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Guernsey opened their first official European tournament with a convincing victory over Gibraltar in a weather-affected match at Albert Park. Rain over the previous two days had soaked the wicket area, and no play was possible before an early lunch; when play did commence the match was reduced to 40 overs a side.

Guernsey captain Andy Biggins won the toss and elected to field first, and took full advantage of the conditions as they restricted Gibraltar to 92 for seven. Cornerstone of the Gibraltar innings was left-hander Ray Purnell, who batted for more than an hour-and-a-half for 23 not out. Coming in at the fall of the second wicket with the total on 27, he saw his side subside to 48 for six before 18-year-old Kabir Mirpuri joined him in a 33-run partnership for the seventh wicket which kept their side clear of total disaster.

Guernsey’s seamers, Lee Savident and Pierre Moody, picked up a wicket each early on, but the squeeze was really applied by spinners Jeremy Frith and Gary Rich, who exploited the turning pitch, taking two wickets each in their eight-over spells, for 12 and 15 runs respectively.

Chasing such a small total, Guernsey stuttered slightly when they lost opener Matt Oliver with the score on 20, but Savident proved his worth to the side with an aggressive 43, made off just 35 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes, which eventually won him the Man of the Match award.

By the time he was bowled by Mirpuri Guernsey had reached 60, and although Frith was dismissed soon after, Ami Banerjee and Stuart Le Prevost saw their team through to the victory without further loss. Thanks to Savident’s enterprise, the innings lasted just 18.2 overs.