Cleveland County pulled off a stunning upset over holders Bailey’s Bay to reclaim the Eastern Counties Cup in a thrilling low-scoring contest at Sea Breeze Oval today.

The challengers posted 157 all out in 43.5 overs and then dismissed Bay for 92 in 41.1 overs to secure a comfortable 65-run triumph.

Cleveland found themselves reeling at 90 for eight after being sent into bat before a timely partnership of 67 between Dennis Musson and Mackih McGowan enabled them to post a more respectable total.

Tail-ender McGowan scored a match high 42 from 34 balls and middle-order batsman Musson an unbeaten 32 from 74 balls.

Rodney Trott, the Bay captain, led his team’s bowling with an impressive haul of five for 36 with his off spin, that included two wicket-maidens, while Malachi Jones, the seam bowler, took two for 38.

Bay suffered an early collapse in their reply. They lost their first four wickets for 44 runs and never really recovered as Dion Stovell claimed five wickets with his off spin in his second spell to finish the job.

Stovell returned phenomenal figures of six for 29 with five maidens and received solid support from man-of-the-match Musson, who claimed three 25 with his seam bowling.

Trott, who scored a sedated 19 from 50 balls, and Tre Manders, who gathered 18 from 20 balls, were the only Bay batsmen in double figures.

Steven Bremar, the Cleveland captain, said: “We needed that partnership between Musson and Mackih which swung the match.

“But we have been defending anywhere between 160-180 all season so I always back my bowlers and Dion delivered with the ball.”

Bremar’s opposite number Trott added: “Cleveland were definitely the better team on the day and definitely deserved it.”