Bailey’s Bay 236-8

St. David’s 237-3

Clay Smith answered critics of his inclusion in the St. David’s team with masterfully struck 108 not out to inspire the East Enders to an emphatic seven-wicket win in Saturday’s Eastern Counties Cup first-round match at Lords.

The veteran batsman and lone guest player for the champions put aside any internal differences over his selection and responded with a heroic performance with the bat that had even his most vociferous critics joining with other in heaping praise on his shoulders as the team celebrated following the complete destruction of Bay.

Going into the contest St. David’s chairman Eddie Lambe defended the inclusion of the player, pointing out that Smith’s selection would bring “more depth to our batting”.

On this occasion Smith not only proved the chairman’s backing to be justified, he also proved that he still remains one of the most talented and capable batsmen on local soil by scoring his second century within a two-week span — form which surely must have Somerset shaking in their boots as Cup Match approaches.

Smith’s elegant knock enabled St. David’s to coast to their winning target of 237 after the challengers had posted what seemed to be a formidable total that would make the champions sweat to surpass it — particularly if the Bay bowlers were able to bowl to their potential.

But on a wicket that seemed to favour the batsman over the bowler, St. David’s were able to withstand the challenge — with opener Chris Foggo and Smith leading the way, the former chipping in with 56 off 60 balls with nine fours.

Foggo and his opening partner Fiqre Crockwell (11) set the foundation with a solid stand of 64 to pave the way for what turned out to be an afternoon of frustration in the baking sun for the Bay bowlers.

There was feint hope when Bay had claimed three wickets for 119, but then Smith and Delyone Borden joined in a defiant stand — knocking the spirit out of a previously inspired attack by adding 118 for the fourth wicket, Smith naturally being the dominating partner with his large array of strokes all around the wicket.

An idea of his dominance came when he reached the so-call nervous nineties, when most players are content to carefully select their shots.

But Smith was in no way restrained. A confident clip to the mid-wicket boundary for six off young Tre Govia took his total to 96 and then a superb, delicate glance to the square leg boundary off the same bowler took him into three figures.

When the victory stroke came Smith had faced only 87 balls and struck 15 fours and five sixes while batting for 121 minutes.

St. David’s reached victory in 46.4 overs. Govia was the most successful bowler for the challengers with two for 59 off 11 overs.

Earlier Bay, who opted to go without any guest players, surpised many in being able to reach the double-century mark with what was regarded as only a reasonable batting order at best. And the fact that they declared relatively early in order to give their bowlers a decent chance to dismiss the champions indicated that they were out for business and willing to take whatever risks necessary to pressure their opponents.

But as it turned out the champions had the firepower to respond in a positive manner... and did so in some style. Bay had their moments to cherish early in the game with solid batting performances from players like Cal (Patches) Dill who struck 59 off 88 balls, opener Dennis Trott with 37, Irving Romaine with 36 and Christiano Smith with 24. Trott and Smith opened with an impressive stand of 64.

The St. David’s attack was forced to toil: spinner Delyone Borden was the chief wicket taker with four for 68 off 23 overs while Arthur Pitcher jr claimed three for 43 off 13 overs with one maiden.

For George O’Brien, a young fast bowler recognised for his great potential, it was a struggle as he finished with one for 78 off 16 overs.