The Isle of Man Indoor Bowling Association held the Men’s Singles Championship last week. The current Men’s Singles National Champion Mark McGreal being chosen for the Commonwealth games necessitated a further knockout competition, to determine the Men’s representative for the World Indoor Bowls Council Senior World Indoor Championship held in Hartlepool in April.
The Men’s Singles final took place between Martin Paterson and Eddie Carlyle, Martin’s road to the final saw him recording a first round win over Peter Greenlees and a semifinal victory over Tony Dugdale.
Eddie had a first round bye then recorded a semifinal win over Phil Smith to gain his place in the final.
The final on Friday evening proved to be a very close match providing the Association members spectating with some excellent displays of bowling. It was Carlyle who gained an early lead in the first set as Paterson initially struggled to find his form , however by the last end of first set the score stood at 5 shots each. Carlyle was able to pull ahead and take the first set.
The second set was another close encounter with the lead constantly changing and by the 5th end the score was 4 shots each, Paterson then pulled ahead scoring 3 shots on the next end, however Carlyle fought back and by the end of the second set the score was 7 shots Carlyle 8 shots Paterson meaning both players were in a tiebreak situation.
Paterson calling on his experience was able to pull ahead and claim victory in the tiebreak and his place as Men’s Single representative alongside Muriel Cain at the forthcoming World Indoor Bowls Council Senior World Indoor Championships.
The Isle of Man Indoor Bowling Association wish to thank all participants in the competition, Martin Paterson, Eddie Carlyle, Mike Ashmore, Peter Greenlees, Mike Skelly, Tony Dugdale and Phil Smith. The Association also wishes to thank Josie Harding, John & Win Kewley for acting as markers, and the members for their support of players during the competition. All members of the Association wish Muriel Cain and Martin Paterson well as they represent the island.
Association members are reminded of the forthcoming National Triples and Pairs Competitions commencing 26th February and 5th March respectively.