Marown was the venue agreed by the captains of Castletown B & Port St Mary A to host the final of the 2020 Rayner Plate.

Castletown B started the evening off a handicap of +32 as they were relegated from the top tier last season, were due to play second division bowls this season. The town men received a boost with Mark Moorley returning to the fold after a couple of years out of the game, having played for Marown A for a number of years, with Moorley having good knowledge of the Marown green, whilst the addition of Glenn Boland from Noble’s after a solid first season in division one was also a good addition. Port St Mary A were off a handicap of +10, having lost a couple of players from their first team last year, they were looking to go one better than 2019 when they lost in the final to Marown C.

In the first half of the match Castletown took control of the match with an almost unassailable lead, with Moorley storming  to a massive 21-2 win over Will Cain, who was experiencing his first team final to stretch the lead to 41 chalks. Eating away at the lead for Port St Mary were Trevor Quayle who recovered from a slow start to win 21-15 against James Drinkwater, whilst Tim Williams had a comfortable 21-12 win over the experienced George Foy. Glenn Boland had a tight game with Dan McCabe with Boland winning 21-17 to ensure the town men had a 30 chalk lead at the half way stage.

In the second half of the match Port St Mary captain Wayne Roberts reduced the deficit to 19 chalks after his 21-10 victory over Ross Moore. The next two games to come off put the final nail in the coffin for the Port men with the game of the day on paper going all the way between Bob Clark & Paul Skelly with Clark just getting home 21-20, whilst Alan Phair excelled to see off Paul Russell 21-19. With the last game on the green Castletown had enough chalks on the board by this point, with captain Nathan Cooil losing out 16-21 to Rob Cooil. This resulted in a win for the Town men by 17 chalks (169-152), with the match games ending 4-4. If there were no handicaps in play then Castletown would have lost by just five chalks to show how well matched up these teams were.

The presentation was made by Association Chairman Neil Withers who presented the Castletown captain Nathan Cooil with the trophy. Neil congratulated Castletown on their win, also offered his commiserations to Port St Mary. Neil also thanked Marown for hosting the final, their club members for assisting and the greenkeeper for preparing the green.

Onchan Bowling Club hosted this year’s Canada Life International sponsored Manx Championship. The competition attracted 73 entries, with the qualifying day held last Sunday with players having to win a minimum of two games on qualifying day to reach the finals day on Sunday. There was a crowd of well over 150 who came to support their club mates, which added to the atmosphere and the green was in fantastic condition for finals day, which made for some quality bowling.

Last 16 Results

Paul Dunn 21-5 Reginald Temporaza
Stefan Kelly 16-21 Tom Kelly
Neil Withers 21-19 Paul Skelly
Glynn Hargraves 21-9 Frank Watson

Matthew Keggen 21-12 James Teare
Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly 21-18 Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly
Paul ‘Pooky’ Quirk 5-21 Brian Kelly
Colin Kelly 13-21 Kevin Quirk

In the quarter finals Tom Kelly (Peel) had his challenge ended by Paul Dunn (Marown) losing 13-21, whilst former home greener Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey) disposed of Neil Withers (Marown) with a 21-10 win. Matthew Keggen (Marown) lost 11-21 to Dave ’Barney’ Kelly (Peel), whilst Brian Kelly (Marown) pushed Kevin Quirk (Onchan) before losing out 17-21.

The semi-finals had representation from each of the ‘big four’ clubs, with Dunn putting in a brilliant performance against Hargraves to win 21-9 to take his place in the final. The second semi-final was a lot closer with Quirk taking a 7-1 lead, only for Kelly to turn the game on it’s head to lead 15-10. Quirk responded to level things up at 17-17. This was a great game which either player could easily have gone on to reach the final, however Kelly just had enough to run out with a 21-17 victory.

The final started with the crowd knowing there would be a new name on the trophy for the first time since 2015. Both players had lost in the final previously, Dunn having lost to John Kennish at Port Erin in 2006 and Kelly at Castletown to Phil Kerruish in 1986 and Kevin Quirk at Ronairco in 2005. Dunn was quickest out of the blocks playing the marks that had served him well all day to take a 7-1 lead, with Kelly responding by getting into the corners taking a single and three doubles in between a single for Dunn to level things up at 8-8. Dunn went on another good run to lead 14-9 with his strike success rate making a huge difference in the game hitting four strikes from his first four attempts. During the middle of the game it is difficult to say if it is was the changing pace of the green or nervousness from the players who were attempting to win their first title that led to a few stray bowls. Kelly was lying one on a straight peg mark at 14-17 heading into the corner, having beaten Dunn’s first bowl after Dunn had gone in on the round peg to beat his lead. Dunn’s second bowl was crucial tipping the jack to count for two to lead 19-14. From there Dunn claimed a single to reach 20, then Kelly responded with a single and headed into the corners at 15-20 for a last throw of the dice. Kelly kept his jack on the green after previously sending off two jacks, playing cautiously into the corner leading with a yard bowl which he was unable to improve on. Dunn held his nerve to bowl in and claim the all important point needed for a 21-15 victory to deservedly be crowned Manx Champion. The win caps a fine couple of years for Dunn, who having picked up a number of titles over the past couple of seasons has gone on to deservedly win the big one, having been tipped by a number of bowlers to win his first title this year. The wait goes on for Barney, who despite having recently turned 60 proved he is more than capable of mixing it with the best.

The presentation was made by Association President John Ryder, who presented the prizes. Thanks were given to the competition committee for running the competition, Onchan for hosting the event, the greenkeeper for the excellent condition of the green, the ladies for the refreshments provided, and all the club members who assisted with the measuring & stewarding throughout. In his speech Dunn was clearly delighted and emotional upon claiming his first Manx Championship title with his parents, partner and club mates watching.

Port Erin Bowling Club hosted the F.M. Sowerbutts Memorial Trophy Mixed Doubles on Bank Holiday Monday. This was another competition that was well supported with some pairs needing to play six games to reach the final.

Bowing out at the semi-final stage were Philippa Taylor (Marown) & Alec Taylor (Peel) to Elaine Moore & Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey), whilst in the other semi-final Lyn Bolton (South Ramsey) & Trevor Quayle (Port St Mary) were beaten by Jenny Moore & James Teare (South Ramsey).

With the nights drawing in the final started under floodlights with Jenny & James making the better start building up a 13-10 lead, only for Elaine & Glynn to respond to turn the game on it’s head to go ahead 19-13 with Elaine leading well in the corners. Jenny & James got back in and started to eat away at the lead and at 17-19 were lying four for game only for Hargraves to save three with a good second bowl, which didn’t quite count to bring the score to 18-19. On the next end Jenny & James were counting one only for this to be beaten. On the final end Jenny & James were counting two, only for the counting bowls to again be beaten to ensure Elaine & Glynn secured a 21-18 victory to take the title.

The presentation was made by Janet Latham who thanked everyone who had entered, the club members for their support & providing the refreshments. In his speech Glynn thanked Port Erin for running the competition, Janet Latham for once again sponsoring the competition in memory of her father, also remarked on the significant improvement in the condition of the green this season since the club have taken over the maintenance of the green. Glynn also thanked everyone who had stayed to watch the final.

Douglas Bowling Club hosted the Haldane Fisher Mixed Doubles on the bonus Friday Bank Holiday. The competition was well supported with some pairs needing to play six games to reach the final.

Bowing out at the semi-final stage were Alison Keggen (Noble’s) & Bob Clark (Castletown) to Joyce Ogden & Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary), whilst in the other semi-final Derek & Lynda Cadamy (Port Erin) were beaten by Elaine Moore & Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey).

The final started with Moore & Hargraves favourites, however despite lying three down on the first end, Roberts sat out their nearest counting bowl to score a single. On the next end Moore & Hargraves were counting for one, only for Roberts to again play out their counting bowl. From there Ogden played along the edge by the shelter leading brilliantly and was nothing short of relentless with Roberts also scoring well and ably backing up when required. Moore & Hargraves found themselves trailing 6-15 without scoring before finally counting for one. Odgen & Roberts extended the lead to 20-8, only for Moore & Hargraves to respond getting in to the corners to pick up some points over a number of ends to drag themselves back into the game, including a four and a three to recover back to 19-20. Playing into ‘Amen’ corner Ogden jumped at the chance to step in and did so putting up a bowl just over two foot away, which Roberts also added to by counting a second bowl. These bowls remained unbeaten resulting in a hard earned 21-19 win for Ogden & Roberts.

The presentation was made by Mark Kneen who thanked the players for supporting the event and the club members for organising the day and running the competition.

Onchan Bowling Club are hosting the 2020 Canada Life International sponsored Manx Championship at the Park over the next two weekends it brings the event back to the same green that current holder Colin Kelly won his fifth title in 2011 beating team mate Neil Withers 21-10 in the final. Kelly has yet to hit top form this season, but if there is a competition to hit form in this is the one. With a fantastic entry of 73 it will make for some interesting early round clashes.

Marown have three previous winners with Colin Kelly’s six wins, Neil Withers who himself won his only championship home turf in 2009 and has managed to pick up the first open of the season at Noble’s, whilst Phil Kelly won his title on Noble’s 1 in 1994. Their man in form has to be Paul Dunn, and if there is to be a new name on the trophy you would be hard pressed to back against the Marown captain who has already picked up an open win this season taking home the Ramsey Town Cup last weekend.

Peel have just one previous winner with Andy Kennish, who won the last of his three titles in 1999, whilst newly crowned Over 60’s Manx Champion Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly will have competition from son Stevie to get his name on the trophy for the first time, with Stevie having won the pre-festival Autumn Shield on his home green last year, which was his first singles open title.

Onchan have two previous winners in their ranks with Kevin Quirk having won the title twice, his first in 2005 at Ronairco & 2008 on Noble’s 1, whilst Phil Kerruish won on Castletown in 1986. Both of these players have vast experience and will fancy their chances on home turf. As well as their experienced players Onchan have a couple of younger players who will looking to pick up their first title with Matthew Quirk and last year’s runner up Jordan Cain hoping to go one better.

South Ramsey’s David Bradford will be looking to fire up to win title number two, whilst Glynn Hargraves, who recently won the Douglas Town Cup will be hoping to take the trophy home to add to his two back to back wins on Finch Hill & Castletown in 2012 & 2013. Both players are familiar with the Onchan green having spent over 10 years playing for Onchan up to 2015. Father and Son Dido & Stefan Kelly will also fancy their chances to pick up their first title, whilst Dido has played very little bowls this season, he will not be an easy opponent to get past.

Other players in form include 19-year-old Sam Clague, who picked up his first ever open title last weekend winning the Association Cup on his own green, it will be interesting to see if Clague can kick on from here, whilst Tom Kelly who followed up his Ramsey Town Cup win to take home the Peel Town Cup will be looking to become only the second father & son to have both won the title.

There are eight previous Manx Championship winners in the field, with a further 12 who have won singles titles over the years, who are all capable of winning. As with any Manx Championship there will be shocks along the way, with favourites taking an early bath. A tasty looking encounter in the preliminary round is between Paul Dunn & Phil Kerruish, home greener Matthew Quirk and Neil Withers face off in a repeat of the 2013 June Festival final, which Neil came out on top on last time round, whilst Tom Kelly takes on Wayne Roberts.

Best of luck to all bowlers this weekend, who knows there might just be a new name on the trophy…

South Ramsey Bowling Club hosted this year’s Over 60’s Manx Championship with the competition attracting 64 entries, 32 played on each of the qualifying days on the Tuesday & Wednesday afternoon with players having to win two games on their qualifying day to reach the finals day on Thursday.

Reaching the Last 16 before losing out were Bryan Corner (North Ramsey), Mike Thomas (Onchan), Steve Kelly (South Ramsey), there were five players who pushed their opponents all the way with Andy Kennish (Peel) losing out 19-21 to Steve Bridson (Marown), Geoff Porter (North Ramsey) lost 18-21 to Derek Allen (Onchan), team mate Colin Spence reached 20 against Frank Watson (Peel), as did Mike Alexander (Onchan) against Peter Oates (Castletown), whilst Alec Taylor (Peel) lost 19-21 to Ron Williams (Castletown).

In the quarter finals Harry Kelly (Peel) had his challenge ended by Steve Bridson, whilst home greener Chas Grills was leading 19-14 and lying game against Derek Allen, only for Derek to wick in and go on to run out with a 21-19 win. Frank Watson lost 16-21 to Ron Williams, whilst Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly (Peel) won 21-11 against Peter Oates.

The semi-finals were straightforward with Derek Allen taking a 21-15 win against Steve Bridson to take his place in the final, whilst Dave ’Barney’ Kelly took a comfortable 21-6 win over Ron Williams.

The final started with Derek Allen taking a single on the first end, then putting his jack into the corner which Barney jumped on to score a single to get into the corners, then picking up a two on the next end. Derek capitalised on two poor bowls from Barney to score a good two to level things up at 3-3. This proved to be the last end that Derek scored, and was possibly one game too many on the day for Derek, with Barney eventually coming out of the corners to play a tricky mark over the crown due to not playing up to his usual standard in the corners. Barney scored 18 consecutive chalks to take an emphatic 21-3 victory to seal the Over 60’s Manx Championship title at the first time of asking.

The presentation was made by competition secretary John Ryder, who introduced Roger Thomas to present the prizes. Thanks were given to John & Joan Ryder for running the sheet, South Ramsey for hosting the event over the three days, the greenkeepers for the excellent condition of the green, the ladies for the selection of refreshments provided, and all the club members who assisted with the measuring & stewarding throughout.

Castletown Bowling Club hosted the Association Cup on Sunday with the competition attracting 47 entries. The green was in excellent condition and was running as well as it has done for a number of years.

There were a number of shocks in the first round with some big names Neil Withers, David Bradford, Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly and last year’s winner Colin Kelly all making an early exit, which meant by the quarter final stage there would be a new name on the trophy.  

Losing out in the quarter finals were home greener Nathan Hamilton, who lost out 16-21 to team mate Sam Clague, Trevor Quayle (Port St Mary) was beaten 15-21 by South Ramsey’s Stefan Kelly, another home greener Nathan Cooil lost 16-21 to Tom Kelly (Peel) whilst Ron Williams (Castletown) lost out 14-21 to Paul Dunn (Marown).

In the semi-finals Paul Dunn ended Tom Kelly’s run with Dunn taking a comfortable 21-14 victory, whilst in the other semi-final Sam Clague just got over the line 21-19 defeating Stefan Kelly to take his place in the final.

Dunn started as favourite with the form he is in, was looking to win his second open competition of the weekend, whilst 19 year old Clague was looking to win his first singles open competition since taking up the game just over three years ago. Dunn made a good start making a great two on the first end, then moving around the green, constantly changing the mark to build up a 12-6 lead. Clague won the next four ends playing a tricky mark over the crown to trail by one chalk at 11-12. Clague continued to plug away taking three of the next four ends to take the lead for the first time in the game at 14-13. The game swung back and forth from there with Dunn responding to go 17-14 ahead and lying two only for Clague to pull out a great bowl on a long length to count and went on to take the next three ends to lead again at 18-17. Dunn wasn’t done there responding with a single and a double to lead 20-18 and was lying game only for Clague to gently tap the jack to save game and bring the score to 19-20. On the next end Dunn was once again lying game after playing a good first bowl only for Clague to play a great second bowl to once again save game and level the scores at 20-20. With a one end shootout Clague played his jack over the crown with his lead bowl going 18 inches past the jack, which Dunn failed to beat, Clague won one of the Associations top titles. Whilst the defeat was harsh on Dunn who had played his part in a great final, it was great to see Clague win his first open to the delight of his team mates and his grandad Cliff who was watching on proudly, with the final being live streamed a number of the Castletown Ladies who were bowling at Marown eagerly watched on and were said to be in tears after the final.

The presentation was made by Press Officer Glynn Hargraves, who thanked the Castletown green keeper Dave Faragher for the excellent condition of the green, thanked the club members for providing helpers throughout the day and the competition committee for running the competition.

North Ramsey hosted the Ramsey Town Cup on Saturday attracting 40 entries on one of the hottest days of the year. Due to the town cup being damaged a few years ago it has now been replaced by a shield.

Losing out in the quarter finals were home greener Brian Colquitt, who lost out to 15-21 to South Ramsey’s Austin Hart, last year’s winner Tom Kelly (Peel) lost out Alan Moore 14-21 (South Ramsey), Bryan Corner (North Ramsey) who lost to the same score to Marown captain Paul Dunn, whilst Richard Hainge (Ballaugh) reached his first quarter final in an open competition before losing out to Dave McCabe (Finch Hill) 11-21.

In the semi-finals Alan Moore ended Austin Hart’s hopes of reaching his first open final with Moore taking a convincing 21-13 victory, whilst in the other semi-final Paul Dunn had it all to do with a tough encounter against Dave McCabe before taking a 21-17 win.

In the final Dunn was quickest out of the blocks, sticking to a comfortable length to build up a good lead over his opponent. Moore could never quite recover from a poor start and was unable to get a run in the corners, as he had done in previous games throughout the day. Dunn performed well to take a deserved 21-15 victory to win his first Ramsey Town Cup. Dunn’s game has gone from strength to strength since his first open win in 2018, having won several opens since then.  The win meant each men’s singles open played for so far this year has had a different name win the competition.

The presentation was made by Mike Skelly, who thanked everyone for entering and the club members for all their assistance throughout the day. Lawrie Hooper MHK for Ramsey was then introduced to present the prizes.