Rayner Shield Semi Finals

Holders Marown A and challengers Douglas A are set to face off in the final of the Canada Life International Rayner shield on Friday after they both picked up superb away wins to book their final berths.

Marown became the only the second team in 10 years to defeat Onchan A at the park with man of the match performances from Peter Kelly and Mark Moorley as they picked up respective victories over Phil Kerruish and Glynn Hargraves. The rest of the team worked well and the final nail was put in Onchan’s coffin by young Luke Hyland who came back from 19-11 down to win 21-19 against Peter Karran and seal a 6-3 win for his side.

Douglas had the tricky task of travelling to Castletown A and despite trailing 2-1 put in a masterful performance to finish 7-2 winners. It looked like it was going to be a lot more difficult but after Ian Moore held his nerve to finish off a great 21-19 win over Bob Clark, and Ken Williams waded in with a 21-16 win over Tony Dugdale momentum swung towards the visitors.

It should be a magnificent final with two of the top teams in the league competing for the magnificent shield.

Mark Kneen