The ladies’ Association Non-winners Competition for the Hands Trophy , which had to postponed from the end of last season, took place at Peel on Saturday 5 April, with an entry of thirty players.

The morning weather threatened that the competition may again have to be postponed, but after the rain stopped a delayed start allowed the green to dry out enough for play to commence.

Despite the dampness the green was running well allowing some good play.

Quarter-finals: Jean Thackrah 21,Voirrey Curphey 17; Trish Bull 21,Lil Smith 15; Rosie Winckle 21, Margaret Tasker 16; Viv Grills 21, Shirley Corrin 13

Semi-finals: Trish Bull 21, Jean Thackrah 9; Viv Grills 21, Rosie Winckle 16

In the final Trish had little answer to Viv’s bowling which improved as the afternoon progressed, Viv taking the game, and the trophy, 21-10

The presentation was made by Association president, Pat Robertson, who thanked all those who had turned out to play on what had started out as such a miserable day.

Suddenly the new bowls season is here without, hopefully, the snow that blighted last year’s early fixtures. The first thing to find out is who has moved clubs and how this will affect the end of season results.

Although Mooragh Park dominated both leagues last season, Port St Mary were snapping at their heels, ending less than 100 points behind in the night league and just over 100 behind in the over 60’s league, and could be a stiffer challenge this year. In the Friday night league, Castletown and South Ramsey will be doing their best to ensure it is not a two horse race, while Peel are lurking just behind and could cause a surprise .

The over 60’s league has been reduced by the withdrawal of Breagle and it will be interesting to see how their having separate Tuesday and Thursday teams pans out.

It is to be hoped that the weather stays fair and the players have a successful and enjoyable season.

Report by Heather Horsburgh

There was an entry of 46 for the Bowling Green Café Ladies’ singles open played at Castletown on Sunday 1 September. In pleasant weather and the green running well, although a little on the tricky side, there was some interesting bowling.

Quarter-finals:- Veronica Lyon (West Derby Recs.) 21, Joan Jolly (Acregate) 14; Angela Gaut (Wrockwardine Wood )21, Tricia Bull 17; Kath Kinley 21, Denise Tonks (Wrockwardine Wood) 13; Eileen Pye (Acregate ) 16, Jean Radcliffe 21

Semi-finals :- Angela Gaut 21, Veronica Lyon 14; Kath Kinley 21, Jean Radcliffe 16

In a final where the score does not reflect the closeness of the ends, Angela came through to win 21-13.

Club Chairman Ron Williams introduced Rachel Corkish who made the presentation on behalf of the sponsors, the Bowling Green Café.

Thanks went to the sponsors and to all who had helped in the smooth running of the afternoon

There was an entry of 36 for the Essie Quayle ladies’ singles played at Peel on Saturday 31 August. With the weather staying fair and the green running well there were some close and exciting games.

Quarter-finals: Mary Alderson 21, Sue Jones 14 ; Mary Moffatt 21, Joyce Kelly 12 ; Janet Monk 21, Shirley Whelan 13; Lilian Slinger 21, Jean Radcliffe 18

Semi-finals : Mary Moffatt 21, Mary Alderson 19; Lilian Slinger 21, Janet Monk 12

The final was a game of three parts with Lilian taking a lead of 13-7. In the middle section Mary won 6 out of 7 ends to catch up to 14-15.Lilian then took 5 of the final 6 ends to take the game 21-15.

Club captain Heather Horsburgh then thanked everyone for coming, for staying to the end and also thanked the greenkeepers and those who had helped in any way during the afternoon before introducing Ian Davidson, representing Peel Town Commissioners, to make the presentation

There was an entry of 41 at Port St Mary on Wednesday 14 August to compete for the W. A. Roberts ladies’ singles trophy sponsored by Celtic Associates Ltd. With the green running well there were some very close games as well as some not so close !

Quarter-finals :- Margaret Tasker 21, Val Macfarlane 20; Ann Maddrell 21, Jean Radcliffe 13; Janet Monk 21, Helen Martin 14; Lilian Slinger 21, Viv Grills 13

Semi-finals :- Margaret Tasker 21, Ann Maddrell 12; Janet Monk 21, Lilian Slinger 19

The final was closely contested to end 13, when Janet had a slight lead at 14-13. She won the next end to gain control of the jack which she then refused to relinquish winning the next five ends to come through 21-13.

Lady President, Sheila Shimmin then thanked the green keeper, Shaun for doing the sheet and anyone else who had helped during the afternoon before introducing Iain Wood, director of sponsors Celtic Associates Ltd to make the presentations. Iain said that the company were pleased to be involved with the competition and would be pleased to sponsor it again next year.

Report by Heather Horsburgh

There was an entry of 36 for the IOM Ladies’ Merit, for the Barbara Lee Trophy, played at Port St Mary on Sunday 11 August. Apart from a few light showers the weather was fine although cold for the latter stages, and the green was playing well allowing for some excellent bowling.

Quarter-finals: Ann Maddrell 21, Rita Callister 3; Jayne Kneen 21, Lin Ruscoe 8; Lilian Slinger 21, Rachel Quirk 12; Lyn Bolton 21, Helen Martin 13

Semi-finals: Jayne Kneen 21, Ann Maddrell 15; Lilian Slinger 21, Lyn Bolton 12

In the final Jayne raced to a 9-1 lead at which point Lilian won four ends in a row to narrow the gap to 6-9. They then shared the ends to 9-13 before Jayne won the last six ends to run out the winner 21-9.

Janet Shilling thanked all who had helped during the afternoon before introducing Rob Lee, Barbara’s son, to make the presentations with the help of Association vice-president Pat Robertson. She also thanked Rob for his contributions to the raffle, the proceeds of which will be given to Hospice, and also for the prizes where he had provided, chocolates for the losing semi-finalists and champagne for the finalists.

Competitors at Peel on Saturday 3 August got away with just one heavy shower on an otherwise bright and breezy afternoon as 22 pairs gathered for the Flo Doan Ladies’ doubles competition. As usual the green was tricky although running well.

Semi-finals: Pat Robertson and Sonja Lees 21, Rose Corfield and Mona Kerruish 16; Lin Ruscoe and Paula Firth 21, Ann Gale and Jane Teare 8

Lin and Paula took an early lead of 11-6 in the final before Pat and Sonja took the next 5 ends to have a 14-11 advantage, at which point they seemed to have shot their bolt, as they only managed one more point before Lin and Paula ran out 21-15 winners.

The presentation was made by club president Mary Moffatt who thanked the green keepers and everyone else who had helped with the smooth running of the afternoon.

On a fine afternoon in Ramsey Mooragh Park held their ladies’ singles open for the Town Cup. Unfortunately there was a small entry of eight players so games were played to 21 off scratch on a fast green which obviously suited the eventual winner, Lilian Slinger.

Quarter-finals: Viv Grills 21, Maureen Payne 10; Jenny Maddrell 21, Jean Radcliffe 18; Janet Monk 21, Sylvia Kennaugh 6; Lilian Slinger 21, Rita Callan 12.

Semi-finals: Viv Grills 21, Jenny Maddrell 16; Lilian Slinger 21, Janet Monk 17.

In the final Lilian came through to beat Viv 21-14.

The presentation was made by Lady President, Janet Monk, who thanked everyone who had helped in any way during the afternoon.

Despite a forecast of possible heavy showers the weather stayed warm and sunny at Onchan on Wednesday 24 July for the ladies’ doubles competition for the Commissioner’s Cup. A field of 18 pairs produced some close and exciting games particularly at the semi-final stage.

Semi-finals: Kath Kinley and Marie Ashurst 21, Casey and Lyn Bolton 19; Lin Ruscoe and Paula Firth 21, Janet Monk and Lilian Slinger 20.

In the first semi-final the game was even until a 3 on the fifteenth end followed by a single gave Casey and Lyn a 19-16 lead. The Castletown pair then dug in to get a single followed by two 2’s to see them through to the final 21-19.

The fight-back was even more dramatic in the other semi as after 16 ends Lilian and Janet held the advantage 20-14. A 2 and a 1 brought Lin and Paula up to 17 then a 4 finished the game off with the Noble’s Mixed pair going through 21-20.

The final stayed all square to 12-12 on end 8. From then Lin and Paula took control allowing Kath and Marie just one more single before running out 21-13.

Final: Lin Ruscoe and Paula Firth 21, Kath Kinley and Marie Ashurst 13.

Unfortunately the chairman of Onchan Commissioner’s was delayed so the presentation was made by Heather Reynolds, Chairman of Onchan Ladies, who thanked everyone involved in the afternoon.

Report by Heather Horsburgh

There was an entry of thirteen teams for the Millennium Fours played at Noble’s Mixed on Saturday 20 July on a warm sunny afternoon.

The format of play was a doubles and two singles in each match, the protagonists chosen by lot by the organisers, the total scores from the three games giving the team total.

By the semi-finals the competition was hotting up with two close games, both depending on the result of the doubles. The Noble’s Mixed team, comprising Clare Cooper, Paula Firth, Lin Ruscoe and Rebecca Teare, had a 4 point lead going into the doubles where Lilian Slinger and Chris Price needed to win 15-10 to progress to the final. In the event the Noble’s Mixed pairing of Clare Cooper and Paula Firth won by that score to take their team through 45-35.

Semi-final 1: Lin Ruscoe 15, Rachel Quirk 14; Rebecca Teare 15, Janet Monk 12; Clare Cooper and Paula Firth 15, Lilian Slinger and Chris Price 10.

In the other semi-final where a combined South Ramsey and Douglas team of Casey and Lyn Bolton with Harley and Paula Garrett, met the Ballaugh team of Ann Gale Jenny Maddrell, Mary Simmonds and Jane Teare, the scores were level after the two singles meaning that whichever team won the doubles went through. In a tense match Ballaugh came through to take the doubles 15-14 to take the match 42-41.

Semi-final 2: Ann Gale 15, Paula Garrett 12; Lyn Bolton 15, Jane Teare 12; Jenny Maddrell and Mary Simmonds 15, Casey Bolton and Harley Garrett 14.

Two wins to Noble’s Mixed in the singles meant that Ballaugh would have to win the doubles 15-2.In a close match they did win but not by the required margin to give Noble’s Mixed victory 43-33.

Final: Paula Firth 15, Jane Teare 5; Rebecca Teare 15, Jenny Maddrell 13; Mary Simmonds and Ann Gale 15, Lin Ruscoe and Clare Cooper 13.

The presentation was made by Association president, Jenny Maddrell, who thanked all those who had taken part and helped in the smooth running of the event.