Vivian Sailsman put his international experience to good use as he helped guide Belmont to a hard-fought four-run victory over The Associates in the Evening Cricket League’s Premier Division knockout final at Shelly Bay Field on Saturday.

Sailsman, 44, who represented both his native Jamaica and adoptive Canada, made 28 and then claimed three for 33 as Belmont, led by Mark Ray, the former St George’s Cup Match player, completed the league and cup double, posting 121 for seven and then restricting The Associates to 117 for five from their 20 overs.

Sailsman’s all-round performance earned him the man-of-the-match award.

He was well supported by Adam Petty, who made 30, and Phillip Burgess, who chipped in with 25.

The Associates’ most successful bowlers were Dave Horan, who took three for 33, and Travis Stringer, who picked up two for 12.

The Associates appeared to have their noses in front in the run chase, with opener Stephen Drake going well after surviving an early chance, but when he fell for 42 the innings lost momentum and the ten runs required off the final over proved beyond his team-mates. Garry Burgess, the Belmont team manager, said that he was impressed by the way his players responded to the challenge of defending a smaller than usual total.

“We didn’t make our normal runs, but hats off to my captain who orchestrated the bowling to keep down the runs,” he said.

“Hats off to The Associates, too. They gave us a hard battle.

“It was a good win for us. It’s been a few years since we last did the double.”

Stephen West, the league organiser, who has been in charge for 29 years, hailed the game as “one of the best finals we’ve had”.

Deloitte won the Second Division final, beating ten-man Bermuda Under-17, who were weakened by playing commitments elsewhere, by 26 runs.

Deloitte posted 97 for eight, with Andrew Brouwer making 21, and then dismissed the under-17s for 71.

Brouwer also took three wickets — backed up by two each from Theunis Maritz, the captain, and Alex Whittaker — and was named man of the match.

“It was a great team effort in the field after scoring only 97 runs in 20 overs, which appeared to be a really low score to defend,” Maritz said.

“Tight fielding and bowling won it in the end.”