St Pierre's stylish end to campaign

DHS ST PIERRE recovered from a shaky start to beat a disappointing Optimists at the KGV. The Barclays Evening League Premier One champions were rocked by three early wickets before a middle- and lower-order recovery saw them well over maximum batting points.

Vince Kenny and Glenn Milnes opened steadily against their nine-man opponents. Ami Banerjee bowled a tighter line than Steve Queripel, but it was the latter who provided the breakthrough, bowling Milnes just as the New Zealander was looking to increase his scoring rate.

In his next over, Queripel knocked over Kenny's castle and when Martin Gray was run out with no addition to the score, St Pierre were rocking.

But they need not have worried. Justin Walker and Phil Cox steadied the wobble and saw off the threat of Divan van den Heever when he replaced Banerjee.

Queripel's spell reaped one more reward when he trapped Walker in front two overs before the drinks break.

Shortly after they were taken, Optimists gained a 10th man, but Cox and Karl Ogier continued picking up the runs, both dealing in mostly boundaries and dot-balls. Ogier's innings was some 32 balls long, but there were only seven scoring strokes in his 21.

He followed Cox back to the pavilion within four runs. Cox fell in Elliot Green's first over while Ogier was run out.

Andy Burkhardt and Jon Orme set about rebuilding, quickly getting the scoreboard ticking along with some enterprising strokeplay.

Suddenly there were nines and 10s an over to the batting side.

Andre van Rooyen put paid to Burkhardt's free hitting, trapping his man in front, but still Orme kept the runs coming.

Javan Isabelle belied his batting position with a clattering knock, taking advantage of anything wayward and punishing the tiring Optimists fielders.

His unbeaten 30 came from just 23 balls and even inter-insular hero Banerjee had his figures severely dented.

Optimists lost van Rooyen in the fourth over of their reply, giving Burkhardt a return catch, but then came the partnership that looked to have worked them back into the game.

Banerjee joined Mark Clapham and the pair took to St Pierre's opening bowlers.

Clapham was on his way to a deserved half-century before the introduction of Cox sparked a turnaround in fortunes.

The batters had put on 75 when Cox induced a false stroke from Clapham.

Green came and went quickly, but not as fast as van den Heever who was done for first ball, Milnes grabbing the chance.

That was 117 for 4 and Optimists' day grew even worse as Banerjee's was added to the increasing list of big-name wickets claimed by young leg-spinner Jonathan Wilkes-Green.

From then, the required run rate was always too much for Optimists and it was never in doubt that St Pierre would wrap up the points.

The game was concluded in two very productive overs.

First Cox claimed two wickets in two balls, Nick Chambers lbw then Ray Bushell bowled first ball.

Next over, Milnes copied him, hitting the stumps twice in two balls, and it was all over.

St Pierre have one game remaining in the Cable & Wireless Championship.

They face Wanderers who are looking to secure the title. Wanderers need just 12 points to make sure.

If they fail to grab those points, Cobo will be champions.