Bart’s Bash is back! Tomorrow (Sunday) Isle of Man Yacht Club is participating in the bash – the biggest ever sailing event in the world – to raise funds for charity.

At 11am, sailing clubs around the world will host the fun race and raise funds for Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, a charity for disabled sailing.

First held in 2014, more than 16,000 boats in 60 countries took part raising over £350,000 and entering the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest sailing race in the world.

When it took place two years ago, the Isle of Man Yacht Club raised £1,500 for the charity making it the 34th biggest raiser of funds out of 500 participating clubs.

All classes of sail boat and sail board will gather at the end of the Alfred pier in Port St Mary and then race to a marker and back to the finish line at the breakwater. The route will be plotted according to wind direction on the day, but it must be at least 1km long and last for at least 15 minutes.

The charity was established in memory of Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson, a gold and silver Olympic medallist and America’s Cup sailor who died in a training accident in May 2013 in San Francisco. The foundation was set up to inspire the next generation through developing the personal skills gained through sailing to help them succeed in life.

‘This is the only event we run which has both dinghies and keelboats starting together, so it’s a bit special and worth watching,’ said organiser Mick Kneale.

See www.iomyc.com or facebook.com/isleofmanyachtclub for more information.

A teenager has been convicted of causing serious bodily harm by driving without due care or consideration.

Tobias William Cowin, of Ballajora, Ramsey, was driving a car that collided with a biker on the Mountain Road resulting in the rider suffering seven fractured ribs, a fractured collar bone, a fractured vertabrae and a punctured lung.

Cowin, who is 19, pleaded guilty to the charge and will be sentenced on October 25.

Prosecutor Michael Jelski told the court that on June 25 at 4.30pm, the biker was riding his Honda VRF 800F on the A18 Mountain Road from Ramsey to Douglas.

Cowin was driving his BMW with his younger sister as a passenger on the same road in the opposite direction.

The weather was described as fine, with the road dry and visibility good.

Cowin was the third vehicle in a four vehicle convoy and after the vehicles had gone round a right bend, Cowin moved out to overtake the two vehicles in front of him.

However, as Cowin overtook he saw the motorbike coming towards him and braked heavily. He said that his four wheels locked and he started to skid.

The bike also braked and went up onto its front wheel throwing the rider off. The rider hit the front nearside corner of the BMW.

A witness in one of the other vehicles said that they were travelling at about 45mph going around the right hand bend, then heard heavy braking and saw the BMW.

The rider was tended to by members of the public before being flown to Aintree Hospital.

Police questioned Cowin and he said: ‘I came around the bend and thought the road was clear. The bike was suddenly there and I didn’t know what else to do.’

He was arrested and taken to police headquarters.

In an interview Cowin said that he was sure that the road was clear and would do the same again if faced with the same situation.

However, he admitted the road was not clear and when he conducted the overtaking manoeuvre, the duty of care lay with him.

Mr Jelski said that the prosecution felt that the case was suitable for sentencing in summary court.

Defending Cowin in court, advocate Peter Taylor handed in a basis of plea on behalf of his client, which was accepted by the prosecution.

Mr Taylor said that his client agreed the facts as presented by the prosecution, apart from some of the things reported to have been said to the police.

The advocate requested an adjournment to allow time for the preparation of a report by probation services before sentencing.

Bail was granted in the sum of £500 with a condition not to leave the island.

Laxey bridge will be rebuilt and open to traffic by the end of this month, according to a government spokesman.

A statement from the Department of Infrastructure said work on the bridge, which has been closed since it collapsed during stormy weather in December – apart from a temporary reopening in June – remains on schedule.

According to the spokesman: ‘The replacement bridge in Laxey is on schedule to open to traffic by the end of September.

‘Work will continue during the early part of October to complete the installation of the street furniture and adornments on the bridge deck.’

The statement went on to say contractors are currently working to improve the road where it approaches the bridge on each side.

‘Once completed, the replacement bridge will be better equipped to survive the sort of flooding that devastated homes and businesses in Laxey at the end of last year.

‘The department wishes to thank people for their patience and understanding while the work takes place,’ the statement concludes.

Work has been taking place to connect various services which are carried within the bridge.

The structure was opened on a temporary basis during TT fortnight, then the surface was taken up again to allow the structure to be finished off properly.

Organisers of the traditional Laxey Bike Show, which takes place each year on Laxey promenade during the TT moved the show this year to Peel, fearing there would be no access across the bridge, causing huge congestion if the show went ahead in Laxey.

Many businesses in the Glen Road area of the village have said their trade has been adversely affected by the loss of the bridge over the past nine months after the structure collapsed, leaving a double decker bus blocking the river and flooding homes and businesses nearby.

Several options were offered to villagers for the replacement bridge, with many favouring an arched construction. The DoI said the modern flat option selected would allow better water flow and minimise future flooding risk.

The finished bridge will be one lane (the previous was two) and includes decorative pepper pot lighthouses and seating.

A team of four Manx Gymnastics Centre of Excellence members represented Isle of Man at the annual Bill McLoughlin National Apparatus Team Championships in Lilleshall last week.

Nicole Burns, Grace Harrison, Isabel Hester and Madison Nicol, together with coach Gennady Tsyganov, were up against multiple regions from around the UK. Three gymnasts competed on each apparatus resulting in the top score counting towards the team total.

The girls began on their best piece, allowing their top score to be doubled. Hester scored highest with a powerful performance on the vault, nailing landings on both elements and receiving favourable marks.

The team were up next on the asymmetric bars where current Isle of Man bars champion, Burns, swung cleanly through her routine with high execution contributing nicely to the overall score.

Nicol, the youngest team member at the age of 13, gained great experience at this event. She delivered a beautiful floor performance with high-difficulty spins captivating both the audience and the judges.

Unfortunately, Harrison was advised not to compete because of injuries she had sustained prior to the competition, but her continued team spirit was greatly appreciated by the girls.

Team Isle of Man finished in a very pleasing seventh place which was a good, solid start to the competition season ahead with lots to build on. The girls would like to thank team manager Erica Bellhouse, coach Gennady and Manx Gymnastics for its continued support.

Mark Cavendish is hoping to use his successful Tour of Britain campaign as a warm-up to the forthcoming UCI World Road Race Championships.

Rather than add to his record haul of 10 stage wins to date, the Manx Missile performed a different role for Team Dimension Data in the eight-stage British race, supporting the efforts of team-mate Steve Cummings as the Merseysider won the event overall.

Speaking after the race, Cav said: ‘I am really happy we won. Steve spoke to me on the phone a week before and said he wanted to go for it, so I’m massively pleased we did it.

‘It’s tough controlling a week-long stage race with a six-man team so we had to prioritise. I’ve been in teams that have tried to do everything and you can easily end up with nothing.’

The Manxman’s attentions now turn to the Eneco Tour in Holland next week, but the main focus will be the upcoming world championships in Doha, Qatar next month when he will be aiming to clinch a second rainbow jersey following his success in 2011.

Speaking to Cycling News, Cav commented: ‘I don’t think I could go and win the Worlds if I was on my own.

‘But I think that with the team we have now, the riders we have in Great Britain, I truly believe that we’ll be the strongest nation going to win the World Championships this year.’

The UCI championships take place in Doha between October 9-16.

The Tour of Britain also proved extremely successful for some of the island’s other cyclists, most notably Onchan resident Ben Swift and Mark Christian who enjoyed fine races for Team Sky and Team Wiggins respectively as they finished eighth and 12th in the general classification.

The result was Christian’s best to date in the Tour of Britain, with his previous highest being 35th in 2014.

There was also success for Castletown resident Ian Stannard, also of Team Sky, who claimed a memorable superb solo victory on stage three.

A learner driver who took a chance on driving his car uninsured and unsupervised ended up crashing it at Santon.

Joshua James Gardner, of Spectrum Gardens, Central Promenade in Douglas, had only recently bought the Mazda car when he wrote it off in an 8am accident at Crogga Hill on August 4.

For the prosecution, Barry Swain said a member of the public reported the accident and a police car arrived at the scene in time to find the car being carried away on the back of a recovery lorry.

Gardner, who was the driver of the car, was uninjured, but the car was undrivable. The car’s tax disc had expired the previous December, Gardner had only a provisional driving licence and no insurance.

Defending him, advocate Peter Russell said though the road surface was wet, the accident was down to driver error. Gardner had bought the car just a few weeks earlier. It had been kept off the road since then but he had decided to take a chance by driving it on the road in order to take it to be serviced.

‘It was a moment of madness,’ he said, adding Gardner had been polite and co-operative and had admitted the offences straight away.

‘He is a young man who in 2011-12 seemed to be on a slippery slope and has turned his life around significantly since then. He is very well thought of by his employers. He works full-time and does a lot of over-time as well,’ he said. ‘But if he is to further his career he will need his driving licence. This is his first time in court for such an offence. A lenient approach is required and I would ask the court not to disqualify him,’ he said.

Passing sentence, Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes noted the defendant’s early admissions and extremely good references.

‘He is described as ‘hard working, polite and honest’. These are some of the best references I have seen in recent times,’ she said.

‘You have turned your life around. It did seem at one time as if you were on a slippery slope, but nonetheless these are serious matters both for you and anyone else using the road at the time.

‘You need to be careful before you drive on the road again. And you need to make sure you have passed your test first.’

She added: ‘You had bought the vehicle just a few weeks earlier and I note you had not owned it since the tax expired in the previous December.’

He was fined £400 for no insurance, £100 for no valid driving licence and £50 for no car tax and must pay £50 costs. Mrs Hughes said she thought hard about banning him from driving but in the light of his references, instead gave him an eight-point endorsement on his licence.

More than 60 chihuahuas and their owners attended a unique ‘Afternoon Chi Party’ at Ard Jerkyll in Foxdale.

The party featured games, a raffle, best dressed competitions, a photo booth, snacks and drinks, and a cake stall which sold cupcakes for both dogs and their owners.

Awards were presented for best dressed boy and girl and cutest, craziest and best behaved chihuahua, and they all walked the runway on the day.

The party, which raised £360 for the ManxSPCA, is believed to be the biggest convention of chihuahuas in the history of the island.

Following the success of the Afternoon Chi Party, organisers are planning on holding ‘A Merry CHImas Party’.

Organisers have thanked everyone that supported and attended the event and made donations to the raffle and cake stall.

More photographs from the Afternoon Chi Party at Ard Jerkyll will be featured in next week’s Manx Independent.

Learn how to create a corset belt with embroiderer and designer Gillian Roberts.

Gillian, who designs and makes bespoke handmade corsets, will visit the island next Friday, September 23 to give a talk and workshop on corsetry. Organised by the Isle of Man Embroiderers’ Guild, it will focus on the history of the corset, its influence on fashion and Gillian will also talk about some of the corsets she has made.

The talk will be followed by a full day workshop on Saturday, September 24, where participants will learn some of the techniques of corsetry by making a corset belt which will incorporate busk, steels and eyelets.

Gillian’s corsetry weekend marks the beginning of the organisation’s new programme for the forthcoming year, which features workshops ranging from felting to traditional hand-stitching of Casalguidi, patchwork to upcycle men’s shirts, silk paper making and designing, and stitching a landscape picture.

Besides the workshops the Guild also runs a series of talks which cover topics including the demise of domestic sewing and the experiences of a luxury fashion designer.

The Embroiderers’ Guild welcomes members of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to professional embroiderers.

The talk and workshop are open to non-members of the Guild, however numbers are limited for the workshop.

For more information about the talk and workshop or future classes visit www.iomeg.blogspot.com

Manx Wildlife Trust’s Biodiversity Roadshow will come to an end next week.

The final stop on the tour will be at Ronaldsway airport. The Trust will be explaining the benefits of wildlife that surrounds us, why it’s important and about the diversity of eco systems in the island until September 23, There will be displays, leaflets, posters and animal cut-outs to take selfies with.

The roadshow has visited venues including Ramsey Town Hall, University College Isle of Man and the Harvey Briggs Onchan Library.

Furo Davies’s second-half goal gave St George’s a 1-0 win over rivals Peel on Saturday afternoon.

The former Rushen forward’s strike maintains the reigning champions 100 per cent start to the Canada Life Premier League season and keeps them tucked in behind leaders St Mary’s.

The latter, who have played a game more than Geordies, beat Rushen 3-0 at the Bowl thanks to goals from Mathew Rennie, a Darren Hudgeon penalty and a composed finish from sub Marc Priestnal late on.

The top-flight’s bottom two faced off in Andreas, Ramsey beating Ayre 3-1 to move out of the relegation zone.

Colby slip into the division’s ejector seats after losing 4-2 to fourth-placed Laxey.

In the league’s other games, Douglas Athletic lost 6-3 to manager Brian Gartland’s former club DHSOB, while St John’s triumphed 5-2 over Union Mills at Garey Mooar.

In JCK Division Two, leaders Braddan beat Marown 6-0 to stay top.

Douglas Royal are level on points with Braddan and second-place Foxdale, who didn’t play, after coming from behind to beat Governor’s Athletic 6-2.

Youthie and Castletown are three points behind the leading trio after both picked up maximum points.

The northerners defeated a stubborn Malew 4-2, while Castletown bounced back from a couple of defeats by overcoming Michael 6-0 at the Stadium.

Elsewhere Pulrose beat Douglas and District 5-3 in a high-scoring encounter at Springfield Road, while Gymns

Full round-up in Tuesday’s Isle of Man Examiner.

Saturday, September 17

Canada Life Premier League

Ayre Utd 1-3 Ramsey

St George’s 1-0 Peel

Colby 2-4 Laxey

Douglas Athletic 3-6 DHSOB

St Mary’s 3-0 Rushen Utd

Union Mills 2-5 St John’s

JCK Division Two

Pulrose Utd 5-3 Douglas and District

Governor’s Athletic 2-6 Douglas Royal

Castletown 6-0 Michael Utd

Braddan 6-0 Marown

Gymns L-L Onchan

RYCOB 4-2 Malew

Canada Life Combination One

Peel P-P St George’s

Laxey 7-0 Colby

DHSOB 5-1 Douglas Athletic

Rushen Utd 1-2 St Mary’s

St John’s 3-2 Union Mills

Ramsey P-P Ayre

JCK Combination Two

Douglas and District 2-3 Pulrose United

Douglas Royal 3-1 Governor’s Athletic

Michael Utd 0-4 Castletown

Marown 1-7 Braddan

Onchan 4-0 Gymns

Malew 3-9 RYCOB

Western Vikings lost 34-21 away at Ramsey B but just cling onto their position at the top of the Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield standings.

Kevin Mellor’s try converted by Ryan Burke gave Vikings a 7-0 lead.

Tommy Callister and Kev Skelly both scored for Ramsey to put their side in front and a Craig Long try just before half-time saw the teams turn around with Ramsey 15-7 in front.

In the second half, Jordan Walsh, Darren Ideson and Craig Long all crossed for further Ramsey tries with Andy Cleator converting two which gave them a 34-7 lead with 10 to play. Late tries from Liam Sweeney and Chris Corrigan plus two more Burke conversions gave Vikings fair reward for their efforts.

Elsewhere in the Shield there were wins for Douglas B and Vagabonds B. Douglas beat Castletown 45-0 with tries from Eddie Laou, Rich Melia, Chris Horsthuis, Josh Carine, Nathan Knights and two for Jack Fallon. Josh Carine kicked five conversions. Best wishes from everyone associated with Manx Rugby to Castletown’s Matt Quine who suffered a serious knee injury which forced the game to be abandoned after 65 minutes.

Vagas B beat Emerging Nomads 47-17 at Ballafletcher. Olly Brown bagged a hat-trick for Vagas with other tries coming from Andy Pease, Chris Bass, Joe Louw and Sean Askin. Cameron Inglis kicked six conversions. For Nomads Orry Watterson scored two and Josh Bowman one. Bailey Daniel also kicked a conversion.

Full round-up in Tuesday’s Examiner.

Results: Saturday, September 17

South Lancs/Cheshire Division One

Douglas 61-19 New Brighton

South Lancs/Cheshire Division Three

Newton le Willows 31-22 Ramsey

Women’s NC North One

Doncaster 14-3 Vagabonds

Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield

Noa Nomads WO to PDMS Southern Nomads

Ramsey B 34-21 Western Vikings

Vagabonds B 47-17 Emerging Nomads

Castletown 0-45 Douglas B

Award-winning comedian Al Murray will visit the Villa Marina next week as part of his new tour.

The English comic and TV personality, who is known as ‘The Pub Landlord’, will bring his unique sense of humour to the Royal Hall on Wednesday.

In the ‘Let’s Go Backwards Together’ show he will embark on a common sense campaign to ‘re-Great Britain’ covering topics such as Europe, NHS, the Middle East and fortnightly bin collections.

The tour will also visit various cities across the UK including Birmingham, Glasgow and Dublin.

The show will begin at 7.30pm with doors opening at 7pm. Tickets cost £28 and can be booked online at www.villagaiety.com or by calling the box office on 600555. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

A mosaic in memory of a teenager who died aged just 13 has been laid at Braddan Community Hub.

Alfie Quilliam sadly passed away earlier this year on March 22 after suffering from a long illness.

The idea for a mosaic came about one afternoon whilst Alfie was sat in the conservatory at the Hub following a trip to Alder Hey Hospital.

He had suggested to staff that he would like something touchy-feely at the Hub.

A spokesman for the Hub said: ‘In Alfie’s true nature he was always thinking about others when discussing what he would like for himself.

‘He wanted other children to be able to have the same kinaesthetic experience as he did whilst receiving treatment in Alder Hey Liverpool. Not long after this conversation, Alfie lost his battle against his illness and we thought it a priority to make Alfie’s dreams become reality.’

‘This is when we got in touch with Elaine Edge at Manx Mosaics who took on the task of developing the project.’

A Laxey woman has raised more than £5,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society UK after climbing Kilimanjaro.

Roisin Booth, who now lives in Edinburgh, went to Laxey Primary School and Ramsey Grammar School, and chose the charity in honour of her friend’s mother, Suzy Holland, who lives in Ramsey and suffers from the disease.

Roisin said: ‘I’m lucky. I’m fit and healthy and don’t need to face the challenges people with MS do. For some people with MS, like Suzy, symptoms come and go and every day can be different.

‘For others, the condition progresses and disabilities get worse – for them, even climbing stairs can be impossible. Climbing Kilimanjaro – and don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t all fun and games – was a doddle in comparison.’

After finishing school Roisin went on to gain a first class degree in accounting and finance from the University of Edinburgh in 2012.

Having followed her degree with professional ICAS accountancy qualifications earlier this year, Roisin works in finance for Royal Bank of Scotland in Edinburgh.

The trek along the Lemosho route took eight days, with the summit hike starting at midnight on Friday, September 2. Roisin reached the top seven hours later, at 7am, having had to chip ice from her insulated water bottle to keep hydrated.

‘It doesn’t matter what you’ve read or what you’re told,’ said Roisin. ‘Nothing prepares you for the lack of oxygen, about half of that at sea level, or the amazing views.

‘My friends will be staggered to know that for once, I actually was speechless.’

Suzy said: ‘When Roisin announced last Christmas that she was going to climb Kili for the MS Society, it was me that was speechless.

‘I’m not sure why she thinks I’m an inspiration – I just get on with it – but I’ve benefitted from the help and support of the MS Society on the island and via the UK helpline and know that this is only possible because of people like Roisin and those who’ve sponsored her.

‘I’m in awe of what she’s done and how much she’s raised, and can’t thank her enough.’

You can still sponsor Roisin at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Roisin-climbs-kili

A 76-year-old Douglas woman has been fined £750 with £50 costs after admitting hitting a biker in her car

Hazel Joyce Bain, of Lord Street, was waiting for a gap to turn right at the junction of Woodbourne Road and Ballaquayle Road in Douglas on February 12, but failed to see the red Honda CG125 as it headed up the road towards her from the Broadway direction.

She told the police she felt something hit her car but did not realise exactly what had happened until she got out. She admitted causing serious injury by careless driving.

The rider suffered a broken leg but prosecutor Michael Jelski confirmed that he was no longer receiving treatment and had returned to his full-time job as a stable hand since the accident.

Defending Bain in court, advocate Peter Russell said: ‘The facts are accepted, it is not complicated. It is a well-known piece of road. At the time the traffic was heavy.

‘Ms Bain was travelling down Ballaquayle Road with traffic coming from Broadway passing.

‘She wanted to turn onto Woodbourne Road but turned into the path of the motorcycle. We can only surmise why she didn’t see him.

‘It must have been because her sight was blocked by vehicles travelling up the hill.

‘She accepts the duty of responsibility sits with her to make sure the road is clear before making the manoeuvre.’

Mr Russell said that the front right wing of Bain’s car had gone into the rear part of the bike as it went past.

He continued: ‘She has much regret over the injury caused.

‘Obviously there was no intent or pre-meditation.

‘She showed remorse at the scene and that has continued through to today.

‘Ms Bain co-operated with police and entered an early guilty plea. She accepted the blame lies with her.

‘The social enquiry report goes into some health problems which we will not go into in public court.

‘As a result of what happens today, the loss of her licence will mean the care work she has done for 20 years will cease.

‘She needs to travel island-wide to visit addresses she can’t reach by bus.

‘This will drastically affect her financial position. She has been to see someone to assist with her finances.

‘She has calculated she will have £20 per week disposable income after all her essentials are paid.’

On advice from the probation service, the court ruled Bain unsuitable for community service but heard some work may be available to her, which would help to pay her fine.

She was banned from driving for a year and must then take an extended driving test before driving again.

A Douglas man has received a suspended sentence in court after his sixth conviction for assaulting different women.

Ian Derek Brown, of Mona Street, was sentenced to three months’ custody, suspended for two years after pleading guilty to common assault on a female.

Brown, 35, has spent five weeks on remand and was also made the subject of a suspended sentence supervision order (SSSO).

The court heard how, on August 6, Brown had become agitated after a baby belonging to his girlfriend’s cousin had been crying.

His girlfriend took the baby into the bedroom to calm it down but was followed by Brown who was becoming increasingly abusive.

The woman then retreated to the bathroom, to get away from Brown, who followed her again, kicking open the door.

The court heard Brown then unleashed a torrent of abuse and when she tried to leave, grabbed her by the throat, while she was holding the child, and pushed her into a wall.

She again broke free and tried to escape but Brown grabbed her by the hair, pushing her against a cabinet.

Matters reached a climax when the woman asked Brown to let her leave but he responsed by hitting her in the face.

The blow, to the victim’s left cheek, caused bruising to her face and lip, the court was told.

A struggle ensued with Brown grabbing the victim’s arms, pushing and shoving, leaving her with more bruises to her arms and chest.

She was also kicked in the leg, causing further bruises.

She left the house and called the police from a neighbour’s house.

When he was interviewed by police, Brown denied the assault but admitted the pair had had an argument. He also denied punching his girlfriend or grabbing her by the throat but conceded he might have pushed her’.

A basis of plea was handed in by Brown’s advocate in which he said: ‘We ended up in an argument where there was lots of pushing and shoving. I grabbed her by the arms causing the majority of the bruising in the photographs.

‘I accept kicking the bathroom door and this act was done recklessly.

‘I did grab her by the throat and push her into the wall and pulled her hair as she was attempting to leave. I did not punch her in the cheek deliberately, but caught her on the cheek recklessly during the general altercation.’

In court Brown’s advocate Paul Rodgers conceded that his client had an unenviable record regarding assaults with at least six assaults on women and a similar number on men on his record.

Mr Rodgers said that Brown had been diagnosed with a personality condition and was receiving treatment for anger management.

The advocate said: ‘Of course all assaults on women are extremely serious. He wants to address this. He has had problems with his neck and had an addiction to pain medication which he has rid himself of while in prison. The woman concerned has been visiting him in prison and he hopes to reignite the relationship.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said while passing sentence: ‘You have a very poor record for offences of violence. But you have served the equivalent of 11 weeks while on remand.’

Brown was also banned from onlicensed premises for six months.

The sun finally shone for the Isle of Man Flat Green Bowling Singles Championship in Onchan on Saturday.

The competition was scheduled for a week earlier but because of the inclement weather on two occasions during the week it was postponed until the weekend.

The women’s singles final was played between Bernice McGreal and Marcia Pearson and men’s between Clive McGreal and Philip Watterson.

There was plenty of action and excellent displays of bowling, enjoyed by the supportive club members, as both finals were played on adjoining rinks.

In the singles championship finals the winner is first to score 21 points. During the women’s final, despite the green playing heavy from the previous day’s rain, it was Bernice McGreal who managed to find the winning line and length to lead by 10 shots to five by the seventh end.

Although Marcia Pearson mounted a comeback, she was unable to prevent McGreal from holding a commanding lead to claim victory on the 15th end by 21 shots to nine. Both women received the appreciative applause of the watching club members.

The men’s singles championship was a more closely-contested match with excellent bowls from both players shown by the score of five shots each at the seventh end.

Over the next couple of ends Philip Watterson edged ahead but Clive McGreal was able to mount a strong reply, soon overtaking Watterson’s lead.

However, the latter’s determination saw him continue to add to his score but in the end it was McGreal’s experience which allowed him to overcome the challenge and regain the lead until by the 21st end he was able to claim victory by 21 shots to 12.

Both players again received the appreciative applause of spectators who had been treated to an excellent display of bowling skills from both players.

The committee would like to thank all club members who supported the players. Thanks also to club president Eric Maddocks who again donned his famous yellow jacket for his role as umpire, plus thanks to club members Karen and Dave acting as markers and Fred for keeping score.

The committee would also like to remind club members that the last day for play on the green is next Saturday, September 24. The club wishes to thank Onchan Commissioners for its support this season and greenkeeper Michael Jackson for maintaining the green.

The final meeting of the 2016 stockcar season took place at Onchan Raceway on Sunday, with the traditional demolition derby taking centre stage once again.

Josh Watson continued his winning ways taking victory in the 1st Choice Windows Ministox whites and yellows race, closely followed by Harry Watson and Danny Warburton.

Three fast, close races followed with all grades competing and race two was won by Orry Kennaugh. The third race was led from lap one by Harry Watson until the very last lap when ministox points champion Eedin Kennaugh passed him to take the win. Ted Davis followed Kennaugh closely finishing second with Watson maintaining third.

Harry Watson, Jack Dobson and Eedin Kennaugh all had turns leading race four but Davis edged ahead of both Kennaugh brothers on the last lap to take the win. The JCK meeting trophies were awarded to: 1, Eedin Kennaugh; 2, Ted Davis; 3, Orry Kennaugh.

MANN CONSTRUCTION

FORMULA 2s

David Sutcliffe led the opening laps of each Formula 2 race until he was caught and passed by Jake Clague who went on to win races one and three.

Kevin Hooper stayed ahead of Dougie Kinrade throughout race two to take the win, while ex-Banger champion Ray Corkish joined the impressive list of different drivers to race in 2016, adapting well to Gary Davenport’s Formula 2 and scoring points in race three.

Jake Clague won the meeting overall, while Dougie Kinrade was second and Kevin Hooper third. Clague was also presented with the Wilf Blundell Memorial Shield as top point-scorer over the last three meetings.

PIZZA KING

PRODUCTION RODS

With the season-long points championship still to be decided between brothers Mike and Paul Craine and only one point separating three drivers for the Dagger of Honour, everything was to race for in the Pizza King Production Rods.

Mike’s hopes went up in smoke when his engine blew up in race one, a small fire under the number 10 car bringing the race to a sudden end one lap early.

Josh Ffrench won from Paul Craine and Georgina Moore, while ex-Banger champion of the 1980s Davy Craine made a welcome return to racing at Onchan, claiming fifth behind Sarah Wass.

Josh Dallimore raced to a flag-to-flag win in race two followed by Paul Craine, Josh Ffrench, Wass, Moore and Marie Craine.

Entering the last race of the season Craine led Ffrench by one point for the Dagger of Honour.

Wass won with Ffrench a very close second, while Davy Craine retook third finishing ahead of Paul Craine which meant Ffrench won the Dagger by a single point.

The JCK meeting trophies were presented to: 1, Josh Ffrench; 2, Paul Craine; 3, Sarah Wass. The latter was also continued from back page

presented with the Victory Lane Ladies’ Trophy.

A&J QUALITY

BUTCHERS BANGERS

Billy Collister made a winning return by taking the chequered flag in race one of the A&J Quality Butchers-sponsored bangers race.

Amidst all the usual carnage that everyone has come to expect, Tom Cairns finished second with Spud Collister third.

Billy Collister looked on for a second win in race two until crashing out with two laps to go, handing the victory to Tony Pitt driving the JCK-sponsored BMW. Cairns finished second ahead of Spud Collister, Ashley Harrison and Stephanie Ford.

Nick Collister led the opening laps of race three until also crashing out, allowing Pitt through to claim his second win.

The JCK Trophies were awarded to: 1, Cairns; 2, Pitt; 3, Spud Collister. Ste Collister was presented with the Banger Sword of State trophy as top point-scorer over the last three meetings.

EXIT STRATEGY

DEMOLITION DERBY

The large crowd had been entertained throughout the afternoon by the various classes, but were all there to watch the motorised mayhem of the Exit Strategy-sponsored end-of-season demolition derby.

A field of 17 cars started the race featuring machines of all shapes and sizes. Matty Walmsley was in the same Kia people carrier he won the event with last year and, along with Peter Kelly in a Chrysler Voyager, they were the largest on track. Sam Reeder tried his luck in a Ford Ka!

As soon as the green flag fell, the chaos began as Tia Molyneux was spun around ending stranded on top of the safety fence, while Kevin Goldsmith was launched airborne in front of the corner grandstand and Jack Sayle became lodged on an infield marker tyre.

Action continued all around the raceway as cars traded heavy hits, Spud Collister’s BMW and Colin Clague in the pink Citroen Saxo - which had raced in Production Rods, Bangers and the derby - went head on and received a heavy hit ending both cars’ races.

The cars were gradually eliminated and, with the last two runners bowing out together, the victory and Exit Strategy prizemoney was shared between Grant Crellin and Mark Brew.

During the afternoon lots of trophies were presented by the various sponsors. A big thank you goes out to all drivers, mechanics, staff and medics for another enjoyable season of racing.

The 2017 season is scheduled to begin on Sunday, April 23 at 2pm.

A 26-year-old man from Douglas was found dead in a Liverpool hotel room yesterday morning (Saturday).

Louis Thornton was believed to be in the city with friends to watch his team, Middlesbrough, play at Everton.

Mr Thornton played locally for Corinthians and was the club captain.

The following message was posted on the club’s Twitter feed on Saturday evening:’ The Club lost its Captain Louis Thornton today. Thoughts to family friends and team mates at this sad time.’

It’s understood his death is not being treated as suspicious.

Beach Buddies will be holding a volunteer event at Ballaghennie, at the Ayres Nature Reserve, this morning (Sunday) at 10.30am.

The charity is fast approaching 7,000 individual volunteers since 2014 and new volunteers of all ages are welcome, along with well-behaved dogs.

Organiser Bill Dale said: ‘Now that the bird nesting season restrictions have been lifted, this will be our first visit for more than four months, and it will be interesting to see how much rubbish has collected since April, although we know that the Beach Buddies’ bin, kindly sponsored by Blythe Financial, is filled regularly by the people who use the beach.

‘Beach Buddies provides all the necessary equipment and this week we have some brand new gloves (for a change!). This is a never-ending problem, and volunteers may prefer to bring their own gloves.

‘Litterpickers are another problem, and many are coming back irreparably damaged most weeks, so these too are in decline! Bags - not a problem! We’ve got loads, thanks to a local farmer, and also WDS Ltd who have supported us for many years.

‘Just come along for as long or a little as you like. We finish no later than midday.’