THE 2024 edition of the Fairway Super Series cricket concluded last weekend, with the Dementia Dynamos being crowned champions after a seven-wicket victory in the final.
Lords Taverners Lightning were their opponents in the final, led by the superb young batter Freddie Harben.
The Dynamos, steered by skipper and Young Farmers leg-spinning all-rounder Oliver Ramage, chased down 122 runs to win, with Old Victorians duo Beau Brennan and Brandon Le Brocq there to see their team over the line with three balls to spare.
The Fairway U14 Super Series is designed to bring the curtain down on the domestic junior club season, providing the best U14 players an extra opportunity to compete, play with different players and impress the Jersey coaches.
Each club in the Island had the opportunity to refer any of their players for selection, and it was then left to Jersey Cricket to make the final choice.
The names were then entered into a draft-style system, in which each team captain battled it out to choose their desired teams.
Aside from the Lightning and the Dynamos, the other two sides were the Beresford Street Kitchen Bandits, led by Theo Vautier, and Mind Jersey Mavericks, led by Oli Vacher.
Each team captain was paired with a mentor, someone involved in Jersey Cricket and available for advice, coaching and support throughout the tournament.
The Mavericks had St Ouen Springfield fast bowler Adam Hayward, Lightning had Harben paired with Jersey Women’s star and coach Charlie Miles, the Bandits saw Theo Vautier team up with father Brad, and the winning Dynamos had international opening batter Harrison Carlyon to lean on.
Game one of the tournament took place last Thursday, with the Lightning meeting the Dynamos. The Dynamos got the early win after posting 107-7 and the Lightning falling just four runs short, despite 56 from skipper Freddie Harben.
On Friday, the Bandits had a far-from-ideal start. After winning the toss and batting first, posting 96-9 from their innings, Zane Simpson starring with 33, the Mavericks took control, as Sonny Derrien smashed an unbeaten 59 to see his side home.
Saturday morning dawned and the Bandits won the toss and put the Lightning in to bat.
Harben starred again for the Lightning, scoring 40 as they posted a strong total of 131-6.
In reply, James Wiseman smashed 31 and Noah Ip finished unbeaten on 36, but the Bandits fell 11 runs short.
Due to some unfortunate issues with the Grainville outfield, Sunday morning’s clash between the Dynamos and the Mavericks was cancelled.
Sunday afternoon’s clash then, effectively, became a semi-final between Lightning and Mavericks.
On this occasion, it was Harry German to star with the bat for the Lightning, smashing an unbeaten 45 alongside an unbeaten 23 from Luke Bosio, the pair helping their side up to 119-2.
In reply, the Mavericks never got going, as Alfie Crocker tore through their top order, claiming stunning figures of five wickets for just seven runs, sending his team into the final.
The final loomed on Sunday evening, as the Lightning batted first and got off to a flyer.
Skipper Harben was in sparkling form again, smashing 39 in an opening partnership of 60 with German before he was cleaned up by the impressive pace of Brandon Le Brocq.
Le Brocq also did for German, dismissed for 35 caught well by skipper Ramage and giving the young fast bowler two prized scalps in the final.
Luke Bosio remained 13 unbeaten at the end, his third unbeaten score of the tournament, as Lightning finished 121-4 from their 100 balls.
In reply, Lightning did manage an early wicket courtesy of Alfie Crocker removing Zak Irtizaali, who was caught and bowled for just two.
But keeper-batter Josh Winstanley joined the captain at the crease and the pair did most of the work together, both departing eventually for 38 and 41 respectively.
Bean Brennan and Le Brocq again were there at the end to see their side to the title.
Jersey Cricket head of operations Lee Meloy said after the final: “This has been an incredible weekend of junior cricket.
“The purpose of this tournament is to provide these youngsters with extra competition and a good, fun way to end the season.
“But also, they take this tournament really seriously among each other, so they’re under pressure from themselves throughout.
“We were all very impressed with the standard throughout, from the top players at this age group right down to some of the younger boys we were seeing for the first time.
“There have been players who have really caught the eye, that we might have missed through the trials and will now be getting a go with the Island set up.
“Jersey Cricket has made a massive push in recent years to spread the talent pool far and wide, and it’s clear to see the progression in the standard we are seeing at these young age groups now.”
