MCC cruise to win against students

THE MCC warmed up for today's meeting with the island team by cruising to victory in their traditional fixture with Elizabeth College. Guernsey will provide the visitors with far stiffer competition than the youngsters did yesterday but the win was still impressive and went some way to making up for the defeat to the GICC on Tuesday.

The 117-run margin of victory emphasised the difference between the two sides at the College Field.

Matt Bowen and Will Heath led the way with a quality opening stand of 110 that was broken only on the final ball of the morning session and, from there, there was going to be only one winner.

To be fair to the College, they bowled well at times - the attack's figures were all respectable enough - but anything loose was severely punished and they never looked penetrative.

Both Bowen and Heath enjoyed putting anyway over-pitched deliveries with some sublime drives and they kept the ball on the floor at all times - no risks were taken.

It was only when captain Luke Gallienne came back on for a brief spell before lunch that the partnership was broken as Bowen tried to work a straight one through the leg-side only to miss it and be bowled for 63.

But after the interval, Will Sellar joined Heath and he also showed himself to be a batsman of much ability with a couple of fierce drives through the covers and some nicely clipped shots through mid-wicket for boundaries.

The remaining opener had completed his well-deserved half century by this stage and he looked comfortable enough at the wicket to go on to three figures. But in the end he had to settle for 88 as Simon de la Rue claimed the other MCC wicket to fall.

A declaration after 49 overs left the home side chasing 205 for two in the best part of three hours. But after getting off to a poor start, they never looked like recovering sufficiently to save the game as wickets tumbled regularly. Bowen and Mark Dixon both claimed three apiece for the MCC with Geoff Blackmore (one) and Patrick Hole (two) also getting in on the act.

However, there were plus points for the College.

James Warr showed a lot of promise and patience in his innings of 39 not out coming in at number three with a sound defence and shots all around the wicket, while Charles Rix also caught the eye with his 25.

A confidence boost for the MCC, then, but things will not be easy at the KGV today as Guernsey's best are out to impress new manager Dave Hearse.