In a superb game the Isle of Man lost to the Cricket Ireland Academy in Carrickfergus despite a great 77 from opening batsman Ollie Webster.

Set a target of 299 from 50 overs, the Manx made a fine start with a stand of 46 before Adam McAuley was caught for 23. Webster was in splendid form and dominated play. After 20 overs the Manx were well placed at 115 for 2.

Webster was finally bowled for 77, scored off 60 balls. His innings included 8 fours and 4 sixes. Ryan Windell took over, cracking 59 with 5 fours and 3 sixes, but the Irish bowling was excellent and the Island ended on 219.

The Academy innings had been dominated by opener Sonny Cott who made115 while William McClintock and his brother George both scored 57. At one stage the Irish were 258 for 3, but the Island fought back to restrict them to 298 for 7.

Matt Ansell had the best return with 3 for 37, Dan Hawke took 2 wickets while Windell and Sam Mills claimed one victim each. Keeper George Burrows shone with two catches and a stumping. Despite a total of nearly 300, he only let through two byes.

This was a good performance by the Island against top class opposition who now travel to Jersey to compete in the World Cup qualifiers.

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A last wicket stand of 68 saved the day for Crosby in their Premiership game against Ramsey. Their batmen had struggled against a lively northern attack and the side was in deep trouble at a perilous 128 for 9. Then number eleven Jack Telford and Dave Picken came to the rescue, taking the total to 196 before Andy Ball snapped up the final wicket.

Earlier in the innings Drew Buxton (25), Harry Rothwell (22), Ben Kebbell (21) and Floris Venter (20) had all threatened a big score. However the Ramsey bowlers aided by some good fielding kept on top. Five catches were taken as Crosby struggled to 91 for 7. Then the last three wickets put on 105 runs and swung the game to the Marown side.

In reply the Ramsey batsmen faced some very quick and lively bowling from Ben Kebbell. He quickly took two wickets, Picken took another and the score was 15 for three after only five overs.

Grant Atchison batted really well to make 44, but no other batsman reached double figures and the side was dismissed for 94. Most of the damage was done by Dave Picken who took 4 -23, with Kebbell and Stu Morris each taking three wickets.

Peel & St John’s had a narrow win at Castletown. Batting first, the home side found the going tough against the Saints’ attack. Opener George Burrows dug in for a defiant 40 while skipper Mark Williams hit 21 before falling lbw to Kieran Cawte.

The Town were all out for 134 after 37 overs with Dan Hawke and Connor Gilbert both taking three wickets. The Saints then got away to a flying start with Ollie Webster lashing 23 from 11 balls and at 67 for 2 were well placed.

However Mark Williams came on to quickly dismiss the next three batsmen and put a brake on the run rate. His eight overs conceded only 14 runs.

Dan Hawke blasted 23 at over a run a ball before being caught and bowled by Tom Kennaugh. At 125 for 8 tension was high, but Cawte and Gilbert saw their side through to a close two wicket victory.

Cronkbourne took all 20 points from a cancelled match against Valkyres and remain top of the table.