White Hill Field (Somerset Bridge won toss): Somerset Bridge beat Willow Cuts by 38 runs

Somerset Bridge took the traditional victory plunge off the iconic landmark for which they are named after their hard-fought win over holders Willow Cuts in a low-scoring Western Counties second round clash on Saturday.

Guest player Allan Douglas Jr was the hero on the day as he stroked a game-high 44 from 42 balls and claimed four wickets for nine runs with his off spin in an outstanding display.

The star all-rounder was delighted to play an integral role in Bridge’s success and pay a debt.

“The last county game, I spoke with captain Adrian Burrows and told him I owe Bridge,” Douglas said.

“I really love these guys. I love their spirit and they love me equally, so I just felt like I have been owing them for the last two seasons. This year, I came good and hopefully we can beat Warwick in the next round.”

Bridge captain Burrows hailed his team’s perseverance, when the game appeared to be slipping beyond their grasp, and the impact made by Douglas.

“Kudos to my team,” he said. “I could not have asked for anything else; they dug deep and came home with the victory.

“Allan is a class player in Cup Match and for Bermuda, which speaks for itself. He is a premier player and I am just glad he showed up today. It’s much appreciated.”

At 102 for three replying to Bridge’s 158 all out, victory seemed on the cards for Cuts.

However, the game took a dramatic turn as Bridge’s slow-bowling arsenal ruthlessly exploited a turning track that played notoriously low despite Cuts captain Ras Solomon Burrows calling for the roller during innings break.

The end would be swift for Cuts, whose last seven wickets fell for only 18 runs in the space of nine overs.

Noel Woods and Jermal Proctor triggered the slide when they snapped a burgeoning 58-run fourth-wicket partnership between Dominic Sabir (23) and Deunte Darrell (31).

Darrell was the first to go when he was bowled playing around a Woods ball that kept low, and he was quickly joined in the pavilion by Sabir after he was pinned in front attempting to sweep Proctor.

Douglas then took over, claiming three wickets as he mopped up the tail in quick order during a menacing second spell that secured Bridge’s victory.

The 38-year-old trapped Nyrico Swan (one) and Shaquille Bean (ten) leg-before and bowled last man Wysden Symonds first ball to spark wild celebrations among jubilant Bridge players and supporters.

“Noel Woods and Jermal Proctor got the big wickets of Deunte Darrell and Dominic Sabir, and I felt once we got those two out we were going to run through the tail,” Douglas said.

“Training on that wicket, I already knew what damage I was going to do with the ball. I was getting a lot of turn and the wicket actually played well.”

Proctor (two for 26), Woods (two for 17) and Callum McIntosh (two for 31) also contributed.

Burrows (13) and Kwasi James (15) were the remaining batters in double figures as Cuts were dismissed for 120 in 37.4 overs.

Earlier, Bridge were in deep trouble at 49 for four after electing to take first strike at the crease before Douglas came to the rescue and led a fightback to lay the platform for a total that proved beyond Cuts’ reach.

After gradually playing himself in, the middle-order batter cut loose, thumping five fours and a six in a typically aggressive innings.

More importantly, Douglas added a vital 55 runs for the fifth wicket with promising teenager Callum McIntosh (nine), who did well to keep his senior team-mate on strike as he set about repairing the early damage.

“I have to take my hat off to Callum who came through clutch,” Douglas said. “He just defended his wicket and allowed me to play my game. He stayed there with me and we built a partnership. I took a little time to get going. We were in trouble at 37 for three after 11 overs, so walking to the wicket, I couldn’t really play my shots.”

Douglas eventually hit top stride and put the Cuts attack to the sword before falling six runs shy of his half-century when he was grabbed by Sabir at long-on off the bowling of Chakote Wainwright.

“I was very fatigued and you could see from that shot I took on 44 going for the hills,” he said. “I was disappointed not to get my fifty. It was an easy bowling attack to get fifty, but my fatigue wouldn’t allow me to do it.”

Samir Tavares (29) and Donnie Charles (15) added 31 runs for the seventh wicket before the latter was caught at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of Sher-maur Gomes.

Charles’s dismissal triggered another collapse as Bridge’s last three wickets fell for seven runs in the space of three overs.

Proctor (19) and Shawn Riley (14) were the remaining Bridge batters in double figures while Cuts leaked 23 extras, including 21 wides, to help their opponent’s cause.

Sabir, Swan, Gomes and Burrows all took two wickets each for Cuts, whose coach Dexter Basden tipped his hat to Bridge in defeat.

“Bridge deserved it and congratulations to them,” he said. “I had confidence in my senior players to bring it through, but Bridge wanted it more.”