Cobo Jamie comes of age

JAMIE NUSSBAUMER came of age last night as a batsman. His 75 off just 48 balls saw Total Cobo comfortably home after DHS St Pierre set a target of 138 off 22 overs at KGV.

Last month, the 17-year-old scored a maiden century for Elizabeth College against Portsmouth Grammar School that has given him the confidence to begin to look the good batsman that he has always promised to be.

'It's always nice to get a 50 and this was especially pleasing as it was my first in the evening league and I hope to get some more,' he said.

'Getting my 100 I think has taught me to learn to build an innings and to be more patient. My aim for the season is to be selected for the island B team for the inter-insulars.

'I hope to save some runs for that.'

Nussbaumer was promoted up the order to replace Matt Oliver who was at the Rose Bowl watching England play Australia in the Twenty20 competition.

The youngster quickly allowed his side forget that they were missing their island opener.

Against a 10-man St Pierre he timed a number of forceful punch drives through the gaps in the covers and jumped onto anything short with absolute ease.

The shot of his innings was a lofted drive over long on off Scott Lee that sailed for six. Opening partner Peter Vidamour was also going well on 29 until he smashed one back at Stephen Le Cloarec, who hung onto a sharp catch.

It was a case of 'catch it or wear it' for Le Cloarec.

Nussbaumer's dismissal was also a caught and bowled, Karl Ogier finally getting his man when he got a leading edge trying to turn the ball onto the legside. Cobo were only 13 short at the time and next batsman, TJ Ozanne, soon saw them home.

Earlier, St Pierre's total was based around a typical quickfire 44 off 22 balls by Carl Le Tissier, who took 21 off young Blane Queripel's second over.

The rest of the batsman failed until Wayne Barrett and Andy Priaulx came in at six and eight respectively and built a decent partnership with individual scores in the 20s.

Cobo took a long time, an hour-and-a-half, to bowl their 22 overs but the truth of the matter was St Pierre had not scored enough runs from to trouble the blues.

The previous afternoon Cobo comfortably beat PKF Wanderers by 54 runs in the Carey Olsen Championship.

Vidamour's team batted first and the captain set the course of play with 12 runs off the first over from Keith Le Cheminant.

Vidamour went to make 51 and was out the ball after reaching the milestone, bowled by Phil Challenger. Matt Oliver and Jeremy Frith both fell cheaply but Stuart Le Prevost carried the mantle with a delightful 90 not out. His innings was underlined by some effortless cover drives and nice flicks off his legs and paved the way for a big total of 245 for five, far too many for Wanderers.