Cobo cruise it

THE champions are one win away from defending their crown. Cobo defeated Rovers at a canter last night at the KGV, one week before their crunch encounter with title rivals St Pierre, to ensure that victory in that match will keep the Rozel Shield at the Rockmount.

Despite not having had an evening game for 20 days, Stuart Le Prevost's men showed no signs of rustiness on the mat as 10-man Rovers failed to set anything like a testing 15-over target.

'It was good to actually get a game in,' said the Cobo skipper, whose side were due to play twice last week but had both games fall foul of the weather.

'You cannot take anything for granted against a side like Rovers because they have some dangerous players, but we kept them in check well with the ball.'

Although missing several first teamers including Guernsey wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Bishop, Rovers had island squad players Stuart Bisson and Tim Duke available to open the batting.

However, Cobo, in turn, had Guernsey fast bowlers Blane Queripel and Pete Le Hegarat to go up against them and they kept things quiet early on before the introduction of spin twins Jeremy Frith and Gary Rich saw the wickets start to tumble.

Wicketkeeper Matt Oliver was repeatedly in the action as the guile of the island all-rounders caused three batsmen to be dragged out of their crease and stumped while two others missed straight ones.

Rovers stumbled to 59 for five from their 15 overs with Bisson finishing unbeaten on 34.

It was never likely to be anywhere near enough against a Cobo side packed with batting and they ended up losing only one wicket during the chase, that of Jonny Warr trapped leg before by Bisson.

Kris Moherndl made the most of his promotion up the order as he and TJ Ozanne put on an unbroken stand of 40 for the second wicket. The former made a brisk 29, which included two delightful on-drives for four, while the opener finished on 20.

'Kris batted nicely again,' Le Prevost said. 'He timed the ball really well.'