Devonshire Rec placed a firm grip on the First Division promotion play-off spot when they beat PHC yesterday at the Rec while St George’s, third in the standings, were losing heavily to champions Western Stars at St John’s Field.

Leading St George’s by eight points going into the weekend matches, Rec defeated PHC by four wickets after an unbeaten stand of 69 between Kenny Phillip and Jodi Maronie carried them to victory after PHC posted 219 for nine in their 50 overs.

Khiri Furbert scored 55 and Ellsworth Bean 52 for PHC after the pair carried them from early trouble at 52 for four with a stand of 77 for the fifth wicket.

Levar Talbot claimed three for 32 for Rec who used eight bowlers.

Devonshire Rec reached their target for the loss of six wickets as Kenny Phillip scored 59 not out and Chris Douglas 56 while Maronie finished 30 not out.

Darren Anglin was the best PHC bowler with two for 33.

Western Stars, meanwhile, handed St George’s a 141-run defeat, scoring 214 for seven from their 50 overs and then restricting St George’s to 73 all out. Temiko Wilson, coming in at No 4, was high man for Stars with 122 which included nine fours and seven sixes before he was out to the last ball of the innings. Rohaan Davis added 16.

Mishael Paynter claimed three for 36 from ten overs to lead the St George’s bowling, while veteran Herbie Bascome took two for 12 off ten overs with three maidens.

Ryan Steede, the St George’s player-coach, was top scorer with 26 as Seth Campbell did the bowling damage for Stars with three for 13 from three overs.

Jaiden Manders, Davis and Brian Hall all claimed two wickets each, Manders finishing with two for two from 2.1 overs, Davis two for four from three overs and Hall two for 13 off four.

In the other match Somerset Bridge beat Warwick by 21 runs at White Hill Field. Bridge scored 153 and dismissed Warwick for 132.