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Kennish Retains Title
Mens Manx Championship Winner 2017
John Kennish being presented the Manx Championship Trophy by 2017 Association President Clare CooperSouth Ramsey’s John Kennish retained the Manx Championship at Noble’s on Sunday, and in doing so won his 10th title. Kennish has now won five more Manx Championships than his nearest rival, and continued to re-write the history books.
Losing out at the quarter-final stage were David Kelly (Peel), Jordan Cain (Onchan), Colin Kelly (Marown), and Neil Withers (Marown).
Kennish played teammate and double champion Glynn Hargraves in the semi-final, it was a close game throughout, with Hargraves lying two at 15-14 down, Kennish pulled out a great bowl to win the end and pull away from his opponent to book his place in the final with a 21-15 win.
In the other semi-final Pete Slinger (Onchan) faced teammate and two time champion Kevin Quirk. Slinger built up a 17-10 lead, Quirk then managed to close the gap on his opponent, before Slinger got back in, to get over the line 21-17.
The final started with Kennish leading well to take a commanding lead to go 15-4 up, before Slinger got back in. Slinger headed for the corners, in doing so pulled the score back to 15-10 down. At this point Kennish won the jack back, playing a very short mark, which Slinger called as being suspect for the minimum 19 metres required, this gave him the jack on three separate occasions throughout the final. This didn’t stop Kennish from kicking back into gear, to see the game out, winning 21-10. Slinger can be proud of reaching his first final, and his efforts over the course of the weekend.
Another piece of history was made with the presentation being made by the First Lady President of the Men’s Association Clare Cooper, who thanked Noble’s for the catering and club members for their assistance over the weekend, whilst a special mention was given to the standard of play, also to the juniors who had taken part in the Championship, and are the future of the game.
Recap :: Mens Manx Championship
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Draw & Results [challonge subdomain=”iombowls” url=”mensmanxchampionship2017″ width=”1060″ height=”1500″ theme=”3510″ match_width_multiplier=”0.8″ multiplier=”0.8″]
Canada Life Manx Championship preview
Manx Champion 2016
John Kennish with President Gary MerrillThe 2017 Manx Championship takes place over the weekend of Saturday 20 May, with the Nobles green in superb condition, this promises to be a great weekend of bowls. The competition is traditionally played down to the last 16 on the Saturday, then played down to the winner the following day.
Obvious favourites given their previous festival successes on this green are John Kennish (South Ramsey), who will be looking for title number 10, Colin Kelly (Marown) with five wins to his name, and David Bradford (South Ramsey) who will be keen to add to his 2015 win.
Others who have previous Manx Championship successes under their belt over ‘recent’ history, and will be keen to add to their tally are Andy Kennish (3), Kevin Quirk (2), Glynn Hargraves (2), Neil Withers (1), Ewan Cooil (1).
There has been only eight different winners over the past 20 years, however there are players who will be looking for their first championship win, with David Kelly (Peel), Dido Kelly (South Ramsey), Trevor Quayle (Port St Mary), whilst looking at the ‘younger generation’ Matthew Quirk, Jordan Cain and Rob Monk (all Onchan), Paul Dunn, Matthew Keggen and Bob Clark (all Marown), and Paul Skelly (Port St Mary) will all be looking to pick up their first win.
That said it may well be a name not already mentioned that is crowned Manx Champion, with a few capable of beating anyone on their day. What I can guarantee is a few shocks along the way.
Entries close on Thursday 18th May at 2pm. Remember you’ve got to be in it to win it.
Quirk Seals It With a ‘Kiss’
Henry Kissack Memorial Trophy Winner 2017
Kevin QuirkMarown hosted the Henry Kissack Memorial Trophy on Saturday, with 51 players taking part, it was Kevin Quirk (Onchan), overcoming the challenge of home greener Neil Withers to win the trophy. Quirk got off to a flier in the final going 10-4 up. Withers got back in to have a run of ends to level it at 10-10. At this point, Quirk won the jack back to hit top gear again to see out the game taking a 21-12 victory.
Quirk had to win six games on his way to victory, playing brilliantly all day. Quirk was at his best in his semi-final game beating John Kennish (South Ramsey) 21-14. Withers had a similar scoreline in his semi-final game, easing to a 21-15 over Peter Slinger (Onchan).
Losing quarter-finalists were home greeners Matthew Keggen, Ian Kissack and Colin Kelly, along with Steven Waters (South Ramsey).
At the conclusion of play thanks were expressed to everyone who helped made a success of the competition, with special thanks given to the Marown Ladies for the excellent refreshments provided throughout the day and the ‘grass cutter’ Colin Kelly who prepared the green in the absence of green keeper Arnie Withers.
Onchan Close Gap
Port St Mary C Mens Team 2017
Back: Steve Hall, Pete Collins, Macauley Robinson, Tim Williams, Colin LeeceFront: Thomas Keggen, Tom Wilson, Mike Ashmole
In the first division Onchan A closed the gap on rivals South Ramsey A by a point, following their visit to South Ramsey to take on the B Team, coming away with a convincing 10-0 win, with three of the home players running the visitors close before losing 17, 18 & 19 respectively. Onchan & Marown will both be hoping to close the gap further with South Ramsey sitting out the next round of fixtures.
Castletown A made the trip to Crosby, with their winning start to the season coming to an end, losing out 7-3 to Marown A, however they will have been pleased to have taken three points from a green that they have struggled to get much out of over the years. Bob Clark did all he could to get the extra point for the home team, going 20-19 up on Castletown’s Mike Hargraves, with Clark lying one for game, Hargraves then played Clark out to make two, in doing so taking the victory 21-20, to gain an extra point for the visitors.
South Ramsey A maintained their position at the top of the table, with what looked like a convincing 9-1 win away to Port Erin A, the reality was anything but that, with the home team considering themselves unlucky to be 4-0 down after the first four blocks, as it could quite easily have been 3-1 or 4-0 the other way. David Bradford notably coming back from 20-13 down to run out on Peter Addison. The lone winner for the home team Bernie Durcan dug in to come back from 16-4 down to win 21-18 against Peter Collister, in doing so picking up an all important point for his team.
North Ramsey A made the trip down South to take on Castletown B, managing to come away with a 6-4 victory, losing out 19-21 and 20-21 to miss out on taking another two points off the home team.
Douglas B hosted Port St Mary A, with the visitors coming away from the Villa with a good 8-2 win.
Ballaugh A made the short journey down the West Coast to take on Peel A, with the home team winning 8-2. For the visitors Barry McDonald & John ‘Shirt’ Keenan lost out 18-21 & 19-21 respectively.
In Division two Onchan B put the brakes on Marown B in their quest for promotion to the top flight, using their home advantage to win 7-3, in doing now sit on top of the table one point ahead of the Crosby outfit.
Noble’s B now sit in fourth place in the table, winning 7-3 against Peel B, thanks to getting the two bonus points for the aggregate, winning by two chalks overall. Peel B, who are on the same points, but with a better ‘games for’ managed to stay above Noble’s B.
Noble’s A visited the Mooragh to take on North Ramsey B, coming away with a 6-4 win.
Port Erin B made the short trip to take on Port St Mary B, but it wasn’t their night losing out 9-1 to a strong home team.
Finch Hill A continued their return to winning ways, taking home a 6-4 victory following their visit to Onchan C.
Port St Mary C (pictured) cruised to a 9-1 win over Douglas C, with Tommy Rougvie being the only winner for the visitors.
In division three South Ramsey D took on their C team, with the D Team giving a good account of themselves, taking four games off their higher ranked club mates.
Douglas D hosted Marown C, with both teams having a number of new bowlers taking each other on. The Crosby men’s extra years experience being the difference and giving hope to the Villa men that they could make similar progress themselves next season.
Peel C suffered a setback in their challenge for promotion following their visit South to take on Castletown C, with the home team managing to take a 6-4 victory despite having to give a game away.
Ballaugh C had a 7-3 away win over Peel D, whilst Noble’s C just got over the line to win 5-4 away to Finch Hill B.
Cringle Fours
Cringle Pairs Winners 2017
Neil Withers & Steve WilsonThe Cringle Fours were held on Saturday with an entry of 21 pairs.
At the conclusion of play it was the Marown pairing of Steve Wilson and Neil Withers who overcame the South Ramsey/Castletown combination of Alan Moore and Nathan Cooil 21-20 in the final, which was made all the more satisfying for the Crosby men, who came back from 15-20 down to run out in what was ‘Wilsy’s’ first men’s open competition.
Losing out 18-21 to the eventual winners in the semi-final were Stuey Garrett and Ian Moore (Douglas).
In the semi-final Dave McCabe and Bernie Durcan (Port Erin) lost out 12-21 to the runners up.
At the conclusion of play the presentation was made by Noel Cringle, with thanks made to the club for running the competition, with the sum of £250 being donated to Manx Blind Welfare Society.
Janet Reclaims Top Lady
Top Lady Winner 2017
Janet MonkThe morning weather did not bode well for the Top Lady Invitational at Port Erin on Saturday 29 April, as players made their way south through heavy rain. However, by start of play, the weather cleared giving a sunny and at time warm afternoon with players able to strip down to their shirts ! A touch of drizzle late on did not detract from the event.
In a high quality field there were some close, and some not so close, matches in the early rounds and by the quarter-finals the cream had risen to the top.
Quarter-finals: Ann Hollingworth 18, Rosie Winckle 21; Janet Monk 21, Joyce Kelly 13; Lynda Cadamy 21, Helen Martin 13; Lyn Bolton 17, Margaret Tasker 21.
In the early rounds Janet had cut a swathe through the Peel players with Joyce Kelly being the only one to reach double figures against her. In the semi-final she moved inland to Marown to tackle Rosie Winckle who, like the two other Peel players, had no answer to her accuracy on her corner-to-corner mark.
The other semi-final was much closer affair with Margaret taking an early 7-1 lead before Lynda responded to level at 11-11. After 25 ends Lynda led 19-17, but her opponent took the next four ends to run out the winner 21-19.
Semi-finals: Rosie Wickle 6, Janet Monk 21; Lynda Cadamy 19, Margaret Tasker 21.
In the final it was Janet who made the early running, racing to 14-5, then 18-8. Margaret’s fighting spirit came to the fore as she pulled back to15-19, but it was too little too late as Janet took the next two ends and the title at the end of a fascinating battle. Janet reclaims the title she last won in 2010 and joins Helen Martin, Chris Price on 3 wins with Jenny Moore holding the outright record at 4.
Final: Janet Monk 21, Margaret Tasker 15
The Presentation was made by Association president, Rosie Winckle, who thanked Port Erin For the use of their green, and the club men for the measuring and the ladies for the catering. She also thanked Elaine and Heather for their work running the sheet
Lyn Bolton Wins Pearl Kaighin Ladies’ Singles
Pearl Kaighin Winner 2017
Lyn BoltonThe sun shone on the first ladies’ singles open of the season played at Ballaugh for the Pearl Kaighin Trophy, as a field of 32 gathered to do battle. The green was running well, if a little heavier than it’s well mown appearance would suggest.
Even in the early stages there were some close matches and as the afternoon progressed the quality of the bowling was apparent.
The closest match in the quarter-finals was a family affair with Shelley Kennish coming through 21-20 against Elaine Moore.
Quarter-finals: Janet Monk 21, Kim Hargraves 9; Shelley Kennish 21, Elaine Moore 20; Lyn Bolton 21, Mavis Franks 13; Helen Martin 21, Ann Hollingworth 14.
This set up two North Ramsey v South Ramsey semi-finals.
In the first semi-final Janet Monk came through a tough battle against Shelley, while in the other a combination of Lyn’s good play and Helen “running out of steam” saw the South Ramsey player go through.
Semi-finals: Janet Monk 21, Shelley Kennish 16; Lyn Bolton 21, Helen Martin 9.
Janet had the better start in the final, being 13-7 up after six ends. The next few ends were shared taking Janet to 15-10 at which point Lyn got the bit between her teeth losing only two more ends before running out the winner 21-17.
Richard Faragher thanked those who had stayed to the end, and was pleased that the weather had held fair to the end, before introducing sponsor, Bernard Kaighin, to present his mother’s trophy.
Lyn thanked the Ballaugh club and all those who had helped during the afternoon.
Competition Changes – New Mixed Doubles This Sunday
This Sunday 23rd Peel will host a Mixed Doubles Competition – The Lancaster Cup.
This replaces the South Ramsey team competition which has been moved to September due to their facilities not being ready in time to hold the competition.
It is short notice so we are relying on word of mouth as much as anything to get entries so please pass word around your club.
Please support this new competition. To enter simply follow the link below to the website or email Phil Parker [email protected]
Rayner Shield / Plate
Rayner Shield Winners 2016 - South Ramsey A
Back: Alan Moore, John Kennish, Peter Collister, Chas GrillsFront: David Bradford, Gary Conwell, Dave Kelly, Glynn Hargraves
Unfortunately two teams fielded 5 players in their shield match – there is a minimum of 6 – so those teams are ineligible to play in the Plate competition.
As a result we had to re-draw the competition so please pass word around to the captains that the fixtures in the book are incorrect and the website has the correct fixtures from this point forward.
There are now only 16 teams in the Plate so no prelim round required.