Southampton Rangers overcame many obstacles to win a third straight Belco Cup crown last weekend.

Following the controversial resignation of coach Clevie Wade, the departure of slugger Lionel Cann, the unannounced retirements of elder statesmen Keith Wainwright and Olin Jones and a last-minute injury to batsman Andrew Raynor, Rangers’ chances for further success in the 20-year-old competition hung in the balance.

But thanks to two vital knocks from former skipper Janeiro Tucker — who has acquired a penchant for rising to the big occasion over the years — and good all-round support from their bowlers, Rangers went on to become the first club since St.George’s to lift the coveted showpiece three years on the trot.

St.George’s achieved the feat between 1988 and 1990.

Rangers’ memorable victory over Social Club in last Sunday’s final at Lords moved them level with Western Stars for the second-most wins (four) in the competition — just one victory shy of St.George’s who have savoured an unprecedented five victories.

And while some might have thought that Rangers’ chances of defending their title for a second straight year were slim, newly-appointed skipper Kwame Tucker never once doubted his team’s ability.

“The guys really prepared themselves for the challenge and were mentally tuned in over the weekend. I thought the team played very well and this was a trophy they really wanted to win. They really wanted to be a three-peat team and that’s what they strived for,” he said.

Tucker succeeded cousin Janeiro as team captain at the beginning of the season and judging by last weekend’s cup glory, appears to have settled nicely into his new role.

“It feels great to win my first trophy as captain. But I must commend my players for doing a tremendous job,” Tucker said.

Rangers lost the toss and were sent in to bat in damp conditions during last weekend’s 107-run semi-final triumph over Flatts and 69-run win over Social Club.

“I think losing the toss was a blessing in disguise because it made us sit up and go out there and do exactly what we had to,” he added.

Despite the difficult conditions, Janeiro Tucker played brilliantly in scoring an unbeaten ton against Flatts to propel Rangers into their fifth final appearance in eight years.

“He definitely batted well,” skipper Tucker acknowledged.

On both days Janeiro Tucker rode his luck after being dropped to keep his team’s innings intact after losing early wickets — although he ultimately fell a three runs shy of becoming the first batsmen to score back-to-back centuries in the competition.

The man who captained Bermuda to 2007 World Cup qualification in the absence of injured skipper Clay Smith again came to the rescue against Social Club in the final, and along with the multi-tal-ented yet temperamental Dion Stovell put on a 163-run fourth-wicket partnership that took the match well beyond Social Club’s reach.

“They both batted well and put on a great partnership and I must commend them for that along with the bowlers who I also thought bowled excellent.

“I couldn’t have asked for anything better,” skipper Tucker said.

“I didn’t have any concerns about our batting because I felt we had the necessary depth while Sluggo (Dwayne Leverock) also played a big part in the victory.”

The charismatic Leverock claimed five for 39, including the prized scalp of Glenn Blakeney (71), in only his second appearance of the season following surgery to have his tonsils removed.

“I thought that he really showed his experience,” Tucker said.

Since the turn of the century Rangers have proven to be the dominant club on the domestic cricket scene — a trend Tucker and his team -mates hope to see continue.

“The guys are now hungrier than ever,” he added. “But we are going to take things one game at a time and then see where things go from there.”