Match 9: Ireland vs Jersey

The goal Sean had for the team was to make it through to Saturday's play and a semi final - so we'd already done that. Taking the Ireland scalp would be our bonus! We'd already played them twice and been beaten, but we had improved in the second game, and fancied this one.

The Irish got a lead early on with a couple of runs in the first, after which they shut out Jersey. The second was a complete shut out by both teams. Then came an inspired period of play over the next three innings where we hit back at them and scored 5 runs, but we were always a run behind.

Ireland had started with a team with a number of reserve players and were forced to substitute starters back into the lineup in a late bid to stave us off.

The most controversial moment of the game was an infield fly which some of the players appeared not to have heard the call, and confusion reigned as the action was hectic. The ball went up, the call was made (1st out), the catch was fumbled, the Irish ran the bases anyway, Jersey recovered the ball to third, the tag on third wasn't taken, the ball was put to two, out number 2, runner from third gets home! ...See - I told you it was hectic.

Ireland took a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the fifth and then held their breath as we loaded the bases with two out in the top of the sixth, but nothing came of it. Unfortunately in the seventh we went down tamely.

In the end, that one run was all that separated the two sides in an awesome match that both sides enjoyed immensely, and was Jersey's best match of the tournament by far, and will be the one that people remember us for.

Final score: Ireland 6 - 5 Jersey.

Match 8: Jersey vs GB

The final match of the day for Jersey starts with another bout of heavy rain as black clouds gathered once again. After a promising start with jersey getting 2 outs for only 3 runs in, GB mounted a batting bonanza and ended up scoring 12.

It was a tale of two contrasts: GB putting on a show of batting the likes of which we’ve never faced before with bomb after bomb through infield and over into outfield with a few home runs sprinkled in. Jersey on the other hand couldn’t quite break out with their batting and never quite reached the finish line.

The play which cost Jersey the whole game was a home run over Phil Bouchard when the GB first base girl hit a missile which easily sailed over him. Beaten by a girl!!

Toward the end of the match, Birthday boy Le Maistre was cruelly denied what would have been Jersey’s first run when G was controversially called out on first after we’d got the bases loaded and Garry was on third. Even a couple of the GB guys said it was harsh!

Final Score: Jersey 0 – GB …errr…..I’ve lost count…36 I think!

Match 7: Czech Republic vs Jersey

Always going to be a tough match against these guys as they have some very capable looking players with fantastic speed, good gloves and fantastically strong arms throughout the team. Yet…for half an inning Jersey held a commanding 1-0 lead, compliments of a Tels score batted in by yours truly, the blog-meister general - Id!

The Czechs made a convincing comeback though and both their females and males managed to pick the gaps in the outfield several times with almost surgical precision. They continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over nicely whilst Jersey couldn’t quite capitalise on their loaded bases, which they achieved several times, to bring any more runs in.

At one stage, Phil took charge of the play, steaming in from Right Centre yelling wildly at Tels for a quick ball to second. Tels, with rapier like reactions, inexplicably shot the ball straight over him into…the space where Phil had just hurtled in from!

The action highlight of the match was a spectacular diving catch by the Czech second base man at full stretch with the ball half hanging out of the top of the glove.

Final Score: Czech Republic 17 – 1 Jersey.

Match 6: Jersey vs Ireland

The Jersey team had to rush over from their first match of the day for the return clash with the Irish. We started well exchanging runs for the first few innings with the Irish just pulling ahead.

The Irish were helped by Jersey losing their composure somewhat with an unusual number of fielding errors, most notably from Sean and JP...and G…and Tels…and Andy…and Lynn…and Sarah…and Julie…and Micky…and Phil….and Garry…and Sarah M… and Id…In all a fantastic team effort!! (At least everyone gets a mention in this write up!)

Part way through, Micky G had an unfortunate clash with a fly ball and had to be subbed out, but was ok – just a bit of ‘botox lip’!

The Irish continued to be stronger with the bat, managing to thwart Jersey and keep their run tally under control, to draw ahead and claim their second victory.

Final score: Jersey 5 – 28 Ireland

Match 5: Slovenia vs Jersey

The rematch of the previous days final encounter for the day, and Slovenia were after it and fielded their best side. Jersey were slow to start and very noisy and lively Slovenia managed to limit them severely in the first few innings whilst running in 5. Jersey then started to strike back with a good innings to level the scores.

There were a number of incidents in the game involving injuries, including a spectacular clash running in a home run between Sean and their very brave female catcher. We have it on film and still wince every time we’ve watched it! Both were ok, although they were down on the ground for a few minutes. It was worth those 4 runs Sean – and will probably be an ‘action highlight’ in the tournament review video!

In the end though Jersey found their form and started to take charge to repeat yesterday’s victory and get another game under their belt.

Garry enjoyed playing the Slovenians...or were they playing with him?!

Final score: Slovenia 8 – 21 Jersey.

The walking Wounded…

Today has been a testing day for all of the team. The previous day was the first day of play and everyone was fresh to start with. As we got through the matches we started seeing some cracks in the paintwork and a few injuries creeping in (See Phil’s quote re Cracks). Overnight always gives a little respite and soothes some of the aches and pains, but today we had more casualties and at one stage appeared to have the whole of the physio and chiropractic just to our team!!! We are all just about still in action though and still soldiering on – good work team!

The injury roster currently stand at:
JP – ankle turn running through first and groin strain. Also took a fast ball to the hand but still managed to get the out.
Jules (nicknamed “the groin” by the medics) – Groin strain + quad strain..
Garry – Slight knee twist from sliding in on second, shoulder bruising from diving back onto third.
DT – Slight calf pull.
Micky – Got a ball in the mouth off the glove giving swollen lip, and got a fly ball on the thumb and is going to get it X-rayed.
Sarah C – Sore bum!
G – Shoulder and elbow discomfort – well she has being putting her all in wanging back all those outfield bombs!
Phil – Dented pride as one of the GB girls hit a home run over him!
Tels – Stomach cramps from not having eaten yet tonight!!

Happy Bidet!

Today (Friday) we have a birthday in the team. Garry Le Maistre is &*%(* today. Did you not hear that? I said “$&(*&$£” Still not got it? Oh well, tough! (He’s 51!)
Coincidentally we also had some stats from the tournament organisers and it also happens that Jersey have the oldest player in the tournament as well…..guess who…..GARRY!! I’m sure by the end of the day he’ll be sick of hearing yet another rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ from yet another bunch of strangers! So far we’ve got a bus singing, a couple of teams and a pub full of people!

Happy Birthday mate from all the team, and I hope you’re having a good week.