Ben Girling took six wickets as Spain made a winning start to the European Under 17 B Championships with a 38 runs victory over Switzerland at Crosby.
Chasing Spain's 176, the Swiss were in trouble at 92 for six but a stand of 41 in just six and a half overs between Ali Saleem and Ross Cameron keep the Swiss in the hunt and Spain under pressure - until a run out hurried the game to its conclusion.
Saleem, Switzerland's top scorer with 43, was the victim and Girling, who had taken the first three wickets then ran through the tail, with three wickets in an over to finish with six for 17, the Swiss bowled out for 138. Spain captain Joel Brook took the other three wickets.
Spain's innings was built around Charlie Cook's 59. Coming to the wicket after the loss of two wickets in six balls, which left Spain 51 for four, he slammed seven fours and two sixes off just 46 balls before he was seventh out with the total on 163. Spain rather lost their way after his dismissal, managing only 13 runs in the next five overs and being bowled out with four balls unused. Himish Parikh, Ross Cameron and George Gaillet all took three wickets.