Eight hardy souls turned up on a bitterly cold afternoon on Sunday 14 April at Finch Hill. They were battling for the right to represent the Island at the British Merit finals which will be taking place at St Helens on Saturday 13 July.

A pleasing number of spectators and supporters turned up to cheer their favourites on,  and were treated to some fine bowling and competitive games.

Coming through the first round we had Clare Cooper knocking out team-mate Debbie Leece 21-10, Janet Monk getting the better of Alison Keggen 21-8, Kim Hargraves getting into double figures against Caroline Whitehead before losing out 21-12. The closest game of the round saw Fiona Kennish eventually see off last year’s winner, Lynda Cadamy 21-17.

In the semi-finals, Clare was in control, despite Fiona’ best efforts, moving into the final 21-12. Perhaps the most nail-biting match of the afternoon was between Janet Monk and Caroline Whitehead. After a cagey start which saw the players level at 7-7 after ten ends, Janet had a good run to lie 15-9 after fifteen ends.  Caroline got back to 18-18, a 2 then giving Janet a 20-18 lead, but her opponent would not lie down and came through to win 21-20.

Caroline had another tough battle in the final, although she got off to a flyer, leading 19-10 after eighteen ends, then on to 20-13, at which point Clare started to find her length and begin to creep up on Caroline, getting back to 18-20, before the Port Erin player took the next end to win 21-18 and earn the right to represent the Island at St Helens in July.

Thanks go to Finch Hill for their help and the use of their facilities, and also the spectators who turned up to add to the atmosphere of the event.

The Hands Trophy for the 2018 non-winners, which had to be held over from last year, took place on Saturday 6th April at South Ramsey. Perhaps due to it being so early in the season combined with the inclement recent weather there was a small, but select , entry of thirteen.

The day was sunny and players and spectators were surprised by the pleasant conditions which contributed to some fine bowling on show.

In the first semi-final Joyce Ogden and Lyn Bolton were neck and neck all the way with Joyce actually getting to 20 first before Lyn came through 21-20. In the other semi final, Margaret Tasker produced some good woods but Lynda Cadamy had an easier passage coming through 21-11.

In the final Lyn got off to a flyer reaching 13-6 before Lynda had a chance to blink. Lynda scored a 2 on the next end but was unable to stop Lyn winning with a final score 21-12.

Association Vice-president Heather Horsburgh thanked all those who had entered and also thanked the South Ramsey Club for the use of their facilities and also for providing the refreshments.

There was a field of 28 for the ladies’ singles open played at Peel on Saturday 1st September. The competition had a new sponsor in Posh Paws of Peel, and the players enthusiasm was not dampened by the inclement drizzly weather. Despite the conditions and the problems Peel have been having with their green there was some fine bowling on display.
There were some very close games and in the first round visitor Christine Lawton, St. Judes, just lost out 20-21 to Lyn Bolton while Jean Thackrah came through against Celia Joughin by the same score.
In the second round Voirrey Curphey edged out Lil Smith 21-20 while another visitor. Pat Edwards, Winstanley, just lost out on the last end to Philippa Taylor.
The quarter-finals all went to double figures with Mary Moffatt, Caroline Whitehead, Philippa Taylor and Chris Price going through to the semis.
Quarter-finals: Mary Moffatt 21, Voirrey Curphey 14; Caroline Whitehead 21, Lyn Bolton 17; Philippa Taylor 21, Jean Thackrah 17; Chris Price 21, Joyce Kelly 16.
Philippa had a struggle in her semi-final as Chris was quickly off the blocks, leading 11-5 after four ends. The Marown player won three of the next four ends to close to 9-12, but from that point Chris was unstoppable coming through to win 21-9.
The other semi-final was a bit tighter, with Mary having slightly the better of the early exchanges, leading 11-8 after six ends. Caroline scored seven in the next four ends to take a 15-11 advantage which Mary closed down to 14-15. With just another 2 being scored by the home player, the Port Erin player progressed to the final 21-16.
Semi-finals: Chris Price 21, Philippa Taylor 9; Caroline Whitehead 21, Mary Moffatt 16.
The final was a close affair with scores being level at 8-8,11-11 and 13-13. At that point Chris had a run of six ends taking the score to18-13. Caroline was not finished and fought to the end but could not overcome Chris’s mid-game advantage, eventually losing out 21-16.
The Presentation was made by Heather Horsburgh, who thanked Liz Shergold, of Posh Paws of Peel, for sponsoring the event. She also thanked the members of the Peel club for their help during the afternoon, and special mention was made of green keeper, Eddie Phillips, who was thanked for his efforts to overcome the difficulties of the green, and also for selling the raffle tickets !

The Dorothy Piearce Memorial pairs qualifier took place on Sunday at Finch Hill.  Nine pairs entered the competition with the hope to represent the Isle of Man in August at Warrington.

The eventual winners were Clare Cooper and Rebecca Leece (both Nobles) who beat Mary Alderson (Marown) and Lynda Cadamy (Port Erin) 21-17.  Losing in the semi finals were Jenny Moore & Fiona Kennish and Elaine Moore & Gill Dixon.

Fiona Kennish and Jenny Moore won both Ladies Doubles held last weekend.  On Saturday Marown held the Greeba Cup which Fiona and Jenny won 21-16 against Lynda Cadamy & Mary Alderson.  Losing semi finalists were Alison Keggen & Debbie Leece, Trish Bull & Margaret Tasker.

On Sunday Port Erin hosted the Ladies Association IOM Pairs Competition.  In the final Fiona & Jenny defeated Elaine Moore & Gill Dixon 21-16.  Losing semi finalists were Alison Keggen & Debbie Leece, Carol Kaye & Voirrey Curphy

After the dreadful weather experienced for the league matches on Friday night, it was warm and sunny for the playing of the Gladys Cowell over 60’s ladies’ singles at Peel on Saturday 12 May.
A strong field of 30 produced some fine bowling on what is always considered a tricky green.
The quarter-finals were all close, with home greener Shirley Corrin at one point leading Elaine Moore 20-16, at which point the more experienced player dug deep to come through 21-20. Another battle saw Janet Monk appear to be in control, having the lead over Mary Moffatt from the tenth end onwards to reach 18-15, but Mary does not give in easily and clawed back to win the match 21-19.

Quarter-finals: Elaine Moore 21, Shirley Corrin 20; Lin Ruscoe 21, Margaret Tasker 17; Joyce Kelly 21, Ann Gale 15; Mary Moffatt 21, Janet Monk 19.

The first semi-final saw Elaine off to a flyer against Lin, reaching 16-8 after eight ends. Lin won seven of the next nine ends to close to 16-19,but could not hold off Elaine who came through to win 21-16.

The second semi-final saw team-mates Joyce and Mary facing each other in what proved to be an epic battle. Mary led 16-13 before Joyce won the next four ends to edge 17-16 in front, Mary was 20-19 up when Joyce’s two saw her through 21-20.
Semi-finals: Elaine Moore 21, Lin Ruscoe 16; Joyce Kelly 21, Mary Moffatt 20.

The final produced some excellent woods from two contrasting players, the scores being even for the first ten ends, at which point Joyce took a two point lead on the next two ends,. The match hinged on the next passage of play, with Elaine scoring seven on the next five ends to lead 19-15. Although Joyce scored two more points it was not enough and Elaine ran out the winner 21-17.

The presentation was made by Heather Horsburgh, who thanked Nigel Rawlinson for his continued sponsorship of the event and all the ladies’ from Peel Sunset who had helped in any way to make the afternoon a success.