Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

Saturday saw a quality field of 31 pairs entered for the R & A Grimshaw pairs hosted by Marown Bowling Club. This competition is traditionally held on Tynwald Day, however due to COVID-19 it was hosted later this year. Handicaps ranged from +4 to +9, so a good start was vital for those on a low handicap.

Losing out at the quarter final stage were Peel men Peter Greenlees & Brian Lindsay 16-21 to South Ramsey’s Alan Moore & Stefan Kelly, Phil Kerruish & Glynn Hargraves (Onchan/South Ramsey) 20-21 to Dean Kinley & Sam Clague (Castletown). Home greeners Paul Dunn & Neil Withers ended the challenge of Glenn Boland & Nathan Cooil (Castletown) with a 21-10 win, whilst another home pairing of Matthew Keggen & Paul Kelly edged out Jay Waters (Marown) & father Steven Waters (South Ramsey) 21-19 to reach the semi-finals.

The two semi-finals could not have been any different with Alan Moore & Stefan Kelly making no mistake with a 21-6 win over Dean Kinley & Sam Clague, with the Castletown pair failing to score a point. The other semi-final was keenly contested early on with Keggen leading well in the corners and Paul Kelly playing some good through bowls when needed to ensure they took their place in the final with a 21-14 victory over Paul Dunn & Neil Withers.

The final started with home greeners Matthew Keggen & Paul Kelly hoping to go one better than last year with Paul making his third consecutive appearance in the final, whilst Alan Moore & Stefan Kelly were looking to take their first win as a pair. Alan & Stefan took a single on the first end, before Matthew & Paul took the next five ends with the Marown men scoring two singles and a three doubles in the corners to lead 12-6. Alan & Stefan started to work their way back into the game with four consecutive singles to trail by two at 10-12. Matthew & Paul scored a two to lead 14-10. From there Alan played some good lead bowls, with Stefan hitting some great strikes to turn the game around, taking five of the next seven ends with two singles and three doubles of their own to lead 18-16. Matthew & Paul responded with a double to level the game up at 18-18 after 19 ends, however the South Ramsey men had enough left in the tank taking a single followed by another double to run out with a 21-18 victory.

The presentation was made by competition secretary Philip Kelly, who thanked everyone for entering and assisting throughout the day. Upon being presented with the trophy Alan Moore thanked his partner for the day Stefan, Marown for hosting the competition, the ladies for providing the refreshments throughout the day, commented on the good condition of the green, and that it was great to see the new clubhouse being built.