News: Announcements
Keenan Pairs
Keenan Pairs Winners 2019
On Saturday Ballaugh Bowling Club hosted the Keenan Pairs Men’s Doubles. There were 26 pairs entered for the competition, which was played in generally fine weather with just a few sharp showers.
Bowing out in the quarter finals were Edward Trustham & Barry MacDonald (Ballaugh), Lee Dawson (South Ramsey) & Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary), John Keenan & John Maddrell (Ballaugh) and Stefan Kelly & Sid Bolton (South Ramsey).
Losing semi-finalists were Peter Collister & Glynn Hargraves (South Ramsey) and Steve Waters & Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly (South Ramsey).
The final was between Marown’s Neil Withers & Paul Dunn and South Ramsey’s John Kennish & David Bradford, John & David took five of the first six ends to lead 16-7. Paul & Neil took the next four ends bringing it back to 16-12, however John and David got the jack back and took the last three ends to win 21-12.
The presentation was made by John Keenan, who noted that this was the 30th year of the Keenan Pairs then thanked the Ballaugh members for organising the competition, especially Richard Faragher for running the competition together with the ladies in the kitchen for such a good spread and Trevor Jones on the BBQ. David Bradford thanked John Keenan for his continued sponsorship of the competition, the club for running such a good event and complimented the club for how well the green had improved during the season.
September Festival Preview
September Festival Winners 2018
The Isle of Man September Bowling Festival takes place next week with a host of top names from across the game hoping to be the lucky winner who gets their name on the trophy and the winners cheque for £3,000. Entries are up on previous year’s with the highest September Men’s entry since 2009 and there is a good quality field entered.
On the first page of the draw 2010 winner Wayne Ditchfield (Kirkham) is rumoured to be a doubt to make it over for the week, whilst Joseph Cranston (Crossgates) will be hoping for a good run, this page carrying further names with festival history behind them. Neil Withers (Marown) won his title in June 2013, with the man he beat in the final Matthew Quirk (Onchan) a possible third round face off this time round. Two-time winner Martin Gilpin (Kendal Vic) could face former finalist Callum Wraight (Castlefields) should both players win two games for what could be an intriguing encounter half way through the week.
Page two also has three former winners with 2016 June winner Kez Smith (Crossgates), 2012 September winner Dave Phillips (Lloyd Hotel) and local David Bradford (South Ramsey) with his win as far back as 2002, whilst former finalist Craig Grant (Thongsbridge) also features and will be hoping to go one step further to take his first festival win.
Over to page three where another June 2000 winner Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly (Peel Sunset) has a tricky first round fixture against regular visitor Andy Mailer (Meersbrook BC), whilst John Bailey (Castlefields) will be keen to pick up his second September title having won his first title in 2017.
On the next page it is 29 years since Kevan Shaw (Red Lion) picked up his only title, could come up against Stuart Mort (Kirkham) in round three, with a potential clash at the same stage between Steve Freer (Cradley Sports) and Jon Guess (Fairfield BC) should both players win their first two games.
On page five Onchan man Jordan Cain has suffered a blow having fractured a bone on his elbow after recently coming off his bike to put an early end to his season. This opens up a path for Mark Hughes (Crossgates) who lost out to John Bailey in 2017, however Port St Mary man Trevor Quayle will be confident of a good run himself.
Page six sees 1991 winner Phil Kerruish (Onchan) back from his travels in time to take part, whilst Matthew Kelly-Walley (Stretton Anglesey) will be hoping for a good week as will Marown captain Paul Dunn who could go far and will not fear anyone if he carries on his good form.
On page seven 2003 winner Matt Gilmore (Wallasey) is another former winner, whilst the experienced Billy Speed (Alexander Park) will be hoping to go far with a potential last 16 clash this could be a great game to watch for the spectators.
On the next page this has a potential second game clash between two former winners Gaz Lally (Crossgates) who has one festival win to his name from 2015, whilst local John Kennish is the current title holder and has five festival wins to his name. Not to be discounted is Paul Skelly (Port St Mary) another man capable of beating anyone on his day.
On the final page this is heavily littered with previous winners and finalists with 2014 runner up Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly (South Ramsey) potentially facing three-time winner Ian Nicholson (Kendal Vic), whilst regular visitor David Jackson (Knutsford) is another man looking for his second title. Paul Bailey (Meersbrook BC) is rumoured to missing out, whilst Colin Kelly (Marown) has one title to his name from 2008 and will be keen to fly under the radar.
With six greens in use and several different competitions throughout the week there is plenty of bowls for everyone it should make for a great week of bowls.
Have a great week!
Moore & Teare Go One Better
Sowerbutts Trophy Winners 2019
Photo: Glynn HargravesOn Bank Holiday Monday Port Erin Bowling Club hosted the Sowerbutts Trophy mixed doubles. There were 20 pairs entered who enjoyed the glorious weather.
Losing out in the quarter finals were two South Ramsey pairs, Elaine Moore & Glynn Hargraves, Kim Hargraves and Stefan Kelly, Steph Swift (Port Erin) and Rod Swift (Port St Mary) along with home greeners Lynda & Derek Cadamy.
Losing semi-finalists were Joyce Ogden (Marown) & Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary) along with Caroline Whitehead (Port Erin) & Edward Carlyle (South Ramsey).
In the final South Ramsey pair Jenny Moore & James Teare went one better than the previous day, having lost in the final at Ballaugh to take a fairly comfortable 21-14 win over Chris Price (Port St Mary) & Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly (South Ramsey).
The presentation was made by competition secretary and sponsor Janet Shilling, who thanked everyone who had entered, then went on to say that the trophy had been put up by her father. After being presented with the trophy James thanked Janet for sponsoring the competition.
Port St Mary A Crowned League Champions Again
Ladies Over 60s League Winners - 2019 - Port St Mary A
Back: Ann Maddrell, Rita Callister, Wendy Kennaugh, Margaret TaskerFront: Trish Bull, Val Macfarlane, Mavis Franks
The final league matches were played on Tuesday and as anticipated it was a close finish resulting in Port St Mary A winning the league title but by just 2 points!
The A team arrived at Breagle to play Port Erin ‘s A team in the final match of the season holding a 16-point lead over Peel.
The Port Erin side played exceptionally well in a very close game taking the league leaders to a 92-95 (2-4) final score and surely reducing their overall points total.
The 2 wins came from Lynda Cadamy, who won 21-2, and Jacqui Elliot, who won 21-9, with 3 of the remaining team reaching double figures giving them 92 points in total. However, Port St Mary had their eyes firmly on the prize and got 4 wins from Margaret Tasker, Tricia Bull, Mavis Franks and Ann Maddrell taking their total to 95 points.
Meanwhile in Ballaugh Brenda Bowyer and her team awaited the arrival of Peel.
Glorious conditions and a much-improved green saw some excellent bowls played.
Ballaugh fought hard against the visitors and had 3 wins from Barbara Graham, Carol Holt and Voirrey Oates plus double figures from all the other players. In contrast Peel also played well, trying hard to close the 16-point lead that the southern side were holding. Peel bagged 3 wins from Joyce Kelly, Mary Moffatt and Heather Horsburgh to clinch a 5-point victory 104-109 (3-3) but in the end Port St Mary were crowned league champions for another year.
Castletown were keen to hold onto their 3rd position in the league when they played their nearest rivals Marown. The visitors played well but were unable to dominate the home side and the final score was 114-95 (4-2).
As well as the league being decided the Merit Table has been topped by Elaine Moore who has had an outstanding season winning all of her games.
To finish my final league report for 2019 I thought I would leave you all with a poem dedicated to all new bowlers. We need as many new recruits as we can get to strengthen our sport and provide continuity for the future.
DON’T GIVE UP
When the summer day is over and I’ve put my bowls away
I sit before my iPad and I wonder what to say
Oh, the time has gone so quickly I can’t believe it’s done
With all the games decided, are they lost or won?
April saw the start of bowling and we played it twice a week
Wet and windy and no sunshine, followed up with lots of cake.
We started off quite handy full of hope and motivation
Perhaps next year they’ll choose us to represent the nation!
But no, it didn’t last we bowled our bowls a bit too fast
Jack up they cried Long tapes they cried
But most of all “All but “they cried
More land, Reach up, my finger, your thumb
Oh my goodness what have I done.
Even when we’re down the Park we sometimes cannot reach the mark,
Too short, Too long, Too narrow, Too wide
Our lack of practice you couldn’t hide.
The captains said “well done “well played “You are improving “
So come on girls let’s get moving.
The winter league is set to start
A mid-week game at Nobles Park
Send the form in, pay the subs
There’s lots of bowlers from all clubs
But don’t be late, listen and learn.
Then maybe next year it will be our turn.
Moore & Hargraves Win Again
Maddrell Mixed Pairs Winners 2019
Photo: Richard FaragherOn Sunday the Ballaugh Bowling Club hosted the Maddrell Mixed Pairs. There were 36 pairs entered and they enjoyed the fine weather and some good play.
Bowing out in the quarter finals were Paula Firth (Noble’s) & Sid Bolton (South Ramsey), Kim Hargraves & Stefan Kelly (South Ramsey), Fiona Kennish & Steven Waters (South Ramsey), along with Linda & Derek Cadamy (Port Erin).
Losing semi-finalists were Clare Cooper (Noble’s) & Walter McCarthy (Marown) and Chris Price (Port St Mary) & Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly (South Ramsey) which left the final an all South Ramsey affair between Elaine Moore & Glynn Hargraves and Jenny Moore & James Teare a replay of the Spar Mixed Pairs Final.
Jenny and James made a good start being 14-9 up after nine ends. Elaine and Glynn then had two three’s to take the lead 15-14, Elaine and Glynn took the last three ends to win 21-16.
The presentation was made by John Keenan on behalf of John Maddrell who could not be there, who thanked the Ballaugh members for organising the competition especially Richard Faragher for running the competition and Pat Mason and her team in the kitchen for such a good spread. Glynn in the speech thanked everyone for such a good competition.
Port St Mary A Do The Double
JMS Shield Winners - 2019 - Port St Mary A
Back: Ann Maddrell, Rita Callister, Margaret Tasker, Wendy KennaughFront: Trish Bull, Val Macfarlane, Mavis Franks
The final of the ladies’ over 60’s JMS team handicap took place at Finch Hill on Thursday 22 August. The wet weather early in the morning put doubt on its going ahead, but the organisers took a gamble and the weather improved a little as the morning progressed. To quote one of the players “We have played in a lot worse!”
Port St Mary A, who had narrowly clinched the league title on Tuesday, beating Peel Sunset by two points, were taking on Port Erin A who started with a 15 point advantage. The games were played as drawn with teams taking alternate jacks.
The first game on saw Tricia Bull, for PSM A, race to a 20-2 lead against Carol Kaye who then got the jack and managed to claw back another 7 points before losing 21-9.
Mavis Franks and Voirrey Curphey, for Port Erin, were evenly matched for sixteen ends, Mavis just leading 12-11 at that point, before a period of dominance gave her a 20-13 lead. Voirrey fought back well, eventually going down 21-17.
The game of the morning saw Port Erin’s captain, Jacqui Elliott, drawn against Margaret Tasker. Early exchanges saw the players level at 9-9 after fourteen ends, before Margaret with a single and three 2’s in the next five ends took a 15-10 advantage. Jacqui won the next six ends to edge ahead 17-15. The next three ends took her to 20 -17, before two 2’s gave Margaret the game 21-20.
The match at the halfway point could not have been much closer; taking the handicap into account the score was Port Erin A 61, Port St Mary A 63, leaving all to play for in the last three games.
Val Macfarlane was in imperious form against Port Erin’s Jenny Cain, reaching 9-0 before Jenny had time to blink. Jenny dug in to take the next five ends, 6-9, but only managed another 2 points before Val came through 21-8.
Game 5 was “nip and tuck” for the first nineteen ends, when Port Erin A, in the form of Joyce Ogden, just led Wendy Kennaugh 12-11. With the bit between her teeth Joyce then dropped just two more points, taking the game 21-13, to record Port Erin A’s only win.
The final game promised to be a good one as Ann Maddrell (PSM A) faced up to Lynda Cadamy. The game lived up to its billing. Initially Ann had the advantage, leading 12-6 after fourteen ends, before the next four ends saw the score level at 12-12. The two players then stayed with each other up to 17-17, before Ann took the next three ends, and the game, 21-17.
The final score : Port St Mary A 118, Port Erin A 107 saw a win for Port St Mary A by just eleven points.
Congratulations go to Port St Mary A, on the week they won “The Double”, and also to Port Erin A for their contribution to a close final this morning.
The presentation was made by Janet Latham who thanked Finch Hill for the use of their green, the ladies who had contributed to the refreshments, the men for measuring and everyone who had turned up to watch.
September Festival Main Draws
The September festival draws have been released which can be downloaded in PDF format using the links below.
Derek Killey Memorial Trophy
Derek Killey Memorial Trophy Winners 2019
Glynn Hargraves & Elaine MooreOnchan Bowling Club hosted the Derek Killey Memorial Trophy with the green once again running well 27 pairs entered the competition.
Taking the win in an entertaining final were the South Ramsey pairing of Elaine Moore and Glynn Hargraves who defeated Alison Keggen (Noble’s) and Neil Withers (Marown). The South Ramsey pair took the lead 13-7, then maintained a six point lead at 16-10. Keggen and Withers then took a single and a double. From there neither pairing were able to win two consecutive ends, however Keggen and Withers did manage to score two further doubles to bring the score back to 17-18 and were then lying two before Hargraves bowled in twice for the South Ramsey pair to go 20-17 ahead. On the next end Moore led a bowl less than a foot to the side only for Keggen to put one closer still, which wasn’t beaten to bring the score to 18-20 . On the last end with Keggen and Withers lying three for game Hargraves changed his peg and just made enough connection with the jack to take the win 21-18 in a keenly contested final.
Both semi-finals could not have been any closer with Moore & Hargraves taking on Rebecca Teare and Nathan Hamilton with the latter pair fighting back from a 13-18 deficit before eventually losing out 20-21. In the other semi Lyn Bolton and Trevor Quayle also lost to the same score to Keggen and Withers after recovering from a 13-17 deficit to just lose out.
Losing out at the quarter final stage were Paula Firth (Noble’s) and Sid Bolton (South Ramsey), Chris Price (Port St Mary) and Dave Kelly (South Ramsey), Dee Lewis (Onchan) and Kevin Firth (Noble’s) along with Lynda and Derek Cadamy (Port Erin).
The presentation was made by Mike Thomas who thanked everyone that had entered, the ladies for running the competition along with the superb refreshments provided. Mike then said that the competition had raised a fantastic amount of £450 for Cruse Bereavement, this amount was then boosted by the runners up and winners handing back their winnings to go towards the donation. When accepting the trophy Elaine said she was pleased to win the trophy played for in memory of Derek Killey, who was well known around the greens, his legacy lives on with the popular outdoor winter league still going strong.
Marown Retain Club Team Championship
Club Team Championship Winners 2019
Back: Rosie Winckle, Juan Killip, James Kelly, Bobby Thorne, Harry Barton, Matthew Keggen, John Gelling, Peter Kelly, Philippa TaylorFront: John Kelly, Neil Withers, Colin Kelly, Paul Kelly, Dean Kipling
The Club Team Championship was brought to a conclusion at Port St Mary bowling club on Saturday afternoon with the semi-finals being played and the final being held immediately after.
This year the format changed to four doubles and six singles following an increase in the number of players in a team from 11 to 14 with the ladies now eligible to play. The four qualifiers from the group stages were Marown, Noble’s, Peel & South Ramsey.
The change in format seemed popular with a good atmosphere around the green, which attracted over 120 people.
In the first semi-final Noble’s were up against Peel, with Noble’s using seven ladies in their starting line-up. Peel won 6-4 on games, however in this format the matches are decided on chalks, which Peel took comfortably by 31 chalks (179-148). The closest match was between Mary Moffatt (Peel) and David Pease (Noble’s) with Mary taking a 21-19 win. A big factor in swinging the match in Peel’s favour was three wins to single figures with Andy Kennish & David Proctor pairing up to defeat Steve Hall & Jan West 21-4, Tommy McMeiken won 21-7 against Kevin Firth whilst Joyce Kelly beat Terry Bates 21-8. Tom Kelly put in a good performance to defeat Debbie Leece 21-11, whilst for Noble’s Alison Keggen beat Paul Quirk 21-15. Noble’s other three wins all came from their doubles games.
In the second semi-final Marown were pushed fairly closely by South Ramsey who used six ladies in their team. The games won also ended 6-4 in favour of Marown with the chalks favouring Marown by 17 (185-168). There were several close individual encounters with Peter Kelly just getting past Edward Carlyle 21-20, James Kelly & John Kelly were paired together and just got over the line 21-19 against Elaine Moore & Chas Grills, whilst Neil Withers had a tough encounter with Shelley Kennish with Withers winning 21-18. South Ramsey secured two 21-19 wins in the doubles with Lyn Bolton & Stefan Kelly holding off Juan Killip & Colin Kelly, whilst Tony Dugdale & Sid Bolton got home against Philippa Taylor & Rosie Winkle. In the singles Dean Kipling put in a superb display to see off James Teare 21-7, whilst Fiona Kennish did likewise for South Ramsey with a 21-9 victory against Matthew Keggen. Dido Kelly put in a good performance to defeat Paul Kelly 21-12.
The final started immediately after the conclusion of the semi-final matches with Marown heavy favourites to retain the title they took last year. Marown didn’t disappoint putting in a good performance to take control in the first half of the match winning the first five games to take a 44 chalk lead with two big wins in the doubles from John Kelly & Bobby Thorne (21-7) against Mick Kavanagh & David Proctor, whilst Dean Kipling & Paul Kelly won 21-8 against Tom Kelly & Paul Quirk. In the singles Matthew Keggen won 21-10 against Paul ‘Pookie’ Quirk, Rosie Winkle won 21-16 against Harry Kelly, whilst Harry Barton performed well to beat Andy Kennish 21-20.
In the second half Peel managed to pick up three wins with Mary Moffatt & Stevie Kelly teaming up to defeat Peter Kelly & Colin Kelly 21-15, Gary Smith & Peter Greenlees beat Philippa Taylor & Juan Killip 21-12 with Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly picking up a win in the singles with a hard fought 21-17 victory over James Kelly. In the remaining two games John Gelling beat Joyce Kelly 21-11, whilst Neil Withers had to work hard to hold off Tommy McMeiken 21-17. Marown won by a margin of 39 chalks (191-152).
The presentation was made by Association Press Officer Glynn Hargraves who thanked Port St Mary Bowling Club for being such superb hosts for finals day, with the club having helpers on hand to measure and the ladies providing superb refreshments, whilst also wishing the club well with their future. When accepting the trophy the winning captain Paul Kelly thanked his team, whilst also pointing out that it had been a club effort having used 28 players throughout the competition.
Hargraves Doubles Up
Onchan Commissioners Cup Winners 2019 - Glynn Hargraves & Dido Kelly
Photo: Kim HargravesOnchan Bowling Club hosted the Commissioners Cup for the second any combination doubles of the weekend with the green running well and 33 pairs taking part.
Taking his second win of the weekend and third win in this competition in four years South Ramsey captain Glynn Hargraves paired up with teammate Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly taking on fellow teammates Alan Moore and Stefan Kelly in an entertaining final with the latter pair just losing out 18-21. Dido Kelly & Moore both played some superb bowls throughout a well contested final.
Both semi-finals were well contested with the home pairing of Maureen Payne and Mike Thomas losing out to the winning pair 17-21, whilst the other semi-final was even closer with another South Ramsey pair Jenny Moore and James Teare reaching the latter stages before losing out 19-21 to the runners up.
Losing out at the quarter final stage were the home pairing of Kelvin McNicholl and Allan Kennaugh, the South Ramsey pairing of Elaine Moore & Steven Waters, Sue Gawne (Onchan) & Brian Kelly (Marown) along with the Marown pair Walter McCarthy & Colin Kelly.
The presentation was made by Kevin Quirk who thanked everyone that had entered, the club members for their help with the running of the competition and the ladies for the superb refreshments. The prizes were then presented by competition secretary Mike Thomas. In his speech Glynn Hargraves commented on the good condition of the green, which had suited them throughout the day.