Sarnian hearts broken by Carlyon once again

PEOPLE said it was going to be a close game and it could not have been much closer as Guernsey agonisingly lost the 50th inter-insular by four runs on Saturday. Having restricted Jersey to 195 on a belter of a KGV wicket, the home side found themselves needing six runs to win from the last over but with just one wicket left. And when Pete Le Hegarat edged Steve Carlyon's second ball to keeper James Caunt, there were scenes of absolute joy from the reds as they regained the cup for the first time in five years.

The mood in the Guernsey camp was one of desolation as they had got themselves into a winning position a couple of times only to have their dreams shattered.

It was a real roller coaster of a match.

'Disappointed but it was a cracking game,' said Guernsey manager Dave Hearse.

'I was especially pleased with the youngsters and a special mention for Blane Queripel's bowling and Kris Moherndl's batting. When you look at the game we were pleased to keep them to 195.

'What was disappointing was that we got a good start with a 50 partnership but when any of our batsmen got in, not one of them went on to make a big score. But Jersey stuck to the task when we twice got into winning positions.

'When you look at the positives, we've blooded the youngsters and they acquitted themselves well. Where can you look at that and see what went wrong and try and find those four runs?

'We've had a great run and it had to end somewhere and we've had our fair share of winning close games. I think the games will be tight for a few years.

'We'll be back at them next year and look to get that cup back.'

In chasing Jersey's total, the greens got off to a flyer as Matt Oliver and Ryan Bishop put on 57 for the first wicket but they found themselves in real trouble on 130 for seven.

Some quality batting from 19-year-old Moherndl with 30 and Andy Biggins then took the home side up to 183 and within touching distance of victory.

That was before Carlyon came in the 48th over to dismiss Moherndl and then number 10 Queripel two balls later before seeing off Le Hegarat for the win.

The 41-year-old former Muratti goalkeeper, whose heroics between the football posts denied Guernsey on a number of occasions, is well used to breaking Sarnian hearts as he was named the man of the match in his 22nd inter-insular appearance.

'Steve should have been shot at birth,' joked Hearse.

'He's a fantastic sportsman and he's been the scourge of Guernsey cricket for many a year and he comes back and does it in the bowling department which he's not really been known for.'

Very popular in both islands, Carlyon was thrown in at the deep end by his captain, Matt Hague, when he was asked to deliver the last over with his part-time medium pace.

'I didn't think I was going to bowl at that stage,' he said.

'I just tried to bowl in the right areas. I felt like a 21-year-old, jumping around afterwards.

'Then we had them seven down for 137 and we felt we were there. But then I didn't think we were going to get it at one stage.

'It's been a fantastic day.'