It was a case of déjà vu for 1996 Island Champion Gary Conwell as he won the Henry Kissack trophy at Marown on Saturday for the third time.

Conwell, who’s last open success came in this very same competition in 2009, was in imperious form all day but saved his majestic best for the final where he beat Michael Collister 21-11.

He was unplayable in the final and every time it looked like Collister would get a foothold to climb back into the game he produced winner after winner to claim the title.

Collister should also be lauded for exploits on the day and particularly his 21-17 semi-final win over Castletown stable mate Aaron ‘Bob’ Clark. Conwell knocked out home greener Brian ‘Boothy’ Kelly at the same stage.

Losing out in the quarter finals were Arnie Withers, Phil ‘Rambo’ Kelly, Bobby Thorne and David Proctor. Marown bowling club should once again be congratulated for putting on another superbly well run competition.

Ian Kissack & Mike Hargraves turned back time as these two evergreen over 60’s put in some tremendous performances to win the men’s doubles at Peel Bowling Club on Saturday.

There was another blast from the past in the final and it was great to see multiple Island champion Andy Kennish back on the open circuit partnered by Lee Dawson. Kennish & Dawson played brilliantly all day but were no match for Kissack & Hargraves in the final who put their foot on the gas from the off and never backed off with a 21-9 win.

In the semi finals our eventual victors were equally as ruthless against Jordan Cain & Bob Clark beating the youngsters 21-11 whilst our runners up just had the edge to see off the challenge of homegreeners Frank Watson & Jerome Surridge.

As always it was a well run competition on a tricky playing surface and our winners fully deserve every accolade afforded them as they were the class act on the day – well done fellas!

The Clague Kermeen was played on Saturday 20th July in glorious sunshine with 28 men taking part.

The eventual winner was home greener David Bradford who retained the trophy with a 21-14 win over Colin Kelly of Marown. Losing semi finalists were Edward Trustham (Ballaugh) and Tony Hart (South Ramsey). Losing quarter finalists were Mike Alexander, Alan Moore, Peter Karran and Neil Withers.

The Dreswick Cup, sponsored by the Albert Hotel, Port St Mary, was played for on Port St Mary Green on Thursday 18th July and attracted an excellent entry of 46 competitors.

The weather was hot and sunny and the Green was in superb condition and the bowling throughout the day was of a very high standard.

The eventual winner was Trevor Quayle who beat Mathew Quirk 21-17 in a closely contested final. In the semi finals, Quayle beat Glynn Hargraves 21-11 and Quirk beat Juan Hargraves 21-13. Losing out in the quarter finals were Seamus Whelan, Arnie Withers, Colin Kelly and Neil Withers.

At the conclusion of the competition the prizes were presented by the sponser Mr Pat Omeara, from the Albert Hotel.

Report by Sean Lillie

David Bradford was the worthy winner of the magnificent Ramsey Town Cup at Morragh Park on Saturday with a dominant 21-9 final win over Paul Leece. Bradford got ahead and stayed there and on this occasion was too good for his opponent, who must also be commended as he played excellently all day to reach the final.

In the Semi- Finals Bradford knocked out newcomer Geoff Porter 21-11. Porter may have fell short this time but he is one to watch after only just taking up the sport this season. In fact in his quarter final he eliminated Island Champion Glynn Hargraves 21-13 which goes to show the progress he has already made!

In the other Semi-final Leece had his work cut out against the hard to handle Syd Bolton before progressing with a narrow 21-18 win. Other Quarter finalists were Brian Colquitt, Tony Smart and Peter Collister. At the conclusion of the competition prizes were presented on behalf of Ramsey Town Commissioners by Dr Alanson, head of parks and leisure.

Report by Mark Kneen

Neil Withers lifted his second cup in two day last Sunday, as he won the RNLI cup at Nobles Mixed Bowling club, after finding himself on the right side of an epic 21-20 final encounter with Matthew Keggen.

It was a truly brilliant final with Keggen doing all the work in the early stages before Withers stepped in and found his customary length over the middle, moving through the gears to go from 13-10 in arrears to lead 20-13.

Keggen didn’t give in however and after trailing the jack set off to the corners where he picked up three quick two’s to draw level. With a great lead bowl he must have thought it was his day however Withers made sure he reached and ran the block for the final point required to secure victory.

Both players were at the top of their game in the semi-finals with Withers beating Trevor Qualye 21-8 and Keggen overcoming June Festival finalist Matthew Quirk 21-7. Fallers in the quarter finals were Arnie Withers, Paul Kelly, Phil Kerruish and Peter Lees. At the conclusion of the competition Douglas Lifeboat President Peter Cain presented the prizes and £150 was raised for the RNLI.

Neil Withers (Marown) was the talk of the town as he picked up the magnificent Town Cup to add to the June Festival trophy he recently acquired. He was in magnificent form all day but made to fight to the end by in form home greener Jerome Surridge, in a simply superb to and fro final.

Surridge set the pace in the early phases of the game moving into an 11-6 lead before Withers arrested the block. The Marown man then moved through the gears racing into a 20-14 lead with a spectacular display of leading, however the Peel man was not done yet. Surridge rallied and looked like he might pull of an Houdini like display but fell just short as his opponent picked up the point he needed to seal a 21-19 victory.

The over 60’s  brigade were out in force and fine form as two of their stalwarts made it to the semi-finals with Mike Hargraves losing out to Withers and John Alderson going out at the hands of Surridge.

Fallers at the quarter final stage were Bernie Durcan, David Bradford, Stuey Clague and Alan Moore. At the conclusion of the competition Mr Davison from Peel Commissioners presented the prizes.

Report by Mark Kneen

Twenty six pairs made the annual pilgrimage to Marown bowling club on Tynwald Day to search for the holy grail of men’s doubles titles, the Grimshaw Trophy.

All eyes were on Colin & Tom Kelly to see if Colin could keep his run of winning all of the doubles competitions with a different partner going, but an early first round exit at the hands of Paul Kelly & Ken Williams put pay to this.

It was defending champions Kevin Quirk & Peter Slinger who found their form and their way to the title with a strong 21-16 final win over Onchan team mates Phil Kerruish & David Braford. Quirk & Slinger built a healthy lead in the early part of the game before Kerruish & Bradford rallied to try and make a comeback, but it was too little too late.

In the semi-finals Kerruish & Bradford saw off the challenge of Douglas pair Keith Rise & Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly whilst Quirk & Slinger put out last year’s doubles merit winners Jordan Cain & Bob Clark at the same stage.

Report by Mark Kneen

The Threesomes Cup, sponsored by COLAS ( Isle of Man) Ltd. was played for on Port St Marys Green on Sunday 30th June and attracted a very good entry of 20 teams.

The weather was good apart from the odd shower later in the afternoon, which had the effect of slowing the green down. This did not affect the high standard of bowling however. The winners were the team of Juan Hargraves, Mike Hargraves and Ewan Cooil, who beat the team of Bob Clark, Mathew Quirk and Jordain Cain 21-16 in closely contested game.

In the semi finals, Hargraves, Hargraves and Cooil, beat the team of Trevor Quayle, Mike Collister and Nathan Cooil 21-7, and in the other semi Clark, Quirk and Cain beat the team of Mark Kneen, John Kennish and Glynn Hargraves 21-15. Losing out in the quarter finals were Peter Oates, Andy Clark and Derek Lewney. Ben Dugdale, Tony Dugdale and Steve Cook. Alan Moore, James Teare and George Brew. Paul Leece, Dave Pease and John Ruscoe.

The presentation was made at the end of the final by Mr Ian Dunbar, representing the sponsors, Colas.

Report by Sean Lillie