Cleveland County ended one of the longest trophy droughts in local cricket history at Wellington Oval on Sunday.

Just months after recruiting the services of Clay Smith as player/coach and appointing senior all-rounder Jason Simons to the rank of team skipper, Cleveland clinched the Two-Day Third Division title, gained promotion and pocketed $1,000 for their efforts.

It was their first major achievement since McNeil McGowan captained the club to Eastern Counties glory back in 1981.

Others on Cleveland?s successful 1981 squad included Allan Douglas, Dennis Musson and Paisley Caines.

And while Cleveland skipper Simons is pleased with the team?s recent success, he still reckons the boys from Harris Bay have some ground to cover.

?This is just a small stepping stone to where it is we are trying to go,? said the 30-year-old electrician. ?Our goal is to try and get the guys motivated and restore confidence.?

Simons said another main priority was to promote a team concept in the camp.

?It?s all about the team and that?s why I think we have been playing well together as a unit up to this point and supporting each other,? he added.

The veteran all-rounder paid tribute to Smith who, despite transferring to Cleveland, will continue to represent St.David?s in the popular Eastern Counties cup competition.

Smith resigned as player/coach of St.David?s late last year.

During a highly successful coaching stint at Lords, Smith guided the club to multiple league and cup titles, including a clean sweep of all domestic honours in 2001.

Simons added: ?It?s a great pleasure to have Clay on board. He put in a lot of work with us during the pre-season and he has been there for us.

?We at Cleveland understand his situation (injury) and the guys understand their roles and what it is they need to do. Nobody is playing for themselves anymore . . . it?s all about the team.?

Simons, who posted his second century (114) last weekend in senior cricket in his team?s drawn match with Flatts at Wellington Oval, has also had to quickly adapt to his new role.

He explained: ?I have had a lot of responsibility placed on my shoulders as skipper and also as a senior team member. And so I am just trying to make the necessary adjustments and put my best foot forward to try to help the team to succeed.

?Overall I think my game has come a long way, and mentally I have matured quite a bit. My concentration level has also improved and I think that is what has helped my game.

?It has never been a question over whether or not I have the shots but more when to play them and when and when not to go.?

So how have his team-mates responded?

?They have supported me one hundred percent and so it?s not really as though I am doing anything by myself,? Simons replied.

?It?s been a great experience (captaincy) so far, although it has also had its share of challenges.?

Simons now hopes his team can gain promotion in the limited overs league and put an end to their Eastern Counties drought.

?We?re not totally focused on county,? he added. ?We?re just trying to win as many games as we possibly can and then let the chips fall where they may.?

Meanwhile, last weekend?s play also saw St.David?s clinch the First Division Two-Day title and promotion, Devonshire win the Second Division and with it promotion without having to toss down a single delivery to no-show Police while Southampton Rangers wrapped up the Premier Division crown.

Western Stars were relegated from the Premier Division, Willow Cuts slipped into the Second Division while Police were relegated to the Third Division.