Forging links is beneficial to everyone

INTERNATIONAL cricket returned to the KGV yesterday. Following the visit of the Bermuda senior side earlier in the summer, Holland have brought a squad to the island to compete in the Guernsey Under-14 Festival.

The Channel Islands defeated the Dutch by eight wickets in the opening fixture, but this week is not just about results. It is all part of continuing junior cricket development and forging useful links with other nations now that the islands are ICC members.

And, as Holland manager Andrew Vieler explained, these events benefit all sides.

'I am very impressed so far - it has been wonderful. It is well organised and the hotel is terrific,' he said.

'I have been to the Taunton festivals and this is the same thing with five good games in a week. It is a fantastic way to enjoy cricket and I hope the boys will develop their own networks.

'I know that certainly from the European Champion-ships, our boys get to know people from the other countries like Ireland and Scotland and they get together socially after matches.'

Even though Guernsey gained affiliate membership to the ICC only last year, Vieler was happy to see some familiar faces on his arrival in the island.

'Guernsey came to us last year and had what I thought was a successful tour. There were good contacts made and we had a couple of good games,' he said.

'We are all getting good and mixed experiences.

Yesterday at the KGV, the visitors set a competitive 40-over total of 189 for five but thank to a superb knock from Adam Hindle, the CI reached their target comfortably.

The Optimists all-rounder carried his bat for an unbeaten 92, which contained eight boundaries, mainly sweetly-timed drives.

He was given excellent support by Jersey's Tim de la Haye, who finished 45 not out as the hosts won with 4.4 overs to spare.

'I thought this match could have been closer if we had not dropped some catches. One hundred and ninety was a good total for them to get. It was excellent batting,' Vieler said.

'This is an under-15 development side, which is like a youth academy. They are like our second under-15 team although we have mostly under-14s here.

'The idea is to try and bring them up a little so that they are competing for places in the first team. The first team play in the European Championships.'

CI manager Chris Minty was more than satisfied with his side's display.

'It was a very good start to the week,' he said.

'It was a very efficient batting performance. Adam Hindle played some really good shots through the V and he looked quality. To go with that, in a nice contrast, Tim hit the ball hard.

'We gave away too many extras so we will be looking to bowl a little bit straighter tomorrow.'

* C&W Rovers beat P&J Salemites in Barclays Even-ing League One yesterday.