Just weeks after succumbing to embarrassing relegation in Premier Division limited overs play for the first time in their history, St. George?s managed to add some semblance of satisfaction to their season as they successfully defended their Two-Day League title at Wellington Oval on Sunday.

With veteran skipper Herbie Bascome leading the way once again with his medium pace, the home side edged by Bailey?s Bay by four wickets in a match in which both sides had everything to play for. Had Bay won, they would have clinched the title.

Bascome finished with a ten-wicket haul, taking five for 46 off 21 overs with seven maidens in the first innings and following that up with five for 64 off 21 overs and five maidens in the second.

However, the skipper said afterwards that winning with a youthful side was more important than his personal achievements.

In a game that featured a host of young players on both teams, Bascome had the honour of playing with his three sons, believed to be a first in local cricket.

Oronde, a regular in the team is 17 years old, Okera is 11 and Onais just 10 ? each a member of the development programme taking place at St. George?s.

Father Herbie spoke with pride of his team?s performance in the two-day competition.

?Firstly, it was good to see us retain the trophy after the club were relegated in limited overs play. The two-day play was designed for the youngsters, giving them the opportunity to develop and it?s paying off,? said Bascome.

?It truly is a good experience for them, the exposure is only doing them good. It?s pleasing to see them show interest, getting out there and enjoying themselves.?

However, if there was a disappointing aspect to the match it was that many fans from both clubs opted to give the season finale a miss despite the importance of the fixture.

The average crowd over the two days was a paltry 35, another clear sign that the diminishing interest of cricket after Cup Match and the Eastern Counties competition continues to exist both among players and spectators.

St. George?s gained a first-innings lead of 11 on Saturday, posting 141 after dismissing Bay for 130.

Skipper Stephen Outerbridge topped Bay?s batting with 43 while opener Breandon Trott and Merkel Smith chipped in with 23 apiece.

In addition to Bascome?s five-wicket haul, spinner Travis Smith snatched three for 42 off 15 overs with three maidens.

St. George?s raced to 50 for one in reply but found runs hard to come by after a promising start. But they still managed to pass their opponents? score, opener Detroy Smith leading the way with 24 followed by Herbie Bascome on 23, Brian Phipps 22 and coach George Cannonier undefeated on 15.

Tre? Govia was the top Bay bowler with three for 23 off 5.1 overs while Burton Outerbridge claimed three for 32 off 10 overs with three maidens and spinner Rodney Trott three for 43 off 13 overs with two maidens.

Batting a second time around, Bay scored 152 to leave St. George?s with a winning target of 142.

Top scorer in Bay?s second innings was Merkel Smith with 32 while opener Rodney Trott scored 29, skipper Stephen Outerbridge 22 and Ryan Steede 15.

Taking wickets in addition to skipper Bascome was spinner Travis Smith with two for 33 off nine overs.

St. George?s eased their way towards the target, reaching safety in 32.4 overs with opener Oronde Bascome high man on 31. Also among the runs were Jahron Dickinson on 28, Travis Smith 26 and Okera Bascome 15 not out.

Eleven year-old Okera ended the game in fine fashion, hooking Ryan Steede, bowling slow medium, to the square leg boundary for four.

Rodney Trott was the pick of the Bay bowlers, taking three for 31 off seven overs with a maiden.

Despite the importance of the match, official umpires assigned to the game failed to show.

George O?Brien, originally scheduled to officiate the First Division match at Lords between Flatts and Cleveland, was forced to umpire at both ends on each day with support from a substitute leg umpire.