Somerset Cricket Club (Willow Cuts won toss): Willow Cuts beat Bailey’s Bay by 33 runs

This was an important game for both teams but for different reasons: Bailey’s Bay to win the Premier Division — on the outside chance that leaders St David’s would get upset at home by winless Somerset — and Cuts for survival.

In the end, the first point proved moot, as Somerset forfeited their match to hand St David’s the title on a platter while Willow Cuts convincingly beat Bay to feel they have done enough to secure top-flight status for next season after St George’s crashed to a 64-run defeat at home to Southampton Rangers.

The Bermuda Cricket Board will have to get out the calculators to see if either has done enough after bonus points are taken into account.

Dwight Basden and Sergio Raynor laid the foundation for Cuts with a 43-run opening stand. The former was first to go, bowled by Jamel Springer for 25.

Antonio Darrell came in at first wicket down and would be involved in six worthwhile partnerships totalling 128 runs before being seventh man out, stumped by wicketkeeper Jarryd Richardson off the bowling of Sharye Tavares for a team-high 43 from 72 balls. Kevon Fubler (30 not out) and veteran Herbie Bascome (22) put on an eighth-wicket partnership of 48 runs to carry the total over 200 before the team dismissal of 230.

Some story that if Bascome, who has returned to top-flight cricket to assist Cuts at age 58, has played a hand in sending son Onias Bascome’s St George’s side into the First Division next season.

Jordan Burgess, Kris Jackman and Tavares claimed three wickets apiece at 49, 27 and 32 runs, respectively.

Chasing a target of 231 at 4.62 runs an over, Bay had a top-order batting collapse as they were struggling at 14 for four from only 4.2 overs. Brandon Trott and Tavares helped to stabilise the innings with a 33-run partnership to carry the score to 47 before Trott was bowled by captain Kwasi James for 12. Tavares batted maturely for a 36-ball 30 including two towering sixes over long-on but a mix-up with Jackman resulted in him being run out when going for a second.

Bay’s lower-order batters stubbornly contributed 121 runs to fall 33 runs short of their target, spearheaded by an entertaining half century from debutant Chris Colby who, although small in stature, came big with the bat with some well-timed shots but ran out of partners to finish unbeaten on 58 from 95 balls as Macquille Walker (23) played a James ball on to his stumps for the final out.

Micah Simons and captain James were the pick of the Cuts bowlers with three for 33 and three for 32 respectively.

James took the victory in stride. “We had a decent start from our openers which set us up for a good total,” he said. “Our bowlers broke through early and we just kept at them from there. I am glad that we have survived the 50-over division and now it’s preparing for the 20-over matches.”

At Wellington Oval, Janeiro Tucker starred with bat and ball as Southampton crushed St George’s in a low-scoring match.

Tucker first made 36 as Rangers limped to 157 all out but then the visitors had St George’s in trouble early and often to ease to victory.

Tucker claimed two for 11 with the new ball, but Cup Match MVP Dion Stovell was the chief danger man with four for 11 from nine overs of off spin.

Nirobi Smith-Mills claimed three for 39 as no St George’s batter got into the twenties, leaving them to sweat it out this week as the BCB counts and recounts bonus points to see if it is they or Cuts who take the dreaded drop into the First Division.