The home of indoor bowling on the Isle of Man
To end the season the first Muriel Cain Memorial Trophy was played. Saturday afternoon saw 18 bowlers compete in a round-robin and three of Muriel’s cousins attended the afternoon and presented the winners’ trophy.
The winning team was Colin Brown, Andy Dixon, and Win Collister.
£148 was raised for the MSPCA in Muriel’s name.
Muriel Cain, who died last week at the age of 76 after a short illness, was arguably the best all-round Manx sportswoman of her generation, winning Isle of Man singles titles in three different disciplines – badminton, tennis and indoor bowls.
Badminton was probably her best sport, although she was talented at whatever she tried. She won an incredible 27 Island badminton titles, made up of eleven singles, eleven ladies doubles and five mixed. Muriel represented the sport at the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada in 1978 and four years later travelled with the Manx team to the same event in Brisbane, Australia. She had in her possession an official invitation from the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to attend a reception on board the Royal Yacht Britannia at Newstead Wharf in Brisbane which was held as part of the Games celebrations. She listed this as one of her proudest moments, in addition to representing the Island at the Commonwealth Games and other international events.
She also competed in three Island Games – in 1985, 1987 and 1991. In the process she won two bronze medals in ladies’ doubles. Tennis was another highly successful sport for her, taking the Island singles title six times, spread over 16 years – the first in 1972 and the last in 1988. This was as well as many wins at ladies’ and mixed doubles.
Muriel also reached the top of the tree when she took up indoor bowls. A former multi-times Island singles champion, she represented the Isle of Man at the World Bowls Championships on three occasions – in Jersey, Swansea and Hartlepool. She was playing in a local league match at the National Sports Centre just a few short weeks before her untimely death. Muriel was a very good crown green player as well and was a mainstay of the Douglas ladies team but unfortunately a shoulder injury curtailed her involvement in this sport. Meanwhile, she reached a high standard in golf enabling her to qualify for the Island Ladies Championship. She also contested and won competitions around the Island.
Muriel Cain was a mild, gentle and modest person but also fiercely competitive with a quiet, but steely determination. She gives a lie to the frequently quoted comment that nice people win nothing.
In the Friday Afternoon Pairs there was some convincing wins by league lead Crown Greeners against Maxums; second place Celtic Thunder against Sunset Rollers, Dragons against KT Sunshine Band. Also winning both sets, GGs against Bowling Stones and Top dogs against Emanden.
A change at the top of the Monday Premier Pairs as Simple Minds took 3 points from their match against Dragons. Ayre Assassins move to second after taking all the points in their 2-set win over Aljays. Blues Brothers and Villans each pick up 2-points when their match was drawn, and Tee Pegs get their first point when they drew the first set against Villa Boy.
In the Tuesday Team League, full points for Ramsey Raiders after taking wins in all 3 games against Hillbillies, also Villans’ s match against Early Birds ended with 3 games to Villans. In their match, KSC Sunshine Band took the singles as their opponents Castletown Crofters took the triples and pairs. Team Triskelion won the singles; however, it was Bowling Stones who won the triples and pairs; and Morganites get their first points with a win in the singles against Maxums.
Third week in a row at the top of the 1st Division Pairs league for Enigma when they took both sets from 1-in-4 and a win for Douglas Old Boys, against Castletown Crofters, puts them in second. Full points for TOU took and GGs as they won both sets against their opponents and draw for CC & me against Atlas.
Villans moved to take the top spot in the Wednesday Teams League after their convincing win over New Avengers. Simple Minds took on Dragons. Minds led all the way to take the triples, but the singles game was much closer with Dragons taking the set 7-6. Minds came back to take the pairs 6-7. A win in the triples and pairs for Saltire, but Crown Greeners singles player took the game 3-10. Possa Bowls won the triple and singles, then Birdies came back strongly to take the pairs. Morganites, still waiting for a win, took on Spectrum, who took all three games.
Three from three for Bowlistics in the Thursday evening Triples league. In the match between Possa Bowls and Morganites, Possa Bowls took both sets, as did Castletown Crofters in their match against GG’s, moving into second place. Oddbowls and New Avengers took a set each.
In the Friday Singles, and keeping her top spot, Paula Garrett took the points from Neil Dunwell. A win for Muriel Cain against Mike Moyer moved her into second place, and Stuart Garrett took the win over Les Crellin.
In other news, the Isle of Man Indoor Bowls Association have been invited to send one male and one female representative to compete in the 2025 World Bowls Indoor Championships taking place in Aberdeen in April and on Sunday the first round of the ladies’ competition was held between Caroline Whitehead and Win Kewley. In a very close match, the first set went to Whitehead 6-4 and after a draw in the second set 4-4, Whitehead will go through to the next round.
For full results to WWW.iomindoorbowling.org
Thank you to our sponsors The Copyshop
Monday evening saw the start of the Indoor Bowling season league competition with 9 teams competing for top honours in the Premier Pairs League.
Northern Lights took both sets against Officials to gain maximum points. Simple Minds took the first set 10 chalks to Villans 5. A tighter second set with Villans finishing on 6 chalks to 3. Two match points each. Blues Brothers with a total of 14 chalks took both sets to get maximum points against Tee Pegs 6. Dumb and Dumber took the first set against Villa Boys. However, Villa Boys came back strongly in the second set. Both teams getting 2 match points each. Newly promoted LIV Bowls had a bye.
The ever-popular Tuesday Morning League has 10 teams playing Singles, Pairs and Triples.
The scores were even after the triples game in the match Hillbillies against Early Birds. The Early Bird’s John Kewley taking the singles match against Shirley Corrin. Another tight match in the pairs ending 4 points for the Early Birds and 2 points for the Hillbillies.
A very close Triples match with new team KCS Sunshine Band taking the win by one chalk from Villans. The Villans took the singles match and the pairs ending with only one chalk between the teams and victory going to the Villans 4 points KCS Sunshine Band 2.
A full house for Ramsey Raiders taking maximum points against The Bowling Stones. Onchan Royals also took maximum points in their match against Castletown Crofters. Maxums getting a convincing win in the Triples against The Morganites. Then just losing out in the Singles and drawing the Pairs: 3 points apiece.
Tuesday evening saw the First Division Pairs teams in action. Eleven teams competing for promotion to the Premier Pairs.
TOU taking the first against Enigma. Enigma came back to take the second set. The match ending 2 points each. 1 in 4 taking on Castletown Crofters in a very tight match. The first set going to Castletown Crofters. 1 in 4 took the second set. Both teams taking 2 points each. US2 getting off to a good start taking both sets against TinJo. GGs lost the first set to J&S. GGs rallied to take the second: 2 points each. Douglas Old Boys won both sets: taking full match points from The Newby’s. The Two Amigos having a Bye
There is a new format to Wednesday and Thursday evenings: the newly created Triples league with 7 teams in each league.
On Wednesday evening there was a Northern tussle between Ramsey Wallies and Ramsey Raiders. The Raiders taking both sets to get maximum points. Simple Minds also had victories in both sets against Birdies. A tight game between Crown Greeners and Villans. Villans winning the first set. Then Crown Greeners taking the second set: 2 match points each. Saltire getting a Bye.
In Thursday’s matches Optimists took the first set against Bowlistics, who then came back to win the second set. IBS won both sets against Oddballs to take maximum points. Morganites also took both set and maximum points against Fab Fogies. Castletown Crofters had a Bye.
A busy Friday started with the Afternoon Pairs League with ten teams competing and finishing with the evening Singles League of ten players
The Afternoon Pairs saw Watties versus Top Dogs resulting in 1 set apiece. Tinker & Bell losing both sets to Rejects. GGs against Maxums, one set each. Newcomers CC and me took both sets and maximum points against US.
In the Singles league a win for Gorden Corrin against Win Kewley. Last year’s winner Shirley Corrin taking the win against John Kewley. Muriel Cain winning against newcomer Scott Widdowson. In the Garrett match Stuart just losing by one chalk to Paula. In the battle of the Mikes, Mike Ashmole losing out Mike Moyer. Full results and tables available here.
Time to relax on Saturday afternoon with a friendly Round Robin with 27 members taking part.
If you fancy giving indoor bowls a go, we offer free intro sessions. Just contact sec@isleofmanindoorbowling.org
The NSC is open from 12pm to 4pm today so this afternoon’s pairs matches will go ahead.
This evening’s singles league has been cancelled and will take place on 29 March.
When? Most Mondays from 8pm-10pm
Where? The Indoor Bowls Hall at the NSC
How? Call or message Dee on 496198 to book your slot sec@iomindoorbowling.org
How Much? First session FREE! Then £5 per session which can be deducted from your Membership Fee should you decide to join up
What do I need? Shoes and bowls will be available to borrow, just wear comfortable clothing
This invitation is open to all, but pre-registration is essential to ensure sufficient coaches & equipment, and any under 18s must be accompanied by an adult
The Isle of Man Indoor Bowling Association Annual General Meeting will be held at the NSC Bowls Hall on Saturday 26th March at 5pm.
All nominations for committee positions and motions for consideration at the AGM should be forwarded to the Secretary no later than 13th March 2022.
The Men’s and ladies’ championships start on Monday 14 February.
The ladies’ draw is below
The NSC has just advised us the bowls hall will be unavailable on the following dates and times:
