Maniacs pull out of tour

GUERNSEY'S inter-insular preparations have been restricted to just a couple of games. Frustrated island manager Dave Hearse said that the Hampshire Maniacs would not be making their traditional tour to the Channel Islands this year.

The match against the annual tourists was scheduled to be the Sarnians' final warm-up match before they defended the inter-insular trophy on Saturday 7 August, but due to lack of players willing or able to make the trip from the UK the game will not go ahead.

'The Hampshire Maniacs were unable to assemble a tour party,' said Hearse.

'It is disappointing to say the least. I think we are going to have to review how and where we play warm-up games. It might be preferable to go away and play warm-up matches.'

Things were threatening to get worse for the island manager this week when the indications were that the Royal Navy under-25s were struggling to muster a full side for their visit on Friday and Saturday.

However, those fears have now been eased and the games will go ahead even if Hearse has to provide a player for the visitors on Friday.

He has selected two sides to play against the Navy (on Friday as Guernsey and Saturday under the GICC banner) at the KGV, but said nothing should be read into the different names of the teams.

'I have had to take into account player availability and the balance of the sides although the island squad members are predominantly in the Friday team,' Hearse said.

With the Four Islands Tournament being held here from Monday 16 to Friday 20 August, Guernsey decided against going on tour this season. But they now face the prospect of going to Grainville with just two matches, the other being the defeat to the MCC, under their belt. Not that Hearse is overly concerned, though.

'The players are playing enough cricket as it is. I am just looking for consistency now - I know how good people are,' he said.