THE Channel Islands cricketers returned to winning ways yesterday with a five-wicket success away to Hampshire in the Over-50s National Championship.
At Hursley Park, near Romsey, the CI defeated Hampshire for their second Group Three victory of the season in three games.
Restricting Hampshire to 145 for 9 in their 45 overs, the CI reached their target with 4.5 to spare.
The CI’s Mike Webber (17) and Paul Robson (26) put on 50 runs for the first wicket before Steve Birkett (33) and Greg Sykes (37 not out) put together a match-winning 58 partnership for the fourth wicket.
But it was not just the batsman who performed well.
The bowlers were in impressive form too, Ralph Anthony taking three wickets for 24 runs in his nine-over, two maidens, spell.
Openers Barry Middleton and John Tall bowled tidily to tie Hampshire down at the start, they scored 51 runs in the first 20 overs, with Mike Kinder turning the screw further conceding just 14 runs in his nine overs.
Third, fourth and fifth changes bowlers took eight wickets between them, Anthony grabbing three and Tom Gales and Birkett two apiece.
CI captain Keith Dennis said: ‘It was a good win and restricting them to 145 was very pleasing.
The bowlers were all in fine form, particularly seamer Mike Kinder who had an excellent nine overs for 14 runs.
Mike was very unlucky not to have taken a wicket.
‘We didn’t field well again but we took wickets so that was important.
‘Mike Webber and Paul Robson gave us a good start in reply and Paul was exceptionally unlucky to be out with the ball running up his leg and then onto the stumps.
Greg Sykes and Paul Le Cocq got us home while earlier Steve Birkett batted well for his 33.’ The Credit Suisse sponsored CI team’s next match is against Devon, in Guernsey on Saturday 26 June.
Article posted on 17th June, 2004 - 12.00am
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