Lord’s (St David’s won toss) St David’s beat Cleveland County seven wickets

Allan Douglas Jr produced a sparkling all round display to power St David’s to a convincing seven-wicket victory over Cleveland County in the Twenty20 Premier Division at Lord’s yesterday.

The experienced all-rounder led the home side in both the bowling and batting as St David’s got back to winning ways after losing to Southampton Rangers in their previous outing to all but surrender their Twenty20 title.

Douglas claimed three for 15 after being brought into the attack as third change as Cleveland were restricted to 109 for seven in their allotted overs.

The son of former Cleveland, St George’s Cup Match and Bermuda wicketkeeper Allan Sr, then blasted an unbeaten 40 from 25 balls which included two sixes and five fours.

The aggressive Douglas dominated a match-winning 35-run fourth-wicket partnership with Dean Simons, the St David’s wicketkeeper, that carried the home side to victory with plenty of wickets and balls to spare.

Justin Pitcher, the newly installed St David’s T20 captain, also had a big say in his team’s comfortable win as he claimed three for 18 and then stroked a brisk 28 from 25 balls. Pitcher featured in a 55-run second wicket partnership with Ajaun Lamb (21) that steadied the ship after St David’s lost opener Lionel Cann (1) cheaply in the second over.

He added another 22 runs for the third wicket with Douglas before he was caught by Tybrae Robinson, the Bermuda Under-19 swing bowler, off the bowling of Makai Young.

Pitcher was appointed captain after a rift in the team led to the resignation of predecessor Chris Douglas in the wake of St David’s loss against Eastern Counties rivals Bailey’s Bay on June 8.

Since then George Cannonier has also replaced Kameron Fox as St David’s coach.

Yesterday’s loss was Cleveland’s second straight having lost to Eastern Counties rivals Flatts Victoria by 19-runs in a low-scoring contest in their previous outing.

The in-form Dean Stephens topped the Cleveland batting with 22 from 13 balls, hitting three fours and a six, batting at the top of the order.

Curtis Jackson (16), the player/coach, Steven Bremar Jr (18), the captain, and Young (16) were all unable to capitalise after making starts at the crease.

Young, Robinson and Q’shai Darrell accounted for the St David’s wickets to fall.