Ryan Steede, the St George’s player-coach, has hailed Oronde Bascome’s match-winning innings in Sunday’s First Division Twenty20 semi-final win over Flatts at Somerset Cricket Club.

Bascome hammered eight fours and three sixes in an unbeaten knock of 73 and added 134 runs for the second wicket with opener Ankoma Cannonier to anchor the East Enders to an emphatic seven-wicket victory.

Steede was delighted for the early-order batsman, who rejoined St George’s after spending one season in the top flight with Southampton Rangers.

“I told Oronde when he came back to St George’s that he’s a senior and his experience is going to be needed,” Steede said.

“He’s a big part of the puzzle that I’m trying to put together and he has a lot to offer.”

Bascome was well supported at the crease by Cannonier, who thumped seven fours and four sixes in a boundary filled 67.

“Ankoma has been around cricket for a long time so he’s capable of doing a great job for us,” Steede added. “With his seniority I just need him to stand up and bat and be accounted for.”

St George’s successfully chased down Flatts’ total of 170 for four with 26 balls to spare, a target that Steede always felt was within reach.

“It was a nice batting track and the field was fast so 170 was not a total that you can’t get and we have batsmen who are capable of passing that total,” he said.

“We had to get just over eight runs per overs so I told my players to be positive and if it’s there put it away and run hard between the wickets.”

Steede is now looking forward to this weekend’s T20 final against Somerset, who they beat by 12 runs at Somerset Cricket Club on Saturday to reach the semi-finals.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Steede said. “It’s a rivalry and both sets of fans are going to be anxious for this.”

St George’s will go into the final with a psychological edge having beaten their perennial rivals. However, Steede is not taking anything for granted.

“We have one up on them right now,” he said. “But we both want the silverware which is more important than anything right now.”

Somerset advanced to the final after beating PHC by 114 runs in the first match of a semi-final double-header at Somerset Cricket Club at the weekend.

All rounders Greg Maybury and Jacobi Robinson struck unbeaten half-centuries and added 86 runs for the fourth wicket as Somerset piled up 186 for three.

Robinson and his cousin Alje Richardson then claimed six wickets between them as PHC were dismissed for 72 in 14.3 overs.

Maybury, who led Somerset in the absence of captain Jordan DeSilva, is confident about his team’s chances in the final.

“St George’s are performing quite well and so it should be a good final,” he said.

DeSilva, who has been appointed as Somerset’s league captain, is presently on duty with the Bermuda Regiment in Jamaica but could be available for the final.

“We are hoping so,” Maybury said.

“He is away with the Regiment right now, but if he’s allowed to leave that would be great.

“He’s obviously a top player playing Cup Match and with the Bermuda squad, so we’d love to have him.”