St George’s extended their lead at the top of the One First Division after a 224-run thrashing of Flatts in a top-of-the-table clash at Lord’s yesterday.

Both teams are battling to clinch the automatic promotion spot, with St George’s holding an eight-point lead going into yesterday’s matches. However, this game was in the bag for St George’s after they posted a mammoth 307 for six in their 50 overs with Onias Bascome leading the way with 121 not out.

Captain Macai Simmons supported with 77 while Nzari Paynter added 33 and Ryan Steede 25. Darnell Farrell led the Flatts bowling with three for 37 from seven overs.

Despite an opening stand of 22 between Reggie Baker and captain Kijuan Franks, Flatts slumped to 83 all out in just 22.2 overs. They were quickly 30 for three and then 59 for five as St George’s kept on the pressure. Detroy Smith was the top bowler with four for 40 off ten overs while Steede took two for 11 and Isaiah Greaves two for 21. Regino Smith was the top Flatts batsman with 35, while Kristof Von Tander scored 11.

PHC’s promotion hopes were dashed after they suffered an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of Western Counties rivals Willow Cuts at PHC Field.

Cuts sent their hosts to bat and dismissed them for 81 in 24 overs with opening bowler Tyshaun Brown and third change Shaquille Jones claiming three for 16 and three for three.

Kevin Lambe led the PHC resistance with 17 while Charles Trott added 13.

Cuts raced to victory in 15 overs, with Kwasi James leading the run chase with 32 and Shaquille Outerbridge scoring an unbeaten 29 in the visitors’ total of 82 for two.

Trott and Tyrique Smith claimed the only Cuts wickets to fall.

At White Hill Field, visiting Warwick warmed up for Saturday’s Western Counties final against holders Southampton Rangers at the same venue with a seven-wicket demolition of Somerset Bridge.

Bridge elected to bat, but only managed 139 all out in 36.1 overs as opening bowler Steffan Dill wreaked havoc with the new ball on the way to four for 24.

Donnie Charles topped the Bridge batting with 40 while Torleiar Caines chipped in with 15 and Jamie Raynor 11.

The visitors received good contributions from their top order as they replied with 142 for two in 35.2 overs. Kyle Swan led the chase with 42 and scored the winning runs after pulling Sean Perinchief to the mid-wicket boundary for four.