The young Sarnians thrashed their Jersey counterparts by 77 runs in the U19 inter-insular on Sunday at Granville, with the Greens having given up home advantage in order to play the game following travel-related problems.
‘It was very enjoyable to see their hard off paying off,’ said Guernsey U19s head coach Philip Smith.
‘It is lovely to get the win, and from our perspective as coaches it is always about development and we are able to revel in the way these lads have worked over the last couple of winters, specifically last winter.
‘We have just gone back to basics, told them cricket is about taking wickets, scoring runs and fielding well, and in our first proper run-out as a team this season they have performed really well and executed those core skills really well.
‘The mood in the squad is super positive after this result and that is down to their hard work and delivering their skills under pressure.’
Smith’s son Barnabas shone with bat, making a crucial 75 and sharing in vital partnerships as Guernsey posted 209 for 9 in tricky conditions after Jersey had won the toss and elected to bowl.
Alfie Gallienne then produced an outstanding spell of slow left-arm bowling to take 6 for 19 in 10 overs as Jersey were bowled out for 132, having been reduced to 71 for 8 midway through their run chase.
‘We had senior Island captain Ollie Nightingale with us and a subject he has spoken to the group about is about being ruthless,’ said coach Smith.
‘One of the lessons we learnt at the weekend was that we left the game drift from about 25 overs into the Jersey innings and that is something we have to improve on. We cannot let the energy drop, because in a tournament situation, net run-rate can count for a lot.
‘But Ollie has also told the lads that we have to enjoy these games, create a great atmosphere within the group with lads working for each other and encouraging each other, and hopefully we can take what we built in Jersey into the ICC Cricket Festival in Taunton in a couple of weeks then into the U19 World Cup qualifying tournament here that starts on 23 July.’
Read more in Tuesday’s Guernsey Press.
You need to be logged in to comment.