Western Stars 197

St. David's 198-5

Like the biblical character who shared their club's name and who toppled a giant, St. David's - with a true team effort - defeated the Goliath of this year's cricket season to retain the prized Camel Cup yesterday.

Arguably the underdogs against Western Stars, who enjoyed a blemish-free season prior to this final, St. David's sparked mass celebration on their home turf, Lord's, by completing a hard-fought, five-wicket victory over their city rivals.

Fittingly, it was captain Clay Smith with a four - misfielded in a mix-up between Justin Robinson and and Cleon Scotland on the mid-wicket boundary - who took St. David's to 198 for five to surpass the 197 all out which Western Stars managed in 46.4 overs.

The pop of corks on champagne bottles and a tumultuous roar greeted the outcome as last year's all-conquering team who seem to have lost their way in 2002 gave die-hard supporters something to savour.

While they purposefully carved the road to success, first by dismissing Western Stars inside the allotted 50 overs, and then with a well-paced innings, Albert Steede's side did not make it an easy ride and admirably defended a score with which they were disappointed. That it took St. David's until the fourth ball of the 48th over to reach their target - having been 116 runs in 25 overs - was testimony of the gripping tussle.

However, a blistering 78 from 79 balls (11 fours and three sixes) from wicket-keeper batsman Glen Blakeney, and the patient but deliberate effort of Smith, with an unbeaten 32, always gave the eventual winners the edge. Their 63-run partnership was critical in turning the tide firmly as they carried their team from 74 for three in the 15th over to 137 for four in the 33rd over, when Blakeney skied a sitter to Robinson in a short cover position.

Western Stars fancied a fairytale comeback when Shannon Raynor was caught by Treadwell Gibbons Jr in front the sight screen attempting a six off Robinson. St. David's was then 158 for five in the 41st over. However, Smith and Lionel Cann put paid to any such idea with an unbroken 40-run stand.

The latter, perhaps eager to start the after-party, launched a six over long-on off the fourth ball of the penultimate over, bowled by Robinson, and followed up with a sizzling four through extra cover off the final ball of the same over to carry St. David's to 190 off 47 overs. Two fours from Smith off the first and fourth balls of Wilbur Burt's eighth over sealed the deal.

Saleem Mukuddem, Arnold Manders and Dwayne Leverock did their utmost to keep Western Stars in with a chance in their respective ten-over spells. Manders gave up just 21 runs from his while Leverock's bowling yielded 45 runs though his left-arm spin often threatened. Both took one wicket while Mukuddem took two for 30.

Earlier, only captain Steede and Gershon Gibbons showed any real fight with the bat for Western Stars.

The latter scored a brisk 33 with three fours and a six while his usually no-nonsense leader raised 51 with eight fours and a six. Extras were the next highest contributor - 23.

Delyone Borden and Cann - who had a great all-round performance - took three wickets apiece for St. David's while Mackie Crane chipped in with two.

"It's been a lot of hard work and dedication.

"We were about three or four players short of being at full strength but the players who came in did a tremendous job.

"Western Stars have already probably taken the League trophy from us so we wanted to salvage something from our season and make sure they didn't do what we did last year by being undefeated," said Smith, thanking team sponsors Conyers, Dill and Pearman.

Crediting his bowlers for dismissing the opponents relatively cheaply and Blakeney for a "flyer" of a start, the St. David's skipper said he was confident that once they saw off Leverock and Manders they could get the remaining runs from the other Western Stars bowlers. His team's "main priority now is to to finish in the top four so we can come back and try to retain the Camel Cup next year".

Gracious in defeat, Steede acknowledged his side were about 20-30 runs short and did not bat as well as the winners whom they have already beaten twice this season at Lord's.

"St. David's batted extremely well, particularly Glen and Clay. We needed to get them early because our runs weren't enough. Our top half didn't apply themselves as we should have. That was the difference in the game - their top order applied themselves much better but it was a good game overall and I was pleased with how we defended these runs."

Blakeney, 29, was pleased with his contribution to the victory, saying "it feels great because we've had a hard season with a lot of players out".