St. George's 157

Cleveland 140

Johnny Richardson had an uneasy feeling that when he took five St. George's wickets it was a bad omen for his side - and he was right!

"Every time I get wickets we lose. It's happened quite a few times," lamented the Cleveland bowler, watching his team slide to defeat at Lord's yesterday.

Del Hollis had just had his stumps `catspraddled' by Eugene Foggo for a golden duck and Cleveland were then 92 for eight chasing 157 which St. George's made in 48.3 overs. The visitors fell short by 17 runs, totalling 140 in 41.1 overs.

While Richardson's personal glory failed to transcend into team success, Foggo celebrated doubly; savouring an outstanding all-round performance and the victory.

When St. George's chose first knock, the opener led with a patient but invaluable 49 off 101 balls in two hours and 20 minutes.

The veteran returned to mesmerise batsmen with his left-arm spin bowling, snapping up four for 14 off ten overs with three maidens.

"It's probably my best performance for the season. For sure it was my highest score. I missed the 50 (by) trying to play too correctly to get a single and got out," said the all-rounder who hit seven fours.

As for his wily bowling, 41-year-old Foggo - who is aiming to reclaim his Cup Match place - chuckled as he noted his deliveries often befuddle batsmen.

"I'm always steady, just line and length with my left-arm leg breaks and the arm ball that comes back the other way. My bowling always messes up batsmen."

Apart from Foggo and lower-order contributions of 20 and 24 from Herbie Bascome and Kameron Fox respectively, St. George's batting failed to fire. The 25 extras yielded by Cleveland proved vital in the end.

Richardson's spell of five for 40 off ten overs topped Cleveland's bowling while Peter Philpott took two for 30 off 7.3 overs. Three other bowlers took a wicket apiece.

"It's definitely a bowler's wicket - grassy. I just tried to keep a good line and length and let the batsmen make the mistakes," said Richardson of his accomplishment; his first "fiver" for the season.

The leg-break and googly specialist, now in his 32nd year in the League, endured some frustration though as three catches were dropped off him in one over.

Cleveland, who beat St. George's for the first time in eons in May, would have backed themselves to repeat that achievement given the target.

However, they were on the back foot from early and, except for a fourth-wicket partnership of 47, lost batsmen with regularity despite having many overs in hand.

Skipper and opener Carlton Smith retired hurt early in the innings after being struck on the elbow by Bascome. He returned to the crease with Cleveland in some bother at three for 27.

He and Jason Simons ably propelled the score to 74 and appeared to be derailing St. George's' plans when Foggo came into the attack from the far end and Travis Smith from the pavilion side.

There were immediate dividends. Simons was trapped leg before playing back to Foggo for 21 and Peter Philpott was caught at slip for three off Smith.

Foggo ate through the line-up taking the next three scalps and, as the proverbial fat lady began clearing her throat, it was evident that it was simply a matter of time before Cleveland folded.