Bailey's Bay survived a scary finish before retaining the Open Knockout title with a 13-run win over Western Stars at White Hill field on Saturday.

Buoyed by the batting of century-maker Glenn Smith and Noel Gibbons, and then an incisive burst from Clarkie Trott, Bay appeared well on top of the match.

All of Stars' big bats were back in the pavilion after Jeff Richardson mistimed a Gibbons full toss and was caught at 97 for five. And despite skipper Gary Brangman adding 33 with Anthony Manders for the sixth wicket, the match appeared lost after he was run out and the team quicky fell to 144 for eight.

But Dwayne Steede joined Manders in a exhilarating ninth-wicket partnership that added 63 runs in 48 minutes as Bay were suddenly knocked back on their heels.

Manders played a superb innings of 62 not out, which included 11 fours, as he exemplified the depth in a line-up that had hitherto looked suspect.

Steede went some ways to making up for a disastrous day in the field -- he dropped three catches -- with a sound knock of 35, which included four fours.

He and Manders looked to be on pace to carry Stars to an unlikely victory until Steede was bowled by the sixth ball of Charlie Marshall's second over.

Marshall was the seventh and final bowler Bay skipper Chris Smith turned to on a day when all others besides Trott and Gibbons (one for 28) were put to the whip.

The calming of Bay's nerves was short-lived as number 11 bat Wayne Richardson (four) held up his end in a 24-run stand with Manders as the scoreboard continued to tick over. But it all ended with an lbw decision with eight balls remaining, Richardson providing an expensive Anthony Braithwaite with his only wicket of the day.

Trott was Bay's top bowler with four for 36, including the prized scalps of an aggressive Dexter Smith (17) and Arnold Manders (16). Jeff Richardson hit five fours and a six in his 38. He seemed set for a big knock before getting a leading edge to an attempted flick through the on-side and giving young Tajmal Webb a simple catch at point.

Stars truly paid the prize for missed chances earlier -- a total of five -- the most costly being Glenn Smith three times. He went on to make 100.

Tight bowling kept Bay at 86 for two after 30 overs before Stars unravelled in the field.

Smith gave his first chance on 32, bowler Gary Brangman failing to hold on to a firm return. And when on 21, Gibbons mistimed a pull shot but Anthony Foggo got a late jump on the square leg boundary and the chance was lost.

After that, both batsmen went into a dance with Smith smashing eight sixes and four fours while Gibbons hit five fours and two sixes in a 147-run stand for the fourth wicket. Bay scored 99 runs in the last 10 overs.

Arnold Manders was Stars' best bowler with two for 22 from 10 overs.

"We came into the game very confident simply because we have played good cricket lately,'' said victorious captain Chris Smith. "Our plan was to bat first if we won the toss but it still worked in our favour after they won the toss because they put us in.

"We got off to a slow start. When I was out we had 89 runs with only 18 overs left. But fortunately Glenn Smith and Noel Gibbons picked things up and went on to a large stand, which inspired our batting.'' GLENN SMITH -- During his superb knock of 100 on Saturday.

PARTY TIME -- Bailey's Bay players celebrate after the last western Stars wicket was captured in Saturday Open Knockout final at White Hill field. Bay won by 13 runs.