St George’s edged St David’s by one wicket in a low-scoring Cup Match trial at Wellington Oval on Saturday.

St David’s won the toss, batted first and were dismissed for just 109 in 28.5 overs. St George’s fared only slightly better, replied with 110 for nine in 26.5 overs, after being comfortably placed at 76 for three at one stage. Top batsman for St David’s was Oronde Bascome with 18 while Rudell Pitcher scored 17 and Mackih McGowan 14.

The top three batsmen in the batting order, Okera Bascome, Macai Simmons and Brian Hall, all failed to reach double figures as St David’s found themselves in early trouble at 19 for three before Oronde Bascome led the recovery, facing 40 balls and hitting three fours.

Spinner Cameron Jeffers, the sixth bowler used by St George’s, finished with the best figures, three for ten from 2.5 overs while opener Kyle Hodsoll took two for 15 off four overs.

St George’s were seemingly coasting to an easy victory at 76 for three when Q’Shai Darrell’s dismissal for a top score of 32 signalled a collapse.

Wicketkeeper Darrell, batting at No 3, faced 26 balls and hit four fours and a six as he and Charles Trott (22) finished as the top batsmen for St George’s. Zeko Burgess’s 18 off ten balls in the tail end was crucial in the run chase as he was eighth out just three runs from victory.

However, St David’s threatened to pull off a dramatic victory when Rudell Pitcher picked up two wickets in three deliveries before Jeffers scored the winning runs to seal the win for St George’s. McGowan claimed four for 32 and Pitcher three for seven for St David’s.