Farmers beat Jersey rivals to top European group

Jersey batter Zak Tribe has just returned to Europe after spending the winter playing cricket in Australia

Jersey champions Farmers beat island rivals Old Victorians by five runs on their way to topping their group in the European Cricket League in Spain.

After rain wiped out the first day of the 10-overs per side tournament, all five teams were set to play each other on Wednesday in matches limited to five-over innings.

The match between the Jersey rivals was also affected by the weather as Farmers were awarded victory on the DLS method after their game was stopped due to rain.

Batting first, Old Victorians - who were runners up in last year's European Cricket League - scored 82-5 off their five overs, as Jersey international Jonty Jenner hit eight sixes and a four in his 18-ball knock of 55, while Jamie Watling chipped in with 19.

Needing just over 16 runs an over, Farmers kept up with the rate as Zak Tribe (29 not out) and fellow Jersey international Julius Sumerauer (19 not out) took their side to 53-1 off three overs before rain halted the contest for a five-run win.

Having beaten Slovenian side Ljubljana by nine wickets, Luxembourg outfit Walferdange Optimists by 10 wickets, and Turkey's Istanbul KSK by 45 runs earlier in the day, Farmers ensured a perfect record of four wins from four games.

Tribe hit 112 across the four matches, including a top score of 48 not out against Istanbul.

Meanwhile, Old Victorians look set to make the knockout stages having played three matches.

As well as their loss to Farmers, they were also beaten on a golden ball by Walferdange Optimists after the sides tied on 77 runs each.

They went on to beat Ljubljana by eight wickets. Corey Bisson hit 31 not out off nine balls as they chased down 49-4 in 3.3 overs.