SCF                             77 for 9 in 12 overs

St Ouen’s CC             80 for 7 off 11.7 overs

 

Matt Hague skipper of SCF may well have been confident that they could retain the Nat West Evening League Division crown on Wednesday 30 July 2003 but when Mark Reynolds, ex-St Ouen Cricketer, walked out to the crease with his side 4 down he looked anything but confident, writes Swans.

 

Dave Clark won the toss and inserted SCF without any hesitation and what a decision this was.  After pleasantries of shaking hands and explaining his decision to Radio Jersey’s Brent Pillnik, yes, this game was to be transmitted live around the Island on 88.8 FM and 1026 MW, St Ouen took the field and Moriko Kemp took the new ball.  He started in splendid fashion not allowing Matt Hague to settle cutting the ball around and third ball he trapped the Island opener leg before for 0 the remaining balls were delivered with unerring accuracy to start with a wicket maiden.

 

Clark stayed at the bowler’s end for the second over where Horton duly arrived and the ball was tossed between young Danny Blasco and Paul Horton and Clark changed his battle plan.  He sent Horton back to the long on boundary and start with off spinner Blasco.  Afterwards with his usual tack and diplomacy Clark was heard saying ‘I wanted my most experienced bowlers to bowl at the death.

 

But what a decision it was Kemp removed Tony Carlyon with a snorted the ball got bigger and bigger on him and all he could do was to fend it to first slip where Dave Clark stepped across and took comfortably.  Blasco bowled Simon Short and with 6 overs gone in the 12 over game SCF were 34 for 3.

 

This then brought the 2 most ‘experienced’ bowlers in to play for St Ouen, Barry Middleton and Premier Jersey Fast Bowler Paul Horton.  Middleton started by conceding 12 off his first over but removed the Paul Carberry with the help of Mark Tribe who took the catch at long off with the commentators saying ‘its gone up a long way.’

 

Horton also conceded 12 in his next over, could the game be slipping away from St Ouens.  The next over from Middleton would be very important and it was.  He had Steve Carlyon caught by Danny Blasco at short fine leg and clean bowled Reynolds in 2 balls.  Marret avoided the hat trick but he was also clean bowled in the same over.  Middleton in the middle of something of a renaissance as confirmed by the expert summariser from Jersey Radio.   Middleton was not finished there and clean bowled Jewell as well and what a lovely sight that was.  Horton removed the stumps of Rousseau and SCF posted 77 for 9 in their 12 overs.

 

In reply St Ouen’s took 6 off the first over with the help of 3 wides from Jewell.  However Rob Tewkesbury and Mark Tribe were removed early which brought Ward Jenner and Paul Horton together the started the recovery although were out for 11 and 16 respectively.

 

Dave Clark joined Stuart Ramskill but after 4 balls was returned to the pavilion and was followed next ball by John Gleave.  Where St Ouen’s on the ropes?

 

Blasco joined Ramskill and the seeds of a victory were sown, they ran quickly between the wickets and constantly changed the strike around and would not the Jersey Island bowlers settle into any rhythm Blasco only scored 6 but this partnership was the launching pad for Ramskill (30 not out) to take the game by the scruff of the neck.  They hit 14 of Reynolds last over although he removed Blasco with his last ball.  So with 8 balls remaining St Ouen’s needed just 7.  Martin Amy faced the first two balls of the last over pushing a single from the second giving Ramskill the strike after 2 and a single and SCF’s fielders closed in to seal any gaps and stopped any singles. 

 

With the remaining St Ouen’s players looking on and watching another dot ball Ramskill launched the penultimate ball over Mid On for 4 and to take the 2003 Evening League Title.

 

Photos provided by BBC Radio Jersey  - www.bbc.co.uk/jersey/sport.shtml

 

St. Ouen captain Dave Clark presented with the winner's shield                                

 

Dave Clark accepts the trophy from Albert Brown

 

The Team

 

The St. Ouen team celebrating after their play-off win

 

(Standing)

Paul Horton, Martin Amy, Ward Jenner, Mark Tribe,

John Gleave, Rob Tewkesbury, Stuart Ramskill & Moriko Kemp

(Slightly squatting)

Barry Mddleton

(Squating)

Dave Clark Capt & Danny Blasco.

 

 

 

The celebrations commenced.