St. David's retained the Eastern Counties Cup on Saturday, but not before overcoming a period of shakiness in this first-round clash against Bailey's Bay at Lord's.

There was nail-biting tension in the St. David's camp when their last two recognised batsmen, Lionel Cann and Phillip Pitcher, were called upon to face the last 11 overs at a time when the Bay attack had been inspired after taking four wickets.

With Cann striking a disciplined 27 not out and the burly Pitcher undefeated on 18 the duo managed to see off Bay's threat, putting on 40 runs in an unbroken sixth wicket stand which assured the champions of a second round round meeting with Flatts on August 15.

But their teammates back in the pavilion were visibly rattled by the proceedings, especially after St. David's found themselves uncomfortably placed on 157 for the loss of five wickets with most of their big bats having already taken the fall.

Bailey's Bay had declared at 2.34 p.m., setting the champions with a winning target of 218. A year ago they offered St. David's a similar challenge and the hosts got the runs without much sweat, but this time they didn't have a century from Wendell Smith.

With Smith going for only 10, his opening partner Allen Richardson contributing a stylish 58, Albert Steede 32, Dean Pitcher 16 and James Pace 14, the champions had to count on some unlikely heroes -- and Cann and Pitcher answered the late call.

But they also had luck on their side. Devrae Hollis had twice dropped Steede while fielding at silly mid on while an even more crucial catch was put down later when Jermaine Outerbridge let Pace off the hook down the leg side before he had scored. The score was then 136-4.

Although Pace and Cann only added 21, the wicket of Pace at that time would have really boosted the Bay bowling attack which was inspired by Noel Gibbons who finished with four for 33.

"If we had lost Pace then it could have been an all-out victory for them, that's for sure,'' said a relieved St. David's skipper Ken Pitcher afterwards.

At 5.30 p.m. with the score 132-3 the 20 overs rule went into effect.

Gibbons, who himself was dismissed for a duck, wisely brought his fielders in close for Pitcher and soon it paid off as the batsman was out lbw to the professional.

With 17 overs left, St. David's came to the conclusion that victory wasn't worth the risk...and instructions were sent out to play for the draw.

"We were confident that we could get the runs again this year, but after James was lost and with Gibbons causing a lot of trouble because he was getting the ball to swing we decided to play it safe and go on defence,'' said Pitcher.

He noted that the early declaration didn't surprise him, "they knew they had to bowl us out in order to win and they needed as much time as possible to do it.'' While giving credit for the batting performances of the Bay skipper Chris Smith who made 52, Glenn Smith 45, Devrae Hollis 30 and Charlie Marshall 26, the St. David's skipper admitted that his team's poor bowling was an unwelcome contribution to his opponent's "formidable'' total.

Pitcher and Fox, who shared the new ball, were sloppy and had trouble finding their line and length. "Our pace attack just couldn't get it going, but fortunately we had depth in our bowling,'' he said.

The unlikely bowling hero proved to be medium pacer Herbie Bascome who snatched five for 36.

He was the fifth bowler used by St. David's and emerged as his team's most valuable player having taken two superb catches as well.

"Herbie played exceptionally well. He was just great out there as a bowler and fielder,'' said the skipper.

It was a real struggle in the field for St. David's as Chris Smith and Hollis put on an opening stand of 61, the scoring being helped considerably by the large number of wides and no-balls by the fast bowlers. There were 13 extras among the first 21 runs and in the end Fox finished with seven wides and four no-balls while Pitcher had four and two respectively.

With the bowling attack visibly lacking, Bay were able to bat on comfortably until Bascome and Cann came on with some rhythmic control which had certainly been lacking.

Earlier Smith and Marshall added 39 for the second wicket and then the skipper joined Glenn Smith in a third-wicket stand that put on 60. Bay had a blow when Gibbons faced only three balls before being out lbw to Bascome to make it 160-5 but Smith stayed around to help take the score to 195 before being caught and bowled by Bascome.

GIBBONS STRIKES -- Noel Gibbons had little joy with the bat on Saturday but has reason to celebrate here after having James Pace caught in the slips by Cal Dill.