European Cricket League: Jersey champions Farmers beat Beveren and lose to Sporting Alfas on opening day

Farmers opener Joel Dudley played as scrum-half for Championship rugby union side Jersey Reds before being forced to retire in 2018 because of a blood clot on his lung

Jersey champions Farmers opened with a win and a defeat in the finals of the European Cricket League in Spain on Monday.

Farmers beat Beveren by 34 runs in their first match after bowling the Belgian side out for 88 having made 122-3 off their 10 overs.

Later in the day, they finished on 98-6 chasing 123 to beat home side Sporting Alfas to lose by 24 runs.

The T10 tournament features the domestic champions of European nations.

In their opening match against the Belgians at the Cartama Oval in Malaga, Denmark-born Nicolaj Laegsgaard, 26, smashed 81 off 36 deliveries in a total of 122-3 before Beveren were bowled out for 88 in 9.1 overs in reply.

Rhys Palmer took 2-3 while Toby Britton returned 2-9 for Jersey.

• Farmers reach European Cricket League finals

Laegsgaard made his debut for Denmark in an 18-run defeat by Jersey in 2019 and has played in 14 T20 internationals.

The Dane's opening partner, Joel Dudley, was the second highest scorer for Jersey with 14 from 10 balls.

Shahidullah Otmanzai top-scored with an unbeaten 29 for Beveren, while captain Hakim Khaksar was run out for 22.

Farmers, who won their group earlier this month to qualify, then faced Spanish champions Sporting Alfas whose total of 122 off their 10 overs proved too much.

Opening batter Awais Ahmed crashed 35 off 14 balls before captain Christian Munoz-Mills added further acceleration taking the score from 45-2 to 115-6 when he was out with five balls remaining having smashed 41 from 17 deliveries, including five sixes.

All five of the Farmers' attack took wickets, with Britton and Oliver Hald claiming two each.

Farmers finished well short in their pursuit of 123 for victory despite Dudley's 17-ball 36.

Next up for Farmers on Tuesday are defending champions Pak I Care Badalona, also from Spain with French side Dreux their opponents on Wednesday.