Lord’s, St David’s (Bailey’s Bay won toss): Bailey’s Bay beat Flatts Victoria by 37 runs

Spin bowlers Rodney Trott and Derrick Brangman took eight wickets between them to inspire Bailey’s Bay to an Eastern Counties Cup triumph over Flatts in a low-scoring affair on Saturday.

Trott, who was named man of the match, scored 24 runs opening the batting as Bay were bowled out for 144 in 41.5 overs before taking five wickets for 49 runs in 18 overs with the ball.

Brangman, top scorer for Gus Logie’s side with 31 runs, went on to pick up three for 31 in 16.3 overs, including the big wicket of Kamau Leverock, as Flatts folded for 107 in 43.3 overs.

The 36-year-old Trott, whose unbeaten 53 delivered a six-wicket victory against the same opponents in the second round last year, viewed the win as a result of great teamwork.

“Today was a big team effort,” Trott told The Royal Gazette.

“We didn’t get the runs that we wanted to get, 144 is always a big effort to try and defend.

“We wanted to get 200-plus, but that’s how it goes, it’s cricket. Our bowlers came to the party today. One thing about us, we are a team, we fight together and we win together.

“Guys bowled really well and took some good catches. Congratulations to Derrick, he bowled really well today and in the first game.

“I had no choice really because if I didn’t bowl well, the outcome could have been a little different.

“For me I know that if I don’t get one thing right, the other will come good for me. That’s the good thing about being an all-rounder, it all worked out in the end.”

Brangman has enjoyed his recall by Bay and just a week after turning 37, the left-arm spinner walked away with the Man of the Series honour and was awarded the Stanley Smith Trophy for Spinner of the Series.

“It’s been an honour to come back and play for Bailey’s Bay again,’’ Brangman said.

“I think I bowled really well today. I picked different lines, the ball was turning and I was unplayable for most of my overs.

“It’s always a pleasure to play with Rodney at Bailey’s Bay. He was my first captain at Bay, so I’ve lots of respect for him.

“I feel like it’s a team effort, even though we scored 144. Guys came out, fought hard on the field and I’m very proud of my team.”

Bay’s dependence on spin meant colt Jahre Blakeney, who was chosen for his pace bowling, did not get the chance to turn his arm over.

“We were not playing with many runs to defend and 144 is definitely not what we wanted to get,’’ Trott said.

“Jahre is young and he’ll get a lot of years in county cricket to bowl. He’s definitely one for the future and is a very talented young man.”

Flatts had their unsuccessful run chase disrupted by rain, which Trott thought affected the track.

“The wicket was spinning at first,’’ he added. “When rain came, it felt like rain put moisture on the wicket, so it stopped turning much.

“I thought with rain coming, it could benefit them with the little bit of moisture on the wicket.”

Flatts made a great start to the match when Leverock got opening batter Coolidge Durham out for a duck just two balls into the match. Leverock, who later changed from pace to spin, ended up with four wickets.

Kevin Hurdle, colt Jamhi Douglas and Keegan Jones all picked up two wickets each a Flatts reduced Bay to what seemed an achievable target.

But if Bay’s scorecard was not pleasing to look at from a batting point of view, it was even worse for their opponents, with no batter making it into the twenties. Leverock and Douglas both scored 19.

Ryan Belboda, the Flatts coach, lamented his side’s failure to complement their brilliant bowling with a solid batting display as they attempted to win the trophy for the first time in 40 years.

“In the first half of the game, Flatts did really well,’’ Belboda said. “Our fielding was sharp and the guys were eager to get Bailey’s Bay out.

“They left everything on the field and got the opponents all out for 144, which I thought was a gettable score.

“When it came to our batting, we lost concentration and didn’t fulfil what we were expected to do.

“We still had some overs left when we fell short. What we needed to do was score singles, we didn’t have to score boundaries, but unfortunately we just couldn't get over the line.

“This was one of the best chances for Flatts to win Eastern Counties. We had the opportunity and they could bat all the way up to No 9, so they just didn’t resonate.”

Meanwhile, as per tradition at the end of the county season, the draw for the next year was conducted.

Flatts have a chance to get the better of Bay when the two sides clash in the first round. Cleveland County play the winner of that match in the second round, with St David’s awaiting in the final.