Southampton Oval (Western Stars won toss): Bailey’s Bay beat Western Stars by 65 runs

Bailey’s Bay followed up Saturday’s Eastern Counties Cup triumph, with a crucial victory over Western Stars in the Athene T20 Premier Division on Sunday.

The result allowed Bay to remain within touching distance of league leaders St George’s as the second half of the campaign beckons.

A brutal knock of 88 from opener Sharye Tavares, who put on a century partnership with Coolidge Durham (22), spurred Bay while serving to demoralise Stars, who endured a nightmare outing in the field.

“I think the guys came with the right attitude to play today, especially after a long day yesterday,” said Bay captain Terryn Fray “It was a good approach up front by Sharye and Coolidge.

“We’ve been asking for the openers to try and take advantage of the power play and I think we did that quite well today.

“Myself and Delray [Rawlins] in the middle order also kept the acceleration going.”

Stars, who, like Bay, entered the match with just a single defeat, were made to pay the price for poor fielding, as they gave a total of four ‘lives’ to their opponents opening pair, while also surrendering 15 wides.

Tavares was given his first life after scoring just 15, as he hit a drive that went right through the hands of Brian Hall at deep mid-on and was again dropped on 72.

Durham was dropped at point when on 13, with Jaiden Manders unable to hold onto a top edge that ballooned up, begging to be caught. Durham was dropped again on 21 at deep square leg.

After taking full advantage of a charmed existence – he was also bowled off a no ball – Tavares finally fell, slicing Jaiden Manders to Seion Darrell at deep point.

The dismissals of Tavares and Durham provided little in the form of a reprieve as Rawlins (41 not out) and Fray (42) continued to press the attack, their 87-run third wicket partnership enabling Bay to set a daunting total of 214.

Stars’ captain Tre Manders took two for 35, while Jaiden Manders took the other wicket to fall.

Turning to bat Stars got off to an inauspicious start, losing their first two wickets inside the power play, falling to 20 for two, while watching the required runs rate skyrocket to 12 per over.

With Fray lining as many of his men on the boundary as the rules allowed Stars were placed at a distinct disadvantage in trying to find gaps, while attempts to hit over the ropes often resulted in catches being presented.

Tre Manders did his best to meet the challenge, managing 47 before being undone by a Rawlins, which signalled the end of Stars.

Only Seion Darrell (21) managed a significant contribution outside of the captain, a four Bay bowlers took two wickets each, including Rawlins, Tavares, Sancho Jackson and Nairobi Carmichael.

“I’m a little disappointed in the amount of runs we allowed Bay to get,” said Stars’ coach Jekon Edness. “We didn’t hit our straps at all in regard to our bowling.

“We dropped a few chances, with ‘few’ being generous. But we picked the wrong day to have a bad day against a very good team.

“So they did what any good team would do, they punished us and we now have to go back to the drawing board.”

Edness was well aware that his side will have to play flawless cricket during the second half, as they now have one more loss than Bay and have also lost to undefeated St George’s.

“Our next two games are against Willow Cuts and St David’s, who we’ve beaten so far this season and we have to look to get two victories and finish off the season strong,” Edness said.