It’s been an exceptional week for Manx sport, as the island can now boast yet ANOTHER world champion.
Matt Bostock soloed to victory in the scratch race at the 2026 UCI Tissot Track World Championships in Shanghai, as Dot Tilbury’s cycling talent factory churned out its latest rainbow jersey-wearing superstar. Inspiring stuff.
So, while Bocky sets the world alight on far-flung shores, let’s take a look at what’s in the offing a little closer to home.
Rose Mazzone Remembered
Early on Saturday morning (October 17), Northern AC host their second event of the week with the delayed Rose Mazzone Northern 10.
Held in memory of prolific athlete Rosemary Mazzone, after the long-standing 10-mile event was renamed following her passing in 2018, the race was first run in 1983. The inaugural contest was won by distance running stalwart Steve Kelly, in a time which remained the course record until it was broken by Commonwealth Games athlete Ollie Lockley in 2019.
The multi-race meeting is traditionally held in May, a schedule which it is set to revert to from next year. For the first time, a Half Marathon race will be incorporated into the day.
The Half Marathon and 10-Mile runs both start together in Mooragh Park at 8.15am, followed 15 minutes later by the 10-mile race walk at 8.30am. Both courses are officially measured and certified.
Like Snakes and Ladders
A coincidentally timed rest weekend for pole-sitters Corinthians and in-form St Johns sees the Canada Life Premier League open to a spot of re-organisation.
With the top two confined to watching on from the sidelines, third-placed Union Mills will be looking to take care of business against middling Onchan and propel themselves into second place.
A win would see them just three points adrift of Corinthians, with a game in hand. Should the O’s cause an upset, they themselves can surge into the podium places.
Fourth is as low as Peel have been all season, and the westerners league campaign has been far from convincing thus far.
Jake Robertshaw’s last-gasp brace to secure a point against bitter rivals Corinthians will have done morale no harm, however, and the Douglas Road outfit should be relishing a trip to pointless RYCOB. A win there could see them climb as high as second, should Mills fail to secure maximum points, and re-ignite their title defence.
Elsewhere, St Mary’s could trouble the top four if they can beat Ramsey, and Rushen will be looking to bag a home win against Laxey to lift them out of reach of the bottom two.
On Sunday (October 18), Canada Life Women’s League action resumes with Douglas Royal bidding to continue their perfect start when they face Rushen United.
In the other contests, Corinthians welcome form side Douglas & District, while Onchan play host to Union Mills.
You can find a full list of this weekend’s fixtures here.
Avalanches Top Table, Simcocks on the Charge
The Ballasalla Avalanches top the Premiership Division with a perfect record, as netball returns from its week-long hiatus. The southern outfit are restricted to spectator duties this weekend, however, and face being knocked doff their perch by a whole host of their top-tier rivals on Sunday.
Simcocks Red have a game in hand over the Ballasalla side, and are also yet to lose this season. They face Simcocks Gold at Bemahague, and will go top of the table on points difference if they win by more than two goals.
Should they lose however, Thompson Travel 1 are ready and waiting to snatch top spot. The third side in the league to have won all their games so far, they play the Ballasalla Blizzards, who incidentally, can also top the table with a win. The latter have played an extra game, however, so cannot truly count their blessings should they find themselves atop the table come next week.
Route 1 Connections sit second, and like the Blizzards, have played three times already this campaign. Results elsewhere could see them take the lead, but it would take a draw in one of the other two fixtures, something which hasn’t happened in any game all season. They’ll take on Simcocks Blue.
You can find a full list of this weekend’s fixtures here.
Douglas Back on the Road, Vagabonds Face Ramsey in Cup Clash
If you prefer your ball slightly more oval, there’s plenty to get your teeth into this weekend, both domestically and further afield.
A heavily rotated Douglas side will travel to Winnington Park in the Regional 2 North West, aiming to capitalise on a stunning home win against Burnage, which saw the Manxmen dismantle their opponents at Port-e-Chee. That 69-26 victory sets up an intriguing prospect this weekend, with Winnington Park having struggled to find their feet so far. It’s a side that the men in maroon have had success against in the past, boasting an 8-6 league record over the Cheshire team.
There’ll be some fresh faces in the Manx lineup, however. John Dutnall and Ralph Clarke are unavailable, Simon Hoddinott remains on the injured list and stalwart second row Blake Snell is out for this one.
Forwards Callum Clague, Cal Dentith and Kudzai Chenda earn themselves starting berths, while Luke Parry makes the bench.
Vagabonds Women are headed back across the pond to take on Aldwinians in the NC2 North (West), as they look to build on a 29-9 home win over Colne and Nelson last time out, meanwhile the men’s second 15 head to Mooragh Park in the Hertford Homes Manx Cup. They face an in-form Ramsey side who come in off the back of two wins against the Western Vikings and Southern Nomads.
Douglas Celts had been due to play Western Vikings in the Hertford Homes Shield, but that fixture has now been postponed.