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The race for the Standard Bank League title is now shaping up. Top contenders St Johns, Castletown and Cronkbourne are at home on Saturday and all are expected to take maximum points.

 Ramsey are the visitors at Mullen-e-Cloie and should provide the Saints with a fierce test. They were very much in contention at Tromode last week before a fifth wicket stand of 66 took Cronkbourne to victory.

 Bowler Chris McConnell and all-rounder Ollie Webster looked very much in form. Ken Harding is a real find and the northerners have the makings of a competitive outfit.

 On the other hand St Johns had a massive ten wicket win against Crosby and are going to take some stopping.

 The bowling is strong and the batting of Grant Atchison and Nick Hawke was impressive. They put together an undefeated opening stand of 123. Expect a tough contest which will end in a win for the Saints.

 Cronkbourne look a rejuvenated club this season. The Tromode faithful are smiling again and must be looking forward to the visit of Valkyres.

 After a poor start, the Southerners are slowly getting their act together. Over 160 against champions Castletown last Saturday was followed by a Tinker Cup win the next day.

 However, they will be severely stretched against Cronkbourne and will once again be looking for a boost from inspirational skipper Keith Brew. Two impressive performances from veteran Graham Cain have helped and the damper tracks should help their seamers.

 Castletown are at home to Crosby who have experienced major problems in their bowling department. Ross Berry is at University, Kevin Quine is injured while Jamie Tomlinson and John Short have gone to the Town.     

 This presents a great opportunity for youngsters like Ollie Swales and Andrew Turner to pitch in with the experienced Dave Picken and David Quayle but the Town batsmen are waiting. Andy Cross got 88 and Mark Williams 44 last week. It will not be a day to pitch short or off-line against this pair.

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 Pete Richards was in tremendous form when he scored a century against Union Mills in the Collins Stewart sponsored Tinker Cup.

 This was the second hundred of the year for the Cronkbourne opener and helped take his side through to the next round. He was ably assisted by Steve Clague who hit 54 not out and Max Stokoe who made 35.

 The Tromode side posted a daunting 218 for 4 and then set about the Miller's batsmen. Neil Holmes and Alex Stokoe took three wickets with some fine bowling. Only Peter Callin (24) and Eddie Clague (15) reached double figures as the Union were dismissed for 95.

 Valkyres recorded their first win of the season with a convincing seven wicket victory over Vagabonds. The Rugby men had made an excellent 153 from their forty overs, but could not stop the southern batsmen.

 Led by Graham Cain who scored a bright 51 and skipper Keith Brew with 45 not out Valkyres got home with several overs to spare.

 In the next round they are at home to Crosby while Cronkbourne look forward to a home tie against the holders St Johns. 

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 Luke Lacey had an impressive tour of Merseyside with King Williams College first eleven. The side played two matches against St Marys - winning one and drawing the other. Luke hit 58 in the first game and then finished on 97 not out in the second.

 Other players to shine included Steve Renshaw with 29no and 24, while Will Horsthuis claimed 5 for 11 in the victory fixture. The St Mary's eleven included two players in the Lancashire Junior squad.

 In The Slips
 *  The Island is sending an Under 19 team to play in the ECC Division Two championships in Jersey towards the end of July. Nine countries are taking part including Belgium, Italy and Gibraltar. The selectors will be meeting shortly to pick the squad and all clubs are asked to provide nominations. The man they should contact is David Slack.

 *  Just a reminder that this year all Peel's home matches are now played at Mullen-e-Cloie.

 *  Trevor Baker has been forced to relinquish the post of Island Sponsorship Officer due to work commitments. Volunteers are sought to take over this very important position. Further details from chairman Colin Kniveton on 411597.

 *  Injury Corner -  Crosby keeper Mark Quinn damaged his arm in an evening match and will be missing for a few games. Castletown's Christian Steriopulos is now back in action after breaking his nose in training.  

 *  The Forrester One fixtures between Loaghtyn Rams and Ronaldsway have been reversed. They will now meet at Ronaldsway on 13th June and at Nobles Park on 25th July. 

 *  The next meeting of the Isle Of Man Executive will be on Tuesday 22nd May at the Cronkbourne Pavilion in Tromode.

 ISLE OF MAN BANK CRICKET RESULTS

 Tinker Cup - Preliminary Round

(Sponsored by Collins Stewart)

Cronkbourne 218 for 4 (Pete Richards 100, Steve Clague 54no : Eddie Clague 2 -40, Ian Shanahan 1 -46) Union Mills 95 (Peter Callin 24, Eddie Clague 15 : Neil Holmes 3 -18, Alex Stokoe 3 -20) Cronkbourne won by 123 runs

 MAC Financial Cain League

Crosby A v Cronkbourne A : Match Abandoned (Rain) - one point to each side

 MAC Financial Forrester Two

Peel B 104 for 9 (Brian Wozniak 31, Alex Williamson 22 :  Gareth Rowlands 3 -20, Jacob Hicklin 3 -34)  Crosby C 56 for 6 (John Snelling 18no, Joe Rowlands 14no : Dan Hawke 4 -10, Ken Diack 2 -27) Peel won by 48 runs

Valkyres B 154 for 6 (Graham Cain 46, Jon Cannell 34, Mike Ellis 26 : Jamie Johnstone 2 -22, Joe Rowlands 2 -27) Crosby C 85 for 7 (Mark Johnson 32, Gareth Rowlands 16 : Mark Entwisle 2 -20, Chris Newberry 3 -22) Valkyres won by 52 runs

Peel B 143 for 6 (Brian Wozniak 31, Alex Williamson 30 : Ray Sangaraga 3 -19, Andy Mayers 1 -18) Finch Hill 121 for 8 (Peter Foxton 47, John Corlett 22 : Ken Diack 5 -20, Dan Hawke 2 -33, James Seed 2 -33) Peel won by 22 runs

Cronkbourne C 79 (Jim Travers 24, Steve Hinds 12 : Jamie Charlton 3 -20, Graham Healy 3 -20) Ronaldsway B 80 for 2 (Paul Gerard 61no, Ed Walter 12 : Justin Hawley 2 -14) Ronaldsway won by 8 wickets

 Tour Matches

King Williams College 180 for 5 dec (Luke Lacey 58, Steve Renshaw 29no, Sam Corkill 25 St Marys (Merseyside) 82 (Will Horsthuis 5 -11) KWC won by 98 runs

St Marys 159 for 7 dec - KWC 157 for 5 (Luke Lacxey 97no, Steve Renshaw 24) Match Drawn

 ISLE OF MAN BANK CRICKET FIXTURES DIARY

 Saturday 12th May

Montpelier Group Castletown v Fairbairn Crosby

Black Grace Cowley St Johns v Ramsey Crookall

Manx Telecom Cronkbourne v TCQ Valkyres

(Match Ball sponsored by Habib European Bank)

 Sunday 13th May

Lloyds TSB Under 15 League

Montpelier Group Castletown B v Castletown A

Anglo Irish Bank Cronkbourne v Fairbairn Crosby

 Monday 14th May

MAC Financial Forrester One

Auldyn Construction Grasshoppers v Ronaldsway A

Loaghtyn Rams v CFS Financial Peel A

Ramsey Crookall B v Polished Union Mills

Black Grace Cowley St Johns B v Montpelier Group Castletown B

 MAC Financial Forrester Two

Manx Telecom Cronkbourne B v Vagabonds

Ronaldsway B v Fairbairn Crosby C

S Christian & Sons Valkyres B v Manx Telecom Cronkbourne C

 Tuesday 15th May

MAC Financial Cain League

Montpelier Group Castletown A v Fairbairn Crosby A

Fairbairn Crosby B v TCQ Valkyres A

Black Grace Cowley St Johns A v Ramsey Crookall A

 Wednesday 16th May

Blincoe Cup - First Round

(Sponsored by Isle Of Man Bank)

Peel A v Colas Finch Hill

Auldyn Construction Grasshoppers v Fairbairn Crosby C

Loaghtyn Rams v Manx Telecom Cronkbourne B

Ronaldsway v Black Grace Cowley Ramsey B

 Thursday 17th May

Blincoe Cup - First Round

(Sponsored by Isle Of Man Bank)

Polished Union Mills v Montpelier Group Castletown B

 Lloyds TSB Under 13 League

Montpelier Group Castletown B v Anglo Irish Bank Cronkbourne A

Cronkbourne B v Castletown A

Ramsey Crookall v Colas Finch Hill

Black Grace Cowley St Johns v Fairbairn Crosby