'Le God' has debut spoilt by ruthless champions

MATT LE TISSIER'S long-awaited Mavericks debut ended in defeat. The Southampton football legend played alongside brothers Carl and Kevin at the KGV on Saturday, but they had to bow to champions Cobo, who finished their campaign unbeaten thanks to a comprehensive 156-run victory.

'It is good to go through the league with a 100 per cent record from the games we played. That was our aim today,' said Cobo captain Stuart Le Prevost, whose side had two of their scheduled nine matches rained off.

It was the skipper who led the way on this occasion with a confidently compiled 66 in a match reduced to 44 overs per side due to a delayed start.

After Lee Gallienne had dismissed Matt Oliver early, Peter Vidamour and Jeremy Frith both made a useful contribution before Le Prevost came to the middle.

He was rarely troubled during his 81-ball stay, ruthlessly punishing anything short but also respecting the good ball, as demonstrated by Martin Baxter's figures. The Australian's accuracy led to him conceding just 23 runs from his nine overs.

Andy Burkhardt was also tidy and unfortunate not to take a wicket or two.

Le Prevost struck eight fours in his innings and shared in an important fourth wicket stand of 82 with Jamie Nussbaumer, who made a patient 30.

Having brought up his half century in the 36th over, there was the possibility of the island captain going on to reach three figures, but he paid the price for his one poor shot.

Trying to work the ball into a big gap on the leg side, he picked the wrong delivery to attempt it and Jonny Orme clipped his off stump.

However, TJ Ozanne gave the Cobo innings the ideal finish with a brisk 41 from just 24 deliveries. With the big boundary, most of those were run as he reached the whitewash only a couple of times.

Set 240 to win, Mavericks' reply never really got going.

Blane Queripel, who moved the ball appreciably into the right-handers, removed danger man GH Smit early on - the first of his three wickets.

Le Tissier came in at number four and showed a neat straight bat in defence on his way to being his side's second top scorer with 14 before being unfortunately bowled off his pads by Mark Renouf.

Young Adam Robin then took his chance with the ball very well, claiming four for seven with some very accurate bowling as Mavericks' innings came to a premature conclusion, being bowled out for 83.

Meanwhile, at Port Soif Optimists won a remarkable clash with Wanderers by two runs to finish in third spot, above Mavericks, and consign their opponents to the Sid Guy Trophy match.

Opener Tim de Putron hit an excellent run-a-ball 119 including two sixes and 14 fours to lay the foundations for Optimists' big 40-over total of 251 for two.

He shared in a second-wicket stand of 188 with island star Ami Banerjee, who made an unbeaten 96 from the same number of balls, to put their side firmly in the driving seat.

But Wanderers put up a spirited effort in trying to reach their target, with Matt Thornton and Richard Veillard adding 153 for the second wicket.

Opener Thornton smacked eight fours in his 80 while Veillard hit the same number in his 60.

Middle-order batsmen chipped in with useful runs as well to keep their side in the hunt all the way through the innings.

Going into the final over, Wanderers needed five to win and had two wickets in hand, but it was Optimists' Paul Cooper who emerged the hero as he trapped Keith Le Cheminant leg before and bowled Andrew Boyce.