The College youngsters won by seven wickets at the picturesque Farmer’s Field in St Martin, the combined team putting up a brave effort in defeat.
Prep openers Bradley Morgan and William Millar cautiously kept the scoreboard moving.
The stand reached 69 off 17 overs when Morgan was bowled by Ben Kynman for 33, including four boundaries.
As often happens when a partnership is broken the second partner is out and Millar followed just two overs later for 32, with three boundaries.
An excellent cameo innings of 33, including five 4s and one 6, by Robert Cuming pushed the Prep’s total to 129 for 3 from their allotted 25 overs.
The combined schools, playing as a unit in the competition for the first time, bowled and fielded tidily with Tom Le Monnier and Tom Floyd both returning one wicket for 17 runs in their five-over spells.
The combined team lost a couple of early wickets to the pace of Chris Minchington.
With confidence growing Ben Kynman and Ryan Marshall produced a stand of 31 before Marshall was bowled by Luke Gallichan.
Wickets then fell at regular intervals before Kynman was a little unlucky to be out for a well-compiled 27.
The last wicket fell with the total on 56 after 22.5 overs.
Alex Plaster took three wickets for three runs in his two overs, the second over being a double-wicket maiden.
Chris Minchington also excelled with two wickets for eight runs in his three overs.
Before presenting the Shield to captain Luke Gallichan, Stuart Wheeldon, president of the Primary Schools’ Cricket Association, told the gathering the shield was first presented to St Luke’s in 1931 making this the 75th year of its existence.
Prep coach Ray Pearce said: ‘The Prep team have not played to their collective or individual potential so far this season.
‘However there were promising signs today of that coming about while their fielding I was happy with.
‘This is the first season of hardball cricket in the Primary Schools and with seven teams playing under amalgamation I hope the Association can sustain and, hopefully, increase the interest.
‘Many schools previously have not had the opportunity to play the hard ball game but it shows its worth as two lads from St James have showed a great deal of interest.’ St James teacher Nikki Holmes, secretary of the JICC, a level one cricket coach and part-time administrator for the Jersey Cricket Board, said: ‘Despite the defeat the team gave a fine account of themselves and everyone enjoyed the game and the occasion.
‘Hard ball has certainly been a worthwhile experience for the youngsters and they’ve thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
They mixed well with the other schools’ players while also enjoying the facilities on Friday nights at St George’s Preparatory School.’
