Duke a delight as Optis suffer their first defeat

TIM DUKE'S superb 88 set C&W Rovers on the way to a surprisingly easy defeat of previously unbeaten Clubhouse Optimists on Saturday. The island all-rounder's innings at Port Soif was near faultless as he ensured that his side did not miss absentees Richard Headington and Richard Hamilton.

Aided by a solid half century from opener Quentin Hubbard, Rovers took maximum batting points in setting Optimists 226 for victory. They were to fall 73 runs short.

'Quentin has now scored back-to-back 50s, which provides stability at the top of the order,' said Rovers captain Stuart Bisson.

'Dukey didn't get any runs last week and you always expect a player of his ability to come back like this. He batted excellently.'

It was the early dismissal of the skipper that brought Duke and Hubbard together and they were rarely troubled in a second-wicket stand worth 101.

Both were patient in their approach, but there were enough bad balls from the change bowlers to milk the runs.

Duke also demonstrated a tremendous ability to find the gaps seemingly at will to keep the board ticking over, with boundaries fairly hard to come by on a lush outfield.

When Hubbard finally went for the big shot having just passed his 50 and was stumped, there being a slight danger of the required acceleration not happening.

Aaron Scoones was soon back in the pavilion also, having been run out going for two to wide long-off, but Jody Bisson did the ideal job for his side.

Ensuring he supported Duke by getting bat to ball and running hard, Bisson played a full part in the fourth-wicket stand of 56 that pushed Rovers to 200.

Both fell to Ami Banerjee towards the death, Duke having faced 107 balls and hit six fours and one pulled six while Bisson notched 34 from 27 deliveries.

The reply started in fairly bizarre fashion with Steve Queripel opening and then retiring in order to catch a flight. With Gary Cousens having badly injured his right thumb in the field, Optimists were two down without having actually lost a wicket.

The big scalp of Banerjee soon arrived though, the Indian getting one from Stuart Bisson that popped off a good length giving him little option but to fend it to gully.

Duke then dismissed Dijon Lester for a duck and Optimists were effectively 30 for four.

Mark Clapham continued his good form this season with 41 at the top of the order but when he fell to Matt Hallett, Optis' hopes were fading.

Then skipper Bisson produced his surprise package in the form of a fifth bowler, his brother Jody, and the move worked a treat as he picked up the important scalps of Mark Jefferies and Ian Damarell as well as Ollie Bowyer and the game was in the bag.

From a personal point of view, Andy Biggins will have welcomed getting some time at the crease for his unbeaten 38, but from his demeanour it was obvious he knew it was in a losing cause.

To wrap things up, Stuart Bisson came back into the attack and claimed his second wicket as Optimists were bowled out for 152.

The Rovers captain admitted afterwards, though, that he was dreading his brother's company the coming days.

'Jody, unfortunately, came up trumps because I'll never hear the end of it. Sunday roast is going to be difficult,' said the skipper.

'Overall, I was delighted. All the boys chipped in and the fielding today was the best it has been all year.