Peel & St John’s kept their lead at the top of the Isle of Man Premiership when they beat Ramsey by 46 runs on Saturday. The club will now become champions if they win their final match against Crosby.

The Saints’ batsmen turned in a good performance, making 246 from their 40 overs. Chris Hawke hit 45 from 29 balls, including 3 fours and 3 sixes. This brings his total for the season to 701 runs at an average of just over 50. There was good support from Daniel Dickinson (44) and Nick Hawke (38). Pick of the bowlers were James Harrison (4 -35) and Paul Smith (2 -38).

In reply Ramsey had an opening stand of 54 before Rob Webber was caught and bowled by Akkie van den Berg for 24. He dismissed the top three in the order, including Harrison who batted well for 38. Tom Howard cracked 36 from 42 balls, but although making steady progress, Ramsey were losing wickets. Greg Miller, Connor Kenan and Stuart Storie took two wickets each as the northerners ended on 200 – their highest total of the season.

Second placed Cronkbourne kept up the pressure on the leaders with a nine wicket win at Crosby. The Marown side recovered from 8 for 2 with a near century stand between Drew Buxton and Chris Langford. Buxton hit 70 and Langford 40, but when they were dismissed the innings collapsed from 104 for 2 to 148 all out. Cronkbourne knocked off the runs for the loss of only one wicket. Sam Mills hit 70 and skipper Max Stokoe was 69 not out.

Castletown remain in third place after a close win over IOM Schools. Opener Seb Hopkins guided the Town from a perilous 39 for 3 to 110 with an excellent innings of 64. The side were dismissed for 149 with Ben Haworth taking 4 -27 and Steve Cope’s eight overs costing only seven runs. Francois Visser rocked the Scholars by clean bowling three of their top order. The side were in deep trouble at 14 for 4 after only three overs, but Mark Williams and skipper Simon Beard rebuilt the innings. Mark smashed 48 and Simon 23, but at 105 for 5 the match was evenly balanced. Then Visser returned to get his fourth wicket and the Scholars were dismissed for 129.