ICC/CricketEurope

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Ireland today booked their place in Thurday’s final with a 64-runs victory over Guernsey at FB Fields, but this was a win not without a few scares, as the Channel Islanders demonstrated just why they have been elevated to the 1st Division of ICC Europe’s youth championships.

Having been inserted by Guernsey skipper Matthew Renouf, the Irish top order far from dominated the Guernsey attack as some may have expected them to. Once again they depended on left-handed opener Ryan Hunter to usher them out of potential danger, past respectability and into the realms of posting decent totals.

No-one else on the batting card passed 23 – even though Ryan Sheady’s 23 was unbeaten and came from just 29 balls – as Hunter followed up his first day century with another lone hand, making composed 67. During more than two hours at the crease he faced 89 deliveries, struck seven boundaries and has now scored 47% of his side’s runs off the bat in the tournament thus far.

Barry McCarthy's was the other significant contribution to the Irish effort, and he shared in an ultimately and critically important stand of 69 with Hunter, but with fewer than five overs to go and the board showing 148, the eighth Irish batsman was dismissed and at this stage Ireland could certainly not be said to have ‘closed out’ the match. From here, though, a vital and rapid stand of 30 between Sheady and Scott Campbell broughht their team up to 179: a challenging score, it was thought.

While no Guernsey bowler returned outstanding figures, none were disgraced and skipper Renouf (2 for 26), whose opening burst accounted for opposite number Hugh MacDonnell, and Dane Mullen (2 for 12), whose middle-order victims included Matthew Gillespie and Jonathan Andrews, returned very commendable figures.

After the break, despite Ireland’s late charge, Guernsey reached the first drinks break at 64 for 1, Adam Clark batting nicely for a thus far unbeaten 28, and were unquestionably in the driving seat: the Irish were looking ragged, with the discipline of both bowlers and fielders frequently lacking.

But, as is so often the case, the break accounts for a batsmen who was otherwise set, and Nicholas Waldron fell victim to the curse this time, Ryan Hunter holding on to a good, low catch at slip to dismiss the opener. And within a few overs of this initial breakthrough the match became as good as dead, the rest of the top order being swept away by the combination of Ryan Sheady’s medium-pace and Jonathan Andrews’ leg-spin.

Firstly, and most crucially, Clark was adjudged caught behind for 32 off Sheady, who minutes later comprehensively bowled Joseph Alvarez, while Andrews – who bowled beautifully, entirely unafraid to flight the ball – picked up his second wicket when he utterly deceived CJ Peatfield.

Scott Campbell would replace Sheady and ensured that there would be no release of pressure, the slow-left-armer taking three for 22, six of which came in one fell blow during no.11 Thomas Still’s last hurrah.

Ultimately though, Ireland simply had too many runs for a Guernsey line-up which, despite looking totally comfortable against seam and swing, had little with which to answer the questions posed by the Irish spinners. Indeed, when the slower bowlers locked into a rhythm the whole team's performance was lifted and the Irish began to look like the outfit regarded as pre-tournament favourites. Guernsey were eventually bowled out for 115.

Ireland now go into Thursday’s final knowing there is no good reason they cannot retain the Under-15 Championship title for the eighth time, but surely realising that they cannot continue to rely on Hunter at the top of the order. The Irish are not short of talented batsmen, and it will be interesting to see who puts up their hand first.

Guernsey, on the other hand, must now defeat Denmark tomorrow in a match which they have to win if they are to equal – not to mention better – their Under-17s’ achievement of finishing in joint third in the top tier at the first time of asking. Today they showed glimpses of what excellent cricket they can play, and should look forward confidently to their Danish encounter.