Greens want to make step up

GUERNSEY'S victory in the European Under-15 Division Two Champion-ships could provide the springboard to leap up a level to the top echelons of European youth cricket. Guernsey Cricket Board chairman Dave Piesing does not believe the island would be embarrassed if it stepped up to Division One with Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands and Denmark.

The process is not automatic but by invitation by ICC organisers and it is their input that is relevant and a decision could be made as early as this autumn.

'We have staked our claim and it's now up to them. We have no automatic right, but we would like to step up to that level. We could not have done much more and it's now in other people's hands,' said Piesing.

'I'm confident that we would be competitive at that level and that our boys would learn a lot. You get better by playing against stronger opposition regularly.'

Historically, countries have been ranked in Divisions One and Two and have to be strong across all age groups - U13, U15, U17 and U19.

'It would expose our young players to a very tough level of challenge on a regular basis,' said Piesing.

He believes it would bring medium and long-term gains for Guernsey cricket.

Guernsey has already demonstrated it is strong enough to reach the next level at U15 and U19 levels but has not yet been involved in an U17 tournament.

It has also played at representative level in other age groups over the last few years and performed well.

'It's not as if we will be stepping into the unknown and that there is a huge gap,' said Piesing.

Ireland are strong across all age groups and Scotland are not far behind. Guernsey have played Holland at U13 and U17 level and held their own.

'The organisers are well aware of what they have seen and suggestions have been made by other people and we need to leave it to them.

'We don't need to lobby them and I don't think there is anything we could say or do to change their mind. If they think we are good enough to make the jump up, they will propose it,' said Piesing.

There could be financial implications but nothing he believes Guernsey could not cope with.

Flights to and from tournaments are paid for.