With strong entries across all leagues and new and familiar faces competing for honours, the season promises plenty of competitive and entertaining bowls at the NSC Bowls Hall. The Copyshop continue to support Indoor Bowls by providing score cards. New for this season local independent insurance brokers CTH.insure are sponsoring the leagues.
The season got off to a lively start on Saturday, with 32 players taking part in a round-robin competition playing two-bowl fours. Experienced players were on hand to help newcomers get to grips with the format and strategies of indoor bowls.
The serious business began on Monday evening, when 11 teams started their campaigns to become Premier Pairs League champions. Lee Don II topped the table after securing a two-set win over C&A. Newly promoted Castletown Crofters took second place, winning both sets against Super Mario Bros. Simple Minds and last season’s league winners, Dragons, also recorded two-set wins.
The First Division Pairs title looks wide open this season, with only four teams returning from last year and seven new teams entering the competition. These include brand-new players and teams competing under new names, making for an intriguing contest.
Three new teams took maximum points from their opening matches to top the table. Mersey Duo lead on chalk difference, followed by Northern Scots in second place and La Las in third.
The Daytime Pairs League has attracted an impressive entry of 11 pairs competing for the league title. After taking a break last season, Dragons have returned and sit at the top of the table on chalk difference. New pairing Brotherhood of Mann are in second place, with Maxums third. Other opening-round winners were The Yorkies, J & W, KT Sunshine Band and Weather Girls.
Friday evening sees the introduction of a new Mixed Pairs League, following the popularity of last year’s mixed pairs championship. The new league has its own Conditions of Play. Matches are played over 10 ends, with 10 points available at each end. The first bowl scores four chalks, the second closest to the jack earns three, the third earns two and the fourth earns one chalk. Nine teams have entered the new competition, with Candy Man, Wobble and Roll, Jolinda and Murrays Mint all getting off to a winning start.
The format for the Team Leagues remains unchanged, with teams contesting triples, singles and pairs. A maximum of six points is available for winning all three sets.
In the Daytime Team League, Cookies Cronies made a clean sweep, taking all six points to lead the table. Bowling Stones are second and Stand and Deliver third, with both teams winning two sets in their opening matches. Time Enough also secured two sets to one against Castletown Crofters,
In the Evening Team League, Flu Fighters — competing under a new name after winning last season’s league as Simple Minds — lead the table after taking all six points. Dragons are second, having also secured maximum points from their opening match.
Five new teams have joined several familiar favourites in this season’s Triples League. Following the opening round, GGCK lead the table after winning two sets. Castletown Crofters occupy second place, while newcomers Nobles Cobblers are third. There were also drawn matches involving Bowlistics, Optimists, Bowling Stones and another new team, 3 Bs.
The Singles Leagues have moved to Sunday afternoons, with both the Premier and First Division competitions running across two sessions. Paula Garrett leads the Premier Singles table, with Dave McCabe in second place and Adrian Slater third. In the First Division, newcomer Pauline Henry leads the standings, with Harley Garrett in second place.
Thank you to league sponsors cth.insure and for their continued support to the Copyshop.
For full details, visit iomindoorbowling.org
Premier Pairs