After the excitement of the Blincoe Cup last Sunday, the eight weekend clubs return to do battle for the Premiership.

Valkyres travel to Mullen-e-Cloie on Saturday to play Shimmin Wilson Peel and St John’s (PSJ) in what is technically a derby match with the former also playing there this season.

Valkyres are joint top coming into this match, but the Development XI have a better net run rate.

PSJ lost to Cronkbourne in their last league game so will be keen to get back to form.

Valkyres beat PSJ in a pre-season friendly but the Saints, I am sure, will have more big-time players back for this one.

Valkyres had a notable victory against Crosby a couple of weekends ago, but it is now the second week of Ramadan, which could mean that some of the players may tire more quickly. Valkyres have improved though and can beat anyone on a good day.

Hannan Law Crosby welcome Ramsey Crookall Finch Hill to the Memorial Playing Fields on Saturday and this match could be a ’trappy’ game, as they say in horse racing parlance. Both have players in very good form.

Finches’ Eddie Beard has scored a couple of centuries already this season and George Burrows is scoring for fun without reaching three figures.

Danny Kniveton batted very well on Sunday along with Richard Tarr for Crosby.

The Marown side would appear to have more depth to their middle order so the Finch Hill bowlers will need to be up to their work.

Baker Tilly Cronkbourne’s visitors on Saturday are Newfield Castletown.

Cronkbourne have seen a few players move to pastures new. A couple of players will return soon from university, which will strengthen the team. However, they remain a strong side with young players rising through the ranks.

Nathan Knights and Max Stokoe can score quickly when at the crease and the game can soon be taken away from the opposition.

They beat Castletown in the Tinker Cup recently, but Town will hope to field a stronger line up as they will only have one match to play over the weekend this time around.

The Callin Wild Development XI’s match on Sunday sees CTH Insurance Ramsey travel down to King William’s College.

Ramsey had an encouraging win in the Blincoe Cup, which will give them some confidence. Tom Moffatt has been bowling well and Will Ward is dependable with the bat and will cause many a team problems.

The Development XI are top of the league with two wins. The young players are learning their craft quickly and will be difficult to beat.

ANDY COULSON