Lord’s, St David’s (Western Stars won toss): Cleveland County beat Western Stars by 26 runs

Cleveland County secured their spot in the Bermuda Cricket Board Knockout Cup final after coming away victorious against Western Stars.

Led by opener Treadwell Gibbons’s match-high knock of 95 from 137 deliveries, Cleveland piled up 270 for nine in their allotted overs after being sent in to bat. They then restricted Stars to 244 for nine in their reply with seamer Keith Whorms Jr claiming three for 22 to lead the charge with the ball.

Clevie Wade, the Cleveland coach, was thrilled to see his team through to the final against Eastern Counties rivals Bailey’s Bay but expressed mixed feelings over their performance.

“All wins are good wins but I think this one was special as it was a semi- final and we got over the line,” he said.

“We lost the toss, were sent in to bat and we were very disciplined.

“Our top four all got starts and I stressed to them before the game that I need one to go all the way through and I think Treadwell batted very well. He was very disciplined, very selective and got a great knock, which was the key to laying the platform.

“My top four all got good starts with Dion Stovell chipping in and Steven Bremar and Q’Shai Darrell also doing well, but I was disappointed with our bowling performances.

“I thought we got a good start getting an early wicket in the power play, but they had a good partnership and I think we strayed away from our bowling plans and they came closer than I thought.

“I was also disappointed with the extras column again. We conceded 28 extras with 18 wides, which is not good enough at this level, but the key is getting over the line and getting the win, so I want to take my hat off to the team.”

Cleveland seized early control with their front-line batsmen all making useful contributions.

Darrell (31) and Gibbons scored 57 for the first wicket before the former offered a return catch to off spinner Jaiden Manders.

Gibbons and wicketkeeper Steven Bremar Jr (34) moved the score along to 103 before the latter was bowled by Manders playing across the line. That brought Dion Stovell (44) to the crease and he, along with the firmly entrenched Gibbons, put on 98 runs to keep their team on top of the bowling.

Gibbons drove Brian Hall into the covers and came back for a second run to reach his fifty off 97 balls, but the flourishing partnership was finally broken when Stovell was run out attempting a single in the covers that was never on.

Incoming bat Allan Douglas Jr (15) made a start but was unable to go on after being caught down the ground when attempting to clear the rope.

Cleveland then lost a bundle of wickets as they tried to accelerate in the closing overs with Gibbons among the casualties. The left-handed batsman was dismissed just five runs shy of a deserved century after being caught behind driving at a Seth Campbell delivery.

Jabari Darrell (21 not out) was the other Cleveland batsman in double figures.

Hall was the pick of the Stars bowling with four for 55 while Manders took two for 44.

Stars were always under pressure after falling behind the required run rate during the chase and they lost wickets attempting to catch up as the scoreboard pressure mounted.

Opener Manders was their standout performer with a disciplined 72 from 115 balls, with the left-hander dropped by Stovell at deep cover before going on to reach his fifty off as many deliveries after scampering through for a comfortable single.

Manders’s marathon innings finally ended when Stovell took a sharp catch at mid on off the bowling of Gibbons to all but end Stars hopes.

Seion Darrell (32), player-coach Jekon Edness (32 not out), Rohan Davis (25 not out), Dante Wellman (23), Khiry Furbert (12) and Hall (14) were the other Stars batsmen in double figures.

Whorms was assisted in the Cleveland attack by captain Mackinh McGowan (two for 44) and Jabari Darrell (two for 37).

Looking ahead to the final against Bay, Cleveland coach Wade said: “A good challenge and we are looking forward to Bay again.

“Two good teams that are really playing good cricket and it should be a very entertaining game if both teams live up to their expectations.”

Bay won the previous encounter between the two sides this season to clinch the Premier Division 50 Overs title.