ST OUEN SPRINGFIELD extended their lead atop the DFDS 40 over Premier League yesterday with a commanding 7-wicket win over Old Victorians.
Reigning Young Cricketer of the Year Barney Aston claimed 4 for 31 as the league’s front runners skittled last year’s champions for just 122 at FB Fields.
New-found opening duo Charlie Brennan and Scott Simpson made a reasonable start, Brennan his traditional aggressive self.
He would fall for 22, dismissed by the equally impressive Luke Bosio (2 for 30).
Simpson would follow soon after for 15, which would spark a middle order wobble.
Simpson was removed by Aston caught behind for his wicket of the day, followed immediately with his second when young Freddie Harben was trapped LBW first ball.
Captain James Duckett had his timber rattled for just 12 and the powerful Jamie Watling was on the wrong end of a run out, also achieved by the superb Aston.
The hosts were reeling at 59 for 5 – only wicketkeeper Jonny Heward remained to show any resilience of substance.
He and Theo Pullman added 23 for the sixth wicket, but once be was also trapped LBW by the in-form Muhammed Ashraf Palliyarakkan Chalil for 12, the tail fell away.
SOS took to their reply without star man Patrick Gouge – who tops the batting leaderboard this season.
Ed Loader in his place was dismissed cheaply by the pace of Pullman, wrapped on the pads for just one.
Fellow opener Ty Burton followed soon after for 12, also LBW by Scott Simpson this time.
Simpson would have his second before long, finding Dom Blampied’s outside edge to leave the visitors 38 for 3.
However, the cool heads of skipper Harrison Carlyon and Robbie Forrest came together to see their side over the line.
Carlyon would reach an unbeaten half century, finishing 51 not out from 64 balls, with Forrest unbeaten on 48 from 58 balls in a fourth wicket partnership of 85 to see them home safe and dry by 7 wickets.
Over at Grainville, Walkovers were still hunting their first 40 over win of the season against Farmers.
The reigning T20 champions proved ruthless in the chase however, Chuggy Perchard and George Richardson starring in a 5 wicket victory.
The home side batted first, but were pegged back early with the loss of Will Taylor, caught behind by the pace of Richardson for just 2.
Partner Drew Sylvester looked his usual classy self as he glided along to 29, but he too would be caught behind of Richardson in a crucial and impressive opening spell of fast bowling.
Captain Dan Birrell (left) – never one to shy away from the fray – promoted himself up to three in the order, and battled with commendable resilience.
He was ably supported by the returning Jonny Gough (29) and Danny Blasco (26), but Birrell would hold the innings together, finishing unbeaten on 68 from 86 deliveries as Walkovers finished their 40 overs with a respectable 181 for 6.
Birrell’s determination continued with the ball. The Jersey paceman took the new ball and charged in at his Island skipper Chuggy Perchard, but it was the Farmers man who would wrestle momentum.
Adam Bradbury was first to go, two Walkovers young guns combining as debutante Sonny Derrien took the catch off Zac Thommasson’s sharp bowling.
Wicketkeeper Jack Kemp looked in good touch at three, racing to 23 at better than a run a ball, but Birrell would find his outside edge to the safe gloves of Sylvester.
Jamie Smith continued his good form with 32, including an excellent shot for six. He and Perchard combined excellently to move the score past 100 and their own 50 partnership.
Smith would fall to the experienced Nigel Crocker, hitting him plumb in front as he’s done for many a year and potentially opening the door a crack for the men in blue.
That door opened a touch further when the destructive Scott Van Breda made a rare low score, caught behind well by Sylvester off Will Taylor’s left-arm spin for just 6.
Richardson, earning himself a promotion up the order, proved he was far more than a tail ender. The Jersey quick combined again brilliantly with Perchard, who was quietly going about his business at the other end.
Perchard (right) brought up his half century and looked set to see his side all the way home.
He would fall just four runs short of victory however, a maiden Premier League wicket for Noah Snarey – but Perchard’s damage was done, removed for a match-winning 74 from 93 balls.
Skipper Rhys Palmer joined Richardson to see the game to a conclusion, Richardson finishing on an impressive 29 not out to conclude an impressive individual performance.
As we stand, St Ouen Springfield lead the way with two wins a a tie at the top of the league.
Farmers sit second, also undefeated, while defending champions Old Victorians and Walkovers still search for their first points of the campaign.
To see the full scorecards, click the link below;
https://jerseycricketcomps.play-cricket.com/website/division/139505?type=last_10_results
