White Hill Field (Western Stars won toss): St George’s beat Western Stars by four wickets

Wicketkeeper Sinclair Smith and pace bowler Shakai Darrell each made significant contributions as St George’s kept themselves in control of the Athene T20 Premier Division crown on Sunday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the league leaders struggled with their line and length early on as opening bowler Zeko Burgess struggled to find his rhythm, conceding six of his seven total extras during his first over.

Thereafter, Stars started to showcase their batting, with Gavin Manders and Jason Anderson putting on a solid 32-run partnership before the former was stumped by Smith as he attempted to step out of his crease to connect with a quicker ball by Darrell.

Incoming batter, captain Tre Manders, was slowly trying to get his teeth into the match but he mistimed a drive from a slower ball by Darrell, who made a fantastic return catch.

Stars hit the midway point of their innings in decent shape at 58 for two, but Anderson was soon out when trapped leg-before by Jonté Smith just as he was building a knock after smashing two monstrous sixes over long-off.

Dante Wellman and Brian Hall steadied the Stars ship as St George’s threatened to run riot with their bowling attack, launching a 24-run partnership.

Hall played the role of aggressor but was punished after making a terrible mistake running between the wickets with Khiry Furbert and could not beat an excellent throw by Jonté Smith.

Seion Darrell and Makai Young made good cameos in the lower order as Stars posted a reasonable 119 for seven from their allotted 20 overs.

St George’s came out knowing they had only to stay focused throughout the run chase, but Stars shifted the momentum by taking the early scalps of Oyinde Bascome and Jonté Smith, leaving the East Enders struggling early at 20 for two.

Despite 18 from Charles Trott, they continued to battle with the run-rate with Oronde Bascome and Zeko Burgess falling victim to Deunte Dowling’s excellent spell.

Captain Onias Bascome and Sinclair Smith turned the tide, putting on 55 runs for the sixth wicket before Smith was caught behind by his opposite number Jason Anderson for 36 after smashing four boundaries and two sixes, but the knock was enough for Bascome to steer his side home.

“We lost a few early wickets and it started to look tight,” Sinclair Smith said.

“I just wanted to build a partnership with my skipper and bring the win home. I was in a good zone and told myself to bat positive.”

Darrell, who had the best bowling figures of two for seven from his four overs, said the aim was to restrict Stars to as low a total as possible.

“We tried to bowl as tight as we could and put pressure on the batsmen,” he said.

“We have some experienced bowlers and we knew what we needed to do.”