Union Mills will play Valkyres B in the Standard Bank Blincoe Cup Final. In Sunday’s semis, the Millers overcame Crosby in a low scoring match while Valkyres beat Peel by just three runs.

The western side batted first and were dismissed for 77 in their first innings. Andy Corlett destroyed the middle order with 4 for 11 from just two overs. Only Colin Gilbert (27) and Neil Jacobs (14) reached double figures.

Valkyres replied with a solid 115 for 4, thanks mainly to two excellent innings from Rob Weight and Jas Singh. Opener Weight held the side together with 31 not out, while Singh cracked a lively 48. James Seed took two wickets as did Gilbert whose two overs cost a mere eight runs.

With a first innings lead of 38, Valkyres batted again, but were pinned back to 96 for 5. Khan once more shone with 33 and Singh was undefeated on 13.

So Peel started their final innings needing 134 for victory. After the loss of an early wicket, Gilbert was again to the fore. His aggressive batting looked like paying off as Peel closed in on their target.

However as the closing overs began, Amir Mirza trapped him for an excellent 45. The remaining batsmen desperately went for the runs, but in scenes of great excitement, ended three runs short.

The bowlers dominated the other semi with no side scoring over a hundred. Crosby went in first and ended on 91 all out. In reply Union Mills disappointed their fans by making 84 which gave the Marown team a first innings lead of seven.

The Millers were then bowled out a second time for 80, which left Crosby needing 74 to go through to the final. Their hopes were dashed in the opening four overs when Chris Nash took 1 -3 and Eddie Clague claimed 2 -8.

Craig Hartmann battled away before Bruce Wagstaff chipped in with 2 -2 from his two overs and Richard Taylor returned 2 -11. The Crosby innings lasted eleven overs in which they were dismissed for 41.

Hartmann was stranded on 15 not out at the end and a jubilant Union Mills were through to the Final. This will be at Mullen-e-Cloie on Sunday 29 July.

The Island squad to play in the ICC Europe Under 17 Division Two Championship in Demark has been announced. It is:- Rowan Bird, Adam McAuley, Sam Kebbell, Nathan Knights, Matt Ansell, Andrew Vels (Cronkbourne) : Matthew Ogden, Euan Quayle, Joe Burrows (Finch Hill) : Seb Aycock, Jack Newberry, Brendan Coleman (Castletown) : Nick White (Ramsey).

The side, which is sponsored by Isle of Man Bank, will play Denmark and Italy in a series of T20 and Pro40 matches. Gareth Dawson will be the manager with Phil Littlejohns as coach. The games, all on grass, start on July 23rd.

Standard Bank Blincoe Cup Semi Final
Peel B 77 (Colin Gilbert 27, Neil Jacob 14 : Andy Corlett 4 -11, Graeme Healy 2 -14) & 131 for 6 (Colin Gilbert 45, Tom Gascoyne 22 : Adnan Khan 1 -9, Amir Mirza 1 -11); Valkyres B 115 for 4 (Jas Singh 48, Rob Weight 31 : James Seed 2 -7, Colin Gilbert 2 -8) & 96 for 5 (Abdul Khan 3, Jas Singh 13no : Craig Williamson 1 -5, James Seed 1 -7). Valkyres won by three runs.

Standard Bank Forrester Division Two
Ramsey B 144 for 5 (Chris McConnell 42, Patrick Margrave 40 : Brian Gartland 1 -26, Robbie Prescott 1 -38); Ronaldsway 109 (Peter Langridge 20, Jamie Charlton 19 : Chris McConnell 3 -13, Andy Ball 3 -23). Ramsey won by 35 runs.
Ramsey B 100 for 9 (Shaun Kelly 35, Nick White 14, Tom Howard 14 : Floris Ventor 3 -6, Joe Rothwell 2 -18); Crosby B 102 for 7 (Richard Foden 37, Harry Rothwell 21 : Chris McConnell 3 -27, Shaun Kelly 2 -13). Crosby won by three wickets.
Peel B v Castletown B : Match abandoned (rain) – one point to each side.

Standard Bank Forrester Division Three
Crosby C v Grasshoppers : Match abandoned (rain) – one point to each side.

Isle of Man Bank Under 11 League
South (140) lost to North (208).
West (125) lost to North (208).