Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

Marown A edged closer to winning Canada Life International Division One this week, following a 2-8 win away to Port St Mary A at Breagle Glen, with the Crosby men just three short of picking up their second whitewash of the season, as Dan McCabe beat Dean Kipling 21-19, whilst Paul Skelly edged home 21-20 against Tom Kelly. Going close for the home team were Tom Collins who lost out 18-21 to Paul Kelly, whilst Wayne Roberts lost to the same score against Colin Kelly. With just three games to go and a seven point lead it is in Marown’s hands.

South Ramsey A went one better than last week, this time winning 1-9 away to Marown B. Four wins to single figures for the visitors, Dido Kelly just got home 21-20 against Sam Clague, whilst Stefan Kelly won to the same score against Kevin Kelly. For Marown Phil Kelly prevented the whitewash, with a 21-11 win over James Teare. Kelly was also the only man to have picked up a win in the away fixture in April.

North Ramsey A drew 4-4 on games with Onchan A at Mooragh Park in their final home fixture, with the club not having floodlights and the nights starting to draw in. Onchan won the aggregate by 20 chalks to take home a 4-6 victory. Jimmy Moffatt impressed once again, this time with a 21-17 win over Reg Temporaza, Allan Callow won to the same score against Phil Kerruish, whilst John Cannan and Steven Waters also won against Jamie Clague and Neil Dunwell respectively. Onchan captain Matthew Quirk beat opposing captain Rob Monk 21-13 for the visitors, whilst Kevin Quirk held off Paul Allison 21-18.

Peel A had a tough game away to Douglas A at the Villa, with very little to choose between the two sides, as the home team won by just three chalks (139-136) to sneak a 6-4 win. Impressing for the Villa men was Keith Rise, as he beat Peel captain George Gadsby 21-13, whilst Stuart Garrett rolled back the years to see of Pip Pemberton 21-3.

On Tuesday evening it was the return fixture for bottom side Marown C, who were at home to Castletown A. With the Town men winning 10-0 in the reverse fixture revenge would have been on the minds of the Crosby men, as they won 8-2 with a solid performance to close the gap on Port St Mary A to just two points, as they bid to stay up. The experienced duo of Andy Clark and Ian Watson were the winners for the visitors.

In Division Two league leaders South Ramsey B slipped up at home to Port Erin A, with the visitors disappointingly a man short the Ramsey men could only take home a 6-4 win. Eddie Carlyle just lost out 20-21 to Bernie Durcan, whilst George Brew won to the same score against Dylan Marsh.

Peel B are back up to second spot, closed the gap to the leaders to four chalks thanks to a 7-3 home win over Noble’s B. All five wins for Peel were comfortable, with Dougie Allan just losing out 20-21 to Jim Callister.

Onchan B made light work of visitors North Ransey B, with an 8-2 home win, with the home team dropping just nine chalks in their two defeats, as they jumped up to third place.

There is light at the end of the tunnel for Castletown B, who have been firmly rooted to the bottom of the table for the entire season, as they turned in an outstanding performance winning 8-2 at home to Ballaugh A. Things could have been worse for the visitors as Peter Oates lost 19-21 to Richard Hainge, whilst Sam Quayle just fell short 20-21 against Edgar Cowin.

The result lifted Town off the bottom by a point, with Ballaugh’s promotion hopes taking a massive hit, as they dropped to fourth place, seven points adrift of the league leaders.

Finch Hill A are too far off the top four to make a push for promotion, despite their 8-2 home win against Douglas B. For the Villa men Nick Firth won to single figures (21-9) against Mark Taylor, whilst Willie Cowley beat Les Brookes 21-18.

Meanwhile In Division Three Noble’s C had a tricky looking away fixture against Port St Mary B at Breagle Glen. The visitors would have been delighted to come away with a 1-9 win to hit top spot by two points.

Noble’s B lost 3-5 on games at home to Onchan C, however with all three wins to single figures this was enough to secure a 5-5 draw.

Noble’s D will have been disappointed to drop four points at home to low lying Marown D, which shows how far the team has progressed in less than two seasons of bowls. Mike Caley lost out 19-21 to Ryan Holdaway, whilst Steve Brennan fell at the final hurdle 20-21 to Alan Gault.

South Ramsey C could only draw 5-5 at home to Ballaugh B, in a high scoring match as they dropped just 17 chalks despite losing five games, with two losses to 16, and further losses to 17, 19, and 20.

Peel C made it a tough night for South Ramsey D in the West, as they won 9-1. Steve Kelly was the lone winner for the visitors as he beat Nathan Jones 21-11. For the home team, it was a first defeat in Division Three for Alan Moore, with Harry Kelly taking the win 21-18, whilst captain Austin hart lost 20-21 to Ross Menton, whilst Frank Feeney was held off 19-21 by Jimmy Lee.

Ballaugh C march on in Division Four as they won 8-2 at home to Peel D, with Paul Cubbon losing out 19-21 to Will Lyall, with the latter having played the game as a Junior, he has done what many do and returned to the game.

Finch Hill B won 7-3 at home to Douglas C, with the winners for the visitors Daniel Jacobs, Ashley Halsall, and David Beynon respectively.

Castletown C and Noble’s E shared the spoils on games 4-4 at the Crofts, however the visitors took the aggregate by eight chalks (132-140) for take home a 4-6 win.