St. David's 191, Flatts 104

An opening five-wicket bowling blitz by George O'Brien Jr, complemented by Herbie Bascome's four scalps to polish off Flatts' tail, swept St. David's to an 87-run triumph in the Eastern Counties competition on Saturday.

It must have been a depressing evening for Flatts after earlier rejoicing at dismissing their East End rivals for 191 in 69 overs. However, O'Brien - a burly 17-year-old - soon put paid to any fanciful ambitions which Flatts may have had about snatching the Eastern Counties championship from the current holders.

In eight express overs from the pavilion end of Sea Breeze Oval, he accounted for five of Flatt's top six batsmen; taking care of four of his victims all by himself - three bowled and one offering a return catch. His other wicket - the first actually - Vernon Eve was caught by captain Clay Smith at slip.

If Flatts were anticipating any reprieve when O'Brien - with impressive figures of five for 17 - was forced to withdraw from the game with a right hamstring injury, they had the script all wrong.

The wily veteran Bascome stepped up to complete the rout, taking four for 29 from 13 overs (four maidens). Like his younger accomplice, he showed a penchant for scattering stumps - the undoing of all four batsmen who fell to his bowling. In the end, Flatts were sent packing for 104 in 39 overs.

Despite a last hurrah - a 38-run, tenth-wicket stand between guest player Dwayne Leverock and wicket-keeper Nigel Burgess - Flatts, who were five for 21 at one stage and scoring less than two runs per over, were staring defeat in the face from early. Only some robust hitting by the last pair saw them past three figures. Leverock was an unbeaten 46, with eight fours, when Burgess was finally bowled by Gregg Foggo for 21 (one four; one six).

In their innings, St. David's could well have suffered the same low-scoring plight as Flatts but for two face-saving knocks from Smith and Sammy Robinson. The latter compiled 52, with five fours and a six, while his skipper led the charge with 75 (eight fours; one six). Opener Philip Pitcher hit 24.

Guest player Gary Brangman had St. David's struggling to score off his tight steady bowling. He was justly rewarded with six for 61 from 31 overs (11 maidens). Leverock, enjoying a good all-round day, chipped in with three for 71 off 24 overs. The other wicket - that of Delyone Borden - fell via a brilliant run out by Flatts captain Rahji Edness.

Man-of-the-Match O'Brien was understandably pleased with his effort and the outcome of the match.

"I got tuned in pretty early and my confidence was up and I just kept going. It was a nice, fast grassy pitch and I was getting a lot of movement," he said after receiving his award.

Beaming from ear to ear, the teenager admitted being "a bit disappointed" not to have completed the demolition job. He felt he could have bagged a few more wickets.

Bascome, too, was upbeat about his performance, saying the longer he bowled the better he felt which allowed him to take advantage of the pitch conditions.

Smith, clutching the Eastern Counties cup, praised his team's fighting spirit, giving particular credit to his four-pronged bowling attack. Full of confidence, he declared that St. David's are looking forward to defending their title against Bailey's Bay on August 31.

Seven man Southampton Rangers retained the Junior Western Counties Cup on Saturday when they and Somerset Bridge played to a draw at Southampton Oval, both scoring 100 runs.

Lamont Brangman of Rangers was Man of the Match, scoring 22 runs and then taking five wickets for 41. Brother Derek was top scorer for Rangers with 25 while Coefield Robinson led the Bridge bats with 22.