Channel Islands make it three wins from three

THE Channel Islands maintained their 100% record in the Guernsey Under-14 Festival yesterday. Berkshire were convincingly beaten by 98 runs at Port Soif thanks to an excellent all-round team performance.

The CI's 40-over total of 211 for nine was based mainly on a fine third-wicket partnership between the two Tims - Ravenscroft and de la Haye - who gave the innings the necessary impetus after a solid if unspectacular start.

The captain from Guernsey, Ravenscroft, scored 60 from 44 balls including six fours while his Jersey counterpart hit four boundaries in his 32.

Andrew Hutchinson and Charlie Wilkes-Green then bowled accurately at the start of the Berkshire reply to reduce the opposition to 17 for four.

The visitors eventually succumbed for 113 with Hutchinson taking the final wicket to fall, his third.

Manager Chris Minty was pleased with his side's display as, for the first time this week, they batted first.

'It was good to do it the other way around and great to see the batters responding to the different scenario set in batting first,' he said.

'We did well to get from a slightly sticky start up to 200-plus after being 62 for two off 20.

'There was a particularly good partnership between Ravenscroft and de la Haye and then good, positive batting from Adam Hindle at the end.

'We planned our bowling attack before we went out, using Charlie to take the pace off the ball and it worked out. From 17 for four, you are always struggling.

'There was an improvement in our bowling generally as there has been each day so far,' added Minty.

* There have been two centuries hit during what has been an outstanding festival so far. They have been scored by David Unwin of Huntingdonshire and Holland's Tobias Visee.