Guernsey pay the price for a shortage of runs

GUERNSEY came agonisingly close to winning their debut match in ICC U-19 European Championship yesterday, but in the end paid for a lack of runs.

Denmark appeared to be down and out at Grainville when they were on 88 for seven chasing a modest Guernsey total of 143, but they were rescued by a fine captain's innings from Sair Ahmed Anjum, supported first by the injured Lars Flemming Boldt - who had earlier retired hurt after being struck on the hip - and then by Mohsin Ali.

Anjum finished on 33 not out, made off 31 balls with three fours and a six, as Denmark made it home with seven overs to spare.

Earlier, Guernsey seamer Andy Hutchinson had reduced them to 27 for three and then David Hooper picked up two wickets and Max Ellis, Ben McVey and Tom Kirk one each, seemingly to doom Denmark to defeat.

This was after Guernsey had themselves collapsed from 87 for three to 143 all out, with Ihyas Sawmy taking three for 22 and Suleman Arshad two for 20.

Top scorer for the islanders was skipper Jonny Clark with 34, while opener Will Thompson made 26 and wicketkeeper Tom Kimber 23.

Guernsey coach Jeremy Frith was frank in his assessment of his side's performance.

'Denmark played well enough to beat us - it is as simple as that,' he said.