Peel and St John’s survived a major scare from Crosby to keep their unbeaten record at the top of the Premiership on Saturday.

Batting first the Marown side made slow progress against an accurate attack. Only 23 runs came in the first twelve overs and then wickets began to tumble. After 24 overs the total was 59 for 5. Kieran Cawte and Nick Hawke claimed more victims and, at 90 for 8, the Saints were in control. However, Ryan Wyndell stood firm and aided by Jack Telford and Dave Picken, took the final total to 146. Wyndell ended on 56 not out, while Cawte returned 3 -31 and Hawke 3 -25.

In reply Chris Hawke and Ollie Webster had an opening stand of 55 and at 96 for 1 Peel and St John’s were cruising to victory. Then Hemonth Vyas trapped Webster for 45 and Phil Littlejohns was bowled by Drew Buxton for 23. Vyas struck again, there was a run out and the Saints were on 113 for 6, needing 34 more runs with four wickets left. Crosby kept up the pressure, but Dan Hawke and Alex Williamson weathered the storm. When Hawke was bowled by Ryan Windell for 19, five more runs were needed. In a tense finish, Kieran Cawte eased the fears of home fans by smacking a boundary to give the Saints more valuable points.

This was a spirited performance by Crosby. In his first match for the club, Vyas ended with an excellent 3 -28 and looks an important addition to the side.

Cronkbourne ran up a massive 308 for 5 against the Schools Eleven. Jaco Jansen smashed a century from 80 balls, including 15 fours and 2 sixes. Carl Mellors made 98 not out with 7 fours and 3 sixes. When the Scholars came to bat, opener Eddie Beard struck a defiant 42, but the target was always out of reach. The innings ended on 126 for 6 with Phil Richardson and Matt Ansell taking two wickets each. Cronkbourne’s win keeps them firmly in second place in the league.

In a match wrecked by rain, Castletown defeated Ramsey by 10 wickets. Good bowling from the Town wrecked the northerners who were dismissed for 65. Garreth Roome (3 -13) and Joe Burrows (2 -15) were the main destroyers. Tom Burrows (34) and Matt Ogden (28) had little difficulty knocking off the runs to give Castletown an impressive victory. This fourth Premiership win in a row sees the side leap up the table into third place.