Two changes to 2002 winners

PAUL WAKEFORD is looking for a second successive victory as Guernsey over-40s captain tomorrow. Last year the Sarnians put in a vintage performance at Grainville to take the honours by five wickets and edge into a 12-11 lead in the series. The captain has fond memories of that day and is looking for a repeat at the KGV.

'It was a good all-round performance,' said Wakeford .

'Martin Gray batted very well in the anchor role and others chipped in with runs around him. Keith Le Cheminant bowled a very good opening spell and Steve Birkett did an excellent job. In fairness, all the bowlers did well but those two particularly impressed me.

'If we work as well as we did last year, we should get a similar result.'

The Guernsey team shows two changes to the victorious side from 12 months ago.

The Pessimists duo of Dave Piesing and Jeff Martel have come in for Peter Vidamour, who is unavailable, and Martin Robert.

'It is a bit disappointing to lose Pete, who is away, but I still think we have got a good side which is, on paper, stronger than theirs.

'Obviously, you can never be too sure because it is down to performing on the day but this squad is as strong as it could be given the availability.

'Having Dave Hearse coming in at number 10 shows the depth we have in the batting and Dave Piesing gives me an extra bowling option that I did not have last year, so I am quite happy with the side,' Wakeford added.

Although the skipper is in a confident mood, he acknowledged that this fixture was usually tightly contested.

'I think more so over the last three or four years. Without wishing to be disrespectful to those who played in those days, but at the start of the over-40s, it seemed more of a Sunday afternoon knock-about,' he said.

'Now we have got a lot of ex-island players in the game and it makes it more competitive because there are a lot of old rivalries there.

'The will to win has increased over the last five years or so. Last year was the first one I have played in and it was great to be up against the likes of Chris Searson again - we used to have great battles in our senior island days.

'It is all done in a very good spirit and we are

all friendly off the pitch

but there is still that determination to win on the pitch.'

That competitive edge should continue to grow next year when several island players reach the age group.

Richard Headington, Gary Rich and Gary Tapp - to name three - all will be available for the 2004 game.