St George’s began the defence of their Canada Life Premier League title with a big win over St John’s on Saturday afternoon.

Geordies were in rampant fashion at Mullen-e-Cloie as they recorded a 6-2 victory thanks largely to Furo Davies who bagged a hat-trick. He was joined on the scoresheet by a Ciaran McNulty brace and a Frank Jones header.

The big story of the day was in the south of the island where there was drama at Croit Lowey, Rushen United edging past Old Firm rivals Peel by the odd goal in five.

Speculation was rife this summer as to whether mercurial striker Josh Kelly would play for Peel again this season but, to the surprise of many, he was included in the matchday squad for his former club Rushen.

And he duly set up the winning goal for Mike Williams as the Spaniards saw off the spirited challenge of Peel who had come from two goals down to level matters.

Douglas Royal’s return to the top flight did not get off to a happy start though, as they were beaten 4-1 by Ramsey at Ballafletcher.

In an even first half, the northerners took the game by the scruff of the next with two goals in as many minutes just before half-time thanks to a Dom Parish strike and a header from captain Nick White.

Gavin Gawne halved the deficit for the Whites early in the second half with an angled shot but the hosts’ hopes were snuffed out when Parish nodded home a second before he forced an own goal. Royal ended the game with 10 men as Chris Anderson was shown a straight red card in the closing stages.

Newly-crowned Charity Shield winners Corinthians were made to work hard for the three points at Springfield Road.

Last year’s runners-up very nearly fell victim to an upset but Athletic saw a late penalty saved before Tom Smith grabbed the winner in his debut for the Whites.

St Mary’s are the early pacesetters after they defeated Colby 5-1 at the Bowl to go top of the table, while elsewhere Paul Callow’s reign as Laxey manager got off to a winning start as the Miners beat newly-promoted Braddan 6-3.

Castletown and Foxdale raced to the top of JCK Division Two as they both won 6-0 on the opening day of the season, beating Gymns and Douglas and District respectively.

Just behind them is Malew who, despite being held at the break by a spirited Governor’s Athletic, eventually triumphed 6-1.

Tipped by many to challenge for the title, RYCOB were in fine form at Scoill ree Gorree as they defeated Pulrose United 4-0, Tony Bayle and Lewis Moran both scoring twice for the northerners.

There was a thrilling game at Garey Mooar where Marown snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Union Mills.

Marown raced into a two-goal lead at half-time but the Millers struck back to lead 3-2 going into the final few minutes of the game, however Marown stunned their hosts as two last-gasp strikes from Kevin Druggan and Bobby Thorne stole the three points right at the death.

The final game in Division Two saw Ayre United win their first league game in 16 months as they saw off the challenge of Michael United 3-1 at Balleira Road.

Football results from Saturday, September 2

Canada Life Premier League

Douglas Royal 1-4 Ramsey

St John’s 2-6 St George’s

Rushen 3-2 Peel

Douglas Athletic 0-1 Corinthians

St Mary’s 5-1 Colby

Laxey 6-3 Braddan

JCK Division Two

Malew 6-1 Governor’s Athletic

Michael Utd 1-3 Ayre

RYCOB 4-0 Pulrose Utd

Douglas and District 0-6 Foxdale

Gymns 0-6 Castletown

Union Mills 3-4 Marown

Canada Life Combination One

Ramsey 2-3 Douglas Royal

St George’s 5-1 St John’s

Peel 1-3 Rushen Utd

Corinthians 9-1 Douglas Athletic

Colby 3-16 St Mary’s

Braddan 1-3 Laxey

JCK Combination Two

Governors Athletic 0-10 Malew

Ayre Utd 3-2 Michael Utd

Pulrose Utd 0-6 RYCOB

Foxdale 1-2 Douglas and District

Castletown 5-0 Gymns

Marown v Union Mills no result received