There was an entry of 26 players for the IOM merit, for the Barbara Lee Trophy, played at South Ramsey on Sunday & August. The competition should have been played at Peel but was transferred to South Ramsey because of parking problems caused by the Peel Carnival.

The afternoon started windy and became windier as the competition progressed although the rain stayed away until the final stages. The conditions together with a very fast green meant that bowling was not easy, but some players did manage to control at least one of their two woods !

Quarter-finals: Margaret Tasker 21, Chris Price 14; Janet Monk 21, Shelley Kennish 10; Elaine Moore 21, Tricia Bull 16; Jenny Moore 21, Fiona Kennish 10

Semi-finals: Janet Monk 21, Margaret Tasker 9; Elaine Moore 21, Jenny Moore 9

The rain came in for the final and the wind seemed even stronger, making conditions very unpleasant, although the wet green seemed to make the green a little more manageable.

Elaine had the better of the early exchanges taking a 7-2 lead after 6 ends before Janet took the next 6 ends and a 9-7 advantage. Things were level pegging up to 19 across, but Elaine made two singles to take the title 21-19.

The presentations were made by Association president, Rosie Winckle, who thanked the South Ramsey club for the use of their green and their members for their help both on the green and in the kitchen. Thanks also went to Heathr for running the sheet.

NOBLES JORDAN CUP LADIES SINGLES

There was a disappointing entry of 18 for the ladies’ singles played at Nobles on Saturday 23 July for the Jordan Cup, but what the field lacked in quantity it made up for in quality !

Quarter-finals: Paula Firth 21, Lin Ruscoe 20; Chris Price 21, Heather Horsburgh 11; Tricia Bull 21, Joyce Ogden 14; Shelley Kennish 21, Lynda Cadamy 18

Semi-finals: Chris Price 21, Paula Firth 16; Shelley Kennish 21, Tricia Bull 12

The final could almost be described as “a game of two halves”, as Chris raced into a lead of 13-5. Playing a mark along the far edge of the green Shelley then won seven ends in a row to level at 13-13, and the next end to take the lead for the first time at 15-13.The game was evenly matched for the next seven ends, to leave Shelley at 19-17, before she cleared up the last two to win 21-17.

The presentation was made by Joyce Ogden who thanked all those involved in running the event, particularly the ladies for doing the refreshments and Stuart for running the sheet.

There was an entry of fourteen pairs for the ladies’ doubles at Onchan on Wednesday 20 July, where players were competing for the Commissioners’ Cup.

Despite the small entry there was a lot of fine bowling on display.

Semi-finals: Helen Martin and Janet Monk 21, Philippa Taylor and Joyce Ogden 13; Christine Price and Maureen Payne 21, Rosemary Quirk and Caroline Parker 8.

In the final Helen and Janet took the first three ends to take a 10-6 lead, but Maureen and Chris soon levelled at 10 across. The ends were shared and the teams were level again at 15-15 and at 16 across. Two 2’s in the next three ends saw Chris and Maureen reach 20-17, and despite Helen and Janet taking the next end, they came through to win 21-18

As the Chairman of the Commissioners was unable to attend, the cup and replicas were presented by Onchan Club Captain, Libby Andrade, who thanked all those responsible for the smooth running of the event.

Ten quartets entered for the Association Millennium Fours played at Nobles’ 2 on Saturday 16 July. Each match consisted of two singles and a doubles, the protagonists being selected by a draw, each game being to 15 giving a possible score of 45 for the match.

The weather stayed fair and allowed for some enjoyable bowling.

In the semi-finals the Nobles’ team won 39-28 against the Ronairco Babes with Paula Firth and Sylvia Kennaugh winning the doubles against Linda Dawson and Tracy Moore 15-9 and Clare Cooper coming through 15-4 against Chris Holland. In reply Amanda Lawler beat Lin Ruscoe 15-9, but it was too little, too late !

The other semi-final through up the closest result of the afternoon, with Pink Ladies A edging out Mix and Match 39-38.The two singles were split, Mavis Franks beating Caroline Parker 15-9 and Rosemary Quirk responding 15-11 against Lynda Cadamy. This meant that Helen Martin and Janet Monk had to win 15-12 against Philippa Taylor and Mary Alderson for the Pink Ladies team to go through, which they duly did.

In the final the three games were on the green at the same time. Things were tight after the two singles came off, with Paula Firth beating Janet Monk 15-7 and in reply Rosemary Quirk coming through 15-11 against Clare Cooper, meaning Nobles were four points ahead awaiting the result of the doubles. There was not long to wait as the Pink Ladies won 15-4 to make the match result 37-30 in their favour.

Association president Rosie Winckle thanked all who had helped during the afternoon, Nobles for the use of their facilities and Mooragh Park for measuring and providing the refreshments.

The Qualifier for The British Junior Merit, which will take place on 13 August at Gresford Colliery Bowling Club in Wrexham, was played on Saturday 25 June at Marown.

It was a pity that only three girls entered, but what the field lacked in quantity it made up for in quality. The event was played as a round-robin, with each girl playing two games to 15. It was the first year that Rebekah Kelly had entered, and her inexperience showed, but she also showed plenty of promise – watch out for her next year !

The final result Bethany Kennish 30, Sarah Quirk 26, Rebekah Kelly 11

There are several more girls playing on the island, and the standard on display at Marown on Saturday shows that the future of ladies’ bowls is in safe hands.

There was an entry of 32 for the ladies’ singles played at Marown on Saturday 25 June for the Julia North Trophy.

The fast and very tricky green engendered a sense of fun in some of the games and there were some excellent bowls played in a friendly atmosphere.

Quarter-finals: Katy Williams 21, Julie Reilly 17; Janet Monk 21, Alison Keggen 19; Lisa Boland 21, Rosie Winckle 18; Caroline Parker 21, Margaret Tasker 9.

This left 3 players from Mooragh Park plus Lisa Boland from Douglas in the semi-finals.

Semi-finals: Janet Monk 21, Katy Williams 20; Caroline Parker 21, Lisa Boland 18.

After two very close semi-finals, Janet got the bit between her teeth in the final, and although Caroline managed to take two 2’s and a single off her, she came through to win 21-11.

Rosie Winckle thanked everyone who came, and those who stayed to the end. Thanks also went to those who had helped during the afternoon.

She then introduced Julia North to make the presentations. Julia congratulated those who had taken part in the latter stages, and commented on the tense semi-finals and the standard of bowls in the final.

The weather was beautiful in Castletown on Saturday 18 June when 21 pairs entered for the ladies’ doubles competition sponsored by Microgaming. The field included several visiting ladies who were over for the June Festival.

Semi-finals: Paula Firth and Sylvia Kennaugh 21, Brigid Lunn and Hilary Kermode 19; Fiona Kennish and Jenny Moore 21, Lyn Bolton and Paula Garrett 18

In a very close final Fiona and Jenny eventually came through to win 21-19.

The presentation was made by Hilary Kermode on behalf of the sponsors, Microgaming.

There was an entry of 32 for the Association Pre-Festival ladies’ singles played at Port Erin on Sunday 19 June.

In contrast to Castletown the previous day the weather was atrocious, and the organisers did well to finish before the green was completely water-logged !

Quarter-finals: Jenny Wilby 21, Joan Jolly 21; Ronnie Lyon 21, Kathryn Gee 20; Heather Johnson 21, Rita Manning 18; Elaine Moore 21, Jenny Moore 17.

By the time the semi-finals started the players were trying to avoid the pools on the green !

Semi-finals: Jen Wilby 21, Ronnie Lyon 13; Heather Johnson 21, Elaine Moore 19

In the final Jen dealt with the conditions better than Heather, coming through to win 21-6.

The presentation was made by Janet Shilling who thanked everyone, particularly the Port Erin ladies’ for their work and Heather and Elaine for running the sheet.

There was an entry of 24 ladies for the competition, played at Noble’s 2 on Saturday 11 June and hosted by Mooragh Park, for the Ramsey Town Cup.

The weather was dull but warm and humid at the start with the sun breaking out for the later stages. The lack of play during the TT period was felt by some players who took some time to get going on a relatively heavy green that speeded up during the afternoon, but there were some interesting and very close games in evidence, with every match going to double figures. Indeed two of the quarter-finals ended at 21-20.

The mellifluous tones of Mike Skelly on the microphone added an extra dimension to the proceedings.

Quarter-finals: Lyn Bolton 21, Jenny Moore 15; Debbie Leece 21, Rosemary Quirk 20; Alison Keggen 21, Payne 20; Helen Martin 21, Lil Smith 18..

Semi-finals: Debbie Leece 21, Lyn Bolton 19; Helen Martin 21, Alison Keggen 17.

In the final Helen got off to flier reaching 15 before Debbie got hold of the jack . From then the match took on a different perspective with Debbie having the better of the next period of play – however she had left herself too much to do, and despite the fight back, Helen came through to win 21-15.

Helen Martin thanked all those who had entered and commented on the standard of bowling before introducing Mike Skelly, Chair of North Ramsey, to make the presentations. He also thanked those who helped during the event and commented on the close and exciting games.