Brian Clarke, the Fairfield United captain, says “proper planning” and players executing their respective tasks were central to the six-wicket triumph over Junction/Ballards Valley in Sunday’s Social Development Commission (SDC)/Cal’s Community Twenty20 (T20) cricket final.

In the heavily rain-affected championship match at Port Rhoades Sports Club in Discovery Bay, St Ann, the Manchester-based Fairfield team, chasing a revised target of 43, reached 44-4 inside six overs.

Scores: Junction/Ballard’s Valley 45-8 (7 ovs); Fairfield 44-4 (5.5 ovs)

Oshane Walters was the standout player for Fairfield, claiming three wickets for two runs and hitting 23 not out in the run-chase.

The win gave Fairfield United their second SDC T20 title, while five-time former champions Junction/Ballard’s Valley of St Elizabeth were losing in the final for the first time.

“This victory means a lot to the team and community. It shows that a vision can come to fruition through hard work, proper planning and preparation,” Clarke, who made 10, told the Jamaica Observer.

“Our willingness to take accountability for our individual actions and thus improve from mistakes [made us] grow from strength to strength as a team,” he said.

Clarke regretted the wet weather which prevented the teams from having the chance to face 20 overs each, but said he was pretty certain of victory once they won the toss and sent the opposition to take first strike.

“It [the rain] definitely affected the promised spectacle on the field as we weren’t able to defeat junction as planned over 40 overs.

“It’s somewhat bittersweet because we wanted to defeat them over 40 overs and were poised to do so after an incredible start from our bowlers and fielders. Nevertheless, we are indeed grateful to have won,” he explained.

Clarke added: “We were confident, and I’d go a bit further to say our confidence grew immensely after the toss given that Junction is known to prefer chasing [a target].”

Junction/Ballard’s Valley skipper Damian Ebanks told the Observer that losing the toss was pivotal.

“I think once we lost the toss, and the weather was around I knew it was going to be difficult. The reduced overs made it even more difficult for us because we didn’t get the start we were looking for so we didn’t get to chance to rebuild or do anything,” he said.

He said it was a strong 2023 campaign from his side and insisted that the truncated final match didn’t necessarily prove the top team on the day.

“I think it was a really good season for us. The guys really did well, I can’t complain about the way they played because batting seven overs in the final doesn’t really tell you that the better team won.

“I’m proud of [my players] and we’re looking to next year and to see where we can go from there,” Ebanks said.

In an earlier T10 women’s match on the day, Angels beat Talented Blazers by nine wickets.

Scores: Talented Blazers 77-3 (10 ovs); Angels 78-1 (9.1 ovs).

In another T10 encounter, Portland Masters defeated Western Strikers by 38 runs.

Scores: Portland Masters 105-4 (10 ovs); Western Strikers 67-7 (10 ovs).