Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

Finch Hill Bowling Club held the any combination pairs Open Competition for the Douglas Borough Council Challenge Cup on a rainswept blustery afternoon when it took full concentration to shut out the elements.

At the quarter final stage, there were comfortable wins for the defending champions Glenn Boland and Peter Jones (both Marown) over club mates Matthew Keggen and Paul Kelly 21-15. Derek Allen (Port Erin) and Brian Lindsay (Peel) saw off the home greeners Lil Smith and Dave McCabe 21-12, Alison Kearsley (Castletown) and daughter Ruby Keggen (Marown) overcame Peel pair Gilly and Phil Clarke 21-12, whilst Nathan Hamilton (Castletown) and Sam Clague (Marown) beat another Finch Hill pairing Dave Dixon and John Qualtrough 21-11.

In the semi-final games Hamilton and Clague proved too strong for the Kearsley and Keggen running out winners 21-8 while Boland and Jones had a keenly contested match against Allen and Lindsay. Leading 18-13 after 15 ends the Port Erin/Peel combination conceded a single then a four to see the match tied. Jones played a long jack to the corner but this was matched by an excellent wood from Allen and after picking up a double they went on to pick up the single required on the next end to win 21-18.

The efforts of their semi-final seemed to take their toll on Allen and Lindsay as they were unable to raise their game to match Hamilton and Clague’s consistent leads. The one sided affair ended 21-10 to the Castletown/Marown pair.

At the Presentation, Nathan thanked Finch Hill for putting on the event and remarked how well the green had held up in the conditions and he also thanked the Ladies for the catering provided throughout the day.