Saturday 2nd February saw the culmination of three weeks qualifying and a few anxious moments as we came to the Finals Day of the Isle of Man Indoor Bowling Association Championships at the NSC Bowls Hall.
The afternoon started with the Triples Final between Wayne Roberts, Edward Carlyle and Ann Gale who were taking on father and son Tony and Ben Dugdale and Steve Cook. This game saw some great bowls from all players but with both Tony and Ben Dugdale playing exceptional bowls when required and being ably assisted by Steve Cook it was Tony, Ben and Steve who ran out the winners.
This was followed by the Pairs which saw the Commonwealth Games pairing of Clive and Mark McGreal play Tony Epifani and Eric Stanley. The latter pair started strongly but the experience of Clive and Mark McGreal saw them come through and despite good bowls from their opposition it was the McGreals who became 2019 Pairs Champions.
We then came to the Ladies and Men’s Singles Finals which were run alongside one another and the good number of bowls followers who gathered were treated to a great display of bowling from all those competing.
In the Ladies Final we saw great consistency from Paula Garrett showing just how much she has improved over the last couple of years although when she got the chance her opponent Win Collister tested her at times at a longer length. It was not to be for Win however in a game that was played in a friendly and sporting manner and Paula’s consistency saw her become the 2019 Isle of Man Bowling Association Ladies Champion.
The Men’s Final saw the experienced Clive McGreal take on a relative newcomer in Dave McCabe and Clive took the first set comfortably showing all the skill and experience that he has. In the second set however we saw Dave fight back with some great bowls and he really tested Clive at times. At the end however it was Clive McGreal who took both sets and became 2019 Isle of Man Indoor Bowls Champion but Dave McCabe has to get a mention for the way that he has practiced and improved through the season.
So after a great afternoons bowling the 2019 Isle of Man Indoor Bowling Champions are;
Men’s Singles Clive McGreal
Ladies Singles Paula Garrett
Pairs Clive and Mark McGreal
Triples Tony and Ben Dugdale and Steve Cook.
With the Championships concluded we now get back to a full League programme and I have included a quick recap of the leaders in each League.
Premier Pairs Dragons
Morning League Villans
First Division Pairs Orange Peelers
Premier Teams Dragons
First Division Teams Maxums
Second Division Pairs Odds and Bobs 2.