Italy have secured their place in the final of ICC Europe Division One, but more importantly their trip to the World Twenty20 Qualifier in the UAE later this year, after beating Jersey in the first semi-final at Hove today.

Italy won the toss and elected to bat first, with Dinidu Marage and Andy Northcote starting the innings with a quick 31 run partnership in 3.5 overs. His dismissal saw Italy go from 31-0 to 56-4 in five overs before Marage and Bonara put on 33 for the fifth wicket.

That partnership ended when Marage was caught by Jersey captain Peter Gough having made 42. Bonara followed three overs later for 23 with the score on 107-6, and the Italians made 120-9 from their 20 overs, Ben Stevens the pick of the bowlers with 3-21.

In reply, Jersey started circumspectly, but slowly built up pace. However the dismissal of Andy Dewhurst for 18 to take the score to 71-3 sparked a collapse. Peter Gough was next out for a well made 41, and before long Jersey found themselves on 91-6 with 2 overs to spare.

Alexander Cooke briefly gave them some hope in the final over and got them to needing 11 from the final 4 balls. But two wickets in two balls soon swung the game back to Italy, who eventually won by six runs to secure their place in the global qualifier, sparking wild celebrations amongst their players.

Before then though, they have the not so small matter of the floodlit final against the winner of the second semi-final.