Belmont remained on course to land the Evening Cricket League’s Premier Division double when they defeated Fine Leg Byes by 29 runs in Wednesday’s second knockout cup semi-final at Shelly Bay.

Their opponents in the final will be The Associates, who beat Tuff Dogs, the defending champions, by seven wickets the previous night.

In a game reduced from the scheduled 15 overs a side to 12 a side, Belmont, the league champions, piled up 110 for three and then restricted Fine Leg Byes to 81 for one.

Openers Philip Burgess, who scored 49, and Indika Perera, who notched 36, led the way for Belmont.

In reply, Dave Greenidge finished unbeaten on 32 after Barry Richards was forced to retire hurt on 22.

“I’m very proud of my team’s effort and results this season,” said Garry Burgess, captain of Belmont.

The Associates, who finished runners-up in the league, reached their winning target with 14 balls to spare after restricting Tuff Dogs to a below-par 80 for 5 from their 15 overs.

Mike Corday and Azeem Khan top scored for Tuff Dogs with 13 apiece after they had been sent in.

Pick of The Associates’ attack were Travis Stringer, two for seven off three overs, and Tom Edwards, two for 20.

David Woodcock led the reply with 22 for The Associates, who closed on 81 for three.

Tuff Dogs’ skipper Justin Barritt said: “They bowled a great line and length and kept us on the back foot from the beginning until the end.

“Credit to our bowlers and fielders as we managed to make somewhat of a game of it by not letting them reach their target until 12.4 overs. Our best bowler was Trevor Corday, who took no wickets but conceded only 12 runs in his four overs.”

Added Barritt: “It would have been great to defend the cup in the knockout final, but good luck to The Associates.

“Hats off to them as they bowled well and thoroughly deserved to beat us.”

Barritt also called for next season’s semi-finals to played on a weekend to avoid having to reduce the league’s usual Twenty20 format with evenings drawing in at this time of year.

Tuff Dogs will be in action again on Friday night when they take on PHC in the Lindo’s Twenty20 tournament.

“We are looking forward to bouncing back in that game after Tuesday’s Evening League defeat,” said Barritt.

Meanwhile, in the Evening Cricket League’s Second Division, Deloitte, the league runners-up, will take on third-placed Blue Fever in next Tuesday’s first knockout semi-final, followed on Wednesday by PHC, the league champions, against the Bermuda Under-17s.

Both finals, reverting to the T20 format, will be held at Shelly Bay on September 27.