News: General
Avant Amenity Mixed Doubles
Avant Amenity Mixed Doubles Winners 2018
Jenny Moore, Mike Atherton (Sponsor), James TeareOn Saturday 14th April the Avant Amenity sponsored Mixed Doubles was held by Douglas Bowling Club on a superb bowling surface at the ‘Villa’.
The sunshine arrived just in time for the start and ensured a bright afternoon and great bowls from all taking part in what proved to be a great days bowls for competitors and spectators.
With twenty nine pairs taking part there were some very competitive matches from the onset and as we arrived at the Semi Final Stage we had Alison Keggen and Brian Kelly drawn to play Lyn Bolton and Trevor Quayle and Jenny Moore and James Teare to play Kim Hargraves and Alan Moore.
In the first of these Semi Finals we saw the pairing of Alison Keggen and Brian Kelly not quite maintaining their brilliant early afternoon form and eventually losing out 21-9 to the ever consistent Lyn Bolton and Trevor Quayle.
The second Semi Final was a much closer affair with Jenny Moore and James Teare being severely tested by Kim Hargraves and Alan Moore before eventually winning 21-19.
The Final started with Lyn and Trevor looking as if they would take the honours but Jenny and James although looking down at times were certainly not out and a dramatic last couple of ends saw Jenny and James run out 21-18 winners.
The prizes were presented by Mike Atherton of Sponsors Avant Amenity and in his winners speech James thanked the Sponsor and commented on the good condition of the Douglas Bowling Club Green.
Champion of Champions
The Champion of Champions was held at the Waterloo over the weekend with the Men’s event taking place on Saturday.
South Ramsey’s John Kennish qualified through winning the Manx Championship earlier this year, however Kennish lost out in his first game to Gareth Herbert 21-12.
The eventual winner was Michael Beer who defeated teammate Callum Wraight 21-11 to secure his first Champion of Champions title.
In the semi-final Wraight ended the challenge of hot favourite Greg Smith 21-20 in a fascinating game that will live long in the memory, whilst Beer defeated the newly crowned Autumn Waterloo winner Wayne Ditchfield 21-16 to book his place in the final.
On Sunday in the Ladies event there was more South Ramsey representation, with Shelley Kennish (Manx Championship winner) and Jenny Moore (September Pre Festival winner) who managed to get a late entry due to another player double qualifying for the event.
Kennish won her first game with a 21-19 victory over Lisa Kerford, whilst Moore won by an even closer score line of 21-20 over Jo Webster.
Kennish just lost out 21-18 to the experienced Gay Cooper in the second round, whilst Moore booked her place in the quarter finals courtesy of a strong 21-12 win over Kellie Hill.
In her quarter final game Moore had the tough challenge of facing Emily Kernick, but battled well to only just lose out 21-17.
Losing out in the semi-finals were Nicola Boulton and Emily Kernick.
The eventual winner was Lynsey Gorman who beat Angela Gaut 21-9 in the final.
Bailey is cream of crop
Mens September Festival Winner 2017
John BaileyJohn Bailey (Llanrwst) was the cream of the crop as he picked up his first title in the main event at the Isle of Man Bowls Festival last week, having been successful in the Tourism competition in previous years.
He began his day with a last bowl victory over Neil Rigden (New Longton), before getting the better of former champ Wayne Ditchfield (Kirkham) in the semis.
His opponent, Mark Hughes from Crossgates, began with a 21-16 win against Chris Slater (Colwyn Bay); then cruised to the final by beating another Welsh player, Gwerydd Buckland (Bangor City).
The destination of the Derek Killey memorial trophy was ultimately decided by a great spell in the middle of the game when Bailey notched up five successive two’s to turn a deficit into a seven point advantage.
He led 19-12 at this stage, however Hughes then dug deep to increase his total to 16, but it was not to be for the Crossgates man, who had won the Tourism event back in 2012, as his opponent scored the two required to taste victory with a 21-16 scoreline.
Competing in the quarter-finals of the ladies main tournament were locals Lyn Bolton (South Ramsey) and Caroline Parker (Mooragh Park); Lyn making it through to the semi-finals, whilst Caroline lost out in her opening game.
This final was fought out between Anita Richardson (Hoylake & Melrose) who had beaten Bolton, and Angela Gaut (Wrockwardine Wood) who eliminated her fellow Shropshire opponent, Julie Pearce (Meole Brace) in the last four.
Gaut, who had also been successful in the Tourism competition on previous visits, trailed her opponent in the early stages, before moving ahead 16-15 after 18 ends.
Richardson then put five chalks on the board, compared to just one for Gaut, and was on the brink of her first success leading out at 20-17.
Having been beaten in a pre-festival competition and not wishing to lose out in two finals on the Island, Gaut showed her battling qualities and notched up the four points needed to win the ladies September festival rose bowl.
Lyn Bolton won the Blanche Kaye memorial cup for the furthest Manx player in the ladies contest; whilst her club-mate Alan Moore did likewise in the men’s tournament, collecting the Chris Quayle memorial shield.
A wet Thursday morning saw the conclusion of the men’s and ladies Tourism competitions, with five locals in action – Matthew Keggen (Marown) bowed out first game and John Kennish (South Ramsey) lost in the semi-finals; whilst in the ladies, Margie Tasker (Port St Mary) and Philippa Taylor (Marown), both missed out by just one point; the latter beaten by Elaine Moore (South Ramsey), who fell at the next hurdle.
The men’s final saw two of the sport’s big names go head to head, as Wayne Ditchfield (Kirkham) took on Terry Glover (LCC), both having won major honours off-island as well as previous Isle of Man festivals.
Held on Noble’s number one green, the game was evenly balanced all through; they were level at nine apiece, again at 13, and then at 17 across, before Glover recorded the four points needed for victory.
Close-by on number two green, the Meole Brace club provided three of the last four in the ladies contest, with club-mates Julie Pearce and Alison Cotton battling it out for the championship.
Cotton took control in the early stages and led 18-13, before her adversary fought back to move ahead 20-18, however Pearce couldn’t carry on her good run of points and Cotton clinched the title by the closest of margins and completed a double over her fellow club members.
Rounding up the remaining competitions that took place throughout the week, Kevin Quirk (Onchan) just missed out on a win in the men’s consolation, going down 21-20 to Rob Winnington (Castle) and in the ladies consolation, it was Sue Hill from the Meersbrook club who triumphed over Elizabeth Foster (Orrell Rovers) with the same scoreline.
The visit Isle of Man.com flyer saw Mike Coupe (Hoghton) get the better off Neil Wright (Norton Central). Helen Martin (Mooragh Park) lost to the eventual winner in her semi-final.
Jamie King added to the tally of wins for the Wrockwardine Wood entourage when he was successful in the last chance mixed event with a 21-16 victory over Colin Johnstone (St Bernards).
King then went on to partner Sarah Fox (Woodlands Park) in their mixed doubles success. They beat Joan Jolly (Acregate) and Michael Burrows (Orford Warrington Memorial).
Neil Wright also made it into two finals, having taken part in the men’s doubles, which was one of three pairs competitions completed on Thursday evening; he partnered Ian Nicholson (Kendal Vic) to victory over Michael Davies (Netherton Park) and Stuart Sutton (Fairfield).
There was a local triumph in the open pairs when Neil Withers and Paul Dunn (Marown) defeated Craig Gant (Thongsbridge) and Duncan Reeves (Netherton Cons).
Lynda Cadamy from Port Erin competed in the ladies doubles final with Sandra Beveridge (Lansil), but missed out when beaten by Jacqueline Owen (Whitefield) and Eileen Pye (Acregate).
Thanks go to the Department of Economic Development for their continued support, of what is without doubt one of the premier events on the bowling calendar. Also Manx Telecom who provided a unit to help spread the news around the internet.
A big thank you as always to the many helpers who gave their time at all the venues used throughout the week; and a special mention to David Higgins who is stepping down after 15 years as helpers’ coordinator for the men.
Festival Preview
This years June bowls festival is a very different one for me as it my first as a non resident of the Island. I have always been filled with anticipation and excitement of the top class bowling an atmosphere the coming week held in store, but to actually be one of the visiting holiday makers has stepped things up to another level. I now understand what all the pro Isle of Man bowls week Facebook statuses from the UK bowling fraternity are all about, I literally can’t wait for it, so when I was asked to write the preview for it I was like a kid in a sweet store and grabbed the opportunity with both hands!
Some things never change however and as always when I run through each section of the draw to pick out the potential winner I am awestruck by the quality of the field and the number of potential victors. This is going to be a great competition.
In my heart I will always want a Manx winner and I think with events out of their control meaning they had to pull out of the County Championships it would be fantastic if we had one this time around. For most of them this year the two bowls festivals are their only real chance to have a seat at the games top table and take on the best of the best.
The first section of the draw is simply littered with players wanting to make their mark and claim the main prize. Visitors Paul Bailey (Meersbrook) and Callum Wraight (Castlefields) will fancy their chances of going a long way and the winner of Lee Johnstone (St Oswalds) and Danny Ferris (Norton BC) could also have a very good week, Jordan Cain (Onchan) and Stuart Garrett (Douglas) are two locals who are more than capable of making a finals day appearance.
It gets even more difficult to predict what will happen in the next section and you can never write off Andy Spragg (Callow BC). The charismatic Steve Freer (Castlefields) would be a very popular winner with both locals and visitors alike as he always brings his unique flair to the party. Mark Hughes (Crossgates) is now regularly making it to the latter stages and there is no reason why he couldn’t do it again. Young Conor Chamberlain could also go well if he finds his form. From a local perspective we also have a players capable of mixing it with the best in the shape of Kevin Quirk (Onchan), Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly (South Ramsey) and Rob Monk (Onchan).
There are former winners and runners up everywhere I look as I scroll down the page and defending champion Kez Smith (Crossgates) will have his work cut out to retain his crown with the likes of Kevin Shaw (Westhaoughton), Carl Armitage (St Oswalds), Chris Barton (Wirral) and Colin Kelly (Marown) all in close proximity. Don’t be surprised to if Stevie Kelly (Peel) turns a few heads and causes a few surprises.
There are chances in the next section and for me it’s wide open. Another former champion Gax Lalley (Crossgates) will fancy his chances of making it to the latter stages however in form Trevor Qualye (Port St Mary), who currently leads the local division one merit, has the potential to do very well indeed.
Wayne Ditchfield (Kirkham) and Dave Jackson (Railway) will both expect to make it to the latter stages however there will be only room for one of them, that is of course if the get past local David Bradford (South Ramsey) who on his day can beat absolutely anyone and everyone.
Jack Dyson (Thongsbridge) will be hoping to add his name to the trophy however with seasoned campaigners such as Martin Gilpin (Kendal Vic), Rich Goddard (Castlefields), Rob Fitzpatrick (Wirral) and Marown’s Neil Withers all on the same page it would be a very good week at the office if he was to leave with the crown.
Ian Nicholson’s (Kendal Vic) name jumps of the next page and hits me between the eyes as the man most likely to be in the final shake up from the next group, however it will be interesting to see how Billy Speed (Castlefields) and young Stefan Kelly (South Ramsey) fare.
Stuart Mort (Kirkham) and Matt Kelly-Wally (Belvedere) will both fancy a long run out over the week however experienced locals Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly (Peel), Phil Kerruish (Onchan) and Manx Championship runner up Pete Slinger (Onchan) will all be wanting their own day in the sun on Friday.
News has filtered through to me that local favourite John Kennish (South Ramsey) is unable to take part in the competition this year due to work commitments which really opens up the next section of the draw. I can’t even begin to work out who will make best use of this and it will definitely pay dividends for someone and Paul Chamberlain (Stretton Anglesey) may just be the man to cash in.
James Wilcox (Crossgates) is probably favourite to make it to finals day out of the final 32 in the competition however locals Matthew Quirk (Onchan) and Matthew Keggen (Marown) are both well placed to stop him.
Well that’s it for now, draw analysed and like me you are probably no clearer to picking a winner than I am. What should shine through, however, is the quality of the field and the week of bowls we have in store for us and as I said at the top I literally can’t wait for it to start.
South Ramsey Trio Triumph
With no open competitions on Saturday, there was a good entry of 66 at Port St. Mary for the C. Tarleton Hodgson & Son Ltd sponsored Mixed Triples Jubilee Cup on Sunday.
Eventual winners after five tough games were the South Ramsey trio of Kim Hargraves, Glynn Hargraves and Dido Kelly, with a 21-14 victory under the floodlights over last year’s winners Lyn Bolton (South Ramsey), Sid Bolton (South Ramsey) and Trevor Quayle (Port St Mary).
Losing out in the semi finals to the eventual winners were homegreeners Chris Price, Wayne Roberts and Ewan Cooil 21-16.
In the other semi final Janet Monk (Mooragh Park), Robert Monk (Onchan) and Jordan Cain (Onchan) were unlucky to lose out 21-18.
The presentation was made by club President Ken Karran, who thanked the sponsors, everyone involved, from the team who prepared the excellent green and surrounds to the club members who ran the competition, not forgetting the ladies who provided the refreshments throughout the day.
Jenny ‘Lights Up’ Marown
Jenny Moore is believed to be the first woman to win a mixed singles bowling tournament in the Isle of Man for a number of years.
The South Ramsey player lit up the first open of the season at Marown Bowling Club last week following extensive work on & around the green by club members over the winter.
Some of this work involved ‘filling in the corner’ and more importantly the introduction of new floodlights, which will no doubt help our competition secretary with arranging fixtures!
An excellent entry of 98 meant that the event was held over 5 evenings with 4 qualifying nights, playing down to 4 each night. Finals night had some familiar faces, with Jenny Moore being the only Lady to qualify for the last 16.
The losing quarter finalists were Matthew Quirk, Adrian Skinner, (Onchan) Steven Waters (South Ramsey) & Mervin Sayle (Douglas)
The first semi final had John Kennish lined up against his niece Jenny Moore, with the latter getting over the line to win 21-20. In the other semi final Dido Kelly played home greener Colin Kelly in another tight game with Kelly taking the victory 21-19.
In the final Jenny was always in control of the game with a comfortable 21-13 win over her club mate,
The final was streamed live on Facebook.
With this victory Jenny has shown that she is more than capable of competing with the men.
Various prizes were handed out at the presentation ranging from biggest break, best 2nd & 3rd division players, to best junior and best lady.
Thanks go to all who helped make a success of the competition.
Kennish Double & ‘Moore’
Bethany Kennish won the first Junior Manx Masters beating Sarah Quirk in the final. The event was well supported with a good entry of 13 juniors. The early stages were played in a round robin format.
There was some excellent bowling from these games that would not have been amiss in the seniors competitions that were taking place later on.
Qualifiers from the round robin stages were Bethany, Sarah, Austin Hart & Glenn Boland.
Bethany & Sarah came through tough semi finals against Glenn & Austin respectively.
In the Ladies event Elaine Moore beat daughter Jenny Moore 21-8. Losing semi finalists were Shelley Kennish & Mary Moffatt. Losing out in the quarter finals were Kath Kinley, Janet Monk, Philippa Taylor & Fiona Kennish.
The Men’s competition had a field of 32. The eventual winner was John Kennish beating South Ramsey team mate David Bradford 21-3. Losing semi finalists were Glynn Hargraves & Kevin Quirk. Losing out in the quarter finals were Chas Grills, Rob Monk, Ewan Cooil & Trevor Quayle.
Full report to follow.
IOM vs North Lancs & Fylde Report
Isle of Man County Home Team vs North Lancs & Flyde 2016
The Paddy Power sponsored Isle of Man senior men’s team faced off against and extremely strong North Lancs & Fylde team on Mad Sunday and won the home leg at Port St Mary, however they lost out overall.
This is becoming a familiar story for the Manx Men as this is their third consecutive home victory, however they are yet to pick up an overall win.
With the team taking part in the competition for only the second year we should be delighted with these performances as the team really is taking on the best that the sport has to offer, however it is testament to how far we have come that this result is still tinged with a bit of disappointed as we had hoped for more.
They are really flying the flag for the Isle of Man proudly and there was nothing but praise from their counterparts from across the water who could only applaud everything about the local effort from the hospitality shown by Port St Mary, the organisation on the day right through to some brilliant performance both home and away.
The Port St Mary green is an absolute testament to the club and thanks go to the green keepers for the preparation of it. It was quite simply frightening! This was by far the fastest green that the Island team has used to date in the Crosfield Cup, and overall the home side handled it well with five out of twelve winners, but taking the leg victory on points.
There were some real positives to take out of the day and first county wins for Matthew Keggen and Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly were definitely amongst them. The former picked up the Gellings man of the match award for an Isle of Man player as a result of his battling 21-17 win over Tommy King.
Colin Kelly, Peter Collister and John Kennish all showed their class and put in superb displays to add to the Islands tally of wins and ensure the points victory.
Visitor Sam Patterson picked up the Endsleigh Man of the Match award for his 21-15 win over David Bradford.
Take nothing away though from those that didn’t win, we place too much emphasis on winning individual games when the code in the Crosfield cup is all about points, and every point scored by every player went towards this win. To put in in its simplest terms if the losing players had all scored one less point we would have lost the match. This was a real team effort.
Away from home was a slightly different story and there were real lessons learned about both the class of the opposition and the importance of a strong home side on a difficult green. This is a learning curve though and every day is a school day and the team will be much stronger after this match.
Two real highlights though were the performances of Jordan Cain and Trevor Quayle. Cain picked up the overall Endsleigh Man of the Match award for his superb 21-16 win over North Lancs Captain Dave Watters, whilst Quayle was magnificent winning the Gellings award for his 21-13 win over the incomparable Mike Leach.
There were other good performances too and despite falling short of the overall win the Manx Men can be very proud of what they are achieving in this competition.
If they take heart from anything it should be Cumbria’s victory this weekend over reigning champions Warwick and Worcester. Not long ago Cumbria were considered an easy match and questionably the weakest team in the competition and yesterday they beat unquestionably the strongest county in the sport. Our day will come.
Port St Mary Cup
A good entry of 30 pairs arrived at Port St Mary for the annual bank holiday mixed doubles competition once again kindly sponsored by Isle Of Man Farmers Ltd. At the conclusion of a warm sunny days play it was the husband and wife team of John and Fiona Kennish (South Ramsey) who were successful over another husband and wife pairing of Glynn and Kim Hargraves (South Ramsey/Nobles) 21-13. The fallers at the semi final stage were Neil Withers and Hannah Drewett (Marown/Castletown) along with last years winners Robert and Janet Monk (North Ramsey) who both lost to 15 in their respective games.
Ladies president Linda Dawson was on hand to thank everyone who had helped in the running of the competition especially the ladies section who had once again put on a good spread and also to Ray Watterson for preparing a fast and tricky green and also to those who had stayed around till the end to support, then Linda introduced Michael Atherton from I.O.M Farmers to present the prizes.
Haldane Fisher Mixed Doubles
There was a bumper entry of 37 pairs for the Haldane Fisher Mixed Doubles competition at the Villa Marina on Saturday.
The Douglas club host two mixed doubles competitions each season and it was fitting that the winners of each squared off in the final with defending champions Lyn Bolton & Trevor Quayle taking on Janet & Robert Monk.
Their was some excellent play in the final however it was the Monks that settled quickest and never took their foot off the gas as they took the win 21-13. They really do play the Villa green exceptionally well and this weekend was no different.
Port Erin pair Voirrey Curphy & Seamus Whelan did exceptionally well to make it to the semi finals, however the eventual victors proved too strong for them. The talented pairing of Paula Firth & Jordan Cain were eliminated at the same stage by the defending champions.
Fallers at the quarter final stage were Chris Price & Dido Kelly, Jenny Moore & James Teare, Claire Cooper & Lee Dawson and Alison Keggen & Michael Collister.
Thanks go to Douglas Bowling club for a well run competition and superb playing surface and to Haldane Fisher for their continued support of the club.