FARMERS Field will host the conclusion to the domestic cricket season tomorrow as home side Farmers Caesareans, led by captain Rhys Palmer, will welcome Guernsey champions Norman Piette Cobo for the final of the 2026 Channel Island League.
Both sides finished one and two respectively in the league format of the competition, but Farmers’ top spot finished earned them the home advantage.
The clash will also see the reunion of both Island captains Chuggy Perchard and Ollie Nightingale – who is also the Cobo skipper – after their Inter Insular meeting last weekend where Jersey were victorious by five wickets.
Squads
Farmers Caesareans: Rhys Palmer (c), Jack Kemp (wk), Will Perchard, Josh Lawrenson, Stanley Norman, Toby Britton, Ollie Ramage, Chuggy Perchard, George Richardson, Tm Shenton, Sol Bennett
Norman Piette Cobo: Ollie Nightingale (c), Alex Bushell (wk), Ollie Newey, Louis Day, Max Ellis, Tony Merrien, Mattie Collivet, Chaitayna Shet, Dan Brown, Kieran Le Gallez, Charlie Birch
“The Seagulls” have proved themselves the dominant Sarnian side for some years now. Their explosive batting line up is probably their greatest strength.
It features Nightingale himself as a steady head in the middle order, with the likes of Guernsey opener Josh Butler and the explosive Tom Nightingale (Ollie’s brother) offering an explosive beginning to Cobo’s batting innings.
Both men sit first and second on the leading run scorers list with 286 and 261 runs respectively, well ahead of the chasing pack.
Wicket-keeper Alex Bushell recently earned his first Guernsey senior call up for last week’s inter insular and is always handy for some middle order runs, as well as young all-rounder Charlie Birch, who has been in fine form this season batting at number four.
Farmers however have also had a fine season.
Despite missing out on defending their T20 crown back in July, they have been dominant in the longer format in the latter half of the season.
The returning duo of Stan Norman (left) and Will Perchard have been key re-additions, both men contributing runs and wickets, as well as that stunning pair of centuries at KGV just last month.
Young wicketkeeper Jack Kemp has also recently re-found his touch in the second team and will be looking to make an impact in the season finale. The improvement to his glovework this season has been excellent however, and a contribution from their gloves or bat could go a long way to success for the men in green.
Perchard himself has also been in good form with the bat this season, contributing a couple of valuable half centuries atop the order.
It remains to be seen where he will bat tomorrow, but alongside he’s ever economical performances with the ball, he is undoubtedly marked in to make some form of positive contribution.
One standout performer this season has been the breakthrough season of young left-arm spinner James Bradbury.
His funky action and relentless accuracy has made him one of the leading wicket takers across domestic cricket this season and his partnership with fellow lefty Toby Britton, who sits as the leading wicket taker in this seasons CI League with ten, could prove difficult on a Farmers track that has played more in favour the bowlers more in recent times that previous.
Big quick George Richardson (right) will no doubt set the tone as well from the pavilion end with some good pace and swing.
The domestic season finale is set to be an exciting one between the two top sides this season from throughout the Channel.
The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 10.45am.
