The Island lost to a strong MCC side in a 50 over per side match at King Williams College on Friday.

The visitors won the toss and decided to bat on a hard track and fast outfield. Dan Hawke and Kieran Cawte opened the bowling and the visitors were soon in trouble. At 75 for 5 the Island had the advantage but the MCC battled back.It still wasn’t looking too bright for them at 138 for 7, but Alan Clarke took control and guided his side to 232 for 8 after their 50 overs. He dominated the innings and scored an excellent 100 not out - the next highest scorer got 21. Matt Ansell took 3 for 18 from ten overs, Seth Aycock had 3 -52 and Cawte returned 1 -31 from his ten overs, four of which were maidens.

The Island batsmen then faced a fierce attack. They coped well against the seamers, but faltered when the spinners came on. Phil Littlejohns cracked 24 and Danny Kniveton 25, but when he was out the total was 76 for 6.
George Burrows and Kieran Cawte came together for a fine stand of 51, defending well, but hitting hard at any loose balls. Burrows had scored 47 when he was dismissed and the innings folded on 180.

This was an enjoyable and interesting match and the selectors will have learnt much from it. Shortly they will be naming the squad for the ICC Europe Division Two tournament in Sweden.

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Century maker Alex Williamson was the star for Peel and St John’s B as they won by just five runs in a tense second round tie against Ramsey B.

Batting first Ramsey made a confident 183 for 3 with good work from Tom Moffatt (45), Grant Atchison (29) and Tom Howard (26). In reply Williamson was the only batsman to cope with the northern attack. He reached his century in the last over in an innings that included 12 fours.The Saints finished on 169 for 8, giving Ramsey a lead of 14. Peel and St John’s batted again, but this time Dickinson took charge. The total was 87 for 1 when he was bowled by Andy Ball for an aggressive 57. The side then collapsed with the last eight wickets going down for only 29 runs. The damage was done by Ball (3 -14), Grant Atchison (3 -10) and Chris Wade (3 -16). That left Ramsey needing 102 for victory in their second innings.

They made a disastrous start, losing a wicket to the first ball and slumping to 13 for 3. Atchison (20) and Rob Webber (18) stood firm for a time, but when Chris Wade departed for 17, the side were nine runs behind with just the one wicket left. In a tense finish, the Saints crowded round the bat, but shocked their fans by bowling four wides! However, with the total on 97, they regained their accuracy and took the final wicket for victory. Mr Wilkinson celebrated his great performance by taking the evening flight out of Ronaldsway to start a holiday in Las Vegas!

In the other tie, Crosby beat Castletown Veterans by eight wickets. The Marown side made 157 for 3 and dismissed the Vets for 76 and 126. Crosby then got to 45 for 2 to win by eight wickets.