Thursday, April 25

• Gym time active play for pre-school children, Manx Gymnastics Centre, Glencrutchery Road, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 625636. Also Friday and Wednesday.

• Happy Tots, Main Hall, Willaston School, 9.45am, £1 per family including refreshments. Call 621577.

• Storytime for pre-schoolers, Henry Bloom Noble Library, Victoria Street, Douglas, 10am. Call 696461.

• Krafty Kids (pre-school age) Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10am.

• Action Songs and Rhymes, birth-5 years. Ballasalla Primary School. Plus many other sessions across the island. Free but donations welcome. Call Jo on 479452.

• Arbory Tots, from birth, Parish Hall, Ballabeg, 2pm. Cost £1 per family. Call 832394.

• Toddler Tunes, Community Room, Michael School, 2pm. Call 878090.

• 2nd Onchan Beavers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 5pm.

• St. John Ambulance Cadets (10+), 6.30pm-8pm, Douglas Headquarters. Badgers (5+), 5.30pm-6.30pm, Peel Age Concern. Adults meetings, Thursday, Monday and Tuesday, Douglas Headquarters. Friday, Ramsey, St Olaves Church Hall. For all other times and venues call 674387.

• Santon Beavers, Kewaigue School, 5pm. Also Cubs at 6.30pm. Call 623244.

• Good News Club for primary school children, Living Hope Community Church, Bayview Road, Port St Mary, 6pm. Email weirfamily55@hotmail.co.uk

• The Children’s Centre Parent Support Group, informal chat with family support workers, at Douglas Family Centre, Woodbourne Road, 7-9pm.

• Army Cadets, Scout Hall, Peel, 7pm. Also Tuesday.

• Onchan District Explorers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 7.30pm.

Friday, April 26

• Baby and Toddler Group, 9.30am-11.30am at Glen Maye Community Centre. No charge but donations welcome. Call 845681.

• Tiddlers, parents and tots, Elim Church, Second Avenue, Onchan, 10am. Call 434933.

• Parents and tots, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10am.

• Parent and toddler group, Ballasalla Primary School, 1.45pm.

• Theatrix Theatre Company Musical Theatre, Douglas, Saturday 12-2.30pm for ages 8-12. Also Saturday, Babies Irish/mod, 9am. Prep Ballet/Tap, 10am, Babies Ballet/Tap, 11am. Musical Theatre, ages 5-8. Monday, Senior Ballet, 4pm, Senior Tap, 5pm, Senior Jazz, 5.45pm Adult Irish, 6.30pm. Tuesday, Community Ballet/Tap, 4pm. Beginners Irish, 4.45pm. Junior Irish, 5.30pm. Adult Tap, 6.15pm. Wednesday, Grade 2 Ballet/Tap, 4pm. Novice Irish, 5.30pm. Adult Ballet, 6.15pm.

• Mums and Tots, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 10am-noon. Call 479839.

• Storybox, Family Library, Westmoreland Road, Douglas, 10.30am-11am. Also Saturday, Sticky Fingers craft, 10.30am-noon; Alternate Wednesday, Busy Bee Time for pre-schoolers, 1.45pm-2.45. Tuesday, Sing and Sign with Nickie Gaskell, 11am-noon. Call 673123 or visit www.familylibrary.co.uk

• Parents and Tots, upper room, Sulby Methodist Church, 10.30am. Call 897364. Also 3.45pm Sparks after school club with themed activities.

• Onchan carers and tots, Parish Hall, Onchan, 1.15pm. Call 625328.

• Tiny Tunes, music time for 0-3s, Family Library, Westmoreland Road, Douglas, 1.30pm, £2.50. Call 673123.

Sunday, April 28

• Sunday School, Sulby Methodist Church, 10.30am. Also youth group for school years 7+, 7pm. Call 450104. TERM TIME ONLY.

• Task and DFC children’s club, Abbey Church, Ballasalla, 10.45am.

Monday, April 29

• Kittens tots and carers group, St Ninian’s Church, Douglas, 10.30am. £1 per family. Call 629683.

• Parents and tots, Dhoon Church Hall, 9.30am. Call 426395.

• Parents and tots, St Olave’s Church, Ramsey, 1pm.

• Tots play at Northern Lights Community Centre, Ramsey, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Also Tots craft and play on Wednesday, £1.

• Noah’s Ark Tots Group, Church on the Rock, behind Ramsey Bus Station, 9.30am. Call 223669.

• Breastfeeding Buddies drop in clinic, Village Walk Health Centre, Onchan, 10.30am. Call 656030.

• Daniel’s Den, Methodist Church, Arbory Street, Castletown, 10am. Admission £1. Call 822374.

• Roll’n’Play for preschoolers, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10.30am.

• Peel Toddler Group, Corrin Hall, Peel, 1.30pm.

• Michael Miniatures’ parents and tots, Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 2pm. £1.50 per family. Call 491592.

• Onchan Rainbows, 5.30pm. Also 1st Onchan Brownies, 6.30pm.

• Brownies, Corrin Hall, Peel, 6.30pm.

• Manannan Cubs, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 7pm.

• Do Drop Inn Drama Club, children aged 10+, St Paul’s Hall, Ramsey, 7pm.

Tuesday, April 30

• Parents and tots, Auldyn Infants School Community Room, Ramsey, 9.15am-11.15am.

• Parents and tots group, Cronk-y-Berry School side entrance, 9.30am. Admission £1. Call 469756. Also Thursday, 1.30pm.

• Toddle Inn, mums and tots group, Port St Mary Baptist Church, 9.30am. Call 835091.

• Super Saints, All Saints Church Vestry, Alexandra Drive, Douglas, 10am-11.15am. Call Kristene on 427185.

• Laxey mums and tots, Laxey Pavilion, 1pm. Call 438408.

• Foxdale mums and tots, community hall, Foxdale School, 2pm. Call 420234.

• Storytime for Toddlers - stories, rhymes and colouring at Onchan Library 2.30 p.m. Tel: 621228.

• Abbey Acorns, ages 4+ at the Abbey Church, Ballasalla, 3.30pm.

• Peel Footlights Youth Theatre, children aged eight-16, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 4pm. Also Thursday. Call 843819.

• 2nd Onchan Beavers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 5pm.

Wednesday, May 1

• Parents and tots, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 627742.

• Mini Club for parents or carers and their babies, toddlers and pre-school children at Anagh Coar School, 9.30am or Braddan Church Hall, 2pm. Call 675091.

• Ballabeg Busy Bugs for under fives, Arbory Parish Hall, Ballabeg, 10am. Call 429676 or emailBusyBugs2009@manx.net

• Mums and tots, Marown Hall, Peel Road, Crosby, 10.15am. £1.50 per family.

• Parent and toddler group, Castletown Youth Centre, Arbory Street, 2pm.

• Busy Bees parents and tots, Beehive Kindergarten, Onchan, 1.30pm. Also Thursday. Call 674655.

• Ballaquayle Bears Toddler Group, Ballaquayle School Hall, 1.45-3pm.

• Homework Club for year 7s, Youth Centre, Arbory Street, Castletown, 4pm. Call 822490. ONLY

• Snaefell Cubs, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 7pm.

Thursday, April 25

• Tea dance, South Douglas Old Friends Association, Finch Road, Douglas, 2pm.

• Dance classes for children, Centenary Centre, Peel, 4pm. Call 450688.

• Modern Line Dance classes for all levels at The Legion Hall, Onchan. Also Monday and Wednesday. Call Michael on 670308.

• Strictly Come Dancing for beginners, Royal British Legion, Port Erin, 8pm. £3.50 per person.

• Irish set dancing above Macbeth’s, Victoria Street, Douglas, 8pm. Call David on 457268.

Friday, April 26

• Modern Dance, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 5.45pm. Also Thursday at 4.30pm.

• Tap Jnr, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 6.45pm. Also Tap Adv at 7.30pm. Also Beginners Tap, Tuesday at 4.30pm.

• Argentinian Tango beginners class, St Paul’s Hall, Ramsey, 7pm. Call 880650 or 324110.

• Line Dancing, Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 7pm. Beginners welcome, adults £3.50, children £1.50. Call 878687.

Saturday, April 27

• Dance Time for children, Port Erin Methodist Hall, from 9.30am. £2.50 per half hour. Call 835696.

• Ballroom dancing for children of all ages, Royal British Legion Hall, Port Erin, 10am.

• Zumba for Fun in Jurby Parish Hall, 11am.

• Irish Dance Mixed, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 3pm. Also Prim/Int on Monday at 4.30pm and Tuesday at 6.15pm. Beginners on Tuesday at 5.15pm.

• Stage Snr, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 4pm. Also Stage Int at 5pm.

• Sequence dancing, Onchan Methodist Church Hall, 8pm. Call 829669.

• Social sequence dancing, Pulrose Methodist Church hall, Douglas, 8pm. Also Monday, Wednesday and Sunday. Call 842878.

Friday, April 26

• Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters, Peel Centenary Centre, 7.30pm. Also Saturday.

Thursday, April 25

• Karaoke, Guys and Dolls, Douglas.

• Soundcheck, Youth Arts Centre, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also Saturday and Wednesday.

• Ramsey Folk Club at The George Hotel, Ramsey, 8pm.

• Karaoke with Ray Sloane at The Saddle Inn, Douglas.

• Guitar Lessons at The Meeting Room, Archibald Knox, Onchan, 5-45-6.45pm.

• Alternative Havana, Fiesta Havana, Douglas. Also, Friday - Full On Fridays.

Friday, April 26

• DJ Tim Second Venue, 21 Victoria Street,Douglas, 8pm. Also Saturday.

• Blues Night at The Pavillion, Port St Mary. 8pm. Food available. Call 834932 for details.

• Karaoke, The Albert, Douglas, 9pm.

• Thai Night, authentic food and music, The Railway, Douglas, 6pm. Also Wednesday.

• Manx Music session, Tynwald Inn, St John’s, 8.30pm.

• Irish Traditional Music session, The Mitre, Ramsey, 9pm.

• Kiaull as Gaelg, The Albert, Port St Mary, 9pm.

• Little Miss Dynamite at The Creek, Peel

• 3 Million, Bushys Bay Hotel, Port Erin, 9.30pm.

• A ‘90s Night featuring Tom Hingley plus DJ at The British Embassy, (British Hotel). Douglas.

Saturday, April 27

• Manx Music session, The White House, Peel, 10pm.

• Karaoke with Dobbo at the Decks, Liverpool Arms, Baldrine.

• Karaoke at the Central Hotel, Ramsey.

• Little Miss Dynamite at The Britannia, Ramsey.

• Loose Crew at Bar Logo, Ramsey.

Sunday, April 28

• Music Box with David Castro and Stephanie Chatterley at Guys and Dolls, Douglas.

• Karaoke at The British, Douglas.

• Karaoke, The Crescent, Queen’s Promenade, Douglas, 8pm.

• One Wo/Man One Guitar at The Mitre, Ramsey. Singaround. 8.00 pm.

Tuesday, April 30

• Acoustic Sing-a-Round, The Manor, Willaston, 8.30pm.

• Rock Choir, Youth Arts Centre, Kensington Road, Douglas, 6pm.

Wednesday, May 1

• Karaoke at The British, Douglas.

FIFTEEN jobs are to be lost at the HSBC bank’s offshore operations in the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.

The banking giant announced on Wednesday that it making a further round of redundancies as a part of a three-year cost cutting exercise.

A total of 3,166 positions across the British Isles will be affected but HSBC said just over 2,000 would be redeployed, resulting in 1,149 job losses.

A statement from HSBC Bank International Ltd said the impact in the Crown Dependencies would be ‘relatively modest’. It said: ‘HSBC Channel Islands and Isle of Man will see a relatively modest impact from the announcement made by HSBC in the UK, with a net reduction of 15 roles across the islands.’

The news comes a year after 2,200 UK jobs were axed by the bank, which employs just over 47,000 staff in the British Isles.

These latest cuts will mainly come from HSBC’s wealth management division, as it moves advisors to its consumer retail banking business in June.

Group chief executive Stuart Gulliver has overseen the loss of 34,500 jobs globally – 12 per cent of the workforce – since 2011.

The Unite union in the UK has branded the bank’s behaviour ‘a disgrace’ - and said its members would be balloted over possible strike action.

Spokesman Dominic Hook said: ‘HSBC is making staff suffer in the search for ever greater profits. After making proposals to slash pensions, holidays and sick pay, the bank is now slashing even more jobs. Staff are at the end of their tether and we will be asking them if they are prepared to take part in a strike ballot to oppose this unprecedented attack by this very profitable bank.’

HSBC’s chief executive Brian Robertson said: ‘I understand change is always unsettling. We are doing everything possible to offer impacted employees opportunities from the many newly created roles.”

TWO Isle of Man business partners have launched a new ‘pre-paid’ card which they say will be of enormous benefit to corprate service providers in the island

Nick Edwards and David Robbins, directors of Global Holdings International think they are on to a winner with the cards designed specifically for the island.

They say they have already started issuing cards and have a ‘raft of meetings’ already lined up with corporate service providers here.

The cards are useful for clients of csps such as yacht crews and hauliers who need handy cash while travelling abroad.

They can also help with payroll problems.

Nick said: ‘We live in the Isle of Man and historically we have always done our business off the island dealing with professional intermediaries and jurisdictions across the world promoting investment products and financial services to them which they then take to their clients.

‘During the course of last year we had meetings with some local corporate service providers in the island just to try and find out a bit more about what they do and the sorts of services they offer to their clients. A common theme during the discussions was the fact that they had used pre-paid cards previously and for whatever reasons they were not happy with them.

‘So we started drilling down a bit deeper to find out what they were looking for, ie their perfect pre-paid card, and did some research and then we went away and looked for a pre-paid card provider who would offer the sort of facility that they were looking for.

‘We had various discussions with card providers. We wanted a full solution.’

Late last year the two men had in depth discussions with a UK card provider and have now launched a card specific to the Isle of Man.

Mr Robbins said: ‘We wanted to create a corporate card.

‘It can be used for just about anything.’

He said it can work for salary oayments. For instance the crew of a yacht or cruise liner could be paid through the cards rather than individual bank transfers.

‘If you take on four new crew workers and they are transient workers who find it difficult to get a bank account. You can give them a pre-paid card which will help enormusly.’

Air line pilots and hauliers who go across Europe and need expenses for fuel and accommodation could also benefit.

And the client companies could always keep well on track with the movement of their money.

Mr Edwards and Mr Robbins added that companies could also benefit from the prestioge of having their pre-paid cards branded with the company name alongside that of Mastercard.

‘You could use it for things like huge international life companies who make international payments to clients’, said Mr Robbins.

‘You could put together a programme for an international life company so they could offer it it to their clients as a value added benefit.

‘Instead of waiting three days for a transfer to arrive in their bank account along with a recipents fee. With a prepaid card what you send is what you get and it’s there in seconds.’

‘You don’t have to wait three days.

Mr Edwards added: ‘Previously the standard load limit was set at around £5,000 which from our investigations and research was clearly not enough. The cards we now offer have a maximum load limit of £15,000 sterling , £15,000 euro or 15,000 dollars.’

Asked about security the partners said the cards have the company name on them and not individuals. So people working abroad in sensitive areas would not be identified if a card fell into the wrong hands.

Mr Edwards and Mr Robbins said there had been a ‘stackloadof interest’ in the island from corporate service providers.

Mr Edwards said: ‘We have meetings with people and we have had orders for cards from corporate service providers who have discussed it with clients and they want them.

‘It’s corporate service providers as the agreement with the card issuer is that that they will be issued on a KYB (Know Your Business) basis and that they are licensed (businesses) in the Isle of Man.

‘We wanted a progranme specific to the Isle of Man and the card issuer takes comfort from the robust regulatory standards in place here.’

Global Holdings International has been trading for about 12 years internationally in the world of investments and financial services and both directors say they are very excited about the launch of the pre-paid cards.

Mr Robbins told Business News: ‘Corporate service providers here are forging ahead with business across the world and to place such as China and Russia and money is flowing here. We said to ourselves that a simple facility like this (corporate pre-paid cards) can add a huge value to a corporate service group.’

Asked what they get out of the deal the business partners said they charge a ‘token administration charge.’

At present they are focusing on the Isle of Man but in the future they may expand to launching other corporate cards for other jurisdictions.

If people are interteted they can contact info@globalholdings-int.com

The website is www.globalholdings-int.com

The next TravelWatch supporters’ meeting will take place in the main meeting room at the Corrin Hall in Peel on Saturday, May 4, starting at 10am. This is in the grounds of the cathedral on Derby Road. All are welcome and admission is free.

The pressure group says that after the success of a meeting in Ramsey last year it has decided to try to organise meetings outside Douglas from time to time and this will be its first in the west of the island.

The meetings are relatively informal, without external speakers, which offers an opportunity for the discussion of passenger issues.

Plans are being made to organise a massive all-island ‘Big One TT Tidy Up’ just before the TT Festival, so that the Isle of Man can look at its best before the visitors arrive.

Voluntary group Beach Buddies has extended an invitation to everyone in the Isle of Man to get involved in cleaning not just the beaches, but also our glens and footpaths – and even the roads close to people’s homes.

The intention is to hold a series of ‘Big One TT Tidy Up’ sessions for a week-long campaign in the middle of May. Everyone is invited to get involved. Beach Buddies will organise a schedule for evening and weekend events all across the island.

If you are interested, contact {mailto:beachbuddies@manx.net|beachbuddies@manx.net}

Alcohol misuse in the Isle of Man is being tackled by Public Health through the distribution of leaflets encouraging sensible drinking.

‘Enjoy a drink: know your limits’ has details about recommended alcohol consumption, health risks and safety advice, and a guide to the number of units in drinks.

Some 15,000 leaflets, sponsored by Crimestoppers, have been produced by Public Health in conjunction with Offwatch, which represents the local off-licence trade.

They will be available across the island, including all off-licence premises.

Consultant in public health Dr Paul Emerson said alcohol misuse was a ‘significant public health problem’ in the island: ‘It can cause physical and mental health problems for individuals and their families, and also affects workplace productivity.

‘In addition, misuse is associated with criminal and dangerous behaviour such as drink-driving.’

Crimestoppers Isle of Man chairman Stuart McCudden said: ‘Whilst Crimestoppers is primarily focused on the anonymous reporting of crime we feel it is important to assist in educating the community as to the causes of crime.’

Department of Home Affairs member with responsibility for the Drug and Alcohol Strategy, Peter Karran MHK, encouraged people to read the leaflet: ‘Misuse of alcohol can have a devastating impact on families and place an additional burden on our emergency services.’

Peel Road works are ‘progressing very well’, says highways director Richard Pearson.

Strengthening Pulrose Road railway bridge and improving the junction is continuing well, with the road partly re-opening to traffic on Monday.

On May 1 work starts on the west-bound carriageway on sections either side of the junction. This will continue through TT with two- way access maintained.

From June 10, work will expand, with outbound traffic diverted via Pulrose Road.

Environmental health officers are investigating cases of two infectious diseases linked with lambing.

Over the past month, officers from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s environment directorate have been investigating cases of Cryptosporidium and Campylobacter infections.

Both are connected to farms across the island and are thought to be associated with handling livestock while lambing.

Food safety manager Ivan Bratty said: ‘These recent cases serve as a timely reminder of the importance of thorough hand washing after handling livestock and before preparing or handling food to prevent infection and the spread of disease in the community.

‘It is also important for anyone suffering from diarrhoea to avoid swimming pools as Cryptosporidium can survive in chlorinated water.’

Both organisms are associated with the digestive tract of humans and animals and can be spread by direct or indirect contact with faeces or by drinking water contaminated with faeces.

Infection typically causes diarrhoea with nausea and vomiting also associated with Camplyobacter infections.

A training day for people working on the front line with young people has been hailed a success by organisers and participants.

Closer Links was organised by the Department of Education and Children’s Youth Service and held at Isle of Man College’s Nunnery Campus in Douglas.

It was attended by 54 people from a range of organisations.

The aim was to enable them to make links with other agencies and open up more opportunities for young people to access positive activities.

Principal youth officer Ken Callister said the event was successful, explaining: ‘Our objective was to encourage the building of closer links between all those who work with young people. We all share a common purpose, to make the Isle of Man a good and a safe place for our young people to grow up.

‘Getting people together to share their experiences and explore the ways in which they could make things even better is a very worthwhile investment.’

Mr Callister said 72 per cent of young people aged 11-19 were involved in positive activities. Research shows young people engaged in activities outside school do better when it comes to exams and getting jobs.

He said: ‘The people attending this conference are making an important contribution to the quality of life we enjoy. They are helping our children achieve in school, raising young people’s aspirations and giving them the opportunity to engage with and contribute to our community.

‘This makes our island a better place for us all to be and makes it an attractive place to come and set up a business.’

Organisations and groups represented included the Isle of Man Youth Service, Scouts, Guides, Crossroads Caring for Carers, The Children’s Centre, volunteers in schools, police, Rushen Silver Band, church youth groups, and Cadets.

Young people from the Soundcheck music project provided high quality lunchtime entertainment, and had the opportunity to explain what their project was about. Young people from the LGBT group helped deliver some sessions.

Attendees described the event as informative and really worthwhile, with one saying it was a good ‘opportunity to network and catch up with colleagues/partners’.

The Southern Neighbourhood Policing Team are holding a series of coffee mornings across the south during spring.

Residents will have an opportunity to meet local officers and discuss informally any issues of concern or simply get to know their officers and build links within the community.

The first coffee morning will take place on Thursday (May 2), at the Cherry Orchard Hotel (Chequers), Port Erin, from 10am through till to midday.

Also present will be newly-appointed inspector Jed Bibby and Sergeant Gary Heaton along with several other local officers. Coffee and tea will be provided at £1 per person.

For more information contact Port Erin police station on 832222.

Thursday, April 25

Warehouse Fitness Women’s League

Gymns 7-5 Dhsob

Kirby Estates Cowell Cup

Group One

Rushen 1-0 Ayre

Laxey 13-1 Onchan

Ramsey 0-4 Corinthians

Group Two

St Mary’s 11-0 Douglas and District

Rycob 10-1 Ronaldsway

Union Mills 4-3 Braddan

Colby 3-1 St George’s

Paragon Valkyrs A will be hoping to defend the Wi-Manx Men’s Cup when they meet IOMA Group Bacchas A in the final at the NSC on Saturday afternoon.

Will Margot’s Valkyrs side lost out to Bacchas in the league title last weekend and will be determined to make amends here as they look to end the season with silverware.

Opponents Bacchas can complete a league and cup double if they triumph. The two sides scored 20 goals between them in their semi-finals so hopefully this will be a higher scoring match than last week’s goalless draw.

Wi-Manx Men’s Plate Final

CM Skye Ramsey B meet IOMA Group Bacchas Colts in the final of the Wi-Manx Men’s Plate also at the NSC.

Tom Howard’s Ramsey side have faltered in recent weeks which has seen their league title hopes end so they will be aiming to end their season on a high with victory here.

Opponents Bacchas still have the hopes of a league crown firmly within their grasp and will be keen to keep their double hopes alive.

The league fixtures between the two sides resulted in a win and a draw each so this once again promises to be a close game.

Wi-Manx Women’s Cup Final

Manx Telecom Vikings A will be aiming to complete a league and cup double when they meet Paragon Valkyrs A in the final of the Wi-Manx Women’s Cup.

Kim Carney’s Vikings side have a 100 per cent record so far this season and will be keen to maintain that with a another win. Having defeated their opponents twice already they will be confident of lifting the silverware.

Opponents Valkyrs will be determined to claim the cup having missed out on the league runners-up spot last weekend. If they are to do this, though, Leanne Miller’s Valkyrs side will have to do what no other Manx side has done and defeat Vikings.

Wi-Manx Women’s Plate Final

The final of the Wi-Manx Women’s Plate see’s CM Skye Ramsey B meet Manx Telecom Vikings B. Jessica Tarpey’s Vikings side enter the game on the back of a six-match winning run which they will be keen to extend with victory here. Opponents Ramsey will be aiming to end a good season by claiming the silverware.

The league fixture between the two sides ended in a draw so they will be both be hoping to improve this time around and claim victory.

Wi-Manx Men’s Division One

HQ Harlequins A meet Fearless Saracens A at Castle Rushen on Saturday morning hoping for victory which will see them remain in title contention.

Matt Shanahan’s Harlequins side will know that victory here will see the league title enter a final weekend showdown while defeat will all but hand the title to Bacchas Colts.

While Harlequin’s will be going all out for victory they will need to be wary of a Saracens side who have already defeated them once this season and themselves have an eye on the league runners-up spot.

Wi-Manx Men’s Cup Final

IOMA Group Bacchas A v Paragon Valkyrs A

Gary Corkhill Jonathan Hull NSC 2.05pm

Wi-Manx Men’s Plate Final

CM Skye Ramsey B v IOMA Group Bacchas Colts

Vic Ferns James Russell NSC 3.35pm

WI-Manx Women’s Cup Final

Paragon Valkyrs A v Manx Telecom Vikings A

Ian Duggua Colin Kniveton NSC 12.35pm

WI-Manx Women’s Plate Final

CM Skye Ramsey B v Manx Telecom Vikings B

James Harrison Fran Tinkler NSC 11.05am

WI-Manx Men’s Division One

HQ Harlequins v Fearless Saracens

Jonathan Hull David Quayle CRHS 11.05am

Sure-sponsored Vagabonds travel off island this Saturday for a rearranged South Lancashire and Division Two fixture that has to be played because of opponents’ Marple’s involvement in the end-of-season relegation battle.

Vagabonds will be travelling looking to gain the win that would confirm the Manx side’s third-place finish in the league. The Greater Manchester outfit have always been tricky to defeat on their home patch and will no doubt prove a stern test this weekend.

After Vagas’ big home win over Oldershaw on Saturday, skipper Mark Howarth will be hoping the same XV are available for this weekend’s clash.

If another impressive away performance from the Manx side can be achieved then they should return home with the four points firmly in the bag

The Manx cricket season gets underway this Saturday and introduces some big changes from last year.

The weekend Standard Bank T40 Premiership sees clubs now playing each other three times and the top four teams in the table at the end of the season will meet in the League Cup. Included in the Premiership fixtures is one game for each club against an Island Development XI, a side picked from the most promising juniors in the island.

It is not going to be an official member of the league and results of matches played against them will not count for points in the table. However, this is a great opportunity to give juniors tough opposition and so aid their progress.

The Tinker Cup is now to be played on Saturdays with the Standard Bank T20 Cain League moving to Tuesday evenings. There are two President’s Day events this season. The 2012 event was rained off and now goes ahead on Sunday, May 5 at Mullen-e-Cloie.

The 2013 President’s Day is scheduled for Sunday, August 4 at Tromode. This is to involve the top four sides at the end of the 2013 Cain League.

Last season Ramsey won the Standard Bank Premiership and they start the defence of their title on Saturday with a home fixture against Castletown. Skipper Ollie Webster has returned from his world tour and leads out a strong all-round side. The batting looks good with Webster coming in at number three after the opening pair of Eddie Cleator and Marc Pons-Burt. The arrival of Chris Wade from Grasshoppers should boost their strength.

The bad news on the bowling front is that Chris McConnell is likely to miss the opening weeks with a hand injury. A lot will be asked of Jamie Moffatt who took 29 wickets last year and the ever-reliable Brian Arnold could face a great deal of hard work.

Castletown should improve on 2012 when they won only two Karran matches. The fiery bowling of Garreth Roome will be key to the attack while Seb Aycock could be a match winner.

Cronkbourne are on course to make a strong bid for the title. In 2012 they were runners-up and missed the number one slot only on run rate. Steve Slack is back full-time and the club’s prospects have been increased by the signing of Jaco Jansen from St John’s. The promising junior players are now one year older and most have been training hard during the winter. This could be a huge year for the Tromode club. Their first fixture is against Valkyres who have lost some of their top players who have left the island. Batting star Shahzeb Raja has gone, but there are plenty of new faces in the line-up and word is some are more than useful. One team to watch out for is the new Peel and St John’s side. The combination of the two leading squads from the west should produce a powerful XI. The batting appears very strong and the bowling could be lethal. They have their first game at home against Crosby. The Marown side this year will be led by Danny Kniveton and may be a difficult to beat. They are just back from a pre-season tour of Holland where they won both matches, Jack Rowlands hit 50 against Amsterdam and Kevin Kniveton made 44. The evening leagues start shortly and it will be interesting to see how Finch Hill fares in Forrester Division One. Their first XI were promoted from Forrester Two and some supporters claim the team is capable of winning this league as well. Skipper Ben Bennett has a well-balanced XI which includes the impressive Marc Furness.However, there is very strong opposition from Ronaldsway and Union Mills.

The Millers took the Blincoe Cup last year and on their day can beat any team in the division. Crosby B hold the title, but will be under big pressure to retain it.

CRICKET FIXTURES DIARY

Saturday, April 27

Standard Bank Premiership (1pm)

Peel and St John’s v Nedbank Private Wealth Crosby

Ramsey v Celton Manx Castletown

Baker Tilley IoM Cronkbourne v Valkyres

---------

Sunday, April 28

Under-17 League (10am)

Ramsey v Colas Finch Hill

Under-14 League (10am)

Cronkbourne v Castletown

It’s the biggest game in the domestic rugby calendar, it’s at Mooragh Park, Ramsey and it kicks off this Saturday at 3.30pm.

I’m talking of course about rugby’s Manx Cup Final and this year Ramsey make a rare appearance in it, playing the holders and overwhelming pre-match favourites Douglas. Hosting of the cup final is rotated between Ramsey, Douglas and Vagabonds and, by good fortune, Ramsey happened to be down to host the game this year when they qualified for what is only their fifth final.

The two sides have had somewhat contrasting seasons in South Lancashire/Cheshire Division Two. Douglas have earned themselves promotion after losing just three from 24 matches. Ramsey on the other hand only confirmed they had avoided relegation last Saturday. Both sides, however, have two unplayed matches because of weather problems and it is likely that these will now remain unplayed as they have no effect on promotion or relegation. Ramsey of course suffered the ignominy of a five-point deduction for a paperwork infringement and could have finished higher than their current ninth-place in the table.

Douglas have appeared in countless Manx Cup finals and are multiple winners. Ramsey’s only success came against Douglas in the 2001 final. Therefore on paper Douglas have the pedigree and the current form.

The Port-e-Chee outfit’s strength this season has been an impressive balance between forward power and backline finesse. The second row pairing of Glyn Hooson-Owen and Daryn Thompson has helped stabilise what was a potential weakness and up front Rob Todd and Ben Pote have developed into two very competent props. At their last visit to Ramsey, after trailing 11-10 at half-time, Douglas reverted to a forward game and blitzed Ramsey in the second half to run out 42-11 winners. Outside the pack though Douglas are more than capable. Skipper Scott Goodall is a steady pair of hands irrespective of his position, Bryn Snellgrove is the most creative attacker in Manx rugby and Callum Carine on the wing is a proven try scorer. The Douglas team bristle with threat in more or less every position.

Ramsey have had a difficult season. Injury has robbed them of some of their bigger players for much of the season and they will be without Tynan Pritchard and Max Singer for the final.

Isle of Man Commonwealth Games sevens players Mark Oldfield and Dan Bonwick will be providing much of the pace this week, with Lance Wyllie probably the danger man for tries depending on whether he starts at back row, scrum-half or centre. Last year’s top try scorer Ali Trace will be returning from his studies for this game and his inclusion at wing or centre will be a boost.

A big crowd is expected at the Mooragh for this game and anyone travelling from the capital should allow additional time for their journey because of the Mountain Road closure for the Manx Classic Hill Climb.

The undercard for the Manx Cup final should have included a third and fourth place play-off between Vagabonds and Southern Nomads.

Frustratingly for Nomads, however, Vagabonds have been instructed to play a postponed league match against Marple which may affect the latter’s relegation.

Accordingly, the Ballafletcher side have had to pull out of the game leaving Nomads without a match yet again.

The southerners’ coach Casey Davies has had other ideas, however, and he has arranged an Isle of Man Barbarians side to play Nomads as they try to build up for Shimmin Wilson Manx Trophy games next week and potentially the week after too. This curtain raiser kicks off at 1.30pm

Saturday’s Fixtures

South Lancs/Cheshire

Division Two

Marple v Vagabonds

@ Marple

Manx Cup Final

Ramsey v Douglas

@ Mooragh Park

kick off 3.30pm

Friendly

PDMS Southern Nomads v IoM Barbarians

@ Mooragh Park

kick off 1.30pm

The Isle of Man Government hopes that its website will be back online later today.

A government spokesman said gov.im had been subject to ‘a malicious distributed denial of service attack from as yet unknown sources’.

Services are now in the process of being restored.

The site as taken offline as ‘a precautionary measure’.