MCC Women Channel Islands tour

MCC Women enjoyed a successful tour of the Channel Islands in early May. MCC provided both competition and coaching to the Islanders

On 2 May in Jersey MCC ran a coaching session for members of the Jersey and Guernsey teams, as well as local schoolgirls, before pitting their wits against the combined force of the Channel Islands in a 30-over game.

MCC's Moira Comfort bowled well throughout the tour The Channel Islands won the toss and batted. Captain Elle Blazey laid a solid foundation to take her side to 33-0 after 11 overs, but once she and fellow opener Sara Day fell, wickets tumbled at regular intervals and the Channel Islands finished on 75 all out.

Several MCC bowlers produced excellent performances including Judy Wilmot’s 3-3 and Moira Comfort’s 3-8.

In reply, Laura Boorman, Jenny Kitzinger and Evette Burton batted well to chase down the Islanders’ total in 21 overs, for the loss of just one wicket.

For the second match against Guernsey two days later, the sides decided to mix the players to have evenly-matched sides.

Boorman took captaincy duties MCC Young Cricketer Laura Boorman and ex-England international Debbie Stock captained the two sides in a Twenty20 match.

Despite incessant rain, the teams took to the field eager to play and Stock’s side scored 88 with MCC’s Evette Burton top-scoring with 27.

Wilmot again bowled tightly to take 2-6 and was ably supported by Guernsey’s Loveridge (2-12) and White (2-7).

As the rain became heavier bowling with the wet ball became more difficult and Boorman’s side won with two overs to spare.

MCC’s Emma Beamish and Jenny Kitzinger starred, both scoring 25 before retiring. Marie McKenna and Comfort took 2-4 and 1-3 respectively but could not prevent a loss for their side.

The final match of the tour, on 5 May, was again beset by rain. MCC, Guernsey and Jersey players combined to produce two more mixed sides, again captained by Boorman and Stock.

Boorman and Blazey put on 88 before Sarah Ginn’s wonderful diving catch accounted for the latter for 31. Boorman raced to 55 before Stock, usually her MCC team-mate, ran her out.

Boorman’s side finished on 139-5 from 27 overs, with Ginn chalking up a double wicket maiden.

In reply, Beamish chased a wide one and was brilliantly caught behind by Boorman and Stock’s team struggled for runs – scoring only 16 in nine overs.

When the second wicket fell, Comfort took control, increasing the run-rate by taking regular singles and twos.

MCC Women took time out to offer coaching advice to the locals Eighteen runs were hit from the final over but it was not quite enough to get the win - Stock’s team finished 13 runs short. Comfort finished on 65*.

In all, and despite the weather, the tour was an excellent success. MCC’s players were able to pass on tips to eager players on the Islands, as well as provide them with the experience of playing with and against players of international and county standard.

Some fine performances with both bat and ball gave MCC players a good platform for a long season ahead.