Jersey edge last-ball win over Netherlands

Jersey 140 for 8 (Cooke 31, van der Brandeler 3-26, Braat 3-28) beat Netherlands 139 (Gruijters 42) by 1 run
Scorecard

Twenty-four hours after Scotland defeated Ireland on the last ball - Jersey scraped through by one run, again off the last ball, against the Netherlands. Needing five to win from the last over with one wicket left, Paul van Meekeren had seemingly guaranteed a tie for the Dutch by driving Charles Perchard through the covers, but a brilliant diving stop from Andrew Rabet at long-off kept the batsmen to a couple.

Three dot balls followed before van Meekeren took a single to leave last man Werner Erkelens needing two from one. Perchard bowled it full and straight and though Erkelens did get bat on it it was only enough to return the ball to the bowler, who comfortably won the footrace to the non-strikers' stumps, sending Jersey into raptures.

Earlier in the day, Jersey were reduced to 58 for 6 by some impressive Dutch seam bowling. Skipper Sebastian Braat led from the front, picking up 3 for 28 in his ten, while Philip van den Brandeler continued his good firm by taking 3 for 26. The most economical spell, however, belonged to left-armer Zacahary van Baren, who got through his ten for only 14.

From here, though, Alex Noel (30) and Alex Cooke (31) staged a recovery, and their dogged seventh-wicket partnership of 64 hoisted the Jersey total into the realms of competitiveness: 140 for 8.

In reply, the Dutch started equally poorly, losing wickets to the seam of Perchard, Cooke, and Noel before Stevens and James Faudemer took over. The left-arm spinners bowled beautifully together, conceding only 29 runs from their combined overs. The seamers returned and when Aiden McGuire ran out van Baren to leave the Dutch 102 for 8, the Islanders had become favourites.

Nevertheless, a ninth-wicket stand of 33 between van Meekeren and the tenacious James Gruijters swung the match back towards the Netherlands before Gruijters - whose mature 42 was undoubtedly the innings of the day - was caught at point with the score on 135. By this stage, a number of Derriaghy locals had made their way to the ground and so a sizeable crowd was present to witness another remarkable climax in this absorbing week of cricket.

Scotland 105 for 3 beat Denmark 100 (Javed 32, Sadler 4-10) by seven wickets
Scorecard

At Belmont, Scotland had a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Denmark. Winning the toss, Scotland had no hesitation in asking their opponents to bat first and Denmark were soon in trouble on a soft, damp pitch.

Scotland captain Paddy Sadler bowled his ten overs on the trot, taking four wickets for just 10 runs as the top order collapsed. Bashit Javed at No. 6 was the only batsman to get to grips with the bowling and pitch, making 32 of the 55 runs scored. Denmark fell to a final total of 100 in the 45th over. Freddie Coleman grabbed the last three wickets at a cost of four runs in four overs.

Scotland began slowly, losing TomMcBride with just 11 on the board. Coleman and Luthra then took the score to 38 before Coleman was run out following a fine piece of work. However, Luthra was joined by Bailwal and they took control and saw Scotland to within sight of victory before Luthra was caught on the deep midwicket boundary by Raja.

Scotland reached their target in the 28th over, Bailwal finishing the match with the only six of the day. This victory leaves Scotland with two victories after two rounds of matches.

Ireland 138 for 3 (Hunter 55) beat Guernsey 135 (Martel 46, McBrine 3-25) by seven wickets
Scorecard

Ireland put the disappointment of their reversal against Scotland firmly behind them when they comprehensively defeated Guernsey by seven wickets at Stormont.

Adam Martel had put Guernsey in a strong position with his 46 from 80 balls, which included five fours and a six. At 94 for 1, Guernsey were well set, but the dismissal of Martel by Irish captain George Dockrell proved a pivotal moment in the game, and Guernsey contrived to lose their last 9 wickets for just 44 runs to finish on 135 all out in just over 44 overs.

Andy McBrine (3 for 25), George Dockrell (2 for 13), Shane Getkate (2 for 23) and Barry McCarthy (2 for 25) were the successful wicket takers. Any thoughts that Guernsey could make Ireland struggle were quickly dispelled as Jason van der Merwe and Ryan Hunter launched a blistering attack on the opening bowlers. The pair added 61 in just 4.3 overs, with Van der Merwe striking 4 fours and a six in his 28 from just 14 balls.

Hunter went on to score a deserved half century making 55 from just 49 balls. Andy McBrine (20*), and George Dockrell (13*) saw Ireland over the finishing line with more than 30 overs to spare.