Netherlands defeated Guernsey by 6 wickets at Rugby School today, claiming fourth place in the championship as a result.
With Guernsey having chosen to bat first at the toss, Nairn Guilbert top-scored for the islanders from the opener's slot, making 36 from 73 balls. However, he was the only batsman to pass 30 as Guernsey collapsed from 75-2 to 140 all out. It could have been worse, too: Daniel Rice made 27 from number nine, striking five boundaries, to rescue Guernsey from 90-7.
There were a number of fine bowling performances from the Dutch. Kerten Nana picked up 3-26, Davi van Slobbe returned the stunning figures of 8-1-15-4 and at one stage was on a hat-trick, while Tushar Sharma and Pieter de Graaff were miserly with their economy rates.
Guernsey, to their credit, came out all guns blazing in the field, taking two early wickets to set up the prospect of a close finish. An imposing partnership of 84 between Tushar Sharma (44) and Bas de Leede (45*), however, took the game away from them.
While the Dutch lost Sharma and another wicket before reaching their target, the runs were knocked off with more than 25 overs to spare, victory sealed by the impressive De Leede.
Although failing to repeat their triumph of 2012, the Dutch played some good cricket this week, losing very narrowly to eventual champions Ireland. Guernsey, meanwhile, can be proud of the efforts of the youngest and least experienced squad at the tournament.