By Colin Thompson

Cleveland County have just completed their best season under new player/coach Clay Smith who seems to know the recipe for cup success.

In the last decade Smith has helped guide St.George's and St.David's to a clean sweep of top domestic honours, a feat he believes newly crowned First Division KO Cup champions Cleveland can also achieve with a little more commitment, understanding and dedication.

"My goal at Cleveland is to build a team that can win a Premier Division title. And I think we do have the quality players to achieve this," Smith told

"We want to establish ourselves as one of the top teams in the Premier Division next season and in order to achieve this our guys will have to continue putting in the dedication and commitment that they've shown over the past season.

"They also have to continue understanding what their individual roles are and how to get the best out of themselves. And I think once the players get a better overall understanding of how to execute a game plan, then we will be a much better team."

Smith sent shockwaves through the local cricket fraternity last fall when he resigned from St.David's, a club he coached to a clean sweep of top honours in 2001, to join a Cleveland side drifting hopelessly in the lower division.

But then who better to take over the helm than a passionate cricket warrior who thrives on the big challenge.

In his debut season as player/coach ? often interrupted by national team duty ? Smith has managed to instil a sense of self-belief in his players, confidence which in turn has culminated in promotion to the top tier next season and KO Cup glory.

"Overall I think this has been a very successful season. The players have gone over and beyond the call of duty in terms of their commitment and dedication. And as a coach I couldn't have asked for anything more than they have given me," Smith said.

"Over the season the team have shown depth because there have been several games this season when they have had to play without key players, and we've been able to cope."

This past campaign has also seen some of the Island's best up and coming cricketers emerge from Cleveland's ranks, youngsters such as off spinner Tamuri Tucker, medium pacer Dennis Musson, swing bowler Derek Musson and medium fast bowler Daz Simons.

It is these players on whom Smith has pinned his team's future hopes.

"A few of these guys have been playing with Bermuda's Under-19 national squad, and so they have blossomed well," the coach added.

"Cleveland have a bright future ahead of them as long as the guys remain focused and continue putting in the time and effort so they can perfect their trade."

However, he points out that no team is complete without experience.

"Our senior players led from the front, players such as Carlton Smith, Kevin Shield, Charles Richardson, Jason Simons," Smith noted.

"These guys really stepped up to the plate and led from the front in my absence. They all, in one way or another, contributed tremendously to our successful season."