IOMIBA

Following the success of the recent “Come and Try” sessions, the Isle of Man Indoor Bowling Association is delighted to welcome 19 new members who have joined to play in this season’s league competitions.

The new season began on Saturday with the Opening Round Robin Competition, setting the tone before league title defences get underway.

In the Premier Pairs, a strong start from Simple Minds, who won both sets comfortably, conceding only seven points in total. Villans also began well, taking both sets, as did newcomers Lee Don. Another new team, Green Machine, impressed by taking both sets from last season’s First Division winners, Douglas Old Boys. Dragons earned a win and a draw against last season’s league champions, Ayre Assassins.

Defending champions in the Tuesday Morning Team League, Villans made a great start, taking all available points. Early Birds and KCS Sunshine Band both picked up four points to stay in close contention.

Newcomers to the First Division Pairs, Misfits made an immediate impact, winning both sets to lead the division on chalk difference. TOU took the first set, while CC & Me managed a draw in the second to claim a point. Pin Pals and 1 in 4 both won their matches in straight sets.

A competitive start to the Wednesday Evening Team League saw Dave’s Pride and Simple Minds leading the way, both on maximum points. Crown Greeners and Dragons are close behind, each dropping just one set.

Last season’s champions. Bowlistics, continued where they left off, taking both sets in their opening match of the Triples League. Optimist also began strongly with a two-set win, while Northern Lights earned a win and a draw to complete a promising start to the season.

The week concluded with a busy day of bowling on Friday. In the ever-popular Friday Pairs League, four teams made a strong start by taking full points with two set wins. Crown Greeners top the table with 28 chalks, followed by CC & Me on 19 chalks. Weather Girls and Top Dogs were the other successful teams. The evening saw the start of the Singles League, beginning with the First Division Singles. Nicola Whiting took both sets and tops the early table. After a nail-biting match, Tony Lloyd-Davies edged his opponent by just one chalk to secure his win. The action continued with the Premier Singles, where defending champion Paula Garrett began her campaign with a win. Victories also went to Stuart Garrett, John Kewley, Andy Dixon, and Wayne Roberts.

Congratulation to Villans who have taken both team league titles, Tuesday Morning and Wednesday evening. The icing on the cake was team member Paula Garrett also won the Single’s league title. President Win Kewley presented the trophies at the AGM on Friday evening.

The President also presented trophies to other league title winners; Simple minds won the Premier Pairs; Douglas Old Boys the First Division Pairs; Bowlistics take the triples league title and Dragons won the Friday Pairs.

After sitting in second place in the Copyshop Premier Pairs for most of the season Simple Minds timed the run in perfectly; taking both sets in their last match gave Minds the points needed to be declared champions. Third placed Dragons took the first set and denied Ayre Assassins the 2-set win they needed to win the championship.

Villans were declared Tuesday Team League champions, chased hard all season by Ramsey Raiders who finished in second and Onchan Royals in third place. In the First Division Pairs Douglas Old Boys took the title, with 1-in-4 in second and TOU in third place. Villans won the Wednesday Team League title with Simple Minds taking second, only one point behind. The Thursday evening Triples title was won by Bowlistics with Castletown Crofters in second and Optimists in third.  The Copyshop Friday Afternoon Pairs ended with Dragons taking the title, KT Sunshine Band in second and Top Dogs taking third. Thank you to our Sponsors the Copyshop.