There were 29 pairs who took part in The Capital International Cup mixed doubles at Port Erin Bowling Club.  The weather stayed dry for the afternoon. There were some very close games which could have been worthy of a final.

Semi Finals:

Amanda Lawler & Bob Clark 21-20 Paula Firth & Jordan Cain
Chris Price & Peter Slinger 21-9 Joyce Ogden & Mike Hargraves

The Final went to the brother and sister team of Chris Price & Peter
Slinger after some very close ends.

Final:

Amanda Lawler & Bob Clark – 13
Chris Price & Peter Slinger – 21

The presentation was made by club chairman Di Benson & Daren Ward from
Capital International.  Thanks went to the sponsor, all the  competitors,  measurer’s, markers and Janet Shilling for her excellent running of the competition during the afternoon.

Report by Di Benson

There was some tremendous bowling in the team event at South Ramsey on Sunday with ‘Its All About the Length’ running out winners over ‘Lil’s Legacy’ in a hotly contested final.

The team of Bob Clark, Mark Kneen, Michael Collister and Neil Withers had just enough to see out a 60-56 win over the family team comprising matriarch Lillian Slinger, her daughters Janet Monk and Chris Price and grandson Robert Monk in a fiercely fought finale to an epic days bowling.

The eventual victors didn’t have things their own way in the final however with one singles game level, being 12-7 down in the doubles and Neil Withers trailing 16-12 to Janet Monk things looked bleak.

The pendulum of momentum however swung and with Michael Collister finishing off his singles game 21-17 against Chris Price and Withers scrapping to a great 21-18 win it left them firmly in the driving seat and at 18-12 up in the doubles to job was done. Credit must go to Lillian Slinger and Robert Monk who managed to see out a magnificent 21-18 win in the pairs.

Fallers at the semi-finals stage were ‘Rosemary’s Boys’ (Kevin Quirk, Roemary Quirk, Matthew Quirk & Glynn Hargraves) and Misserabowls (Alan Moore, Andy Kennish, Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly and Stefan Kelly).

South Ramsey put on another first class competition on and praise must go to the green keepers for a simply immaculate playing surface.

A total of 16 teams turned out on Sunday at Port St Mary Bowling Green to take part in the C.Tarleton Hodgson sponsored mixed triples competition and there was some terrific bowls played on the magnificent surface.

It was the home team of Anne Maddrell, Jane Kneen & Paul Skelly who were victorious thanks to a 21-17 win over the mix and match combination consisting of Jordan Cain, Bob Clark and Amanda Lawler. The home team stormed into a commanding lead at 18-12 with the finishing line in sight, but the runners up dug in and battled their way back to 17-18 before our eventual victors moved through the gears to seal the win.

Maddrell, Kneen & Skelly booked their final berth thanks to some magnificent bowling in the semi-finals where they put out the team of Michal Collister, Matthew & Alison Keggen 21-10. Cain, Clark and Lawler had to work harder for their place in the finale and were behind 17-16 to Alan Moore, Jenny Moore & Andy Kennish before running out with a 3 and 2 in respective ends.

Peter Linck of the sponsors presented the prizes and thanks goes to them for their support of the competition. Thanks also go to Port St Mary bowling club for the playing surface and another well run competition.

The mixed doubles season kicked off in earnest on Saturday at Noble Mixed bowling green as an intrepid line up made the trek to take part in the Spring Doubles. Although the weather started off a bit damp this did nothing to dampen the spirit and quality of bowls on display and as the sun began to shine so did Alison Keggen & Michael Collister who put in some breath taking displays to seal the win thanks to a magnificent final tussle with  Paula Firth & Jordan Cain which they managed to edge 21-19.

It was nip and tuck all the way in the final and the standard of bowls was out of the top draw. There were some epic encounters in the semi-finals too with Keggen & Collister edging out the fancied husband and wife pairing of Fiona & John Kennish whilst Firth & Cain had another battle on their hands but this time they emerged victors as they saw off the challenge of Margaret Tasker and Ken Karran.

Nobles Mixed deserve praise for an extremely well run competition and highlight of the day was definitely Steve Cook’s ‘minion’ birthday cake, happy belated birthday Cooky!

It was an all Ramsey affair in the latter stages of the Any Combination doubles played at North Ramsey’s Mooragh Park green on Sunday 6th April. This was particularly appropriate as the trophy had kindly been sponsored by the Parker family in memory of the late Kenny Parker who was a longstanding and popular member of both North and South Ramsey Clubs.

A total of 28 pairs braved the early wind and drizzle to compete for the trophy and fortunately before long blue skies prevailed allowing the latter part of the competition to be completed in much better conditions. The first semi final was an all North Ramsey battle between the mother and son pairing of Janet and Robert Monk against Steve Gill and Brian Colquitt. In a very close fought tussle it was the latter pair that just emerged victorious by 21 – 17. The second semi final was an even closer affair between Andy Kennish and Alan Moore from South Ramsey and Tony Smart and John Cannan from North Ramsey. Thanks to a four on the last end it was the North Ramsey pairing that edged through by 21 – 19.

The final looked as though it was going to be extremely one sided as Steve Gill and Brian Colquitt raced into a 20 – 10 lead but they lost the jack with the winning post in sight and were never quite able to get the crucial final point as Tony Smart and John Cannan fought back to win 21 – 20.

Fallers at the quarter final stage were Margaret Tasker and Trish Bull, Steve Walmsley and Steve Parker, Matthew Quirk and Michael Collister and Ray Hardman and Gordon Corrin.

The prizes were presented by Steve and Anthony Parker who stated how proud their father would have been to have seen the competition played in his memory.

Monday sees the start of the second of the Islands two annual bowls festivals and as always my mouth is metaphorically watering in anticipation of what should be a great week of bowls. Add to this the unprecedented success that the local contingent had in June and expectations are high. June winner Neil Withers (Marown), and runner up Matthew Quirk (Onchan) are back marked this time out with Neil giving the field a three point start and Matthew having to give away two, so it will be tough for them to make any real headway against most of the top names in the sport, however if they bring their A games even with this handicap who knows what they can achieve?

As always I will analyse the draw in sections to try and work out who will make it off their page and be on the green on finals day come Friday and this time out I have enlisted the help of three of the Islands top bowlers, themselves all festival winners, to help me. When I look at the draw the first 32 is littered with potential winners. Former Tourism winner Mark Hughes (Crossgates) is the first name that jumps off the page for me closely followed by the vivacious Callum Wraight (Castlefields). Despite the presence of Wraight & Hughes two former winners have grabbed the attention of our panel Wayne Ditchfield (St Bernards) and David Bradford (Onchan) are the names that have been put forward. Ditchfield is a prestigious talent and you would be a fool to back against him but Bradford is also a force to be reckoned with and I think it is his time to have another good run in the competition so, looking through my isleofman.com sponsored rose tinted glasses, I am going to tip Bradford to be the first local name through to finals day

The next section for me is a good one for locals, and I hope I haven’t just proved their kiss of death, with all of our panel going for Kevin Quirk (Onchan). Last years winner Dave Phillips (Lloyd Hotel) is also on this page, although giving a 2 point start, so cannot be discounted and would face Quirk third game, if both protagonists make it that far. Andy Kennish (South Ramsey) and Stuart Garret (Douglas) are a couple of locals to watch out for as they both have the potential to raise a few eyebrows.

Colin Kelly (Marown) is the first name on the next page and is always a danger to those around him. He has won the competition and been in the final on numerous occasions and there is no reason why he couldn’t be again. He wont have it all his own way however as former winners Terry Glover (Liverpool Cricket Club) and Andy Farmer (Sheffield) are both in this section. I cant help tipping the Manx man however I think there is plenty of danger around to scupper his chances.

It seems to get harder the further I look down the draw and the number of potential winners on this page is staggering. Martin Gilpin (Kings Arms) always starts as one of the favourites to do well with the bookies as he is frighteningly consistent. There really are too many names tom mention on this page but Dave Jackson (Railway) Neil Withers (Marown) and John Kennish (South Ramsey) have all won festivals and know what it takes to do well. I think their could be some real surprises on this page with the quality of the supporting cash and I cant pick between Martin Gilpin and John Kennish to make it through so I will go as far as to say I think these two will be playing each other Thursday afternoon for a place in the final eight.

I definitely am wearing my rose tinted specs as the next section also looks good from a local point of view to me. Manx Champion Glyyn Hargraves (Onhan) leads the local charge ably supported by Trevor Qualye (Castletown) and Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly (Douglas). Although when I look a bit closer I see lots of Banana skins with the likes of Mick Leach (Kirkham Cons) and John Colebourne (Old Whittington) around. I think Hargraves can weave his way through the page but I don’t think it will be easy.

This is certainly not getting any easier as I look at the next page of the programme. James Wilcox (Crossgates), John Bailey (Conwy) and Ian Nichoson (Kings Arms) are all visitors who have more than enough to win the sweep. Phil Kelly (Marown) and Matthew Quirk (Onchan) are the best local chances on this page. I never back against Bailey and think he will make it through although he doesn’t like starting with a handicap on the card so if his opponents can get a quick start he might have a lot of work on his hands.

With two men to progress from the final 32 in the draw it doesn’t get much easier although our tipsters have all plumped for the same two men. Rich Goddard (Castlefields) is a strong favourite to make it through his 16 although Robby Fitzpatrick (Tixall BC) will not agree and will be going all out to stop him. The standout name in the bottom 16 is Owen Jackson (St Bernards) I have not seen enough of Jackson myself to comment but the rumour mill from across the water is that he could be one of the favourites to go all the way.

Whatever happens it will be a fantastic week of bowling and as always even though I have mentioned more names than I care to remember in the write up there will be some shock inclusions on finals day, it never goes the way you expect it to but after all that’s bowls.

Predictions:-

Phil Kerruish’s tips
Wayne Ditchfield v Kevin Quirk, Terry Glover v Dave Jackson, Mike Leach v John Bailey, Rich Goddard v Owen Jackson

John Kennish’s tips
David Bradford v Kevin Quirk, Colin Kelly v Martin Gilpin, Glynn Hargraves v James Wilcox, Rich Goddard v Owen Jackson

David Bradford’s tips
Wayne Ditchfield v Kevin Quirk, Terry Glover v John Kennish, Glynn Hargraves v John Bailey, Rich Goddard v Owen Jackson

A strong field turned out to Ballaugh last Sunday to compete in one of the highlights of the mixed doubles season, the Maddrell fours and it was the ad hoc pair of Elaine Moore & Bob Clark who were the crème de la crème with a magnificent 21-15 final victory over Paula Firth & Jordan Cain. It is more usual to see Elaine partnered with Bob’s dad Andy, however the new pair settled well all day and non more son than in the final where they just had the edge.

In the semi finals Moore & Clark were also at the top of their game and they had to be to see of the battling husband and wife pairing of Joyce & Harry Kelly 21-20 in the standout game of the competition. Firth & Can progressed through their Semi with a 21-14 win over another husband and wife combination Kim & Glynn Hargraves.

Thanks must go to Ballaugh for another smoothly run competition, the Maddrell’s for their sponsorship and praise must also go to the green keepers who have been working tirelessly to improve the surface after the effects of the snow fall earlier in the season, and whilst not quite yet back to its glorious best it is evident that all of their hard work is now beginning to pay dividends.

Grandmother and Grandson, Lillian Slinger & Robert Monk, were victorious last Saturday in the Zurich International Mixed Doubles at Finch Hill Bowling club as they defeated the inform Trevor Quayle & Lyn Bolton 21-19 in a closely contested final.

As the score-line suggests it was a close encounter from the off in the final with our eventual victors just having enough to see them over the line. In the Semi-finals Slinger & Monk dispatched Philippa Fletcher & Alec Taylor 21-9 after a supreme display whilst Bolton & Quayle saw off Peter Karran & Jo Smith 21-15 at the same stage.

Fallers at the quarter final stage were Lynda & Derek Cadamy, Lynda Richman & John Matheson, Kath Kinley & Ron Williams and Paula Firth & Jordan Cain. Thanks must go to Finch Hill for a well run competition and to Zurich International for their appreciated support of the event.

Report by Mark Kneen

The Bill Oliver Junior Open was played for on Port St Mary Green on Saturday 3rd August and attracted a very good entry of 25 young bowlers.

It was a perfect day for bowling and the Green was in excellent condition. The Competition was played in a round robin format and was split into two sections, the younger juniors and the older juniors.

The winner of the younger section was Thomas Young who beat Juan Kneen in the final. The winner of the older section was won by Bobby Thorn who beat Casey Bolton in the final.

The standard of bowling throughout the afternoon was of a very high standard and bodes well for the future of Manx bowling. Bobby Thorn in particular is one to watch out for. He played excellent bowls all afternoon.

Roy Oliver, the sponsors son, was present from the start of the competition and presented the prizes at the conclusion. All of the competitors were presented with a commemorative medal.
Special thanks must go to Louis Callister and Chris Holland for running the comp. in a very professional way and to Jayne Kneen, Colin Holland and George Peach for acting as coaches to the younger section players and Sam Palmer for all his assistance during the competition.

Thomas Young

Bobby Thorne & Casey Bolton