Warwick 99 Willow Cuts 100-5

Banners around White Hill Field called on Warwick to 'Walk Tall United', instead they fell apart in the face of tight bowling and efficient out cricket by Willow Cuts, losing the match and their title as Cuts laid claim to the honour Western Counties Cup champions.

Cuts exposed the brittleness of Warwick's batting line-up, which, as opposed to when they seized the trophy from Southampton in the second round, found no late order saviour against an average bowling attack.

Immaculate fielding by Cuts aided their quest, with two spectacular, and indeed key, catches robbing Warwick of primary threats Mark Ray and Alan Douglas Sr.

Wendell White produced a splendid inch-high, one-handed slip catch to remove Ray (12) when the opener appeared to be settling in for a big score. Basden similarly halted Douglas' traditional late order charge with the bat, when he converted a half-chance offered off the bowling of Jacobi Robinson, with the batsman in full flow at 25.

Careless running between the wickets likewise played key parts in the demise of the champs, as three batsmen fell to run out decisions.

"Today the game was largely based largely on our fielding, with the three run outs and two really good catches," said Cuts captain Richard Basden. "The guys were well prepared and did the jobs they were asked to do.

"Warwick came in strong, with a lot of energy, and were prepared to fight, but we took it from them."

Medium pacer Ozzie Hinds began the destruction, as he immediately found a good line and length, frustrating the early bats, leading to a three wicket haul.

His first victim was Dion Stovell, the Bermuda Under 19 star opener, who after scoring all nine of Warwick's first runs on the board, was deceived by Hinds into offering a catch to Dwight Basden, one he gratefully accepted.

Daniel Morgan followed him seven runs later, caught behind by Andre Hendrickson, having edged a Charles Swan delivery, before Hinds struck twice in the space of 14 runs, accounting for Ray and another guest player, Sammy Robinson (one), to leave Warwick floundering at 30-for-four.

Skipper Daniel Caines and Alan Douglas Jr., briefly stopped the rot with a 23-run fifth wicket stand, taking the total to 53, when Douglas departed for 10, and from there it was only a matter of time, with Warwick all out for an embarrassing 99.

Hinds finished with figures of three-for-18, while Robinson was next best at two-for-nine, and Swan and Richard Basden took one wicket each.

Despite having to defend such a small target, Warwick came out game spirited, and achieved early success with the removal of Dwight Basden (seven) with the score on just seven.

However, a 45-run second wicket partnership dominated by Dexter Basden (49) with cousin Dwayne Basden (six) in the anchor role, all but put paid to what slim hopes Warwick had of overcoming the severe odds against them.

Basden was eventually fifth man out at 98, with Cuts well in sight of victory, leaving brother Richard (10 not out) and brother-in-law Reggie Tucker (one not out) to see them home.

Robbie Richardson reaped the most success with the ball for Warwick, grabbing two-for-15.

"We've had a rough season, but this gives us something to celebrate," said Richard Basden.

"Now we're going into the Champion of Champions competition and we can do even better than what you saw here today."

Cuts will face either Eastern Counties champions St. David's or Western Stars, kings of the Central Counties in the season ending competition.

All Premier league matches scheduled for yesterday were cancelled and will not be rescheduled. All teams receive no result.