Thrilling Finish to Mixed Plate Final as Port Erin Triumph

The final of the Canada Life International Sponsored Mixed Team Plate competition took place at Noble’s 1 green on Thursday evening, with Port Erin and Peel Sunset battling to become the third winners of this competition after Noble’s A and Noble’s B won the previous two years. There was a good crowd in attendance throughout the evening in perfect conditions for bowls.

The first three games to come off the green saw Peel’s Shirley Corrin beat Jackie Elliott 21-13, with Dougie Allan winning 21-18 against Ed Benson. Port Erin captain Ben Mowle struck the first blow for the Breagle Glen side as he held off Jo Corkill 21-17.

The next game off was from Port Erin stalwart Bernie Durcan who stormed to a 21-6 win over Gill Clarke. The next two games off went in favour of Peel as Phil Clarke beat Mavis franks 21-20, whilst Gordon Corrin held off Derek Allen 21-14. The match could not have been closer with both teams tied on 107 chalks.

Two big wins followed, with one from each team as Caroline Whitehead beat David Allwood 21-10, whilst Harry Kelly rolled back the years with a 21-9 win over Alison Stockham, as a chink of daylight emerged between the two sides as Peel led by a chalk (138-137) and had won five games to Port Erin’s three games.

With the Championship final now a dead rubber all eyes turned to the last game on the green in the Plate which was tied at 10-10 between Steve Durcan and Val Allwood. The Peel lady seemed to respond to the announcement over the tannoy of the match score as Val went on to lead 16-10, had played a good bowl which Durcan had just beaten, with the end decided on a measure. Durcan had to win 21-19 or better to ensure the Plate made it’s way to Port Erin.

Winning the end on the measure seemed to settle the Port Erin man who played straight pegs along the edge of the green, as he went on to score four quickfire doubles on the bounce, followed by two singles to runout with a 21-16 victory.

The overall result was Port Erin winning by just four chalks (158-154) with the individual games going in favour of Peel 5-4.

The presentation was made by Association Competition Secretary Matthew Keggen who thanked Noble’s for the use of the green, their club members for the refreshments and providing measurers, with Port Erin captain receiving the Shield, as the Breagle Glen side went one better than 2023.

Port Erin A	Score	Score	Peel Sunset
Ben Mowle	21	17	Jo Corkill
Jackie Elliott	13	21	Shirley Corrin
Ed Benson	18	21	Dougie Allan
Bernie Durcan	21	6	Gill Clarke
Mavis Franks	20	21	Phil Clarke
Derek Allen	14	21	Gordon Corrin
Caroline Whitehead	21	10	David Allwood
Alison Stockham	9	21	Harry Kelly
Steve Durcan	21	16	Val Allwood
4 Games Won	158	154	5 Games Won

Mixed Team Plate Winners 2024 - Port Erin