St. David's 279-4

Flatts 151-8

(Match drawn)

St. David's skipper Lionel Cann saluted his spin twins Del Hollis and Delyone Borden as they helped the reigning champions successfully defend their Eastern Counties Cup title against Flatts at Lords Oval on Saturday.

Hollis led the way with figures of four for 47 off 13 overs, ably assisted in his task by Borden, who took one for 38 in his seven-over spell.

But it was not enough to secure the win as the visitors finished 128 runs shy of their hosts' total of 279 for four with two wickets in hand to ensure the draw.

Cann hailed the two Dels' efforts in contributing to such a highly entertaining game.

"They are both Bermudian internationals playing for St. David's," he said.

"They got six wickets between them ¿ they bowled in the right areas and they got their just rewards."

Cann was similarly impressed with the form of his vice-captain Sammy Robinson, who came through a sticky patch to hit an unbeaten century, with Cann later revealing his number two almost did not make the starting line-up.

"It was a close run thing whether he was selected because he has been struggling for form recently, but I kept the faith in him and he succeeded," he said.

"He is our vice-captain and he is a good player, but maybe this performance is just what he needs to jump-start his career again."

But he was equally delighted for the whole team as number four Clay Smith and opener wicketkeeper Chris Foggo produced scores of 64 and 47 respectively and the two Pitchers, Ruddell and Arthur Jnr. chipped in with a wicket apiece.

"The boys remained focused, we had a game plan and we stuck to it," he said.

"Our main goal was to bowl them all out and the boys fought well and bowled hard.

"If we had taken a couple of chances we would have won the game. but I am pleased with the whole season and for the supporters.

"It was a good team effort."

Robinson admitted there were one or two nervous moments out in the middle, but he was just pleased to pull through and register his maiden senior 100 for the club. "I am disappointed that I gave them two chances during the innings and I got anxious, especially at 98," he said.

"But overall I am very pleased ¿ it is my first century in senior cricket, so I am just pleased to do it in the Cup game as well.

"Really, over the last week, I just thought I am going to get my head down and be disciplined about all this."

Flatts won the toss and put St. David's into bat, but were soon left ruing their decision as Foggo and Robinson set about their bowling attack.

A solid innings from Smith and cameo roles from Justin Pitcher and Borden saw the home side amass a commanding total, just 21 runs short of 300, with Ryan Belboda and Dwayne Leverock notching two for 68 and two for 81, both off 16 overs, respectively.

In reply, the away side were in trouble from the start as opening bat Vernon Eve fell to Arthur Pitcher Jnr. for only four.

But, to their credit, they rallied and showed some brief glimpses of magic from Phillip Burgess (35) and wicketkeeper Kijuan Franks (30), as they closed on 151 for 8.

The last word went to Cann, who revealed the secret to the St. David's team's success is hard work and he expects more of the same as they bid to retain the trophy next time out.

"I think St. David's is moving in the right direction ¿ it has been hard training and we have adopted a new policy," he said.

"I stressed to the team the level of training they have to maintain and they can only get better, not only in their cricket, but in their own personal lives too as a result of that.

"Obviously we are going to get stronger and we are going to get better ¿ we have got the best young players in Bermuda and they are used to winning, so as long as they can put in the hard work and commit it should be no problem retaining the Cup next year."