---

The first phase of an eventful Second Division Championship ended on Sunday with Hellas the only undefeated side in a six-team competition. They topped Pool 1, and were joined in the semi-finals by Germany, who qualified on net run-rate despite losing to Gibraltar in their final group game.

Hellas completed their preliminary programme with a thumping nine-wicket victory over a disappointing Guernsey, who had come into the competition as one of the favourites and followed up an initial win against Gibraltar with two defeats.

Rain during the morning caused a delayed start and a reduction of the match to 45 overs, and Guernsey, having won the toss, elected to bat first. They struggled against the Greek attack, however, and managed only 131 before they were dismissed five overs from the scheduled end. Star bowler was Spyridon Goustis with four for 13 from five overs, while the Guernsey total owed much to a partnership of 51 between Stuart Le Prevost (40) and captain Andy Biggins (27 not out).

Hellas were untroubled in reaching their target in just 35.3 overs for the loss of Mehmood Ahmed’s wicket. Andreas Koutsoufis made 54 not out, and Paul Maraziotis made 34 not out, bringing his tally from three matches to 190 at an average of 95.00.

At Meikleriggs, Paisley, Germany surprisingly lost to Gibraltar, who had lost both their previous matches. Batting first, Germany mustered 156 in 46.3 overs, Mark Brodersen top-scoring with 35. Eighteen-year-old spinner Kabir Mirpuri was the most successful of the Gibraltar bowlers with three for 21.

German seamer Rana Javed Iqbal, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, again achieved an early breakthrough, but Mark Bacarese and Steven Gonzalez put on 58 for the second wicket, and then Bacarese and Rex Purnell added another 75 for the third to bring their side close to victory. Bacarese was eventually run out for 42, but Purnell remained at the wicket until the end, finishing with 42 not out.

Hellas will now meet Jersey in the semi-finals on Tuesday, while Germany will take on Norway.