PHC Field (Western Stars won toss): Southampton Rangers beat Western Stars by ten wickets

An all too familiar scene played itself out at PHC Field as Dion Stovell stamped his authority to catapult Southampton Rangers to an emphatic victory over Western Stars in a lopsided Athene T20 League Premier Division affair yesterday.

The experienced all-rounder claimed six for five off 3.4 overs with his off spin as Stars were rolled over cheaply.

Stovell then led the chase with an unbeaten 34 as he and fellow opener Jelani Albouy reached their target in 10.3 overs.

“I just come to be positive. The team relies heavily upon my bowling and batting so at the end of the day I have a lot of responsibility,” he said.

“T20 is a fast-paced game, so I just try to get these guys to stay in it and then the results will come.”

Stovell shared the new ball with seamer Nirobi Smith-Mills and opened his wicket-haul in his first over when he had the in-form Tre Manders (2) caught at long on.

He then bowled Dante Wellman (two) with an arm ball pitched just back of a length and trapped wicketkeeper Khiry Furbert (naught) leg before in his second over as Stars quickly slipped to eleven for four.

Stovell returned for a second spell and picked up where he had left off to blow away Stars’ tail without breaking sweat.

The 37-year-old bowled Gavin Manders (1) playing down the wrong line, had Rohan Davis stumped before bowling last man Jadon Springer (0) with a straighter delivery to complete another masterful bowling display.

“The wicket was taking turn,” Stovell added. “The wicket wasn’t as good as it was last week.

“However, again the captain gave me a responsibility; I have to have full control and do what’s best for the team.”

Charles Trott and Smith-Mills offered good support, claiming two for 15 and two for 16 respectively. Davis (19) and Brian Hall (18) were the only Stars batters in double figures.

In reply, Stovell and Albouy cruised to their target with minimum fuss to complete their team’s landslide victory.

Stovell’s innings featured four boundaries while Albouy stroked two fours in his knock of 23 from 29 balls.

“Jelani and I have had some good partnerships throughout the season,” Stovell added. “We just took one ball at a time to get across the line.”

Western Stars

J Anderson b Trott 7

J Manders lbw b Mills-Smith 0

*T Manders c Trott b Stovell 2

D Wellman b Stovell 2

†K Furbert lbw Stovell 0

S Darrell c Stovell b Trott 1

B Hall b Mills-Smith 18

G Manders b Stovell 1

R Davis st †Simons b Stovell 19

S Campbell not out 4

J Springer b Stovell 0

Extras: (lb 1, b 1, nb 1 w 5) 8

Total (19.4) 62

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-7, 3-11, 4-11, 5-16, 6-18, 7-19, 8-52, 9-62

Bowling: Mills-Smith 4-0-16-2; Stovell 3.4-0-5-6; Tucker 4-0-11-0; Trott 4-0-15-2; Eve 4-0-13-0

Southampton Rangers

D Stovell not out 34

J Albouy not out 23

Extras (b 4, nb 1, w 1) 6

Total (10.3 overs) 63

C Trott, *D Richardson, G Simons, J Tucker, M Jacobs, N Mills-Smith, S Raynor, T Smith, V Eve did not bat

Bowling: Campbell 4-0-19-0; Davis 2-0-12-0; J Manders 3-0-16-0; Hall 1.3-0-12-0

Umpires: B Smith and A Knight

Match referee: S Douglas