Dan Laughlin was Castletown’s star in their T20 Cain victory against Union Mills on Monday evening.
Good bowling from the Town dismissed the Millers for 64 in 14 overs. The players who did the damage were Garreth Roome (3-22), Reuben Harris (2 -2) and Mark Williams (2 -5). Greg Wenn was the top scorer with 13, while Eddie Clague and Stuart Lyon both made 11. The Castletown reply was dominated by a whirlwind innings from Laughlin. He opened the innings and crashed 57 off only 29 balls, hitting 5 fours and 5 sixes. When he was caught by Will Miller off the bowling of Greg Wenn, Dan had scored 57 and the total was 64. Josh Smith and Seb Hopkins were there at the end as the Town romped to an eight wicket win in eight overs.
In the other Cain match, Ramsey made Cronkbourne work hard for their four wicket win at Tromode. Rob Webber (20) and Chris Wade (15) helped the northern club to 91 for 9. Matt Ansell (4 -14) and Stuart Mellors (3 -18) bowled well for the Douglas team. In reply the Cronkbourne top order were blow away by Tom Moffatt and James Harrison. They took three wickets each as the first six batsmen scored only 40 runs in total. Max Stokoe (21) and Matt Ansell (17) came to the rescue with an unbroken partnership which steered Cronkbourne home by four wickets. Both Moffatt and Harrison returned 3 -19.
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Peel and St John’s have a commanding lead at the half-way stage in the Isle of Man Premiership. The gap over second place Cronkbourne is 25 points and the Saints must be favourites to retain the title. Earlier in the season their match against Crosby was postponed, but on Saturday the sides meet at Mullen-e-Cloie. The Marown club have won two of their five games and languish near the bottom of the table. On paper this appears to be an easy victory for the Saints, but they may have some problems. Crosby are renowned for raising their game in big matches – and, for them, this is a very big match. Last year they were the only Premiership side to beat the champions. Danny Kniveton hit 75 not out as Crosby reached 191 for 4. They then bowled out their opponents for 120.
If Peel and St John’s heed the lessons of the past and play at full blast like they did last Saturday against Cronkbourne, then the Marown side could be in big trouble. The Saints are in great form – Ollie Webster leads the batsmen with 468 runs at an average of 59 and there have been three centuries. There could be a lot of runs in this match.
Second placed Cronkbourne play the Schools Eleven, knowing a win is vital. If Peel slip up, then the Douglas team must be in position to apply pressure. It will not be an easy task as the Scholars are having a fine season. Included in their ranks is the Island’s leading run maker, George Burrows, and the bowling has been more than useful. However, if Cronkbourne play with the same skill and spirit as they did last week against the Saints, then it is difficult to see anything but a Tromode victory.
Castletown are in third place in the league and a confident eleven will travel to Ramsey after last Saturday’s win against Crosby. Daniel Laughlin has made 361 runs, Garreth Roome’s record is 220 runs and ten wickets while Tom Kennaugh’s victims number 16. Ramsey are in transition with younger players moving up into the team. Although they are bottom of the Premiership, the signs are that the policy is beginning to work. Do not expect a Castletown walk-over!
LEADING PLAYERS
Most Runs : 770 George Burrows, 508 Ollie Webster, 485 Carl Mellors, 467 Eddie Beard, 444 Tom Burrows.
Most Wickets : 24 Dave Picken, 23 Matt Ansell and Tom Burrows, 22 Sam Mills and Kieran Cawte, 20 Joe Rothwell.
Most Catches : 12 Ollie Webster, 11 Dave Picken, 9 Nathan Knights and Max Stokoe.
Most Stumpings : 11 George Burrows, 7 Harry McAleer
