Le Tissier and Stokes shine with tons on a day for runs

But while Nathan Le Tissier’s fine hundred laid the foundation for a one-sided contest at the KGV where Griffins began their title defence with a comprehensive 208-run victory over Wanderers-Irregulars, Matt Stokes reached three figures and then some in contrasting circumstances as he guided the Old Elizabethan Association past the winning post in a run-fest at the College Field.

Out of all the island’s batsmen, Stokes would have been a low-priced favourite to score a ton on the opening weekend of the season, but the clinical nature in which he paced his innings perfectly against some inconsistent bowling, so that the hosts chased down 300 with five wickets and an over to spare, was hugely impressive even by his high standards.

Earlier in the day, his Guernsey teammates Zak Damarell and Josh Butler both came close to scoring hundreds of their own – making 83 and 94 respectively – as Cobo posted a total at exactly a run a ball.

The left-hander opener struck 13 boundaries in his 86-ball innings while the Cobo captain hit 11 fours in his own 122-ball stay at the crease.

All of the Cobo top six reached double figures, with Ollie Newey and Dec Martel in particular contributing useful middle order runs against the youthful OEA attack which comprised eight bowlers.

But while the sky-blues would have been content in setting 301 for victory, they would have also known Stokes held the key to the match.

He lost both Charlies – Birch and Clapham – as partners relatively early on as the hosts finished the first 10 overs at 40 for 2, but the third-wicket stand between him and Ben Ferbrache was to prove decisive.

Ferbrache was not supposed to be playing as he intended to give his injured fingers a rest, but a late withdrawal forced him into action and, despite the discomfort, he joined his fellow Guernsey regular in putting on 208 in less than 32 overs.

He was given a lifeline when dropped at point in the 27th over and Cobo were made to pay a heavy price for missing that opportunity.

The runs just kept coming as Cobo juggled their bowlers without the desired result until, eventually, Martel came up with a peach of a googly that Ferbrache did not pick, and he was castled for 90 with 53 still required from 50 balls.

Stokes, who by now had brought up his century but knew the job was not yet done, then took on full senior-player responsibility and moved up a gear while encouraging the youngsters who were joining him at the other end.

Marcus Thomas did not last long, but Fintan Ridgwick chipped in with a useful 11 as the rate came down to 28 required off the last three overs and then – with Harry Duke having replaced the wicket-keeper in the middle – 19 off 12 balls.

Remarkably, the batters needed just half those deliveries.

Stokes took 10 off the first three balls of Kieran Le Gallez’s over and then took a single, giving Duke free rein to get whatever runs he could off the last two.

Audaciously, he executed the perfect ramp shot down to fine leg and followed it up with a drive straight back past the bowler for successive boundaries to seal a hard-earned success.

At the other end, Stokes remained 163 not out which came off 145 balls and included 17 fours as well as one maximum when he cleared the ropes with a dismissive pull shot off his Independents and Island teammate Peatfield.

While many nerves were frayed at the College Field, Griffins were in cruise control at the KGV once Le Tissier had settled in on his way to 115.

The opener hit 11 fours in his 133-ball innings and there were good contributions from Matt Philp, Tom Kirk and Jordon Martel as the champions came within seven of reaching 300 themselves.

The Wanderers-Irregulars reply never really got going as Luke Bichard removed both openers on his way to claiming three wickets.

However, Dane Mullen finished up with the best figures as he took care of the middle order, claiming 5 for 15 from his eight overs. Luke Le Tissier picked up the other two.