Saturday 29th August 2009

2nd Division Upton

Sportingbet 2nd Division Champions Mercator started the weekend of inter island clashes against Jersey’s PBS Flyers. Mercator started the better of the two teams scoring 6 runs, including a Jon Marley home run, and then shut out their opponents. The Flyers came right back into the game in the 2nd innings scoring 7 runs, Mercator replied with 2 to hold a slender 1 run advantage.

Mercators runs dried up in the middle of the game and the Jersey Flyers scored 2 runs courtesy of a home run from pitcher Tim Jones to take the lead 9-8. Mercator then upped the pace at the right time and in the next 2 innings scored 9 runs with the help of home runs from Alec Bailey, another from Jon Marley and a huge hit from the injured Wayne Rihoy who managed to jog around the bases. Flyers replied with 5 runs of their own meaning Mercator held a 3 run lead going into the last innings. “Super Sub” Rod Elmy was introduced into the game and managed to bat twice as Mercator batted through their order and scored 7 runs to set up a healthy lead and put pressure on their Jersey opponents. Flyers only managed 1 run in reply meaning Mercator ran out deserved winners 24-15.

1st Division Upton

Tornados, the Sportingbet Division 1 champions, were next onto the diamond against Jersey Division 1 Winners Dominion Niners. The Jersey team started strongly and courtesy of a Sean Billson home run led the game 3-1 at the end of the 1st innings.

Tornados then started getting people onto bases courtesy of some poor pitching from Jersey’s Franck Mathews. Ben Youlton’s fine home run scored 3 runs and these were quickly followed by 2 more for Tornados to lead 6-3 after 2 innings.

Tight fielding from Tornados infielders Ben Corson, Glen Cortez and Tracy McColl meant Niners were struggling to score runs and only managed 2 more all game. Tornados on the other hand were scoring in almost every innings courtesy of some more walks and good base hits. Strong base running from the home team often took their opponents by surprise to set up another victory for a Guernsey team with Tornados winning 14-5.

Sunday 30th August 2009

Muratti ‘B’ Game

The first game on the Sunday saw the two Muratti ‘B’ teams from each island take to the diamond. Jersey managed to start the stronger of the two teams in the early innings to lead 3-1. Guernsey then relaxed more in the batters box and, with the help of home runs from Marco Silvestri and James Brehaut, scored 6 runs to lead 7-3. Jersey hit back in the 4th innings with sensible base hits they batted through their order and scored 5 runs. This spurred Guernsey on to reply with 4 runs of their own to keep a slender lead of 11-8 going into the 5th innings.

The game could have gone either way at this point but it was Guernsey who kept their fielding tight and behind superb pitching from captain Dale Martel, reduced Jersey to a solitary run and then had their best innings to score 9 runs. James Brehaut scored another home run and with loaded bases after good safe hits Guernsey were gifted some more walks to add to their scoring tally. Guernsey led by 11 runs going into the last innings and Jersey failed to score; the final play being a catch at right field by Judy Machon to secure a Guernsey win by 21 runs to 10.

Guernsey Team:- Dale Martel(capt), John Rihoy, Marco Silvestri, James Brehaut, Marceau Curry, Kyle Nelson, Sam Machon, Ian Coutu, Sophie Warren, Jemma Crouse, Sarah Biggins, Marissa Mollet, Judy Machon and Sarah Bryce.

Muratti ‘A’ Game

Jersey batted 1st in the ‘A’ Muratti and scored 2 runs courtesy of a huge home run hit over left field from Sean Billson. Guernsey replied with 4 runs, 3 of these coming from a Ben Corson home run who found a gap between left field and centre field. The only score in the 2nd innings was a fine home run from Guernsey’s Joint Captain Sally Le Noury who hit the ball cleanly over centre field.

The 3rd innings was where the game turned, Jersey failed to score and then Guernsey batted out of their skin to score 15 runs. The whole team had good hits and these included 5 home runs from Glen Cortez, Dave Rihoy, Eleisha Gettings, Jay Mariess, and Hannah Coutu respectively; Jersey looked beaten. Jersey’s only other run came in the 4th inning, again a home run from Sean Billson. A fine double play from Guernsey short stop Ben Corson ended Jersey’s innings. Guernsey scored 4 more runs in the 4th innings including another home run from Corson and a 3 bag hit from Pete Le Page.

Guernsey led 24-3 going into the 5th innings. The highlights of this innings were 2 fine catches one for each team. The 1st was for Guernsey’s Dave Rihoy who ran quite a distance to catch out Jersey’s Sharon McGrath. Jersey then got their own back with Sean Billson back tracking to deny Sally Le Noury a good hit. Guernsey still managed to score 4 runs to increase their lead to 28-3.

Jersey failed to score in their next 2 bats and Guernsey added 3 more runs to win the most one sided Muratti to date 31-3. Credit must go to both the Pitchers Jersey’s Tim Jones and Guernsey’s Pete Le Page who only gave up 1 walk each and I’m sure Jersey will be back stronger next year on their home soil.

Guernsey Team:- Glen Cortez (joint Captain), Ben Corson, Dave Rihoy, Jay Mariess, Pete Le Page, Ean Sarahs, Marc Rihoy, Sally Le Noury (joint Captain), Olivia Piccorilli, Eleisha Gettings, Hannah Coutu and Tracy McColl.

A superb weekend for Guernsey winning all 4 inter island clashes. Well done to all involved!