Lord’s (Cleveland won toss): St David’s beat Cleveland by eight wickets

St David’s continued their brilliant start to the Premier Division 50 overs campaign after coming away with an emphatic win over Cleveland on Sunday.

Captain Derrick Brangman claimed four for 46, Justin Pitcher three for 30 and Aaron Paynter two for nine to restrict Cleveland to 208 all out in 44.5 overs after the away side had chosen to take first strike.

Opener Marcus Scotland then led the run chase, belting 16 boundaries and two sixes in a swashbuckling innings of 114, from 94 balls, before he retired hurt with a strained knee as St David’s reached their target in 37.3 overs.

“It feels great to get my first century for St David’s’ men’s team,” Scotland, 21, told The Royal Gazette.

“It’s good to finally get that out of the way, especially in a win. That’s the main thing, getting it in a win when it matters.

“The groundsman prepared a really good wicket and I enjoyed batting on it.

“We were in no rush and just batted at our own pace and checked the scoreboard later down the line. There was no pressure, just bat and play our own game and then visit the score at a later time.”

Scotland featured in two fruitful partnerships, adding 122 with fellow opening batter Dean Simons (40) for the first wicket.

“I felt good out there and Dean is my mate, so we enjoy batting together,” Scotland said. ”All we talk about when we are not batting together is when we bat together.

“Then OJ Pitcher came in when Dean got out and just kept the momentum going. We kept the pace of the game going and we didn’t lose any momentum really.”

Scotland’s fine knock came to an abrupt halt in the 34th over when he injured his knee playing a shot off Treadwell Gibbons Jr and was forced to retire.

“I went to the doctor and I just have a strained knee,” he said.

“I should be back by next weekend. I am going to take a day or two off and see, but I should be back and definitely want to play against Western Stars.”

Experienced pair OJ Pitcher (26) and Ricardo Brangman (13) finished the job in Scotland’s absence, the latter serving the last rites by dispatching spinner Isaiah Creighton for six to end the game in style and maintain his side’s unbeaten start to the season.

Former St David’s captain Justin Pitcher attributes his team’s sparkling form to the hard work and dedication they put in during pre-season.

“We guys have been working hard from early March and it’s paying off,” he said.

“It’s just hard work and dedication and the results will take care of themselves.”

The experienced all-rounder played down his team’s unblemished 3-0 record, which has thrust them into early contention for the title.

“The feeling isn’t about the position, it’s about the camaraderie and the vibe within the team right now,” Pitcher said

“Being where we are is just a bonus and it goes back to the hard work and dedication.”

Dion Stovell led the Cleveland batting, lashing 14 boundaries in a knock of 84, from 80 balls, at the top of the order, while Tamauri Tucker (27), Jabari Darrell (22), wicketkeeper Steven Bremar Jr (18), Keith Whorms (14) and Isaiah Greaves (11) were the others in double figures.

First-change Allan Douglas Jr (one for 48) and sixth-change Tucker (one for 21) claimed the only St David’s wickets to fall.

Cleveland all-rounder Dion Stovell blamed his team’s demise on an undisciplined batting display.

“We were undisciplined in our approach,” he said. “It was a good track to bat on but we didn’t apply ourselves and were 80 runs short.

It’s kind of frustrating because we must back ourselves to try and rotate and score. Our approach to our matches must change if we want to succeed.”