This Is Guernsey

By Aaron Scoones

Josh Kirk plays an off drive during his patient knock of 24, which helped set up Argylls for victory over Optimists on the opening afternoon of the new under-17s league. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0578042)

THE new Fly for Sport Under-17 League started with a flourish on Sunday with Argylls and Cobo both claiming a victory. Cobo comfortably got the better of Rovers at Port Soif while it was a closer affair at the College Field when Optimists, chasing Argylls’s total of 131, fell 10 runs short.

‘If this is the kind of exciting and skilful cricket which this 40-over competition will develop, I’m looking forward to the rest of the season,’ said Argylls player-coach James Falla. Argylls’ score came on the back of some patient batting from Josh Kirk with 24 runs from 21 overs and Alex Simon, who batted through the last 16 overs of the innings for 18 not out.

Tom Still and Adam Clark were the pick of the bowlers for Optimists and Ben Cuddihee also bowled an economical spell. Optimists went after their target with more gusto and soon it was evident that the match would not go the full distance.

Zac Damarell was looking assured opening the innings, but was run out by Lewis Veron’s throw from cover.

However, Optimists pressed on with a healthy scoring rate.

Andrew Dawson-Ball’s 18 came at better than a run a ball until he nicked Dominic O’Brien to Harry Player behind the stumps.

Clark looked set to take his team to victory but Argylls captain Dave Hooper again swung the match with a triple-wicket maiden.

Clark was neatly caught and bowled by Kirk with 25 still needed but Tony Paluch and Cuddihee inched their side closer to the target.

Hooper returned to bowl Paluch with 15 still needed and then Kirk, with a long hop that did not get up, skittled Cuddihee to win the game.

At the same time at Port Soif, Rovers could not make the most of a belter of a wicket as they posted 129 all out from 36.3 overs.

Ben Langlois coming in at number five got the highest score for the blues with 42.

His captain, Mitchell Le Tissier, notched up 39 to support him ably as the rest of the Rovers batsmen failed to get into double figures.

Dane Mullen returned the best figures for Cobo with three wickets for 13 runs.

In reply, Mullen and Joe Alvarez provided the backbone for the victory to help see Cobo reach their target for the loss of five wickets.

JP Payne was the pick of the Rovers bowlers, taking two for 34.

‘It was really good,’ said Cobo’s player-coach Jeremy Frith.

‘We’re getting our juniors to play like our seniors.’

Sunday sees the next round of matches as Rovers take on Wanderers at Port Soif.

The matches are 40 overs per side and the teams of 12 players, with two adult cricketers and rolling substitutes, play in coloured kit.

The island cricket development officer, Jason Shambrook, is delighted that the league has got under way without a hitch.

‘It’s top drawer,’ he said.

‘Basically it’s to encourage more kids to play longer cricket on good pitches and to bridge the gap between States schools and club cricket.’