A pitch wet from early morning showers delayed the match for nearly four hours, but it didn't deter champions Police from withstanding aside the challenge of Western Stars in this Central Counties Cup final at Police field on Saturday.

When the contest did get under way, it was reduced to 30 overs a side but both teams gave spirited performances as Police wrapped up the 22-run victory in Stars' final over.

A relieved Police skipper Dennis Archer said afterwards: "It was touch and go there for a while during the latter stages, but I always had confidence that we would pull it off.'' The win, added Archer, was a boost for a side that had lost key players such as Roger Blades, Dwayne Leverock, Donovan Livingston and Stevie Lightbourne at the start of the season.

"To beat a good team like Stars in the final proved that if we play together as a team Police can still compete with the best teams around,'' he said.

But Stars shot themselves in the foot after seemingly being comfortably placed at 81 for two. The run outs of key batsmen Ricky Brangman and Andre Manders allowed Police back into it when the batting side were getting on top.

Stars slumped to 121 for seven with skipper Arnold Manders (18) and openers Albert Steede (15) and Treadwell Gibbons (33) back in the pavilion.

The confident hitting of Gary Brangman (32) kept their hopes alive, but when he was finally caught by Tyrone Smith off Archer, Stars' innings went downhill.

Smith was the top bowler for Police with three for 22 while Ferdinand Thorne picked up two for 26 in his allotted six overs.

Earlier an initial breakthrough by the Stars attack did not prevent Police from reaching a respectable total.

Smith was dismissed with just six on the board, but Archer (23) and Andrew Rollins (23) added 37 for the second wicket to stabilise the innings.

David Greenidge then struck 29, Thorne added 37 and Peter Philpott 20 as Police took control.

Gary Brangman was Stars' most impressive bowler, claiming three for 31 off his six overs.