Despite a close defeat to Peel and St John’s on Saturday, Cronkbourne have secured the Premiership title.

Batting first the westerners posted a formidable 240-8, largely thanks to a powerful 131 from skipper Ollie Webster.

It could have been a very different story as he survived a huge appeal for caught behind from his second ball, but he took full advantage, hitting 10 fours and six sixes in a destructive innings.

Alex Williamson (18) and Pete Lewis (17) assisted and for Cronkbourne there were two wickets apiece for Ben Johnson, Jack Gerrard and Sam Mills.

Cronkbourne’s reply was careful, with openers Sam Mills and Jack Gerrard building steadily.

When skipper Mills was out attempting a scoop shot Jaco Jansen (22) and Nick Wild (39) kept Gerrard company, and the rate never rose much above a run a ball. Gerrard was finally out for a splendid 71 and left seven runs needed from the last over.

This time the dramatic finish fell in favour of St John’s, with Cronkbourne only managing a single run off Kieran Cawte’s final over.

Jamie Moffatt was the pick of the bowlers with 3-50.

Thanks to bonus points it was Cronkbourne’s title though, and it was perhaps a sign of more to come that their team on the day contained 10 teenagers.

In the other games there were victories for Ramsey and Castletown.

In an early start at Ramsey the Development XI made a useful 165-9 in their 40 overs.

Eddie Beard again top scored with 62 and there were runs for Mark Williams (25) and Spencer Clarke (21 not out).

With the ball Will Ward did most of the damage with 4-29.

Ramsey got home with only two wickets to spare thanks to 59 from Shahid Rafique and 32 from Grant Atchison although there were excellent spells of bowling from Jamie Hopwood and Spencer Clarke, who both returned figures of 3-28.

In Saturday’s other game Castletown scored 233 all out against Crosby, with runs for Sam Riordan (55), Dan Laughlin (35) and Garreth Roome (25).

The wickets for Crosby came from the reliable Dave Picken (3-35) and Chris Langford with 3-31.

Crosby replied with 167 all out, Herman Vyas top scoring with 38. For Castletown Tom Kennaugh took 3-50 and there were two wickets each for Roome, Riordan and Jack Newberry.

This takes Castletown into third place in the league and although they will feel this is an underachievement they have the Blincoe and Tinker Cup finals to come, and a chance to grab some silverware.