I have to say that while writing the above headline, I couldn’t help but imagine 90s/00s fictitious film icon Austin Powers reciting such a line while bathed in crushed velvet.
Those of you who’ve watched the trilogy, and you really should, will be acquainted with Mike Myers’ unorthodox running style. Therefore, I think it’s probably a fairly safe bet to suggest that the international man of mystery wouldn’t be quite as effective in this weekend’s cross-country, as he is at foiling Dr Evil. Ah thank you.
Anyway, generational comedy aside, we are indeed back after a heavily disrupted weekend of sport last time out. Thankfully, the weather gods look to be on our side this time, and there’s plenty to like over the next 48 hours. With that in mind, let’s dig in.
Cross-Country Heads West
Round two of the IOMAA Cross-Country League takes place on Sunday afternoon (November 1), hosted by Western AC over a rolling course at QEII High School in Peel. As mentioned in a previous preview, the difficulty steps up each round of the four-event series, culminating in the Isle of Man Cross-Country Championships in January next year.
A minimum of three out of the four rounds must be completed to qualify for a final league position. If all four rounds are completed then the best three results will count.
Paul Atherton and Christa Caine showed their class to take the senior men’s and women’s victories in round one at Port-e-Chee, but should face a sterner test on a more challenging course this weekend.
The timetable is as follows:
12.15pm to 1.30pm – Registration
1.30pm – U8 boys & girls – 1 small lap – 800 metres
1.35pm – U10 boys & girls – 2 small laps – 1,600 metres
1.45pm – U12 boys & girls – 3 small laps – 2,400 metres
2.00pm – U14 boys & girls & Short Course – 1 small lap, 1 large lap – 2,900 metres
2.15pm – U16 boys & girls, U18 men & women – 1 small lap, 2 large laps – 5,000 metres
2.50pm – U20/senior/veteran women, vet70+ men – 3 large laps – 6,500 metres
2.52pm – U20/senior/veteran (u70) men – 1 small lap, 4 large laps – 9,000 metres
You can find more information, including details of the course, here.
All-Action for Vagabonds, Douglas Back at the Double
There’s action aplenty at Ballafletcher, with three games in the offing, followed by the club’s traditional Mhelliah celebrations later on Saturday evening (October 31).
The second string men’s team kick proceedings off against Douglas Celts in a friendly fixture at 12.30pm, before the ladies side continue their NC2 North West campaign against Macclesfield at 2pm. Finally, the men’s first team bring the show to a close at 2.15pm against St Edwards Old Boys in the Counties 3 ADM.
Vagabonds Ladies have made a flying start to their league campaign, five points clear at the summit and a perfect record to boot after three games, having conceded just five points in the process. A stunning return for Isla Curphey has seen her contribute with a colossal 13 tries, leading the charge for a Vagas side that are becoming well acquainted with the north end of the table. They’ll surely look to continue that scintillating run this weekend.
The men’s side play visitors St Edwards for the fifth time, this weekend, with both sides having won two of the previous encounters. The pair are neighbours in the league table this season, which indicates that this could be a closely-fought contest. After beating Colne & Nelson last time out, the men in yellow and white will be confident that they can string together back-to-back wins on home turf.
Douglas welcome Kirkby Lonsdale to Port-e-Chee this weekend, having slipped to ninth the Regional 2 North West, after their match against Firwood Waterloo Rugby Club was postponed due to adverse weather.
Their opponents this weekend sit just below them in 11th, with both sides having beaten Burnage but lost to Wilmslow and Birkenhead Park, it’s a game which could certainly go down to the wire.
Corinthians Back at Colby, Mills Still Stalking
It’s as you were in the Canada Life Premier League, after blanket postponements across the top tier of Manx football last weekend. But it’s back with a vengeance tomorrow.
Corinthians are yet to relinquish their grip on the division, still sitting atop the table. While that doesn’t look likely to change, given that the Ballafletcher side are paying a visit to struggling Colby who themselves were beaten 9-0 last time out, even a minor slip up could see them slide back into the clutches of Union Mills.
Mills sit second, just three points adrift of the leaders, and will be confident that they can get the job done against Braddan this weekend to keep the pressure on, and capitalise on Peel having the weekend off. St John’s United can also leapfrog their western rivals, should they beat third-bottom Rushen United on the road.
Elsewhere, RYCOB are also rested, and St Mary’s can trouble the top three if results go their way, provided they can overcome a visit from Laxey.
You can find a full list of fixtures here.
Trial Season Nears Conclusion
The Manx Trials Club Championship is entering its twilight, with the penultimate round taking place this Sunday at Archallagan and Stoney Mountain Plantations.
All classes are set to be catered for, with Foxdale Football Club playing host to the fourth instalment of what has been a well attended series.
Steve Franklin has been a prolific performer in the Modern Clubman class, taking victory in the opening two events. He’ll surely be looking to get back to winning ways after falling to fourth last time out.
All competitors are asked to sign on by 9.30am, ahead of a 10am start.