The Isle of Man national squad face a tough challenge on Sunday when they play at Atherton in the Lancashire Cup.
The English side won the strong Bolton and District League last year.
However, they have made a hesitant start to the new season, losing both their opening games.
They went down by 37 runs to Bury and then were defeated by six wickets at Swinton.
In past seasons the top island club has taken part in the Lancashire Cup. This year, however, it was agreed to send a national team as part of the warm-up for June’s ICC Championships.
Squad
Phil Littlejohns (Peel and St John’s) (Captain), Alex Stokoe, Adam Killey, Luke Lacey, Max Stokoe, Sam Kebble, Adam McAuley, Carl Wagstaffe (Cronkbourne), Danny Kniveton (Crosby), Akkie Van Den Berg, Greg Hawke, Ollie Webster (Peel and St John’s). Manager is Colin Jones and Phil Unsworth coach.
l On Saturday Peel and St John are at home to Crosby in the Standard Bank Premiership.
Both sides won last week with each set of batsmen scoring more than 200 runs.
Danny Kniveton hit 78 and Jack Rowlands was 72 not out as the Marown team ran up a massive 279 at Ramsey.
The Mullen-e-Cloie club recovered from 9 for 3 to finish on 233 against Cronkbourne.
Rain caused that match to finish early with Peel and St John’s winning and taking most of the points because of their higher run rate.
Chris Hawke was in top form with 77 while Russell Miller returned from injury to hit 44.
This week’s game should be decided by the bowling strength of the two teams.
Akkie Van Den Berg starred for the Saints, but Crosby’s Dave Picken had the best figures with 3-16 from his eight overs.
Reigning champions Cronkbourne have a good opportunity to climb the table when they take on Valkyres at Tromode.
Once again they are likely to be without Max and Alex Stokoe while Luke Lacey too could be missing.
However, they have a very strong squad and an excellent team spirit. This should carry them through against Valkyres who last week went down to Castletown.
They had done well to restrict Town to 132 for 9, but in reply their batting collapsed.
Only opener Paul Fleming and number 10 Hameed Sulthan reached double figures.
The other nine batsmen mustered only seven runs.
CRICKET RESULTS
Standard Bank Forrester One
Union Mills 59 (Joey James 11, Josh James 9: Mark Walker 4-24, Connor Gilbert 2-1, Colin Gilbert 2-10); Peel and St John’s B 60 for 3 (Alex Williamson 29no, Colin Gilbert 15no: Chris Nash 2-18, Matt Killip 1-12). Peel and St John’s won by seven wickets.
Crosby B 139 for 6 (Jack Rowlands 58, Martyn Oates 19 : Christian Penswick 2 -11, C Leaton 2 -24); Ramsey B 72 for 3 (Tom Howard 40, Andy Ball 11 : Joe Rothwell 3 -8). Rain stopped play – Crosby win on higher run rate.
Castletown 128 for 7 (Jackson Paul 28, Brendan Coleman 27) Cronkbourne 101 for 6 from 19.3 overs (Jack Newbery 2-13, Seth Aycock 1-10). Rain stopped play – Castletown win on higher run rate.
CRICKET FIXTURES DIARY
Friday, May 9
Junior Under-12 League (6.30pm)
Castletown v Finch Hill B
Nedbank Private Wealth Crosby v Finch Hill A
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Saturday, May 10
Standard Bank Premiership (11am)
Castletown P-P Ramsey moved to Saturday, June 21 as KWC unavailable
Conister Bank Valkyres v Baker Tilly IoM Cronkbourne
Shimmin Wilson Peel and St John’s v Nedbank Private Wealth Crosby
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Sunday, May 11
Lancashire Cup
Atherton v Isle of Man
Junior U15 League (10am)
Cronkbourne v Castletown
Nedbank Private Wealth Crosby v Finch Hill
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Monday, May 12
Standard Bank Forrester One (6.30pm)
Ronaldsway v Finch Hill A
Castletown B v Ramsey B
Baker Tilly IoM Cronkbourne B
v Shimmin Wilson Peel and St John’s B
Nedbank Private Wealth Crosby B
v Conister Bank Valkyres B
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Tuesday, May 13
Standard Bank Cain League (6.30pm)
Castletown A
v Shimmin Wilson Peel and St John’s A
Conister Bank Valkyres A
v Baker Tilly IoM Cronkbourne A
Nedbank Private Wealth Crosby A v Ramsey A
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Wednesday, May 14
Standard Bank Forrester Two (6.30pm)
Castletown C v Ramsey C
Baker Tilly IoM Cronkbourne Bacchas
v Finch Hill B
Nedbank Private Wealth Crosby C
v Shimmin Wilson Peel and St John’s C