Comfortable victory for young GICC side

A YOUNG GICC side secured a thoroughly deserved if surprisingly comfortable eight-wicket victory over the MCC at the College Field yesterday. The visitors are not beaten very often when they come for their annual tour to these shores but they were second best by a considerable distance in this encounter.

Island manager Dave Hearse was involved with the selection of the GICC side with the intention of making it virtually a Guernsey B team. Unfortunately, it did not pan out quite that way with players such as Mark Jefferies, Richard Hamilton, Robbie Moore and Matt Oliver all unavailable for various reasons.

Instead, it could almost be described as a development XI as the side put out had a very youthful look to it - eight of them being 25 or under - with a couple of experienced heads thrown in for good measure.

One of those was Ian Damarell who led the team and his decision to field after winning the toss proved to be the correct one as his young attack kept the MCC on a tight rein in this 45-over game.

The Optimists pair of Andre Van Rooyen and Steve Queripel took the new ball and the visitors got off to a solid start with Peter Edwards picking off the occasional boundary and Patrick Hole keeping the board ticking over.

But once Queripel made the breakthrough, having Edwards caught at first slip by Mark Clapham - a great one-handed effort - the run-rate slowed significantly as the bowlers found movement in the pitch when they hit a good length.

Next to go was Jersey's Ward Jenner who had contributed 19 to a partnership of 21 when he chopped a Van Rooyen delivery on to his stumps and Nick Gilbert followed just two balls later, bowled off bat and thigh pad from another delivery that jagged back alarmingly.

From 20 for none, the MCC were 41 for three and about to be 43 for five.

Queripel deservedly claimed the second wicket of a fine nine-over spell when he bowled opener Hole.

Then Cobo's Rob Turville took over from Van Rooyen and opened with a wicket-maiden as the GICC made full use of the conditions, the ball that dismissed Bowen pitching on leg and taking the top of off.

Richard Spink set about restoring some respectability to the visitors' total with the number seven looking to be a decent batsman as he made an unbeaten 49 - easily the top score of the innings.

He put together useful, although hardly urgent, partnerships with Richard Veillard, captain Bob Baxter, Mark Dixon and finally Geoff Blackmore to get the MCC up to a total that they could bowl at - 141 for eight.

But the GICC never looked in any real danger of losing the contest during their reply.

In fairness, Spink and Edwards bowled well early on, beating the bat and finding the edge a couple of times but nothing went to hand.

Alex Hunter was dismissed in the seventh over, trapped in front by Spink for six although he looked in better form than his score suggests.

That brought Jeremy Frith in to join Mark Clapham and they ensured a GICC victory with a stand of 88.

The two made sure they got well forward on a pitch that still offered lateral movement for the seamers.

The Optimists opener made a fine half-century that included nine fours and an excellent six over mid-wicket into the top of the tree in front of the scout hut.

He was eventually dismissed for 56 from 92 balls.

Frith batted with some discomfort after recently dislocating the little finger on his right hand but it did not stop him making 61 not out from 109 deliveries, striking seven fours.

He was joined by Jamie Chambers to complete the job with 16 balls remaining.