Third place is scant consolation

TWO comprehensive wins from two games but placing only third 'sticks in the gullet', Dave Nussbaumer admitted. Gibraltar yesterday gave his Guernsey under-23 side a decent game at the College Field in their play-off, but losing out on a place in the final by 0.03 on run rate will continue to rankle with the Sarnians.

But Nussbaumer wanted to focus on the on-field performances of his team and just said of Wednesday's drama with the calculator as 'something the ICC need to look at' for future tournaments.

'I think it would have been a cracking final if we could have played Jersey, but it was not to be,' the Guernsey manager said.

'They were the side we wanted to play and try to beat. They were favourites coming here. They have lived up to that by winning the trophy and they are undoubtedly a very good side.

'I reckon we would have given them a good game but, give Gibraltar credit today, they played some good cricket here.'

The Gibraltarian star all week was Iain Latin and he once again showed his quality in making an impressive 66 when coming in at number seven.

With his side in trouble at 85 for seven following some fine Sarnian bowling - particularly from Jonny Warr, Tim Ravenscroft and Chris Dravers - Latin got the visitors up to a useful total of 184 for nine from their 50 overs with his 74-ball stay at the crease. He hit seven fours and a couple of sixes.

James Warr and Blane Queripel, who a day earlier had been down to come in at number 11, gave Guernsey the solid start their reply required, putting on a patient 54 for the first wicket, but it was Ravenscroft who was to be the star of the show with the bat.

Having come in at the fall of Warr's wicket, the 15-year-old settled into his stride immediately and his innings simply oozed class from the start.

His third scoring shot was a full toss nonchalantly deposited for six as he managed to find the gaps in the field at will, something which the openers had trouble doing with the bad balls.

Queripel also started opening up on his way to a valuable 44 before he was somewhat unfortunate to be bowled off his bat by off-spinner Mark Bacarese.

A quick rain shower halted proceedings for a while and Jamie Nussbaumer was run out in a strange mix up soon after play resumed, seemingly responding to a call that had not come from Ravenscroft.

But Ben Ferbrache joined the young Hampshire Academy star to steer Guernsey home with no further alarms with a couple of overs to spare.

Ravenscroft finished unbeaten on 58 from 77 balls, adding five fours to that early six. Ferbrache was 34 not out.

'In the first half of their innings we bowled exceptionally well,' said manager Nussbaumer.

'Unfortunately, we lost our way a bit, but all credit to their number seven who batted superbly and in a strange way I was happy to be chasing to few more than perhaps we should have been because it gave our batsmen a chance to show what they can do.

'I thought Gibraltar gave a very creditable performance out there as well and I feel they showed they were better than the sides we had seen in our group.'