Allan Douglas Jr struck a half-century to help Southampton Rangers to a seven-wicket win over PHC in the third round of the Western Counties Cup at White Hill Field on Saturday.

The guest player came to the crease with Rangers struggling on 32 for three, but seized control with an eye-catching 64 not out including a six to surpass PHC’s total of 129 with almost half of their overs to spare.

PHC were put into bat and found themselves wobbling at 14 for three before Tre Manders, the Bermuda batsman, steadied the ship, scoring 71 to help his side bat out their 50 overs.

Kevin Tucker, the Rangers seam bowler, took three wickets for 27 runs, while left-arm slow bowler Derrick Brangman claimed two for 25.

The visiting side suffered a blow when Jade Morrisey, their wicketkeeper, was injured while attempting to take a catch after a top edge by opener Alex Dore on the first ball of Rangers’ innings.

Several Rangers players collided with Morrisey, who appeared to dislocate his shoulder and was unable to continue, as they circled underneath the ball as the chance went begging.

Charles Trott demonstrated why many observes believe he should have been picked for St George’s in Cup Match with an impressive piece of bowling for PHC, taking two for 28 with his left-arm seam.

A rain shower interrupted the Rangers innings for about 30 minutes but when play resumed Douglas stepped up a gear to guide his side to a comfortable victory.

Douglas, who won the Safe Hands Award last week, said it was satisfying to produce the goods in his first match for Rangers.

“It’s always pleasing to do well for a team that you don’t normally play for and it was good for me to make a flying start,” said the St George’s Cup Match player. “Given the quality of batsman we have, with the likes or Alex Dore, Janeiro Tucker, Ricardo Brangman and Curtis Jackson, I was never too worried about chasing their total.”

Douglas, who scored just one run in two innings in Cup Match, said he was happy to return to form with the bat.

“I’m pretty pleased with my form this season [although] obviously not Cup Match, two innings and one run!” said Douglas, who plays for St David’s in the Premier Division.

“Hopefully we can get through the next round and hopefully I’ll be in the team for the Champion of Champions [featuring the winners of three counties, Eastern, Western and Central].

“It’s my first time back in Western Counties for three years and it feels good to finally win it once more.

“The last time I won it was about ten years ago for Warwick. This was my first time playing for Rangers and it’s a good group of guys here.”