Seamus Whelan won the 4 Bowl Singles title after beating Laxey Minors team mate David Cottier in the final after an enthralling day of bowls at the NSC last Sunday.

Whelan started off in the preliminary round against Rita Woodworth where he was made to work hard for his 10-6 victory. A score of 3 on the 8th end proving decisive. Elsewhere Ann Hollingworth qualified with a 20-1 win over newcomer James Teare and Josh Ffrench had an impressive 11-5 win over Richard Faragher.

In the first round proper Whelan continued his good form with an 11-4 win against Ann Hollingworth. After taking the lead early on he managed to stretch his advantage with some fine consistent bowling. David Cottier meanwhile came up against defending champion Stephen Gale and produced a stunning game of bowls to win 13-4 after scoring a 4 & a 3  in the game. Josh Ffrench continued his good form with a 15-3 win over Matt Quayle and Jayne Smith came through a tough game 11-6 against Sylvia Maddrell.

The semi-finals saw Whelan play Smith in a very tight game. Whelan just edged the play and managed to put together run of three ends late on to leave Smith needing a 4 on the last end to tie, unfortunately for Smith it was too much to do, losing 7-4. The other semi-final saw Cottier continue to play well to lead Ffrench 7-0 at the half way stage. Ffrench managed to fight back well with two scores of 3 but it was too much with Cottier running out an 11-8 winner.

The final was close throughout but again Whelan just edged the play to lead 3-0 after the first three ends. Cottier came back well but a 3 for Whelan on the sixth end meant he led 7-2 at the half way point. Cottier again came back well producing some of the fine bowls he had played in the earlier rounds, scoring 4 points over the next two ends to trail by 1 but another 3 for Whelan on the ninth end and a 2 on the penultimate end meant he was champion, eventually winning 12-10.

Next week is a free week for the Association with the Cherry Orchard League’s final games being played on the 20th March. Douglas Bay Pirates need a point against Colby Cosmos to win the title, Laxey Minors play Castletown Super Threes and Ballugh face Ramsey Rebels.