GUERNSEY’S crop of hugely promising youngsters further underlined their potential with three wins on the bounce on tour in Dorset. Three times the island under-11 side bowled out their opponents and three times they knocked off the runs required, although the victory against Dorset North/South Districts was by a slim, one-wicket margin.

‘The team really worked together to beat three strong Dorset representative sides quite comfortably,’ said manager Ian Damarell.

The performances on tour owed much to the quality and format of age-group cricket in Guernsey, added coach Jason Shambrook.

‘The importance of the under-nine cricket league in Guernsey was highlighted as our under-10 players were a lot more aware of the game than the Dorset players,’ he said.

‘The early introduction to hard-ball cricket for the players that can cope with it is essential to their development.’

In the opening 35-over match on a slow pitch at Bryanston School, Dorset Under-10s were bowled out for 82 after Guernsey had won the toss. The Sarnian side included eight under-10 players and were far too strong for their opponents.

Chris Peatfield led the way with three wickets and there were two apiece for Luke Belton and Dane Mullen. Opening seamers Tom Still and Matthew Renouf had given nothing away with the new ball.

In reply, Adam Clark hit 33 as Guernsey raced to victory in less than 18 overs.

Peatfield returned excellent figures of 5 for 8 from five overs as Dorset North/South Districts U-11A were dismissed for 84 in the second match, played at Canford School.

Again the bowling was spot-on and Peatfield highlighted what a fine prospect he is with a great spell of leg-spin bowling.

However, Guernsey’s running between the wickets nearly cost them dearly. As well as three run-outs, there were five runs short. The players were kept behind after the game and given a quick coaching session in getting from one end of the pitch to the other.

Robert Woodhard batted for 35 minutes to edge Guernsey closer to the total and Tom Richards won the match with a boundary.

The tour ended on a high. At Broadstone CC, Guernsey gave a much better performance with the bat as they easily chased the total set by the strongest side they faced.

Joe Alvarez batted well for his unbeaten 33 after the opening bowlers Still and Matthew Renouf had again put the tourists on course for victory.

There was plenty for Damarell and Shambrook to be pleased about: Peatfield finished the tour with figures of 15-5-33-9; Still was unlucky not to get any wickets as he opened the bowling and ended with figures of 11-2-17-0 and Tapp collected 13-2-31-5.

With the bat, Clark was solid in every game, totalling 98 runs in the three innings.