The qualifying rounds of the Over-60s Bowls Championship were held at Port Erin Bowling Green on Thursday and Friday last week.

The final 16 qualifiers then played to an overall winner at the same venue on Wednesday.

Although the weather for the finals day was not as bad as expected, it was still very overcast with spells of rain throughout the day which caused difficulties for some with the bowls slipping on their wet hands.

Despite this problem it was an afternoon of good bowls and some surprise results, with the two semi-final matches being between Peter Wallis and Bernie McPhee (both of Onchan) and Ray Watterson of Port St Mary against Peter Oates of Castletown.

Wallis but up a brave fight against his club-mate but eventually McPhee, who was on great form all afternoon, was just too good on the day and ran out with a 21-15 win.

In the other semi many expected Oates, who had been playing so well in the earlier rounds, to beat Watterson but the latter produced some great bowls and won 21-11.

In the final McPhee started well against Watterson and, although the game was always close, McPhee was never behind at any point until the game reached 14-14 and then he had two very rare loose ends which gave Watterson the advantage.

This was Watterson’s opportunity and he grasped it with both hands and, despite a spirited effort from McPhee, it was Watterson who eventually won 21-18 to become the 2017 Over-60s Men’s Bowls champion.

In his winner’s speech, Watterson thanked everyone involved in organising the competition and thanked all his opponents for the sporting and friendly way that they had competed with him.

NORMAN KNEEN