Defeat for merit leader
It was business as usual for leaders Jacks Off on the one day possible over the latest weekend in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter Bowls League when they extended their winning run to 16 and opened the points margin.
First into action was the top two in a fixture that was decided by just six chalks in favour of Jacks Off and as a consequence improved their lead over their closest rivals Mooragh Lakers.
Basement side Bits n Bobs then joined the fray and if their task wasn’t tough enough, they had to compete against teams who had already played. Unfortunately they couldn’t prevent two whitewashes against them to remain rooted to the bottom with only six fixtures left to play.
Results for Saturday, January 20: Jacks Off 113 (3), Mooragh Lakers 107 (3); Mooragh Lakers 126 (6), Bits n Bobs 65 (0); Bits n Bobs 67 (0), Jacks Off 126 (6).
With the playing surface already soft from the rain prior to Saturday, another spell of wet stuff put paid to any chance of games the following afternoon and these fixtures have been re-scheduled for Sunday, February 18; so with no league games this Saturday (January 27) a round robin will take place.
Not only are Jacks Off setting records at the top of the league, they also occupy the leading two spots in the standings for the Derek Killey memorial trophy, awarded to the winner of the individual merit.
Things are a little closer after Saturday, however, Stefan Kelly went into the session with 14 wins from 14 played, but was beaten to 19 by Jenny Moore from Mooragh Lakers; whilst closest rival Matthew Keggen won, the two are now separated by six points, both with six to play.
Waiting in the wings for a slip up are Stuart Garrett (Outsiders) and Glynn Hargraves (Jacks Off); whilst in fifth position is Rob Monk (Lakers) who dropped down the rankings after a defeat.
The next two places are occupied by team-mates and leaders for the Geoff Osborn memorial trophy awarded to the top lady; Janet Monk and the aforementioned Jenny Moore are separated by just one point.
Next on averages in eighth to 12th in the overall listing are Doug Allan (Govags), Brian Kelly (Lakers) and Margaret Tasker, Rebecca Teare and Tricia Bull, all Louie’s Angels. The leading junior, Austin Hart (Jacks Off), is in 26th overall.
An extremely cold afternoon meant that only 24 hardy players took part in the midweek round robin, with the runaway winners in the black jack group being David Clucas and Mike Ware.
Securing the runners-up spot to make it a good afternoon for one family, were Roma Ware and Philippa Taylor.
Topping the yellow jack gang was the pairing of Mark Kelly and Doug Allan, with second going to Rita Callister and Bryan Corner.