The final of the Plumbmaster Rayner Plate took place on Friday evening at Noble’s Park in ideal bowling conditions between first division side Castletown A (+30) and second Division side Marown C (+40), who have won the title on three occasions in 2017, 2019, and 2021. The Town men’s one and only success in this competition was in 1998, when they beat Port St Mary B on their home green by 19 chalks, when the final used to be played on the teams green that was drawn out first. Interestingly this was the last occasion that the final was contested this way, as from 1999 the final of the Plate competition has been played on a neutral green.

Castletown started as favourites as they ply their trade one division above Marown, with the latter team having a 10 chalk start on the night, they are currently occupying top spot in Division Two, as they look to make an immediate return to Division One.

The evening started positively for Town as Dean Kinley had the Crosby men’s most experienced player Peter Kelly, with the former impressed as he kept his opponent to nine singles, as Kinley scored seven doubles on his way to a 21-9 win. The next game off saw Jordan Drewett finish the game strongly to run out with a 21-14 win over Jamie Joughin. John Kelly picked up Marown’s first win and clawed some chalks back as he beat Ian Watson 21-14. The last game off in the first half of the match saw the most inexperienced player Kieran Krypner once again prove he is the man for the big occasion, as he displayed a great attitude, matched by his performance to seal a 21-15 win over Darren Kerruish.

At the half way point Castletown had won three of the four games and turned a 10-chalk deficit on the handicap into an eight chalk lead (107-99). This left all to play for in the second half of the match.

First game off in the second half saw Aaron Richardson put in a solid performance in the second half of the game to beat Dan Smith 21-13, with the latter having led 12-8, the Town man only conceded one more chalk. The 16-chalk lead held by Town was swiftly reduced to just two chalks as Walter McCarthy put in a captains innings to beat Andy Clark 21-7. Just as things had got interesting with just two games left on the green Town captain Nathan Hamilton ‘brought home the bacon’ as he got over the line 21-17 against Brian Kelly. Despite the win being sealed for Town this did not deter Marown’s Steve Rough from recovering from a 16-19 deficit against David Quayle, as the Town man had already scored enough chalks to play his part in the win. Rough hit a great strike to score a single to, then scored a double to get over the line 21-20.

The win was secured for Castletown by five chalks (176-171) as the Town men etched their name onto the trophy for the second time, in a final that was well contested throughout the Town men deservedly edged it.

The presentation was made by Competition Committee Secretary Matthew Keggen who thanked Noble’s for hosting the final, along with providing measurers and the refreshments. Town Captain Nathan Hamilton was then presented with the trophy, he congratulated his team on their performance and offered his commiserations to Marown.

Castletown A	+30	+40	Marown C
Jordan Drewett	21	14	Jamie Joughin
Dean Kinley	21	9	Peter Kelly
Ian Watson	14	21	John Kelly
Kieran Krypner	21	15	Darren Kerruish
Aaron Richardson	21	13	Dan Smith
David Quayle	20	21	Steve Rough
Nathan Hamilton	21	17	Brian Kelly
Andy Clark	7	21	Walter McCarthy
5 Games Won	176	171	3 Games Won