Gus Logie has toured several countries and has many memories from a West Indies Test and one-day international career that spanned 12 years, but his first taste of the Eastern Counties Cup as a coach is an altogether different experience to treasure.

The Trinidadian, who took over as Bailey’s Bay coach this season, got to soak up the county atmosphere on Saturday at Lord’s as Bay dethroned St David’s in the final.

“As I said before there are so many emotions that go into everything, the preparation, the enthusiasm of the players, the energy that they brought to training,” Logie said as he took in the post-match celebrations while Bay celebrated their first county win in four years.

“The whole atmosphere was fantastic. I was saying to someone that it was like a Trini carnival, with so much intrigue at the end of the day.”

Tre Manders was the man of the match with his third century in the space of seven days, while spinner Rodney Trott was equally impressive, taking six wickets as St David’s were dismissed for just 138.

Bay declared at 218 for seven and took the game to their hosts just before the tea interval when they already had them ten for two after just 4.2 overs.

“It was the discipline that we brought to the game, the way we approached it,” the former Bermuda coach said.

“I know teams have plans, but to execute the plan the way it was executed, you have to have the players to do it. Tre, the way he played, was just incredible.

“Here’s a young guy coming off two centuries already and then to score a third in a county cup under pressure is just phenomenal. You had the stalwart, Stephen Outerbridge, coming out there in a brilliant partnership as well.

“Then in the end just to see how Kyle [Hodsoll] stood there and understood what needed to be done. It was just a perfect finish to our innings.”

Hodsoll, the vice-captain, provided the perfect support for Manders, staying around for 57 minutes to help Manders reach 114 not out, the guest player from Western Stars hitting six fours and five sixes from 118 balls.

“Then, when the declaration came, the captain went out there with his troops and picked up two wickets before the tea interval,” Logie said.

“It was just about being patient and sticking to the game plan. Sometimes you get a little agitated but in the end I think it was a very good game and I want to congratulate both teams for making it happen.

“I think the crowd would have enjoyed it very well. That’s what it’s all about, no real incidents to talk about. Going forward there is so much we can learn and share with each other that can even make it better.

“How can we create this type of atmosphere, not just In county cup but also throughout the league. I’m really happy for the guys. I want to thank Bay, thank the supporters and thank the president and everyone who believed in me and supported me wholeheartedly.”

Logie added: “All the players, some who didn’t make the team, still supported me and the training was full of energy and enthusiasm.

“It does give you, as the coach, the kind of impetus to keep going forward to share your knowledge and do as much as you can to make sure that the players perform well.”

Outerbridge, who took over as club president in March 2021, is happy to see that the players and members are buying into Logie’s vision, with the club now looking for a multiyear sponsorship as part of plans for more success.

“His impact was actually greater than I can even imagine,” Outerbridge said. “Some of the impact he has made a lot of people can’t visually see it because it is internal.

“Especially with some of the fringe players. You can see the improvement that they have made, but it is the attitude that these guys take towards the game now that is different.

“If you watched the game on Saturday, we looked like a very organised unit because everything we do is organised.”

Outerbridge, who was playing his first county match since 2019, scored a valuable 35 in 75 minutes at the crease as he and Manders put on 74 for the fifth wicket to rescue Bay from 62 for four.

“I’m very excited about what the future holds, I’m sure after the season we will sit down with Mr Logie to see how we can better prepare our team, better prepare our club and make our cricket programme much stronger,“ he said.

“Last year I sat in my camp and was dumbfounded to watch my team fold the way they did. From there, I told my uncle I’m coming back to play county. I still knew I had a role to play and when I walked to the wicket, it was the perfect situation and I backed myself in that situation.

“I think I play my best when my back is up against the wall. It was so good to be back and at the end of the day the community won and Bay won!”