Bailey’s Bay regained the Eastern Counties trophy in stunning fashion after dethroning champions Cleveland County with less than a minute to spare in a nail-biting first round encounter at Lord’s on Saturday.

In one of the most dramatic finishes in recent memory, Bay left-arm spinner Derrick Brangman removed Cleveland’s last two batsmen in successive balls just seconds away from the 7.20pm cut-off time to clinch the challenger’s 68-run victory.

First, Brangman rattled Makai Young’s (5) stumps with a delivery that turned sharply and beat the bat before he trapped last man Shakai Darrell (0) leg before to avenge Bay’s loss to Cleveland in the second round of last year’s series that ended their reign as champions.

“Those were probably the biggest two wickets of my career,” Brangman told The Royal Gazette.

“This was a real game. If you weren’t here to see cricket today, you definitely missed out on a good game and it went down to the last minute. I commend Cleveland for sticking around that long, it was a hard battle out there.”

Brangman blew away Cleveland’s lower order to finish with figures of five for 56 from 22 overs and earn the man of the match award.

Fellow spinners Mike Agard and Rodney Trott picked up two wickets each.

Clay Darrell (43) led the Cleveland batting, with Steven Bremar Jr (35), Allan Douglas Jr (32) and Q'Shai Darrell (25) also spending considerable time at the crease.

At one stage Cleveland appeared on course to retain their title but they paid a heavy price for throwing caution to the wind, with their last five wickets tumbling for 32 runs in the space of nine overs.

Brangman’s late heroics overshadowed captain Terryn Fray’s maiden century in the competition earlier in the day.

The opening batter thumped a polished, unbeaten 131 from 141 balls, which included twelve boundaries and two sixes. He reached his hundred off 119 balls in 169 minutes after driving Douglas to mid on and scampering through for a single.

Fray was determined to put an end to a lean spell with the bat heading into the match and did just that with a brilliant captain’s innings.

“I haven’t done well in the 50 overs campaign so far, but I told myself when I come out here I will make sure I get something out of today,” he said.

“I didn’t think it was going to come like that. But I knew for a fact that if I put my head down and played my game I will get to the milestone that I wanted to get to.

“I told my mother last night that I’m going to get a hundred and I came out here and everything came to fruition that I put into plan, so I’m excited.”

Fray featured in a 108-run third-wicket partnership with Tre Manders (58) that laid the foundation for Bay’s 256 for four declared after electing to take first strike at the crease.

“Tre and I have batted so much together over the years from youth cricket right along up and words cannot explain the relationship we have as batsmen,” Fray said.

“Tre is a beautiful batsman and I thought he played an immaculate innings, very poised and chanceless, and that’s what you want out of your good players.

“Hopefully we get to do it again later in this competition and in Cup Match because for me he is one of the best batsmen in Bermuda easily.”

Manders reached his fifty off 76 balls in 128 minutes before being trapped in front by Douglas when swiping across the line.

Brangman also contributed with the bat, stroking 21 from 27 balls which included two boundaries and a six. Douglas (two for 66) was the pick of the Cleveland bowling.

Fray was overcome with joy after getting his hands back on the coveted trophy he lost a year ago against the same opponents.

“This might be the best moment I’ve ever been a part of when it comes to cricket and I have been a part of a lot of great moments,” he said.

“But to be the captain of Bay and regain the trophy after losing it last year, I can only give mad respect to my guys that were selected on the day.

“It wasn’t a one-man job. Yes, I scored a hundred, but it took all 25 people that came here as a part of the technical staff and players to get this job done so I’m happy about that.”

Fray said he never doubted his team could get the job done with time fast running out in the day’s play .

“It got tight but I never stop believing,” he said.

“I knew even at 7.10pm with three wickets to go we could win this match. It’s never over until it’s over.”

Cleveland captain Mackih McGowan struggled to put his team’s demise into perspective.

“I cannot really process it right now, but that’s Eastern Counties for you,” he said.

New holders Bay will now take on challengers Flatts in the second round on August 15 at Lord’s.