A REMARKABLE comeback, or a catastrophic collapse?
ATF St Ouen Springfield lost six wickets for five runs to snatch a tie from the jaws of victory against Farmers Caesareans at Les Quennevais on Saturday, as captain Rhys Palmer and 5-wicket haul hero Sol Bennett spun their way to a rare but exciting tie off the final ball.
Palmer and fellow off-spinner Bennett proved their worth on a turning wicket at SOS’s home ground, claiming eight wickets between them and Bennett securing his debut Premier League five wicket haul as they dragged St Ouen back from 206 for three to scramble a tie off the final delivery nine wickets down.
On winning the toss, Farmers elected to bat first. Young wicket-keeper Jack Kemp (right) started brightly scoring 42, but the big partnership didn’t quite materialise. That is until, in trouble at 99 for five, Palmer joined Scott Van Breda to restore some parity.
The pair added 88 for the sixth wicket in a crucial partnership, combined with excellent running between the wickets and some textbook lusty strikes from the powerful Van Breda, the rugby star finishing unbeaten on 60 from 51 deliveries, Palmer stumped off Elliot Miles for a well-made 37.
A couple of handy late boundaries from Jack De Gruchy took the score comfortably passed the crucial 200 mark, but at the halfway stage, both sides would have felt fairly satisfied with their work.
In reply, out strode SOS captain Harrison Carlyon, who has been in fine form for Jersey of late, and the man of the moment Patrick Gouge, fresh off that memorable double-hundred against Walkovers two weeks ago.
However, a disciplined opening spell from Chuggy Perchard and Van Breda gave Farmers the upper hand early, with the latter skittling Carlyon for just 7.
Gouge however would not be denied, once again passing fifty for the second time in consecutive games this domestic campaign as he and Robbie Forrest combined again for the second wicket. After their monster partnership of 259 against Walkovers, the pair worked well again to add 131 runs.
Forrest too passed 50 again, the defending Premier batter of the year also looking in sublime touch, but he would be the first to fall to spin, caught by Oli Ramage off Palmer.
Gouge looked destined for another century as he continued on his way, moving into the 90s and already, just two games into the season, surpassing Forrest’s tally of 302 runs for the season last year.
However, it was not to be, as Palmer himself took the catch from Sol Bennett’s bowling to remove Gouge for 98, a touch of class shown from the Farmers players all shaking his hand too.
With the score at 190 for 3 at Gouge’s dismissal and just 22 runs required for victory, the game looked wrapped up. Georon Claasen looked to be in a hurry as he raced to 31, but Bennett trapped him LBW at 206 for 4, and all hell broke loose.
Bennett and Palmer, Palmer and Bennett.
Elliot Miles, bowled by Bennett for 6.
Barney Aston, bowled by Palmer for 2.
Tyler Burton, LBW by Palmer for 0.
Final over to be bowled by Bennett. SOS need three to win with three wickets in hand.
First ball, Kush Pathak, caught behind by Kemp off Bennett for 1.
Second ball, no run.
Third ball, WIDE…que fingernails being chewed all the way down.
Third legal ball, Luke Bosio, caught by Chris Hopwood off Bennett for 0.
In an astonishing passage of play, the hosts had lost six wickets for just five runs, and it all came down to 14 year old debutant Rufus Aston to score two runs from the remaining three deliveries.
Fourth ball, dot…fifth ball…dot, final ball of the match, a scampered single and a collective release of breath from the crowd as already a contender for game of the season ended in a crazy tie.
St Ouen Springfield 1st XI: Harrison Carlyon (c), Patrick Gouge (wk), Robbie Forrest, Georon Claasen, Marshall Taylor, Barney Aston, Tyler Burton, Elliot Miles, Rufus Aston, Luke Bosio, Ashraf Palliyarakkan
Farmers Caesareans 1st XI: Rhys Palmer (c), Jack Kemp, Chuggy Perchard, Scott Van Breda, Jack De Gruchy, Sol Bennett, Oliver Ramage, Josh Winstanley (wk), Will Church, David Lawrenson, Chris Hopwood
DFDS Premier League 2026
