Under-25s scrapped in favour of 'B' match

THE under-25 inter-insular has been scrapped after only three years. However, a 'B' inter-insular has replaced it in the fixture list and has been pencilled in to take place in Guernsey for the first time on Sunday 25 July. It is a move that has proved popular in both islands.

Dave Piesing, the Guernsey Cricket Associa-tion weekend representative, said that Jersey proposed the switch and it 'made a lot of sense'.

'Under-25 is not an official age group and any player good enough to be in that team should be pushing for a full island place or at least be in contention for a 'B' side,' he said.

'There is no downside to it because it also gives an opportunity to reward older players for an exceptional season and there are players older than 25 who are knocking on the door of the full side.

'With the match being a couple of weeks before the 'A' inter-insular, they will perhaps have the chance to force their way into the reckoning for that.'

Both islands are being trusted to take a 'B' inter-insular in the spirit that it is intended; that is to give players on the periphery of either Guernsey's or Jersey's senior side a chance to impress and also allow up-and-coming cricketers the chance of a competitive senior inter-insular fixture - not to pack the team with 'ringers'.

'There will be no specific limitations on eligibility for the game. We will just rely on the managers picking a suitable side,' said Piesing.

Island manager Dave Hearse has given his full backing to the change of fixture.

'You can use developing players along with players on the fringe of the island side who might not otherwise get the chance to play an inter-insular fixture in a pressurised environment and see how they do.

'We could be able to put a few wise old heads in with them to help them along but it is definitely a development game,' he said.

Meanwhile, Hearse confirmed that a Guernsey over-40s side will be touring Scotland from Monday 31 May until Thursday 3 June.

The Sarnians will play two fixtures on their trip, one in Glasgow and the other in Edinburgh.

'Hopefully, it will help forge relationships with the Scottish Cricket Board so that when we are looking for age -roup tours and other matches away in future, we will have some strong contacts. It is all part of the relationship-building process,' said Hearse.'