Onchan Express Back on Track – Games 7 & 8
Isle of Man Bank Division One leaders Onchan bounced back from last week’s defeat with two ruthless results to steam ahead of the chasing pack. They started the week with an extremely impressive 8-2 win away over a strong Port St Mary team before further stoking the fire behind their title defence with a 10-0 home win against struggling Ballaugh A.
Ballaugh will be disappointed with their showing though after a very impressive 7-3 win over Castletown A just two days earlier. Port were back to winning ways on Wednesday with an 8-2 victory at Nobles.
Whilst Monday’s performance against Port was extremely impressive it is the Champions ability to deliver devastating maximum results against the lower ranked teams which I think will see them on track for another title. Any other teams with title ambitions will need to take note and up their game if they want to halt the momentum of the Onchan express.
Douglas A have started the season on all steam ahead and followed up last week’s victory over the champions with two more solid performances to move into second place. They took North Ramsey’s 100% record with frightening ease as they won 9-1 on Monday before beating Peel 7-3 on their travels. This is a team with fire in their belly and they will be hoping to challenge for a top four place come the end of August.
Marown A are the most likely challengers to Onchan’s crown and are now in third place having played a game less than the top two. If they are to mount a serious quest for top honours they need to start now and will be pleased with two strong showings with a 9-1 win over Nobles before adding to North Ramsey’s woes by beating them 8-2 on their own patch.
South Ramsey A are a side who started the season with true title ambitions and after sitting out on Monday will be genuinely disappointed to have only left Castletown A with a 6-4 win. They need to get going, and get going fast if they want to get their hands on the silverware.
At the top of the Division Two tree South Ramsey B will be very happy with their progress this week beating Ballaugh B 8-2 before a recording great midweek win by the same score over high flying Onchan B.
Douglas B are in second place and despite a great start winning 8-2 away at Peel B they will be disappointed to have suffered their first setback of the season going down 6-4 at home to Port St Mary C.
Oncahn B and Port St Mary B are third and fourth respectively and just two points off Douglas B and six off the top. Port and Douglas have both played one game less than our current leaders and I think the winners of this hotly contested league will come from these four.
Onchan C are now the team to beat at the top of Division Three after two strong performances last week they began with a brilliant 10-0 whitewash of Ballauch C and followed it up with a battling 7-3 at Nobles C to move four points clear.