Simply irresistible Optis now odds-on for the title

CLUBHOUSE OPTIMISTS' seemingly irresistible march towards the Carey Olsen Championship title continued apace on Saturday. Despite fielding a weakened side, the champions-elect brushed aside PKF Wanderers with minimum fuss as the big-name players who were present showed exactly how to accept responsibility.

With captain Mark Jefferies and regular opener Mark Clapham among those unavailable, Wanderers fancied their chances of causing an upset at the KGV.

What they needed to do, however, was to get one of the prize wickets - either Andy Biggins and Ami Banerjee - early.

As the two island stars proved, that is easier said than done.

Tim de Putron's 27 when opening with the Guernsey captain helped get Optimists off to a decent start before the two ABs shared in a magnificent second-wicket stand of 175.

Both made a deserved century and they never looked like getting anything else.

Biggins took his time to settle in, but once the fours started to flow, there was an abundance as the left-hander notched up 15 of them in his 101 from 128 deliveries faced.

Meanwhile, Banerjee was, as usual, the epitome of glorious stroke-making and impeccable timing as the ball flew to the boundary no fewer than 14 times during his 104, which was made off just 85 balls and included one six.

Both fell trying to push the score up towards 300 in the knowledge that there were two big-hitting South Africans chomping at the bit to having a go at some tired bowling.

On this occasion, GH Smit failed but Divan van den Heever produced the most entertaining innings of the day.

His simple notion of keeping his head down and striking through the ball without slogging worked a treat as he contributed 38 from 12 balls. He battered four fours and three sixes in his short but remarkable stay at the crease, which helped Optis pass that 300-mark.

In reply, the majority of the Wanderers batsmen made a start without anyone producing a big score.

There was no keeping Biggins or Banerjee out of the action either and they claimed five wickets between them as their side secured an emphatic 88-run win.

Now only champions C&W Rovers stand between Optimists and the title.