There were 18 pairs entered for the Association IOM Pairs Championship held at Ballaugh on Sunday 22 May. It was a perfect day, the green was running well, there was good bowling with some surprises along the way.

Both semi-finals were close affairs. In the first Gill and Elaine stormed through to lead 20-14, at which point Ann and Jenny dug their heels in coming back to level the scores at “all-but” across before Gill and Elaine secured the point necessary to take them through to the final. The surprise pairing of the afternoon were Mooragh Park’s Julie Reilly and Vicky Lloyd-West who had played well to reach this stage. Up against the more experienced home greeners their good form continued, as they reached 19-15 before their opponents staged a fight-back to level at 19-19. The Mooragh pair held their nerve to produce a 2 on the next end and book a place in the final.

Semi-finals: Gill Dixon and Elaine Moore 21, Ann Gale and Jenny Maddrell 20; Julie Reilly and Vicky Lloyd-West 21, Barbara Graham and Christine McDonald !9

The wheels fell off for Julie and Vicky as they faced last year’s winners in the final. An imperious display saw Gill and Elaine retain their title 21-7.

The presentation was made by Association president, Rosie Winckle, who thanked Ballaugh for the use of their premises and their help during the afternoon. Thanks also went to all those involved in the smooth running of the afternoon.

It was a case of quality rather than quantity at Onchan on Wednesday 11 May when a select field of 16 gathered to compete for the Onchan Ladies’ Singles title.

There were some very close matches throughout the afternoon with several games, including two in the first round, ending 21-20.

Quarter-finals: Tricia Bull 21, Roma Ware 17; Chris Price 21, Maureen Payne 20; Helen Martin 21, Philippa Taylor 14; Lyn Bolton 21, Mary Alderson 15

Semi-finals: Chris Price 21, Tricia Bull 15; Lyn Bolton 21, Helen Martin 16

This left Chris and Lyn to contest the final, and they did not disappoint, producing quality bowls in a nail-biting match.

Chris got of to the better start, reaching an early lead of 13-8, before Lyn won 6 ends in a row to gain the advantage 15-13.It was Chris’s turn again and she raced to 20-17, but anyone who thought she had it in the bag were mistaken as Lyn dug in and took the game with four singles to make the final score 21-20.

The presentation was made by President, Lynda Clarke, who thanked all those involved in running the competition and raffle and providing the refreshments. She also praised the standard of bowls during the afternoon, particularly in the semi-finals and the final.

There was an entry of 20 pairs at Marown on Saturday 21 May competing for the Greeba Cup. The weather stayed fine, if a little windy and the green quickened as the afternoon progressed.

Semi-finals: Paula Firth and Lin Ruscoe 21, Marie Ashurst and Kath Kinley 14; Paula Garrett and Lyn Bolton 21, Lynda Wilson and Heather Horsburgh 6

This set up a Lin and Paula v Lyn and Paula final which, the way both pairs have been playing this season, had to happen at some point !

As could be expected the final was a close and nail-biting affair. Bolton and Garrett took the early initiative taking a 14-10 lead, and although the next few ends were shared, two threes from Firth and Ruscoe brought the scores level at 17-17.At 18 across the Nobles’ pair scored a 2 to reach “all-but” then a single for each pair meant that Lin and Paula ran out 21-19 winners.

Rosie Winckle then introduced President Shirley Whelan to make the presentations. Shirley thanked those who had entered and those who stayed to the end commenting on the exciting final which meant that no-one left during it. She also thanked the Marown members who had helped during the afternoon, particularly Irene with the refreshments.

There was an entry of 30 for the ladies’ singles open, played at Ballaugh on Saturday 23 April, for the Pearl Kaighin Trophy.

The conditions were tricky with a fast green combined with a strong wind. Although the conditions were warm and pleasant during the afternoon for spectators sitting in sheltered spots, towards the latter stages winter returned and Sylvia Kennaugh’s blanket was the envy of many !

Quarter-finals: Jenny Maddrell 21, Sylvia Kennaugh 10; Shirley Whelan 21, Tricia Bull 19; Lil Smith 21, Helen Martin 12 (ret.); Rosie Winckle 21, Margaret Tasker 17.

It was unfortunate that Helen had to retire from her match after twisting her knee.

The final stages were dominated by Marown players, three of them in the semi-finals, two of whom made it to the final.

Both semi-finals were very close. In the first Shirley made the better start, racing to a 12-7 lead before Jenny had the advantage over the next few ends, closing to level at 15-15 and going on to lead 20-17, winning four ends in a row on the way. However Shirley took the next three ends to take the game 21-20 and progress to the final.

In the other semi-final it was Rosie Winckle who got off best to lead 16-10, then 18-12, before Lil started a revival, catching up to 17-18 before Rosie took two of the next three ends to go through 21-18.

In the final we were treated to some wonderful play from both players, although Shirley had the edge throughout, taking the title 21-14.

Final: Shirley Whelan 21, Rosie Winckle 14.

Club chairman, Jenny Maddrell, thanked those who had stayed to the end in the bitter conditions, those who had helped measuring, marking and in the kitchen. Special thanks went to Bernard Kaighin for continuing to sponsor the event and providing the trophy in memory of his mother, and also to Richard for running the sheet and keeping the afternoon going smoothly.

Philippa Taylor, from Peel Sunset, and Jean Thackrah, from Port Erin, joined forces to enter the Ladies’ Doubles at the Blackpool Spring Festival played at the Waterloo in March. In a strong field they came through to win  (meeting Pat Lonsdale,well known from our Festivals, in the final).

Congratulations to both ladies!

There was a field of eight for the British Crown Green ladies’ merit qualifier played at Finch Hill on Sunday 17 April. The weather stayed fair and at times there was a hint of warmth in the sun.

The games started at the quarter-final stage and some players got to grips with the green more quickly than others.

Quarter-finals: Debbie Leece 21, Lil Smith 15; Sylvia Kennaugh 21, Mary Alderson 14; Rosie Winckle 21, Shirley Whelan 10; Elaine Moore 21, Helen Martin 14.

In the semi-final Elaine got off to a flyer against Rosie, at one point leading 16-5. Although the game was more even from that point Rosie had left herself too much to do and Elaine came through 21-11. The other semi-final was a game of two halves as Sylvia streaked into a 16-6 lead. Debbie then took control to level things at all-but across, but it was Sylvia who took the next point to win 21-20 and progress to the final.

In the final Elaine took control, and despite Sylvia’s best efforts she could make little impact on Elaine’s progress.

Final: Elaine Moore 21, Sylvia Kennaugh 8

The presentation was made by Association president, Rosie Winckle, who thanked those who had taken part, and those who came to spectate. Special thanks went to Anne Caine who had come along to open up and to make the very welcome teas and coffees.

Elaine will be representing the island at Owley Wood Recreation Club, Northwich, on Saturday 9 July

Strong winds and a fast green made for difficult conditions for the 32 ladies who contested the Essie Quayle singles at Peel on Saturday 5 September. Although the sun shone it became very cold for the latter stages of the competition, reducing the number of spectators staying to the end.

Quarter-finals: Kim Hargraves 21, Mary Kinrade 18; Margaret Tasker 21, Shirley Corrin 16; Joyce Kelly 21, Janet Monk 19; Ann Maddrell 21, Maureen Payne 16

Semi-finals: Kim Hargraves 21, Margaret Tasker 17; Joyce Kelly 21, Ann Maddrell 16

In the final the early ends were shared to make the players level at 9-9. Joyce won the next 5 ends to lead 16-9. Although play was level after that point Kim was unable to make inroads into Joyce’s lead, the peel player coming through to win 21-14.

The presentation was made by club captain Heather Horsburgh who thanked the green keeper and everyone who had helped with the smooth running of the afternoon.