The latest Isle of Man Newspapers’ Team of the Week goes all van Gaal with the latest line-up, adopting the Dutchman’s much-discussed three at the back system.

It’s probably no surprise that only three defenders caught the attention of the watching player ratings panel with just one clean sheet being kept in Saturday’s five Premier League games.

It was the Old Boys side who beat Corinthians 2-0 at Ballafletcher that managed that feat, DHSOB keeper Danny Mead claiming the TotW’s coveted number one jersey after a solid all-round performance against the Whites.

Edging out Mead’s Blackberry Lane team-mates Iain Ramsay and Nick Bass for a spot in the back three are Nick Leung (St John’s), Callum McMurdo (St Mary’s) and Ryan Williamson (Ramsey).

Leung was Man of the Match as the Saints ended Ayre’s 100 per cent start to the season with a 2-1 win in Andreas, while 19-year-old McMurdo was one of St Mary’s star turns as they ground out a 2-1 win over Gymns at Tromode.

Williamson helped Ramsey continue their fine start to the campaign with an emphatic 5-1 win over Michael at Ballacloan.

Williamson’s former Laxey team-mates Fraser Vaughan and talented teen Mattie Rennie slot into the TotW’s five-man midfield after impressing as the Miners beat Union Mills 5-2 to pick up their second win of the season.

Vaughan netted a goal for the Glen Road outfit, while English junior boxing international Rennie struck twice as his maiden campaign with the first team continues.

Marc Priestnal also troubled the scorers on Saturday, hitting one of St Mary’s two goals in the Bowl outfit’s narrow 2-1 win at battling Gymns.

Douglas High School Old Boys’s Sean Gavin also helped his side to a good three points at Corinthians, laying on the first goal for Callum Stewart as John Ward’s team moved up to second in the top-flight standings with a 2-0 victory.

Completing the five-man midfield is Ramsey’s Tony Corlett who was in good form as the northerners notched up a third win in four games.

Up front, Corlett’s club-mate Michael Fernandes netted two goals in the aforementioned victory over Michael, taking his tally to five goals for the season.

Joining the former Laxey man in the attacking third for the hypothetical XI is St John’s forward Ste Glover who helped his side to a second win of the campaign.

Refereeing honours go to Stuart Kneen after a fine game in the middle as Ayre met St John’s.

Team of the Week 13/09/14

Goalkeeper

Danny Mead (DHSOB) TotW apps this season: 1

Defence

Nick Leung (St John’s) TotW apps: 2

Callum McMurdo (St Mary’s) TotW apps: 1

Ryan Williamson (Ramsey) TotW apps: 1

Midfield

Marc Priestnal (St Mary’s) TotW apps: 1

Fraser Vaughan (Laxey) TotW apps: 1

Mattie Rennie (Laxey) TotW apps: 1

Tony Corlett (Ramsey) TotW apps: 1

Sean Gavin (DHSOB) TotW apps: 1

Attack

Michael Fernandes (Ramsey) TotW apps: 1

Stephen Glover (St John’s) TotW apps: 1

Referee

Stuart Kneen (Ayre v St John’s) RotW apps: 1

Thirty competitors are set to take part in this year’s Isle of Man Adventure Race on Saturday.

Competitors take part as indivduals or in pairs and the action starts at 10am in Peel.

Organised and run by Adventurous Experiences, the race is a real endurance challenge involving sea kayaking, mountain biking, hill running and ‘mystery challenges’ – which a spokesman said ‘might involve them getting wet’.

The Isle of Man Adventure Race route runs through natural features along the Manx coastline and involves using various forms of human powered transport – and the fastest team with the most points (gained from reaching control points) within the rules, wins.

It’s expected competitors – who are only briefed on the route on Friday evening – will complete the course in four to six hours.

There will be a barbecue and social following the prize presentation for all competitors, marshals and sponsors.

Adventurous Experiences race organiser and official sponsor for 2014, Keirron Tastagh, said: ‘The organisational team have worked very hard to establish a real adventure in the form of a competitive race for those who want to challenge themselves, have fun and get a little dirty.’

‘Launched in 2010 to promote the Isle of Man as a world class adventure playground, and a great place to challenge yourself in a variety of outdoor activities, the Isle of Man Adventure Race is now consistently attracting competitors from the UK, and gaining popularity with locals as well,’ added John Keggin, co race organiser.

This year’s Isle of Man Adventure Race is the fifth annual race.

Last year the Elite category was won by Hardly Athletic, comprising locals Stephen Caley and Stephen Quirk, who completed a 6km kayak, a mystery challenge, 20km mountain bike ride, 11km run and an abseil at Fenella beach in four hours and 32 minutes.

Visiting four-man team Steve UK took victory in the Event category, which involved each team member completing two of the following: a 700m sea swim, 9km sea kayak, 15km mountain bike and a 10km run. And finished with one member completing a 25 metre rope climb.

Food and drink producers will be out in force this weekend promoting the bounty our island yields.

The Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival is on Saturday and Sunday in the Villa Marina Gardens, Douglas. There will be musical entertainment throughout and a bar selling beers from breweries around the island.

The Manx Cookery Theatre marquee will host demonstrations and a chance for young visitors to make bagels, plus two special events – a calzone pizza-making challenge on Saturday and on Sunday at 3pm it is the final of the I Love Manx Chef of the Year competition, with Darren Woods from 14North and The Abbey Restaurant’s Danny Johnson.

The Calzone Challenge sees local personalities Stuart Baggs (of BBC1’s The Apprentice fame) and Dot Tilbury (cycling coach and retired Isle of Man Philatelic Bureau manager) do battle to make the perfect folded pizza, or calzone.

In this contest – starting at 3pm Saturday in the Manx Cookery Theatre – the pair will aim to impress the audience with their own culinary materpiece, following initial guidance from The Italian Experience restaurant in Douglas.

But Stuart, who runs BlueWave Communications – and a ‘pizza eating fan’ – hasn’t high hopes for his cookery skills.

‘I’m not very good at making or doing,’ he said.

Dot too has been playing down her chances ahead of the challenge – and revealed she’s never made a pizza.

Stuart hinted he may have to resort to underhand tactics to get the edge:

‘I’ve just filmed an episode of Come Dine with Me, which will be on later this year. I didn’t give anyone food poisoning, which is better than I expected. If I’m going to beat Dot, I’ll need to cheat. My plan is to distract Dot with tales of cycling and hope she burns her pizza!’

Dot has previous experience in such cooking challenges, having been up against Steve Colley and Conor Cummins in previous years.

Anyone keen to taste the results of the Calzone Challenge might like to note that while Stuart likes a meaty topping, Dot loves all sorts of veg.

This year’s festival is set to be the biggest yet, with a host of Manx producers lined up to ply their wares and a programme of activities for families to enjoy.

Greeba Farm hope that festival-goers, especially children, will help chop a huge pile of their Manx mushrooms to make a big soup. Working with local project Graih it is intended to donate the soup to feed the homeless and those in insecure housing.

The challenge will mainly take place during Saturday, although the farm is looking at the possibility of extending this to include Sunday too.

Meanwhile, the Manx National Farmers’ Union is inviting people to bring their favourite recipes using Manx produce to a recipe swap shop at its tent.

Brian Brumby, president of the Manx NFU, said the recipe swap shop will provide a ‘unique opportunity’ to share favourite recipes and see how people are using Manx ingredients to create tasty meals. The recipes will be used to highlight the diversity of Manx produce in future publicity.

The IoM Food and Drink Festival is open 10am to 5pm each day, last admissions 4pm. Admission is £3 per adult, free for children under 16.

Peel Lifeboat Fundraising Committee is holding a mhelliah at the Whitehouse pub on Friday, September 26.

There will be an auction of produce and a raffle.

Donations for both would be appreciated.

These can be left at the Whitehouse on the day or collection can be arranged by contacting one of the following number.

Mrs Paddy Kelly on 476700, Mrs Margaret Kelly on 842731 , or Mrs Shirley Collin on 845708.

The trial of an island-based accountant came to an abrupt halt last week as the trial was reaching the end of its second week at Liverpool Crown Court.

Watkin Gittins, from Santon, and Martin Calcutt were charged in connection with an alleged £1m Gift Aid fraud.

They were charged with cheating the public revenue.

But last week the prosecution asked the judge to direct the jury to acquit both men after deciding to offer no further evidence against them.

A formal verdict of not guilty was entered by the jury and the case came to an end.

Mark Spragg of Keystone Law, representing Watkin Gittins, said: ‘The criminal investigation started in 2007 and involved high profile, simultaneous raids at Mr Gittins’ offices in the Isle of Man and in London in September 2010. This had the immediate effect of shutting down the tax advisory business of Montpelier Tax Consultants, and damaged the reputation and business of Montpelier Chartered Accountants, a top 50 UK firm with six offices.

‘Four different tax plans developed by Montpelier were attacked by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

‘Charges have been brought only in respect of one plan, involving a taxpayer making a gift of gilts to a charity with an option to a trust to buy those gilts for a nominal sum, achieving a legitimate tax saving for the taxpayer and producing a welcome fee for the charity. The plan was closed down by HMRC in July 2004 but before then a number of tax payers sought to take advantage of it, thereby saving the charity in question from complete financial failure. HMRC tried to argue that in relation to two only, out of a large number of taxpayers using the plan, Mr Gittins knew that the claim to tax relief was fraudulent, even though he had no part in the drafting or submission of the individual’s tax returns.

‘The jury’s verdict came after the evidence demonstrated that the taxpayers’ returns were, in fact, accurate – which was precisely the position as Mr Gittins had always understood it.

‘HMRC’s initial argument – that Mr Gittins knew the gift to be ineffective – had been disposed of at an earlier hearing where HMRC accepted that the law was as set out by those representing Mr Gittins and that the legal position was unequivocally that the gifts were lawful and effective.

‘These humiliating climb-downs by the CPS on behalf of HMRC end a long running, and ultimately futile investigation. The only consequence has been the closure of a legitimate tax planning business and the loss of the jobs of the ordinary individuals employed by it. On a number of occasions over the course of the investigation, and in substantial written representations, we have tried to point out to HMRC that it never had a case but HMRC officers failed to engage with us.

‘The Crown Prosecution Service also failed to engage, insisting on starting a case it could not win.

‘We are disappointed to note that the CPS began this case by distributing press releases, but has felt itself unable to submit itself to the same scrutiny after having had to ask the Judge not to leave anything to the jury. That is an unhappy stance for a public body to adopt.

‘Mr Gittins always knew that he was not guilty of anything. He cooperated fully throughout the investigation. He is saddened that he was made to go through this pointless ordeal and suffered the loss of a thriving business. He will now consider with his legal team what options are open to him to obtain recourse.’

The Manx Model Boat Club’s Venetian evening takes place at Onchan Park boating tomorrow (Saturday).

The boat entries will be appraised by chairperson Derek Crellin and two members of the Onchan Commissioners, first appeal while on static display for the Commissioners’ Shield.

Then, as dusk descends, the boats will be launched and all are again assessed for their lighting displays while afloat.

The winner will get the Lighthouse trophy.

There will also be a barbecue.

The evening starts at 6pm with the entrants getting ready for static judging, though some boats will be afloat due to their size.

The occasion is a rare opportunity to witness the model boats with navigation and other lighting on, as our normal competition times are during full daylight hours.

The event is free to watch.

Club members will always welcome any questions from interested observers relating to any vessel on display. Many came last year, and we hope many more will attend this year.

A meeting about disability and equality is to be held next week in Douglas.

It is being hosted by the Positive Action Group on Monday at the Manx Legion in Market Street.

Gareth Foulkes, the island’s champion for deaf people, and local advocate Paul Beckett from Old Court Chambers, who has studied human rights at Oxford, will share a platform to discuss the issue.

An Equality Bill covering discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, religion, race and sex is out for consultation at the moment and will be debated in Tynwald next year.

The public can take the opportunity to submit their comments on the proposed Bill before November 14.

The Positive Action Group says it is hoping to attract a wide variety of people to this meeting, including those who have experienced discrimination in their daily lives.

The meeting is open to everyone and doors will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

A cancer survivor from Australia has returned to the ‘magical’ Isle of Man to walk the Raad ny Foillan coastal footpath.

Mel MacArthur, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins’ lymphoma a decade ago but is now in remission, sees the footpath as a therapeutic and healing experience for others with cancer, and is planning to lead a group of other survivors around the Manx coastline next year.

The 68-year-old research student and wife Anne set off from Douglas last Wednesday and aim to complete the 95 mile coastal footpath on Friday this week.

Mel, of Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains national park in New South Wales, said: ‘I first visited the island two years ago and fell in love with the place. It’s magical. I walked a portion of the Way of the Gull and came back the following year and did the whole thing. It offered a tremendous amount to me as a cancer survivor.

‘What I want to do is bring across other survivors such as myself and take them on walks around the island. We can share our experiences and encourage one another.’

After being diagnosed with lymphoma in 2004, Mel endured six cycles of chemotherapy and was in remission for about five years until the cancer returned in 2010 and he underwent a bone marrow transplant. ‘I’ve been in remission since then but there are no guarantees. I feel very fit and well,’ he said.

Last year, the former church minister walked the 900km El Camino de Santiago Christian pilgrimage in Spain.

The Mountain Road has been included in the National Geographic’s top 10 Drivers’ Drives.

The road has been placed at number eight, behind Highway 89 between Arizona and Montana, Alaska’s remote Denali Highway, and the 60 hairpins and 9,042 feet climb on the road between Davos in Switzerland and Stelvio in Italy.

After describing the island as ‘a leading motorsport destination and explaining the Mountain Road’s significance as part of the TT Course it states: ‘A key attraction for many: The Isle of Man is one of the few British territories with no national speed limit.’

A plan has been unveiled to set up a visitors’ centre based in the old Patrick School Hall and a website detailing the history of all Knockaloe internees.

The charity aiming to pull the project together is called The Knockaloe Exhibition and Patrick Community Centre Limited, a non-profit organisation with voluntary members.

Alison Jones, who is a director of the charity, said: ‘We want to bring the human aspect of Patrick village and island history to life.

‘We want to collate the stories of the internees, guards and village members, by reaching out to their descendants around the globe, via the internet, to tell the stories of their lives, including their stories leading to, and after, internment, and to help other descendants find out more.

‘Around 23,000 internees were held at Knockaloe at different times, so we feel it’s a fascinating history that should be told, and why not use the community centre to tell it?

‘There is no real central record of all the people who passed through Knockaloe’s camp, lots were destroyed, so we’d like to build the visitor centre and an exhibition.’

She said: ‘Building the website is really important – it will be a living archive.

‘We had people come to the island from Norway recently, their grandfather was interned here, and it was really important for them to stand on the spot where he would have been interned. It’ll be a multi-lingual website.

‘The centre will use various methods to help visitors understand more about how the camp would have looked, such as photographs, computer graphics, a hut reconstruction, as well as linking through to the iMuseum.’

Alison attended the recent public meeting at the school hall, called over the prospective sale of Knockaloe, and asked Agriculture Minister Richard Ronan to back projects like this. The Minister responded saying that this was the kind of idea that the government was looking for.

‘We’d like to publicise it off the island and bring visitors here, tell the story of how each internee came to be here, where are they now and what happened to them while they were here and afterwards,’ said Alison.

At the moment the charity is applying for a visitor attraction grant and talking to tourism officials about what it could bring to the island’s economy.

‘The first internee was sent here on November 17, 1914, so we were hoping to have the website up and running on that date, then the visitors centre next year,’ she said.

‘We have raised quite a lot of funding but there is a lot more to raise. If anybody on or off the island can help, please get in touch.’

‘We would also like to hear from anyone who had a family member interned or has any artefacts.’

Contact Alison on 483261 or via info@knockaloe.im

Richard Gerrard will be the latest in a considerable line of athletes to attempt a Parish and End to End Walk double in this Sunday’s Ramsey Bakery-sponsored End to End event.

On current form, Gerrard has to be the favourite, but he will have stiff opposition from defending champion Michael George, who is steadily recovering from injury, and David Mapp who will be out to make amends for his retirement in the Parish.

Others in the mix will likely include Richard Wild (third in the Parish), Dale Farquhar, Robbie Callister, Andrew Titley, Michael Bonney and Adam Killip.

Husband and wife, Dave and Sally Walker, are both likely to feature prominently in their respective classes, while the latter will undoubtedly be challenged hard for the women’s title by Parish Walk winner Janette Morgan, Michelle Turner, Karen Lawrie and Jane Foster.

The junior under-20 race to Peel (22.16 miles) should provide a comfortable victory for Adam Cowin, who could well lead the entire field down the north-west coastline as far as the Sunset City where he is likely to arrive around midday.

In total, 268 walkers have entered the Isle of Man Veteran Athletes’ Club-organised event, which starts from the Point of Ayre at 8am.

The full distance is 39.22 miles and the leading walkers are likely to be tackling the final ascent of the Howe around 2pm.

Entries for the Isle of Man Mountain Ultra close this Saturday, September 20.

The event takes place next Saturday, September 27.

The shorter distance Isle of Man Mountain Race (22km) will cover the southern half between St John’s and Port Erin, starting 1pm. Entries for this will be taken on the day, but organisers would prefer prior notice.

Full details including on line entry, race info, route descriptions and map can be obtained from isleofmanmountainultra.com

An online petition claiming plans are afoot to demolish and redevelop the former Castle Mona Hotel in Douglas are completely without foundation, according to the Sefton Group which owns the building.

The petition calls on the government to refuse any proposals to demolish the Castle Mona and to ensure its status as a protected building is honoured.

It goes on to suggest island property developer Dandara has plans to redevelop the site but this was news to the company itself.

‘Our understanding is that the Castle Mona is owned by the Sefton Group and we have had no contact with them regarding this property,’ a spokesman for Dandara said, adding they had no plans to demolish, de-register or otherwise redevelop the building.

A Department of Infrastructure spokesman also refuted the rumours: ‘Basically there is no truth in this at all and the DoI has no idea where it came from. There is certainly no planning application in the system or any application for a demolition order for the Castle Mona.’

Sefton Group boss Brett Martin told the Manx Independent: ‘The Castle Mona is a registered building and the Sefton Group has never sought its demolition. The group is actively pursuing a number of options to bring the building back into use but we are not in a position to comment further at this stage.’

iomtoday asked to photograph inside the building but the request was declined.

Two teenage members of Andreas Gliding Club have recently completed their first solo flights.

Sam Kennaugh, 17 and William Price, 16, both from Port Erin, completed their pre-solo training and passed their check flights.

Chief flying instructor Bob Fennell said: ‘Both lads have been members of the Gliding Club here since August last year and have been dedicated to the goal of solo flight ever since.’

Sam said: ‘It was an amazing experience! I have done some powered flying and I am looking to get my private pilots licence too but this beats flying with an engine. It seems to be so much more of a natural way to fly.’

Will added: ‘It was ace! I just want to go again. I’m really looking forward to learning more about soaring, using thermals and the hills to stay up without an engine - what a challenge.’

Two previous club members are now undergoing training programs to become commercial pilots. Graeme Howie, from Andreas is now starting his A320 Airbus pilot training after winning a scholarship with British Airways and George Green, originally from Peel, has recently passed his Commercial Pilots Instrument Rating exams.

Graeme and George are the most recent young people to have benefited from the opportunity to go solo for the first time and develop their basic flying skills at Andreas Gliding Club.

Bob said: ‘Learning to fly in gliders is a very economic way of developing the skills needed to be a pilot, not only as a career but as a very enjoyable sport or recreational activity.

‘For younger residents it offers an inexpensive yet very safe adventure activity, it is educationally significant, and it has many additional benefits such as to develop self discipline and self esteem and instil confidence in their own abilities.’

Gliding first took place in the island initially by the Royal Air Force at RAF Jurby during the 1950s.

After the RAF left Jurby gliding did not appear again on the island until the early 1990s when a group of enthusiasts started the Manx Gliding Club at Jurby with a single two seat glider.

The Andreas Gliding Club was born on January 1, 1998 and can boast its own success stories with some young Manx residents already having begun to live their dreams by starting exciting careers in aviation.

A Peel resident has hit out at commissioners asking why they cut the grass on land which he says belongs to Heritage Homes.

In an open email to the town’s commissioners Trevor Cowin, who lives on Poortown Road, said: ‘I have discovered that the commissioners’ workforce have been cutting large areas of grass, including verges, hedges and open spaces in Ballawattleworth Estate and Cronk Reayrt, which Peel Town Commissioners do not own.

‘Town clerk Peter Leadley has advised me that the land in question has not be transferred to the commissioners. I assume, therefore, that the grassed areas referred to are still owned by either the developer of these estates, Heritage Homes Limited, or its landowning company.

‘In the case of the Ballawattleworth Estate, the commissioners have been doing this since the first houses were occupied, which was over 10 years ago.

‘As a ratepayer I find this situation absolutely incredulous and it makes me very angry that my rates are, in effect, being spent subsidising the developer.

‘If the commissioners do not agree to stop this, then will they agree to send their workers to my house to cut my grass and my hedges?’

Peel commissioners responded at their meeting saying that they would be pursuing Heritage Homes to transfer ownership of the land.

Offering his view on the situation, Douglas Borough councillor Bill Malarkey told the Manx Independent that the land is usually owned by Treasury.

He said: ‘I got a lot of reports of this when I was in House of Keys. The developer buys a field, they go for planning and it’s split into areas such as roads, gardens, houses, a communal area. They set up a new company to do that development on that site but when the development is finished they wind up the company, and when a company is wound up any leftover land goes back to the crown, so the deeds are then owned by Treasury.

‘But you’ve got to remember that the commissioners do get rates from the people who live on these new estates, so it’s a two-way thing. However I don’t think a builder should be able to walk away after making lots of money and just leave some little patch in the corner that it doesn’t like.’

Two walkers in this Sunday’s End to End challenge will be looking up rather than at their feet.

Dora Querido and Sophie Costain are raising money for Manx BirdLife and have been sponsored for how many birds they can record on the walk.

Both women work for Manx BirdLife – Dora is the charity’s chief operating officer while Sophie is a data assistant.

Dora said: ‘Most of our sponsorship has been based on our participation at the event but because we are raising money for Manx BirdLife some people are pledging sums based on the number of bird species we see.

‘We hope to do the walk in 10 hours and are training hard. Spotting birds at the same time will be quite a challenge.’

Manx BirdLife, in partnership with RSPB, works to conserve the Isle of Man’s wild birds and their habitats by raising public awareness of conservation issues.

Surveys of the island’s bird populations are carried out annually and results covering the whole island are published every 10 years.

MBL is publisher of the Manx Bird Atlas and supplies statistical data to government and private companies.

Dora joined Manx BirdLife in May this year under a two-year contract. She is Portuguese and a passionate conservationist. She moved to the UK in 2009 to follow her dream of working for a charity that protects birds and initially, worked for the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire.

Keen bird watcher and walker Sophie started working with Manx BirdLife in March as a breeding bird surveyor.

Douglas High School Old Boys took advantage of some postponement caused by the Isle of Man FA’s trip to the UEFA Regions Cup to move top of the Canada Life Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

John Ward’s side beat a battling Ayre 4-1 at Blackberry Lane thanks to a Callum Stewart double and single strikes from Sean Gavin and Martin King. The ever-green James Teare grabbed the Tangerines’ consolation at the death.

Gymns came from behind to beat Union Mills 1-3 at Garey Mooar. Jamie Johnston put the Millers ahead before Nick Bowden, Dan Simpson and Mark Burman scored to secure an important three points for the Tromode outfit at the foot of the standings.

The day’s final top flight match saw Corinthians triumph 4-2 at Michael. Danny Oram struck a brace for the Whites, with further goals from Gary Thomas and Stewart Smith. Kevin Pulman and Matt Brand were on target for the hosts.

In Division Two, early pacesetters RYCOB lost their first game of the season, two goals from Kenny Cowin giving second-place Douglas Royal a 2-1 at Ballafletcher.

Douglas Athletic are up to third after a 4-0 win at Braddan - Josh Green, Matty Aire and Danny O’Hare (2) all troubling the scorers at Victoria Road.

The southern derby between Colby and Malew ended all square, goals from Tom Beard and Dean Kinley cancelling each other out.

Full round-up of the weekend’s action, plus a look ahead to the UEFA Regions Cup in Tuesday’s Examiner.

Saturday, September 20

Canada Life a Premier League

St Mary’s P-P Ramsey

Union Mills 1-3 Gymns

Rushen Utd P-P Laxey

DHSOB 4-1 Ayre Utd

Michael 2-4 Corinthians

JCK Division Two

Governor’s Athletic 0-3 Foxdale

Castletown 3-3 Pulrose

Braddan 0-4 Douglas Athletic

Douglas Royal 2-1 RYCOB

Colby 1-1 Malew

Onchan 0-4 Marown

Canada Life Combination One

Ramsey 2-1 St Mary’s

Gymns 1-7 Union Mills

Laxey 1-8 Rushen

Ayre Utd 0-4 DHSOB

Corinthians 2-4 Michael

Peel P-P St George’s

JCK Combination Two

Pulrose 8-1 Castletown

Douglas Athletic 2-2 Braddan

RYCOB 1-2 Douglas Royal

Malew 1-1 Colby

Marown 4-1 Onchan

Vagabonds picked up their first win away at Marple in two seasons, beating the Manchester outfit 42-30 and bagging a try bonus point in the process.

Vagas led 17-11 at the break and then closed out the South Lancashire and Cheshire Division Two game in the second half scoring a total of six tries.

Former Ramsey man Josh Carine led the way for Vagas with two and there were also tries from Steve Gawne, Ross McCulloch, Sam Liver and Aidan O’Shea. O’Shea also kicked two penalties and three conversions.

Ramsey keep 100 per cent record

Ramsey beat Ellesmere Port 22-15 at Mooragh Park to make it three from three and a try bonus point also meant that they have now taken maximum points from all their South Lancashire and Cheshire Division Three games to date.

The Manx side led 15-10 at half-time with first-half tries coming from John F. Watling and Craig Long (2). In the second half youngster Matty Clague grabbed the vital fourth try and Dan Bonwick kicked the conversion to make the game safe.

Shimmin Wilson Shield holders beaten heavily

Vagabonds B lost 55-0 to close rivals Douglas B at Port–e-Chee. The win takes Douglas two points clear at the top of the standings. Two first-half tries from Laurie Williams plus tries from Luke Hyland and Mark Shortland and three conversions from Hyland gave Douglas a 26-0 half-time lead.

In the second half a hat-trick from Cal Randle plus tries from Ben Webb and Jack Moore plus another two Hyland conversions saw Douglas run away with the game.

At QEII School Western Vikings picked up their first win of the season beating Ramsey B 38-25.

Kevin Mellor and Sam Peel were both on target with two tries apiece for Vikings with Paul Wheeldon also picking up a try. Peel also kicked five conversions and a penalty. For Ramsey, new signing Jake Corkish scored two, there was also a debut try for Joe Flanagan and Ben Harding crossed for one. Scott Kneale kicked a penalty and a conversion.

In the intra-club derby, Southern Nomads beat Emerging Nomads 20-7. Harry Catlow, Gerard Landels and Jack Sleight all scored tries for the men in green with Rob Martin adding a penalty and a conversion. Rob Craine scored for Emerging Nomads with Harry Best adding the conversion.

Results

South Lancs/Cheshire Division One

Hoylake P-P Douglas

South Lancs/Cheshire Division Two

Marple 30-42 Vagabonds

South Lancs/Cheshire Division Three

Ramsey 22-15 Ellesmere Port

Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield

Douglas B 55-0 Vagabonds B

Western Vikings 38-25 Ramsey B

PDMS Southern Nomads 20-7 Emerging Nomads

An online gaming operator says its decision to cease trading bets was taken ‘purely as a precautionary measure’.

Locus Gaming Isle of Man Limited, operator of Jack Gold Casino, announced last week on its website that it had stopped taking bets for the time being but were doing all it could to ‘resume normal service as soon as possible’.

It insisted there was no risk to customer funds, which it said were fully protected.

Ed Andrewes, of Locus Gaming, which is registered at Clinch’s House, in Lord Street, Douglas, said a deal to acquire the company was close to conclusion.

‘The decision was taken purely as a precautionary measure, while we conclude a deal for the long term viability of the company,’ he said.

‘We take our corporate responsibility under the requirements of our Isle of Man gaming licence extremely seriously and at all times we have ring-fenced player funds.

‘Our customers are able to withdraw their funds at any time and we do not want to put this in jeopardy by continuing to trade before a deal is done to secure the long term funding of the company.’

He added: ‘We are confident that a deal will be concluded over the next few days which will allow us to trade again.’

Asked how staff would be affected, Mr Andrewes said there would be no full-time jobs lost.

He explained: ‘We have no full time staff on the island but are well supported by a corporate service provider. No full time jobs will be lost.’

Gambling Supervision Commission chief executive Steve Brennan said: ‘The Gambling Supervision Commission’s policy is not to discuss the specific circumstances of any of its licensees so in this case I am unable to comment further.’

Locus Gaming was set up in 2012 and launched its first casino in January 2013 under the Jack Gold brand.

That year it won the Best Mobile Site’s Mobile Marketing Magazine award.

On its website it states: ‘Locus Gaming Isle of Man Limited, operator of Jack Gold Casino, regrets to inform customers that a decision has been made to cease taking bets for the time being.

‘It is hoped that this situation will be resolved in the near future and until then customers are free to withdraw funds. The directors would also like to make it totally clear that there is no risk at all to customer funds which are fully protected.

‘As a consequence of this, game play will be suspended for the time being and we will take the necessary action to return customer funds that are requested according to standard procedures of the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission. If the situation is resolved we will continue trading as normal.’

It says customers can withdraw their funds to October 10.

Details of this year’s GuitarFest have been announced.

The event, run by JonnoPromotions runs from October 2 to 5.

Thursday, October 2: Kensington Road Youth Arts Centre, Douglas. 7pm.

Rights and Royalties: How songwriters can make a living from their music.

Open to all songwriters (of all styles and genres). An industry panel hosted by Mike Reaney of the creative industries team at the Department of Economic Development.

With visiting speakers Stuart Fleming and John Hywel Morris from PRS for Music, Kirsty Geoghegan (of Airstate and Valentine Music) and Ruth Keggin (PRS for Music Member).

Followed by a PRS for Music songwriters’ networking event.

Tickets are free from {http://tinyurl.com/PRS-for-Music-GuitarFest-2014|here}.

Friday, October 3, Villa Marina Arcade, Douglas. Doors 7pm, show 7,30pm.

Martin Simpson in concert with special guest support act Strengyn.

The award winning artist is one of the finest acoustic, finger-style and slide guitar players in the world.

His interpretations of traditional songs are masterpieces of storytelling. His solo shows are said to be intense, eclectic, spellbinding and deeply moving.

Manx duo Strengyn (Paul Rodgers and Matt Kelly) who performed at the first GuitarFest in 2008, are re-forming to support Martin.

Tickets £15 (including booking fee) from the Hotline on 600555, Villa Marina Box Offices, the Welcome Centre or online {http://tinyurl.com/Martin-Simpson-GuitarFest-2014|here}.

Saturday, October 4 – Kensington Road Youth Arts Centre, Douglas. 2pm to 4pm.

Culture Vannin special event ‘Trad guitar accompaniment techniques’, a workshop presented by Paul Rogers of Strengyn.

Due to space constraints this event is limited to 25 people (bring your own guitar!).

Tickets £5 from {http://tinyurl.com/GuitarFest-2014-Workshop|here}

Saturday, October 4– Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin. Doors 7pm show 7.30pm.

‘Dos Guitarras Malaguenas’ featuring Flamenco virtuosi Juan Martin and Chaparro de Malaga.

Juan performed at the inaugural GuitarFest in 2008.

Chaparro makes his island debut and this duo performance will be the first date of their British tour.

Tickets £15 (no booking fee) from 832662, the Erin Arts Centre Box Office, Peter Norris Music or online at {http://www.eTickets.im/jp|here}

Sunday, October 5 – Jabberwocky, Duke Street, Douglas. Doors 7pm show 8pm.

‘Steve Amos and friends’ with Barry Nelson and Strengyn in a ‘Sunday Night Special’.

Tickets £10 (no booking fee) from Jabbewocky or online at {http://www.eTickets.im/jp|here} Holders of tickets from Friday or Saturday concerts get a £5 discount on the door.

GuitarFest is supported by Island of Culture, Arts Council, Culture Vannin and Aston International Limited.

Police are appealing for information regarding three cars which were damaged in Port Erin between 10pm on Thursday and 10am on Friday.

A Mercedes C class, a red Suzuki Swift and a blue Toyota Yaris were ‘keyed’ in Maine Road and Thornhill Close and have all suffered damage to the bodywork amounting to thousands of pounds.

Anyone who witnessed anything is asked to contact PC Robin Arnold at Port Erin police station or police headquarters on 631212