World Twenty20 Qualifier: Jersey keep their T20 dreams alive

Nat Watkins celebrates after taking one of his three wickets

Jersey kept alive their dreams of qualifying for the 2016 World Twenty20 in India with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Nepal at Malahide.

Batting first, Nepal lost early wickets and struggled to find the boundary until the latter overs, posting 105-8.

In reply Jersey opener Ed Farley went without scoring, but skipper Peter Gough (27) and Jonty Jenner (30) provided the platform for the win.

"I'm absolutely over the moon with that," coach Neil MacRae said.

"It was a great performance all the way through and I thought we dominated from ball one.

"What's really exciting for us now is this sets up a winner takes all final game against Ireland on their home ground."

Jersey have won two of their five matches so far

Jersey had gone into the game on the back of three consecutive defeats and lying in sixth spot in their group, knowing another loss would end their qualification dream.

Gough won the toss and chose to field first, and spinner Nat Watkins (3-20) struck in each of his two opening overs to reduce the Nepalese to 7-2.

Anthony Kay's economical bowling at the other end put the Channel Islanders in control and the Nepal batsmen struggled to find any timing striking just one boundary by the 14 over mark.

Siddhant Lohani (27) smashed two sixes in the closing overs to help his side post a three figure total.

In reply Farley went in the second over, before Gough and 17-year-old Jenner put on 55 for the second wicket but they were both dismissed in the 11th over to leave Jersey on 63-3.

All-rounders Corne Bodenstein and Ben Stevens steadied the ship though, to see their side home with 23 balls to spare.

Jersey will now take on Ireland, again at Malahide, on Sunday in their final group game. A win against the tournament hosts would pull Jersey level with them on points, with only the top four going through to the knockout stages.