Edness 'optimistic' about lifting Eastern Counties title

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12: Flatt’s Victoria Club player/coach Rahji Edness is cautiously optimistic the challengers can dethrone cup holders Bailey’s Bay in tomorrow’s Eastern Counties clash at Sea Breeze Oval.

Due to reasons beyond their control Flatt’s have had very little time in the middle lately.

But despite the lack of match readiness Edness reckons his team has the experience to overcome this hurdle and get the job done against Bay.

He declared: “I’m optimistic going into the game and we are going there to win.

“Our strength lies in our unity and we are going there to put our best foot forward. This is cricket and on the day anything can happen.”

Flatts, who will again be led by skipper Kijuan Franks, came to within a whisker of dethroning then cup holders Cleveland County last year before umpires called time on the match with plenty of daylight to spare.

Expected to make their Eastern Counties debut tomorrow is teenaged batsman Jonathan Marion, who was named in Flatt’s provisional 13-man squad that also includes seasoned guest players Dwayne Leverock and Ryan Belboda.

Like their rivals, Bay had also yet to announce their final squad at press time yesterday.

Meanwhile, skipper Malachi Jones produced a fine all-round display to lead a Western Counties XI to a resounding 144-run win against an Eastern Counties XI in last weekend’s ‘Clash of the Counties’ at Somerset Cricket Club.

Jones stroked a breezy 36 and claimed two -wickets for 11 runs to lead his team by example.

The Western Counties XI piled up 237 for nine and then dismissed the Eastern Counties XI for 93 runs in a match reduced to 43 overs due to rain.

Thumped

Veteran Bailey’s Bay player Cal Dill thumped 34 runs and claimed three wickets for 36 runs in a losing cause for the Eastern Counties XI.

The two teams will face off again August 27 at Sea Breeze Oval.

Last Saturday’s benefit matches involving Bermuda Masters, Southampton Rangers and St David’s County Cricket Club at Lords were postponed and are to be rescheduled at a later date.