Luke Lacey hit a sparkling half-century to take Cronkbourne into the Standard Bank T20 finals at Tromode on Sunday.

They defeated Castletown with both sides struggling to score runs after torrential rain had left a very heavy outfield.

The Town batted first and made 75 for 6 from their twenty overs. Richard Corke overcame the elements with a strong 28 and opener Gareth Morris cracked 13. Jaco Jansen took 2 -17 and there was also excellent bowling from Alex Stokoe whose four overs cost only nine runs.

Cronkbourne started their reply needing 76 to win and with the weather closing in. Castletown picked up two early wickets, but had problems as Lacey went on the attack.

He had blasted a stirring 51 when he was caught by Wicus Wessels off the bowling of Seb Aycock. Jaco Jansen was 16 not out when more rain caused the match to be abandoned.

At this stage Cronkbourne were 74 for two, needing only two runs for victory. As no further play was possible, they were awarded the match on run rate.

The final against Peel and St John's was unable to go ahead due to the weather. Both clubs are now discussing a new date to play the mach.

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On Wednesday and Thursday the Island Juniors play Sefton at Mullen-e-Cloie. The visitors come from the youth section of the strong Liverpool club. The games will be a mixture of T20 and a longer format, probably 40 overs.

The Island Juniors did very well in the recent Bromsgrove International Tournament, including a fine win over Holland. However, these matches against Sefton will be quite a challenge. The games on both days should be well worth watching.

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There has been a good response from players wishing to join the inaugural Manx Premier League. This is based on the IPL which has proved so popular in the past few years.

It is proposed that the fixtures will be played on Sunday 24th and 31st August and a steering committee is meeting on Tuesday to sort out the details.

RESULTS

Standard Bank T20 Cup : Semi-Final
Castletown 75 for 6 (Richard Corke 28, Gareth Morris 13 : Jaco Jansen 2 -17, Max Stokoe 1 -7, Luke Lacey 1 -8); Cronkbourne 74 for 2 (Luke Lacey 51, Jaco Jansen 16no : Seb Aycock 2 -20). Rain stopped play – Cronkbourne win the match on run rate.

Standard Bank T20 Forrester One
Ronaldsway 129 for 6 (Brian Gartland 37, Sean Crossley 24 : Dan Kelly 2 -9, Paul Smith 2 -18); Ramsey B 103 for 5 (Dom Howard 21, Tom Howard 20 : Brian Gartland 2 -15, David Smith 2 -16). Ronaldsway won by 26 runs.
Cronkbourne B 163 for 5 (Ross Berber 51, Rowan Bird 37, Jack Gerrard 37 : Matt Killip 2 -27, Chris Cunningham 1 -15); Union Mills 165 for 5 (Bruce Wagstaff 90no, Chris Nash 26, Matt Killip 26 : Arun Mahalingham 3 -12, Nathan Knights 1 -20). Union Mills won by five wickets.
Valkyres B 93 for 9 (Hameed Sulthan 30, Abdul Khan 16 : Joe Burrows 3 -26, Tom Burrows 2 -21); Finch Hill A 95 for 6 (Ewan Quayle 37no, Ben Bennett 14 : Saad Jaffary 2 -22, Shibu Augustien 2 -22). Finch Hill won by four wickets.
Castletown B 129 for 5 (Richard Jackson 31, Jack Newberry 27 : Colin Gilbert 2 -9, Matt Wozniak 1 -12); Peel and St John's B 118 for 7 (Dean Wales 29no, Mark Walker 25no : Seb Aycock 2 -17, Richard Jackson 2 -25). Castletown B won by 11 runs.
Valkyres B 97 for 6 (Kevin Valente 23, Hameed Sulthan 22 : Dom Howard 2 -17, Paul Smith 1 -12); Ramsey B 98 for 1 (Tom Howard 71no, Dom Howard 16no : Saad Jaffary 1 -21). Ramsey won by nine wickets.

Standard Bank T20 Forrester Two
Peel and St John's C 125 for 6 (Adrian Jackson 45, Juan Bellando 26 : Tim Evan s 3 -16, Chris Whiting 1 -13); Cronkbourne Bacchas 123 for 8 (Daffyd Lewis 32, Richard Le Page 18 : Juan Bellando 2 -30, Colin Gilbert 1 -8). Peel and St John's won by two runs.