Smit is the star as Optis triumph

CLUBHOUSE OPTIMISTS retained their crown as Guernsey champions with an amazing victory over Total Cobo in the Carey Olsen Championship decider. In a low-scoring encounter on a tricky playing surface at the KGV, Mark Jefferies' men successfully defended 131 as they dismissed their old rivals for just 107.

Mike Kinder was the star performer with the ball, claiming five wickets in another miserly nine-over spell, but the match-winner was G. H. Smit.

On a day when all other batsmen struggled - indeed the next highest score was 17 - the South African stroked a wonderful 60 not out with minimum fuss. Without that knock, Optimists might have relinquished their title.

'G.H. batted superbly to get us up to that total,' said a grateful Jefferies.

'We felt if we could get 150, it would be a decent score. To defend 131, though, was an excellent effort and full credit to all our players.'

The wicket was damp at the start of play after the morning shower, making it seemingly a vital toss to win and it was no surprise that Stuart Le Prevost asked Optimists to bat.

Wickets fell at regular intervals once Jefferies had played on attempting to leave a Blane Queripel delivery that bounced higher than expected.

Kris Moherndl then chipped in with two big scalps in Ami Banerjee and Andy Biggins before Mark Renouf ripped through the middle order.

But Smit stood firm, did not take risks and made sure he punished anything loose.

At 70 for seven, he was joined by Adam Hindle, one of the stars of the CI under-14 side, who capably held up an end for 46 minutes in what proved to be a crucial stand worth 40.

Finally, Gary Rich got one through the youngster's gate and the innings was closed with the wickets of Steve Queripel and Kinder, though not before Smit had struck a couple of lusty blows as he finished his 71-ball knock with four fours and two sixes.

Cobo had now made themselves favourites, but Optimists had runs on the board and were intent to put pressure on their opponents.

The early wicket of Matt Oliver, leg before to Steve Queripel, raised the fielding side even more and, as in the first innings, they continued to fall regularly.

When Kinder was introduced, the top three were already back in the hutch and when he removed Stuart Le Prevost with Cobo yet to reach 50, Optis knew they were in with a great shout.

Aided by some poor shots, they took their opportunity as Kinder prospered with a typically controlled spell of swing bowling.

At 65 for eight, hope looked to have gone for the batting side but Blane Queripel and Renouf showed what could be done with just a bit of application and they edged their side into three figures as nerves became frayed.

But the final twist came when Queripel misjudged a run to point and could not make it back to his crease after his partner sent him back.

The killer blow arrived a couple of overs later when Renouf did not make his ground going for a risky second.

'It was a bit nervy towards the end there,' Jefferies said.

'But, as we have done this season, we managed to eek out a result. I must say I thought Mike Kinder bowled fantastically and turned the game for us.

'We are really pleased to defend the afternoon league title and it would be nice to make it a double in the CI championship.'

Cobo captain Le Prevost added: 'It was obviously disappointing not to chase down a low total after we had bowled well, but we played some poor shots when we really needed someone to see it through. Blane and ?Renno? made a great effort, but it should not have been left to them.'