Ray Watterson takes 2017 Over 60’s Championship Victory.
Wednesday and Thursday 13th and 14th July 2017 saw the qualifying rounds of the Over 60’s Championship held at Port Erin Bowling Green with the final 16 Qualifiers playing to an overall winner at the same venue on 19th July.
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 we saw an afternoon of good bowls and some surprise results and the two semi-final matches were between Peter Wallis and Bernie McPhee both of Onchan and Ray Watterson of Port St Mary against Peter Oates of Castletown.
Peter Wallis but up a brave fight against his club mate Bernie McPhee but eventually Bernie 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-final many expected Peter Oates who had been playing so well in the earlier rounds to beat Ray Watterson but Ray produced some great bowls and beat Peter 21-11.
In the Final Bernie started well against Ray and although the game was always close Bernie was never behind at any point until the game reached 14-14 and then he had two very rare loose ends which gave Ray the advantage.
This was Ray’s opportunity and he grasped it with both hands and despite a spirited effort from Bernie it was Ray who eventually won 21-18 to become the 2017 Over 60’s Men’s Bowls Champion.
In his Winners Speech Ray thanked every one involved in organising the Competition and thanked all his opponents for the sporting and friendly way that they had competed with him.