Optimists back on track

CLUBHOUSE OPTIMISTS put their woes from the weekend behind them as they beat DHS St Pierre by five wickets in the Barclays Evening League Division One last night. On Saturday in the weekend league, the champions suffered a shock 73 run defeat at the hands of strugglers C&W Rovers. But 48 hours later at the KGV, that was forgotten as they chased down St Pierre's low total of 105 in 21 overs.

After some slight wobbles, Optis, who were missing a number of key men including Ami Banerjee and captain Steve Queripel, reached the target with six balls spare.

'It was a quite relaxed performance,' said stand-in captain Andy Biggins.

'It was enjoyable. Maybe that's what been missing lately.

'It's nice to play against St Pierre. They give you a good run for your money. They never give up.'

St Pierre got off to great start with the bat as openers Justin Walker and Carl Le Tissier posted 57 for the first wicket.

But the 2003 champions were guilty of being too sluggish in the final overs as they only managed 24 runs from the last seven.

Biggins was the hero with the ball for Optis as he took 4 for 17 from his five overs.

With performances like that, maybe he now has shaken off his 'occasional off-spinner' tag although one of his victims, Justin Meades, seemed to be quite aggrieved with his lbw decision.

In reply, Optis lost steady wickets as B team regular David Battey was unfortunately responsible for running out opener Mark Clapham and Biggins.

Mark Culverwell accounted for Clapham's dismissal with a smart piece of work: a direct hit from extra cover.

With Battey going for 25, it was left to Ian Damarell coming in down the order to steady the ship with a well-constructed 30 not out.

Needing 15 runs to win off the last two overs, the veteran keeper/batsman tucked into Andy Burkhardt's penultimate over to ensure the victory.

Captain Burkhardt did not have much to say at the end of a match that his team could have quite easily taken, but he was clear on the reason why they lost.

'We didn't score enough runs,' he said.