Sarnians fall just short in thriller

THE KGV was treated to a spectacular run feast yesterday. Guernsey may have lost to a high-quality MCC side, but the hosts played their part in an enthralling encounter that boasted 602 runs.

In a game when you are asked to chase 305 in 50 overs, there are bound to be some negatives in your performance, but the manner in which Guernsey applied themselves to the task bodes well.

As captain Andy Biggins said after the eight-run defeat: 'We definitely get some credit for this.'

Having lost the toss, it was a long session out in the field for the home side as, due to some erratic bowling and outstanding batting, they had to chase the ball far and wide.

Anything loose was punished right from the off.

The left/right hand opening partnership of Ben Debenham and Temoor Alam caused problems early on for the new ball attack of the two Queripels - Blane and Steve.

The Optimists swing bowler settled the better, though, and can be content with his 10-over spell and the deserved wicket of Debenham to end an opening stand of 88, compiled in just 16 overs.

Unfortunately for Guernsey, that brought Simon Hawk to the crease and he produced one of the best centuries seen locally for many a year.

Made off 103 balls, he hit nine boundaries and throughout his timing was impeccable, his placement accurate and his running excellent.

Initially he took his time to get settled and allowed Alam to continue his stroke-making on his way to a fine 60 before taking on the lead role superbly.

Hawk was ably supported by Mark Bredell, who smashed 55 from 66 deliveries including three big sixes, in what for Guernsey must have been a demoralising third-wicket stand of 151.

Virtually all the bowlers came in for some tap with the exception of off-spinner Gary Rich who conceded just one four in his 10 overs.

At the death, credit must also go to Stuart Bisson and the skipper because the total could have been several more if they had been off target.

'It was not one of our best bowling performances. The best thing you can say about it was that we stuck at it,' Biggins said.

'What we did wrong was bowl too many wides, no-balls and free-balls.

'A lot of credit must go to their batsmen as well though. They batted fantastically well. It was probably a good experience for us to have a bit of leather-chasing for a change.'

Guernsey desperately needed a solid start to their reply. Richard Veillard and Matt Oliver gave them even more with a marvellous stand of 129.

Both contributed half-centuries and while neither was chanceless, both were extremely positive and kept the run-rate up throughout.

Veillard struck four fours in his 54 while top-scorer Oliver hit double that amount in his 65.

However, when both were dismissed in fairly quick succession and the middle order of Jeremy Frith, Stuart Le Prevost and Biggins only managed 18 between them, hope started to fade.

But Ami Banerjee and Justin Meades were not going down without a fight despite the former being hampered by a hamstring injury that required him to use a runner.

Together they put on 68 with the Indian finding the gaps to keep the board ticking over while the Australian provided the power.

When Banerjee departed for 61 and Rich soon after, Meades continued to attack and launched a huge six over the scorebox in the penultimate over to leave 20 required off the final one.

But his heroics ended when Alam caught what would have been a flat six at long-off. Guernsey's gallant run chase had finished agonisingly short.

The island skipper praised the batsmen for their application and the way the innings was paced, highlighting that both sides' scores were an identical 157 for two after 30 overs.

'Our innings mirrored theirs in the way that it started postively and the momentum was maintained. In the end, we came up just short but you cannot knock the guys for the effort,' said Biggins.

* GUERNSEY play Bermuda tomorrow at the KGV at 11am, and Sunday at 11.30am. Bermuda play a GCB Chairman's XI at 11am on Monday at the KGV.