Social Club skipper Kevin Hurdle seized the Central Counties Cup from defending champions Devonshire Rec. before declaring: “Now we’re gunning for the Premier Division”.

A swashbuckling display from veteran batsman Charlie Marshall and a devilish piece of bowling by Jeffrey Tyrrell inspired Social Club to their first piece of silverware of the season.

Jubilant dressing room scenes reflected just how important they viewed the victory — especially bearing in mind their Belco Cup final defeat earlier this month.

Pace ace Hurdle admitted as much after the four wicket triumph and urged his side to use the win as a platform for greater success.

“It’s great to win this trophy, especially considering our defeat to Southampton Rangers in the Belco Cup,” he said.

“I’d only won the First Division for Social Club before so I’m obviously delighted to get my hands on this one.

“As a team we’ve been through some hard times together and taken some licks but now things are coming together — this was an important win for us.”

Social Club won the toss and elected to bowl, making the breakthrough when Devonshire dangerman Ricky Brangman fell to the bowling of Hasan Durham.

But the ever-dependable Dean Stephens then played a captain’s’ innings to ensure his side had a fighting total before being run out for 69.

Unfortunately for Devonshire their tail failed to wag with Tyrell inflicting most of the damage with figures of three for 47. The fact they failed to bat out their 50 overs swung the psychological advantage firmly in Social Club’s favour.

However, the penetrative bowling of Dennis Williams caused Social Club hearts to flutter, before Charlie Marshall strode to wicket to stop the rot.

His impressive knock of 54 proved the backbone of Social Club’s innings as they reached the required total relatively unscathed from just 42.1 overs.

Skipper Hurdle was full of praise for the evergreen Marshall and also saved special mention for three-wicket hero Tyrell.

“Once again Charlie Marshall was superb for us — he’s one of the best Bermudian batsman around,” he added.

“Tyrell also bowled magnificently and I believe he’s a very underrated bowler — it’s about time people started realising that.

“It’s always a good battle when we play against Devonshire Rec. and there’s a good relationship between the two sides and plenty of personal battles to be won.

“But now we have secured this piece of silverware we’ll set our sights on the Premier Division — that’s the main goal.”

Devonshire Rec. had been hoping to overcome old foes Social Club for the second successive year in the cup competition.

Another Devonshire triumph would have harked back to the halcyon days when they reined supreme in the prestigious competition following a lengthy drought.

Their opening round tie against challengers Western Stars was completely washed out by heavy rain, allowing them to retain their crown without taking field. They then overcame the Police to secure a place in the final.