Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

The Isle of Man Junior Team took part in the British Crown Green Bowling Association six-a-side Championship at Windle Bowling Club in St Helens on Sunday, on what turned out to be another good day for the team. With three of last years’ Junior Team now ineligible to play it was an opportunity for younger Junior bowlers to gain experience representing the Island competing on a different green.

The format was six players in a team in a group of five teams all playing each other, it was a positive start as they won the first game 5-1 against Lancashire by a comfortable margin of 18 chalks (87-69) with Grace Gawne winning 15-6 against Wade Hunting, whilst Ryan Hargraves beat Matthew Finch 15-9.

The second round was against last year’s group winners Cumbria the same side that the team lost out to by a single chalk, however it was a tough fixture as the team won just one game (1-5) with Grace Gawne again winning to single figures 15-8 against Sam Brannon as the team losing out by 43 chalks (40-83).

In the third round the team bounced back in style beating Cheshire 5-1 and by a margin of 37 chalks (83-46) with all of the wins to single figures. Grace Gawne and Alex Hampson won 15-3 against Kannikaa Duncan and Megan Hulme respectively, Sam Colquitt beat Holly MacPake 15-7, whilst Madison McMullan beat Lawrence McNeela 15-9, with Ryan Hargraves matching that win as he beat Max Blackburn.

In the final round they faced South Yorkshire, this game was a lot closer as the team claimed a 4-2 win on games and winning by 12 chalks (80-68). Birthday Boy Ryan Hargraves who was celebrating his 15^th Birthday beat Keira Fox 15-11 to secure his third win of the day, Madison McMullan won 15-5 against Jacob Morgan, Alex Hampson claimed another single figure win beating Liam Dickenson 15-9, whilst Victoria Johnson just got the better of Isaac Cook 15-13. The defeats in this game were also high scoring to help the team claim the win on chalks as Alex Colquitt battled well before losing out 9-15 to Grace Rhodes, whilst Grace Gawne lost out 11-15 against Harley Baker.

The Group was topped by an all-conquering Cumbria on eight points, with two points awarded for a win on chalks, closely followed by the Isle of Man who finished runners up in the group with six points.

The Juniors all did themselves and the Island proud in the way that they performed and more importantly the way they behaved on and off the green. Thank you to everyone who came to support, the Development Committee for organising the travel & accommodation, Team Manager Tina Hampson who was assisted on the day by Steve Hampson, along with Andy Kennish for the transport.