Willow Cuts 251, Social Club 86

Willow Cuts threw cold water on Devonshire Rec's celebrations as they clinched promotion and a Camel Cup spot next season after handing Social Club a 165-run hiding at Southampton Oval yesterday.

With Devonshire still celebrating Saturday's First Division KO Cup final triumph over Police, both Social Club and Cuts officials were embroiled in a frantic race to have their twice-postponed match played, only notifying Bermuda Cricket Board of their intentions early yesterday morning.

Devonshire, nine points ahead of Cuts in the First Division, appeared to have won promotion themselves after declaring that their pitch - venue for the rescheduled match - was closed to prepare for the upcoming soccer season. If the match had not been played, Cuts would have been awarded only six points.

However, after managing to get yesterday's game switched to Southampton Oval, Cuts proceeded to thrash their opponents and take all 16 points in a game reduced to 46 overs.

A polished 59 from the bat of Dexter Basden and solid knocks by Dwight Basden (39), skipper Reggie Tucker (28), Gladwin Edness (21) and Charles (Bucky) Swan (41) saw Cuts post a steep total of 251 to seize maximum batting points.

A ferocious Tucker then turned in one of his best bowling performances this season, grabbing six for 12 off only 5.4 overs.

Swan (two for 43) and veteran Kevin Fubler (two for 17) also assisted in the demise of Social Club who were dismissed for a measly 86 runs around in just 28.4 overs.

Dwayne (Streaker) Adams topped the Social Club batting with 13 while Leon Dickinson (12), Levar Talbot (11) and Charles Warren (12) all managed double figures. Social Club's remaining batsmen combined for just 21 runs.

Clevon Darrell was the pick of the Social Club bowling with impressive figures of five for 32, while Talbot grabbed two for 59.

"Today's win was for the committee's fight to have this game played," said Tucker. "We dedicate this win to our committee. It was an overall team effort.

"Basically, early in the season we lost Richard (Basden) and it was time for some of our players to step up and that's what they did today. We're back in the Premier Division and hopefully we will be able to perform at that level."

Meanwhile, Social Club skipper Furbert dispelled earlier reports that his team could not field enough players to play the match.