Beating Jersey is no longer the main aim

FOR the first time, the inter-insular will not be the biggest match for Guernsey's cricketers during a season. Island manager Dave Hearse admitted that the clash with Jersey will always be special, but revealed yesterday that his number one priority was victory at the European Cricket Council Division Two Championships in Scotland in August.

It will be the first time Guernsey have competed in official international competition since gaining membership to the ICC.

'That is our key to this year,' Hearse said.

'The Jersey game will be as big as it always is, but the most important part of this season as far as I am concerned is winning that competition in Scotland, and that is not very far away now.'

Although the squad has been preparing for the tournament for over a year now, tomorrow marks the beginning of a ground-breaking year as Guernsey play their first match of the season against the MCC.

Hearse has had his hand forced somewhat due to the unavailability of players such as Lee Savident, Tim Duke, Aaron Scoones and the injured Pierre Moody, meaning that there is a youthful look to the seam bowling department.

Not one of Stuart Bisson, Jamie Nussbaumer, Blane Queripel or Steve Queripel has won a cap yet but Hearse was happy to place his faith in them for this game.

'It is an inexperienced bowling attack in terms of the faster bowlers, but the spinners Gary Rich and Jeremy Frith are very experienced and we will look to them to help them along.

'It is a great opportunity for players to play games against good teams and it is a good exercise for Scotland.

'All the players are in the squad because they deserve to be.'

Yesterday, the MCC, who this year include one-time England opener John Stephenson in their ranks, held on to draw with the GICC.

The visitors were given a good start by the former international and Temoor Alam, but the wheels came off when they slumped from 67 for one to 92 for five with Mike Savage doing most of the damage.

Man of the match James O'Connor hit an unbeaten half-century to help rebuild the innings as the MCC declared on 189 for nine.

In reply, Mark Clapham and Richard Headington enjoyed a 83-run second-wicket stand before remarkably the GICC also found themselves 92 for five following a collapse.

However, thanks to a deep batting order, they managed to halt the slide.

Nussbaumer and Dave Piesing added 36 before Savage joined the former to maintain the momentum.

When the youngster finally succumbed to a rush of blood, Mark Renouf joined Savage to push the score closer and closer to the target, only to run out of overs when still nine runs short of what would have been an excellent victory.