Peel Bowling Club held the pre-festival Autumn Shield on Sunday, with an entry of 80 taking part on a fine day with the competition running like clockwork throughout the day with the competition starting at 10:00 in the morning.

With some players having to win four games just to reach the quarter final stage, David Bradford (South Ramsey) lost 17-21 to Colin Kelly (Marown), whilst James Grimston (Kirkham) beat Peter Grimston (Kirkham) 21-15. The last home greener Tommy McMeiken lost out 13-21 to Neil Withers (Marown), whilst Kevin Kelly (Marown) recovered from a 9-18 deficit to Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey) to lead 20-18 only for the latter to runout 21-20.

At the semi-final stage Grimston went into a 13-6 lead against Kelly, with the Marown man hitting back scoring four consecutive doubles to lead 14-13. Kelly went on to lead 18-16, then 20-18, however a single and a double was enough for the Kirkham man to claim a 21-20 win to progress to the final. The other semi-final saw Hargraves take the lead 14-8, with Withers responding with six chalks to level the game at 14-14. Hargraves rallied to lead 18-15, with the Marown man levelling the match up once more at 18-18. Hargraves then secured a single and a double to win 21-18.

Grimston made the better start in the final as he went into an early 14-8 lead, which quickly became 17-12 playing a short round peg. Grimston was counting for one, when a huge slice of luck for Hargraves saw him flick off his opponents short bowl, connect with the jack and score a very fortuitous two, which led to Hargraves going on to close the deficit to one chalk at 16-17. The following end saw Hargraves counting for two as he looked to go into the lead for the first time in the game, however Grimston had other ideas as he struck, moving all the bowls in the end and counted one to lead 18-16.

Three successive singles from the South Ramsey man put him in the lead at 19-18, counting one of the following end, only for Grimston to bowl in to level the score at 19-19. Another good lead from the visitor over the next two ends was enough to count for game, however on the last end Grimston’s lead bowl was a ‘sitting duck’ to the side of the jack. Hargraves nearly got another massive slick of luck flicking off a short bowl connecting with the jack, however couldn’t save game as Grimston secured a fully deserved 21-19 win and the £350 first prize, with Hargraves taking home £180.

The presentation was made by Peel competition secretary Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly who thanked the sponsor David Lancaster Limited and Central Bar & Bistro for their continued support. Club President Lynda Wilson was then introduced to present the prizes with over £900 paid out down to the quarterfinals.

The Keenan Fours was held on Saturday saw 21 pairs travel to sunny Ballaugh on a much improved playing surface, with a handicap system introduced by the club this year.

At the quarter final stage current holders Neil Withers and Paul Dunn (SCR) beat Marown clubmates Matthew Keggen and Paul Kelly (SCR) 21-15, whilst Kian and David Bradford (+3) held off home greeners Bobby Clayton and Paul Cubbon (+3). In the other half of the draw Keith Turton and James Teare (SCR)(Armthorpe/South Ramsey) lost out 14-21 to South Ramsey’s Alan Moore and Toby Hart (+3), whilst Marown’s Tom Kelly and Colin Kelly (SCR) beat Bob Clark and Paul Kissock (South Ramsey/Netherfield) (SCR) 21-20.

The semi-finals saw a comfortable win for Dunn and Withers over the Bradford’s 21-12, whilst the Kelly’s beat Moore and Hart to single figures 21-8 to take their place in the final.

The final got underway with the sun still shining, there was nothing to choose between the two pairs after the first nine ends with the score tied at 5-5, just one double scored. The game kicked into life from there with the Kelly’s scoring a three, two and one in between conceding nine chalks as Withers and Dunn took a 16-11 lead. Two successive singles from the father and son pairing saw the deficit close to one chalk at 15-16, however Withers and Dunn stopped the comeback there as they closed the game out with a double , a single and another double to win 21-15 to retain the trophy.

The presentation was made by Maurice O’Reilly who thanked the club members, everyone for entering, the catering team, and those who had stayed to watch the final. John Keenan the sponsor of the competition, presented the trophy.

Marown A edged closer to winning Canada Life International Division One this week, following a 2-8 win away to Port St Mary A at Breagle Glen, with the Crosby men just three short of picking up their second whitewash of the season, as Dan McCabe beat Dean Kipling 21-19, whilst Paul Skelly edged home 21-20 against Tom Kelly. Going close for the home team were Tom Collins who lost out 18-21 to Paul Kelly, whilst Wayne Roberts lost to the same score against Colin Kelly. With just three games to go and a seven point lead it is in Marown’s hands.

South Ramsey A went one better than last week, this time winning 1-9 away to Marown B. Four wins to single figures for the visitors, Dido Kelly just got home 21-20 against Sam Clague, whilst Stefan Kelly won to the same score against Kevin Kelly. For Marown Phil Kelly prevented the whitewash, with a 21-11 win over James Teare. Kelly was also the only man to have picked up a win in the away fixture in April.

North Ramsey A drew 4-4 on games with Onchan A at Mooragh Park in their final home fixture, with the club not having floodlights and the nights starting to draw in. Onchan won the aggregate by 20 chalks to take home a 4-6 victory. Jimmy Moffatt impressed once again, this time with a 21-17 win over Reg Temporaza, Allan Callow won to the same score against Phil Kerruish, whilst John Cannan and Steven Waters also won against Jamie Clague and Neil Dunwell respectively. Onchan captain Matthew Quirk beat opposing captain Rob Monk 21-13 for the visitors, whilst Kevin Quirk held off Paul Allison 21-18.

Peel A had a tough game away to Douglas A at the Villa, with very little to choose between the two sides, as the home team won by just three chalks (139-136) to sneak a 6-4 win. Impressing for the Villa men was Keith Rise, as he beat Peel captain George Gadsby 21-13, whilst Stuart Garrett rolled back the years to see of Pip Pemberton 21-3.

On Tuesday evening it was the return fixture for bottom side Marown C, who were at home to Castletown A. With the Town men winning 10-0 in the reverse fixture revenge would have been on the minds of the Crosby men, as they won 8-2 with a solid performance to close the gap on Port St Mary A to just two points, as they bid to stay up. The experienced duo of Andy Clark and Ian Watson were the winners for the visitors.

In Division Two league leaders South Ramsey B slipped up at home to Port Erin A, with the visitors disappointingly a man short the Ramsey men could only take home a 6-4 win. Eddie Carlyle just lost out 20-21 to Bernie Durcan, whilst George Brew won to the same score against Dylan Marsh.

Peel B are back up to second spot, closed the gap to the leaders to four chalks thanks to a 7-3 home win over Noble’s B. All five wins for Peel were comfortable, with Dougie Allan just losing out 20-21 to Jim Callister.

Onchan B made light work of visitors North Ransey B, with an 8-2 home win, with the home team dropping just nine chalks in their two defeats, as they jumped up to third place.

There is light at the end of the tunnel for Castletown B, who have been firmly rooted to the bottom of the table for the entire season, as they turned in an outstanding performance winning 8-2 at home to Ballaugh A. Things could have been worse for the visitors as Peter Oates lost 19-21 to Richard Hainge, whilst Sam Quayle just fell short 20-21 against Edgar Cowin.

The result lifted Town off the bottom by a point, with Ballaugh’s promotion hopes taking a massive hit, as they dropped to fourth place, seven points adrift of the league leaders.

Finch Hill A are too far off the top four to make a push for promotion, despite their 8-2 home win against Douglas B. For the Villa men Nick Firth won to single figures (21-9) against Mark Taylor, whilst Willie Cowley beat Les Brookes 21-18.

Meanwhile In Division Three Noble’s C had a tricky looking away fixture against Port St Mary B at Breagle Glen. The visitors would have been delighted to come away with a 1-9 win to hit top spot by two points.

Noble’s B lost 3-5 on games at home to Onchan C, however with all three wins to single figures this was enough to secure a 5-5 draw.

Noble’s D will have been disappointed to drop four points at home to low lying Marown D, which shows how far the team has progressed in less than two seasons of bowls. Mike Caley lost out 19-21 to Ryan Holdaway, whilst Steve Brennan fell at the final hurdle 20-21 to Alan Gault.

South Ramsey C could only draw 5-5 at home to Ballaugh B, in a high scoring match as they dropped just 17 chalks despite losing five games, with two losses to 16, and further losses to 17, 19, and 20.

Peel C made it a tough night for South Ramsey D in the West, as they won 9-1. Steve Kelly was the lone winner for the visitors as he beat Nathan Jones 21-11. For the home team, it was a first defeat in Division Three for Alan Moore, with Harry Kelly taking the win 21-18, whilst captain Austin hart lost 20-21 to Ross Menton, whilst Frank Feeney was held off 19-21 by Jimmy Lee.

Ballaugh C march on in Division Four as they won 8-2 at home to Peel D, with Paul Cubbon losing out 19-21 to Will Lyall, with the latter having played the game as a Junior, he has done what many do and returned to the game.

Finch Hill B won 7-3 at home to Douglas C, with the winners for the visitors Daniel Jacobs, Ashley Halsall, and David Beynon respectively.

Castletown C and Noble’s E shared the spoils on games 4-4 at the Crofts, however the visitors took the aggregate by eight chalks (132-140) for take home a 4-6 win.