Southampton 204 St. David's 208/6

A sensational all-round performance by teenager Delyone Borden, a captain's knock from Clay Smith and late-order fireworks from Arthur Pitcher Jr. were the highlights of a thrilling St. David's victory over Southampton Rangers yesterday.

In the final of their 50 overs, Pitcher smashed Gary Crofton to the boundary to take the home team to 208 for six in 49.2 overs, surpassing the 204 all out which Rangers had amassed in 49.5 overs at Lord's.

The icing on St. David's cake was all the sweeter given the fact that they opened their limited-overs campaign by beating the defending champions by four wickets despite a stellar display from Rangers skipper and ace batsman Janeiro Tucker.

Borden led with ball and then bat, snapping up five for 30 from ten overs before hitting 59 (six fours, two sixes) in his team's run chase. The ever-reliable Smith posted an unbeaten 59 (six fours) to guide the middle order. He found solid company in Borden with whom he shared a 95-run stand for the fifth wicket as Borden - who retired hurt after being struck in the head with the ball as a fielder attempted a run out - returned to the crease.

That partnership played a huge part in getting St. David's back into the match after they were struggling on 57 for four but they were still on a knife edge regarding the scoring rate.

However, in the 47th over, young Arthur Pitcher Jr. rose to the occasion - clearly showing scant respect for his elders - and blasted veteran Clevie Wade for three fours and a six to firmly turn the tide in St. David's favour. Thereafter, it was simply a formality and Pitcher saw to that with a winning four.

Four bowlers took a wicket each for Rangers while the other two successes came via run outs.

“It's great to start with a victory over Rangers. Not many teams will beat them this season. We're glad we got them early rather than later when they are likely to be in full flow. We have been training hard and we were up for the challenge,” said Smith, noting that the gripping run feast swung back and forth throughout the afternoon.

Earlier, it had seemed all Rangers' way as Tucker, benefiting from a dropped chance before he had a run to his name, reeled off 11 fours and four sixes in a typically breath-taking 91 off 120 balls to lead his team admirably. Opener Olin Jones contributed 64 and he and Tucker shared a third-wicket stand of 158 before Jones was the first of Borden's five wickets. Extras were the only other double-figure contribution for Rangers with 28 being gifted to the visitors as wickets tumbled following Jones' departure.

Apart from Borden's bowling heroics, Pitcher chipped in with two for 27 from nine overs while three other bowlers had a scalp apiece.

Revelling in the spotlight after the match, Borden said he has determined to make this a personally-fulfilling season and was pleased with his first outing for 2004.

“I feel more mature with my batting. I would like to make two centuries this season. In bowling, I want to get between 35 and 40 wickets. I got 21 last year and I would like to double that,” said the 19-year-old.

Outlining his tactics, the right-arm off-spinner told The Royal Gazette he was “bowling wicket to wicket and my aim was to let the batsmen make the mistakes”.

“After I got past the first two wickets - which were key batsmen - I found my line and length and kept the ball there.”

As for his batting, he noted the conditions were initially “really hard” because the ball was swinging but he stuck it out.

“So I just played straight, kept the singles ticking over and, as I moved on, I picked up my strokes. I started seeing the ball very well and I played my shots.”

The former national youth player noted it was very important to start their 2004 campaign on a winning note, adding that ousting the defending champions will make them marked men.

“Other teams are going to look to beat us now and we have to stay on top of our game,” he said.

Smith applauded Borden's outstanding showing and predicted greater things to come from the young man.

“He had a remarkable game. It was a match-winning performance and it shows what hard work can achieve,” he said.

“Delyone is definitely maturing and will be a player to be reckoned with in the future.”