There was a disappointing entry of 25 for the W.A.Roberts ladies’ singles, sponsored by Celtic Associates Ltd., played at Port St Mary on Wednesday 12 August. The entry may well have been affected by the men’s Ismay Cup final which was taking place at the same time.

A fast running green and fine weather enabled some enjoyable bowling.

Quarter-finals: Jayne Kneen 21, Roma Ware 6; Paula Firth 21, Mary Alderson 17; Ann Maddrell 21, Lil Smith 14; Mavis Franks 21, Win Collister 18

Semi-finals: Jayne Kneen 21, Paula Firth 17; Ann Maddrell 21, Mavis Franks 20

In the final Ann took the first two ends before Jayne won 9 of the next 10 to lead 18-9.Ann then staged a come-back making the score 15-19 after winning 5 of the next 6 ends, Jayne took the next end to reach all-but. The next two ends went Ann’s way before Jayne was able to win the game 21-18.

Lady President, Ann Maddrell, thanked everyone who had helped to make a successful afternoon, Sean and Gill for organising the competition, the green-keeper Ray, and the ladies doing the refreshments in the kitchen. She also thanked Celtic Associates Ltd. for their continued sponsorship before introducing Iain Wood to make the presentations. Iain said how much he enjoyed the event and promised continued sponsorship for next year.

There was a disappointing entry of 24 for the IOM Merit, for the Barbara Lee trophy, held at Port Erin on Sunday 9 August. However the weather stayed fair ensuring an enjoyable afternoon for bowling.

Quarter-finals: Debbie Leece 21, Elaine Moore 19; Lyn Bolton 21, Caroline Whitehead 11; Mary Alderson 21, Phil Dobson 13; Paula Firth 21, Lynda Cadamy 13

Semi-finals: Lyn Bolton 21, Debbie Leece 7; Paula Firth 21, Mary Alderson 12

Lyn had been gaining momentum throughout the afternoon and Paula could not stay with her in the final, although she did show some resistance when Lyn reached 20-4, winning the next three ends, but it was too little too late as Lyn ran out the 21-8 winner.

The presentation was made by Association president, Pat Robertson, who congratulated the players and thanked Port Erin for the use of their facilities. She also thanked all those who had helped in any way with the smooth running of the afternoon, in particular the two gentlemen who had a very busy afternoon manning the measures.

There was a field of 24 for the Jordan Cup ladies’ singles played at Nobles’ on Saturday 25 July. Once again the weather was fine and the green was interesting. Quarter-finals: Sylvia Kennaugh 21, Lilian Slinger 20; Heather Horsburgh 21, Jo Smith 18; Helen Martin 21, Debbie Leece 17; Margaret Tasker 21, Lin Ruscoe 7 Semi-finals: Sylvia Kennaugh 21, Heather Horsburgh 15; Helen Martin 21, Margaret Tasker 13 In the final both players produced some excellent bowling, early exchanges seeing them level at 8-8 before a spurt of five ends saw Sylvia advance to 14-8. Helen took five of the next six ends to take a lead of 16-15 which Sylvia levelled to 16 across on the next end. She then scored two 2’s and a single to take the match, and her first trophy, 21-16. Committee member, Joyce Ogden thanked everyone before presenting the prizes.

The weather stayed fair for the ladies’ doubles, for the Onchan Commissioners’ Cup, played on Wednesday 22 July. The field of 16 pairs produced some entertaining bowls played in good spirit. Semi-finals: Janet Monk and Lilian Slinger 21, Philippa Taylor and Heather Horsburgh 11; Paula Garrett and Lyn Bolton 21, Rosie Winckle and Shirley Whelan 14 In the final Paula and Lyn were first out of the blocks, winning the first five ends to take a 13-6 lead. A 2 followed by three 3’s gave the advantage to Lilian and Janet, which they never relinquished, despite Paula and Lyn winning two more ends, taking the game 21-16. Competition secretary, Marilyn Ellison thanked all those who had helped to make the afternoon a success before introducing the chairman of Onchan Commissioners, Robin Turton, who presented the prizes.

There was a disappointing entry of nine groups for the Association Millennium Fours which took place at South Ramsey on Saturday 18 July.

A fast green and strong winds made conditions tricky, while rain later in the afternoon didn’t help.

In the first semi-final the Nobles’ team consisting of Clare Cooper, Paula Firth, Lin Ruscoe and Rebecca Teare had the better of the Moorage Park team, Mary Kinrade, Helen Martin, Janet Monk and Lilian Slinger, by 45 points to 15.

In the second semi-final the South Ramsey/ Douglas team of Casey Bolton, Lyn Bolton, Zoe Bolton and Paula Garrett beat the South Ramsey team of Bethany Kennish, Fiona Kennish, Shelley Kennish and Jenny Moore by 41 points to 30.

The final saw the combined South Ramsey and Douglas team in unbeatable form, winning all three games (two singles and a doubles ) to run our 45-22 winners.

The presentation was made by Association president, Pat Robertson who thanked South Ramsey for hosting the competition and everyone else involved in the smooth running of the afternoon.

Another festival has been completed successfully, the wet finals morning being forgotten after it was followed by a fine afternoon.

As usual local ladies made their presence felt, with three getting through to the semi-finals of the ladies’ doubles, Helen Martin going out to Paula Firth and Carole Bleakley at that stage. Rachel Quirk was waiting in the final with her partner, Eileen Pye, the pair getting the better of Paula and Carole to take the title.

Philippa Taylor reached the quarter-finals of the Ladies’ Consolation just losing out 20-21 to Carol Ramsey.

Lyn Bolton and Jenny Moore reached the quarter-finals of the Ladies’ Tourism, Lyn going out 17-21 to Jackie Owen at that stage. Jenny beat Sandra Parfitt 21-10, going forward to meet Jackie Owen in the semi-final. A 21-17 win pitted her against Veronica Lyon in the final, where she came through, without too many scares, 21-15 to win the event.

There were five Manx ladies in the last 16 of the main, Janet Monk, Rachel Quirk, Ann Maddrell, Lilian Slinger and Val Macfarlane, who unfortunately played each other at that stage.

Janet moved into the last eight while Rachel lost to eventual runner-up, Alexis Lunn-Gadd. Ann Maddrell lost to Lisa Rice while Lilian just edged Val out 21-20.

Janet progressed to the semi-finals but Lilian went out 21-10 to Tracey Wraight who went on to win the event. Janet went out 16-21 to Alexis but was able to take the trophy for the best Manx Lady back home with her.

A field of four arrived at Ballaugh on Saturday 27 June to contest the Junior Girls Merit, the winner to represent the Island later in the summer.

The contest was played as a round-robin, each game being 15 up.

This is the last year that Casey Bolton will be eligible, as age is catching up with her, and she made the most of her opportunity, winning all three games, but it was good to see two new faces competing – I am sure there are others out there and hope that they will feel able to join in next year.

Casey Bolton 45; Bethany Kennish 35; Katie Sayle 33; Sarah Quirk 23.

We wish Casey the best of luck when she goes across later in the summer.

The weather was fine at Finch Hill on Sunday 28 June for the Dorothy Piearce Pairs Qualifier. Eight pairs gathered to battle it out, each game being 21 off scratch.

Semi-finals: Debbie Leece and Sylvia Kennaugh 16, Rosie Winckle and Lil Smith 21; Janet Monk and Lilian Slinger 21, Kim Hargraves and Helen Martin 8.

Despite the best efforts of Lil and Rosie the class of the other pair shone through , Janet and Lilian giving them few openings. The tail wagged a little at the end when Rosie and Lil did make them wait an extra two ends for the final point !

Association President, Pat Robertson presented the winners with flowers wishing them the best of luck when they go across.