ICC Europe/CricketEurope

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Switzerland earned the right to play France for fifth place in the rankings, beating Gibraltar by 64 runs at Rastignano on Thursday afternoon.

It was a solid all-round performance by the Swiss, who made the most of winning the toss and batting with a valuable of opening stand of 75 between Merrenage Fernando and Luca Illien. It was Fernando who took the initiative, playing some fine attacking shots as he contributed the lion’s share of the runs with 52, made from 32 deliveries with eleven boundaries.

His partner did not last long after he was smartly caught by Julian Freyone at point off Jeremy Perez’s bowling, and suddenly Switzerland slumped to 80 for three. They were rescued by a partnership of 104 between Simon Henderson and Ross Cameron, Henderson contributing 39 and Cameron 52, made off 45 balls with nine fours.

Again the breaking of the partnership was the cue for a flurry of wickets, and at 188 for six the Swiss were again in danger of collapse. This time the trouble was caused by Noelle Laguea, who dismissed Cameron and soon afterwards James Hadden, later adding the scalp of Wadan Yousafzai to finish with three for 22.

Joseph Boucher and Barrett Fransen saw the innings through to its conclusion, however, and Switzerland closed on 225 for seven.

Jacob Andrews struck quickly when Gibraltar replied, bowling Julian Freyone and then having Matthew Stott brilliantly caught by Matt Langford. At 6 for two Gibraltar were already in serious trouble, but Kayron Stagno played another fine, aggressive innings, putting on 50 with Jeremy Perez and then a further 40 with Simon Perez – of which the latter contributed just 2.

As long as Stagno lasted Gibraltar were in the hunt, but when he had made 75 from only 37 deliveries with 11 fours and four sixes he holed out to Leo Massey at deep mid-off from George Gaillet’s bowling.

That was effectively the end of the game although the score was only 119 for six, and although Mark Perez made 23 before he was the last man out, Gibraltar never seemed likely to last long enough to mount an effective challenge.

Andrews finished with five for 23 – the best individual haul of the tournament so far – and there were two wickets each for Hadden and Gaillet as Gibraltar were all out for 161 in the 24th over.