Sea Breeze Oval (Western Stars won toss): Bailey’s Bay beat Western Stars by five wickets.

Bailey’s Bay kept touch with league leaders St George’s with a hard-fought defeat of Western Stars at Sea Breeze Oval.

Bay weathered the onslaught of in-form Stars batsman Tre Manders, who was reduced to a lonesome battle at the crease while watching a procession of partners make the trek to and from the pavilion.

Manders scored three consecutive centuries in various club capacities in the past month and it was clear from the outset that it would require yet another Herculean effort by the batter for Stars to mount a sizeable total.

Manders played his role with a fluid half century and, to the chagrin of the home side, he eventually found an able partner down the order in the form of Brian Hall, with the pair engaging in a 60-run sixth-wicket partnership from 30 balls.

That took the visitors from a perilous 78 for five to 138 for six when Manders was finally bowled by right-arm seamer Coolidge Durham after hitting four fours and as many sixes in a top knock of 62.

Durham was Bay’s leading wicket taker on the day, with three for 23 from four overs, but Stars had posted a testing total for Bay, who appeared short on personnel and had to call in team manager and former Bermuda captain, Irving Romaine.

With Manders gone, it was left to Hall to try to finish the innings with a flourish, but Bay’s death bowlers did well to restrict. Hall was eventually run out for his team’s second-highest score of 38, which included two fours and three sixes.

Bay began their innings with a required run rate of 7.45, but with five runs already on the board due to Stars being penalised for running on to the wicket while batting.

After five overs, Bay were on 37 runs as captain Terryn Fray and Sharye Tavares engaged in a productive opening partnership. That came to an end when with the third ball of the fifth over, Stars’ seamer Rohan Davis had Fray caught by Seth Campbell at silly mid-off for 25.

New batter Coolidge Durham followed Fray back to the sidelines soon after following a six-ball cameo that produced 11 runs, and that brought in veteran Stephen Outerbridge (19).

The aggressive Tavares tested the Stars bowling until his desire for fast runs overtook his sensibilities. With a half-century in his sights, he attempted an unnecessary, high-risk stroke and was bowled by Sebastien Davis for 46, which encompassed three sixes and as many fours.

After 15 overs Bay were well positioned, requiring 33 runs from 30 balls and with six wickets in hand, including that of veteran Romaine and his services would be required after Outerbridge’s attempted pull of Campbell went straight to Tre Manders at deep square-leg.

It was left to Romaine and Kai Hodsoll to shepherd Bay home with the final runs coming with a whimper when Stars conceded four byes to hand over victory.

Playing in the match was a surprise to Romaine, who had other plans for his day.

“I was on my way to do some remote-control car racing and just stopped in, for them to tell me that they only had ten men,” Romaine said.

So I had to put on Stephen Outerbridge’s tight clothing and I had to play but I’m definitely going to need some ice after this.“

Romaine also showed respect to a youthful Western Stars crew that offered all they could.

“Western Stars came with energy,” said Romaine. “A lot of our guys have gone back to school, but the standard has been set and we we’re able to lay a good foundation, where the start was good and I was just there to finish it.”

Key to Bay’s chase was opener Sharye Tavares, son of Bay legend and technical staff member Noel Gibbons, whose early aggression was the bedrock

“I feel like I started off well in getting the momentum going at seven-plus runs an over and I just kept it there,” Tavares said. “I only had one bad shot and I got out. I got a bit too aggressive, trying to hit too many boundary shots.”

Stars captain Manders was gracious in defeat after his his youngsters had shown the ‘big boys’ that they’re ascending ahead of schedule.

“This one slipped away from us,” said Manders, who is a candidate for player of the year.

“I think we were 20 to 30 runs short. They had a good start and took advantage of the power play, which took the game away from us from the outset and unfortunately we couldn’t get the win.

“We batted fairly well. It could have been a little better in some areas, particularly in the power-plays, which are crucial in T20.

“We’re here, fresh from the First Division, and we knew that it would be a little challenging, against St George’s, Bay and others and I feel like we’re doing pretty good.

“A lot of teams might crumble under the pressure, but our team bonding is really tight, everyone is behind each other in every aspect of the game and, moving forward.”