Brangman & Dill star as St. David’s & Rangers claim Titles
IslandStats.com
A historic century from Davin Dill and a masterclass from Ricardo Brangman headlined an explosive opening day of the 2026 cricket season at Somerset Cricket Club.
The Champion of Champions double-header delivered immediate drama as St. David’s Cricket Club were crowned Premier Division champions, while Southampton Rangers secured the First Division silverware in a high-scoring curtain-raiser.
Champion of Champions 1st Division
Southampton Rangers 222 PHC 0/0
The day began with a milestone performance in the First Division clash between Southampton Rangers and PHC. Southampton Rangers posted a formidable 222 for 9, led by a clinical 65 not out from Nacori Smith. Smith’s 49-ball stay included seven boundaries and a six, setting a daunting task for the challengers.
The response from PHC was defined by a truly historic moment. Davin Dill became the first player of the 2026 season to reach triple figures, smashing a spectacular 103 not out from just 54 deliveries. His century, which included eight fours and eight sixes, kept PHC in the hunt, supported by a rapid 52 from Charles Trott.
Despite the heroics from Dill and Trott, PHC were unable to keep up with the required rate, eventually falling 50 runs short at 172 for 5. Donté Brangman was the pick of the Rangers' bowlers, returning remarkably economical figures of 2 for 7 to ensure the trophy stayed with the Southampton side.
Champion of Champions Premier
St. George's Cricket Club 184/7 St. David's Cricket Club 188/2
St. David’s Cricket Club sent a clear message to the rest of the league with a dominant eight-wicket victory over rivals St. George’s.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, St. George’s posted a competitive 184 for 7, anchored by a fiery 69 from Jonte Smith. Smith’s 41-ball knock, featuring 10 fours and two sixes, provided a solid foundation, while Brian Hall led the St. David's attack with a disciplined 2 for 23.
However, the chase was a one-sided affair. Ricardo Brangman produced a sensational, unbeaten 90 off just 40 balls, dismantling the St. George’s bowling with eight towering sixes. He was ably supported by Isaiah O'Brien, who struck a composed 68 not out. The pair steered St. David’s to 188 for 2, reaching the target with overs to spare and reclaiming the trophy in emphatic fashion.
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Smith Stars with the Ball as Frenchay Cruise to Friendly Victory
IslandStats.com
Frenchay CC 222/6 Westbury & District CC, Wilts 144/9
Bermudian seamer Chare Smith produced a clinical display of disciplined bowling to help Frenchay Cricket Club secure a dominant 78-run victory over Westbury & District CC.
In a pre-season encounter that tested both fitness and technical execution, Frenchay proved too strong for their Wiltshire-based opponents, defending a solid total with relative ease.
After being put in to bat by Westbury, who won the toss under clear skies, Frenchay’s top order found their rhythm early. The innings was anchored by Mike Donaldson, who played a quintessential anchor role, reaching 50 before retiring not out to allow his teammates valuable time in the middle.
While Smith was not required to unstrap his pads in the dugout, his teammates navigated the 40 overs effectively, posting a competitive 222 for 6. Liam D'souza was the standout performer for the Westbury attack, providing the most resistance with figures of 2 for 24 from his four overs.
The chase proved a mountain too high for Westbury as the Frenchay attack, led by Smith, applied pressure from both ends. Smith was the pick of the bowlers, utilizing the early-season conditions to return figures of 2 for 18 from his six overs—including two maidens that stifled the scoring rate.
Despite a spirited 41 from Javon Grosvenor, Westbury struggled to build the necessary partnerships to threaten the target. The Wiltshire side was eventually restricted to 144 for 9 as the overs ran out, leaving Frenchay to celebrate a comprehensive victory.
For Smith, the performance marks a positive start to the English summer as he looks to build momentum heading into the league campaign. His ability to maintain a tight line and length in the opening spells will be a significant asset for Frenchay as they navigate a busy schedule in the weeks ahead.
Frenchay Cricket Club Inning
..50 (79) Mike Donaldson retired - not out ..29 (33) Tom Bibby c Kane Scott b Richard Oakley ..31 (30) Tyrone Isitt c Fraser Moore b Tom Lucas ..23 (39) Steffan Davies c Andy Carroll b Liam D'souza ..10 (09) Madushan Ravichandrakumar c Javon Grosvenor b Tom Lucas ..23 (36) Akshat Krishna c Javon Grosvenor b Andy Carroll ..08 (07) Rishabh Singh c Javon Grosvenor b Liam D'souza ..06 (08) Harangaddeep Singh Not Out ..04 (03) Kavin Panagoda Not Out ..38 Extras (2b-10lb-23w-3nb) 222 Total for 6 wickets after 40 overs
Fall of Wickets: 1-76 (Bibby), 2-118* (Donaldson* retired not out), 2-128 (Isitt), 3-143 (Ravichandrakumar), 4-183 (Davies), 5-199 (Singh), 6-215 (Krishna)
Westbury & District CC, Wilts Bowlers
8.0-0-39-1 Richard Oakley 6.0-0-28-1 Andy Carroll 7.0-0-51-0 Rory White 8.0-1-33-2 Tom Lucas 5.0-0-27-0 Fraser Moore 4.0-0-24-2 Liam D'souza 2.0-0-08-0 Javon Grosvenor
Westbury & District CC, Wilts Inning
..05 (19) Daniel Gill b Rishabh Singh ..00 (08) Kane Scott b Chare Smith ..07 (08) Adam Alger c Tom Bibby b Rishabh Singh ..07 (20) Fraser Moore b Chare Smith ..41 (70) Javon Grosvenor b Harangaddeep Singh ..12 (12) Tom Lucas b Alex Stell ..29 (58) Luke Dilena b Kavin Panagoda ..19 (34) Rory White b Madushan Ravichandrakumar ..16 (07) Andy Carroll Not Out ..02 (03) Liam D'souza st Tom Bibby b Madushan Ravichandrakumar ..00 (010 Richard Oakley Not Out ..06 Extras (1lb-5w) 144 Total for 9 wickets after 40 overs
Manders & Tata Steel Fall Short in Pre-Season Thriller
IslandStats.com
Pontarddulais CC 110/6 Tata Steel CC 102/7
Tata Steel’s preparations for the new campaign hit a narrow roadblock this weekend as they fell to an eight-run defeat against Pontarddulais CC in a tightly contested pre-season friendly.
In a match defined by disciplined bowling and a tense run chase, it was Pontarddulais who held their nerve at the death to secure the win after electing to bat first.
The Pontarddulais openers found the early conditions to their liking, with Lewis Edwards anchoring the innings. Edwards played a masterful hand, top-scoring with a composed 52 to provide the backbone of his side's 110 for 6 from their 20 overs.
The Tata Steel attack, however, refused to let the game get away from them. Preetham Venkatesh was the standout performer with the ball, returning impressive figures of 2 for 15 from his four-over quota. Bermudian all-rounder Jaiden Manders offered vital support, maintaining a tight line to finish with 1 for 20 from his four overs, ensuring the target remained within reach.
In reply, Tata Steel’s pursuit of 111 was a stop-start affair. Manders shifted gears from his bowling duties to lead the batting charge, showing glimpses of fine early-season form. He and teammate Rohith Bharadwaj both notched 26 runs, but the pair struggled to find the boundary consistently enough to break the pressure.
The decisive spell came from Pontarddulais bowler Callum Croft. Croft dismantled the Tata Steel middle order, claiming 3 for 15 in a clinical four-over spell that squeezed the life out of the chase.
Despite a late flurry of runs, Tata Steel were restricted to 102 for 7 as the 20th over drew to a close. While a loss is never the desired result, the all-round contribution from Manders will provide plenty of encouragement for the Tata Steel coaching staff as they look ahead to the official season opener.
Pontarddulais CC Inning
..52 (26) Lewis Edwards st Richard Jones b Daniel Melindo ..36 (52) Carl Roberts Not Out ..04 (09) Oliver Rogers st Richard Jones b Daniel Melindo ..04 (11) Iestyn Rees b Preetham Venkatesh ..01 (09) Owen Thomas b Preetham Venkatesh ..02 (06) Jac Arrowsmith Run Out ..01 (05) Rhys Barlow b Jaiden Manders ..01 (02) Callum Croft Not Out ..09 Extras (1lb-8w) 110 Total for 6 wickets after 20.0 overs
Fall of Wickets: 1-64 (Edwards); 2-82 (Rogers); 3-96 (Rees); 4-103 (Thomas); 5-105 (Arrowsmith); 6-109 (Barlow);
Tata Steel CC Bowlers
2.0-0-26-0 Adam Jardine 2.0-0-16-0 Damien Williams 4.0-0-23-2 Daniel Melindo 4.0-0-20-1 Jaiden Manders 4.0-0-15-2 Preetham Venkatesh 4.0-0-09-0 Hashir Azeem
Tata Steel CC Inning
..00 (02) Jack Donovan LBW Luke Benton ..26 (32) Rohith Bharadwaj c Iestyn Rees b Jac Arrowsmith ..26 (34) Jaiden Manders c Luke Benton b Oliver Rogers ..04 (16) Adam Jardine st Jac S Williams b Callum Croft ..13 (21) Daniel Melindo Not Out ..12 (08) Preetham Venkatesh c Carl Roberts b Callum Croft ..07 (06) Sai Nikhil Reddy Bathula c Mathew Fisher b Callum Croft ..00 (01) Iestyn Rees Run Out ..00 (00) Richard Jones Not Out ..14 Extras (3b-11w) 102 Total for 7 wickets after 20.0 overs
Fall of Wickets: 1-0 (Donovan); 2-63(Manders); 3-67 (Bharadwaj); 4-69 -(Jardine); 5-81 (Venkatesh); 6-94 (Bathula); 7-101 (Rees);
Pontarddulais CC Bowlers
3.0-0-15-1 Luke Benton 3.0-0-18-0 Rhys Barlow 4.0-0-24-1 Oliver Rogers 2.0-0-12-0 Owen Lewis 4.0-0-15-1 Jac Arrowsmith 4.0-0-15-3 Callum Croft
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Bristol Spinners Stun Manders & Cardiff Met in Friendly
IslandStats.com
University of Bristol CC 226 Cardiff Metropolitan University CC 136
Jaiden Manders and his Cardiff Metropolitan University CC teammates endured a tough afternoon in the field as they went down by 70 runs to the University of Bristol CC in a pre-season friendly.
Despite winning the toss and electing to field, Cardiff Met struggled to contain a clinical Bristol batting lineup on a surface that offered plenty for the seamers early on. Alex Sedgley anchored the Bristol innings with a superb knock of 85, navigating a testing opening spell to steer his side toward a formidable total of 226.
Cardiff’s standout performer with the ball was Gabriel Muhajiri, who produced a tireless spell to claim figures of 4 for 27 from his seven overs. Bermudian all-rounder Jaiden Manders provided valuable support in the middle overs, finishing with 1 for 27 from his four-over stint as Bristol were eventually bowled out for 226.
The chase, however, never quite gathered the necessary momentum. Cardiff Met found themselves reeling early against a disciplined Bristol attack led by Mihin Sugeeswaran. Sugeeswaran was the wrecker-in-chief, dismantling the middle order to finish with a five-wicket haul (5-33).
Joseph Cockings offered the most resistance for the students, top-scoring with a gritty 30, while Manders was unable to repeat his recent heroics with the bat, falling for just a single run. Cardiff Met were eventually dismissed for 136, falling well short of the target.
While the result marks a setback in their preparations, Manders and his squad will look to take the lessons from a testing encounter into their upcoming league fixtures as the university season gathers pace.
University of Bristol CC Inning
..10 (34) Freddie Doel b Gabriel Muhajiri ..04 Ben Floto b Gabriel Muhajiri ..00 (01) Piyush Kumar LBW Gabriel Muhajiri ..00 (06) Ben Reilly b Gabriel Muhajiri ..50 (83) Dev Nair b Joseph Cockings ..02 (03) Uday Jolly Run Out ..85 (109) Alex Sedgley c James Kellaway b Jaiden Manders ..03 (12) Mihin Sugeeswaran ct & b Max Warby ..25 (25) James Marks Not Out ..08 (08) George Horner c Ollie Jones b Joseph Cockings ..00 (02) Jack Carter Run Out ..39 Extras ((5b-3lb-28w-3nb) 226 Total All Out after 49.0 overs
Fall of Wickets: 1-26 (Floto); 2-27 (Kumar); 3-27 (Reilly); 4-29 (Doel); 5-32 -(Jolly); 6-169(Nair); 7-176(Sugeeswaran); 8-200 (Sedgley); 9-226 (Horner); 10-226(Carter)
Cardiff Metropolitan University CC Bowlers
10.-4-22-0 Carrick Dunbar 7.0-2-27-4 Gabriel Muhajiri 10.-1-41-2 Joseph Cockings 6.0-0-38-0 Alex Zotov 10.-0-47-1 Max Warby 2.0-0-16-0 Mohammad Moosa Shahid 4.0-0-27-1 Jaiden Manders
Cardiff Metropolitan University CC Inning
..09 (35) Matthew Shorto LBW Jack Carter ..13 (14) Baljeevan Khalsa LBW Jack Carter ..01 (08) Jaiden Manders b George Horner ..12 (23) Ollie Jones c Uday Jolly b Mihin Sugeeswaran ..30 (45) Joseph Cockings c James Marks b Mihin Sugeeswaran ..00 (02) James Kellaway c Alex Sedgley b Mihin Sugeeswaran ..17 (28) Mohammad Moosa Shahid LBW Mihin Sugeeswaran ..05 (09) Max Warby ct & b Uday Jolly ..13 (19) Carrick Dunbar Not Out ..12 (10) Alex Zotov b Mihin Sugeeswaran ..21 Extras (1b-17w-3nb) 136 Total All Out after 33.2 overs
7.0-2-19-1 George Horner 7.2-1-32-3 Jack Carter 9.0-0-51-1 Uday Jolly 10.-1-33-5 Mihin Sugeeswaran
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Bristol Phoenix Secure Friendly Victory Over Westbury
IslandStats.com
Westbury & District CC, Wilts 60 Bristol West Indian Phoenix CC 132/3
Cameron Jeffers and his Bristol West Indian Phoenix CC teammates began their pre-season campaign in clinical fashion, securing a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Westbury & District CC.
The hosts won the toss and elected to bat, but the decision quickly backfired as the Bristol attack produced a disciplined display to dismantle the Westbury lineup for just 60 runs. The standout performer was Rushabh Yadav, who delivered an exceptional spell of 4 for 6 from just three overs, leaving the Westbury middle order in tatters.
Bermudian international Jeffers played a vital supporting role, maintaining the pressure with an economical spell of 3-0-9-0. While he was unable to break into the wickets, his control from the pavilion end allowed Yadav and his fellow seamers to attack with freedom. J Trotman provided the only significant resistance for Westbury, top-scoring with 17 before the innings folded.
In reply, Bristol West Indian Phoenix never looked troubled by the modest target. Although the scoreboard was crossed within the first ten overs, the visitors utilized the remainder of the session for valuable middle practice, eventually reaching 132 for 3 after 19.5 overs.
The chase was spearheaded by Ishtiaq Ishaq, who remained unbeaten on 44. Ishaq demonstrated a wide range of strokes, finding the boundary with regularity to anchor the innings and ensure a morale-boosting win to kick off the spring schedule. Trotman proved to be the most effective bowler for Westbury in the second innings, returning figures of 1 for 13 from five overs.
With the first win of the season under their belt, Jeffers and his side now turn their attention to a busy schedule of friendlies as they prepare for the rigors of the West of England Premier Cricket League.
Westbury & District CC Inning
..09 (24) Daniel Gill b Rashard Robinson ..02 (07) Kane Scott LBW Mike Jones ..00 (07) Adam Alger b Mike Jones ..01 (12) Matthew Greatley b Rashard Robinson ..10 (20) Javon Grosvenor c Vishal Mamgai b Jack Baber ..17 (45) J Trotman b Rushabh Yadav ..06 (22) Leo Bates LBW Rushabh Yadav ..05 (10) Luke Dilena Rushabh Yadav ..00 (11) Richard Oakley Not Out ..00 (02) Garic Hopkins b Rushabh Yadav ..00 902) Liam D'souza Run Out ..10 Extras (1b-2lb-6w-1nb) ..60 Total All Out after 26.5 overs
6.0-0-14-2 Mike Jones 6.0-2-14-2 Rashard Robinson 4.0-0-10-0 Ashur Morrison 4.0-1-04-1 Jack Baber 3.0-0-09-0 Cameron Jeffers 3.0-0-06-4 Rushabh Yadav 0.5-0-00-0 Ishtiaq Ishaq
Bristol West Indian Phoenix CC Bowlers
..06 (04) Muntasir Nayeem LBW Richard Oakley ..25 (34) James Pearson Retired - Not Out ..25 (20) Jack Baber LBW J Trotman ..44 (47) Ishtiaq Ishaq Not Out ..16 (08) Mike Jones c & b Javon Grosvenor ..05 (08) Rushabh Yadav Not Out ..15 Extras (4b-11w) 136 Total for 3 wickets after 19.5 overs
Fall of Wickets: 1-6 (Nayeem), 2-45 (Baber), 3-84* (Pearson retired not out), 3-109 (Jones)
Westbury & District CC Inning Bowlers
4.0-0-34-1 Richard Oakley 5.0-1-13-1 J Trotman 4.0-0-46-0 Liam D'souza 4.5-0-23-1 Javon Grosvenor 1.0-0-09-0 Adam Alger 1.0-0-07-0 Matthew Greatley
