OLD VICTORIANS claimed the Brooks Macdonald T20 Weekend League Premier Division title and booked their flights to Spain next year for the European Cricket T10 League.
They did so after beating St Ouen-Springfield at Les Quennevais by five wickets – and some particular big hitting from Ed Giles – to complete the season unbeaten.
It was a slow and steady performance that got them there, with St Ouen struggling to get to a threatening run rate in the first innings. The partnership of Ollie Nightingale (31 runs) and Robbie Forrest (28) was the most productive for the Saints until both were dismissed in quick succession by Jack Stevens (2 for 8).
Giles was seemingly in a rush to get the job done as soon as possible. He was in no mood to hang around, hitting four successive maximums and one more for good measure before being bowled by Charlie Best five runs short of a half-century.
By this stage, OVs needed only 11 more runs to win the game and they did that with plenty to spare, the returning Corey Bisson taking the glory of getting them to their target.
The win means OVs will make their debut appearance in the European Cricket League next spring in 2024 in Malaga.
It capped off a season to forget for St Ouen, who will finish bottom of the standings. They also came a cropper against Walkovers the night before, losing by four wickets.
Corey Heath was particularly clinical in the Walkovers attack – enjoying a rare win – taking four wickets in the first innings, including the first three of St Ouen’s order: Jack Maton, Alex Williamson and Ed Loader all early doors. Walkovers were left with a chase of 120 to win their first T20 match since and they reeled it in with just under three overs to spare.
The reply from Walkovers didn’t make the best start when Dylan Kotedia was dismissed for a duck on only the second ball but, thankfully, they can count on the batting talents of Nick Ferraby to help them out these days and help them out he did.
In typical Ferraby style, he let loose to fire 42 runs off just 32 balls before being caught by Williamson off Robbie Forrest’s delivery. There was still a little left to do to see Walkovers over the line and they did so with the efficient pairing of Sam Gott (17 off 17) and Robin Carnegie (20 off 12).
The coronation of the new Division One champions will have to wait as the final between OVs 2nds and St Ouen 2nds was postponed to be rescheduled for another time due to weather and the earlier semi-final that day between OVs and Chirpy’s Chiefs (reduced to 12 overs) making the wicket at Farmers unplayable.
