Isle of Man County Crown Green Bowling Association

The final stages of this years’ Over 60’s Manx Championship will be played to a conclusion at Marown Bowling Club on Wednesday afternoon with action getting underway from 1pm. BCGBA dress code applies. Get yourself there for what promises to be an intriguing afternoon of bowls.

With qualifying taking place on Monday and Tuesday last week, 60 Over 60 bowlers entered this years’ competition.

It is a completely different eight to last year’s finals day line-up, with Peter Slinger lifting the title in 2023 with a 21-18 victory over Peter Collister in the final at Peel in extremely wet conditions.

Dave McCabe vs Phil Kelly

McCabe is the less experienced of the two bowlers having ‘only’ played for 11 years, however McCabe has had a taste of victory in the past year, having picked up the Association Non-Winners’ Cup in 2023, then won the ever-popular Howland Pairs with Barry McDonald later that season. Dave’s toughest game in qualifying was against former Finch Hill teammate Les Brookes, with a 21-16 win in his second game.

Phil Kelly came through the Monday session beating a hattrick of Kelly’s to qualify – Harry, Peter, and Brian. ‘Rambo’ is the last home greener left in the draw, turned 60 at the start of the year to become eligible to play. Rambo has won 13 open competitions over five decades, including the Manx Championship and the first Manx Masters when it changed to its current format. Rambo’s most recent success was winning the Henry Kissack Trophy in 2022, beating a host of top names along the way. Having won the Manx Championship Rambo will be hoping to take the ‘Senior’ title on home turf.

Kelly starts as favourite for this clash.

Paul Cubbon vs Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly

Ballaugh man Cubbon is the underdog in this tie, having only taken up the game in 2017, with his participation in league bowls increasing over the past few seasons, this has tied in with a better win percentage to show year on year improvement. Don’t write him off.

Barney has won over 50 singles competitions over six decades, including the IOM June Festival, Champions of Champions, and Manx Masters. When Barney turned 60, he won the Over 60’s Manx Championship three times on the trot, will be keen to regain it after missing out on home turf last year. If he does lose out, then Barney will reluctantly take a short walk up the road to the Crosby to drown his sorrows. Barney came through qualifying conceding just 28 chalks in his three games.

Steve Parker vs Kevin Quirk

Parker has had previous success in Over 60’s competitions having won the George Hawkins Trophy in 2022, with further success in a couple of any combination doubles with his quarter final opponent. Steve had three tough games to qualify winning to 17, 17, and 18.

Quirk is the second most decorated player in the last eight, with 38 titles to his name including two Manx Championships, with a 2005 win over Barney in the final at Ronairco, his second success arrived three years later in 2008 as he beat Neil Withers at Noble’s. Kevin is renowned for playing the perfect bowl when others would strike. When he gets going Quirk is difficult to shift. Kevin won his final qualifying game comfortably 21-7 against Peter Collister.

Both players will know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, will be looking to exploit this, however Quirk will start as clear favourite.

Bryan Corner vs Bernie Durcan

Corner has a delivery most of us can only dream of which can only be described as textbook, getting them out as smoothly as anyone. Corner has been splitting his time between South Ramsey and North Ramsey this season, he will be looking to lift his first Over 60’s Manx Championship. Bryan came through his qualifying games with wins over three South Ramsey clubmates.

Durcan turns out for Port Erin, he has enjoyed success in the popular end of season competition winning the now traditional Juan Kelly Cup in 2018 with his son Steve, to become only the second winners of the title. In qualifying Bernie went from strength to strength with his opponents scoring less in each round, as he qualified with a 21-2 win. Should Durcan lift the title, he would become the first Port Erin player to be crowned Over 60’s Manx Champion.

A North versus South battle, this is a tough one to call.