ANY local interest in the Channel Island Knock Outs disappeared last Saturday when both Jersey sides were knocked out by their Guernsey opposition.

The tournament has been affected by the weather and both OVs and Romerils will feel hard done by as their matches, against the easiest opposition in their respective groups, were both cancelled. Cobo the pre tournament 5/2 co favourites now look likely to take the title from Wanderers who were offered at 6/1.

Pre tournament betting
and fate of clubs
5/2 Cobo – finalists
5/2 OV’s – Failed to get through group stages
5/2 Romerils – Failed to get through group stages
5/1 SCF – Semi Finalists
6/1 Wanderers – Finalists
10/1 St Ouen – Beaten Semi Finalists
12/1 Rovers – Failed to get through group stages
25/1 Argyll Investments – Failed to get through group stages.

Tonight the Player of the Year will once again be crowned, and while there have been several players who have had good years, Ryan Driver is likely to be a hot favourite to win the title for the second year running. Although that is the case there were plenty of others who caught team mates, competitors and spectators eyes.

Peter Gough’s view:
Two or three stand out for me. Dean Morrison played one of the most destructive innings I’ve ever seen against us (143*), the bloke is a fantastic batter and fielder – he puts bowlers under so much pressure, because he does not let them settle – uses his feet really well.

Ryan Driver has been first class again as always, another great batter – such power and timing (ask Ward about the time he took the mickey out of him asking him “is that as hard as you can hit it” after fielding one off him at mid off. Needless to say Drives then peppered him for the next ten minutes!! Bowls reasonably well too!!

Pat Kelly, even though I have only played against /with him once or twice, is a really good player – good to hear a bit of Aussie sledging from the slips again!! Young players obviously Anthony Kay and Ben Stevens have both done really well. They’ve both got a lot of talent batting and bowling wise and have the potential to be two of the Islands best players if they continue to work hard.

Continue to be mightily impressed with Steve Carlyon who is such a brilliant fielder and a fantastic player to open the batting with. Any of the young players in the island would do well to try to get a game alongside or against him just to see how it should be done in all departments of the game.

Barry Middleton as well has been good in both games we played. It’s pretty much a given that if he knows you like to drive, you won’t see a half volley all day. Really clever bowler, great control.

Martin Waite’s view:
Nigel Crocker – for sure – he works hard, he is astute and he has confidence in his own ability.
At other clubs – Jonny Gough (my favourite cricketer) – love his attitude)
Dave Gorman – always does well against us.

Chris Batchelor’s view:
Looks like Driver is long odds on for Player of the Year.
Phil Ramage at SCF looks useful, and Pat Kelly would be a good shout for Jersey set up. Matt Hanley looks a very good keeper and useful bat.

Dean Morrison’s view:
I think it is fair to say that Ryan Driver has had an incredible season with both bat and ball. To take 28 wickets at 6 and then to score close to 400 at 90 in the league was incredible (although I would like to have seen him open the batting rather than coming in at 4).
In addition to this he also played a winning role in the Inter Insular with both bat and ball, scored a hundred in the final of the European Div 2 tournament and also smashed a not out ton against SCF a few weeks back.

Richard Gomersall’s view:
No one jumps off the page other than me really however…. my thoughts:
Hard to look past Driver, he might have the added advantage of being actually good at the game but he works very hard despite that, weird really….
Phil Rammage was impressive.
Pat Kelly in all codes (evening and w/e) and because he plays it in the right spirit.
Anthony Kay would have won but he only played half a year.
So…
Me or Driver.
Driver because he practises.
Ray Wilson’s view:
On the face of it there is only one player of the year and that must go to Ryan Driver. Ryan has been consistent as an all round player all season. However, when one looks at performances which have advanced the reputation of Jersey Cricket other players come to mind. For example, Peter Gough gained quite a reputation with the bat during the ICC World Division 5 Festival and his fielding was something special. Stephen Carlyon also gave some special performances with the bat and fielding. As a general thought, for me, the star performer this year was Jersey Cricket and I would like to congratulate the Players, the Officials, and the silent back room boys & girls for their efforts in achieving such magical heights. Very best wishes, Ray Wilson

Ward Jenner’s view:
I love Jonesey
And his magnificent solitary wicket (Stuart Cole) this season will live in my memory (1-100 for the season)
The Gough twins are almost inseparable!
Andy Brown – King of the Incas – Red Inkers that is!
See who came top of the OV bowling averages – and was asked to bowl 22 balls all season!

Phil Evans’s view:
Ryan Driver is the obvious choice as he has been the most consistent.
However, I think it would be worthwhile to mention the impact Dean Morrison and Pat Kelly have had.
But I would like to point out the work and time the Gough brothers and Lee Meloy have given to cricket both on and off the field, a lot of which goes unnoticed unless you have children.

Andy Brown’s view:
Obvious choices … Driver
P Gough … champagne cricket until he gets to 50, best fielder on the island, wickets at crucial times with his darts.
Dean Morrison … played one of the best innings I’ve seen in local cricket … 143 not out of 190 against us.
Unsung heroes:
Bobby Minty … wicket keeping has gone up a couple of notches this season
Chuggy Perchard … has bowled consistently for bottom team
Richard Gomersall … marriage must be the reason….although his wife could probably score more runs.

Competition for the other awards is fierce, particularly the NatWest Weekend Division 1 Player of the Year, for which players like Aiden Maguire, Ben Beeley, Peter Osmont, Danny Kearns and Charles Perchard all have justifiable claims. The same names are also in the frame for the Young Player of the Year award but will have to fight off Ben Stevens, who hasn’t played much league cricket, but was the youngest player to play in the Inter Insular, Player of the Tournament in the Under 17’s ICC Division 1 Championships and has also been selected for the squad travelling to Tanzania for the World Cup Division 4 matches. There are bound to be some disappointments, but all players nominated should be proud of their achievements and the amount of good players there are in Division I, shows just what good shape the game is in at the moment.