Inter Insular #13 1964

The match was played at FB Fields, Jersey
on Thursday 20th August 1964
Umpires not known (Guernsey) and (Jersey)
Scorers not known (Guernsey) and (Jersey)
Guernsey won toss and elected to bat
Jersey won by 7 wickets

Guernsey innings    RunsBallsMins4s6sSR Jersey bowlingOvMdnRunsWktsWNbSRER
A C BissonbBromley1Bromley11327100662.5
S J Hollyer-HillcVincentbPearce10Pearce18.274150021.842.3
P L Le CocqcBromleybPearce22--21Keites16337400242.3
R C N RousselcPearcebKeites38Briant2200000.0
M J MechemcO'BrienbPearce10
+†B A Anthonynotout13
*J H Le poidevinbKeites4
R L ArnoldcLe MarquandbKeites0
R W MillscO'BrienbKeites0
E C G EnevoldsonbPearce3
A ShepherdcC PoreebPearce4
Extras (b, lb, w, nb)8
Total (in 47.2 overs)113
Fall of wickets
1-4(Bisson),2-34(Hollyer-Hill),3-61(Le Cocq),4-84(Roussel),5-87,6-87,7-98,8-98,9-105,10-113

Jersey innings    RunsBallsMins4s6sSR Guernsey bowlingOvMdnRunsWktsWNbSRER     
M DoddcRousselbArnold26--30Le Cocq712703.9
D YoungcMechembArnold49-6070Shepherd311505.0
W VincentlbwbArnold0Mills201909.5
P O'Briennotout28--60Arnold71193142.7
B Le Marquandnotout2Enevoldson612504.2
*C J Poreednb
P G Bromleydnb
M Briantdnb
R Poreednb
M Keitesdnb
R Pearcednb
Extras (b, lb, w, nb)10
Total (for 3 wickets in 25 overs)115
Fall of wickets
1-72,2-89,3-105

PREVIEW

Press
‘Guernsey team should be one of strongest for many years’ by John Le Poidevin
The top CI cricket match of the year – Guernsey v Jersey takes place on August 20 at Victoria College Field, Jersey. Guernsey’s selectors have had a meeting and they selected 22 players to take part in a trial match at the College Field next Saturday afternoon. The team to play Jersey will be named after this. Guernsey has held the upper hand in recent years. With Warren Barrett in brilliant form last year – he made 76 and took three for 17 – Guernsey won by 92 runs.
In 1962 Stan Cleal hit a century and Roger Self made a brilliant half century as Guernsey won again. The margin was closer in 1961 but the result again went in Guernsey’s favour. Alan Bisson was in tremendous form in the 1960 match making 92. But his innings was in vain, for Jersey, chasing a total of 158, made the runs with seven minutes to spare for the loss of eight wickets. Jersey had virtually their last batsmen at the crease for one of their numbers was too badly injured to bat. This was the only victory gained by Jersey since the series started in 1957. The first three matches were drawn but in two instances the Caesareans held the upper hand.
What are the chances this season? By virtue of their successes in the past three years and the guide from inter-insular matches this term Guernsey must start favourites. If all the top players are available for the match Guernsey’s team will be as strong as any in recent years. Unfortunately Phil Sarre, who would be a natural for the match will be on the Continent at the time of the match in Jersey. Guernsey born Alan Bisson, who now lives in England, will be available, however, and this will boost the side considerably for, as his innings of 60 and 124 not out this week show, he is in tremendous form.
Selected teams for the trial match are:
Probables – JH Le Poidevin (capt), AC Bisson, SJ Hollyer-Hill, LAS Martel, RCN Roussel, PL Le Cocq, M Mechem, R Mills, BA Anthony, WER Barrett MK Redford.
Possibles – VG Collenette (capt), RL Arnold, ECG Enevoldsen, PG Burgess, J Le M Martel, JA Martel, AG Shepherd, RE Guilbert, JD Rogers, GN Le Tissier, RA Goodall.
E C G Enevoldson replaced W E R Barrett

MATCH

Press
‘Guernsey sunk without trace’
Guernsey crashed to a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Jersey in the annual inter-insular cricket match at the FB Fields, Jersey, yesterday. There was no excuse from the Guernsey players for this thrashing, which was the most convincing in the eight-year-old series. The home side bowled better, batted a great deal better and was rather more polished in the field too. If ever there was good toss to lose it was in this match – and Jersey lost it.

FB Fields

Guernsey batted first and found themselves in trouble on a hard and extremely lively strip which was brilliantly exploited by the Jersey pacemen. The strong-on-paper Guernsey batting side was hustled out for a meagre 113 and Jersey scored the runs very comfortably for the loss of three wickets.
Guernsey’s troubles began shortly after the start when AC Bisson was bowled by a superb off-cutter which took his leg stump with the Guernsey score at only four. SJ Hollyer-Hill and P Le Cocq took the score to 34 and, although not batting with the confidence they have shown lately, they seemed likely to retrieve the position even more. Hollyer-Hill, eager to get on with things, received a short delivery from Pearce and square-cut very powerfully but, unfortunately for Guernsey, he did not get over it and Vincent took a good catch at cover. During the 30-run stand with Hollyer-Hill, Le Cocq hit a fine six to mid-wicket.
A big innings was needed from Roussel and when he scored six boundaries in his first seven scoring shots it seemed he might rise to the occasion. The Jersey bowlers decided otherwise, however, and pegged him down. He tried to hit his way out and mush to the dismay of the Guernsey camp was caught at long-on only a few minutes before the luncheon interval, which was taken with Guernsey’s score at 85 for 4.
If Jersey’s bowlers had been on top in the morning they certainly went one better after the break and there was a major collapse. Only Anthony of the remaining batsmen looked at all confident and there were some fine strokes in his innings. The ball was flying off a length right up to the end of the Guernsey innings and there was every cause for the Guernsey players to feel confident that they too could cause some havoc on this pitch.
It was not to be however. All the life seemed to have been rolled out and opening batsmen Dodd and Young very soon showed that they were masters of the situation and they went on 72 runs before the former was out. Both batsmen had ‘lives’ in the first over bowled by first-change Mills but these incidents aside they played really well. When they were dismissed O’Brien came in to hit the winning runs, the whole innings having taken only 85 minutes. Jersey last won in the series in 1960 – and must have thought the wait worth while after this win.

Star
‘Guernsey cricketers fail dismally in Jersey’
Guernsey’s run of victories in the annual inter-island cricket series came to a sudden and very definite end at the FB Fields, Jersey yesterday. The confident Guernsey side took a real trouncing from a Jersey XI which proved stronger in all departments.
Batting first after winning the toss, Guernsey collapsed to 113 all out with virtually no resistance from the lower order batsmen on a wicket which was lively. The ‘invading’ Guernseymen hoped to repeat the dose when Jersey batted but could get no life out of the pitch and were beaten by seven wickets in only 85 minutes.
Guernsey’s troubles began early when opening bat Bisson fell to a great delivery from Bromley which pitched on the line of the off stump and cut sharply to take out leg stump. Guernsey were 4 for 1. Hollyer-Hill and Le Cocq took the total to 34, neither appearing on top form, but both batting tenaciously. Eager to take the initiative from the Jersey bowlers Hollyer-Hill cut the ball uppishly and was caught in the covers. The Sarnians needed a good innings from Roussel and although his scoring strokes were restricted Roussel hit very hard to score six boundaries with his first seven scoring strokes. He went just before lunch to a catch deep at long on having made 38 and Guernsey went in at the break with four wickets down for 85.
They needed many more runs when they resumed but instead had a complete collapse and were all out in just over half an hour for 113. Guernsey were still not despondent. They hoped to get the same help from the pitch which the Jersey bowlers had used well – but it was not forthcoming. The roller seemed to take all the lift out of the wicket and Jersey’s batsmen were rarely in trouble. Openers Dodd and Young pushed the score along quickly and except Mills’ first over they gave no chances. They put on 72 for the first wicket and their team-mates continued where they left off. Jersey hit 115 for 3 in only 85 minutes to win for the first time since 1960.

REVIEW

Press
‘Verdict: Jersey determined, Guernsey off-form on the day’ by John Le Poidevin
The Court is hushed as the Coroner enters, he bows to the gathering which in turn bows to him. The scene is set for an inquest … This is a hearing to establish the cause of Guernsey’s cricket ‘death’ at the FB Fields in Jersey, says the Coroner, looking to the police representatives to outline the circumstances.
‘Guernsey’s cricket team travelled to the sister island on the morning of Thursday August 20 for the annual cricket match against Jersey, sir,’ sys the Chief Inspector. ‘Previous performances this season against Jersey opposition had led the players to be more than a little confident that their visit to Jersey would not go unrewarded. On arrival at the venue for the match there was an inspection of the wicket and there was much discussion. Later a coin was tossed and the Guernsey captain called ‘heads’ correctly. He reasoned that although the wicket might well prove a little difficult at first all would be well later on. He decided that his team should bat first.’
‘In cricket, sir.’ explains the Inspector to the Court, ‘there is a certain amount of gambling … gambling on circumstances as well as ability. ‘Guernsey faced hostile bowling of a high quality and the wicket proved to be rather more difficult than had been estimated. A wicket fell to a splendid delivery then there was a partial recovery by batsmen Hollyer-Hill and Le Cocq. But this was short-lived for both fell to strokes of no great value. Roussel, a man in great from, hit several boundary shots, but he too was restricted by the bowlers who, helped by the pitch, made the ball rise and shoot alarmingly at times. He made a valuable 39 runs and the position was not entirely lost. When he tried to strike a six off a fast ball he mistimed the shot and was well caught in the deep. Lunch was only five minutes away and this was a hard blow for Guernsey.
But worse was to follow. Guernsey’s later batsmen, Anthony excepted, had little to offer against the still swinging ball on a still lively pitch, and the pride of Guernsey cricket was humbled for 113. Pace bowlers Pearce, Keites and Bromley were applauded into the pavilion.’
The Chief Inspector then tells the Court of the next phase of the proceedings, leading up to the hearing. ‘Guernsey’s confident cricketers, although more than a little shattered, faced their task of dismissing Jersey for 112 with a tinge of optimism. But their pace bowlers, Le Cocq and Shepherd, gained little joy and only one or two deliveries caused the batsmen, Young and Dodd, any inconvenience. Bowling changes were made to little effect. although left-handed Mills had both batsmen dropped in his first over.
Runs came quickly as the pitch played better and better and there was a distinct danger that batsmen Young and Dodd might score the necessary runs off their own bats. Eventually both were dismissed and soon another Jersey wicket fell. But any hopes that Guernsey might break through were thwarted by one P O’Brien who made a speedy 28 runs. Jersey won, sir, when the batsmen made a good leg stroke for two runs. Those are the facts.’
‘Thank you, Inspector.’ says the Coroner.
The Guernsey captain is called and he agrees with the Inspector’s words. He can give no good reason for the team’s performance. Next comes the Jersey captain who tells the Court that he was happy to have lost the toss for he too would have batted first. Mr Jersey Captain is full of praise for the way his colleagues bowled and joyful that Guernsey’s run of victories has ended.
After due consideration of the facts before him the Coroner, in his summing up, says, ‘I am puzzled at the way in which a pitch can change so much in such a short period of time. At the same time I cannot accept that this was the only reason for the defeat of Guernsey. In my opinion Jersey are completely blameless as to the pitch. Evidence has shown that the Jersey bowlers bowled with far greater skill and determination and that on the day the Guernsey batsmen were unable to combat them. Pearce, Keites and Bromley, the Jersey bowlers, are deserving of much praise. With regard to the Jersey innings I can see no good reason why their batsmen Young and Dodd should have been able to play with such comparative comfort, except that the Guernsey bowlers were not on their best form. Those catches, off Mills, should have been taken, but it would appear that by this time Jersey were in a powerful position. I commend Young, Dodd and O’Brien for their batting and congratulate the Jersey team. My verdict is that Guernsey lost this important match because they were not so good on the day of August 20 as their Jersey opponents. My commiserations to the Guernsey players who can take comfort in the thought that there will be other matches. Perhaps on the next occasion, however, they will not be so confident.’
The Coroner rises and bows and the inquest is at an end.

Star
Jersey’s second cricket win
Jersey’s victory in Thursday’s inter-island cricket match was only their second success in the series which has now been running eight years. The win was also the most convincing of the eight matches. Guernsey’s low score of 113 was not however the lowest in the series for last year Jersey managed to score only 102 when chasing a target of 195. It was expected that Guernsey would chalk up their fourth successive victory for in previous matches against Jersey opposition this term Guernsey players had always claimed the honours.
But it was not to be. Guernsey found themselves batting on a fiery wicket at the FB Field and they never recovered from a bad start. No praise could be too high for the Jersey pace attack of Pearce, Keites and Bromley. And likewise the Jersey batsmen Dodd, Young and O’Brien deserve credit for the way in which they made the runs which gave Jersey their seven wicket win. The Jersey innings took only 85 minutes but the batsmen did not have to combat a pitch as lively as the one Guernsey batted on. By the time they batted the roller had taken all the devil out and the longer the match progressed the better the pitch played. On the day’s form Jersey would probably have won even if Guernsey had chosen to bat second.