Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

The IOM Ladies’ Championship, sponsored by Ann Gale and Dave McTaggart, took place at Nobles 1 on Saturday 1 July. The two main disappointments of the afternoon were the entry of 21 players, and the weather which was not at all appropriate for July. Although scheduled to take place over two days the entry meant it could be completed in one afternoon.
What the field lacked in quantity it made up for in quality and there were some very close matches particularly in the latter stages.
Kim Hargraves had a tough match against Julie Reilly in the last 16, winning 21-20 to reach the quarter- finals where she met Paula Firth. Despite Kim getting off to a flyer and leading for most of the game, Paula’sgreater experience told as she pulled back from 17-20 down to win 21-20.
In the first quarter-final, Shelley Kennish seemed to be running away with her match against Lynda Cadamy, leading 19-8 after 18 ends, at which point Lynda moved up a gear pulling back to 19-20, but was unable to keep it going as Shelley took the next end to move into the semi-finals 21-19.
The other two quarter-finals were also evenly matched with Elaine Moore and Helen Martin being level at9-9 after13 ends, from which point Helen had the edge to win 21-15, while Gill Dixon took some time to get going against Janet Monk, at one point being 15-7 down. Although she had the advantage over the final ends she was unable to make up the deficit, going down 21-15.
Quarter-finals: Shelley Kennish 21, Lynda Cadamy 19; Helen Martin 21, Elaine Moore 17; Janet Monk 21, Gill Dixon 15; Paula Firth 21, Kim Hargraves 20.
In the semi-finals Janet And Shelley upped their game, although neither of them got off to a good start. After 13 ends Helen was leading 11-7 at which point Shelley regained possession of the jack and refused to relinquish it, while Paula had the better of the early exchanges in her match against Janet, leading13-9 after 15 ends. Janet allowed her just one more point coming through to meet Shelley in the final 21-14.
Semi-finals; Shelley Kennish 21, Helen Martin 11; Janet Monk 21, Paula Firth 14.
In the final a cagey start saw the protagonists level at 6-6 after 7 ends, from which point Shelley was in the ascendancy. Although Janet got hold of the jack a few times, such was the standard of Shelley’s play, she was unable to keep hold of it and Shelley ran out to take the match, and title “Manx Champion”, 21-13.
Association president, Rosie Winckle, thanked Nobles for the use of their green and the help of their members, both in providing refreshments and round the green, and heather for running the sheet. Special thanks went to Ann and Dave for their sponsorship of the event