An under-strengthed, inexperienced and young U'19 French team fought hard to win their final match against Italy for the wooden spoon after disappointing losses to Belgium and Germany as well as an expected defeat from tournament runners up Guernsey.

The French team had difficulties from the start with only 10 players available for their first two 'vital' matches that included two baseballers playing their first ever games of cricket, one 14 year old, and half the team playing their first 50 over matches on a grass pitch.

France v Belgium at Farmers Field, 22 July 2007 -  [Full Scorecard]

Belgium all out 203 (J. Houghton 4-14, R. Ihsan 2-32, S. Manivelraj 2-50, J. Hardy and Z. Zahir one wicket each)

France all out 146 (J. Hardy 49, R. Ihsan 19, J. Houghton 18, S. Manivelraj 16 and N. Bilweis 10)

Belgium won by 57 runs after being in trouble at 8 for 117.

France  v Guernsey at FB Fields, 24 July 2007 - [Full Scorecard]

Guernsey 6 for 271 (S. Manivelraj 2-25, J. Houghton, Z. Zahir and J. Hardy one wicket each, plus T. Selig/J. Houghton one run out)

France all out 74 (J. Hardy 17*)

Guernsey won by 197 runs illustrating their class and dominance. France bowled 61 extras including 43 wides and 10 no balls which is inexcusable in any match especially against such quality opposition.

France v Germany at Farmers Field, 26 July 2007 - Germany v France, 26 July

Germany all out 198 (R. Ihsan 4-44, J. Houghton 2-25, J. Hardy and Y. Samarakoon 1 wicket each, plus J. Lambourdiere and R. Ihsan one run out each)

France all out 94 (J. Houghton 23, J. Lambourdiere, T. Selig and S. Manivelraj 11 runs each)

Germany won by 104 runs in a match where the French batsmen threw away their wickets cheaply with 9 players being caught.

France v Italy at Victoria College, 27 July 2007 - France v Italy, 27 July

France all out 124 (J. Lambourdiere 30, T. Selig 20, Y. Samarakoon 19 and J. Hardy 10)

Italy all out 84 (J. Hardy 5-30, R. Ihsan 3-26 and J. Houghton 1-27, plus J. Hardy one run out)

France won by 40 runs which was set up by a 59 run 6th-wicket partnership from J. Lambourdiere and T. Selig as well as a 25 run 10th-wicket partnership from Y. Samarakoon and 14 year old Z. Zahir. It was finished off by pressure bowling backed up with intense and error-free fielding.

The channel islanders and tournament hosts, Jersey, were rightful victors defeating neighbours Guernsey in the final by 5 wickets. Fellow islanders Isle of Man finished in 3rd place followed by Gibraltar, Israel, Belgium, Germany, France and Italy.

The main difficulties for France comes from the lack of communication between clubs and France Cricket as their must be more than seven U'19 cricketers available in France for this tournament? Clubs need to push for more youth players and teams and offer real training and qualified coaching from club members. Compare this situation with tournament champions Jersey who train twice a week for 2 hours plus play at least two matches per week and it is clear to see why French national teams are falling behind at the top level.