The sun shone on Onchan Park as the Lawn Bowls (Flat Green) Club held its annual Ruby Cup competition last Saturday.

Introduced in 2017 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of lawn bowls in the island, the trophy has been firmly in the grasp of Eric Maddocks and Clive McGreal ever since, so the other 10 pairs competing were determined to try and prise it away from them.

The excellent entry was split into two sections and teams played five rounds of five ends each, with the two group winners contesting the final.

Previous winners Maddocks/McGreal were pushed all the way in section A, with Win Kewley and Pam Makin challenging for the top spot until the last two matches when late challenges from Anne and Phil Watterson and John Kewley and Mike Moyer put paid to their hopes of the top spot in their section.

The top spot was therefore retained by McGreal and Maddocks.

Clive’s wife, Bernice McGreal, and Janice Pilling led from the start in section B, although chased for the top spot by Marcia Pearson and new member Roger Pullen, who has not forgotten his previous bowling skills, as they remained in the race for top spot up to the last match

But Bernice and Janice played some excellent bowls to maintain top position and a place in the final.

With club members encouraging and supporting the two teams in the final it was ’girl power’ that won the day as Bernice and Janice led from the start and excellent shots from both made it difficult for previous winners, Clive and Eric, to mount a challenge.

Although the guys scored on the last end, it was not enough to overtake the women’s team. Therefore, 50 percent of the bragging rights are once again returning to the McGreal household.

The committee wishes to thank all the members that participated, those who contributed to the usual half-time cake and teas, as well as the greenkeeper for the excellent condition of the green.

For further information on lawn bowls (flat green) please contact the secretary Win Kewley on 499174 or email secretary @lawnbowlsiom.com

WIN KEWLEY