Lionel Cann struck a timely century to lay the foundations for St David’s 97-run win over Cleveland County in the One Premier Division at Wellington Oval yesterday.

The 46-year-old came to the crease with his team reeling at four for three in the first over of the match after being sent in to bat and thumped a chanceless 104 from 126 ball, including eight fours and five sixes.

He added 89 runs for the seventh wicket with Justin Pitcher and 41 for the ninth wicket with Brian Hall to steady the ship and propel his team to a total that proved beyond Cleveland’s reach.

“It was a good knock, one of those struggling innings,” said Cann, who came in at No 5.

“The ball was swinging about earlier. The youngster Tybrae Robinson bowled really well, so it was just a matter of seeing him through his little spell and getting myself set.

“It was about using my experience and making sure I maximised on the bad balls.

“It was just a matter of getting one partnership and Justin batted really well, working the ones and twos and maximising the bad balls. It was a nice challenge from where we were in a serious situation to lose and getting us in a situation where we can turn things around and build momentum.

“I was a little disappointed giving it away in the end with six overs to go.

“However, the wicket was playing a little low and so we felt 200 was a pretty good total.”

Pitcher held his end of the bargain, smashing two fours and as many sixes in a whirlwind knock of 36 from 42 balls, while Hall hammered three fours and a six in an equally brisk innings of 30 from 40 balls.

Robinson led the Cleveland bowling with five for 47 with the new ball, while third-change Dean Stephens claimed three for 30.

In reply, Cleveland struggled to build partnerships and paid the price for some reckless batting, with Hall and Pitcher claiming seven wickets between them to cap a fine all-round display.

Off spinner Hall bagged four for 20 to lead the St David’s attack while Pitcher snared three for 31.

“I had a job to do and I just utilised the wicket to my advantage,” Hall said.

“I realised the wicket was a good wicket to turn the ball on; I just took advantage of it. I just put the ball in the right areas and let it do the work.

“The wicket deteriorated a bit as the day went on, so it kind of went in our favour.”

Hall was unfortunate not to have claimed five wickets as a chance for a stumping was squandered.

George O’Brien Jr also put in a solid shift with the new ball, claiming two for 24.

Steven Bremar Jr, the Cleveland captain, led his team’s batting with 24 from 33 balls while player-coach Curtis Jackson added 20 from 35 balls.

Ian Armstrong (19) and Dennis Musson Jr (11) were the remaining Cleveland batsmen in double figures.