Southampton Rangers confirmed their dominance of the Western Counties Cup competition, routing Willow Cuts by 202 runs at White Hill Field yesterday [Saturday].
The final-round fixture offered a case of déjà vu for both teams, with Rangers once again tormenting their hapless foes—forcing them to marinate under the sun, stewing in sweat and regret, before chasing yet another target that was more wishful thinking than reachable score.
And even though the 259 runs registered by Rangers were well short of the 500-plus challenge asked six days earlier, the task yet proved insurmountable.
Ironically, that didn’t have to be the case, as Willow Cuts could have chosen a different path from the outset.
However, whether for the sake of the competition, an administrative directive, or the kind of optimism usually reserved for lottery tickets, Cuts won the toss and bravely elected to bowl.
Initially, the move paid dividends, as Rangers struggled on a pitch dampened by a sudden thunderstorm that reduced the match to 40 overs.
Opening batsman Nacori Smith suffered a five-ball duck, departing with just three runs on the board, stirring positive vibes among the Cuts faithful.
Hope slowly turned to frustration as captain Alex Dore replaced Smith, and partnered Oronde Bascome for the second wicket. The pair cautiously came to grips with the conditions, attacking selectively while building a 102-run partnership.
In the 19th over, Dore was dismissed seven short of a half-century, becoming the first of two Chakote Basden victims, with Bascome [53] following soon after to take the score to 115 for three.
A respite, though, was not on the cards, as former skipper Dalin Richardson [69] and guest player Ricardo Brangman Jr [19] added 42 for the fourth wicket, marching the champions toward the double-century mark.
Sergio Raynor’s removal of Brangman triggered a mini-collapse that saw Rangers lose three wickets _ including Dion Stovell [1] and Derrick Brangman [5] _ for just 15 runs.
Jordan DeSilva [14] and Richardson enabled the champs to go beyond 200,
After the latter skied an easy catch to Kwasi James at point off Micah Simons, scoring matters were turned over to Dante Wellman, who eschewed caution, attacking at will even as Richardson was the set batsman.
Wellman scorched 30 runs from just 17 deliveries, combining swift running between the wickets with a four and two sixes.
Richardson, after a stylish knock, perished more out of exhaustion than opposing skill—top-edging a Dominic Sabir delivery so high it needed its own boarding pass, only for the bowler to safely claim it.
Willow Cuts’ effort in the field, though valiant, did not transfer to their batting, as they once again crumbled under the weight of a bewildering Rangers attack possessing two of Bermuda’s premier slow bowlers.
Absent with bats in hand, Stovell and Bragman more than made up for earlier failings, combining for seven wickets.
Both were unplayable on the day, with Bragman the ringleader, returning figures of five for seven runs from 7.5 overs, while Stovell claimed a remarkable two for five from five overs.
Brought in to bolster the batting, Cuts’ guests Kwasi James [one] and Sabir [three] conspired for four runs, while the threat of captain Ras Solomon [12] was also nullified.
Shaquille Bean [14] was the high man for the challengers, as extras delivered 17 runs to the overall total of 57.
Any content which is considered unsuitable, unlawful, or offensive, includes personal details, advertises or promotes products, services or websites, or repeats previous comments will be removed.
User comments posted on this website are solely the views and opinions of the comment writer and are not a representation of or reflection of the opinions of TNN or its staff.
TNN reserves the right to remove, edit or censor any comments.
TNN accepts no liability and will not be held accountable for the comments made by users.