Shambrook so proud of u-12s

GUERNSEY under-12s secured a thrilling inter-insular victory over their Jersey counterparts at the College Field despite having a severely depleted side. The Sarnians were missing regulars such as Tim Ravenscroft and Adam Hindle, who were away playing for county sides, and were also hit by the Beechwood French trip, which meant that under-10 players Oliver Tapp and Joe Alvarez were called into the team.

In a 35-over contest, Jersey batted first and the home side made early inroads with three quick wickets, but Jersey gained the advantage through good batting and reached 154 from their allotment. Charlie Wilkes-Green was the pick of the bowlers.

The reply started slowly and Ben McVey was dismissed in the first few overs but Andrew Dawson-Ball batted very well in making 45.

With the run-rate rising, Alvarez smashed the ball around to take Guernsey close to their target before Matthew Renouf and Leo Rice performed the heroics at the death, winning the game with three balls to spare.

'We were missing a lot of players through other commitments and I am so proud of the way the players came together against a good Jersey side,' said coach Jason Shambrook.

'The younger players were not at all fazed by the occasion and their cricket would have come on in leaps and bounds.

'Their heads were slightly down with players missing but I sat them in the changing room and said this was their chance to show me what they learnt in winter training can be put into practise.'

Guernsey also tasted success in the under-15 inter-insular in Jersey when they bowled them out for 116 with Chris Dravers taking five for six after Jonny Warr's 74 had been the highlight of the Sarnians' 176 for seven.

In the Carey Olsen Championship, Clubhouse Optimists held their nerve to defeat Randy Paddle Mavericks at the KGV.

Chasing 218 for victory, Optimists looked to be cruising home with Mark Jefferies and Ami Banerjee putting on 109 for the second-wicket with both batsmen reaching deserved half centuries.

But when both fell in quick succession, followed shortly after by Adam Kitching, Mavericks' hopes were revived.

However, they were made to pay the price for dropping both Elliot Green and Divan van den Heever early in their innings with both going on to make useful contributions.

The latter was there at the end to hit the winning runs with seven balls to spare and his side having four wickets in hand. Earlier, Justin Walker, Justin Meades, Andy Orme and Phil Cox had been the main run-scorers for Mavericks, who like their opponents fielded a weakened side.

Rovers still top the table.