Fixtures between Baker Tilly Isle of Man Cronkbourne and Shimmin Wilson Peel and St John’s have traditionally been a clash between the best two teams in the island.

This year, however, PSJ have been struggling to mount a serious challenge.

They haven’t been able to put out a consistent team, and their results have mirrored those difficulties.

They will need to get their best players out to match a Cronkbourne side who have not yet lost a weekend fixture and will be in no mood to let their 100 per cent record slip.

Also on Saturday, Valkyres visit Hannan Law Crosby.

The latter broke one of their ’hoodoos’ last weekend when they beat Peel and St John’s, so they should be full of confidence going in to this fixture.

Crosby and Valkyres have played each other a few times this season and the Marown side have the upper hand significantly so far.

Perhaps the Crosby boys think that they can get their deckchairs out and head off on their holidays, but Valkyres will surely have a stronger team than they did in the Tinker Cup and I hope that it will be close game.

CTH Insurance Ramsey welcome Callin Wild Development XI to the Grammar School pitch on Sunday.

Ramsey have veteran player Rob Webber out with a serious injury, but if they can get a reasonable team out they may be able to sneak a win against the Development side.

Some of the youngsters will be away on tour and ironically, it may be the oldies that have to come in to shore up the side.

Coach Greig Wright described his innings last weekend as his second best of the season. He very nearly had to put his pads on!

I have heard that a former player of Valkyres, Tom Reader, has played a couple of games for Ramsey and he may be enticed back into the weekend format. I am sure the team talk will not be a quiet affair!

youngsters on tour to uk

l This week and the next sees the island youngsters visit the UK on tour.

The under-10s and u12s are away at the annual Malvern festival and the following week, the u14 players visit Bromsgrove.

It gives them all a chance to compare their level of ability with other areas and counties. A round-up of the games will follow in due course.

merseyside commonwealth beat island side

l Another touring side is in island at present to play cricket at King William’s College.

Unfortunately, the island representative side lost Tuesday’s game with visitors Merseyside Commonwealth.

The latter set a target of 162 for 7 from 29 overs.

There were no great performances from the island lads, although Jack Telford managed to claim two wickets in his four overs for 28 runs.

The island side failed to muster a challenge and were all out for 82 runs.