Bridgeport Captain Roy Williams says players and management staff have a long-term goal of even more dominance in the St Catherine Jamaica Energy Partners 40-over-per-side cricket competition after they lifted their third championship in a row.

Bridgeport defeated major rivals Old Harbour by 72 runs in the final at Port Esquivel Sports Club in Catherine on Sunday, April 28.

Batting first, Bridgeport were bowled out for 207 inside the 37th over. But they defended the total admirably, dismissing Old Harbour for 135.

Scores: Bridgeport 207 (36.4ovs); Old Harbour 135 (31.4 ovs)

Both teams had also met in last year’s final, with Bridgeport emerging the victors against the 11-time champions.

Bridgeport’s only loss of the season came against Paul Mountain in their opening match.

Williams, in his first season as the team’s skipper, said the prospects are bright.

“We are elated because Old Harbour had won the title seven seasons in a row, and now we are gaining ground by winning three straight. We are excited and feeling very positive about winning the title for years to come,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“We are looking to retain the young players that we have. Every season we look to incorporate youth players into our team to have that consistency in terms of players who we are grooming to become a future Bridgeport captain.”

WILLIAMS… every season we look to incorporate youth players into our team

Oshane Baugh, who made 56, was the top-scorer for Bridgeport in the final with Rushane Gordon and Jamaica Scorpions teenage batsman Justin Beckford both scoring 35.

Old Harbour’s bowling was led by Jamaica Scorpions off-spinner Peat Salmon (6-80), while Rohan Francis grabbed 2-39. Bridgeport’s Kern Duckett starred for Bridgeport with 7-64 and Williams chipped in with 2-28 as Old Harbour fell 72 runs short.

Old Harbour’s leading scorers were Romone Francis (46) and Damion Wolliston (44).

Bridgeport’s Gordon was the tournament’s top run-scorer with 415 runs, while his teammate Duckett led the bowling charts with 24 wickets.

Williams said Bridgeport’s all-round strength stood out during the final.

“We were confident of winning [after posting 207] because throughout the season our bowling has complemented our batting and vice versa. We have a lot of experienced players in both the bowling and batting departments, so we knew that once we made a good enough total of about 180 runs or above we had good enough bowling to defend that total,” he explained.

The Bridgeport captain praised Baugh for making another invaluable contribution in a final match.

“While the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker came from our team, in Oshane Baugh we have a man for the final. In every final Bridgeport have won so far he has played an integral role in getting us a reasonable total on the board, so we have to hail him,” Williams said.