T20 League champions Bailey’s Bay were eliminated from the knockout competition at the semi-final stage after losing by six wickets to St George’s at White Hill Field.

Onias Bascome and Jonte Smith made standout contributions after St George’s won the toss and elected to field on a moist wicket, which prompted the delay of the earlier First Division knockout semi final by nearly three hours.

That decision paid off immediately with Zeko Burgess tempting Bay captain Terryn Fray to play straight into his grateful arms on the very first ball of the innings.

Azende Furbert was then bowled by Burgess on the last ball of the first over to heap extra pressure on the T20 Premier Division champions.

Zakao Hart came in and tried to add some enthusiasm to the innings, but had to retire hurt as a result of an apparent leg injury and Rodney Trott replaced the youngster, but Jonte Smith immediately sent him back to the pavilion on a slower ball.

St George’s were in total control at the end of the powerplay, with 11 of the 27 Bay runs coming through extras.

Thereafter, Bay struggled to rotate the strike and often gave their wickets away. Smith took the scalps of Jarryd Richardson and Shakeal Outerbridge off the last two balls of his second over and ehe best piece of fielding came when Zakari Seymour made a perfect throw to run out Jordan Burgess and leave Bay stranded at 81 for 8.

Smith completed an excellent showing with the ball by claiming the wicket of Macquille Walker before Kyle Hodsoll and rising star Hart closed the innings. Smith was the standout St George’s bowler with four wickets for just seven runs from his four overs as Bay were restricted to 86 for nine

St George’s knew they had the upper hand going into the run chase, which started in promising fashion after Q’Shai Darrell and Macai Simmons opened with a 38-run partnership.

However, just after the powerplay, Kyle Hodsoll got his line correct and Darrell got a thick edge into the thankful hands of Rodney Trott to break the early resistance.

Simmons played straight to Coolidge Durham three balls later to slightly swing the momentum in the direction of the champions and spinner Trott then took two wickets of his own to add further intrigue to the contest, dismissing both Zeko Burgess and Nzari Paynter without scoring.

St George’s captain Bascome and bowling hero Smith steadied the innings before the former showed his immense power with one monstrous six and one powerful four to clinch victory by six wickets.

“We fought well through the challenge they provided us,” Bascome said. “It helped though that we mostly had our strongest team.”

The First Division T20 champions were also knocked out at White Hill Field with Willow Cuts beating St David’s by eight wickets in a match reduced to seven overs per field.

St David’s, who were put in to bat by their opponents, failed to fire, with only Derrick Brangman reaching double figures as they made 51 for 5 and Cuts reached that target in just 5.3 overs, with Deunte Darrell (20) and Charles Trott (12) their highest scorers.

Cuts will play Flaats Victoria in the First Division final after they beat Devonshire Recreation Club by six wickets