Jacks Off maintain early pace
Jacks Off were the only one of the leading four teams to take part in the latest two sessions held over the weekend in the Manx Petroleum sponsored Outdoor Winter Bowling League and they maintained their average to cling onto top spot.
The first afternoon was the once a year set of fixtures where the teams play their opponents twice and it was double winners Erin Porters and Louie’s Angels who left happiest.
First up Porters fell just two points short of a maximum, when they kept their good start going with a 124 to 88 victory, they were denied a full house by Celia Joughin (Bowl Rollers).
The two sides battled it out again later with the Rollers taking two games and reducing the points margin in the process, but could not stop their opponents from notching up another two wins, which sees them occupy fifth in the standings.
Angels and Castletown Corkers were the other two outfits in action and although Corkers took three games first time out, they lost by 17 points.
Both improved their point tallies next time, however it was Angels who triumphed once again by the margin of 122 to 100. Nathan Hamilton (Corkers) prevented Angels from recording another maximum.
Sunday’s gang had leaders Jacks Off competing along with three teams from the lower half of the table and they took full advantage, dropping just eight points along the way.
The opening encounter saw the eight-time champions take on a Parkers side who have yet to show their true potential and it took a good win by Paul Bailey to prevent them being whitewashed.
Govags meanwhile won a close tussle with Castletown Cannons, before they went on to inflict another defeat on Parkers. The highlight for the westerners being a comfortable victory for Lynda Wilson and Rob Middleton in the doubles.
The final outcome was a bit of a one-sided affair when Jacks Off notched up maximum points at the expense of Castletown Cannons, who themselves could only muster 65 points.
One thing evident over the sessions held so far; is that captains are utilising the option for members to compete up to six times for more than one team, rather than showing up for fixtures short of players.
Once again there was another great entry for the midweek round robin and the 57 attending were split into groups of triples.
Yellow jack winners were Chris Sims, Vicky Lloyd-West and Mark Kelly, with second place going to Doug Allan, Joan Murphy and Elaine McElroy.
Philippa Taylor, Derek Anscomb and Shirley Corrin won the black jack group ahead of Greg Brew, Derek Cadamy and Lil Smith.
While in the smaller red jack gang, Jean Thackrah, Joy Stephens and Tricia Bull triumphed, with second spot going to Carol Kaye, Bernard Thackrah and Sue Gawne.
This Saturday it is planned for the fixtures postponed from October 21 to take place and will involve Bowl Rollers, Parkers, Erin Porters and Castletown Cannons.