A 39-run victory against the Isle of Man has moved Jersey two points clear at the top of Group A in the European Under-15 2nd Division Championship and within striking distance of a third Euro final after the Island’s successes in U23 and U19 tournaments recently.
Bradley Rimeur followed up his previous day’s score of 41 matching the feat and together with opener Aidan McGuire, who top-scored with 47, the pair put on 127 runs for the best first-wicket stand of the U15 championship to date.
As regularly happens following a big stand both batsmen departed within a few runs of each other but Tim de la Haye and Dan McAviney steadied matters again with unbeaten knocks of 29 each for an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 72.
Jersey finished their 35 overs on an impressive 202 for 2 leaving the Isle of Man to score at nearly six runs an over for victory.
The Manxmen had a super start reaching 105 for 1 before they were slowed by Jersey spinners Joe Mayes and de la Haye, Mayes taking two wickets for 31 runs while de la Haye was economical but without reward as his seven overs concluded with no wickets for 18 runs.
The Isle of Man’s hopes were ended when opener Alex Stokes was bowled for 55 by Andrew Rabet, one of his two victims, before the Isle of Man closed out on a respectable 168 for 6.
Jersey, now favourites to win their group and reach tomorrow’s final, face bottom of the table France today.
Group B joint-leaders Guernsey and Spain also play today in a winner takes all and a place in the final.
