Western Stars 184-8

St. David's 186-3

A splendid 152-run partnership between St. David's captain Clay Smith and OJ Pitcher ensured a crushing seven-wicket victory over Western Stars at Lord's yesterday in the semi-final of the Premier Division Knockout Cup.

Coming together at 34 for three when St. David's were stumbling in pursuit of Stars' respectable total of 184, both played watchfully at first as the new ball continued to gouge large divots out of what was a loose and crusty surface.

As the innings wore on, however, both grew in confidence and fluency and with Stars forced to rely on the contributions of only occasional bowlers following the surprise no-show of their veteran left arm spinner Dwayne Leverock, the pairy never looked like being dismissed.

Earlier, St. David's won the toss and inserted Stars on a damp wicket with a healthy covering of grass.

Stars' opener Jermaine Postlethwaite started strongly, capitalising on a wayward opening burst from George O'Brien Junior who was immediately removed from the attack and replaced by Stefan Kelly. The highly rated youngster, who is currently attending Oakham School in the UK, did not disappoint his captain, removing Postlethwaite with his second ball.

With Sam Stevens departing soon after, bottom edging an attempted pull onto his off stump and Gershan Gibbons being adjudged lbw, Stars found themselves at 54 for three.

There followed, however, useful middle order contributions from Saleem Mukuddem (20), Hasan Durham (28), who was skippering the side in the absence of Albert Steede, and veteran Treadwell Gibbons (27) while wicketkeeper Jekon Edness (34 not out) showed maturity beyond his tender years in shepherding the inexperienced tail towards the 50-over mark.

Both Smith and Pitcher starred with the ball for St. David's as well, the former finishing with match figures of two for 22 from his allotted overs while Pitcher, with his accurate medium pacers, took two for 34 off his ten.

When Stars bowled, as so often in Bermuda where the new ball loses its shine very quickly on rough outfields, the first ten overs were crucial.

Mukuddem bowled well from the pavilion end, ducking the ball back in sharply from outside the off-stump. The South African did not enjoy much luck, however, and it was Kevin Hurdle, bowling well below his best, who snapped up two St. David's wickets, the highlight being when the injured Durham took a blinding catch at backward point to dismiss opener Chris Foggo.

Such heroics were to no avail however as both Smith and Pitcher played superbly to take the game away from Stars which secured their place in the final.