Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

In Canada Life International Sponsored Division One this week fourth placed Marown B stunned their nearest league rivals Onchan A at Crosby with the home team winning 9-1 to close the gap on the Onchan men to just seven points. For Marown Matthew Keggen was the only single figure winner as he beat Neil Dunwell 21-9, with Jerome Surridge beating Phil Kerruish 21-17, Brian Kelly won 21-18 against Reg Temporaza while John Gelling had to use all his home green knowledge to see off Kevin Quirk 21-19. Matthew Quirk was the lone winner for Onchan, as he beat Glenn Boland 21-15.

South Ramsey A had a short trip down the road as they took on local rivals North Ramsey A at Mooragh Park on a wet and blustery evening. After the first half of the match the score was 2-2, with Paul Allison having a superb last two ends against Stefan Kelly to win 21-20, while John Cannan beat James Teare. It could have been a lot worse as David Bradford held his nerve to beat Steve Walmsley 21-20. In the second half South Ramsey dominated as they won three games comfortably, with Peter Collister pushed the furthest by Adrian Skinner who lost out 18-21 to ensure the league leaders took a solid 2-8 win on the night.

Second placed Marown A had their away game with Douglas A rearranged to Wednesday evening due to a waterlogged Villa green, however they ended the week matching the league leaders with their own 2-8 away win. All of the away wins for Marown were comfortable with 15 the highest their losers could get to. The two winners for Douglas were Keith Rise who beat Neil Withers 21-18, while Gordon Wynne-Smythe also won 21-18 against Harry Barton. Marown A now host South Ramsey A at Crosby on Monday night as they look to close the gap.

Onchan B slipped to a heavy 1-9 home defeat to Peel A, with Dave Smith the best winner for the Peel Men as he won 21-1 against Mike Kelly. Preventing the whitewash was Steve Parker who edged home 21-19 against Michael Kavanagh.

Peel B look a good bet to remain in the top division as they beat Castletown A 7-3 at home. Peel captain Paul Quirk beat Juan Kermode 21-11, with Robert Middleton their best winner as he won 21-6 against Derek Lewney. All three wins for Castletown from Ian Watson, Ron Williams and Mark Moorley were to a 21-15 score line.

With just five games left to play Port Erin A are barring a miracle heading for an immediate return to Division Two, as they are 25 points from safety following their 10-0 defeat to Port St Mary A at Breagle Glen. David Cain and Bernie Durcan were the best scorers in their 17-21 defeats to Dan McCabe and Tom Collins respectively. Trevor Quayle was the best winner 21-5 against Steve Durcan.

In Division Two league leaders South Ramsey B show no signs of relenting as they beat bottom team Ballaugh B 9-1 at home, with the visitors needing to pick up some good results soon with just five matches left to play.

Marown C suffered a huge upset the following night with a strong South Ramsey C Team winning 9-1 at home. The experienced Peter Kelly was the only winner as he beat Anthony Kelly 21-11, while his son John just lost out 20-21 to Christian Caley. For the home team captain Tony Hart won 21-8 against 2021 Rayner Plate hero Stuey Clague.

Ballaugh A reclaimed second spot from Marown B thanks to their 8-2 home win over Noble’s A. John Keenan handed out a tough lesson to Jim Callister with the latter slipping to a 21-1 defeat. The two winners for Noble’s were Alex Yates who beat Barry McDonald 21-12, a score matched by Martyn Hobson who seen off Gordie Moore.

The closest match in Division Two was between Onchan C and Port St Mary B at the Park with the visitors coming away with a 4-6 win. The Port men won the crucial two-point aggregate following a 4-4 draw on games courtesy of two 21-9 wins from Derek Cain and Ken Karran who beat Brian Aspden and Kelvin McNicholl respectively.

Castletown B recorded a solid 8-2 home win over Douglas B, while Finch Hill A beat Peel C 7-3 at home as they snatched the aggregate by just one chalk (142-141).

League leaders North Ramsey B aren’t home and dry just yet in Division Three, after their 3-7 away win over Peel D. Ian Gray impressed for Peel as he beat Tony Smart 21-12, while Andy Jackson just edged it 21-20 against John Corteen. For the Mooragh men their best winner was Brian Colquitt who beat Charlie McMeiken 21-11.

Second placed Noble’s B closed the gap on the league leaders by two points as they beat Ballaugh C 9-1 at home. Just missing out on a 10-0 win with Paul Cubbon beating Michael Johnson 21-19. Three single figures victories from Terry Bates, Ciaran Broad and Stephen Corkill, along with a 21-14 win from junior bowler Alex Hampson helped their cause on the night. Noble’s still have a game in hand on North Ramsey as they look to close the gap further.

Third placed Marown D needed a better result than their 7-3 home win over Castletown C to make up ground on the teams above them. Richard Bregazzi was their best winner as he beat Gerry Bradley 21-2, while individual merit leader Jay Waters stayed on course with a 21-8 victory. Juan Drinkwater was the best winner for the visitors with a 21-6 victory over Keith Watterson.

Finch Hill B recorded a solid 8-2 home win over Douglas D with Sam Stannard-Duke, John Harris and Peter Woods all winning to single figures. For Villa Clark Kelly impressed with a 21-17 win over Guy Smith.

The final match of the week was between Douglas C and South Ramsey D at the Villa, with the home team winning 8-2. John Ferguson recorded his first ever 21-0 win in the league to hand out a tough lesson to Ryan Hargraves, while Nick Firth beat Frank Feeney 21-9. Captain Franz ten Donkelaar tried to show his team the way with a 21-6 win over Trevor Latus, however Chris Brown was their only other winner as he beat Ashley Halsall 21-20.