Under 19's in Jersey


	Cricket Gibraltar Official site of the Gibraltar Cricket Association

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Under nineteens win three out of four matches.

Gibraltar’s under nineteens did themselves proud in Jersey last week, emerging victorious from three of their for outings. However, because of the format of the tournament this meant that they only finished fourth out of nine countries taking part. It was nonetheless a creditable performance.

The preliminary rounds.

The nine countries were divided into three league of three, with Gibraltar being paired with hosts Jersey and Italy. The opening game against Italy, scheduled for Sunday 22nd. July, had to be put back one day due to the non arrival of the team’s luggage, so Jersey played Italy instead on that day with the former completely overwhelming the Italians, scoring 329/6 and then bundling out their opponents for 192. In the other groups, Belgium defeated France and Israel accounted for Germany.

Monday, with their baggage at last restored, the Gibraltar boys took the field against Italy. Batting first, they lost the wicket of Kieron Ferrary with only 16 runs on the board, but fifteen-year-old Scott Chipolina (53) and Akhil Viz (29) then featured in a second wicket stand of 84 runs. Both departed in rapid succession and the middle and late order had little to contribute, the total at the end of the allotted 50 overs standing on 153/7.

Italy were give a solid start by their openers who put together 40 runs before being parted, but after that Viz and Robbie Skinner took command to dismiss the Italians for a paltry 113, thus achieving victory by 40 runs; Skinner returned the fine figures of 5/28 and Viz took 4/33. Skipper Kabir Mirpuri remained wicket-less but only conceded 14 runs from his eight overs.

In the other matches played on that day, the Isle of Man defeated Israel whilst the match between Guernsey and Belgium became a victim of the weather.

Tuesday, 24th. July saw the crunch match between top seeds Gibraltar and Jersey with the winner certain to go through to the play offs for the top three places. Jersey won the toss and put Gibraltar in to bat on a damp, soft pitch which made batting difficult. Not used to such conditions the Gibraltar batsmen found themselves pinned down by some generally accurate bowling. Opener Ferrary made a patient 39, while Mirpuri batted even longer for his 37, but the final total of 130/9 was hardly sufficient to test the strong Jersey batting line-up. With the pitch playing easier after lunch, Jersey knocked off the required runs in 28.5 overs for the loss of three wickets. The other group matches played that day saw big wins for the Isle of Man and Guernsey against France and Germany respectively.

These results meant that Jersey, the Isle of Man and Guernsey would be contesting the play-offs for the top three places, Gibraltar, Belgium and Israel for the fourth to sixth places, and Italy, Germany and France for the seventh to ninth places.

The final rounds.

Gibraltar took the field on Wednesday 25th. July against Israel, whom they defeated in the final two years ago in Scotland, and skittled them out for 113, with Skinner again leading the way with figures of 3/10, whilst Vivek Sadhwani and Viz took two wickets apiece. Mirpuri was again a model of consistency only conceding 16 runs off his ten overs. The Gibraltar batsmen made heavy weather of overhauling such a modest total and at one stage their total stood on 13/4. Mirpuri then anchored the innings together although wickets kept falling at the other end. He batted doggedly for four hours in all, facing 136 balls in making an undefeated 58. He and Vishal Kainth featured in a 29 run partnership for the eighth wicket, of which the latter contributed just one run, and when he was finally dismissed 35 runs were still required for victory. Pavan Parwani then gave his skipper good support and together they edged their way to victory with two overs to spare.

In the Group matches for first to third place, Jersey accounted for the Isle of Man, whilst in the fight to avoid the wooden spoon Germany just managed to defeat Italy.

The Gibraltar boys enjoyed a well earned rest on the Thursday, a day when Guernsey accounted for the Isle of Man, Israel defeated Belgium by three runs, and Germany inflicted a heavy defeat on France.

And so to the final acts, played on Friday 27th. July, with Gibraltar taking on Belgium in a fight for fourth place. Belgium batted first and totalled 162/9, with Skinner taking 3/45 to become the leading wicket-taker in the competition, whilst Kainth and Viz took two wickets apiece. Gibraltar lost two early wickets, but a stand of 112 for the third wicket between Ferrary and Viz took the side well within sight of victory, and when Viz finally perished for 29, Mirpuri kept Ferrary company as Belgium’s total was overhauled without further loss and with more than three overs to spare. Ferrary remained undefeated on 73.

Elsewhere, Jersey defeated Guernsey to win the championship, whilst France overcame Germany.

Final placings. 1. Jersey.
2. Guernsey.
3. Isle of Man.
4. Gibraltar.
5. Israel.
6. Belgium.
7. France.
8. Germany

Barmy Army Colts on the Rock.

A party of three adults and thirteen 13-14 year olds arrived in Gibraltar on Sunday evening. The so-called “Barmy Army Colts” will be practising at the Victoria Stadium on Monday morning with the local players when coaching sessions will be held. At 11.30am. they will be moving to the Europa Oval for a 35 overs per side game. On Tuesday there will be another practice/coaching session at the Stadium followed by a 25 overs game. The party leave that evening.

Next Week.

The Senior League resumes into its second round next Saturday with two fixtures. At the Victoria Stadium, all-victorious GCCbwin take on Combined Colleges, whilst at Europa Mediterranean CC face Calpe CC. Both matches are scheduled to start at 11am.