TOP-FLIGHT Laxey produced a clinical performance to ease past JCK Division Two Douglas Royal 0-6 and into the quarter-finals of the Paddy Power FA Cup on Saturday.

Three goals in each half from Johnny Callow, Nigel Beattie, Mark Wolfenden (2) and Ashley Webster (2) ensured the Glen Road side emerged unscathed from their trip to Ballafletcher and a Royal side that had dumped Premier League outfit Union Mills out of the prestigious competition in the previous round.

To their credit, Royal worked hard throughout and had they taken some of the opportunities they created in front of goal they may have run Steve Falconer’s visitors closer.

After a bright Royal start, Laxey’s island strikers Webster and Wolfenden began to test the home team’s offside trap as assistant referee Billy Crowe briefly became the busiest man on the park.

The Laxey attack eventually clicked just shy of the quarter of the hour mark when Callow perfectly placed a header past Royal keeper Ian Took after being picked out on the edge of the area by Sam Theobald’s deep free kick.

Just six minutes later the Miners struck again Beattie heading another past Took after connecting well with roving full-back Gary Williams’s whipped cross into the box.

Two turned into three nine minutes before the break as Callow unlocked the Royal defence with a lovely through ball that released the ever-willing Webster. The former Ramsey attacker forced a fine save from Took only for the ball to fall kindly to Wolfenden who lashed home his first of the afternoon.

Nicky Gerrard and Nicky Smith’s charges did their best to hit back as the half-time whistle approached. Top scorer Paul Whitley and Richard Winn had looked most likely to find a way back into the first round tie for their side and the two combined to give Ryan ? a good chance, but the Royal number 10 fired over from the edge of the area.

Whitley then forced a good block out of visiting custodian Andy Perry as it looked as if Royal’s endeavour might finally bare some fruit.

The home side’s encouraging spell continued into the start of the second period and Whitley again went close with a header at a Royal corner.

Royal’s hopes were soon dashed in the 52nd minute when Williams delivered another good ball into the home team’s box that Webster gratefully nodded past Took.

The fourth goal further buoyed the Miners’ confidence levels and they soon began to dominate the game’s possession producing some lovely passing football along the way. One such team move created a chance for Webster on the edge of the area, which the Laxey number nine drove just over the bar.

At the other end of the pitch Royal mustered a good counter that Adam Pate nearly converted, as his first-time shot from 20 yards flashed agonisingly across the face of goal.

Laxey continued to press and a fifth goal came their way in the 69th minute when Wolfenden turned home Callow’s driven cross from the left.

Callow was again in the thick of the action for the Miners’ sixth. The fleet-footed midfielder rounded Took after breaking clear of the Royal defence before laying the ball back to Webster who drilled in a low shot.

Despite the scoreline, Royal continued to battle in the tie’s closing stages and Whitley again went close to grabbing the goal his efforts deserved.

However, it was perhaps fitting that Laxey enjoyed the game’s last real chance. In stoppage time substitute Peter Callow forced a fine save out of Took after the Laxey replacement low shot looked to be creeping in the right-hand corner of the goal.

TEAM CHECK

Douglas Royal: Ian Took, Adam Boyde (Kevin Ballard 77m), Stuart Foley, Greg Hoskisson (c), Richie McCan, Gavin Gawne, Andrew Lancaster, Richard Winn (Matty Entwistle 83m), Paul Whitley, Ryan Kelly (Nick Ford 68m), Adam Pate.

Laxey: Andy Perry, Gary Williams, Ryan Williamson, Sam Theobald, Neil Brogan (c), Paul Rowley (Declan Cummins 63m), Nigel Beattie (Michael Haslett 69m), Johnny Callow, Danny Oram, Ashley Webster, Mark Wolfenden (Peter Callow 72m).000

Referee: Glen Weir

Assistants: Billy Crowe and Jonathan Hogg

Booked: McCann, Lancaster

Match rating: 3*

IN weather suitable for Noah’s Ark, the goals came in two-by-two from both sides in St John’s latest episode of the Canada Life Premier League’s Friday night project played out at the Bowl.

The division’s bottom side Marown were leading 1-2 with only 10 minutes remaining until Johnny Holland converted a late equaliser to salavage a point for the Railway Cup finalists.

After their win over Corinthians last week it was another valuable point for Marown as they fight tooth and nail to maintain their top-flight status.

The Crosby side, who are now just two points adrift from safety, made the perfect start with six minutes on the clock. Stuart Christian’s through ball was aimed at St John’s defensive heart and latched onto by Richard Mulhern’s diagonal run. The striker then lifted his resulting effort over horizontal St John’s goalkeeper Damyan Petkov for the opening goal.

The Mullen-e-Cloie outfit levelled matters in the13th minute.

Jamie Moffatt played the ball inside from the left Holland was thwarted by a challenge, but the ball fell to Stephen Glover who tucked home.

Five minutes later, Marown restored their lead. Following a foul on Neil Withers just outside the opposing penalty area, Juan Killip’s free-kick was scooped clear to Gary Christian who drove his shot through a forest of players and into the bottom-left corner.

The Johnners’ pushed forwarded for an equaliser.

Moffatt drilled a low shot that was collected by net-minder Mark Kinley, the St John’s number 11 then came close again after being put clear, but the Marown number one raced off his line to make a telling save.

From the resulting corner, player-manager Nick Hurt headed an effort on target, only for it to be cleared by Michael Wheeler.

After the break, both goalkeepers were called into action. Petkov was at full-stretch repelling Withers’s swerving corner, while at the other end of the park, John Haggerdon was put clear, but Kinley did enough to divert the danger round the post.

Marown continued to weather the rain storm and the footballing storm, despite being penned in their own half for long spells.

Brew’s side are even prepared to shed blood for the cause, none more so than Kinley who was involved with an accidental collision with Hurt, blood poured from the goalkeeper’s head akin to the evening’s rain.

Substitute goalkeeper Colin Gilbert was quickly called into action, repelling Moffatt’s angled drive and saving Sam Ingham’s low shot.

Marown’s resistance finally broke in the 80th minute. Eric Kelly unleashed a 30-yard effoty that was finger-tipped onto the crossbar. The ball bounced everywhere, before Holland seized on the pieces to slot in the equaliser.

The Crosby outfit, however, could have snatched a winner in the closing stages. Holland’s uncharacteristic pass across his own goal was seized upon by Killip, but Petkov made the all-important save to ensure the points were shared.

Team check

St John’s: Damyan Petrov, Eric Kelly, Sam Ingham, Craig Dolman, Johnny Holland, John Wrigley, (Harry Rothwell 75m), Tony Duggan (Michael Stringer 73m), Nick Hurt, John Haggerdon, Stephen Glover, Jamie Moffatt. Sub not used: Jacob Holden

Marown: Mark Kinley (Colin Gilbert 55m), Alex McQuarrie, Cameron Avery, Juan Killip, Nigel Shimmin, Stuart Christian, Michael Wheeler, Richard Mulhern, Niall Quayle (Andy Newton 89m), Gary Christian, Neil Withers. Sub not used: Paul Timpson

Referee: Stuart Kneen

Assistants: Anthony Quayle, Danny Cowin

Match rating: 4*

Man of the match: Quayle (Marown)

ST Mary’s brushed aside the challenge from their rivals Rushen United at Croit Lowey on Saturday with a comfortable 0-4 victory in the Paddy Power FA Cup first round.

The six times former winner of the competition, who last collected the trophy in 2002, can now look forward to an intriguing clash with neighbours Pulrose United in the second round.

Saturday’s contest, however, failed to live up to it’s billing with the visitors scoring twice in each half to easily dispose of a Port Erin side that were desperately short of fire power.

Ironically it was Mark Heywood’s side that made the better start and Saints defender Tony Cain was forced into a dramatic clearance in the opening moments of the game.

Aaron Hawley then played in Steve Riding but his quickly taken header flew benignly past an upright.

As Sam Kenny’s team worked their way into the tie the threat that the visitors posed became evident as the lively Stephen Whitley fired a fine opportunity wide of the target.

The home fans though remained optimistic as a well-taken Adam Cregeen free-kick had to be smartly headed over his own bar by impressive defender Karl Clark.

Then with 27 minutes on the clock the deadlock was broken when Rushen failed to clear their lines before Martin Reilly pounced to fire past keeper Tom Strivens.

The Saints upped their game and the busy James Murphy flashed a fine first-time effort inches wide.

Then right on the half-time whistle the Saints made it two as Whitley evaded the offside trap before racing clear of the home defence to cross for Steven Priestnal to score with ease.

Once again the southerners made a lively start to the second half but found great difficulty in pressuring Max Thomas’s goal.

The Douglas side though were alwaysdangerous on the break and Steven Priestnal uncharacteristically squandered a glorious opportunity right in front of the Rushen goal to make it three.

Minutes later, however, the visitors duly added the third when keeper Strivens brought down the irrepressible Whitley in the box and Priestnal made amends for his earlier miss by confidently scoring from the spot.

Following the goal the Spaniards briefly rallied but the solid all-round team performance from the Saints allowed the hosts few chances on goal.

Even a well-struck free-kick from the edge of the box by Jack Saxon was handled with consummate ease by the well positioned Thomas.

The final goal, 10 minutes from the end, summed up the home sides’ disappointing day.

A Connor Gorman free-kick from well outside the box completely deceived the home defence before nestling in the far corner of the goal.

At the conclusion of the game it was evident that Rushen had missed the presence of leading striker Michael Williams far more than the Saints had missed the equally talented midfielder Brian Crellin.

TEAM CHECK

Rushen: Tom Strivens, Alex Maitland (Ryan Crawley) Alex Guy, Adam Cregeen, Michael Baker, Jordan Watterson, Jack Saxon, Chris Shimmin, Steve Riding, Aaron Hawley, Neil Curphey (Steven Harris)

St Mary’s: Max Thomas, James Murphy (Dean Spencer), Tony Cain, Dominic McGreevy, Karl Clark, Martin Reilly, Tom Weir, Connor Gorman, Steven Priestnal, Stephen Whitley (Darren Smethurst) Marc Priestnal.

Referee: John Lovelady - Another solid all-round performance from a highly confident match official.

Assistants: Chris Taggart and Mark Todd.

Man of the Match: Whitley (St Mary’s) A real scourge to the Rushen defence always looking to win the ball.

Match Rating: HHHHH

Attendance: 179

75: Carpe Diem

It’s 6-00am Monday morning, quick check through the blinds, the promised overnight dump has materialised bang on schedule; there’s six inches of fresh snow on the car roof and the sky hints at clearing cloud. While the guests snooze on, we swing into action. The bread, mixed last evening and proved in the fridge overnight goes into the oven while the tea brews. Then into winter trousers, hat, gloves and head torch and out with Ffin and up through the beechwood to the top road. Branches hang low, burdened with the overnight snow; the roads are not yet ploughed, the first cars leave 2 deep parallel ruts, one for me, one for Ffin. Muffled detonations make him skittish, the pisteurs are blasting off dangerous accumulations in Flaine.

Back down to our road; neighbour Denis is setting off in his van; quick chat: ‘Skiing today?’ - of course – ‘la poudreuse!’ (powder). Just one thing on every right-thinking person’s mind. Back in the Chalet the Boss is showered, exercised and resplendent in thermal underwear. This bodes well, normally low temperatures and an overactive conscience proscribe work-day forays but today she’s up for it. Out come the meal-plans, a quick conference, some judicious amendments are made – the duck’s quick and a few other changes will save an hour or so - put off the hard work for a dull day.

The snow-blower roars into life first try and the drive is cleared in 10 minutes; the racket would awaken Rip van Winkle but the guest are as keen as us and come clattering down for breakfast bang on time. There’s still low cloud around but as we eat it slowly lifts disclosing a glistening mantle swathing the peaks across the valley. Eagerly we scan the webcams; clear skies at altitude, it’s going to be a wonderful day.

Our boots and skis are loaded into the van; quick check list, helmets, gloves, neck-warmers. My usual blue down-filled top is relegated in favour of the red deep-snow jacket with elasticated waist; the Boss is sporting her new North Face yellow & blue. Punters into the van, the table can be left until later and we’re off down to the main road, by now immaculately ploughed for our ten-minute run to the village.

Yesterday the pistes were thronged with weekenders, today the carpark is deserted; we drop the guests at the bootroom and drive up to the top carpark where we boot-up out of the back of the van; a short ski down and we meet the guests at the turnstiles. Up through the trees and we emerge from the top station into a sundrenched world of kneedeep powder cut through by immaculately groomed pistes. We’re skiing with Pat & Andrew, guests and firm friends of many years standing; Andrew is a true powder-hound and we know the warm up red-run down to the Gron chairlift is unlikely to satisfy him for long. And so it proved – up the Gron chair and he was eagerly eying up the black off-piste below – just begging to be done. So right-turn off the chair, and round to the top of the black – don’t stop and look or you may have second (wiser) thoughts – straight over and pick some untracked snow – heaven! Yesterday this slope was pisted so under a foot of powder there’s a regular packed layer – all very flattering. Doesn’t stop both of us coming various croppers though – Mrs C pirouettes, face-plants, does the whole repertoire, in fact, but never stops giggling.

Then up the chair again and more off-piste before the long blue down to Les Molliets, another chair and we’re into Morillon for our favourite unpisted red – Bergin. Andrew takes the Boss in hand and draws her far out of her comfort zone into soft off-piste billows on a steep gradient which she tackles with aplomb – it’s clearly one of those days. By now thighs are aching and a break is called for, so down to Le Beu at Morillon for hot chocolate and coffee on a sunny terrace where we’re greeted with delight by a guest from 2 summers ago – Ness even managed to dredge up her name, the sign of a true professional.

The long chair up, then we part company with Andrew & Pat and swoop back towards Les Carroz; three long tree-lined blues see us back in the car-park by 11-45am with a bagful of memories that will carry us through whatever tribulations the next weeks may bring. A quick stop at the breadshop and we’re back in the chalet by midday; Ffin greets us rapturously and we set to to clear breakfast and begin the day’s tasks with a spring in our step.

Of such days are dreams made...

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I HAVE broached one of my Christmas presents, a pair of trousers given by my daughter-in-law Sarah, who seems to be permanently aggrieved by my standard of dress.

She buys the best does my Sarah (she’s a Ramsey girl if that tells you anything), and the trousers bear the name of the cherished fashion label Gap.

Gap is perhaps an apposite name for these trousers, especially in relation to the gap in front which every man needs when it comes to pointing Percy at the porcelain.

The trousers are a class item, fashioned in dark brown lightweight corduroy and cut by a master. They slid on easily when I donned them for the first time and after fastening the top button at the waist I reached for the zip.

There wasn’t one.

All right, I am well aware that elderly gentlemen lurching out of senility and into insanity are all too often prone to forget to do up their flies.

But surely, I thought, this was no reason for people like Gap to decide there is no longer any point in making trousers for them with a zip they don’t use.

This wasn’t the case. Instead of a zip, my new trousers had buttons. I can’t remember when I last wore trousers with fly buttons. I have a feeling I would have been a pupil at Douglas High School for Boys at the time.

Now I had them again, three excluding the waist button. It was a struggle doing them up. A man gets used to zipping and unzipping as the occasion requires. Buttoning takes more time and a good deal of manual dexterity.

I managed in the end and set off to work and as the day wore on I needed to access whatever gap was made available to me by Gap.

In the men’s lavatory at Manx Radio I had trouble getting two buttons undone and then even more trouble doing them up again afterwards. It took time.

I wondered about what would happen when I had to stand with other men in a public urinal. They might wonder what the hell I was doing down there for so long and so vigorously.

But I’m used to them now. I have also found a label telling me they were made for Gap in Sri Lanka and that the company is doing its part in saving the planet by way of running a water quality programme in places like Sri Lanka.

The text read: ‘We are working to ensure that the water we use does not harm the environment.’

Good for them. What I am trying to ensure is that my water does not harm the environment of the floor in the men’s lavs at Manx Radio.

One more thing. When I was a boy I had to unfasten only one button. Now, for a man full grown, it takes two.

• NEIL Rough, of Queen’s Promenade, Douglas, e-mails to draw attention to a front page advertisement in the Isle of Man Courier for a ‘3-course carvery followed by Rod Stewart.’

Neil muses: ‘I wonder if he tastes of haggis.’

In fact what was on offer was Rod Stuart who impersonates the other Rod.

I wonder if he was coming over on the boat . . .

• JOHN Cannell, of Tromode, says he saw on television Manx students protesting outside Tynwald against the imposition of university fees. One held up a placard pleading: ‘Enroll now.’ They want people to sine up with them?

• KEN and Audrey Fogelman send in the following two Manx clues which appeared in one crossword in the Guardian: 18 across. Article follows lives by top cat and top soldier, where house has keys (4, 2, 3): Isle of Man.10 across. Remove protection from 18 (4): Peel

RAMSEY eased their relegation worries a little when they hauled themselves into eighth place in the South Lancashire and Cheshire Division Two standings with a vital bonus-point win over Oswestry at Mooragh Park on Saturday.

Tynan Pritchard and Matty Kelly both crossed in the first half, with Andy Cleator converting on each occasion to give the northerners a 14-0 lead at the break.

In the second half, John F Watling and Ali Trace both added tries with Cleator converting one.

With close rivals Southport losing at home, Ramsey climbed a couple of places but will be wary as other teams do have games in hand.

l Douglas’s trip away to Dukinfield was postponed because of the heavy overnight fall of snow in the north-west of England.

A LACK of team cohesion meant a poor showing from Sure-sponsored Vagabonds on Saturday, as they were taken down at home by struggling Wallasey in South Lancs/Cheshire Division Two.

Going into the game, Vagas were sitting in fifth place in the table with an outside chance of hitting the promotion places if they could pull off some big results.

Wallasey, by contrast, were in the relegation zone and while they do have some games in hand, they were looking likely candidates for the dreaded drop.

The home side were much depleted from their usual line-up, missing Leigh Kennaugh, Jonny Beckley, Akkie van den Berg, Aidan O’Shea, Joe Louw, Ross McCulloch and Ross Pulman to name but a few.

With so many missing, they were always likely to suffer and that was how it was.

New combinations were tested in the centres, half backs and back row in a much-changed Vagas side from the team that comfortably put away Southport two weeks earlier, but they simply never seemed to gel against the Merseysiders, who looked hungrier for the valuable points that will help keep them afloat of the league’s relegation zone.

Right from the start it looked like it might be one of those afternoons for Vagabonds; passes bounced off chests and attacks rarely lasted more than three phases before a spilled ball or penalty coughed up possession.

In a game that saw Vagas dominate in terms of territory at least, the Wallasey side ground its way upfield to earn a penalty five metres out after 20 minutes. The ball was quickly spun left to skipper Keith Mahon, who took it on the hoof for one of his trademark crash-ball tries. Fly half Paul Lewis made good a difficult conversion to put his team 0-7 up, which would be the only points scored in a none too spectator-friendly encounter.

Vagas were soon down the other end and following a high-speed run from Tom Gascoyne, were within inches of the Wallasey line. The ball was recycled and centre Mark McGreal worked his way over the line but was adjudged held-up by referee Chris Till and the chance was lost.

Vagabonds had another flash of promise when number eight James Hammal broke through for a charge at the line. This move also ended with Vagas being held-up over the try line.

These were two of no fewer than four occasions that afternoon the home side crossed over only to be held up and denied by the spirited Wallasey defence.

Vagas had the wind in the second half and consequently played most of the half inside Wallasey territory. Skipper Mark Howarth played a captain’s innings and seemed to be popping up everywhere.

His midfield half break was driven to within a few feet of the Wallasey line and from the base of the ruck, prop Luke Purdy wriggled his way over the line, but was unable to ground the ball.

With lofty flanker Ben Sharples regularly pinching ball from the visitors’ lineouts, there was no shortage of possession or opportunity for Vagas to make an impression on the scoreboard, but without shape and structure there was only a handful of movements where they looked dangerous.

The cause wasn’t helped when they lost tighthead Kevin Birchall to A&E to get stitches on a broken and cut nose, and the match ended in concern for centre Sam Brennan who damaged knee ligaments in the last play of the game.

With no recognised goal kicker in the team, Vagas were forced to run chances which perhaps were kickable and the stubbornness of the Wallasey defence meant that opportunities were few and far between.

As time ebbed away, heavy driving rain started to fall and that made Vagas’ task impossible and Wallasey were able to cling on and take a valuable away win.

In retrospect, kickable penalties were overlooked that could have perhaps seen Vagas sneak a win, but it was Wallasey that deserved to take home all the points, and the Ballafletcher outfit will need to use the next two weeks to work hard at training and get back their more organised and effective style of just a fortnight ago.

A LACK of team cohesion meant a poor showing from Sure-sponsored Vagabonds on Saturday, as they were taken down at home by struggling Wallasey in South Lancs/Cheshire Division Two.

Going into the game, Vagas were sitting in fifth place in the table with an outside chance of hitting the promotion places if they could pull off some big results.

Wallasey, by contrast, were in the relegation zone and while they do have some games in hand, they were looking likely candidates for the dreaded drop.

The home side were much depleted from their usual line-up, missing Leigh Kennaugh, Jonny Beckley, Akkie van den Berg, Aidan O’Shea, Joe Louw, Ross McCulloch and Ross Pullman to name but a few. With so many missing, they were always likely to suffer and that was how it was.

New combinations were tested in the centres, half backs and back row in a much-changed Vagas side from the team that comfortably put away Southport two weeks earlier, but they simply never seemed to gel against the Merseysiders, who looked hungrier for the valuable points that will help keep them afloat of the league’s relegation zone.

Right from the start it looked like it might be one of those afternoons for Vagabonds; passes bounced off chests and attacks rarely lasted more than three phases before a spilled ball or penalty coughed up possession.

In a game that saw Vagas dominate in terms of territory at least, the Wallasey side ground its way upfield to earn a penalty five metres out after 20 minutes. The ball was quickly spun left to skipper Keith Mahon, who took it on the hoof for one of his trademark crash-ball tries. Fly half Paul Lewis made good a difficult conversion to put his team 0-7 up, which would be the only points scored in a none too spectator-friendly encounter.

Vagas were soon down the other end and following a high-speed run from Tom Gascoyne, were within inches of the Wallasey line. The ball was recycled and centre Mark McGreal worked his way over the line but was adjudged held-up by referee Chris Till and the chance was lost.

Vagabonds had another flash of promise when number eight James Hammal broke through for a charge at the line. This move also ended with Vagas being held-up over the try line.

These were two of no fewer than four occasions that afternoon the home side crossed over only to be held up and denied by the spirited Wallasey defence.

Vagas had the wind in the second half and consequently played most of the half inside Wallasey territory. Skipper Mark Howarth played a captain’s innings and seemed to be popping up everywhere. His midfield half break was driven to within a few feet of the Wallasey line and from the base of the ruck, prop Luke Purdy wriggled his way over the line, but was unable to ground the ball.

With lofty flanker Ben Sharples regularly pinching ball from the visitors’ lineouts, there was no shortage of possession or opportunity for Vagas to make an impression on the scoreboard, but without shape and structure there was only a handful of movements where they looked dangerous.

The cause wasn’t helped when they lost tighthead Kevin Birchall to A&E to get stitches on a broken and cut nose, and the match ended in concern for centre Sam Brennan who damaged knee ligaments in the last play of the game.

With no recognised goal kicker in the team, Vagas were forced to run chances which perhaps were kickable and the stubbornness of the Wallasey defence meant that opportunities were few and far between.

As time ebbed away, heavy driving rain started to fall and that made Vagas’ task impossible and Wallasey were able to cling on and take a valuable away win.

In retrospect, kickable penalties were overlooked that could have perhaps seen Vagas sneak a win, but it was Wallasey that deserved to take home all the points, and the Ballafletcher outfit will need to use the next two weeks to work hard at training and get back their more organised and effective style of just a fortnight ago.

DOUGLAS B booked their spot in the Manx Plate semi-final with a comfortable win over a depleted Ramsey B side, coming out 35-5 to the good at a slightly damp Port-e-Chee.

The high point for Douglas was a hat-trick from Jack Moore, a brace from Nathan Pierce and a solitary try courtesy of skipper Richard Melia from a modest 40 yards out.

Former Ramsey man Phil Hardisty also crossed for Douglas, with Sam Peel picking up Ramsey’s consolation score off one of Kev Spicer’s legendary grubber kicks.

l Castletown lost 14-50 to Vagabonds B at Poulsom Park as the Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield competition nears its end. Defeat for Town means they are confirmed with the wooden spoon this season, while Vagas, after a slow start, could yet finish runners-up.

Mick Shipley and Dave Akkulugadu both picked up tries for Castletown, with Gary Stephenson adding two conversions.

VAGABONDS women’s side beat Northwich 24-10 at Ballafletcher to go five points clear at the top of Women’s NC North One in the process.

The host side took the lead 10 minutes in, after some good early pressure, when Sorrelle Williams crashed home under the posts. Corinna Daly added the conversion and gave her side an early 7-0 lead.

Northwich were undaunted and their powerful scrummage almost pulled one back, but Kellie Hallam was hauled down just short of the Vagas line and the danger was cleared.

Quarter of an hour later, Vagabonds were in again. Williams and Tara Jackson combined in midfield and engineered an opening for comeback girl Fran Hunt. She blasted through the gap and romped home from 20 metres out to make it 12-0.

Northwich were far from beaten at this stage though and once again it was their forwards who made the hard yards. A driving lineout five metres from the Vagas line gave them good clean possession.

When the ball was spun right, fullback Hannah Tunnicliffe was the extra body in the backline and she eased around the Vagabonds defence to leave the game balanced 12-5 at half-time.

In the second half, Vagabonds took charge. Daly almost made it across the line, but from her drive, Vagas earned a penalty which Rachel Beckley quickly tapped and stepped over the line unchallenged from close range. Daly added the extras and Vagas were looking safe at 19-5.

Abbie Corkish made sure of the win 10 minutes from the end with a 40-metre solo effort that put the game beyond Northwich’s reach at 24-5 and clinched a bonus point in the process.

Northwich, to their credit, didn’t give up and picked up a try from second row Rachel Phillips who dived in from close range to make it 24-12 and leave her side needing a converted try for a losing bonus point.

When Rachel Beckley was sinbinned near the end, Northwich had a glimmer of hope but were unable to get the crucial score.

In 1593, Lancashire was a hotbed of closet Catholics who would happily see the Protestant Queen Elizabeth toppled from her throne ... and the sleepy market town of Ormskirk, nestling between Preston and Southport, was the centre of a deadly conspiracy.

Master of all things Tudor, Rory Clements is back with his fourth novel featuring John Shakespeare, Elizabethan spy and brother of the famous playwright William, and he uses a real-life northern mystery as the backdrop to a thrilling tale of religion, politics and intrigue.

The plot revolves around the fifth Earl of Derby, Ferdinando Stanley, whose magnificent turreted and palatial home was the now demolished medieval Lathom House in West Lancashire, known in the late 16th century as ‘the Northern Court.’

Here Clements transports us back to the volatile final years of Elizabeth’s reign when Lancashire was notorious for its Catholic sympathies and many of the county’s titled aristocrats hid Jesuit priests within their grand homes.

Ferdinando Stanley, long suspected of being a secret Catholic, was a cousin of the Queen with a very real claim to the throne. He became embroiled in a dispute with his neighbour, Richard Hesketh, a rich cloth merchant and an openly avowed Catholic rebel, who believed Stanley should become the figurehead for a Catholic bid to oust Elizabeth.

Into this factual maelstrom of religious and political strife, Clements weaves a brilliant fictional thriller featuring our Tudor detective Shakespeare and a cast of real characters like Sir Robert Cecil, the queen’s hunchback private secretary, the magician and astronomer Dr John Dee and the great man himself, Will Shakespeare.

But what makes Clements’ stories work so extraordinarily well is his attention to detail and his extensive knowledge of the period which add ballast and authenticity to pulsating plots featuring murder, mystery and political skulduggery.

The Elizabethan navy has a secret weapon, a spyglass so powerful that it gives England unassailable superiority at sea. Spain will stop at nothing to steal it and seize the two men who understand its secrets – operative William Ivory, known as the Queen’s Eye, and its inventor, the maverick magician Dr Dee.

With a second Armada threatened, John Shakespeare is sent to Lancashire to escort Dee to safety but his mission is far from straightforward.

Only yards from Lathom House, he witnesses the lynching of the undercover Jesuit priest Father Matthew Lamb and then discovers that the Earl of Derby is dying in agony, apparently poisoned.

Shakespeare must find out who wants Stanley dead and why, and work out if there is any connection between these events and the mysterious and beautiful Lady Eliska Nováková from Prague who is staying at Lathom House.

And while he attempts to untangle a plot that points to treachery at the very highest reaches of government, he learns that his adopted son Andrew Woode, currently studying at Oxford, has been charged with an offence so serious that it carries a death sentence.

As the action moves from Lancashire to a vagabond camp in the heart of England, and from the deck of Admiral Frobisher’s flagship off the Brittany coast to the secret meetings of Elizabeth’s closest associates, Shakespeare faces choosing between family and his duty to Queen and country...

Clements serves up another delicious feast of fact and fiction, adventure and adversity and for Lancashire readers, a rich slice of the county’s dark history.

Undoubtedly the author’s best book so far, Traitor leaves us hungry for more...

(John Murray, paperback, £6.99)

There’s a welcome ray of sunshine to brighten the dark days of winter in a selection of exciting new children’s books from Oxford University Press.

From aged two to teens, there’s a book to tickle young tastebuds, make a great escape to summer fun and transport you to an island of adventure.

Sea of Whispers by Tim Bowler

Whilst many authors of teen novels are busy creating parallel worlds full of hi-tech gadgetry and superhumans, Tim Bowler continues to plough his prize-winning furrow through a mesmerising trail of haunting psychological thrillers.

Grounded in reality but teetering so piquantly and precariously on the borders of the paranormal, Sea of Whispers is his latest enthralling mystery – a seductive tale of loss, despair, determination, bravery and the search for identity.

Fifteen-year-old Hetty lives on Mora, a remote island where the sea is both its lifeblood and its angel of death. The 97 inhabitants find it difficult to live in harmony with the wild ocean on their doorstep, instead co-existing with it under an uneasy truce of fear and guarded respect.

Centuries-old traditions and superstitions fuel a distrust of strangers, none more so than in 100-year-old Per, the oldest man on Mora and the fountain of all folklore.

A storm at sea took the lives of Hetty’s parents when she was just a baby and she has grown up in the care of her grandmother in a tight-knit and insular community where feelings run deep and outsiders are not welcome.

Hetty is a loner, a dreamer, haunted by her loss, the mysterious visions in her polished sea glass and sea whispers which tell her that her future is set to change course.

Shortly after old Per warns that ‘there’s an evil coming to Mora... and it’s already on its way,’ a small boat crashes on the rocks.

Hetty is the first to help with the search for survivors but only one person is washed up on the shore, a frail, strange old woman who is barely alive and whose face has been darkening Hetty’s sea glass.

But death and disaster come with her and it is clear to many that the old woman is a bad omen and the bringer of evil prophesied by old Per.

As the islanders grow hostile, Hetty knows that she must take matters into her own hands. The solution is wild, dangerous and frightening and as she heads out to sea, a storm is breaking and the whispers that she’s heard before are louder than ever.

Can she save the old woman and will she ever be able to silence the voices?

Sea of Whispers is a slow-burning, atmospheric story from the winner of the Carnegie Medal. Bowler handles grown-up themes with insight and sensitivity whilst delivering an intriguing, wildly romantic and compelling mystery.

Top-class reading for youngsters aged 11 and over.

(OUP, hardback, £12.99)

The Flip-Flop Club: Midnight Messages by Ellen Richardson

Friendships are the ties that bind youngsters together and the relationship between three young girls is at the warm heart of Ellen Richardson’s fun and funny adventure series.

The captivating Flip-Flop Club books combine mystery, comedy, friendship and lashings of summer sunshine in lively stories that are ideal for girls aged nine and over.

Elly, Tash, and Sierra are the best friends... ever. At a sleepover in Tash’s tree house, the girls are going through all the inventions of Tash’s granddad (who was better known as Old Man Blake), trying to figure out what they are and what they are meant to do.

When Tash pulls out a ghost detector, the three of them can’t resist trying it out. At first, nothing happens but then it starts bleeping madly, and when Elly looks out of the window and sees lights coming from the graveyard, the girls know something’s up.

There are rumours that nearby Sunday Island is haunted by the ghost of Old Man Blake, so perhaps he’s trying to tell them something about his inventions.

Sierra is convinced that ghosts don’t exist, so why is she scared of them? And if ghosts don’t exist, then who was it in the graveyard? Can the girls face their fears and solve the mystery?

Richardson’s imaginative stories positively buzz with action, dialogue, mystery and adventure... who could ask for anything more?

(OUP, paperback, £5.99)

Chickens Can’t See in the Dark by Kristyna Litten

If your pre-schoolers can’t see the point of carrots, then maybe you should introduce them to Little Pippa. She’s a chicken, but no ordinary chicken. And she’s on quest... to find out why chickens can’t see in the dark.

Kristyna Litten’s charming and colourful picture book, with its adorable illustrations and quirky story, is guaranteed to get feathers flying in the nursery.

The fun starts when Mr Benedict tells his class on Sunnyside Farm that chickens can’t see in the dark. Stubborn Pippa sets out to discover the secrets of night vision and after a fact-finding mission to the library and the farm shop, she takes a wheelbarrow of carrots to Mother Hen’s Pantry where she cooks up the most delicious carroty banquet ever seen.

She invites her feathered friends to share the feast and despite being sceptical about what difference eating so many carrots will make, everything is so tasty that they soon eat every last mouthful.

And on that starry, moonlit evening, Pippa has the last laugh when the chickens discover the delights of seeing in the dark!

Litten’s quirky tale about a feisty, free-ranging chicken will make your toddlers giggle as well as encouraging them to think for themselves, follow their dreams and perhaps even learn to love carrots just a little!

(OUP, paperback, £6.99)

MOTORISTS are being warned today that there could be disruption to one of the main routes into Douglas for 80 weeks.

The Department of Infrastructure has plans to refurbish Peel Road.

The Manx Independent has the details on its front-page story today.

The front page picture is of Gareth Cowin, the Special Olympian who died in Korea earlier this week.

Inside, we report on the housing plan battle in Kirk Michael. Residents are celebrating victory after Heritage Homes’ plan was refused. However, they might be interested to read the response from the company.

The paper also reports on the bus station U-turn. We ask the Douglas development manager his view after Victoria Street was ditched as a possible venue for the bus station.

Meanwhile, Peter Duke pays tribute to his staff after making redundancies.

The Manx Independent has a number of stories from the House of Keys. The Bell administration is accused of being perceived like a dictatorship by one member.

We also look back at the chairlift to Cunningham’s Camp, which is to be demolished.

In sport, we celebrate David Knight’s win at the Extreme Enduro and report on Phil Cringle’s call up for the Scotland rugby team.

Our What, Where, When supplement looks forward to Ed Byrne’s appearance at the Villa Marina and includes the Isle of Man’s two-page What’s On guide.

The Manx Independent is in the shops now.

MEANS testing over tuition fees was a stealth tax on high-income earners, it was claimed in the House of Keys.

The claim was made by Michael MHK Alfred Cannan who quizzed Treasury Minister Eddie Teare over the proposal for a sliding scale of means tested contributions towards university tuition fees to apply to families with an income above £100,000.

Mr Teare told MHKs: ‘The Treasury supports the general principle that means testing can be a fair and appropriate method for determining the level of support that an individual or family receives from government. In order to complete the rebalancing of government finances, as scheduled by 2016, all departments will be making difficult decisions responding to reduced budgets.’

But Mr Cannan said the proposed policy was at odds with the stated principles of the recently delivered Tax Strategy.

He said: ‘I have to disagree with the Treasury Minister, because whichever way you look at it, this is a tax.

‘It is a stealth tax, and it is a tax on a particular section of society.

Vote on this issue using the web poll panel at the right of this article.

‘In comparison with the Tax Strategy – which aims to be fair, supportive of economic development, easy to understand, simple to administer and build on the international reputation of the Isle of Man – this means testing proposed for university tuition fees meets none of these principles, and it will put at risk jobs and economic development, as well as being socially divisive and inconsistent with other areas of government policy?’

‘We had a nice tirade there,’ the Minister replied. He insisted: ‘This is fair. It is socially fair, and I feel comfortable with it.’

He said, at the moment, the means-testing would be based on gross income.

Kate Beecroft (Lib Van, Douglas South) suggested some wealthy individuals could structure their affairs so that on paper they appeared to have very little income, and will be able to receive funding for their children to go to university.

Mr Teare said the Income Tax department would take a close interest in any aggressive tax planning. He suggested basing the scheme on net income would have provided ‘an ideal opportunity for tax management’.

• What do you think? Email {mailto:opinions@newsiom.co.im|opinions(at)newsiom.co.im} or sign in to add your comment below.

Another packed weekend of football in store

Saturday, February 2

2pm kick-offs

GH Corlett Woods Cup Prelim Round

Michael v Douglas and District

Braddan v Colby

Ronaldsway v Onchan

Foxdale v Pulrose

2.30pm kick-offs

Canada Life Premier League

Castletown v Rushen

St John’s v Union Mills

St Mary’s v DHSOB

Gymns v Corinthians

Marown v Laxey

Ramsey v St George’s

JCK Division Two

Douglas Royal v Douglas Athletic

RYCOB v Malew

Canada Life Combination One

Rushen v Castletown

Union Mills v St John’s

DHSOB v St Mary’s

Corinthians v Gymns

Laxey v Marown

St George’s v Ramsey

JCK Combination Two

Douglas Athletic v Douglas Royal

Douglas and District v Ayre

Onchan v Michael

Malew v RYCOB

Ronaldsway v Colby @ Colby

Pulrose v Foxdale

---------

Sunday, February 3

10.30am kick-offs

Appleby 15-17 Division One

Ayre v Laxey

St George’s v Peel

Union Mills A v Colby

Appleby 15-17 Division Two

Ramsey v Union Mills B

Ronaldsway v Rushen

Braddan v Onchan

2pm kick-offs

Paddy Power Veterans’ League

RYCOB v Peel

Douglas and District v Ronaldsway

Ayre v Braddan

At the Bowl

Corinthians v Onchan 2.10pm

Colby B v Union Mills 3.40pm

2.30pm kick-offs

Warehouse Fitness Women’s League

Laxey v Douglas Royal

Castletown v Peel

Gymns v Corinthians

Rushen v DHSOB

JUST one week after recording their first cup victory in seven years, Douglas and District will have to perform heroics again this weekend when they take on the mighty Michael United as the GH Corlett Woods Cup swings into life.

The Noble’s Park outfit took inspiration from club stalwart Dave Mathieson’s Oldham Athletic to upset the odds against high-flying RYCOB with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory.

This time around, though, they will have to go one better and get the better of a Michael side which thumped them 8-1 last time the sides met if they are to reach the first round proper of the annual Division Two cup competition.

Despite a couple of blips recently, Barney Kelly’s westerners are currently six points clear at the top of the table and will be red hot favourites to continue their quest for both league and cup glory.

Elsewhere in the preliminary round, fellow promotion hopefuls Colby face a potentially tricky tie away at Victoria Road where they go head-to-head with Braddan. The southerners have not played a competitive game in more than a month so it remains to be seen how match sharp they are on Saturday. The Swans are also one of the few teams to have beaten the title challengers thus far this season so the hosts might be quietly confident of clinching a similar result this weekend.

Two of the sides battling it out in the lower reaches of Division Two go face-to-face when Onchan travel south to take on Ronaldsway. The Os have endured a difficult season but with three wins in their last four games, it seems they are finally beginning to find some form.

Robbie Prescott’s men edged a seven-goal thriller between the two sides when they met in October but the Rockets have since recorded wins against the likes of Pulrose and D&D so a tough battle could be in store.

The final game in the preliminary round of the GH Corlett Woods Cup sees the aforementioned Pulrose journey to Billy Goat Park where they take on Foxdale. Pully will still be on a high following their last-gasp extra-time victory over Douglas Athletic last Saturday but they will find it a tough ask to get anything against a Foxdale side that defeated them 1-4 on their own patch earlier in the campaign.

All cup games kick off at 2pm.

l There are two games taking place in JCK Division Two this Saturday.

Douglas Athletic make the short journey to Ballafletcher to face Douglas Royal, while Malew travel north to RYCOB.

A SOUTHERN derby at the Stadium takes centre stage in the Canada Life Premier League this Saturday, with Castletown welcoming Rushen to the ancient capital.

Town have endured a tough season and are currently flirting with the division’s relegation spots, but always raise their game for matches against the Spaniards.

In the corresponding fixture last season, Town were just minutes away from beating United only for Jack Saxon to score a late, late injury time leveller for the Croit Lowey outfit.

Two goals for former Rushen man Ashley Sansbury gave his side FA Cup victory over Gymns last week and Town will hoping to take that momentum into this week’s game against the visitors who will be missing defenders Michael Baker and Adam Cregeen.

Former Town flyer Mike Williams also misses out through injury meaning manager Mark Haywood might have to plunder the club’s combi side for reserves.

If Town dangerman Alex Crawley and Mike Edge are available this could be a very interesting encounter indeed.

Another cracker looks likely at the Bowl where St Mary’s welcome in-form DHSOB.

Sam Kenny’s Saints won the return fixture 1-3 at Blackberry Lane and may just have the edge in this one with Brian Gartland’s side only playing once in the last five weeks because of weather induced postponements.

Bottom side Marown’s Great Escape plan gathered further momentum last weekend with a surprise draw against high-flying St John’s.

This week the Crosby outfit could move out of the bottom two if they get something out of the visit of Laxey.

This, however, will be a tough ask for Dave Brew’s men especially if keeper Mark Kinley doesn’t recover from the nasty gash to his head he received in the match against the Johnners.

The latter host Union Mills as they aim to keep their superb second place in the league, while leaders St George’s will hope to maintain their four-point cushion at the top when they travel to second-bottom Ramsey.

Finally Gymns and Corinthians could bare some points for the relegation-threatened hosts if the Tromode pitch gets through another week of wet weather.

THE Isle of Man Football Association has announced that, in memory of local resident and footballer Gareth Cowin who sadly passed away earlier this week, a minute’s applause will be held at all football matches in the island this weekend prior to kick-off.

Pulrose United have asked that their Woods Cup game away at Foxdale on Saturday be postponed in light of his involvement with the club.

Please pass this information on to referees, coaches and players ahead of Saturday and Sunday fixtures.

Thank you for your understanding and help with this as we remember a very popular figure in Isle of Man sport.

THE latest Isle of Man Newspapers Team of the Week is a FA Cup special combining the best of the five first round proper ties that beat the weather on Saturday.

The Paddy Power-sponsored competition gives some of JCK Division Two’s lesser lights chance to shine and five make it into this week’s coveted line-up starting with goalkeeper Andy Courcey.

The Douglas and District stopper saved a spot-kick as the Noble’s Park outfit beat RYCOB on penalties to win their first cup tie of any form in seven years.

Also shining for Carl Lace’s charges in that match was skipper Jamie Spicer who impressed at the back for D and D as the club secured its first quarter-final appearance in the prestigious knock-out competition.

Joining Spicer in a five-man backline are Pulrose duo Joey Joyce and Craig Cowin, plus Premier League brethren Gary Williams (Laxey) and Dominic McGreevy (St Mary’s). Pully emerged 3-4 extra-time victors over fellow second tier outfit and Springfield Road residents Douglas Athletic. Full-back Joyce was man of the match, while Cowin produced a typically robust performance as the game exploded into life after ending all square at 1-1 after 90 minutes.

Williams grabbed a couple of assists as the 2006 winners overcame Division Two Douglas Royal 0-6 at Ballafletcher.McGreevy was also on form as his St Mary’s side produced one of the results of the round beating Rushen 0-4 at Croit Lowey.

Also starring in the south at the weekend were Castletown’s Ashley Sansbury and Tom Charmer.

The Town pair helped their side to a welcome win over fellow Premier League strugglers Gymns 2-1 at the Stadium, Sansbury grabbing both the Mets’ goals in the tie that went to extra-time.

Joining Messrs Sansbury and Charmer in a three-man midfield is Laxey schemer Johnny Callow.

The Glen Road stalwart grabbed a goal and laid on another for striker Ashley Webster as he dictated most of the Miners’ attacking play against their spirited second tier hosts.

Up front St Mary’s in-form teenager Stephen Whitley is paired with Douglas Athletic’s David Harrison.

Former Castletown youngster Whitley continued his good recent spell with a man of the match showing against Rushen, while Harrison was unlucky to be on the losing side as he grabbed two goals in Athletic’s narrow 3-4 defeat at the hands of FA Cup specialists Pulrose.

Referee of the Week is Scottish official John McCallum who impressed with the whistle in D and D’s victory over Youthie.

Team of the Week 26/01/13

Goalkeeper

Andy Courcey (Douglas and District)

Defence

Gary Williams (Laxey)

Dominic McGreevy (St Mary’s)

Jamie Spicer (Douglas and District)

Craig Cowin (Pulrose)

Joey Joyce (Pulrose)

Midfield

Johnny Callow (Laxey)

Tom Charmer (Castletown)

Ashley Sansbury (Castletown)

Attack

Stephen Whitley (St Mary’s)

David Harrison (Douglas Athletic)

Referee John McCallum (D and D v RYCOB)

EXPERIENCED events organiser Dawn Midwood has set up a new business designed for single people to meet up for sociable meals and other gatherings.

Mother-of-two Dawn, who lives in Maughold, said the main objective of Divine Diners is that members are able to meet in a relaxed, convivial atmosphere.

‘We are like an extended family, everybody gets on so well with each other,’ said Dawn who once ran her own PR agency.

Her full-time job is working as a sales rep.

But she launched Divine Diners as a hobby and has seen interest grow over the last few months. Originally from Chesterfield in Derbyshire, Dawn, a divorcee, has in the last few days launched a website publicising the group.

But that is about as far as she goes for new technology.

She told Business News: ‘People join to widen their social network.

‘I have nothing to do with Twitter or Facebook. People say to me sometimes: ‘‘Why don’t you use Facebook or Twitter? ’’ and I tell them that we are all meeting together and doing something together. There’s a whole range of things we do together including both formal and informal meals; film events, art and casino nights along with expert guest speakers and occasional live music.

‘I am helping to create real friends and not virtual friends.

‘I have neither the time or inclination to use things like Facebook or Twitter. Who needs them when you have real friends and real people?

‘That’s what the club is all about, with people forging real friendship.’

Dawn added: ‘That to me is far more important than any of the social networking sites you can go on.

‘And I think quite a lot of them can be quite dangerous too. You hear of people getting into all sorts of problems because of these sites.

‘Really I’m more of a people person, anyway, than gadgets.

‘But I felt we had to embrace some new technology by starting up the website. But as for Twitter and Facebook you can forget that. I’m not interested and most of the people in the group aren’t interested either. They want to meet each other, to speak to each other and go out socially.

‘You see I haven’t time. I think it’s wasted time sitting at a computer. To me what is more important is going out and meeting people face to face, having friendships and going out socially and meeting people. That is far more important than sending out messages on Twitter or Facebook or whatever.

‘Perhaps it’s just me and I’m a bit old fashioned that way!’

Dawn told how the group enjoyed an artistic watercolours night at The Mill, St John’s with Ramsey artist Michael Starkey. ‘He’s a lovely guy and it was so refreshing. He taught us how to paint. He painted a picture on the night which I will auction for Manx Blind Welfare.’

Dawn said she believes in meeting people face to face. If anyone expresses an interest in joining Divine Diners she always arranges to meet them for an interview.

The group has members aged from their early 30s right up to about 70.

‘Within the group we have people from various professions.’

Dawn insists it is not a dating agency but if people want to meet up outside the group all well and good. And in fact some members have arranged to go on holiday together.

‘I’ve got a lot of professional people and people who work nine to five jobs and people who are new to the island and don’t know that many people.

‘We’ve had some couples dating within the group but that’s not what it is all about. It’s about finding friendships.

‘I would like to think that if we continue to get new members we will continue to grow and maybe I can think about expanding. Summer balls and things like that would be great.’

Dawn decided to form the group because she feels it is much needed in the island.

‘It’s great really, they are a wonderful bunch of people in the group.’

Dawn has a great deal of experience in event management – previously organising the opening night at The Island Film Studios, various weddings, balls, charity events, dinners, and fashion shows. She was also responsible for the Men of Mann and Women of Mann calendars.

Dawn says that it is often difficult for people to widen their social circle of friends after separation, divorce or the death of a partner or being new to the island. ‘Divine Diners helps to overcome the barriers and enjoy new found friendships or relationships,’ she said. Dawn’s son Ryan Cleator, 30, owns a company called IT Works and her daughter Rachel Cleator is a dietician based at Noble’s Hospital.

Anyone interested in finding out more about Divine Diners can contact Dawn through the new website or by email.

dining@manx.net