St. David's 204-7 Clay Smith struck a painstaking century and Lionel Cann enjoyed a six-wicket haul to help St. David's retain the Eastern Counties Cup at Sea Breeze Oval in a match that ended in a disappointing draw.

It was the second consecutive draw in the competition this summer. Smith's maiden three-figure total in the competition saw him come away with match honours, his unbeaten 115 helping to steer his team away from an early setback.

After losing star batsman Albert Steede (0), sensationally run out by Courtney Trott on the second ball of the game, St.David's counted on Smith to take them within sight of victory.

But the match ended with some controversy, brought on by the indecisiveness of umpires Dennis Raynor and Lester Harnett who, after a few minutes of consultation with the batsmen, decided to stop play because of poor light at 7.55 p.m., with the game in the balance although favouring St. David's.

The champions required just five runs for victory from the remaining three overs and it was frustrating for the spectators to be deprived of an outright victory, especially when the minutes used to discuss the light would have been sufficient to produce a result, one way or the other.

Cleveland, being deprived an opportunity to win, unsuccessfully protested the decision to abandon play, since two slow bowlers were in action from each end.

The game only came alive during the last hour after St. David's had clawed their way back from early trouble at 16-2.

It was the 122-run fourth-wicket stand between St. George's Cup Match skipper Smith and Sammy Robinson (36) that took St. David's to within striking range of their target.

Smith, who survived a stumping attempt by wicketkeeper Allan Douglas off Curtis Jackson when he was on 70, was the dominant partner although he was forced to play cautiously after the dismissal of Steede and the other opener Chris Foggo with the total on 16.

Smith's patient knock saw him finish undefeated with 14 fours, facing 155 balls and batting for 218 minutes for his century. Robinson had four fours and batted for 138 minutes.

When it ended with Robinson's departure, the score was 171 for four.

Sadly, while their approach could be appreciated by those who understood the delicate position St. David's were facing at 49 for three when they joined, it made for drab cricket as the batsmen sought stability with singles during the early part of their stand.

St. David's knew they had 68 overs to get their runs and with Smith and Robinson settling in, the feeling was that the only result was a draw or a win for the champions as long as the pair remained together.

Because of county rules (and failure to adopt a limited over policy which would guarantee a result) there was little incentive for the batsmen to chase victory.

Durham was Cleveland's top bowler with four for 60 off 22 overs, including two maidens.

Earlier Cleveland reached a respectable total, thanks to Peter Philpott's 70 not out.

They were struggling at 120 for eight when Philpott and Greg Talbot (12) added 87 for the 10th wicket, Philpott's innings including seven sixes and three fours off 55 balls. Cann finished with six for 70 off 16 overs.