There was a big shock in the Premiership on Saturday when leaders Peel & St John’s were beaten by the Schools Eleven. George Burrows hit a massive 147 to dent the Saints’ title hopes.

He dominated the Scholars’ innings, making 70% of their total runs. Burroughs scored 18 fours and one six in reaching his fourth century of the season. His total for the year is now 1,238 runs at an average of 46. No fewer than 316 of those runs have been made against the Saints!

The Schools Eleven closed on 217 for 9 from their 40 overs. Sam Mills was the second highest scorer with 23. Russell Miller took 4 -27 and Kieran Cawte returned 2 -34.

In reply, Peel and St John’s lost an early wicket to Eddie Beard but a stand between Miller (18) and Phil Littlejohns (25) offered hope. When wickets began to fall, Chris Hawke stepped in with a stunning display of big hitting. He smashed 69 not out with 7 fours and 5 sixes.

However, it was all in vain. The Saints were dismissed for 141 to give the Schools a famous 76 runs victory. Sam Riordan took 3 -37 and Eddie Beard 3 -55.

Cronkbourne moved into second place in the table with a comprehensive win over Castletown. The Douglas team got away to a good start with an opening stand of 85 between skipper Max Stokoe (38) and Jaco Jansen (50).

Carl Mellors (30), Nick Wild (24) and Matt Ansell (24) carried on the good work to take the side to 215 for 9. Garreth Roome took 3 -37 and there were two wickets each for Francois Visser and Mark Williams.

The start of the Town’s innings was a disaster. They lost two wickets to the first two balls and never recovered. Ansell claimed 2 -17 and Jansen 4 -9 as wickets tumbled. Mark Williams led a brief revival, taking the score from 27 for 7 up to 62 when he was the last man out for 21.

Cronkbourne are now 31 points behind the leaders, but with a game in hand.

It looked like Ramsey were on course to get their first Premiership win of the season when they reduced Crosby to 111 for 9. However, a last wicket stand of 65 between Dave Picken and Ed Walker thwarted their hopes. Dave cracked 51 not out – his first half century for the club in over twenty years!

The Marown side ended on a respectable 176 and Ben Kebbell then took a wicket in the first over of the Ramsey reply. They dropped to 10 for 2 before Rob Webber (13) and Paul Smith (22) steadied thee side.

The rest of the batsmen made a valiant effort to win the game, but ended on 134 to lose by 42 runs.