In what will go down as one of the most dramatic finishes in Eastern Counties Cup history, Bailey’s Bay snatched the title away from holders Cleveland County with literally a minute to spare, winning by 68 runs at Lord’s, St David’s
With back-to-back balls, guest player Derrick Brangman first bowled No. 10 batsman Makai Young for five and, with his very next ball, had Shaki Darrel lost space, trapping him lbw for a duck.
Pandemonium reigned as Bay players and fans swarmed the pitch, turning Lord’s into a sea of red and white, even as Cleveland commiserated over a tragic failure that left them sadly depleted.
Brangman orchestrated the final misery, his five for 56 from 22 overs – including 10 maidens – having decimated a Cleveland outfit that entered the final half hour hosting much hope of a vastly different outcome.
Even Cleveland’s best efforts at time-wasting toward the end only delayed the inevitable, with Bay thoroughly deserving of the result.
While batting, Bay were spurred by an unbeaten century by captain Terryn Fray, who, backed by an all-star collection of club and guest players, led from the front, batting throughout the innings.
The skipper produced a chanceless 131 not out, which comprised 13 fours and two sixes.
With grit and determination in the face of personal adversity, Fray willed his troops to a formidable target, even as he was briefly forced to the sidelines after he was hit in the face by a batted ball just after reaching the century mark.
Bay batted until just before tea, amassing 256 for four declared. Another main contributor with the bat was guest Tre Manders, who struck 58 from 87 balls, including four fours. He and Fray engaged in an 88-run partnership for the third wicket.
In response, Cleveland commenced their chase inauspiciously, managing just 17 before .
Just 13 more had been added when Jabari Darrell plodded forward to an Agard delivery just short of a length and lofted a return catch to the bowler.
Further damage occurred at 34 when Zerai Tomlinson tried to break the shackles against Derrick Brangman, only to succeed in driving uppishly to Agard at mid-off.
Yet, amid the chaos, the defenders discovered hope in the forms of Steven Bremar Jr and Q’Shai Darrell, whose 58-run fourth wicket stand laid the initial path to salvation, as Cleveland started to believe they could hold out for a draw.
Nevertheless, they were ultimately undone by opponents more talented and determined to ascend the mountaintop.
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