FOUR clubs are now in the running for the NatWest Evening Cricket League Division I title after the leading duo were both beaten last night
Sporting Club Franูais lost by 11 runs against Air Conditioning Jersey, who fielded just nine men, while second-placed St Ouen were brushed aside by Pentagon who won in just 7.4 overs following a couple of whirlwind batting performances from Ryan Driver and Barry Parsons.
Air Con and Pentagon are now one and two points respectively behind second-placed St Ouen with Sporting Club ten points clear at the summit.
With three rounds of matches remaining there promise to be several interesting matches coming up in the next few weeks.
With only eight players available at the start, Air Con won the toss and elected to bat first.
This decision certainly paid off as the runs flowed from the top order, Jonny Gough excelling with 43 including four boundaries and two 6s.
John Prince chipped in with 25 while there were double-figure contributions from Ian Crocker, Tom Minty and Mark Saralis.
Sporting Club, chasing 123 for victory, were up with the required run rate after seven overs but one Peter Gough (44, three 4s and two 6s) was out as the table toppers slowed to finish their innings on 111 for 4.
SCF’s Bradley Vowden was the top wicket-taker in the match with four for 20 runs in three overs.
Excellent bowling by Peter Blackburn (three for 16) and Alex Luce (two for 28) laid the foundations for Pentagon’s victory against St Ouen.
Dendy Thompson top-scored for the Saints with an unbeaten 36 but their 107 for 6 in 12 overs was well within the reach of Pentagon as Driver and Parsons took the bowling apart with undefeated efforts of 51 and 29 respectively.
Driver, who retired, cracked seven 4s and two 6s while Parsons impressed with a quick-fire innings clouting four 4s and two sixes.
Alan Lesbirel steered Abacus to a six-run win against Beeches.
Abacus were struggling on 41 for 3 after six overs when Lesbirel came to the crease to hit 50 before retiring.
Helping his team to 112 for 6 in 12 overs, assisted by a 62-run partnership with Peter Canham, Lesbirel scored five boundaries and two 6s.
Beeches made a good start and were up with the run rate of nine an over but they were losing wickets regularly.
When Lesbirel came on to bowl he dashed Beeches’ hopes of a first league win this season by grabbing five wickets for 19 runs in three overs.
Lesbirel capped a fine night with a catch at deep long on to dismiss Jim Walls leaving Beeches on 96 for 9 and the close.
Article posted on 12th July, 2006 - 12.00am
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