Onchan pip South Ramsey
South Ramsey A continued where they left off last week putting pressure on the top three with a magnificent four points away at Onchan A. This really is an indication that the northerners mean business and are in great form as they pushed the champions all the way drawing on games but just losing out on the aggregate points to go down 6-4.
There are a lot of positives for the Ramsey outfit to draw on and non-more so that the signs that former greats Andy Kennish and Peter Collister are now getting back to their best and a match for anyone on their day. They entertain third placed Douglas A tonight and a win by over 4 points would see them leapfrog their rivals into the much coveted third spot.
Onchan A surrendered top spot despite beating South and will be hoping to regain it tonight with a maximum against Peel A at home. The Govags beat Onchan last time out and the champions have along memory and will be hoping to right that wrong at the Park.
Marown A put in another strong display with a 9-1 victory over Castletown B to regain top spot with a game in hand over their closest rivals. They face Port St Mary A at home tonight and will be hoping that they can do enough to at least match Onchan’s result to allow them to maximise the effect of their game in hand next week.
If they win big tonight and next week I honestly think that there will be too much daylight between them and the chasing pack and that the championship will be heading to the memorial playing fields.
Douglas A won away from home 7-3 at Ballaugh A to keep them in the hunt for minor places ahead of their showdown with South tonight. If they escape with 4 or more points it will a great result for the Villa Men.
Castletown A remain in fifth place after a solid 7-3 home win over Port St Mary A, but have a game in hand on both South and Douglas and will want their rivals to take points off each other to allow them to close the gap. Town travel to North Ramsey A and will have their work cut out after North picked up a good 7-3 victory over Peel A last week to find some form.
I see this week as a turning point in the season a lot of the top outfits have the chance to throw down the gauntlet to their rivals and this week’s results could be fundamental in determining the fate of the top 3 place.
Division 2 leaders Port St Mary B put in a blistering performance to defeat fourth placed Finch Hill A 9-1 to extend their lead at the top and give themselves some breathing space in the title race. They face second placed Castletown C tonight at home and a big win will put them firmly in the driving seat for top honours.
Town C will be up for a challenge and after picking up a good 6-4 win last week away at the tricky Finch Hill B will hope to get some really valuable points from tonight’s top of the table match up.
Third placed Port Erin A won 6-4 at the battling Castletown D and find themselves equal on points with town C and will be hoping they can take advantage of their rivals facing off with a big win at home over Ballaugh B to move them up the tree.
Nobles Park A remain at the summit of division 3 after battling to a 6-4 win away at South Ramsey B last week.
North Ramsey B are the surprise package of this division and as this talented bunch of mainly new players find their feet they could become the force to be reckoned with. They picked up brilliant 7-3 away win over then second placed Onchan C to swap places with their rivals and move into the promotion places for the first time.
Onchan C were the early pace setters in this division and a recent slump have form has seen them falling down the table they really need to get hold of this soon if they are to genuine contenders for promotion. They have the time and quality to do this but they need to start now and a win away at Nobles Park B on Tuesday would be a good place to start.
Report by Mark Kneen