Captain Kirk wins best player award

CAPTAIN Kirk played a starring role in Guernsey's under-15 triumph in La Manga. And such was his leadership, skipper Tom Kirk was named the European Division Two Champion-ships player of the tournament out of more than 130 cricketers.

He claimed eight wickets and was just shy of 200 runs by the end of the week.

Meanwhile, Guernsey's Max Ellis was the tournament's leading wicket taker with nine and Chris Peatfield the top run scorer with 209.

'Each game was taken ruthlessly and thoroughly professionally and they were a credit to Guernsey cricket,' said U15 coach Mark Renouf.

'With Guernsey and Jersey meeting each other in the final it bodes well for Channel Islands cricket. Guernsey and Jersey need each other in terms of progressing to the higher level.

'It puts Channel Islands cricket more on the map if both are producing the goods and strengthens our case.'

Renouf, who was assisted by manager and scorer Rob Hutchinson and Ben Ferbrache, has no doubts that the team can make the step up and compete in European Division One.

'I think it's needed and the boys need to be challenged by playing a higher standard against Ireland, Scotland, Holland and Denmark. The boys are more than capable of holding their own at that level,' he said.

Other European umpires have said they believe Guernsey could beat the likes of the Netherlands and Denmark.

The U19s came runners-up to Jersey in a recent tournament and the U23s were victims of the Guernsey weather.

'The younger age groups have a lot of talent coming through and are capable of holding their own at the next division up,' said Renouf.

In the final against Jersey, the Caesareans won the toss and put Guernsey into bat.

The Sarnians scored a creditable 189 for seven in their allotted 35 overs.

Adam Hindle top scored with a patient knock of 48, with Kirk (29) playing a decent supporting role.

Rhys Beard struck a quickfire 22, with all the other batsmen chipping in.

Guernsey's opening bowlers Andrew Hutchinson and Matt Renouf bowled tightly, as they had done throughout the tournament, conceding just 18 runs in the first 10 overs.

The vital wicket of prolific batsman Aidan Maguire for just one run was taken by Renouf, caught by wicketkeeper Will Thompson.

Renouf conceded just six runs in his five-over spell, which included two maidens.

Change bowlers James Smith and Tom Still kept it tight, with Still claiming three for 19 off seven overs.

Kirk's off-spin gave him impressive figures of three for 32 off six overs.