Youthful Jersey thrash rivals Guernsey in cricket inter-insular

Jonty Jenner's century and an unbroken partnership of 208 with Zak Tribe set the platform for Jersey's comprehensive 173-run win over rivals Guernsey in the inter-insular at KGV.

Jersey, who had a side packed with youngsters, had scored a little over 100 with four wickets down at the midway point in their innings.

Tribe walked to the middle at 108-4 in the 25th over to join Jenner, and at that point the hosts would have felt they were well in the game. Jenner, though, smashed four maximums in his 13 boundaries, on his way to 116*. Tribe finished agonisingly just four adrift of a century of his own, as Jersey posted an inter-insular record total of 316-4.

In reply, Guernsey lost opener Lucas Barker to the third ball of the innings, and at 35-3 in the ninth over it was a long way back for the home side. Skipper Matt Stokes (31) and wicketkeeper Zak Damarell (30) offered some resistance in the middle order, but the Sarnians slipped from 118-5 to 143 all out inside 30 overs.

Jersey coach Neil MacRae told thegantry.je: "It was a top performance with several regulars missing and a brilliant partnership between Jonty and Zak.

"We picked a young side, and the performance is a good sign for us, with more young players coming through from the under-19s and competition for places in the men's senior team."

Jersey went into the game without a string of familiar faces from recent years. The likes of Harrison Carlyon, Ben Ward, Dom Blampied, Josh Lawrenson, Nick Ferraby, Elliot Miles and Nick Greenwood were among those absent from the travelling group for a variety of reasons.

Stokes won the toss and, with the weather set fair, asked MacRae's side to bat first. Stokes himself struck twice early on, first to dismiss Jake Dunford and then fellow opener Patrick Gouge, leaving the visitors on 33-2.

Will Peatfield's tight bowling at the other end ensured Jersey were under pressure early in the innings, but Asa Tribe and the returning Ben Stevens made 35 and 34 respectively to steady the ship - both were bowled by Dane Mullen.

Step forward Jenner and Zak Tribe, who hit a combined 23 boundaries to see their side become the first to post over 300 runs in inter-insular history, topping the 284 recorded by Guernsey in 2005.

The chase was always going to be a tough one, and it got off to a poor start when Barker was caught by Rhys Palmer off the bowling of Julius Sumerauer in the first over.

17-year-old left-arm spinner Toby Britton, making his competitive senior debut, opened from the other end, bowling Josh Butler for his first wicket. Ben Fitchet fell in the following over to a stunning one-handed Jenner catch at point, and Guernsey supporters could be forgiven for fearing the worst.

Stokes made his 31 at more than a run-a-ball, including the only six of the innings, but more than half his side failed to reach double figures. Amongst the three ducks was Peatfield, out to a superb caught and bowled from Chuggy Perchard diving away to his right in his follow through.

Stevens (3-19) wrapped things up when he turned one through the defences of number 11 Luke Bichard to see the home team 143 all out with more than 20 overs un-used.

Guernsey: Matt Stokes (c), Lucas Barker, Luke Bichard, Josh Butler, Zak Damarell (w), Ben Fitchet, Adam Martel, Dane Mullen, Ollie Nightingale, Tom Nightingale, Will Peatfield.

Jersey: Chuggy Perchard (c), Charlie Brennan, Toby Britton, Jake Dunford (w), Patrick Gouge, Jonty Jenner, Rhys Palmer, Ben Stevens, Julius Sumerauer, Asa Tribe, Zak Tribe.