There was Manx success in the British Crown Green Bowling Association Ladies Singles Merit Trophy competition on Sunday.

Jenny Moore (South Ramsey) and Janet Monk (Mooragh Park) travelled to Heaton Park Bowling Club in Manchester to go up against a field of 62 other women who qualified through their respective counties.

The British Merit title is highly sought-after, with many of Britain’s top female bowlers taking part.

On the tricky No.1 green, Jenny was up against Sue Nugent from Merseyside and it was the island star who got off to a great start by playing a mark over the crown and, with her opponent not getting to grips with this, Moore won comfortably 21-2.

Janet’s first game was on green No.2 against Steph Witherspoon from Warwick and Worcestershire which had more of a crown than the No.1 green.

Witherspoon started off the better, building up a lead, but Monk is not one to give up and dug deep before starting to pull back the points to level the score at 19 all. But it was then her opponent’s turn to dig deep and play good lead bowls on the following two ends to win 21-19.

Moore’s second game was against Mandy Wilks from North Derbyshire which was a much closer affair, with Jenny eventually winning 21-16 to go through to the quarter-finals.

In the last-eight, Moore went up against Jayne Kent (nee Hamilton) from South Yorkshire. This was a real battle with the game going to and fro but, with a final flourish, the Manx player ran out a 21-18 winner.

At the semi-final stage, Jenny faced the experienced Sue Worrall from Mid-Cheshire and again this was another tough game but, like in her previous rounds, Moore upped her game to take the semi 21-17.

In the other half of the draw, Louise Ollerton from Greater Manchester won her semi-final 21-14 against Julie Alderman from South Staffordshire who had beaten the 2019 British Merit winner Nicola Boulton from Mid-Cheshire in the quarter-finals.

With the atmosphere around the green becoming tense and exciting, and with both women playing exceptionally well, the spectators and the remaining players anticipated a great final and were not disappointed.

Jenny got off to a strong start leading 10-2 on the eighth end, before her opponent got into her stride by taking six of the next nine ends to trail 10-14. Moore then clicked up a gear taking the next six ends to win 21-10.

This was a proud moment for Isle of Man bowling and for Jenny and her family who were there supporting, but most of all a massive and emotional achievement to become the first Manx woman to win a British Association Ladies singles competition.

The previous day, the British Crown Green Bowling Association held the Junior Merit Trophy competition again at Heaton Park when a field of 32 county merit qualifiers took part, with Shannon McMullan (Mooragh Park) and Toby Hart (South Ramsey) representing the Isle of Man.

First on the green was Shannon who took on Jordyn Hughes from Staffordshire. Shannon started off strong and halfway through the game it was 11 across, before Jordyn got his length and stride to run out 21-11.

Toby was up against Tom Farmer from the Potteries and District. Although Toby played some great bowls during the game, Tom was too strong on the day winning 21-8.

Both Shannon and Toby should be congratulated on the way they played and their conduct on the green. The future of crown green bowling in the island is certainly shining bright.

Elaine Moore