Tapp steadies ship as greens retain cup

WHAT better way to grace your first over-40s inter-insular than play a match-winning knock? Gary Tapp, one of three members of the Guernsey side to have reached the age group this season, did just that, with his excellent 91 the base on which the Sarnians retained the cup.

Needing 214 in 50 overs, the visitors found themselves in trouble having lost openers Peter Vidamour and Richard Headington with just 10 runs on the board. Dave Clark was to follow a few overs later to make it 33 for three.

But Tapp and skipper Paul Wakeford got their side back on track with a vital fourth-wicket stand of 79.

After the captain was dismissed, bowled by Mark Saralis for 28, Ian Damarell joined Tapp in another important partnership, this time worth 59 as the visitors edged towards their target.

Another over-40 newcomer, Mark Reynolds, finally dismissed the St Saviour's man just nine short of a century - he had faced 112 deliveries and hit 14 fours - but Tapp had given the Sarnians a great chance of victory.

They took it with Gary Rich and Dave Hearse's unbroken stand of 16 seeing them home, the latter hitting the winning four with three balls to spare.

Earlier, Chris Searson had marked his farewell appearance with an unbeaten 50 and Dave Buxton scored 54. Rich picked up three wickets with his spin while Mike Kinder was highly economical, with one for 18 from his 10.