Another event has begun today in what has been one of the busiest European tournament seasons in several years, this time the Under-19 Division Two championship that opens the qualification pathway for the 2024 Under-19 World Cup.

Eight teams are battling it out for three places in next year’s Division One tournament where they will join Jersey, Netherlands and Scotland.

Hosts Guernsey opened their account in Group A with a straightforward win over France. Batting first after they won the toss, France were bundled out for just 32, Charlie Forshaw and Marcus Thomas both taking three wickets for the Channel Island side. The home team knocked off the required runs in just 5.3 overs to win by nine wickets.

The other Group A match was a higher scoring affair, with Germany batting first against Italy and scoring 236-8 from their 50 overs, Jonathan Thorne top scoring with 60. Achintha Warnakulasuriya was the pick of the bowlers with 4-33. A knock of 77 from 66 balls by Gurpreet Singh helped Italy chase down their target with 7.4 overs to spare, winning by five wickets.

In Group B, Denmark batted first against fellow Scandinavians Norway. From 69-6 in the 18th over they removed to post 211 before they were bowled out thanks to a knock of 80 by number eight Eshan Karimi. Norway’s reply was dominated by captain Chaudhary Akram who scored an unbeaten 129 to secure a three wicket win with 6.1 overs to spare.

In the other Group B match, Sweden batted first against Isle of Man and scored 196-9, Kavinshankar Meenakshisundaram scoring 52 and Anish Pimpalkhare scoring 50. The Manxmen chased down their target in 33.3 overs to win by 7 wickets. Captain Dollin Jansen top scored with an unbeaten 81 and Luke Ward scored 52.

Play continues tomorrow with Guernsey playing Germany and France taking on Italy in Group A whilst Group B will feature Denmark against Sweden and Isle of Man playing Norway.