Onchan B hit the buffers
The lead in the race for the 2014 Tower Insurance Over 60’s Championship has changed after surprise early leaders Onchan B hit the buffers this week firstly losing at home to visitors North Ramsey A by 5 games to 3 then losing by a similar score on their visit to South Ramsey. This has allowed Castletwon A to gain top spot with a 7-1 home victory against Peel A followed by a visit to their bogey team Port Erin where they came away with the points in a 6-2 win, right on Castletown A’s tail come Port St Mary A and Onchan A both just a point in arrears, Port St Mary had a good home win over neighbours Port Erin by 7-1 and then followed this up with a excellent but very close 5-3 win at the Mooragh against a always difficult to beat North Ramsey A. Onchan A had a far better week than their B team and moved ahead of them by a position and point, firstly a shared point at Douglas A in a close 4-4 encounter, before using their adopted home advantage to see of Ballaugh by 6 -2. The teams how in 5th and 6th places both on 11 points Marown and Castletown B both had 5-3 wins on the Tuesday, Marown at home to Finch Hill B while Castletown B just made it after the last game went in their favour 21-20 to beat North Ramsey B at the Mooragh, it was a bit de jay vu when Marown visited the Crofts to play Castletown B with the town again winning the last game 21-20 but this time it was to share the points against a very good Marown outfit. Noble’s Mixed held South Ramsey to a draw at home on the Tuesday then completed a good week with a 6-2 win against Douglas B at the Villa. Noble’s Park pulled off a major surprise by getting both points against Douglas B at home on Thursday in a close 5-3 victory, while Peel B eventually got their points score on the move with a home victory over a depleted Douglas B on Tuesday, while Finch Hill B also got their first points on Thursday by beating Peel B by 5 games to 3. Port St Mary B had a poor week losing to Ballaugh and then at home to North Ramsey B by 5 games to 3 in another close game. The Merit Table now sees the number of players having played every game and won every one drop from 6 to 3 with Peter Kelly (Marown), Dave (Fagsy) Faragher (Castletown A) and Dave Foulis (Ballaugh) being the 3, two players have played 7 and won 7 they are Chas Grills (S Ramsey) and Collin Holland (Castletown A), which I think shows what a competitive league we have. The Mini Cup first Round was played this week and the clear favourites after the super start to the league Onchan B visited Peel B and came away with a 6-3 win, Port Erin had a good 7-2 win over neighbours Port St Mary B, while North Ramsey B just managed to win at Noble’s Park with a 5-4 score line and a game they won 21-20, while Douglas B had to concede their game against Finch Hill B at Finch Hill. So this leaves Finch Hill B, Onchan B, Port Erin and North Ramsey B as the teams that will go in the hat for the Semi Final Draw.