THREE centuries were scored and a hat-trick was taken on Saturday as the opening matches were played in the new NatWest Channel Islands League.

With results also doubling up as NatWest Weekend Premier League matches, Jersey champions Optimus defeated Rathbones OVs by six wickets to avenge their divisional defeat last month.

OVs’ Peter Gough scored his second century of the season, 107 off 125 balls, but it was in vain as Optimus passed OVs’ score of 245 for 7 with two balls to spare.

Ryan Driver (71 off 105 balls) and Ian Crocker (77 off 82 deliveries) featured in a third-wicket partnership of 72 runs before Sean Billson and Crocker guided reigning champions Optimus to victory.

Dean Morrison continued his impressive form hitting his third century of the season, 117 coming in at number seven, in St Ouen’s 20-run win against Aztec Springfield.

Morrison steered his side out of trouble after Mark Saralis completed a hat-trick grabbing the wickets of Richard Baigent, with a slower ball, and bowling Johan Nel and Robin Tewkesbury with his next two deliveries.

The prolific Morrison came to wicket with his team struggling on 70 for six before steering them to 248. Springfield made a great effort to win for the first time this season and despite an unbeaten 103 from Jason Carpenter they just fell short.

St Ouen’s win and OVs’ defeat, their first of the season, sets up an exciting finish to the season as both clubs are locked together on 171 points from five games played.

Top batting performance in yesterday’s Division I matches by Optimus 2nds teenager Paul Connolly who finished two runs short of a century in his team’s 110-run win against Rowlands Wanderers on pitch one at Les Quennevais.