The morning mist cleared to give a fine afternoon at South Ramsey on Saturday 13 July where a field of 25 gathered to compete for the Omega Cup. The very fast green did not suit everybody but games were played in good spirit punctuated by gasps of disbelief as woods trickled off the edge.

Quarter-finals: Philippa Fletcher 21, Mary Simmonds 14; Lyn Bolton 21, Jill Quayle 8; Rita Callan 21, Elaine Moore 12; Jenny Moore 21, Maureen Payne 9.

Semi-finals: Lyn Bolton 21, Philippa Fletcher 13; Jenny Moore 21, Rita Callan 13

With games starting off 3 the final started with the players matching each other up to 9-9 when Lyn went into a 13-10 lead. Jenny then got hold of the jack and gave a thrilling exhibition of playing a fast green which, despite Lyn also playing some good woods which did not count, took her through to win 21-13.

The presentation was made by Ladies’ President Moira Anderson who thanked everyone who had contributed to the success of the afternoon.

Report by Heather Horsburgh

There was an entry of 29 for the Ladies’ Manx Championship played at Ballaugh over the two days, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July. The warm, sunny weather added to the occasion, while after the problems at the start of the season the green keepers should be congratulated on the state of the playing surface. Though the green was a little on the heavy side it did not detract from the quality of bowls on show on both afternoons. The winner will represent the island at The Champion of Champions on 29 September.

Quarter-finals: Elaine Moore 21, Tricia Bull 17; Jenny Moore 21, Viv Grills 12; Paula Firth 21, Rachel Quirk 17; Janet Monk 21, Chris Price 12.

In the semi-finals Jenny had a straightforward win over Elaine, while Janet had to battle hard to come through against Paula who had been ahead at several points in the match.

Semi-finals: Jenny Moore 21, Elaine Moore 12; Janet Monk 21, Paula Firth 19

In the final Janet had the better of the early stages, taking a lead of 12-7 after 13 ends at which point Jenny won the jack and staged a comeback to be ahead 15-14 at end 22, at which point Janet took control again dropping just one more end to take the title 21-16.

The presentation was made by Association vice-president Pat Robertson, who thanked all who had contributed to the day – the ladies running the sheets and the Ballaugh ladies for measuring and for the refreshments, the drinks being particularly welcome on such a hot day.

Thanks also went to Jenny Maddrell for her sponsorship of the event, and Pat passed on apologies for Jenny‘s absence.

On a dull and windy afternoon 16 sets of triples gathered at Castletown on Sunday 30 June to contest the Ladies’ Association Triples.

Semi-finals: Jenny Moore, Shelley Kennish and Lauren Groen 21, Sue Peach, Ann Oates and Heike Perry 11; Janet Monk, Chris Price and Lilian Slinger 21, Fiona Kennish, Bethany Kennish and Elaine Moore 14.

The final was very close right to the end when the Mooragh Park combo took the last to ends to take the title 21-18.

The presentation was made by Association vice-president Pat Robertson who thanked Castletown for the use of their facilities and its members for their help with measuring and marking throughout the afternoon.

Report by Heather Horsburgh

Report by Heather Horsburgh

On an overcast, though mainly dry, afternoon there was an entry of 27 ladies competing for the Julia North Cup at Marown on Saturday 29 June. Although the green was heavier than it usually is and caught some of the participants out initially, there were some very close games and bowling of a high calibre.

Quarter-finals: Margaret Tasker 21, Rita Callan 13; Maureen Payne 17, Lilian Slinger 21; Jant Monk 21, Rachel Quirk 14; Philippa Fletcher 21, Mary Kinrade 17.

Semi-finals: Lilian Slinger 21, Margaret Tasker 17; Janet Monk 21 Philippa Fletcher 17.

In the final Janet got off to the better start, taking an early lead at 14-8. Lilian took four of the next five ends to close the gap to just one point at 14-15.The next three ends took Janet to 19 while Lilian retaliated, taking three ends to level to 19-19. In the end Lilian came through to claim the cup 21-20, and was particularly delighted as she had finished runner-up for the previous two years.

The presentation was made by Rosie Winckle who thanked all those who had entered the competition and the Marown ladies’ for their help in the smooth running of the afternoon.

The wind played a major part at Finch Hill on Sunday 23 June when 12 pairs of ladies gathered to contest the Dorothy Piearce qualifier, the winners of which will represent the island at Wolverhampton in August.

Some players coped with the wind better than others leading to few close games during the afternoon an exception being the quarter-final, Ann Gale and Jenny Maddrell against Lin Ruscoe and Paula Firth, which the Noble’s Mixed ladies won 21-19.

Semi-finals: Jenny Moore and Shelley Kennish 21, Chris Holland and Elaine Moore 17; Janet Monk and Chris Price 21, Lin Ruscoe and Paula Firth 11.

In the final Janet and Chris found a mark along the side of the green which they played well and which their young opponents failed to come to terms with, although they restricted the Mooragh Park pair to a single on several ends. The match was not as one-sided as the score of 21-6 might suggest.

The presentation was made by Association president Jenny Maddrell who thanked all those who had helped during the afternoon, particularly Anne Caine who presided over the kitchen providing very welcome hot drinks on a cold day.

The rain held off till the latter stages of the ladies’ doubles open played at Noble’s Mixed on Saturday 22 June, and the fine weather contributed to the friendly atmosphere round the green. The 21 pairs provided fine bowling with some very close matches.

Semi-finals: Lilian Slinger and Chris Price 21, Philippa Fletcher and Heather Horsburgh 17; Katy Williams and Ann Maddrell 21, Lynda Cadamy and Caroline Whitehead 13.

This left two mother/daughter combinations to contest the final. Lilian and Chris had the better of the early exchanges taking a lead of 13-9, before Ann and Katy had a run of 7 ends to give them the advantage 18-13. A 2 on the next end for the Northern pair was followed by the Port St Mary pairing taking the final two ends to win 21-15.

The presentation was made by John Ruscoe who thanked all those who had helped during the afternoon, particularly Pat and her crew in the kitchen.

There was an entry of 25 pairs for the ladies’ doubles competition sponsored by Microgaming and played at Castletown on Saturday 15 June. The weather was mixed with the odd shower interspersed by warm sunshine and with the green running well there were some excellent, and very close, games played in a friendly spirit.

Quarter-finals: Maggie Wheeler and Maureen Lyons 21, Joyce Ogden and Di Moore 18; Chris Price and Janet Monk 21, Lyn Bolton and Paula Garrett 14; Lilian Slinger and Rachel Quirk 21, Heike Perry and Ann Hollingworth 17; Margaret Tasker and Tricia Bull 21, Anne Oates and Josie Harding 19.

Semi-finals: Chris Price and Janet Monk 21, Maggie Wheeler and Maureen Lyons 17; Lilian Slingr and Rachel Quirk 21, Margart Tasker and Tricia Bull 14.

The final was “nip and tuck” up to 14-14 when Chris and Janet won the next three ends to take an 18-14 lead. Rachel and Lilian were not shaken off taking the next three ends with a 3 on the third end to have a 19-18 advantage. A three from their opponents on the following end gave them the match 21-19 to end an absorbing contest.

Final: Chris Price and Janet Monk 21, Lilian Slinger and Rachel Quirk 19

Heike Perry then thanked everyone for staying before introducing Hilary Kermode to make the presentation on behalf of sponsors, Microgaming.

Hilary thanked those who had entered making it the best ever entry for this event and also thanks went to all who had helped, particularly Hannah and Heike for running the sheet.

Report by Heather Horsburgh

There was an entry of 14 ladies for the British Merit Qualifier played at Finch Hill on Sunday 21st April 2013. The weather stayed fair despite the threat of rain before the start and there were some hotly contested games in each round.The semi-finals were composed of four players from Mooragh Park, with Janet Monk coming through a tough game against Rachel Quirk 21-19, while Viv Grills did not find it a lot easier to see off Kellie Maddrell-Reeve 21-15.

In the final Janet was on top throughout finding a couple of marks along the edge of the green that had Viv flummoxed. In the end Janet won 21-12 and will represent the Island at Burton-on-Trent in July

Thanks go to Finch Hill for the use of their facilities with a special mention to Anne and Maimie for providing the refreshments.