Nobles held visitors Port St Mary A to a draw on Tuesday and then travelled to Marown and again shared the points. Peel B who are a team that everyone is starting to fear had a very close home win over Onchan A by 5-3 with an Onchan player scoring 20. On five points come Onchan B and Port St Mary A both these teams have had to sit out a game due to having an odd number of teams, while also on five points are Castletown B who got their season started at last with a 7-1 home win over Finch Hill before just sneaking a very close encounter at Nobles B by 5 games to 3 this game could so easily have ended up 5-3to Nobles. Marown had a good win away at Onchan A by 5 games to 3.while another team on 5 points are Port Erin who drew with Onchan B at the Breagle, before heading home form North Ramsey B with both points On Four points come Castletown A who had an 8-0 win over Douglas B and had to sit out their other game this week. While Nobles B and Onchan A, are bracket together with Castletown although both have played five games. With Ballaugh on 3 points after beating Douglas B before there draw with Peel A. With next week’s fixtures including leaders Peel Sunset A facing Champions Castletown A at Peel and Onchan A hosting Douglas A on the Tuesday while on the Thursday Port St Mary A host Peel A, and Douglas A entertain Nobles A be prepared for more snakes and ladders in the league. Could I finish by firstly thanking Matthew Keggin for the hard work he has put into the Isle of Man Crown Green Bowls website. And thanks to all the captians for getting your results to him as well as me. And secondly asking if anyone would be interested in collating the results of the over 60’s from next year, if anyone would like an information please give me a ring on 471301

The Tower Insurance Men’s Over 60’s Bowls is looking set to be one of the most open in recent years, with after just three games gone only three teams have a 100% record. Peel Sunset A, Douglas A and North Ramsey A are the three. In very balmy conditions Peel had comfortable wins at home to Nobles B and away to Onchan B, North Ramsey had a 7-1 win over Port St Mary A at the Mooragh, then came away with the points on their visit to Marown in a close 5-3 match. Douglas A defeated the second teams of Port St Mary away and Castletown at home. Defending Champions Castletown A got off to a bad start losing their second game of the season on their visit to Onchan A by 5 games to 3, Onchan A then visited Port St Mary A and found a Port team in superb form inflicting a 8-0 whitewash over their visitors, to keep up the pressure on the top teams. Castletown A eventually got their season up and running with a win over Nobles A at the crofts by 5 games to 3, this if after Nobles A used home advantage to beat Ballaugh on the Tuesday. Peel B had a couple of draws this week firstly in a close game at Castletown B, then repeating this at home to South Ramsey. Port Erin had a mixed week winning at home to Finch Hill before losing to Nobles B. while Finch Hill had a 5-3 victory over PSM B.

The Tower Insurance Over 60’s League got off to a sensational start on Thursday with defending Champions Castletown A going down at home to their nemesis North Ramsey A by 5 games to 3 to give the Northerners renewed hope in their attempt to be top of the pile this year, Two of last year’s top four teams met at Port St Mary with South Ramsey providing the opposition and it was the Southsiders that used their home advantage to gain both points in a 6-2 victory, It is nice to see Ray Watterson back after his shoulder injury last year. Onchan A are another team with title aspirations and they had a good win at Ballaugh by 6 games to 2, While Peel Sunset A also travelled well and also had a 6-2 win at Finch Hill A, unfortunately Finch Hill had to withdraw their B team prior to the seasons start. Peel Sunset B made it a good start for the westerners with a 5-3 win over Port St Mary B, Marown also started well with a good 5-3 win over Castletown B at the Memorial Fields, Douglas A had a comprehensive 8-0 win over Port Erin at the Villa, and not to be outdone Noble’s B turned the tables on Douglas B with another 8-0 victory, Noble’s A also got two points in their first game with a 5-3 win over North Ramsey B. Nobles who have amalgamated the old Noble’s Park and Noble’s Mixed teams should have two very good outfits this year.

The Tower Insurance Over 60 League had more twists and turns than the big dipper at Blackpool, as Castletown A travelled to Onchan A on Tuesday and managed to come home with a point in a game that Town’s Derek Lewney won his game against Les McLennan 21-20, to let the Town of the hook, Port St Mary A gained another point on their Southside rivals with a 6-2 win at Nobles Park to close the gap to 2 points at the top. Peel A had a visit from a depleted Onchan B and used home advantage to notch another two points with a 6-2 victory, while South Ramsey also kept up the pressure with a very tight 5-3 home win over Marown with South Ramsey’s Bill Callow beating Arnie Withers 21-20 in an extremely close game. North Ramsey A had a 5-3 win over Peel B to keep in touch with the top bunch, while lower down the table Castletown B defeated Douglas A, with unfortunately Norman Kneen of Douglas feeling unwell and being taken to hospital for a check up during his game, best wishes for a speedy recovery from everyone Norman. Port Erin shared the points at home to Noble’s Mixed with Port Erin’s Derek Allen just losing out to Noble’s Mixed skipper Peter Morris in another all but across game. With Port St Mary B doing well to take a point of Finch Hill A with the experienced Archie Collister just getting the better of the Finch’s captain Sefton Dent in another 21-20 win. Ballaugh had a 5-3 win at Finch Hill B with home team captain Malcolm Black just losing out to Richard Faragher in yet another 21-20 game. Douglas B came very close to getting their first point of the season with Brian Oliver just losing out to Ray Parry 21-20.
The second round of games saw Castletown A win at home against Noble’s Park 7-1 while Port St Mary A also won comfortably against Douglas B 6-2 with Peel A having a difficult trip to Ballaugh but still came away 6-2 winners to keep their hopes of a first championship alive, The surprise of the round was the performance of Peel B who held South Ramsey to a 4-4 draw at Peel while Onchan A travelled to Marown and suffered with a 5-3 defeat, with Les McLennan of Onchan and Arnie Withers of Marown both winning to 19, and Peter Kelly of Marown suffering only his second loss of the season to Colin Hinds. North Ramsey A also dropped a point with a 4-4 draw at Finch Hill B. Port St Mary B travelled to Douglas A and came away with both points, while in another game with a couple of very close games,Vinty Dugdale beating Juan Kermode, and John Ruscoe losing to Ron Williams 21-20 Nobles Mixed had a 5-3 victory over Castletown B. Onchan B used the lightning fast green at Nobles 3 to their advantage with a 5-3 win over Port Erin. with North Ramsey B using home advantage to defeat Finch Hill B. The last two games mentioned saw the teams meet the day before for the Semi Finals of the Mini Cup with Port Erin entertaining the holders Onchan B and losing out by 6 -3 and Finch Hill B also unable to make home advantage pay against North Ramsey B by also going down 6-3. to set up a final between Onchan A and North Ramsey B. The Ismay Cup Semis were also played and this time it was both home teams that won 6-3 . Peel A defeating Port St Mary A and North Ramsey A doing likewise to Finch Hill A. to leave the Final between North Ramsey A and Peel A. venues for both finals will be notified shortly. The Individual Merit sees Dave Foulis (Ballaugh) sitting alone on top of the pile with 20 wins followed by Mike Thomas (Onchan) and Peter Kelly (Marown) who both lost this week on 19, with on 18 wins are Harry Kelly (Peel), Chas Grills (South Ramsey), Stuart Garrett (Douglas), the PSM pair of Ron Maycox and Ray Maddrell and the Castletown duo of Dave Faragher and Collin Holland.

The Tower Insurance Over 60’s League rolls relentlessly on with the last years champions Castletown A still holding a two point lead over Port St Mary A after the last two series of games. The Town had relatively easy games against the two teams at the tale end of the league winning 7-1 at Douglas B, and unfortunately Finch Hill B were unable to field a team for their visit to Castletown which resulted in an 8-0 walkover for the Town and two points deducted for Finch Hill B. Port St Mary A visited Finch Hill B on Tuesday and inflicted an 8-0 win but on Thursday they entertained current third placed Peel A who beat North Ramsey B on Tuesday 7-1 but then went down 6-2 at Port St Mary in a very close game Peel losing three games 21-20, This allowed South Ramsey to leapfrog Peel and are a further 2 points behind Port, and one ahead of Peel with victories at home to Finch Hill A 5-3 and at Douglas A by 6-2. North Ramsey A’s title hopes are slipping after being held to two draws, at home to Douglas A and away to Nobles Mxd. while Onchan A were held to surprising draw at home to Peel B , but got back on track by taking all the points in a 5-3 win at Finch Hill B. Marown move into 7th place with four points this week, while Castletown B drop to 8th after only picking up one point in their draw with Onchan B, who are in ninth place just a point behind the town B, while Ballaugh now in tenth place had a good week with four points from their trip to Port Erin and the visit of Castletown B both 5-3 wins.with Nobles Mixed just a point behind after a win and draw, then come Finch Hill A, Douglas A and Port Erin who are all mid table, with North Ramsey B four points behind Port Erin but a similar number ahead of Nobles Park. Peel B are climbing the table and although 3rd from the bottom are now in touch with Port St Mary B and Noble’s Park who are one and two points ahead of them. The Merit has again seen a change with Dave Foulis of Ballaugh losing to Bernard Thakrah at Port Erin, this means that Peter Kelly of Ballaugh moves ahead again both players on 21 wins, with on 19 wins come a whole scutch of players, Mike Thomas (Onchan), Harry Kelly(Peel), Chas Grills (S Ramsey), Ron Maycox and Ray Maddrell of PSM and the Town pairing of Dave Faragher and Collin Holland.
Next week sees just one set of games on the Tuesday with the top fixture pairing 4th placed Peel A at home to leaders Castletown A, with the Wednesday and Thursday being taken up with the Over 60’s qualifying at Douglas.