Hindle sets up Euro triumph

GUERNSEY wrapped up a fantastic week with a splendid 69-run victory over Jersey in the final of the under-15 European Division Two Championships in La Manga. Even without their best player, Hampshire academy star Tim Ravenscroft, the Sarnians have clearly been too strong for the opposition in Spain, and that included the Caesareans.

With Adam Hindle hitting 48 and Tom Kirk and Rhys Beard weighing in with 29 and 22 respectively, Guernsey scored 189 for seven from their 35 overs. Jersey were off to a slow start and eventually inched their way to 120 for nine.

Before the match, team manager and former island swing bowler Mark Renouf was bullish about his side's chances.

'I expect us to win,' he said.

'I'd be disappointed if we didn't, especially with the form we've been in. We've been scoring heavily.

'Jersey will have to be particularly special to beat us.'

During the week Guernsey wiped the floor with every team they met. In their first match against Cyprus, they won by 193 runs thanks to 112 not out from Kirk. They followed that with a nine-wicket victory over Gibraltar after dismissing their opponents for just 71 runs.

Belgium were next with a crushing 119-run defeat and their group stage was wrapped up with a 155-run win over Spain with the leading run scorer in the group stages Chris Peatfield hitting 109.

Renouf was delighted with his side's efforts leading up to the final.

'Very pleased, they've worked well as a unit,' he said.

'We've got a lot of good all-rounders and the top order have been consistent and have scored more runs than we expected. We've not really been tested yet in the batting department.

'In the bowling department the most runs we've conceded is 102 from 35 overs which is hardly anything out here.'

Victory has strengthened the under-15s cause to be promoted into European Division One to join the likes of Scotland, Ireland, Holland and Denmark.

* WANDERERS won the Sid Guy Trophy for the second straight season when they beat Springfield by 60 runs at FB Fields.

Richard Veillard and Ben Driver led the way with 96 and 84 respectively in a total of 247 for seven.