BIG wins were the order of the day as the ICC European under-15 Division I championship got under way in the Island yesterday.

Defending champions Ireland crushed Denmark by 167 runs at the Farmer’s Field in St Martin while Scotland beat The Netherlands by seven wickets, with 16 overs to spare, at the FB Fields.

The Channel Islands teams begin their quests today with Jersey facing Scotland at Victoria College while Guernsey oppose Ireland at the FB Fields.

Ryan Hunter struck 15 boundaries off the 125 balls he faced to top score for Ireland with 109 runs. The best partnership was 79 for the third wicket with Alex Malcolm-Bourne playing the anchor role after Ireland had lost Hugh MacDonnell and Ben Wylie in quick succession.

• Picture: The Jersey U15 squad Back: Daniel Kearns, Charles Fricker, Alex Cooke Nick Wildman Tom Le Lièvre, Alex Noel, Will Falle Jack Gibbs. Front: Joe Mayes, Corey Bisson, Aidan McGuire (captain), Oliver Johnson, Will Southall. (by Tony Pike 00579086)