Jersey were brought back down to earth by PNG, losing by 21 runs in an entertaining and hard fought contest at Bready.

The Channel Islanders were always slightly behind the run rate in their pursuit of PNG's 145 for 9, but with talented teenager Jonty Jenner at the crease, they were always in contention.

Jenner hit 3 fours and 2 sixes - one an audacious reverse sweep over deep cover and out of the ground - in an eye catching 44 from just 29 balls.

However, his dismissal - caught at deep square leg attempting a hook off Willie Gavera (2-13) proved the turning point in the contest.

Jersey needed 59 off 43 balls at that stage, but Ben Stevens fell soon after and the Jersey chase petered out.

Norman Vanua took 3 for 19 in a Man of the Match display, while Chad Soper also picked up 2 for 30. Mahura Dai (1-9 off 3) kept a tight rein on things as PNG strangled the Jersey innings.

The PNG fielding was top class, with an energetic display backed up by some truly superb catching which was to prove the difference.

Earlier PNG had raced out of the traps as openers Lega Siaka (26) and Tony Ura (22) added 44 in just 28 balls.

Assad Vala (29) KIla Pala (20) and Jack Vare (20) all batted sensibly as Jersey fought back well after their sluggish start.

Ben Stevens and Tony Kay had identical figures of 3 for 24 as PNG finished on 145. The feeling at the half-way stage was that it was just above par on a wearing track, and so it proved.

PNG now face Hong Kong in a huge game at Bready tomorrow (MON), while Jersey are next in action on Wednesday when they face USA, also at the County Tyrone venue.