Cobo opener and top scorer TJ Ozanne pushes the ball into the off-side for a single during last evening’s win over Salemites at the KGV. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0606535)
IT WAS a baptism of fire for Guernsey yesterday as they lost their first match in the ECC Under-17 Division One Championship to Scotland.
In a 50-over encounter played at Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, Guernsey went down by 109 runs on their debut in the top division in Europe. But coach Jeremy Frith, who is also the island performance coach, feels that there were a lot of positives to take away from the experience.
‘Tournament-wise it’s a bit of disaster, but from a development side today was a positive,’ he said after the game.
‘With the exception of Tim Ravenscroft, for all of them this was their first proper game of cricket.
‘Player for player there was hardly any difference between us and them, but the discipline of the Scottish players and their cricket awareness was the difference.’
After winning the toss and deciding to field, the Greens were made to suffer for their decision as the Scots got stuck in from the off.
Openers Oliver Hairs and Freddie Coleman put on 170 for the first wicket.
Hairs went for 93, caught and bowled by Ravenscroft, while Coleman was run out for 102.
Scotland were eventually bowled out for a massive 306 with eight balls spare.
In reply, Guernsey looked like they might have upset the apple cart as they found themselves 73 for no loss after 12 overs, which was down to some clean hitting from Rovers’ left-hander Robbie Le Corre.
The exciting opener ended up with 47 runs, of which 46 came from boundaries including one huge straight six off Scotland’s opening quick bowler.
The extra pace of Richie Lamb eventually saw the La Mare de Carteret student go.
‘Robbie was superb and he was the highlight today,’ said Frith.
‘He’s come from the outside and he’s sent a message to the rest of the squad that we can compete at this level. He middled everything – he absolutely munched it.
‘He’s put himself in contention for other things.’
Le Corre’s opening partner, Will Thompson, also notched up an excellent innings as he hit 61.
Number four Jonny Clark got 35 but he was only the other Guernsey batsman to really contribute as the rest of the line-up fell going for their shots to try and chase down the big target.
The Sarnians were all out for 197.
‘If we’d chased 250-260, we would have got it without doubt,’ said Frith.
‘We lost our last seven wickets trying to go for nine or 10 an over.’
In the other group, Jersey also received a lesson as they lost by six wickets to Ireland.
Guernsey now face Denmark today.
‘We’re looking forward to it and it will be another good experience,’ said Frith.
‘It’s about learning and developing.’
Meanwhile, in the island yesterday evening, Cobo moved themselves closer to the Barclays Evening League Division One title with a comprehensive 45-run victory over Salemites at the KGV.
St Saviour’s got their second win in the league when they got the better of St Pierre by five wickets at Port Soif.
Ross Kneller was the star for the victors as he took four for 14 and scored 51.
Article posted on 16th July, 2008 - 2.29pm
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