Wellington Oval (Cleveland County won toss): Cleveland beat Western Stars by five runs

Dion Stovell took four wickets and produced a superb run-out as Cleveland County edged Premier Division rivals Western Stars to secure their first win of the season.

Cleveland posted 153 all out in 41.3 overs on a difficult track after electing to bat and then held their nerve with the game hanging in the balance to dismiss Stars for 148 in 33.3 overs.

“We came out victorious and this win was a relief because you always want to try and go out there and win,” Cleveland all-rounder Dion Stovell told The Royal Gazette.

“I just hope we take this victory, enjoy it and go on and try to reach higher heights. It was a competitive game and 150 runs was a lot on that wicket.

“I give credit where credit is due and Western Stars have some very good cricketers, with Jekon Edness and his coaching team doing a very good job.”

Stovell inflicted the heaviest damage with the ball for Cleveland as he claimed four for 24 and sent down two maidens in 9.3 overs, with the prized scalp of fellow all-rounder Kamau Leverock among those falling prey to his off spin.

The experienced Stovell was equally as sharp in the field, holding on to a catch and executed a crucial run-out to keep the pressure on the Stars batters.

At 128 for seven, victory seemed within Stars’ grasp but they fell five runs short.

Third-change bowler Treadwell Gibbons Jr also held his end with the ball for Cleveland as he claimed three for 21 from seven overs against his former team.

Wicketkeeper Jamori Manders was Stars’ top scorer with 43 from 45 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes, before he was run out by Stovell.

Manders’s dismissal was a key turning point in the second innings, with Cleveland claiming the last two wickets for ten runs in the space of two overs.

“He [Manders] was looking good,” Stovell said.

“We dropped him early and in one over he scored about 20 to bring them out of a little trouble and actually back into the game to possibly win.

“But for me it’s about winning, so I am going to do what winners do, and that’s go out there and try to win.”

Temiko Wilson (24), Leverock (29) and Brian Hall (12) were the only Stars batters in double figures.

Earlier, Cleveland recovered from an early collapse with five wickets falling for 40 runs in 14 overs before Tamauri Tucker, Isaiah Greaves and Stovell led the fightback to reach a total that gave their bowlers just enough runs to defend.

Batting at No 7, Tucker smashed five boundaries in a knock of 30 from 42 balls, Stovell chipped in with a more sedate 17 from 31 balls, with just one boundary, while Greaves gathered 13 from 26 balls with two fours.

Opening pair Damon Rabain (17) and Domain Rabain (14), and wicketkeeper Steven Bremar Jr (23) were the other Cleveland batters in double figures.

Seth Campbell (three for 30) and Naquan Smith (three for 37) took three wickets each, while second-change Phillip Thomas claimed two for 28 for Stars, who succumbed to their second straight defeat.