Despite suffering from a back problem Matt Hague made 53 not out

Jersey's stay in the ICC World Cricket League Division Four was effectively ended after they lost to Italy in a match plagued by rain.

Jersey bowled first and managed to dismiss Italy for 171.

But for the third match running their batsmen struggled as they finished 30 runs short.

After three rain stoppages, Jersey's target was 151 off 36 overs but after a confident start they were bowled out cheaply for 121.

Opener Peter Gough was run out unnecessarily after going for a second that was not there.

Within half an hour Jersey had slumped to 52-6 with Italy's opening bowlers Vincent Pennazza and Alaud Din dominating.

Jersey only ever looked like reaching their target when Tony Carlyon, who had been suffering from exhaustion after feeling unwell, joined captain Matt Hague.

The pair put on their side's highest partnership of the tournament, 35, before Carlyon holed out to deep midwicket.

Hague carried on to a fine unbeaten half century but it was not enough.

"We lost too many wickets at the start, I thought we always had a chance, the wicket wasn't too bad, If we just had a couple more wickets at the end we might have been able to get a bit closer," said Hague.

Jersey now look set to be relegated back to Division Five although, mathematically, they can still finish fourth and stay up.