Marown Bowling Club hosted the Henry Kissack Memorial Trophy on Sunday attracting an entry of 47, down on last years’ entry of 56, however there was a good quality of bowlers in the field, who were treated to a top quality playing surface.

With the rain setting in before the quarter finals, losing out in the quarter finals were Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey) 18-21 to Onchan man Matthew Quirk, with the latter getting himself out of trouble when lying two down at 17-18 to score two himself, going on to run out with a 21-18 win. Glenn Boland scored just three chalks against Marown team mate Colin Kelly as the former lost 6-21. Mike Hargraves (Castletown) made a rare appearance at an open, however the 82 year old lost out 10-21 in his third game to home greener Neil Withers, whilst Andy Kennish (Marown) held off Marown A team captain Paul Dunn 21-18.

The semi-finals were very one-sided affairs as Quirk shown the form he was in, beating Colin Kelly to single figures as he romped home 21-8. In the other semi-final this ended up the same score as Withers eased his way into the final as he beat Kennish.

The final started with Quirk the favourite, despite having not previously won a men’s singles competition, due to the form he had displayed throughout the afternoon, having defeated three fellow island players en route to the final (Peter Jones/Glynn Hargraves/Colin Kelly).

The early ends saw Quirk take a 7-3 lead over the Marown man, with Withers closing the deficit to just one chalk at 6-7. Quirk then took control of the game to lead 14-7, extending this further to 19-12 playing to the crown and back to the corner, with good quality bowls from both players. Withers took four consecutive singles to put the deficit at just three chalks (16-19). A good lead from Withers was beaten by a great bowl from the Onchan man to put himself with touching distance of the title. Withers had other ideas as two singles, with a close measure going in his favour made it three consecutive singles to put himself right in the mix with the score now 19-20.

A good lead from Withers approximately six inches to the side of the jack was nearly beaten by Quirk’s first bowl. Withers was unable to make two due to where Quirks’s bowl sat, there was quite a bit of danger. Quirk’s last bowl was sent right down the track, as the Onchan man made sure he was up as he had two shots to play – promoting his own bowl onto the jack, or to sit out Withers counting bowl, with the latter option being taken, with a great last bowl to settle a good quality final for a 21-19 win. This was Quirk’s first men’s singles open competition, having suffered heartbreak in a number of finals over the years, this success was more than deserved beating four fellow Island team players on his way to winning.

The presentation was made by competition secretary Brian Kelly, who thanked the club members for assisting throughout the day, the team in the kitchen for the refreshments and the green keeper for preparing the green. Marown President Peter Kelly then presented the prizes. In his speech Matthew stated it was his first men’s singles opens win and he was delighted to have won the competition.

Week six of fixtures took place in Canada Life International Division One on Monday evening in much needed glorious conditions.

The upset of the week arrived on Tuesday evening as Peel A took on Marown C at Crosby, with the home picking up a timely first victory of the season as they won 7-3. For the home team John Kelly and Darren Kerruish picked up their first wins of the season, beating Tommy McMeiken and Peter Greenlees respectively, Sid Bolton trounced Gary Smith 21-4, with Walter McCarthy also winning to single figures as he beat Stevie Kelly 21-7. The result took the Marown men off the foot of the table by a point, jumping above Port St Mary A.

Marown A extended their lead at the top once again as they came away from the Villa with a 2-8 win over Douglas A, with two of their players having to dig deep to get over the line as Colin Kelly beat April Player of the Month Gordy Wynne-Smythe 21-17, with Dean Kipling pushed all the way before prevailing against Stuart Garrett 21-20. Three of the wins for the visitors were to single figures, whilst the two wins for the home team were 21-14 as Andy Cannell beat Glenn Boland, and Merv Sayle won against Tom Kelly.

South Ramsey A visited Breagle Glen to take on Port St Mary A on an unexpectedly tricky green, as the home team took three points in their 3-7 defeat. Trevor Quayle recovered from a 3-12 deficit to beat Dido Kelly 21-15, Wayne Roberts beat South captain Glynn Hargraves 21-16, and Robbie Cooil held off Peter Collister 21-17. The visitors had three wins to single figures, with Stefan Kelly getting over the line 21-17 against Juan Hargraves.

Onchan A had a tricky looking fixture away to Marown B, so it proved with 11 chalks separating the teams (140-151) as the Onchan men won 3-7. Sam Clague did enough to beat Jamie Clague for the Crosby men, whilst for the visitors Steve Parker beat Karl Parker 21-19, with Peter Slinger sneaking home 21-20 against Kevin Kelly.

Castletown A came away from their game with North Ramsey A at Mooragh Park with a 7-3 defeat, which could have been 9-1 to the home team as Town captain Jordan Drewett beat Steve Walmsley 21-20, with Dean Kinley repeating the trick as he held off Dave Moncaster to the same score.

In Division Two Noble’s A caused an upset away to second placed side South Ramsey B, as they won 4-6 edging the aggregate by five chalks (134-139). The four winners for the visitors were Alex Yates who beat James Evans 21-10, John Andrew won 21-8 against George Brew, Juan Qualtrough cruised home 21-12 against Christian Caley, whilst Jim Callister just got over the line 21-20 against Toby Hart. For the home team Alan Moore won 21-4 against John Short.

Peel B show no sign of taking their foot off the gas, as they disposed of fourth placed team Douglas B 9-1 to stretch their lead at the top to 10 points after just six games, as they look to reclaim their first division status, with three players winning close games to 17, 19 and 20. Steve Cook was the lone winner for the Villa men as he beat David Smith 21-13.

Ballaugh A sit in third place, will have been disappointed to come away from Finch Hill A with a 6-4 defeat, as they lost the aggregate by 16 chalks (144-128).

Castletown B finally got their season underway with their first win of the season, which they did in style with their 9-1 home win over North Ramsey B at the Crofts, the visitors scored just 77 chalks, with the Town men winning four games to single figures.

Nobles B continue to set the pace in Division Three, however they were tested by Marown D this week as they were held to a 4-4 draw on games, only managing to edge the aggregate to secure a 6-4 win by two chalks (148-146) in a high scoring match, with only two wins to single figures, one for each team.

Noble’s C are hot on the heels of their B team, as they beat their D Team 7-3, with 11 chalks between them (146-135), with Paul Clinton the biggest winner for the C as he won 21-5 against Paul Moore.

South Ramsey C were held to a 4-4 draw at home to Onchan C, with the aggregate going in favour of the home team by a margin of 14 chalks to seal a 6-4 win.

Peel C lost 3-5 on games at home to Ballaugh B, however two single figure victories from James Lee and Andy Jackson helped salvage a draw as they won the aggregate by 13 chalks (146-133).

Port St Mary B welcomed South Ramsey D to Breagle Glen with the home side coming away with an 8-2 win.

In Division Four Douglas D picked up their first win of the season as they beat Peel D 6-4 at home. Castletown C went one better as they also claimed their first win of the season with an 8-2 home win over Douglas C.

Two newly formed teams North Ramsey C and Noble’s E clashed at Mooragh Park with the home team claiming an 8-2 victory, as the visitors missed out on reaching 100 chalks by just two chalks.

Onchan Bowling Club hosted the Association Cup on Sunday afternoon with the competition sponsored by Plumbmaster attracting 41 entries this year. The weather was glorious throughout the day.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were Marown’s Matthew Keggen 17-21 to South Ramsey’s Glynn Hargraves, Colin Kelly (Marown) was comfortably beaten 12-21 by fellow left hander Trevor Quayle (Port St Mary). In the other half of the draw South Ramsey’s David Bradford won 21-8 against Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary), whilst Paul Dunn beat Marown club mate Juan Killip 21-10.

The semi-finals were two very different stories with Quayle taking an early lead8-4 only for Hargraves to run out with a 21-9 win to take his place in the final. In the other semi-final Bradford and Dunn who contested last year’s final drew level five times, with Bradford making the first move to take an 18-14 lead. Dunn had to dig deep to finish strongly with two doubles and three singles in between a great bowl from Bradford to level up at 19-19 as the Marown captain edged home 21-19.

The final got underway with both players intent on picking up the title for the first time, it was Dunn who started strongly to take an early 11-6 lead. Hargraves drew back to within two chalks at 9-11, however Dunn picked up five consecutive singles to build up a 16-9 lead. Three singles over four ends from the South Ramsey man put the score at 12-17, however Dunn got back in to finish with a single, his second double of the final and a single to see out a well-deserved 21-12 victory to go one better than 2023.

The presentation was made by Competition Secretary Matthew Keggen, who thanked Plumbmaster for sponsoring the competition, Onchan Bowling Club for hosting, the club members for providing helpers and refreshments throughout the day.

The second round of the Plumbmaster Rayner Shield & the first round of the Rayner Plate took place this week, with a mixed bag of weather. Monday was particularly wet with heavy rain throughout the afternoon into the evening, with home advantage lost for all teams who were drawn to play at home.

After their 6-4 away defeat to Marown A in the league last week South Ramsey A hosted the Crosby men five days later. This time out in completely different conditions, as the home team raced into a 3-1 lead at the half-way stage, with Bob Clark beating Neil Withers 21-15, Glynn Hargraves won to the same score against Colin Kelly, while David Bradford beat Tom Kelly 21-13. Hitting back for Marown Paul Dunn finished the game strongly holding off Stefan Kelly 21-19.

In the second half South Ramsey ensured their names went into the draw for the next round as James Teare beat Dean Kipling 21-15 to make the score 4-1 with a 24-chalk lead. Pulling a game back for Marown Glenn Boland overturned a 16-20 deficit against Jordan Cain to win 21-20. Dido Kelly picked up win number five for the home team as he beat Paul Kelly 21-14, then Peter Jones ensured it wasn’t a heavier defeat as he won 21-17 against Peter Collister. The match ended 5-3 to South Ramsey with 26 chalks separating the teams (161-135), with the home team dropping just seven chalks.

The closest game of the night was between Onchan C and Port Erin A at the Park, with the game ending 4-4, this was decided on chalks which went in favour of the Onchan men by four chalks (140-136).

North Ramsey A hosted Ballaugh A at Mooragh Park, with the home side seeing off their opponents 6-2, helped by three single figures wins from Paul Allison, Rob Monk, and Jimmy Moffatt. Winning for the visitors were Richard Hainge, who beat Steven Waters 21-13, whilst Mike Spooner won 21-10 against Gary Merrill.

Castletown A didn’t have it all their own way with their 5-3 victory, as they faced Division Two side Noble’s B at the Crofts. For the home team Nathan Cooil and Dean Kinley won 21-8 against Grahem Moore and Alex Hampson respectively.

Marown B played Noble’s C at Crosby, with the Division One side progressing thanks to a 6-2 win. The Noble’s men did put up a good fight, with Kevin Moore beating Matthew Keggen 21-19, Sam Colquitt beat Karl Parker 21-20. Alex Colquitt just lost out 20-21 to Harry Barton, whilst Roy Moore got to 17 against Brian Kelly.

Onchan A are now the second highest ranked team left in the competition, they took a convincing 1-7 away victory over Castletown B on a much nicer evening (Tuesday), with the home team scoring just 78 chalks as the Onchan men won five games to single figures. The lone winner for Town was Peter Oates who beat Jamie Clague 21-13.

Bottom of Division One Team – Marown C will be hoping for another good run in the Shield, they took on the team that sit top of Division Two – Peel B at Crosby, with the home team running out convincing 7-1 winners.

Peel C reached the quarter finals with a 2-6 away win over North Ramsey C.

In the Rayner Plate handicaps were awarded based on league position, along with whether teams were drawn at home or away.

South Ramsey C (+60) visited Ballaugh C (+55) with the away team coming away win a win by 14 chalks (182-196). Marown D (+70) came away from Peel D (+65) with a convincing win by 36 chalks.

Port St Mary B (+55) upset their higher ranked A Team (+15) as the match ended 4-4 on games which gave little prospect for the A Team to recover 40 chalks as they lost by 28 chalks on the night (187-159).

Onchan B (+35) overturned a 35 chalk deficit against South Ramsey D (+70) to win by 36 chalks (198-162) at the Park.

Second Division side South Ramsey B (+30) had just a 15 chalk start on Peel A (+15) to hold onto, however the men from the Sunset City managed to win by six chalks in a high scoring match (171-177).

Douglas B (+30) couldn’t use home advantage to overturn a 35 deficit on Ballaugh B (+65) as they lost by 22 chalks (168-190) despite winning 5-3 on games,

Finch Hill A (+30) comfortably turned over a 45-chalk handicap at home to Douglas C (+75) winning 8-0 on games to win by 27 chalks (198-171).

North Ramsey B (+40) hosted Noble’s A (+55) at Mooragh Park with the match finishing 4-4 on chalks, with the visitors holding on to progress, with the handicap coming into play as they won by seven chalks (174-181).