Rovers snatch CI spot

C&W ROVERS can now look forward to the KPMG Channel Islands Club Championship, along with Cobo, Optimists and Mavericks. The bottom-placed side's eight-wicket victory over PKF Wanderers at Port Soif on Saturday saw them leapfrog their rivals into the coveted fourth spot and a place in the 'CI's'.

'It's another stepping stone on our path to CI cricket,' said Rovers captain Stuart Bisson.

Their emphatic victory gave them the maximum 40 points on offer, while Wanderers, in their last league match, had to settle for only seven. Even if Rovers do not manage to get any points against Mavericks in their final game in two weeks' time, they will still finish higher than Wanderers.

Bisson's team had bowled out their opponents for a miserly 139.

'That's what we're capable of when we get our full side out,' said Bisson.

'It was a great fielding performance to get something out of that score. You've got to be happy with that.'

Having won the toss and decided to bat, Wanderers started badly when Tim Belton went in the first over. A fine diving catch by John Baker at second slip off Bisson dismissed the former island opening batsman.

This brought in Ross Knellor and with James Warr going cheaply and captain Richard Veillard out for a duck, the pressure was on the stylish right-hander. He responded well to hit 60 off 83 balls before Gordon Irish stumped him.

Richard Headington mopped up the tail with a top class five for 13. With the bat, Headington again did his job as he and fellow opener Quinten Hubbard put on 98 for the first wicket before Headington was caught behind off Phil Challenger for 46. Hubbard, whose previous two innings at Port Soif were 59 and 51, went soon afterwards for 43.

Tim Duke and Aaron Scoones saw Rovers home with 12 overs to spare.

'Quinten is in a fine run and with ?Headers? he gave us a solid start which calmed the dressing room down,' said Bisson.

'When you are chasing a low total, a strong foundation is essential.'

Meanwhile at the KGV, Mavericks continued their sensational run of late with a two-wicket victory over Optimists.

They restricted Optis to 172, which would have been a lot worse for the batting team if island captain Andy Biggins had not weighed in with 55. In response, Mavericks made a meal of things, as they found themselves 55 for five.

But 37 from Ben Ferbrache and 60 from Karl Ogier coming in at seven, helped carry them over the line.