Although it is early days, Cronkbourne have a mountain to climb if they are to retain their title as champions of the Standard Bank Premiership.

 

Peel and St John's, their main rivals for the top spot, have won both their opening matches while the Tromode side have suffered one defeat and an abandoned match. The Saints now lead the table with a 17 point advantage over Cronkbourne who are in fourth place.

 

That gap could even widen after this week-end's fixtures. The western team go to Ramsey, currently suffering a record number of injuries and departures. Sean Kelly is recovering from a knee problem, Chris McConnell was forced to retire through injury and Eddie Cleator may miss the whole season.

 

Ken Harding has left the Island, while Scott Weaver and last year's skipper Ollie Webster have transferred. Expect fireworks on Sunday when Webster returns to his old club.

 

Rob Webber, captain of the northern team, is suffering with a badly bruised hand. However Webber insists he will play on and lead a team rebuilding process. This will involve blooding younger players from the B and C sides in the first eleven.

 

The encounter looks like a win for Peel and St John's, but the start of a long term fight back by Ramsey.

 

Cronkbourne's prospects against Castletown will probably hinge on how many of their key players are available. Recently they have been hit by university and examination calls, but the depth of the squad is not in doubt.

 

The Town could present them with major problems. In their only outing so far this year, Mark Williams' eleven notched up a good win against Valkyres.

 

The bowlers were excellent, but the top batsmen failed to spark. The return of Wicus Wessels will help and should provide a strong platform for a big score.

 

Crosby's record of won one, lost one, will be under scrutiny at Marown. The visitors are Valkyres who could provide a testing time for the home side.

 

Last week Crosby was on the wrong end of a two hour halt for rain. When the match resumed they had only ten overs left to increase their run rate and set their opponents a realistic target.

 

It didn't happen and they went down to an eight wicket defeat. On Sunday the batsmen will have a chance to put things right. Valkyres could be in for a rough ride.   

 

# #  #  #

 

Last week King William's College hosted the first IOM Schools U13 six-a-side cricket competition. The event, run in collaboration with IOMCA, was a great success with schools from around the Island playing this fun and exciting format of the game.

 

It was an ideal 'curtain raiser' to the Island Schools cricket fixture list and the weather was kind to the boys for a change! The winners of the competition were King William's College. Well done to organiser Simon Beard and to all the boys who played in the competition.

 

RESULTS

 

Standard Bank T20 Forrester Two

Castletown C 119 for 5 (Christian Steriopulos 56no, Andrew Ronan 11 : Mark Oates 2 -17, Fred Atherton 1 -13); Peel and St John's C 115 for 8 (Connor Gilbert 32, Juan Bellando 22 : Will Cain 2 -13, Seth Aycock 2 -16). Castletown won by four runs.

 

Under 12 Junior League

Crosby (248) lost to Finch Hill A (251)

Castletown (273) beat Finch Hill B (242)