The Island’s top sides meet in the semi-finals of the Tinker Cup on Saturday when holders Peel and St John’s are at Tromode to play Cronkbourne.

The teams met in the final last year when the Saints won a low scoring game by 37 runs. This season they have beaten the Douglas club twice in the Premiership and now need just one more victory to claim the title. When the clubs met in July, Peel and St John’s took the honours in a close match. They made 217 and Cronkbourne replied with 203. The match swung on a stunning boundary catch by Phil Littlejohns to dismiss Jaco Jansen for 51. However, since then the Tromode team have shown outstanding form, winning their next three games by 187 runs, 153 runs and nine wickets. The Saints’ record is a defeat to the Schools Eleven and three victories, including one by three wickets.

So the form book suggests that Max Stokoe’s side are in with a real chance of reversing those set-backs and charging through to the final. They also have home advantage, but much will depend on whether both sides can turn out their best elevens or will holidays rob them of key players? The tie is at Tromode with a 1pm start. All the signs are that it will be a thriller.

The other semi-final could also be close with Ramsey at home to Crosby. Although bottom of the Premiership, the northern club put in a fine performance at Mullen-e-Cloie, scoring 200 runs against the leaders. On the other hand, Crosby suffered a nine wicket defeat at home to Cronkbourne.

The final is set for Saturday August 13th at a venue to be agreed by the teams.