Bowlers ready to sail into action at Isle of Man Fest

Both the week-long June and September festivals in 2020 were lost to the pandemic and, even though this year’s June promotion also bit the dust, the bigger September bonanza looks like going ahead.

“Obviously with the news on the borders opening sometime in June or July, all the team are very optimistic about the Festival going ahead this September and are looking forward to welcoming all the visitors back to the Island,” said Manx spokesman Alan Moore.

The Festival is scheduled to run from September 6 to 10, with the Friday finals day at Nobles Park in Douglas, and all entries must be done via the official form and received by August 2.

Shropshire bowlers have a proud record of winning prize money on the island, including a recent triumph in the main women’s singles by Shrewsbury’s Tracy Ryan.

Meanwhile, the reward for being crowned champions of Shropshire’s top bowls league this year will be decided tonight.

Only 12 of the usual 14 clubs will compete in the Shropshire Premier League in 2021 from Friday, May 21 – Newport and Burway having opted out of what is seen as a one-off season.

But there will be a Premier Merit and Pairs in August and September, league chief Rob Burroughs adding: “These dates will be decided at our (virtual) meeting tonight, when prize money will also be decided for the league.”

Fixtures running through to October 1 will be 10-a-side, rather than the usual 12, they can be called off for Covid reasons and there will be no end of season play-offs.

Also, a host of top Shropshire bowlers will contest the Castle Sports Pairs in Northwich from tonight, the likes of Jack Hewitt, Lewis Scott, Matt Beeston, Reece Farr and Phil Scott aiming to qualify for the last eight for finals night on Saturday.