Manx Short Mat Bowls Association

Rockets hold on to top spot in Haldane Fisher League

The Ronaldsway Rockets enjoyed a narrow win over the Douglas Sharks in last Sunday’s Haldane Fisher League as Port Erin stay in second after two close games.

Dave McTaggart & Collin Holland got the Rockets off with a 16-1 win in the pairs before Richard Faragher & Stephen Gale managed to take their pairs match 12-5 for the Sharks. The Rockets moved ahead in the singles however with Ann Gale (14-5), Dave McTaggart (11-6) & Collin Holland (13-7) all winning. Stephen Gale kept the Sharks in touch with a 12-6 victory. With the Rockets way ahead on chalks the Sharks needed to regroup and win the final game of fours to stay in touch and did so after a tight start to the game which saw the scores level at 4-4 after four ends. The Sharks managed to grind out a lead of 6 going into the final end, eventually winning 10-6. With the scores level at 8-8 in the match, the Rockets took the extra bonus point on chalks to finish 9-8 winners.

The game between Port Erin & Colby Cosmos was very similar with David Cottier & Josh Ffrench getting the first win for the Cosmos in the pairs 17-2 before Harry Minor & Bernie Durcan leveled the game with an 11-7 win for Port Erin. In the singles Archie Collister took an 11-7 win for Port Erin but the Cosmos hot back with Matt Quayle (10-5), Josh Ffrench (12-2) & Sylvia Maddrell (15-4) putting the Cosmos 4 points clear. Port Erin came back in the fours however to take it 8-3 and just like the other game of the day level the match at 8-8 but with Cosmos having a much superior chalks advantage, they took the bonus point.

The table with two games remaining is:
[standings league_id=7 template=extend logo=false]

Next week is the Cherry Orchard League with leaders Ronaldsway Blockbusters playing Port Erin New Kids. Second placed Douglas Bay Pirates face Peel Musketeers while Laxey Minors meet Ballaugh and Andreas come up against Colby Cosmos.