Ben Ferbrache scored 114 not out yesterday to help Cobo beat Argylls at the KGV. (0640824)

JERSEY’S Optimus made the inaugural NatWest Channel Islands League virtually theirs with a hard-fought win over Argyll Investment at Grainville on Saturday.

Although an understrength Cobo also won on their travels to maintain pressure on the Jersey outfit, Ryan Driver’s 101 and three wickets was enough to secure the victory Optimus needed to stay ahead in the table.

But Argylls went home rueing a crucial and controversial moment as they were ahead of the clock in their chase of 212 for victory.

Former Scotland player Dominic Rigby had moved neatly to 47 when Driver bowled a ball which went through to wicket keeper and captain James Caunt, who moved the ball on to Tony Carlyon at first slip. Carlyon threw down the stumps with Rigby out of his ground and umpire John Wills upheld the appeal.

Argylls were furious, believing that the ball should have been considered dead in the keeper’s gloves with Rigby not attempting to run.

And from 100 for four, the lower order was unable to maintain the chase and the innings petered out at 162.

Driver batted into the last of the 45 overs to reach his hard-fought 101, which featured a six off Max Ellis and a reverse sweep for four to raise the century.