Cleveland did what they had to do to retain the Eastern Counties Cup and now the holders will look forward to the defence of their title next year at Sea Breeze Oval.

The competition was marred by controversy in the first-round draw with Bailey’s Bay, before Cleveland beat Flatts in the second round.

Saturday’s final with St David’s also ended in a draw, as Cleveland opted not to chase the St David’s total of 239 in 60 overs.

The issue of the overs could be a topic of discussion when the Eastern Counties Cricket Association meets with the clubs to discuss ways to improve the competition and prevent the incidents that occurred in the first round, which prompted Bailey’s Bay and some of their supporters to boycott the last two rounds of the competition.

Dennis Musson, the team’s vice-captain, returned from a one-match suspension to lead the team and was determined not to lose a trophy Cleveland worked so hard to win against St David’s in the first round last season.

“I’m diehard Cleveland and whatever the club asks me to do, I’ll stick by the club because that’s where my heart is,” said Musson, whose bowling helped Cleveland dethrone St David’s a year ago.

The St David’s bowlers struggled to penetrate the Cleveland batting as guest player Mishael Paynter and Aaron Adams laid a good foundation with a second-wicket stand of 55 in 87 minutes after opener Adrian Burrows went early. Dion Stovell battled out the last hour for 29 not out as Cleveland ended on 142 for six.

“Early in the morning, the new ball was staying low, but you were some movement with the new ball,” Musson said. “Hats off to Aaron Adams, the senior in the team. He batted a wonderful and crucial innings for us, as well as Mishael Paynter, Damali Bell and the ever-reliable Dion Stovell. We dedicate the match to our coach Clay Smith, who lost his father [last week].”

St David’s captain OJ Pitcher won the man-of-the-match award after his top score of 92, no doubt even more disappointed at reclaiming the trophy as missing out on a second century in the competition.

“I was confident in my bowling attack and with the overs we had to bowl them out,” said Pitcher, who had further disappointment when he pulled out Flatts in the draw to play in the first round next season.

“I was hoping to play in the first round but we’ll take the second round because usually we seem to get drawn in the last round.

“We’ll come strong as ever and ready to go again next year. We are all disappointed, but it is one of those years, up and down. That’s sport; we’ll just move on, learn from it and hope to be better next year.”