Stars confident of retaining trophy
Western Stars put their Central Counties title on the line today when they welcome Young Men’s Social Club to St John’s Field in the final round of the competition.
Stars thrashed Devonshire Rec by nine wickets a fortnight ago to snatch the Central Counties Cup from the holders in comfortable fashion with the game over by lunch.
They then challengers dispatched the title holders for one of the lowest totals in Central Counties history, 37 runs, courtesy of wicket-takers Jason Lowe, Seth Campbell and Brian Hall, in just under 19 overs.
In front of the holders now are city rivals Social Club, who will be looking to take the cup away from Stars in an all-First Division clash.
Stars’ opening batsman Tre Manders is confident his charges have what it takes retain the showpiece.
“I am very confident about the match because we have pretty much the same team as last year and that team was very talented and promising,” said Manders. “There is a little bit of pressure on us but I am sure that we can handle it.
“The club can use this as a stepping stone and it would bring our confidence real high knowing that we are the champs for this year.”
Stars are currently in fourth place in the First Division table on 24 points, albeit with two games in hand, while Social Club have two points to their name from three games and sit in sixth.
The winner of today’s game won’t have much time to celebrate as both are in action tomorrow as Stars welcome St George’s to St John’s Field, and Warwick tackle Social Club at PHC Field.
The two remaining First Division matches see Somerset Bridge and Flatts battle at White Hill Field, while Somerset and PHC clash at Somerset Cricket Club.
In Premier Division action, heated rivals St David’s and Bailey’s Bay lock horns at Lords with the winners taking possession of first place.
A win for Bay would give them extra breathing space at the top of the table as they have a 13-point lead.
Another match with major title implications is the battle between Southampton Rangers and Willow Cuts at Southampton Oval, with Cuts looking to apply pressure to those above them.
To Cuts’ advantage they have only played one game while both St David’s and Bay have played three.
The remaining Premier match sees the two bottom teams, Devonshire Rec and Cleveland County, meet at Sea Breeze Oval.
In today’s other games, Cuts will try and take advantage of their games in hand when they travel to Devonshire Rec to face Devonshire Rec, while Somerset Bridge make the short trek to PHC Field to meet PHC.
All games begin at 11am.
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Published Jun 9, 2012 at 6:57 am (Updated Jun 9, 2012 at 6:57 am)