Cleveland County picked up their first victory of the season with the experienced Dean Stephens leading the way with an unbeaten century yesterday.

The match was still in the balance when Stephens was joined by veteran Del Hollis at 158 for seven when Kioshi Trott departed for three after lending support to Stephens for 38 minutes.

Stephens and Hollis batted patiently for 44 minutes as they closed in on the Flatts Victoria score of 207.

However, when Hollis hit a six off Nelson Bascome to take Cleveland to 204, four runs from victory.

Stephens, standing at the other end, feared being left not out in the 90s and in the next over from Dajon Carey, hit a four to long on to complete the victory and achieve his first century of the season for his new club.

Stephens came in at 54 for five and batted 144 minutes, hitting 14 fours and two sixes off 105 balls as Flatts stayed in the game by taking wickets at the other end.

Q’Shai Darrell was the next high man for Cleveland with 25, after coming in at No 3.

Captain Steven Bremar scored 19 at the top of the order and Makai Young 18 before Hollis finished with 18 not out with two fours and a six, facing 29 balls.

Regino Smith and Nelson Bascome led the Flatts bowling with three wickets each while Koda Bascome, Nelson’s son, had a good spell, claiming one for 25 from eight overs of spin.

Flatts were dismissed in 49.3 overs with opening batsman Reggie Baker their top scorer with 68 from 136 balls, hitting nine fours.

Regino Smith scored 37 from 29 balls after sharing in a second-wicket stand of 64 with Baker after Carey was dismissed in the second over with just six runs on the board.

Smith stroked three sixes and three fours in his 58 minutes at the crease.

Clay Smith, who joined Flatts this year as player-coach, scored 21 from 48 balls in the middle order while captain Cofield Robinson added 20 off 45 balls.

Dennis Musson Jr was the top bowler for Cleveland with four for 24 from eight overs with Darrell, the seventh bowler used, taking three for 15 in 4.3 overs.