After a superb summer plying their trade in Twenty20, Jersey were undone by their Sarnian rivals in only their second 50-over match of the year – failing to defend a ‘below par’ 150 at Port Soif as Matt Stokes struck 86 for the hosts.
But, despite being forced to stand aside as Guernsey lifted the trophy for the first time in four years, MacRae remains positive as the Caesareans look ahead to 2016.
‘We are disappointed with the result, but it’s something we need to put behind us as we have had a very successful summer,’ said MacRae.
‘The wicket and the ground conditions suited Guernsey’s style of play and we just didn’t manage to adapt to the surface well and put enough runs on the board. The players fought extremely well in the field and took the game deep, into the last couple of overs, but 150 was a well below par score – it was the battling that cost us.
‘I have to give credit to Guernsey though, and Matt Stokes was prepared to battle – he was deservedly man of the match.’
He added: ‘It is only our second game of 50 over cricket because of the success of the Twenty20 … I’m certainly still upbeat about the potential looking ahead to World Cricket League 5.’
Captain Peter Gough, who top scored for Jersey with 53, said: ‘We showed great fight in the field – we were really happy with that and we were always in it because we kept the run-rate low, but we were perhaps 40 runs too short on that wicket.
