Dutch bulb blows

THE island side picked up one of their most impressive victories when they defeated the Dutch Flamingo A tourists by 124 runs yesterday. The game, the first of a three-match series at the KGV that continues today, saw the Guernsey Cricket Board XI post 259 from their 50 overs.

Optimists all-rounder Ami Banerjee hit 107 not out with opener Matt Oliver the next highest scorer on 71.

The pair put on a 160-run partnership after losing Jeremy Frith for a duck in the opening over.

Then a good fielding and bowling effort from the Sarnians restricted the visitors - who are all but in name the Holland A team - to 135 runs.

'It was a great Guernsey performance,' said coach Dave Hearse.

'The one thing I was pleased with was the way they approached the game. They looked professional and they played to a good standard today.

'I was especially pleased for Matt and Ami. They built a good solid foundation, which isn't easy when you lose a wicket in the first over.

'We fielded and bowled really well and I was also pleased for the three young seamers. You forget that Kris Moherndl and Pete Le Hegarat are only 18 and Blane Queripel is 20.

'We've set the standard and we need to maintain that for the next two days.'

Whereas Hearse is looking for a repeat performance from his side, the Dutch coach Roland Lefebvre is looking for a marked improvement from his team for the rest of the series.

'Disappointed today,' said the former Glamorgan and Somerset medium pacer after the game.

'Full credit to Guernsey, you can see a lot of work has been done. They batted well, but I think we allowed them to bat well.

'Our guys have to pick themselves up. That's part of the learning curve and we have to come up with a big game performance.'