Chirpy’s Chiefs stretch their lead at the top of the table

LAST weekend’s domestic T20 action saw Chirpy’s Chiefs expand their lead at the top of Division 1 after a dominant 39-run win over Walkovers 2s.

Batting first at Grainville, the Chiefs posted a commanding score of 176 for 5 in an innings that included 7 sixes. Opener Richard Anthony was the star, smashing 73 from just 46 balls, well backed up by a rapid 46 from skipper Tom Kearns and an unbeaten 32 from James Caunt.

The reply never quite got off the ground, as Walkovers lost wickets early. One standout was teenage star Theo Vautier, who finished unbeaten on 39 from 30 balls, alongside his 2 wickets with the ball, but ultimately the hosts fell well short of their target.

St Ouen Springfield 2s recorded an emphatic nine-wicket win over Old Victorians 2s, knocking off 141 just one wicket down in 17 overs at FB Fields.

The OVs made steady going early, with captain Jonny Heward (18), Freddie Harben (38) and Ali Webster (33) contributing scores, but a rapid 37 not out from just 14 balls by Will Hodgson boosted the run rate when required, in a powerful knock that included 3 sixes.

Adam Hayward was the star with the ball for SOS, claiming 2 for 25 from his four overs, Robbie Forrest and Barney Aston chipping in with one each.

SOS lost keeper Charley Webster early for 10, but the inform duo of Ben Heelis and skipper Robbie Forrest combined expertly to knock off the remaining runs, putting on a partnership of 124 to see the game home.

Heelis ended unbeaten on 61 from 38 balls, with Forrest topping the scores unbeaten on 72 from 54 balls.

Farmers 2s bounced back to get their first win of the T20 campaign, chasing down 141 against International Royals in just 16 overs for a thumping nine-wicket win.

The Royals posted a reasonable 142 for 8 from their 20 overs, with Stuart Robson (37) and Tallah Nasir (35) top scoring, but the impressive young spinning quartet of Tom Shenton, James Bradbury, Sol Bennett and Ollie Rammage combined brilliantly to take six of the eight wickets, the other two falling to run outs.

In reply, Farmers openers James Turnbull and Chris Hopwood made the deck look easy with an opening partnership of 122 to break the back, both men passing their half-century mark.

Hopwood was the man to fall, gone for a well-made 55, but Turnbull carried his bat alongside Adam Bradbury to finish unbeaten on 75 from 52 balls to see the game home comfortably.

In Division 2 on Saturday, Walkovers Rebels continued their unbeaten run at the top of the table with a six-wicket victory over Farmers 3s.

Farmers posted 156 for 4, with handy knocks from Andrew Kearsey (29), Josh Winstanley unbeaten on 28 and skipper Stefan Schausberger top scoring with 35, while young seamer Zane Simpson was pick of the Walkovers attack with 2 for 14.

The reply was all about one man, a name for the future, Theo Vautier, who smashed nine fours and a six on his way to an excellent 80 from 56 balls, excellently assisted by Stan Corbett’s 25, to help their side seal the win with five balls remaining.

Walkovers Warriors recorded their first win of the T20 format over Chirpy’s Chiefs 2s with a solid all-round performance.

Sonny Derrien scored an impressive 66 from 54 balls at the top of the order as the Warriors posted 151 for 7 from their 20 overs, Riley Pygott taking 3 for 38 with the ball for the Chiefs.

The reply was all about the Warriors, however, as 3 for 21 from Charlie Poole and 2 for 14 from Quin O’Driscoll ran through the Chiefs line-up, eventually restricting them to just 97 for 9 for a convincing 54-run win.

TABLES: