THE Channel Islands Over-50s returned to action on Wednesday afternoon.
The National Cricket Centre at Grainville hosted their 40-over clash with Hampshire O50s, but it was the visitors who delivered the commanding performance.
After returning from overseas fixtures against Isle of Wight and Somerset last month, the CI side featured the return of some popular names, including left-arm seamer Mark Reynolds.
It was CI who batted first, however, with openers GH Smit and Phil Ramage facing the new ball.
The Hampshire attack proved relentless. Just two men were able to reach double figures in a slow and battling 40 overs that saw CI bowled out off the final delivery for just 111.
Mark Clapham (below) proved the obvious standout, his 49 from 81 balls holding the innings together.
But he failed to find a consistent partner, with Ramage’s 12 the next highest score.
CI captain Meeku Patidar showed some resolve, facing 38 balls alongside Clapham, but the run rate remained low.
Hampshire’s attack were persistent throughout. From the 240 legitimate deliveries in the innings, the seven Hampshire bowlers used delivered 206
dot balls between them.
Pick of the attack was Andy Pearce, who picked up 4 for 12 from his six overs.
Gary Clapham (2 for 16) and Asad Abbas (2 for 20) also impressed, while captain Stu Shapland conceded just 13 runs from his eight-over spell.
With a mountain to climb in the second innings, the Channel Islands could not have asked for a better start.
The returning Reynolds, a canny left-arm seamer, rattled through the Hampshire top order with 3 wickets inside the opening six overs.
He removed opener Paul Burrows LBW first ball, before nicking off number three Jim Edwards shortly after, leaving the visitors 5 for 2.
Fellow opener Clapham would fall shortly after, also for 12, Smit taking the catch, the score 24 for 3 and a glimmer of hope for the hosts.
However, skipper Shapland combined with Pearce to all but see the game home. Pearce made a quick-fire 35 from 33 balls to go with his 4fer with the ball, while Shapland ended unbeaten on 50 from just 44 balls, a knock that included ten boundaries.
The chase was completed in the 19th over, a comprehensive performance from the Hampshire side, but plenty of positives to take forward for an improving Channel Islands team.
CI O50s Squad: Meeku Patidar (c), GH Smit, Phil Ramage, Andy Biggins, Mark Clapham, Ward Jenner, Gordon Irish, Paul Robinson, Mark Reynolds, Jonathon Wills, Dave Buxton
To access the scorecard, click the link: https://www.cricclubs.com/GuernseyCricket/results/ej2zvPAmqZLscr2pqf0oXA?asfd=CI+Over+50s+vs+Hampsire+O50s
