IRELAND under 15's fell just short in a pulsating encounter against Cheshire Under 16's on the second day of the JCB Festival at FB Fields in St Helier.

Skipper Neil Rock's run a ball 51 wasn't enough to haul the Irish youngsters over the line as they fell seven runs short chasing Cheshire's 210 all out.

The Rush wicket-keeper batsman played superbly hitting five fours and a six in a sparkling partnership with Instonians batsman James Hunter - who hit 34 from just 33 balls.

Marcus Poskitt (27), James Carson (23) and Kyle Magee (16) had laid a solid platform for the chase, but the Cheshire side - containing four England North players - fought back well in sweltering heat.

In temperatures approaching 34 Centigrade, the Cheshire spinners increased the pressure and the required run rate became in the end just too much despite the best efforts of Ireland.

Earlier, half centuries from England Under 16 captain Ed Fluck (53) and George Balderson (63) saw Cheshire race to 118 for 3 after 17 overs.

Jack Carson (3-29) and JJ Garth (2-33) bowled brilliantly in tandem to regain a measure of control  to restrict Cheshire to 210 all out.

The game was a superb advertisement for youth cricket, played in an impeccable spirit.

The Festival switches to T20 mode tomorrow (WED) with Ireland facing Hampshire in the morning match at Les Quennevais.

JCB CRICKET FESTIVAL

At FB Fields,

CHESHIRE U16'S 210 all out (48 overs; G Balderson 63, E Fluck 53, S Perry 20, J Carson 3-29, JJ Garth 2-33

IRELAND U15'S 203/8 (50 overs; N Rock 51, J Hunter 34, M Poskitt 27, J Carson 23, G Dickinson 3-25, J Needham 2-53)