Rejuvenation game

GUERNSEY today hosts a Channel Islands over-50s fixture for the first time in several years and it could not be a more crucial encounter. The home side entertains Devon at the College Field in a match that could make or break either team's season.

Steve Birkett, one of the Guernsey regulars in the Channel Islands side, is looking forward to having the chance of playing on Sarnian soil, but emphasised how important today's clash will be.

'The Devon game is always the most eagerly anticipated. We usually see them as the hardest team of the lot,' he said.

'If you lose two, you are probably not going to qualify for the knockout stages - you really need to be at least six and one from the group matches to go through.'

During his five years within the CI over-50s' set-up, Birkett has had some good tussles with Devon and does not expect this one to be any different.

'I have been involved in two games at the Torquay ground where over 500 runs have been scored. Keith Dennis last time made a hundred and the match prior to that several of us made 50s or 60s.

'We have actually lost both times in Jersey and won both times in Devon so historically the away side does well in these games.

'We need to bowl well because Devon have a strong batting side and they have been county champions before,' Birkett said.

The Credit Suisse-sponsored CI team have won two and lost one of their three games so far this campaign although they have arguably not hit their best form yet.

After an opening win against Cornwall, Birkett said it was disappointing to lose to Somerset in a game the islanders felt they should have won, but that was followed by a morale-boosting victory away to Hampshire.

'I do not think we have bowled as well as we are capable of doing. We have got the reputation as having the best bowling side of all the counties in the group,' said Birkett.

'We probably should not have allowed Somerset to chase over 200 to win the game, although we did quite well in Hampshire and managed to restrict them to 140-odd in 45 overs.

However, the CI will still be able to call on several other quality bowlers such as Mike Kinder and John Tall as well as a Jerseyman who can still send deliveries down at a fai--rate of knots.

'All the other counties regard Barry Middleton as the fastest bowler in the region. He is still quick, especially relative to the age group,' said Birkett.

The CI's success in the over-50s county compet-ition should not be underestimated.

Many of the other counties have former first-class players in their line-ups, but the islanders do not have that luxury, yet even during Birkett's time in the side they have reached the semi-finals of the competition and have twice made it to the quarter-finals.

So what is the secret behind this success?

'We do well because we function very well as a team,' said Birkett.

'Team spirit is quite an important part at this age.'

At a personal level, Birkett, who is one of the more sprightly over-50s around, will continue to play for as long as possible because like many others in the age group, the competition has given them something new which to aim for.

'I do enjoy it very much. There is great camaraderie and in its own way it is very competitive,' he said.

The CI versus Devon match is scheduled to start at 1pm at the College Field.