Western Stars 304-7

Social Club 55

Western Stars moved into sole possession of top spot in the Premier League following this emphatic 251 victory over hapless Social Club at St. John's Field on Sunday.

Losing the toss marked the beginning of Social's misery, with Stars' captain Albert Steede electing to bat, no doubt intent on giving the bevy of youngsters included in his squad some batting practice.

The ploy worked well, although it was veteran Gershon Gibbons who did most of the damage, his 85 topping the scoring charts.

Gibbons blasted 11 fours in his 85-ball innings, putting on 74 with Jekon Edness (26) for the second wicket, and then adding 92 for the third with Cleon Scotland (48).

However, the carnage didn't stop there as Scotland and Corey Berkeley (59) added 66 for the fourth wicket as Stars crept towards the 300 mark.

P.J.Thomas contributed 20 not out at number seven, as all but two batsmen reached double figures.

Dennis Nesbitt and Dean Bean shared the bowling honours for the visitors, each taking two wickets, while Cecil Tucker, Willis Furbert and Levar Talbot bagged one each.

Social Club were never in with a shot at reaching the mammoth target, as they crashed to 55 all out.

Chief destroyer was Hasan Durham who took three for 14, while Jermaine Postlethwaite and Thomas grabbed two wickets apiece and Justin Robinson one.

Garry Williams top scored for Social Club with 12.

Devonshire 83

Southampton 87-2

Southampton made short work of Devonshire at Southampton Oval as the visitors crumbled in the face of a stringent bowling attack.

Player/coach Clevie Wade led from the front, knocking out Devonshire's middle and late order in rapid fashion, returning figures of four for 20.

Wade's showing complemented some fine bowling by from pacemen Garry Williams and Ryan Belboda, who put their opponents on the back foot early and never allowed for consolidation.

Belboda struck first, having Anthony Amory caught behind for a duck, and at the other end new ball partner Williams shattered the stumps of Oladapo Frederick (five) to leave Devonshire at 17 for two.

Darren Davis (18) and R.Smith (13) added 23 for the third wicket, but once Smith went the bottom fell out as the next seven wickets fell in the space of 43 runs.

In response, Southampton made no secret of their intention to get matters over quickly, and with Keith Wainwright blasting an unbeaten 35 and fellow opener David Ferreira (18) likewise in a belligerent mood, it was all over before tea.

Somerset Bridge 70

Willow Cuts 71

Willow Cuts found the perfect get-well remedy for the previous week's hammering, as they easily brushed aside a gallant but futile challenge from neighbours Somerset Bridge.

Winning the toss, Bridge surprisingly elected to bat on a moist wicket and the error of judgement was soon evident as they lost wickets at a fast rate.

All of Cuts' bowlers enjoyed reasonable success, with Richard Basden proving the most effective, taking three for 12 from eight overs. Ossie Hinds chipped in with three wickets of his own, as did Terrence Parsons, while Charles Swan seized one scalp.

Perry Saunders top scored for Bridge, tallying 16 at number five. Alfred Carter was next high man at 13.

Cuts had a scare in their chase with Dwayne Basden succumbing to the medium pace of Denzil Dill with the total just 11, but they were never in real danger chasing such a modest target.

Dwight Basden had the high score of 24, while Andre Hendrickson (15) also made a useful contribution as the match ended before tea.

St. George's 156

PHC 82

St. George's maintained their perfect record in this rain-restricted affair at White Hill Field, the east enders defeating PHC by 74 runs.

With the start delayed by two hours due to a wet wicket, the match became one of a pure slog from the outset.

Mark Ray opened the innings for the visitors and top scored with 33, while Herbie Bascome was next high at 28, as Gerald Simons bagged four wickets as the sixth bowler used. Shoron Hunt took two wickets, while Neil Anglin, Arthur Richards and Antoine Simmons claimed one each.

For PHC only Kenny Mills (27) and player/coach Andre Manders (17) offered any real resistance, as the home side collapsed to 82 all out, with David Adams taking three for four, while Eugene Foggo seized two wickets, as did Kenny Phillip.