Lord’s, St David’s (Southampton Rangers won toss): Southampton Rangers beat Western Stars by 116 runs)

Dalin Richardson and Dion Stovell took charge as Southampton Rangers completed the T20 First Division League and Cup double with a dominant 116-run victory over Western Stars in the Knockout Cup final on Sunday.

Rangers captain Richardson smashed 69 off just 27 balls, including seven monstrous sixes, to push his side to a mammoth 190 for two from their twenty overs before they bowled out Western Stars for just 74.

Richardson spoke about the wonderful exhibition of aggression he and Stovell showed in the final few overs.

“We knew we could take risks with wickets in hand,” Richardson said. “This allowed me and Dion to swing freely, and we closed with a massive score. Coach Herbie Bascome wasn’t pleased with how we fielded early in the season but these results are the product of hard work and dedication.”

Stars got off to the best possible start after Rangers won the toss and elected to bat. Spinner Rohan Davis fooled opener Nacori Smith with a googly that clipped leg stump but Dante Wellman then crashed three boundaries from the second over of Stars pacer Seth Campbell to pick up the run rate.

Stovell received an early life when he was dropped at mid-wicket by Stars captain Ryan Tyrell, as he and Wellman began to rotate the strike confidently. Stars, who had played in the Central Counties final the previous day, felt the heat in the latter overs giving away easy singles and the odd poor boundary to give Rangers some confidence.

Wellman got himself out cheaply after he and Stovell had reached their fifty partnership from 51 balls, edging to wicketkeeper Jamori Manders. Umpire Anderson Cumberbatch took a few seconds before raising the dreaded finger, and the strong second-wicket partnership was broken.

Rangers finally reached their hundred after 15 overs, with Davis ending his spell with solid figures of one for 14 from his allotted four overs.

Stovell was happy to play a support role to the aggressive knock from captain Richardson as Rangers smashed 84 runs from the final four overs.

Stovell ended the innings with two of his three total sixes as Rangers posted 190 for the loss of just two wickets. Richardson and Stovell ended the innings with a partnership of 123 off 51 balls, with Stovell leading the Rangers scoring with 80 off 58 balls in a controlled knock that included eight fours and three sixes.

Stars captain Ryan Tyrell and Jamori Manders opened as Stars faced chasing a daunting total. Rangers opening bowler Donte Brangman struggled with his line in the first few balls , but got that together quickly as he trapped Tyrell leg before in his second over.

Rangers continued to showcase exceptional fielding, but that was helped by a massive lack of innovation from the Stars batsmen.

Somerset Cup Match star Jordan DeSilva opened his spell with a maiden over to add even more pressure to a poor Stars opening. Tomiko Wilson was jammed by a solid ball from Darrien Gibbons, and played straight to Dante Wellman at mid-off for the first of his three total catches.

Oronde Bascome made another catch, this one for the highlight reel, diving to his right to grab an inside edge by Jaiden Manders. Young Ethan Adderley had the aggressive mindset when he tried to play over the mid-wicket boundary, but miscued his stroke and gifted Makai Jacobs one of the easiest catches he will take.

Brian Hall played a few beautiful shots in a cameo of 22 off 12 balls to give Stars some confidence they could be aggressive, but it was never enough as excellent fielding and immaculate bowling ensured Rangers knocked off the Red and Blue for just 74 in 16.4 overs. Hall was top scorer for Stars, while Stovell took three wickets to go with his 80 runs.