Another weekend of blockbuster sport is now in the books, and the changing of the guard from summer to winter season looks to be well and truly complete (if Sunday’s biblical rains are anything to go by).
An action packed couple of days encompassed everything from football to fell running and rugby to race walking. So, who were the weekend’s winners and losers?
Mills Stalk Leaders as Corinthians Stumble
League leaders Corinthians dropped their first points of the 2026/27 Canada Life Premier League season on Saturday (September 26), playing out a cagey one-all draw with in-form St Johns, who themselves rose to fourth in the table.
However, it’s third placed side Union Mills that look poised to attack. Despite drawing three-a-piece with Ramsey, they have two games in hand over Peel and Corinthians which, if won, would see the unbeaten Millers top the table.
Peel turned around recent form in stunning fashion, dealing 10-man Braddan a 6-1 drubbing away from home. Braces for Jason Charmer and Oscar Bignall secured a vital win for the Westerners, who have struggled to string together consistent performances thus far this season.
At the foot of the table, a nine-goal thriller saw Onchan defeat RYCOB as the search goes on for the northern side’s first points of the season.
The full results are as follows:
- Braddan 1-6 Peel
- Laxey 4-0 Colby
- Onchan 6-3 RYCOB
- Ramsey 3-3 Union Mills
- St Johns United 1-1 Corinthians
Jones Takes Fell Flowers, Fletcher-Merryweather Wins in the Rain
A windswept course greeted the competitors in the Tour of North Barrule, the second round of the Callin Wild Fell League season. Despite the stiff breeze, the sun made it an ideal day for racing, demonstrated by an exceptional turnout of 90 runners taking on the full distance.
Oliver Harrison led early as the field made the ascent to the summit, but he was never free from the clutches of 2023 winner Sam Jones who swiftly took the lead. Harrison rallied as the race neared its end, but Jones’ advantage was too much and he duly took top honours. Eleanor Miklos was the first woman home.
On Sunday (September 27), weather conditions took a dramatic turn and race walkers were greeted by monsoon-like conditions at the NSC track for the Novice Walk. Despite a poor turnout, a quality field contested the event.
Lilee Fletcher-Merryweather stormed to a win in the hour-long event, beating out newcomer Dan Gibson who took the prize for leading novice. Fletcher-Merryweather totalled 10,979 meters, with Gibson just behind on 10,900 meters.
The half-hour event was won by Jack Davies, while Faye Robertson and Daisy Sille finished top of the pile in the 1600 and 800 meter events respectively.
Douglas Bruised, Mixed Bag for Vagabonds
Douglas have now suffered back-to-back defeats to open their 2026/27 account, having been put to the sword when visiting Birkenhead Park on Saturday.
The Port-e-Chee side fell to a 39-10 defeat on the road, with tries from Harry Cartwright and Simon Hodinnot proving insufficient at Upper Park. Douglas now sit ninth in the Regional 2 North West table, only by virtue of the two losing bonus points picked up against Wilmslow in their season opener.
Vagabonds endured a mixed weekend of results, with both the men’s and women’s teams competing in the UK this weekend.
The men’s side were put on the back foot almost immediately in their fixture against Clitheroe, suffering injuries to Archie Benson and George Hotchkiss in the opening exchanges. Having struggled to gain a foothold in the game, the Manx side found themselves down 24 points at half-time.
A more encouraging second period was rewarded with a consolation score courtesy of Brendan Kelly, but Clitheroe’s quality emerged once more as the game drew to a close, and Vagas were defeated 43-7, now sitting 11th in the Counties 3 ADM Lancashire and Cheshire division.
The women’s game was a different story entirely, as Vagabonds dominated Didsbury Toc H to kick off their Womens NC 2 North (West) campaign in fine style.
Isla Curphey proved herself to be a class apart with four tries, while returning stars Bea O’Neill and Freya Crowe grabbed a brace each. Bliss Murtagh added one further score, with skipper Sammie Macdonald kicking six conversions one an exceptional afternoon for Vaga’s women.
Locally, Ramsey demolished Western Vikings in the Hertford Homes Manx Shield to pick up their first win of the season.
Jake Richmond was the star of the show for Ramsey, bagging four tries, while teammate Conor Cracknell scored a hat trick. Matt Meechan touched down twice and there was a try each for the Kneale brothers Scott and Kieran and full back Dan Kelly, who also chipped in from the tee, kicking eight conversions.