In an otherwise tight encounter, Jersey produced two bursts of inspirational cricket to topple the favoured home side Malaysia in front of their enthusiastic travelling supporters by 8 wickets with 7 overs remaining.

Offered the chance to bowl with the overnight moisture still on the ground and in the air, Jersey took the early wickets that had eluded Malaysia's previous opposition. Burly opener Hawkins-Kay, whose loping delivery stride makes way for a powerful front-on delivery took the wickets of each of the top three; inducing an edge from Nasir Shafiq to second slip; trapping Fikri Rosdi lbw; and getting Ahmed Faiz to strangle one down the leg-side.

At the other end, Bodenstein, who struggled with wides throughout, conceding 9 in all, had Alagaratnam popping up a catch to Jonty Jenner at cover.

Four wickets for 34 soon became five for 38. A single powerful drive for four was the only contribution from Shafiq Sharif before he was caught at deep mid-wicket to a low sliding catch from substitute Connolly.

Seemingly immune to the pressure, Anwar Arudin swaggered to the crease wearing a cap, lofting balls in his hitting area between mid-off and mid-wicket for two sixes and two fours. His brief cameo of 28 from 28 balls ended with a sharp catch down the leg-side by Farley off Watkins; Malaysia still precariously placed at 68-6 off 18 overs.

While Khizer Hayat Durrani and Suhharil Ferni didn't score many runs in the following 7 overs from the spin of Stevens and Watkins, but they were able to induce a flat spot in the efforts of the Jersey fieldsmen as the heat sapped their energy.

The partnership of 61 was ended when the indefatigable Hawkins-Kay got a yorker through Fetri for 33, but it laid a foundation for first Durrani, who made 42 off 61, then Hiran Brahman Ralalage, to attack in the last 8 overs. Hiran's entertaining 33 off 39 - which included a dilscooped four, and a six over mid-wicket - took Malaysia to 202-9.

Malaysia's recovery had seen them surpass all previous scores played on this ground in this tournament, and there was a sense from their camp that they'd done sufficient for their spinners and the pace of Hassan Mohammed to win the day.

Jersey were content to work the ball around for the first ten overs, keeping wickets in hand and getting to 29-0. Malaysia, sensing an opportunity to dry up the runs, brought on spin from each end: Suharril Fetri, the off-spinner whose delivery stride ends with his back foot planted to the bowling crease, bowled 6 overs for 17 from the southern end; while Khizar Hayat Durrani's darting left-arm orthodox from the pavilion end conceded only 13 in his first 8 overs, while also bowling Watkins from an attempted pull for 7.

Yet while several balls found the edge of the bat as the batsmen pushed forward, Gough and Stevens remained at the crease.

Keeping wickets in hand was to prove crucial; after 25 overs Jersey were 65/1, but poised to accelerate. In an 11 over burst that saw him score 73 off 46 balls, Stevens began lofting the Malaysian bowlers with great effect.

Hassan Mohammed's speed, so crucial in his recent efforts, proved merely helpful in helping Stevens find the fence as he repeatedly drifted onto leg stump. In a crucial over that turned the tide, Durrani was pulled for four then lofted for a straight six onto the cricket nets. The Malaysian fieldsmen and youthful support suddenly quieted.

As Stevens continued, Malaysia rang the bowling changes to little effect: Nasir Shafiq, Ahmed Faiz and Pavandeep Singh were all hit over the rope by the tall left-hander; Hassan Mohammed taken for four 4s in five balls. By drinks, Jersey had reached 153-1 with only 50 required from the last 14 overs.

Hiran Brahman Ralalage returned with his skiddy Malinga-esque action, whereon he had Stevens caught for 83 off 79 balls lofting to square leg. But with Gough, who finished on 75 finding some touch, and 16 year-old Jenner playing some fine pull-shots in his 20 off 22 balls, Jersey ran out deserved winners.

Jersey are now well placed for promotion, requiring either a victory in either of their last two matches, or a loss for either Malaysia or Nigeria on day four to book their place.