Peel and St John’s play Cronkbourne on Sunday in a match which will decide the Isle of Man Premiership.
With just this one game left, the Saints lead the Douglas side by 13 points. The winners will take 20 points, so victory is vital to both clubs.
When the teams met earlier in the season Cronkbourne suffered a 47 run defeat. Peel and St John’s made 207 for 7 with Chris Hawke hitting 70 and Phil Littlejohns 52. Luke Lacey and Jaco Jansen took three wickets each.
In reply the Douglas club were bowled out for 160 despite an outstanding 88 from Max Stokoe. That loss cost them the top spot in the table.
Next Sunday’s deciding game goes ahead at Mullen-e-Cloie, starting at 1pm.
The result could well hinge on the prolific opening partnership of Cronkbourne’s Max Stokoe and Adam McAuley. In their last two games they have had unbroken stands of 362 and 152.
To win the match, the Saint’s attack must dismiss these two quickly, otherwise all could be lost.
Both clubs are keeping quiet about their line-ups, but there are strong rumours that the Saints may be hard hit by key players being away on holiday.
However they will be boosted by the return from Australia of former Island opener Jon Norrington. This decider promises to be a classic and not for the faint-hearted!
Elsewhere in the Premiership third placed Crosby will be hoping to bounce back after last week’s defeat. They are away against Valkyres who will be hoping for a victory which could take them off the bottom of the table.
Ramsey, at home to Castletown, will be wary of that Valkyres match. If the Douglas team win and Ramsey lose, then it will be the northern club ending the season in final place.
Expect them to put in a special effort, but the Town are still favourites to take all the points.
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The Island Juniors have made a great start at the Bromsgrove Festival with four wins in their first four games.
They started on Monday morning scoring 143 for 9 against Lincolnshire. Sam Riordan made 33, Eddie Beard 27 and Harry Wilson 17.
Good tight bowling then pinned down their opponents to 82 for 8, giving the Manx victory by 61 runs. Kieran Cawte took 2 -4, Riordan 2 -19 and Tom Moffatt 1 -5.
In their next game the Island dismissed Tower Hamlets for 100. There was fine bowling again from Riordan (2 -7), Moffatt (2 -8) and Jack Telford (2 -16).
The Juniors knocked off the runs without losing a wicket. Nathan Pope scored 45 not out and Sam Riordan completed a fine match by hitting 50 not out.
On Tuesday the Manx scored 144 for 4 against Huntingdonshire George Burrows excelled with a fine 60 and Drew Buxton cracked 44.
Once more keen bowling restricted the opposition to 70 for 8. Jack Telford took 3 for 3 and Bradleigh Cregeen 2 for 17 in the 74 run victory.
In their fourth match, a sparkling batting display saw the Island reach 167 for 6 against Oxfordshire. Nick Wild smashed 49, Burrows made 20 not out and Buxton got 20.
The bowlers kept up the pressure and Oxford ended on 85 for 9. Eddie Beard took 3 for 13, Kieran Cawte 2 for 10 and Jack Gerrard 1 for 16.
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