Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

In the Ladies main event previously beaten finalist Helen Clee (Wrockwardine Wood) took on June 2013 Festival winner Rachel Quirk (Crossgates) in the final. It proved to be Helen’s day, as Shropshire player Clee made a strong start to the game, winning the first four ends on a long length, scoring three doubles to settle into the game early to take a commanding 12-5 lead.

Quirk settled the early nerves scoring a good double, then took a further two singles to sit just three points behind Clee at 9-12. The Shropshire player responded with two good bowls to halt the comeback in its tracks, then restored the eight point lead with another double on the ninth end to lead 16-9, with Quirk going into the back of her opponents bowl with a certain winner with a miss.

The Crossgates player who used to live in the Isle of Man, took the next three ends with three good singles.

The mini-fightback ended there as Clee used her own bowl to count for one, then the following end gave Quirk the opportunity to play through, with Quirk not getting enough contact on the counting bowl. A good two on the following end put Clee 20-12 ahead.

With Clee heading into the corner, Quirk took the opportunity to make two to stay in the game with the score now 14-20. The following end proved to be the last as Quirk played just over the crown putting up a good lead, which Clee beat at the first time of asking with a bowl about nine inches short of the jack. This forced the former islander to play a reaching bowl, however this just got top side of the counting bowl which resulted in heartbreak for Quirk and delight for Clee who secured her first June Festival title and the £1,250 first prize, whilst Quirk could console herself with the runners up prize of £625.

In the semi-finals both finalists were always in control with Clee booking her place in the final with a comfortable 21-12 win over Helen Gilroy (Rufford Park BC), while Quirk’s win was never in doubt with a 21-11 victory over Sian Skelton (Wrockwardine Wood).

Clee started her day with a battle as she won 21-20 against Joyce Ogden (Marown) who received the visitiom.com trophy for being the furthest local, Gilroy had a battle with Heather Johnson (Chesterfield) before winning 21-18. In the other half of the draw Quirk progressed thanks to a 21-17 win over Tracy Wraight (Castlefields), whilst Skelton recorded a comfortable 21-13 victory over Amanda Nicholas (Gresford Colliery).

Ladies Tourism

The Ladies Tourism was played down to the winner on Thursday morning on Noble’s 2 green, it proved to be a good week for Lynda Hough (Norley) as she won the Tourism with a comfortable 21-12 victory over Holly Bishton (Wrockwardine Wood).

Hough reached the final with a 21-16 victory over Jenny Moore (South Ramsey), whilst Bishton booked her place in the final with a hard fought 21-18 win over Janet Monk (Mooragh Park).

In the quarter finals Hough took a hard earned 21-17 victory over Helen Clee (Wrockwardine Wood), whilst Moore got over the line 21-19 against Rebecca Teare (Marown). In the other half of the draw Bishton progressed to the next round with a 21-16 win over Wrockwardine Wood club mate Barbara Hughes, with Monk taking a comfortable 21-8 win over Sue Gawne (Noble’s).