Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

South Ramsey hosted the Jim Kernan Cup on Saturday, in what would normally be the first of the pre-festival opens with a good entry of 52, despite a number of bowlers missing due to their involvement in the Parish Walk.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were Adrian Skinner (Onchan), who lost out 15-21 to Jimmy Sansom (Douglas). Marown man Neil Withers ended the run of Jordan Cain (Onchan) with a hard fought 21-18 win, whilst Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary) lost out 14-21 to Paul Dunn (Marown). David Bradford had his work cut out against South Ramsey team mate James Teare, after falling 7-15 behind, Bradford hit back with a break of 14 points to run out with a 21-15 victory.

In the semi-finals Withers ended the good run of Sansom with a 21-9 win, whilst the other semi-final between Dunn and Bradford was well contested throughout in a good quality game with Bradford just losing out 19-21 for Dunn to progress to the final. 

The final started between the Marown team mates with Withers playing a shorter length on a round peg to take a 11-7 lead, with Dunn then going on a run of four consecutive ends preferring a longer length to lead 12-11. Withers responded to take the next two ends to lead 14-12, then Dunn took three consecutive singles after playing a great bowl to get back in on a tough mark to once again take the lead at 15-14. On the following end Withers played a good reaching bowl to count for two to lead 16-15, then played a poor two bowls on the following end which Dunn took full advantage of to score two, which he followed up on the next two ends with two more doubles to run out with a 21-16 victory to claim his first Jim Kernan Cup win and the £240 first prize, whilst Withers could console himself with his £120 winnings.

The presentation was made by South Ramsey chairman Steve Moore who thanked George Brew for once again sponsoring the competition, along with everyone who had helped with the running of the competition throughout the day. George Brew and his grandson were then introduced to present the prizes. During his speech Dunn thanked the ladies for the brilliant refreshments provided, congratulated South Ramsey on a brilliant green and a well-run competition. Spot prizes were also awarded for highest break to Stevie Kelly (Peel), furthest Over 60 Jimmy Sansom, furthest second division player Lee Dawson (South Ramsey) and furthest third division player Steve Kelly (South Ramsey) along with paying out to those who reached the last 16 stage.