Wellington Oval (St George’s won toss): St George’s beat St David’s by 45 runs

The clash of the East End giants went to recent form, with St George’s eventually defeating cross-harbour rivals St David’s by 45 runs yesterday.

A middle-order rescue act by Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Salam inspired a home team beset with rare adversity and anchored St George’s to a sub-par total of 253 on what had been a run-drenched pitch.

Salam succeeded where many of his comrades struggled, able to go beyond the half-century mark for the second time in as many days, as the likes of Nzari Paynter (24), Oronde Bascome (34 not out) and Zeko Burgess (25) failed to capitalise on starts.

Following on from an impressive 91 not out on Saturday, Salam’s 72 against St David’s exceeded in its value and made the difference between a tense triumph and catastrophe.

After early-order mishaps resulted in the men in blue slumping to 34 for three and garnering more whispers than roars from the faithful as their side faltered for the first time in weeks, Salam was a rock.

He was not alone, though, as newly acquired loan signing Kevon Fubler (37) helped dig St George’s out of a hole that threatened to swallow them.

St David’s captain Derrick Brangman led his troops from the front, snapping up in-form batters Jonté Smith (one) and counterpart Onias Bascome (nought) within moments of each other, setting the tone for a worthy scrap.

Even after being extended by reigning league champions Bailey’s Bay less than 24 hours earlier, St David’s bowlers gave their opponents all they could handle.

“It was hard for us,” said Brangman.

“Today and yesterday we played two of the top teams and we did what we could. We were able to handle Bay yesterday but today we came up a bit short.

“We knew it was always going to be a battle and that St George’s was going to give us a good fight, which is what it’s all about.”

Set 254 to win, St David’s moved methodically, their early poise and success marginally better than their opponents.

Marcus Scotland (24) and Aaron Paynter (22) eased their way to 41 before a stunning diving catch by Fubler snared the latter’s attempted slash through point.

Isaiah O’Brien (nought) and Okera Bascome (four) fell quickly in the midst of Scotland being yorked as St David’s stumbled to 65 for four.

Again Brangman (22) interfered, as he and Dean Stephens (33) put on 21 for the fifth wicket to stop the bleeding before he fell, leaving Makai Young (11), who added a further 36 with Stephens.

Mesmerising left-arm orthodox from Fubler combined with baffling off-spin from Shakai Darrell undid the chase, Darrell’s four for 32 the deciding factor.

An injured yet valiant OJ Pitcher (18 not out) and fearlessly resistant Cejay Outerbridge (30) fought to the end as St David’s finished on 208 for nine.

“It’s a long way to go with five games left, so we’ll see what happens,” said Brangman.

“I’m sure there’s somebody else out there that wants to get to them.”

St George’s captain Onias Bascome was grateful to have another victory in hand and proud of the toughness his men exhibited on their way to a winning weekend.

“It was a big game and we came here and got the job done,” Bascome said.

“I wouldn’t say that the top order failed. My brother, Oronde, stayed out there until he got injured and then Shak [Fubler] came in at No 5 to stabilise the innings.

“There’s a lot of balance in this team, so it’s not always the same people that provide the most. We thrive on a team effort and that’s what was shown here today.”