Despite a valiant fight from the European Division I champions, it was, in the end, a rather comfortable win for the Irish, who progress to next week’s knockout stages as a consequence of the success.
Having won the toss, Ireland skipper William Porterfield opted to field and, after a steady start, the Islanders finished the six-over powerplay with 37 runs and, crucially, all ten wickets intact.
Attempting to up the run rate, however, Farley made his way back to the dressing room having picked out the fielder at long off at the start of the seventh over.
Jonty Jenner joined captain Peter Gough at the crease and the pair put on 46 runs for their side before the 17-year-old was trapped leg before wicket by the impressive Paul Stirling.
With five overs to play and eight wickets in hand, Jersey were on 102 runs and looked in an excellent position. However, as Corne Bodenstein was caught in the deep by Stuart Thompson it triggered the start of a spectacular Jersey collapse.
The Islanders failed to find the boundary rope in the final 4.2 overs, as they lost eight wickets for just 16 runs.
Ireland’s John Mooney finished the innings in fine style for the hosts, taking a hat-trick in the final over to dismiss the Channel Island side with one ball to spare.
Gough was Jersey’s top scorer, with 44 runs from 42 balls, Jenner knocked 26 and Farley 21.
If Jersey were to have any chance of defending their total, they needed early wickets – and a golden opportunity fell to Gough at first slip in the first over. On one run, Ireland captain Porterfield edged an Anthony Kay delivery straight to the Jersey skipper, but he was unable to snaffle the chance.
Middlesex opener Stirling – who had already taken three wickets for 16 runs with the ball – led the attack for the hosts, smashing Nat Watkins for a big straight six over the Sky Sports commentary box in the fourth over.
Jersey got the breakthrough they were after in the fifth as, having just hit a maximum himself, Porterfield mistimed his next effort and was caught by Corne Bodenstein on the leg-side boundary.
New at the crease, Andrew Balbirnie picked up the supporting role, while Stirling continued as the aggressor.
The Middlesex player survived a slight scare – an inside edge from a Ben Kynman delivery just dropped short of wicketkeeper Ed Farley – before reaching his half century in the 11th over.
However, having reached the personal milestone and, in doing so, broken the back of the run chase, Stirling was eventually dismissed by Ben Stevens, caught at long on by Jenner.
The left-arm spinner struck again in his next over, trapping Kevin O’Brien lbw for eight runs but by that stage, failing a Jersey-esq collapse, it seemed only a matter of time until Ireland reached their target.
With no requirement to take risks, Balbirnie and Gary Wilson eased their side to victory with 3.2 overs to spare.
