BCBXI 286-5 Lloyds 109

A Bermuda Cricket Board Select XI yesterday overwhelmed the visiting Lloyd's Cricket Club by 177 runs in a day-night encounter at the National Sports Centre.

Chasing a commanding total of 286 under the glare of the floodlights, Lloyd's lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out in a pitiful 29.3 overs.

Young offspinner Delyone Borden ran rings around the Lloyd's batsman with match figures of four for 18 off only 5.2 overs while seamer Saleem Mukuddem chipped in with three wickets of his own.

Opener David Penfold top scored for the tourists with a patient 33, but otherwise it was a pretty sorry display from the English side.

Earlier, former Bermuda captain Charlie Marshall led the Bermudian assault upon the tourists' attack with a bludgeoned 98 not out. Marshall, who has fulfilled a dual role as player-coach at First Division Social Club this season, was particularly severe on anything dropped short, peppering the leg side boundary with a number of powerful pull shots off both seam and spin alike.

The BCB select had got off to a flying start - going at more than five an over through the first ten - thanks to the clean-striking efforts of openers OJ Pitcher and Glenn Blakeney.

The latter, having looked in total command from the outset, got carried away against the friendly medium pace of Matt Bird whilst on 22 and spooned a catch to wide mid-on. Pitcher followed 37 runs later. A useful partnership of 49 then followed between the young St. David's allrounder Delyone Borden (46) and captain Clay Smith (24), who batted assuredly before mistiming a drive to cover.

Marshall signalled his aggressive intent soon after arriving at the crease, dispatching a trademark slog-sweep to the midwicket boundary for four off the sixth ball he faced.

At the other end, Borden was content to play second fiddle for long periods to his more experienced partner, working the ball intelligently into gaps and running hard between the wickets.

Tied down in the 40s however, the youngster showed signs of losing patience, before chipping a catch to a diving Alex Goward for an encouraging 46.

And although Saleem Mukuddem followed Borden back to the pavilion soon after, Marshall continued undaunted through to 50 overs.

This was an encouraging win for the strong Board side who were superior to their opponents in all aspects of the game.

Even the fielding, which national coach Harper admitted mid-week was an area of concern given the number of 30-somethings in the side, was sharp and athletic while the bowling, though lacking variety, was perfect for the horribly sluggish wicket.