St David’s Oval (St. David’s won toss and chose to field): Western Stars beat St. David’s by one run

Western Stars held their nerve late on to beat St David’s in nail-biting finish in the Athene T20 Premier Division on Sunday

Young Dionte Dowling was entrusted by his captain Tre Manders to bowl the final over with St David’s needing only nine runs to win. He repaid his skipper’s faith when bowling Isiah O’Brien with his third delivery and then, with St David’s needing only two to win off the last ball, he enticed Derek Brangman to sky a catch to his captain at long off.

“It feels great to know that I made a significant contribution to the outcome of the game,” a jubilant Dowling said after the match.

“I just kept my line and length and let the batters make the mistake. I was a bit nervous when the skipper handed me the ball to bowl the last over and I am glad that I came through.”

St David’s had won the toss and sent the visitors into bat. Jason Anderson and Gavin Manders opened the batting and put on a 29-run partnership before first-change, Mikkail Crockwell, had the latter caught for ten runs in his only over.

Tre Manders then joined Anderson for a 41-run, second-wicket partnership but drove one into the waiting hands of wicketkeeper turned fielder Ricardo Brangman Jr at mid-on for 22 runs.

Khiry Furbert could add only one run before he was bowled by a beautiful yorker from Eugene Ball. Brian Hall would join Anderson and the two peppered the ball to all corners off the field for a fourth-wicket partnership worth 36 runs before both fell victim to young Isaiah O’Brien.

With the score at 109 for five, St David’s’ bowlers combined to mop up the Stars’ tailenders, claiming four wickets for only seven runs to close their innings at 116 for nine in their allotted 20 overs.

Captain Justin Pitcher and Ball claimed two wickets for 24 runs each and O’Brien recorded two for 27. In addition to his two catches, left-arm fast bowler Outerbridge took an outstanding, diving one-handed return catch to dismiss Dowling.

In reply, St David’s opened with young Marcus Scotland and Ricardo Brangman Jr and Stars did well to restrict St David’s to 22 for one as Brangman was adjudged lbw for 12 off the bowling off Macai Young on the last ball of the powerplay.

Crockwell joined Scotland and played a supporting role as the latter dominated the bowling. He entertained the sparse crowd with some elegant strokeplay and took an immediate liking to Hall’s spin bowling, highlighted by a straight drive for six over long on in each of his first two overs.

The two would put on a game-high, 50 run partnership for the second wicket before Scotland was out for 41 when caught near the boundary when going for another maximum off Tre Manders.

Derek Brangman followed Scotland and was just as destructive with his heavy hitting. After 17 overs, the game was in the balance with St David’s needing 24 runs from three overs.

Dowling set up the nail-biting finish when he bowled Crockwell for 13 in his third over with the score on 94 before bowling the last over and finishing with three wickets for 23 runs.