Tim's third ton in vain
DESPITE another century from Tim Ravenscroft - his third in a little more than a week- the Channel Islands squad just failed to beat Norfolk in the deciding match of the under-14 Guernsey Cricket Festival.
DESPITE another century from Tim Ravenscroft - his third in a little more than a week- the Channel Islands squad just failed to beat Norfolk in the deciding match of the under-14 Guernsey Cricket Festival. Ravenscroft plundered the Norfolk bowling, notching up 103 off 92 balls, before becoming the fourth stumping victim of Norfolk's man of the match Sam Harberjhan.
The CI side were set 222 by Norfolk and they got off to a good start with both Ravenscroft, who took his tournament average to 111, and Tim de la Haye combining well until the latter fell for 42.
They were seemingly cruising until nerves set in and several wickets fell in quick succession.
From there the innings lost momentum despite Ravenscroft's best efforts. With eight overs remaining the CI side found themselves needing six an over to win but by the 36th over it has risen to 10 as the talented East Anglian side continued to apply pressure.
Ravenscroft reached his century in the same over but was dropped shortly after lofting a drive the following ball.
Shortly after, the CI side's hopes of winning were crushed when Ravenscroft was stumped.
Norfolk wrapped up the game in the 39th over when Haberjhan, who had scored 77 earlier, claimed his fourth stumping.
CI team manager Chris Minty was disappointed with the result but was generally pleased overall. 'We have stumbled at the last hurdle which is a bit of shame having done all the hard work to get here. I think we just lacked a bit of experience but that will only come by playing in this sort of festival,' he said.
'It has been a great festival, the weather has been fantastic and these festivals are an important part of our development plans,' he added.
Jason Shambrook, the Guernsey Cricket Board development officer was delighted with the weeklong festival.
'I think Norfolk probably deserved to win it.
'Our middle order was perhaps a little fragile but full credit to Norfolk,' he said.
'I think it has been a fantastic week and we have seen five centuries and nearly 20 half centuries which proves we have good pitches.
'It is fantastic to see so many lads taking part, they learn so much about many aspects of the games and I hope this will pay off when they come through to the senior level,' said Shambrook.
