Flatts clinched promotion to the Premier Division after thrashing Somerset Bridge by nine wickets at White Hill, as Bridge’s batting performance was similar to that of Flatts a week ago in the Eastern Counties final.

Bridge, third in the standings going into the match, could only manage 56 runs after winning the toss and opting to bat.

Flatts needed just 11.1 overs to reach their target and clinch the First Division title, finishing the match well before heavy rain fell on the west end of the Island.

“The hard work is just beginning, winning the First Division is not too tough, you just have to be the most consistent team,” said Cofield Robinson, the Flatts captain who carried them to victory with 30 not out.

Robinson opened the innings with Kijuan Franks, the player he replaced as captain this season, and they were on the verge of completing a ten-wicket victory when Franks lofted a catch to Ezekiel Greenwood at mid-off off Wayne Ball Jr’s bowling with just three runs needed for victory.

Franks scored 20 in the opening stand of 54 and has been the team’s most consistent performer this season. He claimed three wickets earlier in the match. Asked if achieving promotion made up for the team’s disappointing performance in the Eastern Counties, Robinson replied: “Not really, but like I told the Flatts fans I apologise from me first and then the team. It’s kind of bitter sweat, I guess.”

Flatts needed the victory to move back ahead of Western Stars in the push for the automatic promotion place.

Only two Bridge batsmen reached double figures as their innings lasted 28.4 overs. Sean Riley scored eleven and Jahnoi Bean ten as Chris Dailey claimed four for 15 from nine overs with three maidens and Franks three for seven from 7.4 overs, also with three maidens. Nelson Bascome and Darnell Ferrell took a wicket apiece.

“It was our strong point all season, our bowling and fielding, while our batting has not been good though we have been chasing teams’ runs pretty good for some reason,” Robinson said.

“Last season Kijuan was the captain, this year I took it off him and I guess it eased a bit of pressure off him so he can focus on his game. Like I said the hard work is just beginning, but we can spring a few surprises, I’m pretty sure.”

Western Stars kept the pressure on Flatts at the top of the tables when they beat the Bermuda Under-17s by six wickets at St John’s Field on Saturday.

The youngsters posted a challenging 210 for five thanks to captain Alex Dore’s 120 off 106 balls which included 11 fours and five sixes.

Opener Amari Ebbin scored 20 from 119 balls as the pair put on 103 for the second wicket after Nzari Paynter departed with just 23 on the board.

Brian Hall claimed two for 28 off ten overs with five maidens and Seth Campbell two for 29 from seven to lead the Stars bowling.

In their run chase, Stars had a 42-run opening stand between Temiko Wilson and Wayne Campbell before Brian Hall, batting at No 3, carried on with 76 not out to complete the victory.

Hall faced 85 balls and hit eight fours and three sixes as he and Seth Campbell added 94 for the unbroken sixth victory. Cameron Jeffers took two for 51 off nine overs for the Under-17s.

PHC beat Warwick by 49 runs at Southampton Oval in a low scoring match. PHC, with ten men, scored 134 and restricted nine-man Warwick to 85 despite 58 from veteran Lionel Cann.

No other Warwick batsman reached double figures as Cal Waldron claimed four for ten and Cal Symons three for just two runs.

In the batting for PHC, Ellsworth Bean scored 53 before he was run out, while captain Khiry Furbert added 35 in the tailend. San’j Dill claimed four for 47 and Cameron Jeffers three for 27 as Warwick used just three bowlers in dismissing PHC in 21 overs.