Bermuda: Western Stars On The Trophy Trail

Cleon Scotland

Western Stars Sports Club picked up their second trophy of the season by defeating Police Recreation Club in the final of the Central Counties cup competition.

Stars, the defending champions, were able to restrict Police to 215-8 in their 50 overs with Gary Brangman (after a four-match retirement) and Hasan Durham picking up two wickets each. Dave Greenidge continued his recent good form for Police by topping their batting with 57.

In reply, Stars found themselves in early trouble at 26-3 before Saleem Mukuddem (30) and Jermaine Postlethwaite (47) put on 60 runs for the fourth wicket. But left-arm spinner Dwayne Leverock tilted the match back in Police's favour by dismissing both batsmen along with Arnold Manders and the dangerous Brangman.

The champions were reeling at 119-7 when Durham joined Cleon Scotland and the two began to rebuild the innings with opportunistic running between the wickets. As the partnership gained momentum, the boys in blue could not find a way to dismiss the injured Scotland who was batting with a right index finger later determined to be broken from an earlier fielding incident.

The result was an unbroken 101 partnership for the eighth wicket and another trophy for the club from St.John's Road. Scotland was voted man-of-the-match for his unbeaten 59 while Durham had equal claim to the award with 45 to go with his two earlier wickets.

The Central Counties limited overs competition features teams from the central parishes: Social Club, Devonshire Recreation Club, Police Recreation Club and Western Stars Sports Club.

As this year's champions, Stars booked a spot in the end of season competition the Champion of Champions. The remaining two spots for the Western and Eastern Counties champions will be filled when their respective competitions begin later this summer.