There was an entry of 21 pairs for the ladies’ doubles sponsored by Cu-Plas and played at Nobles’ number 2 green on Sunday 30 April. Although the rain stayed away the strong winds made it very cold particularly in the latter stages when the sun decided to go to bed.

There were some entertaining games with a lot of excellent bowling.

Quarter-finals: Alison Keggen and Debbie Leece 21, Philippa Taylor and Joyce Ogden 8; Fiona Kennish and Jenny Moore 21, Clare Cooper and Rebecca Teare 18; Kath Kinley and Marie Ashurst 21, Ann Hollingworth and Barbara Young 16; Lynda Cadamy and Mary Alderson 21, Gill Morgan and Julie Reilly 9.

In the semi-finals Jenny and Fiona were too strong for Alison and Debbie, coming through 21-8, while Kath and Marie put up greater resistance against Lynda and Mary before going down 15-21.

The first half of the final was tense and evenly matched, standing at 12-12 after nine ends. Fiona and Jenny won the next three ends, scoring two singles and a three to give them a five point lead. Despite scoring a single on the next end, Mary and Lynda had to concede defeat when their opponents won the next two ends, to record a winning score of 21-13.

The presentation was made by club chairman, Clare Cooper, who thanked Cu-Plas for their sponsorship and support. She also thanked those who had helped in the smooth running of the afternoon, measuring, stewarding and running the sheet. Further thanks went to those who had provided the magnificent refreshments, which were particularly welcome on such a cold afternoon.

There was a field of 13 for the British Crown Green Merit Qualifier played at Finch Hill on Sunday 16 April. The afternoon started in fine weather and it was hoped that the early morning heavy rain had passed and gone. However things went downhill weatherwise at the semi-final stage.

The two semi-finals could not have been more different, as Fiona Kennish, who had played so well in her previous game, could not come to grips with either the weather or her opponent, while in the other, Helen Martin pegged back a deficit of 9-18 to come through and win 21 -20.

Semi-finals: Lyn Bolton 21, Fiona Kennish 3; Helen Martin 21, Elaine Moore 20.

Lyn made the better start in the final, leading 9-2 after ten ends, at which point Helen took six of the next seven ends to level at 10-10. The points were shared to 13 across when Lyn, with a run of four ends, stretched to a 20-13 lead, before Helen closed to 18-20 after 30 ends. A very tense final went to Lyn with a single on the next end, giving her the win 21-18.

Lyn will now represent the island at the Individual Merit competition at the Leyland Fox Lane Sports Club on Saturday 8 July.

Association president, Rosie Winckle, thanked Finch Hill bowling club for the use of their facilities and for providing the refreshments. She also thanked all those who had helped in any way with the smooth running of the afternoon.

Captains are reminded that match results are to be sent to Matthew via phone, text or e-mail, and the cards to be posted to me immediately after the match. The extra time taken when we cannot enter the results in one sitting is frustrating and could result in a delay in getting them on to the web-site.

Can I also issue my usual instructions on filling in the result cards :

1. Please fill in the names of the two teams at the top of the card. I have already received one card in which this was not done !!

2. Please put in the players full name, not an initial. Also ensure that all the names are on the card.

3. Put in the scores of all games played – in the rush at the end of a match the score for the final game played is often left out.

4. Use capital letters.

5. Both captains should sign the card. – this is not a formality, but says that you both agree that the information on the card re players names and scores, and final totals are correct. Please check that they are before signing.

There was a small, but select, field gathered at Castletown for the Hands “Non-winners” Trophy which had been held over from the end of last year.

On a sunny afternoon there were some very close matches and some very good bowling on display.

Barbara Young started with a bye, but then went all the way with Rita Callister coming through 21-20. She had a further tough battle with Margaret Tasker in the semi-final, booking her place in the final with another score of 21-20.

In the other half of the draw Paula Firth seemed in control in all three matches on her way to the final, although none of them was easy – 21-13 against Lisa Boland, 21-17 against Celia Joughin and another tough 21-15 against Mary Alderson.

In the final her battles in earlier rounds took their toll on Barbara allowing a determined Paula to come through 21-9 to take the trophy for the fifth time. Does this, in her own words, make her the greatest duffer of all time ?

The presentation was made by Association president, Rosie Winckle, who thanked the Castletown club for the use of the green and their members for their efforts in measuring and stewarding during the afternoon.

Last season was dominated by teams from the south of the island, with Port St Mary looking unassailable in both leagues, Castletown winning the Jean Kelly team handicap and Port Erin the JMS Shield.

At the end of the season it looked as though Onchan would be unable to field a team in the night league for this year, but everyone is delighted to hear that they have been able to put a team together.

Rumours abound of players changing clubs so it will be interesting to see who is playing where when the season gets under way and how this affects the league dynamics. Also, of course, we will find out who has had their “60^{<span style=”font-size: small”>th</span>}. Birthday” during the winter !

In the C Tarleton Hodgson sponsored night league, the main threat to Port St Mary would appear to come from Castletown and South Ramsey who were very closely matched in the battle for second and third in the last campaign. There are rumours of comings and goings for the champions – it will be interesting to see what effect the changes have.

Further down the table there are a block of teams, led by Noble’s, who are always evenly matched – could on of them come out of the pack and cause an upset ?

Marown should be strengthened by their imports, and Mooragh Park will be improving each year as players gain more experience. It waits to be seen which players Onchan will have, but it is good to see them still there.

The Trend sponsored Over 60’s league saw Port St Mary A almost in a league of their own, but the closely matched pack, Peel, Castletown, Port Erin and Onchan, in the minor places may contain a surprise package In the nether regions of the table, Breagle have the ability to cause an upset in any match, while the Mooragh Park team players have an extra year’s experience under their belts.

With only six players in a team, a lot will depend on which teams benefit from members’ relevant birthdays since September

There was a field of 34 for the W.A.Roberts ladies’ singles played at Port St Mary on Wednesday 10 May. The event was sponsored once again by Celtic Associates, represented by Iain Wood who showed how his bowls has progressed since last year by delivering the first wood of the afternoon.

Despite the miserable wet weather the players produced some superb bowling throughout the afternoon, with some close matches and surprise results particularly in the early rounds.

Quarter-finals: Janet Monk 21, Hannah Drewett 14; Philippa Taylor 21, Caroline Parker 18; Margaret Tasker 21, Alison Keggen 10; Val Macfarlane 21, Mavis Franks 16.

Semi-finals: Janet Monk 21, Philippa Taylor 10; Val Macfarlane 21,Margaret Tasker 15.

Janet seemed to become more consistent as the afternoon progressed and Val found herself up against it in the final. Janet played very few loose woods, and although Val did not play badly her good woods were usually removed by her opponent. It was a final of high quality with Janet just having that all important edge.

Kath Looney thanked everyone for coming and those who stayed to the end. Thanks also went to Celtic Associates for their continued sponsorship of the event, and to everyone who contributed to the smooth running of the afternoon. She then introduced Iain Wood to make the presentations. Iain had been impressed by the standard of bowling and stated that Celtic Associates would be pleased to continue to sponsor the event next year.

21 pairs entered the Flo Doan ladies’ doubles played at Peel on Saturday 30 July, where the green was running well and the weather stayed fair until the latter stages at which point it became a little cooler. There was some excellent bowling on view throughout, with most players enjoying their games.

Semi-finals: Jenny Moore and Elaine Moore 21, Ann Hollingworth and Heike Perry 19; Helen Martin and Janet Monk 21, Jean Thackrah and Mavis Franks 7.

Helen and Janet made the better start in the final, leading 12-7 after five ends, but Elaine and Jenny won the next 5 ends, which included a 2 and a 3, to nudge ahead 15-12. The Mooragh pair scored a 3 followed by a single to give them a one point lead, but this was the end of their resistance as the pair from South Ramsey had another run of five ends to take the match 21-16.

The presentation was made by club president, Heather Horsburgh, who thanked everyone who had entered, those who had stayed to the end, and everyone who had contributed to the smooth running of the afternoon.

Elaine thanked the Peel club, particularly the green keeper for the beautiful condition of the green.