Cann: we knew 130 was a big target

St. David’s County Cricket Club ended their 2010 domestic campaign on a winning note after capturing a third Lindo’s Twenty20 crown on the trot at the National Centre on Sunday.

The Islanders recovered from 37 for two to post a decent 133 for five in their allotted 20 overs before restricting Willow Cuts to 122 for nine to win by 11 runs.

All-rounder Sammy Robinson led St. David’s successful title defence with a polished 43 at the top of the order. He also claimed two wickets for 35 runs to cop Man-of-the Match accolades.

Spinners Del Hollis and Delyone Borden and seamer Justin Pitcher also claimed two wickets apiece.

St. David’s elder statesman Lionel Cann praised his fellow team-mates for executing the game plan on the day.

He said: “It was a professional performance. We knew we were playing on a big field. The wicket wasn’t conducive to big hitting and so we just worked the gaps and stuck to the game plan.”

Cann said he never doubted the islanders would be able to defend a total below 150 runs.

He added: “We figured that 130 would be a big target on a big wicket and knew we had the bowlers to bowl them out.  They (Cuts) are a very young team and so we knew they would look for the big hit.”

Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) first -vice president Allen Richardson, himself a former Islanders’ batsman, awarded St. David’s the Lindo’s Twenty20 Cup for keeps after winning it for the third straight year.

“People say we own the Twenty20. This is our third year and we have never lost it. We took our chances and were very much deserving of winning the trophy,” added Cann.

Chasing a target of 134, Cuts’ top order misfired, leaving their colleagues lower down the order to pull the slack up against a disciplined St. David’s bowling attack.

Bergon Spencer (23), George O’Brien jr (18) and skipper Sheroy Fubler (18 not out) tried their best to steady the ship. But the 32 extras Cuts gave away in the field ultimately came back to haunt them big time.

"We gave up too many extras and that sort of hurt us at the end,” lamented Cuts’ stalwart Dexter Basden. “But we came second in the Twenty20 and so we can’t complain. We have come a long way this season.

“I'm proud of my team, especially since we are carrying youngsters like Antonio Darrell who is only 14-years-old. Next season we are looking to bring in a few more youngsters from our youth programme and hopefully we can do even better.”

Cann reckons St. David’s has a bright future ahead of them.

He said: “This (Lindo’s Twenty20 win) goes to show the talent and future that we have, which bodes well for the club.”