McVey and Renouf give their hosts a big fright

GRANT THORNTON'S juniors gave Rovers a scare last night at a wintry Port Soif. Chasing 138, Grant Thornton looked out of it at 60 for five in the 12th over in conditions more suitable to football at the Rovers' ground.

That was until Ben McVey and Matt Renouf took advantage of some pretty dismal Rovers bowling and fielding to see their team fall just 10 runs short. 'The youngsters nearly saw us home,' said Grant Thornton captain Simon Huxtable.

'They did really well and they are getting better each match. I'm sure we'll get some more victories next year.'

Rovers had looked like they were on for a massive score as their two danger men, Tim Duke and especially GH Smit, got stuck into their opponents' bowling attack.

They had put on 24 in three overs before Duke fell to Neil Fitchet's part-time medium pace. Smit and Robbie Le Corre put on 40 before the big South African followed soon afterwards, again to Fitchet. Rovers lost momentum without Smit at the crease and as they kept losing wickets, their effort was very stop-start.