Ramsey have powered their way to an early lead at the top of the Standard Bank Premiership. They kept their unbeaten record with a strong six wicket victory over Cronkbourne on Saturday.

Batting first, the Douglas team made a good start and at 45 for 2 all seemed well. Then skipper Alex Stokoe fell lbw to Jamie Moffatt and the wickets began to tumble.

Chris McConnell claimed three victims while Bob Dix (21) and Carl Wagstaffe (14) fought back. However when they went, Ken Harding and Brian Arnold cleaned up the lower order. Cronkbourne were dismissed for 93 with Harding’s 3 for 8 coming from only three overs.

Ramsey openers Eddie Cleator and Marc Pons-Burt got their side away to a whirlwind start. They put 59 on the board before Dave Smith caught Cleator off Phil Richardson’s slower ball.

Pons-Burt fell lbw to Will Wood for 24 and it was left to Rob Webber to guide his side to another win.

Island seamer Ross Berry was on target as Crosby defeated St John’s at Mullen-e-Cloie. The Marown paceman returned figures of 5 for 12 as the Saints lost all their wickets for 84.

At one stage they were in desperate trouble at 21 for 5, but then Neil Jacobs (29) and Daniel Dickinson (28) came to the rescue with a stand of 58. Once they were out, Crosby showed no mercy and the innings folded on 84.

The St John’s bowlers struck back early and it took a defiant 23 from Danny Kniveton to gain all the points for the visitors. Russell Miller bowled well to take 2 for 9 and Chris Hawke claimed another two scalps. However it was not enough and Crosby won by five wickets.

Valkyres turned in the performance of the day by hitting 195 for 6 against Castletown at Tromode. There was top class batting from Shahzeb Raja (72), Tom Reader (41) and Abdul Khan (30). Only Mark Williams with 3 for 23 could stem the run flow.

The Town batsmen made a steady start towards their target. Openers Peel Taggart (22) and Ollie Steriopulos (17) laid the foundations of the innings with a stand of 46 from twenty overs.

The middle order stepped up the scoring rate, but found Paul Fleming a handful. He took 5 -30 to set up a good win for his club. Garreth Roome cracked 21, but Castletown ended on 153, giving Valkyres a morale boosting win by 42 runs.

CRICKET RESULTS

Standard Bank Premiership
St John’s 85 (Neil Jacobs 29, Daniel Dickinson 28 : Ross Berry 5 -12, Dave Picken 3 -6); Crosby 88 for 5 (Danny Kniveton 23 : Russell Miller 2 -9, Chris Hawke 2 -14,). Crosby won by 5 wickets.

Valkyres 195 for 6 (Shahzeb Raja 72, Tom Reader 41, Abdul Khan 30 : Mark Williams 3 -23); Castletown 153 (Peel Taggart 22, Gareth Roome 21 : Paul Fleming 5 -30). Valkyres won by 42 runs.

Cronkbourne 93 (Alex Stokoe 22, Bob Dix 21 : Ken Harding 3 -8, Chris McConnell 3 -17); Ramsey 97 for 4 (Eddie Cleator 33, Marc Pons-Burt 24 : Phil Richardson 2 -16, Will Wood 2 -25). Ramsey won by six wickets..