Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

Ballaugh Bowling hosted the Spar Mixed Doubles on Sunday afternoon with 36 pairs taking part on another glorious day, with those sat in the shade being more still feeling the heat.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were Margaret Tasker (Port St Mary) and Derek Allen (Onchan) 8-21 to Clare Cooper (Marown) and Wayne Roberts (Port St Mary). Debbie Leece and Neil Withers lost out 16-21 to South Ramsey’s Jenny Moore and James Teare, with another South Ramsey pair Fiona Kennish and Steven Waters losing to the same score to Marown duo Rebecca Teare and Paul Dunn. Sue Gawne (Onchan) and Brian Kelly (Marown) ended the home green hopes of Christine and Barry McDonald 21-11.

The first semi-final had Moore and Teare up against Cooper and Roberts with the South Ramsey pair winning 21-16. In the other semi-final Teare and Dunn were up against Gawne and Kelly with the latter pair lying three down a great last bowl secured their spot in the final with a 21-18 victory.

The final was expected to be a tight match with both pairs performing well all day, however it was Gawne and Kelly who got out of the blocks the quickest with two doubles to jump into a 10-6 lead, with Moore and Teare levelling the game up at 11-11 after six ends.

Gawne and Kelly then won the next two ends to go 15–11 up, only for the South Ramsey pair to score a single, two doubles to go 16-15 ahead. A double for the Onchan/Marown duo followed by a three put them 20-15 ahead and within touching distance of victory, only to concede two doubles to leave the game finely poised at 20-20. On the deciding end Gawne and Kelly got the point needed to secure their second open competition win.

The presentation was made by club captain John Maddrell, who thanked Richard Faragher, Maurice O’Reilly and the club members for helping run the competition along with the ladies for providing the catering throughout the day. Jonathon Kermode from Spar was then introduced to present the prizes.