Guernsey bides time to secure hat-trick

GUERNSEY will be going for a record-breaking fourth consecutive inter-insular victory at the KGV next August. The Sarnians equalled their previous best of a hat- trick of wins at Grainville on Saturday, but as with all triumphs over Jersey, they were made to work hard to retain the trophy.

Chasing a modest 145 after a superbly disciplined performance in the field, Guernsey's top order stumbled to 38 for four as the home side put in an similarly impressive bowling and fielding display.

But Jeremy Frith remained calm and patiently held up an end with a vital 39 not out which allowed two of his Total Cobo team-mates to bat freely at the other end.

Matt Oliver put the required impetus into the innings with his 26 before Stuart Le Prevost banished all Jersey's hopes with a marvellous 53 in an unbroken and match-winning stand of 79 with Frith.

And the number seven won the match in style, reaching his half-century with a six over mid-wicket off the penultimate ball of the 44th over.

'I have batted with Frithy quite a lot for Cobo and we always seem to bat well together, which was the case again today.

'It is nice to win three on the trot, especially having been on the end of a few defeats in the past,' he added.

Guernsey manager Dave Hearse admitted that there were some anxious times during the afternoon.

'The danger with chasing a low score is that you bat to get a low score. We were slightly disappointed with the batting, but the Jersey bowlers bowled well, kept it tidy and their fielders took their chances well,' he said.

'Frithy managed to put down the anchor and that ultimately won us the game because it allowed others to play around him and Stuart batted beautifully, hence the man-of-the-match award.'

Meeku Patidar, the Jersey captain, was gracious in defeat and warned that his team will come back stronger next year.

'I see cricket as a pretty simple game: it is about doing the basics right. You look to bat well, bowl well and field well. We did the bowling and fielding exceptionally well - what let us down was our batting. We never scored enough runs.

'We talked a lot about partnerships and we never really had one of note and when I see Jeremy Frith bat for almost 150 balls to help win a game, I take my hat off to him,' Patidar said.