Inter Insular #50 2001

The match was played at KGV, Guernsey
on Saturday 11th August 2001
for the Flemings Trophy
50 overs per side
Umpires John Wills (Guernsey) and David Hunt (Jersey)
Scorers Sue Veillard (Guernsey) and Jane Le Gros (Jersey)
Toss won by Jersey who elected to bat
Jersey won by 50 runs

Jersey innings    RunsBallsMins4s6sSR Guernsey bowlingOvMdnRunsWktsWNbSRER
S CarlyoncFrithbCulverwell4145667091.1Culverwell1535041022.53.3
M HaguecFerbrachebCulverwell514190035.7Birkett80410025.1
C JoneslbwbCulverwell022000.0Rich16168200484.3
W JennerlbwbCulverwell511230045.5Frith6170001.2
T CarlyoncLe PrevostbRich1735452048.6Biggins101101011.0
*D GormanlbwbHeadington44881003050.0Headington412932087.3
+†S ShortbRich420340020.0
C DouglascBigginsbHeadington6668706197.1
B VowdencFrithbHeadington1819262094.7
P Hortonnotout0020000.0
M Reynoldsdnb
Extras (b6, lb6, w4, nb2)18
Total (for 9 wkts in 50 overs)218
Fall of wickets
1-25(Hague),2-25(Jones),3-45(Jenner),4-58(S Carlyon),5-82(T Carlyon),6-94(Short),7-167(Gorman),8-214(Douglas),9-218(Vowden)

Guernsey innings    RunsBallsMins4s6sSR Jersey bowlingOvMdnRunsWktsWNbSRER
T Beltonrunout02617000.0Jones10.333221030.93.1
P VidamourcShortbJones414290028.6Horton14635301282.5
JDJ FrithcDouglasbHorton077.0000.0T Carlyon5113200152.6
S E Le Prevostc&bT Carlyon62224.00027.3Hague8021100482.6
A BigginscDouglasbHorton711041267068.3Vowden41190004.8
*R P HeadingtoncReynoldsbT Carlyon420211.0020.0Reynolds50250005.0
G TapplbwbHague1627393059.3Douglas20110005.5
G J Richrunout3547522174.5
A BirkettbHorton761000116.7
†+J Ferbrachenotout814111057.1
M CulverwellbJones1490025.0
Extras (b5, lb7, w3, nb1)16
Total (in 48.3 overs)168
Fall of wickets
1-6(Belton),2-10(Frith),3-10(Vidamour),4-23(Le Prevost),5-37(Headington),6-80(Tapp),7-136(Biggins),8-153(Rich),9-155(Birkett),10-168(Culverwell)

 

PREVIEW
Jersey Post by Murray Dron

Jersey will go into next Saturday’s annual senior inter-insular on the verge of a record tenth consecutive win. The experienced line-up includes no new caps while three players – Tony Carlyon, Mark Reynolds and wicketkeeper Simon Short – all played in the last nine wins. There is only one new face to add to last year’s winning side – five times Cricketer of the Year Steve Carlyon – and he replaces seamer Colin Graham who has not played for a month.
A confident Jersey team will travel to Guernsey tomorrow on the brink of an unprecedented tenth consecutive win in the annual senior inter-insular. ‘Most of the lads want to win because it’s chairman of selector Trevor Moore’s last year’, said former skipper Mark Reynolds. ‘KGV is renowned for being a low and slow wicket but the conditions don’t really matter – we’ve got the armoury to cope. There’s a load of Jersey supporters going over on the boat. They are always important because they create a lot of noise and a great atmosphere. It used to be hostile a few years ago but it’s not so much any more – mind you, Guernsey haven’t had much to cheer about for the last nine years, have they?’
[JDJ Frith born 30 Oct 1977 in Epsom, Surrey played three 2nd XI cricket matches for Gloucestershire in 1998 and once for Derbyshire in 2000. He later made one appearance in Minor Counties cricket for Berkshire in 2006.]

Guernsey Press

‘Vidamour names 13 in his final squad’ by Gareth Le Prevost
The Guernsey squad has been reduced to 13 as final preparations begin for the inter-insular in a week’s time. Stuart Bisson and the St Pierre duo of Nick Ravenscroft and Matt Oliver are the unlucky members of the touring squad who have been omitted by Peter Vidamour. However, the Island manager will not reveal his final hand until the morning of the match against Jersey leaving cricket followers guessing as to whom will make up the 11. Several places are already taken. Richard Headington has been confirmed as captain of the side while Justin Ferbrache will be behind the stumps.
It would be a major surprise to see any of the three players – Andy Biggins, Gary Rich and Mark Culverwell – who were ever present in the Channel Islands team left out. Adrian Birkett, a very good batsman to have coming in lower down the order, will be Culverwell’s new ball partner as the only other paceman in the squad. Stuart Le Prevost has been the form batsman on the island this season and will play in his fifth successive match against Jersey.
That leaves four spots up for grabs. Optimists all-rounder Jeremy Frith should take one of those places with his left-arm spin being very useful on the KGV pitches and his excellent half century against the Hampshire Maniacs also being in his favour. Tim Belton has not been as prolific this season. But he was under pressure to perform in the final match of the tour and responded with an impressive 36 against Shoaib Akhtar and the other Lashings stars.
Should the manager himself play though? He tops the batting averages in the longer version of our game showing that he has been one of very few consistent run scorers this season. The final place depends on Guernsey’s approach and whether another batsman or spinner is required. Aaron Scoones would not let the side down with his off-spin and he bowled well in last year’s inter-insular, but with Rich, Frith and Biggins available an extra batsman could be the way to go. Gary Tapp has the edge over Richard Veillard according to the averages and with the top six places taken, his hard-hitting approach could be very useful at number seven.
Gareth Le Prevost’s side – Headington, Belton, Vidamour, Le Prevost, Biggins, Frith, Tapp, Birkett, Rich, Ferbrache, Culverwell.

‘Headington stresses need to stay calm’ by Gareth Le Prevost
Maximising home advantage is the key to breaking Guernsey’s inter-insular duck according to captain Richard Headington. The Rovers man fully agrees with the view that the best cricket wicket is at the College Field, but to give Guernsey the best chance of winning the game has to be staged at the KGV. ‘It is our track – we know what it plays like,’ said Headington, although he knows it will be an important toss to win. ‘I know that in club games at KGV this season that when we have batted first and posted a score we have usually won. If you post a challenging total it is very difficult to chase there.’
There is always a quiet calmness to Headington and that comes across as he talks about tomorrow’s encounter. ‘The squad is more relaxed about it (the inter-insular) than they have been in the past. ‘It is difficult to perform if you are running purely on adrenaline but they are beginning to enjoy games more instead of being so focussed that they tense up.’ It has been part of the Guernsey regime led by Pete Vidamour and Headington that a club atmosphere is built within the squad. Every fixture is seen as important, not just the annual meeting with Jersey.’
The skipper knows, however, that the inter-insular is still considered to be the big one, especially as it has been 10 years since Guernsey’s last victory. ‘Pete Vidamour is the only one to have experienced victory in the squad. But under Pete’s management and my captaincy we have tried to make it so that every game is an important fixture – not just the Jersey game. This year we have had the club atmosphere. I think going on tour helps to break down barriers and it was good that players did not just stay within their club groups – having a squad system brings them together,’ he added.
Headington says that the confidence in the squad is good going into the match although he admits that the figure of 10 defeats in a row ‘weighs a bit on people’s minds’.
‘As a whole the squad is going in the right direction but it important to win one against Jersey to break this run – it would help with improving confidence even more,’ he said. Headington himself played a major role in almost breaking the run when he scored a brilliant half century and bowled excellently – considering the circumstances – at the death of the agonising defeat at Grainville in 1998. He knows that people are still looking back to that day, thinking what might have been and the effect it had on the Guernsey players. ‘If we had won that game I think we would probably have gone on to win the following year and last year as well. We could have been looking at four wins in a row instead of 10 defeats.’
Headington is not a born and bred Guernseyman but a grin comes to the fore when asked whether he thinks this is a problem. ‘I feel a Guernseyman, I’ve been here for 10 years, my wife and children are from Guernsey and I have been embroiled in several conflicts against Jersey. To be honest though, I think having a non-Guernseyman adds another dimension to how you view the game. there is that extra passion and you need someone who is able to control things.’
And what does he think are the main strengths of the opposition? ‘They are a team of all-rounders. They have a lot of depth in their bowling and they bat a long way down. The first 10 overs is an important period. If we bat first and have a positive start without losing wickets then we will be in the driving seat, but the same goes for the,. It is limited overs and so we do not have to bowl them out. We need to bowl tightly and if people chance their arm there will be chances.’
On a personal level the captain has been bowling much more for his club recently because ‘I need to be there as back-up. I have concentrated a lot more on captaining the side this year. I have managed to make bowling changes and alter fielding placings that have resulted in wickets, which has been pleasing. Hopefully it will be good weather, a good crowd and a Guernsey win.’ No-one in local cricket will disagree with those sentiments.

‘Guernsey eager to end agonising 10-year wait’ by Gareth Le Prevost
In 1998 Guernsey came painfully close to victory over Jersey at Grainville. It was a superb performance by the Sarnian side – albeit one captained by a Jerseyman – and they deserved so much more. To come so near to a win that they had been craving for so many years and then have it taken away so cruelly is not easy to get over – they matched Jersey all the way but they still lost.
Now they need to lay that ghost to rest. That result has haunted Guernsey players ever since, while it shocked Jersey into realising that they could no longer turn up and expect to win every year in cruise control.
The following year at the College Field, Jersey were awesome with the two Australians Mathew Hague and Brad Smith influential in their 95-run win. Last year Guernsey were outplayed once again when losing by 56 runs. But there is no reason for us to be anything other than optimistic. We have the talent available. Andy Biggins, Gary Rich and Mark Culverwell have done more than hold their own in the Channel Islands side in the ECB 38s competition this season while players like Jeremy Frith, Stuart Le Prevost and Adrian Birkett – to name just three – have undoubted ability.
As a whole the players are becoming a close unit now with the winter training sessions and UK tour improving relations within the group. The club atmosphere that Peter Vidamour has been looking for in his squad is now in place with morale very good as the results this season have proved. It is also a major advantage to be playing at the KGV with at least three spinners at Richard Headington’s disposal. Rich, Frith and Aaron Scoones could be bowling lengthy spells with Biggins and his uncanny knack of taking important wickets available if required.
All Guernsey need is belief in themselves. The batsmen need to back themselves to score more than 50, not just a decent 20 or 30, and the bowlers – the spinners in particular – have the conditions in their favour and an excellent wicket-keeper in Justin Ferbrache who keeps to Rich every week. Perhaps the one slight worry will be the coin toss. Whoever bats first will have an advantage, but the team will be prepared for every eventuality.
Jersey are unquestionably a very strong side but they are not unbeatable and there is no reason why the Sarnians should think otherwise. A home victory would delight the many spectators who are bound to descend on the KGV but more importantly the players need to win for themselves.

‘Jersey rely on the Dave Gorman experience’
Jersey captain Dave Gorman is forecasting a very tight match when his side meets Guernsey at the KGV on Saturday. Gorman is always very keen to emphasise that the gap between the teams is a small one with much depending on the belief of the players on the day. ‘In the past Guernsey have not been able to cope with pressure as they would have liked,’ he said, ‘They have done many good things over the year with their training, touring and discussions about their aims so they are very well prepared. However, it does require people to come off on the day. Psychologically it always helps to be at home but Guernsey will have the local pressure of people expecting them to win and also the pressure of Jersey having won the last nine games,’ he added.
Gorman has identified four danger men in the Guernsey side who he expects to feature prominently if the home side is to be victorious. ‘Gary Rich has demonstrated that he can raise his game for the big occasions – this year, for example, he bowled beautifully for the Channel Islands in the (ECB County) 38s competition. ‘Mark Culverwell also bowled very well in the 38s and I do not know of another bowler with as big heart,’
Of the batsmen he said, ‘Stuart Le Prevost is simply a class player and although he has disappointed slightly in past inter-insular games, he now has more maturity and experience and can provide the big score Guernsey need. Jeremy Frith is an experienced all-rounder who has played cricket to a good level and his knowledge and experience should be a help to captain Richard Headington,’ said Gorman. The Jersey skipper is involved in the selection of his side and acknowledges that the omission of Colin Graham may have surprised some people. It was difficult. We know how good Colin can be and the impact he has had on inter-insulars in the past,’ said Gorman. ‘We had to take into account several things including his performances this season, his enthusiasm and we didn’t think on the whole that the wicket would suit Colin’s bowling.’
Gorman believes that the KGV wicket is a vital aspect in the approach to the game. He hit an unbeaten 60 in the over 40s match last weekend, showing what can be achieved by batting positively but he knows that it is a pitch on which spinners can prosper. ‘We have not got many slow bowlers in Jersey. I would like to have a greater number of them from which to select but we have not got the personnel, unlike Guernsey who can play three spinners if they wish.’
One area where Jersey are strong is in their top six. ‘It is a pretty strong batting line-up – we would expect one of our batsmen to get a big score,’ said Gorman. ‘But it could be Guernsey’s year if someone manages to score 70, 80 or 90 runs. ‘The most dangerous thing Jersey can do is underestimate Guernsey’s resolve to win the game,’ he said.
The Caesarean player, who captained the Channel Islands in their county 382 campaign, is always very astute and positive, on and off the field and it is refreshing to hear him talk so confidently about both sets of players – not just those from across the water. ‘I fully expect it to be a tightly fought contest, exciting to watch and I would urge people to get down to the KGV on Saturday and support the players.’ he said.

MATCH
Jersey Post
‘Douglas steps in to keep ball rolling’ by Murray Dron
Craig Douglas was the hero at the KGV on Saturday as Jersey recorded their tenth consecutive inter-insular victory. Batting at number 8 behind an impressive line-up of specialist batsmen the all-rounder struck a magnificent 66 to rescue a floundering Jersey innings and win the man-of-the-match award.
At one stage an experienced Jersey side were staring down the barrel of a gun, a brilliant spell of 4 for 29 from Guernsey paceman Mark Culverwell reducing the visitors to 94 for 6.

Guernsey Press
‘Defiant Biggins shows what might have been’ by Gareth Le Prevost
Jersey did what they do best – the simple things well – to retain the inter-insular trophy at a sunny KGV on Saturday. Although a superb spell from Mark Culverwell – four for 29 from his opening 12 overs – had helped reduce Jersey to 94 for six, there was a certain inevitability in a way the Caesareans recovered. This time it was Dave Gorman and Craig Douglas – scorer of a brilliant 66 – who took the game away from Guernsey who have now lost 10 inter-insulars on the bounce. The pair put on 73 for the seventh wicket in just 14 overs and Guernsey’s hopes of keeping the opposition down to around 160 were dashed. Instead they were made to chase 218 and after a demoralising final 15 overs already there seemed no way back. Another batting capitulation confirmed just that.
The signs were not good for the home side from the moment Gorman won an important toss. In the fourth over things were looking even more ominous when Steve Carlyon got stuck into some short bowling from Adrian Birkett and took 16 off the over. But then Culverwell struck back with Justin Ferbrache making amends for dropping a difficult chance early in the morning by snapping up Mathew Hague. 25 for one became 25 for two just two deliveries later when Chris Jones was trapped in front by the Cobo paceman with the batsman stuck to his crease. Guernsey were on a roll. In his sixth over Culverwell struck again. This time it was the important wicket of Ward Jenner although the batsman was not amused at being adjudged leg before and it took some time for the former Guernsey captain to drag himself off the field.
Throughout this Steve Carlyon was playing an excellent innings at the other end, latching on to anything loose and getting full value for his shots. But he attempted one too many and mistimed a pull off Culverwell straight to Jeremy Frith at backward square leg – 58 for four. This brought Gorman to the crease and his side needed all his experience to get them out of this tricky position. But Guernsey continued taking wickets. Tony Carlyon was beginning to look like he was going to dominate when he tried to hit Gary Rich over the top of mid-off and only succeeded in giving Stuart Le Prevost a catch above his head.
Simon Short did not last long either with Rich getting one to turn from outside off stump to hit middle and leg. But then the match turned with Douglas striding out to join his captain. The two batsmen were both cautious at the start of their innings – mainly thanks to tight bowling from Rich and Frith – but after they had settled in they began accumulating runs all around the wicket. Douglas smashed several boundaries including a six over long on but the running between the wickets was outstanding and Guernsey were being run ragged. Eventually Richard Headington took the ball himself and broke the partnership accounting for his opposite number leg before. Bradley Vowden joined Douglas to add a further 47 to the score before Headington added both to his wicket tally in the final over of the Jersey innings.
Chasing 218 for nine, Guernsey needed a positive start but they got the opposite. With six on the board in the sixth over Tim Belton was run out following a sharp piece of work by Jenner in the gully. Frith went for a duck two overs later getting a leading edge to mid-off and without further addition to the score, Vidamour got a nick to Short – 10 for three after 10 overs. Jersey were not doing anything exceptional, just bowling good line and length and making the batsmen work hard. Le Prevost was next to go with Tony Carlyon taking a fine return catch, diving to take the ball low down. Headington did not last long either as he hit one straight to mid-on. Five of the top six Guernsey batsmen had scored 0,4,0,6 and 4. Biggins on the other hand was magnificent. The left-hander showed exactly what can be achieved by positive batting, stroking some glorious drives through the off-side and working the good balls into the gaps to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Gary Tapp joined him in a stand of 43 before Hague was finally successful with a leg before appeal and Gary Rich then provided some valuable support, although the required run-rate was up around eight by this time. Biggins fully deserved his half century that he reached with a single to long-off, as well as the standing ovation he received when finally dismissed still doing his best to try to win the game. Rich was unfortunate to slip when backing up and was run out for 35 but the game was gone by then with Horton and Jones polishing things off.

REVIEW
Guernsey Press
‘Same old story at KGV’ by Gareth Le Prevost

Another year, same story. Guernsey suffered their 10th successive defeat at the hands of Jersey at the KGV on Saturday. The winning margin this time was 50 runs but with Jersey struggling at one stage at 82 for five after an impressive opening burst from Mark Culverwell there were strong hopes in the home camp of breaking the duck. But vital contributions from captain Dave Gorman, man-of-the-match Craig Douglas, and Bradley Vowden took the wind out of the Guernsey sails and gave the initiative to the visitors.
When Guernsey batted, chasing 218, they found themselves in desperate trouble at 23 for four after 15 overs, but a superb knock of 71 from Andy Biggins and 35 from Gary Rich helped salvage some pride. Guernsey were finally bowled out for 168. ‘Dave Gorman really steadied their sinking ship along with Craig Douglas,’ said Guernsey skipper Richard Headington after the game. ‘If he had gone early we would have been looking to get them, out for around 120. ‘They ran the singles very well and picked up a lot of twos, which makes field placings difficult. Suddenly they had got another 50 and the guys at the end crashed another 50. I think, as was said before the game, the toss was important,’ he added.
Unfortunately for Headington Gorman called correctly. ‘Guernsey had us on the run at 82 for five and could have bowled us out for 120,’ said the Jersey captain. ‘But every year one or two of our players come off. The partnership between Craig and myself was vital as was the one between Craig and Bradley. I think the game just left Guernsey at that point. They had to get a good start to their innings but it did not materialise. Andy Biggins was superb. It was great innings and normally it could have won an inter-insular match – it shows that with a bit of application and dedication you can score runs out there,’ said Gorman.
The Guernsey player-manager Peter Vidamour echoed these sentiments. ‘After the start we had with the bat it was very difficult to recover from. Andy Biggins did very well but all it needed was someone else in the top six to score 25 or 30.’

‘Vidamour: “I’d pick myself again” ‘ by Gareth Le Prevost
Guernsey manager Peter Vidamour has no regrets about playing himself or the side he selected, despite a 10th successive defeat at the hands of Jersey. But he would like to go for a younger side next season. ‘I don’t think I’d change the side now if I had to pick it again,’ said Vidamour, still disappointed after the 50-run loss. ‘e prepared well and we were all confident but I thought we just did not perform to the best of our abilities. It was a shame for the three or four guys – like Andy Biggins, Gary Rich and Mark Culverwell – who did perform.’
He’s already looking towards next season and further ahead when he hopes to see members of the victorious Under 21 and Under 25 sides developing into quality senior island cricketers. ‘If you look at those sort of age-groups we have talent coming through – we are probably better off then Jersey in those term,’ Vidamour said. ‘From those two teams we have Aaron Scoones, Stuart Le Prevost, Adrian Birkett, Matt Oliver and Stuart Bisson who have all been part of the senior squad this season, so we have already started to bring them through.’
Other young players who Vidamour mentions include Matt Jeffery, who has had injury problems this year, and young Optimists’ exciting young quickie, Chris Van Vliet. But he is also quick to point out that he does not rule anyone out of selection if they are performing well, using himself as an example. ‘This year I’ve enjoyed it a lot, I think I thoroughly deserved to play. If I had not picked myself I would have been bottling it – the selection was justified. In some ways I hope I will not be in contention again. But if I play as well next year I would not rule myself out, like anyone else who is fit enough and doing well – age is irrelevant.’