Savident shocked to win award

LEE SAVIDENT hit a big century and picked up the player-of- the-tournament accolade as Jersey lost the final on the last day of the ECC European Second Division Championships in Glasgow. While the Caesareans lost to Norway, Guernsey celebrated a 61-run victory over France which owed much to a classy 136 from Savident.

But the former Hampshire professional, who over the competition made 199 runs, took six wickets and two catches and had three quiet games out of five, was not in particularly celebratory mood.

He is in no doubt that Guernsey should have done better, at least reached the final and looking forward to division one cricket instead of taking part in a meaningless play-off match.

'I was very surprised to win it as I got two scores and then not much else,' said Savident.

'Without being derogatory it just goes to show the standard of the second division. We should be in division one and the boys from Scotland and Ireland that I've spoken to think so as well.

'People who don't know us were surprised that we didn't win it. We're good enough but we've got to work on our tournament cricket.'

The awards night were held in the lavish halls of the Glasgow City Chamber and the Jersey team picked up their runner-up trophies after losing by 49 runs to Norway in the final.

They also missed out on promotion to the top division. That now goes to the Norwegians.

'I feel we had a good tournament,' said Jersey's captain Matt Hague.

'It came down to one game at the end and I think Norway deserved to win. They played better on the day.'

Norway's coach is cricket journalist Ralph Dellor.

He was possibly the happiest man in Glasgow last night.

'It's a great effort because we were playing at a higher standard than we've ever done before,' he said.

'We qualified to get here and now we've emerged as winners it's very, very satisfying.'

Guernsey manager Dave Hearse reflected on a disappointing week by saying: 'It was too much too late. The real Guernsey turned up today.'