Southampton Oval (Cleveland won toss): Southampton Rangers beat Cleveland by seven wickets

Player-coach Janeiro Tucker guided Southampton Rangers to a convincing win over misfiring Cleveland County in the Athene T20 Premier Division at Southampton Oval on Sunday.

The 47-year-old all-rounder claimed three wickets with his educated seam bowling and then stroked 23 as the home side navigated a run chase with 30 balls to spare, but which had the potential to get dicey with such a long tail.

“I am pleased with how I played but it’s not really about me any more,” Tucker said. “It’s about the rest of the younger guys; trying to make sure they are improving.

“I am still trying to lead from the front, lead by example.”

Leading from the front is precisely what the Rangers player-coach did.

He claimed three for 13 after being brought into the attack as first change as Cleveland, who imploded with three poor run-outs — including that of Bermuda batter Steven Bremar Jr for a duck — and several other close calls, were restricted to 90 for nine.

“I just bowl line and length and let them make them mistakes,” Tucker added. “Keep the runs down; that’s the whole idea of T20.“

Fellow all-rounder Dion Stovell claimed two for six and Nirobi Smith-Mills two for 19 to offer good support.

Makai Young led the Cleveland batting with 15, while Keith Whorms added 14.

Rangers lost opener Jelani Albouy for one to a direct-hit run-out before Stovell and Tucker added 43 to get the chase back on track.

The in-form Stovell stroked a polished 38 before falling to a brilliant running catch by substitute fielder Quin Simmons inside the backward square-leg boundary.

Simmons had only just come on to the field an over earlier to replace Domain Rabain, who took a blow to the mouth at square leg.

Tucker’s attempt to carry his bat ended when he top-edged a full toss from occasional bowler Ramar O’Brien and skied a catch that wicketkeeper Bryce Daniels claimed running to mid-pitch.

Rangers were only ten runs shy of victory at that point and it was left to Charles Trott (11) and Dalin Richardson (eight) to serve the last rites to get the home side back on track after defeat by Bailey’s Bay the previous day.

“It’s always important to win after you lose,” Tucker said. “That’s what it is about; make sure we stay up and do what we have to do to make sure we get the results against the teams we should be beating.

“These teams here we should be beating. So at the end of the day I look forward to getting the ‘W’ against these types of opposition that we are playing against.”