JERSEY continue their charge towards the 2028 T20 World Cup with a third commanding victory in Cyprus, beating France by eight wickets.
Skipper Chuggy Perchard was one of five bowlers to claim two wickets each as they skittled the French for just 145, before Harrison Carlyon and Patrick Gouge struck half centuries to chase the target inside 16 overs.
Jersey sat top of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier Group A after opening wins against Switzerland and hosts Cyprus heading into their clash with the French.
The cricketing “les bleus” entered the game second in the table, with two strong victories of their own.
Batting first, France lost early wickets but kept the run rate high, finishing the powerplay 56 for 3, Dom Blampied, Julius Sumerauer and Perchard each claiming an early scalp.
Blampied impressed again with his leg spin, claiming 2 for 29, which included the key wicket of Mohammad Khan Rafah for 47.
He was backed up excellently by Ben Ward yet again with 4 for 20, the third leg spinner in the team Zak Tribe also chipping in with two handy wickets.
Sumerauer was expensive for his 2fer, shipping 50 runs on this occasion, but Perchard was economical for his 2 for 16 from his set of four.
In reply, Patrick Gouge took centre stage early, continuing his outstanding form of late with 54 from 34 deliveries, including 3 fours and 4 sixes.
He and partner Harrison Carlyon put on 93 for the opening stand in just 9.4 overs when Gouge was dismissed, before Nick Greenwood fell shortly after for just one.
Carlyon looked back to his best though, after missing out in the opening two games. He and Jonty Jenner combined well to knock off the remaining runs, Carlyon passing his half century in the process to finish unbeaten on 57 from 42 balls.
Jenner’s traditional stylish flair was also on full display as he found some rhythm in his swashbuckling 33 not out from 15 balls, with 4 fours and 2 big sixes to boot.
The win keeps Jersey comfortably top of the division with just Croatia to go in the round-robin stage and top spot looking all but guaranteed.
The winner of Group A will face the winner of Group B in an overall final to decide the team to progress to the next qualification stage. At the time of writing, their channel island neighbours Guernsey look well placed to be the side to join them, after two successful opening wins themselves.
Jersey’s final group stage game against Croatia is set to take place tomorrow from 1.30pm [BST], available to stream live on the ICC.tv app.
Jersey squad: Charles Perchard (c), Daniel Birrell, Dominic Blampied, Charlie Brennan, Harrison Carlyon, Patrick Gouge, Nick Greenwood, Jonty Jenner, Theo Pullman, George Richardson, Julius Sumerauer, Zak Tribe, Scott Van Breda, Ben Ward
