Jersey’s bowlers had done well to dismiss Ireland for 227 after they had appeared to be cruising at 118 for two, but that proved to be more than enough as the hosts’ batting fell to pieces against a sustained Irish attack and the side was bowled out for 52, giving the tournament leaders a thumping 175-run victory.
The foundation of Ireland’s total was a fine innings of 60 by opener James Grassi; although he rode his luck and was put down at least twice, his positive approach seized the initiative early on after Harry Carlyon had asked the Irish to bat first.
But once he departed the momentum slowed, and although skipper Harry Tector contributed a valuable 30 and Graham Kennedy 27, the middle-order was contained by a fine spell of off-spin by Carlyon, with leg-spinner David Bourne picking up four wickets for 53 at the other end.
It took Little’s innings in the closing stages which was instrumental in getting the total past the 200, and Ireland knew that Jersey would have to produce their best batting performance of the tournament to have any chance.
They had to survive a tricky seven-over spell before the lunch interval, but had lost two wickets by the break.
Any hope of an effective recovery was dashed soon after the interval, when three more fell in the space of four deliveries and Jersey found themselves on 20 for five.
Only Julius Sumerauer was able to reach double figures, and with Little bowling unchanged from one end Ireland relentlessly worked their way through the rest of the batting. Aaron Cawley picked up two for 10 and Varun Chopra two for 9, and with Kennedy collecting the last, the innings closed in exactly 25 overs.