21 September 2012

By Simon Routh, Tour Manager.

Club Cricket Conference Under 21 Tour to Jersey:  14 – 17 September 2012

Tour Report: 

The first CCC Under 21 tour to Jersey was yet another success for the CCC. The tour party consisted of ten under 21 players, captain Wes Morrick, and Min Patel as a player/coach. During the tour two games were played against the senior Jersey team. 

In the first game Jersey won the toss and elected to field in a 50 over a side game. Good bowling from Jersey reduced the CCC to 34 for 3, but a partnership of 103 from Andy Laws (78) and Tom Cullen (52) steadied the innings.  It was noted that their excellent running between the wickets contributed to their successful partnership. After the loss of Cullen, 3 wickets fell for 13 runs, Laws then, with assistance from Ed Wharton(17),put on 34 for the 8th wicket before departing. His innings showed great maturity and was vital to the team’s final score of 197. 

Jersey were always struggling after they were reduced to 17 for 4 in 10 overs. There were two early wickets for Wes Morrick who finished with 2-12 from 10 overs. A 5th wicket stand of 85 from Cooke and McCafferty consolidated Jersey’s position but the scoring rate was below the required run rate. Jersey showed little sign of overtaking the CCC score and finished with a score of 161. There were good returns for Richard Cook with 3-24 and Michael Churchill 2-19. 

The CCC batted first again in the second game, also 50 overs a side. Jersey opening bowlers did not bowl as well as the previous day and Andy Laws (95) and Richard Wharton (47) got the team off to a quick start ; their partnership eventually being broken at 128. Again, Andy Laws innings was an impressive performance. In addition, Wes Morrick's 27 helped to score a total of 242 for 8. 

Jersey’s reply stumbled with the continuous loss of wickets. After 30 overs they were 92-8 and 2 early wickets from Wes Morrick, allowing the spinners to take control on a turning wicket. There was an unbroken stand of 87 for the 9th wicket, but Jersey fell short by 63 runs in a game that the CCC were all ways in control of. 

Jersey players and officials fully appreciated the CCC’s visit and welcomed the chance to play in more competitive games. The tour provided players with the opportunity to participate in games played in high spirits and to socialise. Let’s hope this is the beginning of a successful run of CCC under 21 tours.

Saturday match scorecard here

Sunday match scorecard here