Peel and St John’s are top of the T20 Cain Division One after beating Crosby on Monday evening.

The Marown team were pinned back to 82 for 9 from their 20 overs, mainly due to accurate bowling by the Saint’s attack. Danny Kniveton made 40, but he was the only batsman to reach double figures. James Seed took 3 -21 and there were two wickets each for Akkie van den Berg, Colin Gilbert and Ollie Webster. Peel then suffered a shock when Chris Hawke was lbw to Kevin Kniveton off the first ball. However, there were no more problems as Phil Littlejohns (40no) and Ollie Webster (30no) took their side to a comfortable victory.

This result means the Marown team move to Division Two for the second part of the season. They go down with Castletown while the leading sides from the lower league, Ramsey and Valkyres, are promoted to Division One.

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Cronkbourne face their most important match of the season on Saturday when they play Premiership leaders Peel and St John’s. The Saints are in the number one spot with a 15 points lead over the Douglas club who are in second place. Victory in this match would make Peel clear favourites to retain their title.

When the two teams met earlier in the season, Cronkbourne lost by six wickets. Batting first they were in trouble at 81 for 5 with Kieran Cawte, Russell Miller and Nick White taking two wickets each. A revival was sparked by an excellent 32 from Adam Killey and they ended on 156 for 7. In reply opener Ollie Webster batted sensibly and took the total to 86 when he was lbw to Max Stokoe for 45. Peter Lewis (49no) and Nick White (25) then took control and the Saints cruised home.

Some of Cronkbourne’s top players may be back from University for the return and that would really boost the side. On the other hand the match is at Mullen-e-Cloie which will give the Saints home advantage. Their batsmen are in form with both Webster and Chris Hawke having struck centuries. Alex Williamson also scored a hundred last week, but he is on holiday in Las Vegas. Peel must watch out for Cronkbourne’s danger men, Carl Mellors who has made 485 runs at an average of 44 and Jaco Jansen with 359 at an incredible 120. With so much at stake, expect a determined Tromode eleven to raise their game. If they lose this match, then all their title hopes disappear. That could spur them on to a shock victory.

The Schools Eleven, in third place, are at Ramsey who have lost all their Premiership games so far. Northern fans believe that if they can get their full eleven out, then the Scholars could meet big problems. Much will depend on the School batsmen and notably the two openers. So far this season George Burrows has hit 756 runs and Eddie Beard 461. If Ramsey can quickly remove these two, then this could be a close match.

Only two points separate Castletown and Crosby in the league. Both have won two games and lost two, so expect a tight clash at King William’s College on Saturday. The elevens have strong batting line-ups and so there should be plenty of runs for spectators to watch. On balance home advantage and a grass track should be in the Town’s favour, but there is likely to be little difference between the clubs.