Jersey have now enjoyed a decade of dominance since regaining the trophy in 2016 and they made it eight 50-over format successes on the trot at Grainville on Saturday as Ben Ward was the star of the show in a five-wicket win.
After getting off to a decent start despite losing the toss and being asked to bat, Guernsey lost momentum against Jersey’s spinners with Ward’s leg-breaks bewitching the batters as he worked largely in tandem with Harrison Carlyon, who claimed four wickets. Youngster Toby Britton also impressed.
Having been bowled out for 161, the Greens started well with the ball to reduce their hosts to 21 for 3, but Carlyon and Ward then joined forces to good effect with the bat as the latter went on to make a match-winning 82 not out to add to his two scalps that made him the obvious choice for man of the match.
‘It’s a pretty familiar situation that I think we’ve found ourselves in against them the last three times we played them, which is really disappointing because you speak about what you want to do before the game and then don’t execute. But Jersey were good today to be fair,’ said Guernsey captain Ollie Nightingale.
‘From 92 for 2, 115 for 3, 125 for 4 to 161 all out, you’re not going to win many games of cricket doing that, so it’s really disappointing. We’ve been here before, we’re not really learning quick enough, but like I said, they’re a good side.
‘Ben Ward has played really well today. He’s bowled and batted superbly. The better team won and the best batsman and the best bowler performed well.’
Jersey skipper Chuggy Perchard admitted that the nature of the pitch surprised him as he expected ‘the seamers to cause the troubles’, but added that it was ‘brilliant’ have plenty of variety at his disposal.
‘It was dry and spinning, we have a well-rounded attack and our spinners thoroughly enjoyed bowling out there,’ he said.
‘Ben Ward, in particular, and Harrison Carlyon were outstanding, Toby Britton was also fantastic today, and while for first five overs of the game we weren’t quite on it and Guernsey got off to a bit of a flyer, the spinners really turned the screw for us and to restrict Guernsey to 160 was a terrific effort.
‘It was a bit nervy at 20 for 3, but it’s a terrific innings from Wardy and a great partnership that he had with Harrison to steady the ship. Neil [MacRae, coach] and I were scratching our heads as to how we were going to line up, given that we were missing a few players, and Macca asked Wardy what number he wanted to bat – he told Neil he fancied the gig at five and it’s great to see players taking responsibility. He did exactly that today and it was a brilliant innings.’
