Stephen Gale, Michael Collister, Seamus Whelan & Eric Maddocks clinched the Ronaldsway Fours after an extra end against last years winners Collin Holland, Dave McTaggart, Chris Holland & Ann Gale.

The day started with 6 teams split on to two groups of three. In Group A Holland’s four got off to a slow start, trailing Richard Faragher, Pat Mason, Maureen Trustham & Stephen Bradley 8-3 after 5 ends, but scores of 2,3 and another 2 on the last end ensured a 10-8 victory. Their second match against Sylvia Maddrell, Ann Hollingworth, Bernard Kaighin & Matt Quayle was slightly more comfortable with a 13-1 victory for Holland.

In Group B Gale’s quartet really had to work for their place in the final. In the first match against Jayne Smith, Harry Minor, James Teare & Eddie Brew they were losing 5-3 at the half way stage but fought back to lead 8-7 going into the last end. Smith’s side were on for 4 to take the game but Gale drove the jack into the ditch with his last bowl to win the match. Things didn’t get any easier for the eventual winners as they were up against Steve Durcan, Bernie Durcan, Linsey Durcan & Bernard Thackaragh. The game was tight all the way through with scores all square at 5-5 going into the last end. Despite some brilliant weghted shots from Steve Durcan, it was again left to Gale to draw in with his last bowl to take the win and set up a match against Holland’s side in the final.

The final first swung Holland’s way but a 4 and a 3 for Gale’s side meant they led 7-3 at half way. Holland’s team fought back to trail 8-6 going into the last end and thanks to a measure managed to claim the 2 shots needed to force an extra end play-off. Gale’s side were laying shot thanks to bowls from Maddocks & Whelan but Dave McTaggart managed to change the head and Holland then pushed the jack through to leave them on. Once again with Gale’s final bowl he managed to draw to the jack to claim the title after a great days play all round.

Next week is the start of the Haldane Fisher League, with Ronaldsway Jollybodies hoping to retain the trophy once again this year.