Bisson's heroics narrowly fail to clinch a victory

FUTURE B inter-insulars have a lot to live up to after the inaugural fixture produced a cracker. Stuart Bisson's heroics with the bat were not quite enough for the home side at the KGV yesterday as Jersey claimed a four-run victory after Tom Minty kept his nerve to concede just one run off his final two deliveries.

The fact that Guernsey came that close to victory was a great testament to the strength of character shown by Bisson and Tim Belton after a horrendous middle order collapse, mainly instigated by some excellent bowling from Peter Blackburn, which left the Sarnians floundering at 61 for five chasing 219.

Belton had put on 25 for the opening wicket with Matt Oliver before the Cobo left-hander tried to smash Richard Huckle's slower ball out the ground only to play too early and get a bottom edge onto his stumps.

The Pessimists opener and Robbie Moore added another 21 runs before the problems really began as the Taverners captain was caught behind down the leg side off Blackburn and two balls later Richard Veillard scooped a drive to mid-off.

Mark Jefferies also went for a duck, bowled by the left-arm seamer in his final over of a fine spell and Justin Meades did not last much longer before Andrew Dewhurst knocked over his castle meaning that numbers three to six had contributed just nine runs between them.

Belton and Bisson then showed them exactly how it should be done with a gutsy sixth-wicket stand of 101, initially made by patiently waiting for the bad ball and putting it away for four until the field was pushed back and they could start working the ones and twos.

Belton reached his half-century in 91 balls having hit seven fours and he would add two more, but what should have then been a great moment for Bisson as he brought up his 50 turned sour as his partner was run out going for a second.

Justin Scriven and Jamie Nussbaumer were soon sent back to the pavilion in the 46th over by Tom Minty, but Mark Renouf (20 not out) joined Bisson and nearly managed to secure the win.

But credit to Jersey who backed up their bowlers extremely well in the field and worked as a unit to ensure Bisson, who finished unbeaten on 73, could not get the six runs he needed off the final two balls.

Earlier, man-of-the-match Dewhurst had hit a classy 71 to lay the foundations for Jersey's total.

Opener Danny Bertram had been removed by Scriven with the second ball of the day to bring Dewhurst to the wicket and he showed a superb temperament as well as no end of quality strokes in his 137-ball innings which included 11 fours.

Tom Minty gave him useful support with 28 and at the end of the innings captain Nigel Crocker and Bobby Minty added an unbroken 75 with some terrific running between the wickets.

Guernsey's attack bowled well although the lack of variety did stand out.

Mark Renouf picked up two wickets, both caught by Moore at cover, while Matt Jeffery and Meades claimed one apiece.

'It was a great game of cricket,' said Island manager Dave Hearse.

'Jersey batted well but their seventh-wicket partnership got them more runs than they looked like getting at one stage and we bowled tidily if possibly giving away a few too many extras.

'We did not bat as a team and there was immense pressure on Tim, who batted fantastically well - he was trying to get us home. I was saying all along that we needed a partnership and it came in the end with Stuart batting better than I have ever seen him but it was just not quite enough.

'I have been having a chat with my co-selectors and we are clear now on what the full side will be for the inter-insular. We have just got to get passed a few injuries now and will name the squad next Monday,' he added.