Great play by Jaco Jansen and Phil Richardson has kept Cronkbourne top of the Standard Bank Premiership.

Yesterday they defeated Ramsey by nine wickets to open up a 23-point gap over second-placed Peel and St John’s.

However in the opening stages of the match it was the northern club who were making the running.

Eddie Cleator and Rob Webber had a fine opening stand before Cleator was run out on 46 and Webber fell to Chris Hewson for 23.

The next batsmen faltered before Phil Richardson entered the attack.

In four stunning overs he destroyed the middle order and tail with five wickets for just six runs.

The northern club were dismissed for 146 and then faced an amazing display from Jaco Jansen.

He hit a spectacular 94, which included 11 fours and no less than 5 sixes.

Jaco needed just six runs to complete his century when he was caught on the boundary by Ollie Webster off the bowling of Matt Grice.

Adam Killey cracked the winning runs, with Max Stokoe undefeated on 28.

Castletown recovered from 76 for 6 to defeat Peel and St John’s at King William’s College.

Skipper Garreth Roome led the fight back with 42 and was well supported by Brendan Coleman who made 36 not out.

The Town ended their 40 overs on a respectable 172 for 8.

Chris Hawke did the damage for the western side by taking 5-30.

Their hopes of victory were dented by the loss of two quick wickets, but Tom Gascoyne with 28 and Akkie van der Berg who hit 30, fought back.

But tight bowling from Mark Williams (3-30) dashed any hopes of a win for the visitors, who ended on 130.

At Marown the Valkyres’ batsmen ran up a creditable 194 for 9 against Crosby.

Chris Langford shone with an excellent 66, Ryan Windell made 34 and Tom Reader crashed 23.

Jack Rowlands led the home reply with a gritty 89 not out.

Martyn Oates hit 32, while the hard working Langford topped the bowlers' chart with 2 -36.

In the end Crosby won by six wickets - their second Premiership win of the season.