A vital seventh-wicket stand of 73 between Dean Pitcher (51) and Lionel Cann (34 not out) rescued St. David's and enabled them win the Eastern Counties Cup final against Cleveland at Lord's on Saturday after hovering on the brink of defeat.

It was the superb partnership of Pitcher and Cann that took much of the glitter from a spirited century stroked earlier by veteran Grant Smith whose unbeaten 100 helped Cleveland give the east-enders a formidable total of 222 to chase when they batted at 2.55 p.m.

One can understand why Ken Pitcher, skipper of St. David's, was able to breathe a sign of relief when his team had reached their winning target with only himself and Herbie Bascome left in the pavilion. This was indeed their toughest game of this year's series, after starting off with a tame draw against Bailey's Bay and then humiliating Flatts by eight wickets.

"I have no more nails left on my fingers,'' said a relieved Pitcher after the game. "It was close today, we were fortunate that Dean and Lionel batted with a lot of heart. We were in a position where we haven't been for quite some time.'' The skipper said that he was still optimistic that St. David's would get the runs, pointing out that he and Bascome had done their share of scoring runs this season and were capable of doing so again.

But he was quick to admit that the turning point came when Diallo Sharrieff dropped a skied chance from Cann at mid-off with the score 170 for six and 13 overs remaining. "It would have really put the pressure on us if he had held onto the ball,'' said Pitcher.

St. David's were always confident of getting the runs when they batted, their skipper indicating that the declaration at 2.44 p.m. was a good one by Cleveland's skipper Peter Philpott. "If luck had smiled on them a little longer they may have won it,'' said Pitcher. "It was a good declaration.'' Wendell Smith was the top bat for St. David's with 59, but with unexpected low scores following from Anthony Foggo (nine), Allen Richardson (13), Albert Steede (13), James Pace (10) and Phillip Pitcher (nought) the interest of play livened as the champions were seen struggling for the first time.

They slipped from a firm 63 without loss to 146 for six before Dean Pitcher and Cann joined to add stability during the seven-wicket stand.

Pitcher batted defiantly from the start but became more aggressive as time went on and finished hitting six fours and a six during his two-hour stay.

The long stand tore the heart out of the Cleveland attack, which had been earlier inspired by the dismissal of so many of the talented batsmen for low scores. After Dean Pitcher was bowled by Sharrieff with St. David's three runs short of victory, Cann polished off the remaining runs to end it for the champions.

But match batting honours went to earlier to Grant Smith who became the first player to score a century in the competition for his club.

Opening with Curtis Jackson (38), Smith was the anchor and he stayed around until his team was able to declare. The two put on 89 before Jackson was out, then Smith and Wayne Smith (32) put on 77 for the second wicket -- two stands that made the bowling attack work hard.

Grant Smith, who was dropped on 44 and 46, produced some superb shots with countless boundaries through the covers and mid-wicket areas. He batted for 241 minutes and stroked eight fours and two sixes.

"He batted very well although we dropped him twice before he reached 50. He applied himself and proved to be a tough competitor out there today,'' said the St. David's skipper Pitcher.

James Pace was the best bowler on a wicket that many struggled to get assistance from. He finished with three for 36 with his spinners to lead St.

David's in bowling while Philpott was the best Cleveland bowler with three for 59.

GOOD SPORTS -- St. David's captain Ken Pitcher congratulates Grant Smith on scoring Cleveland's first-ever century in the Eastern Counties competition on Saturday.

HEROES -- Lionel Cann, left, and Dean Pitcher turned defeat into victory for St. David's in a 73-run stand for the seventh wicket.