Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

Ballaugh Bowling Club was the venue for the rearranged Association Cup on Sunday. The green was in fantastic condition, with a smooth surface and it was lightning quick making for testing conditions for the 46 players taking part. The green was as fast as I can recall in my 25 years, which was great to see.

The eventual winner after a long, hot day was John Kennish (South Ramsey) who secured his third successive Association Cup win, defeating team mate Glynn Hargraves. This to go alongside his three successive Manx Championship wins that must be a record to hold both of the top Association competitions at the same time three years running to confirm his dominance of the Manx game.

The final started with Kennish taking the first two ends, before Hargraves hit back taking the next two ends to level the score at 6-6. Kennish took control from there taking four of the next five ends to go ahead 13-7. Hargraves fought back again to get back to 11-13, before Kennish once again had a run with the jack, which was key all day in the tricky conditions seeing the game out with a 21-13 win.

Kennish beat another team mate David Bradford in the semi-final with Kennish scoring six two’s, whilst Bradford was unable to make a two during the game to see Kennish win 21-11. In the other semi-final Hargraves booked his place in the final thanks to a 21-15 win over Tom Kelly (Peel) with Kelly only securing one two, whilst Hargraves scored four two’s.

Losing out in the quarter finals were Arnie Withers (Marown) who had put out Barney Kelly in the earlier rounds, Stevie Kelly (Peel) who had put an end to Dido Kelly’s hopes of a win, Matthew Keggen (Marown) and Sam Clague (Castletown) who performed brilliantly in only his second season of bowls and his first real experience of a quick green to beat Colin Kelly 21-20, then pushing Kennish to the limit, going 20-18 up before Kennish took the next two ends with a double and a single to win 21-20.

At the conclusion of the competition the presentation was made by the hard working competition secretary Matthew Keggen, who thanked Ballaugh for hosting the competition, providing the refreshments and preparing a superb playing surface. Thanks were also given to those who helped with the running of the competition.