St. George's confirmed themselves as title contenders with a commanding bowling performance against 1991 champions Devonshire Rec. at Wellington Oval yesterday.

Strike bowlers Kenny Phillips and Greg Foggo, and spinner David Adams collected three wickets apiece as Rec. were throttled on a low-playing strip before a moderate crowd.

Their total, owed to a fine half-century from skipper Graham Fox and 25 from Eugene Foggo, St. George's attacked Devonshire from the outset after the tea break and were always on top after Roger Trott top-edged an attempted hook against Phillips and was caught behind for three in the fifth over.

Makeshift opener Erskine Smith followed when the score was 24, bowled for 11 by Greg Foggo, then the prized wicket of Albert Steede (three) followed with no further addition.

The Bermuda captain got a short-pitched delivery from Phillips which stayed low and the hesitation in his shot resulted in it going straight up. After some confusion with wicket-keeper Lewis Foggo, Phillips took a delayed return catch.

The visitors were definitely on their heels now and not even a confident approach by Anthony Amory could save them. The big left-hander struck three fours in putting on 30 runs for the fourth wicket with Jason Lewis.

But when the score had reached 54, the middle of the Devonshire innings collapsed and with it their chances of victory.

After facing three deliveries in Adams' first over, Lewis (three) attempted a lofted drive and only succeeded in giving Greg Foggo a comfortable catch at point. Regular opener Terry Fray, who suffered an injury while fielding, was out next ball, young Troy Hall taking a low catch at second slip. Then in Phillips' next over with only one run added Anthony Trott took a sharp catch at silly mid-on to send a stunned Amory on his way for 18.

From 55 for six, Devonshire were in desperate straits with only Anthony Edwards (10) attempting to make an impression on the bowlers.

Greg Foggo returned late to mop up and finish with three for 23 from seven overs while Adams had three for 12 from six and Phillips three for 36 from 10.

Eugene Foggo had the other wicket for seven runs.

Both teams contrived to contribute extra runs with St. George's giving up 26 and Devonshire 29.

Rec. earlier appeared to be on their way after sending back nemeses Dexter Smith and Clay Smith with only 23 on the board.

Dexter Smith was on nine when he played an attempted drive against John Ray on to his stumps, then Clay Smith gave the first sign how the wicket may play later when an Anthony Edwards shooter trapped him in front for one.

But skipper Fox and Eugene Foggo added 72 in a stand that would loom large in the end.

Foggo's 125-minute innings ended when he mishit a drive against Mark Trott and was caught at point.

Fox made 50 exactly before he was out to a splendid diving catch at long-off by John Ray. He hit two fours and two sixes in his 116-ball stay.

Lewis Foggo chipped in with 16 and Troy Hall was 14 not out as St. George's edged closer to a fighting total.

Trott was the top Rec. bowler with three for 25 while Amory took two for 34.

Their ambitions will be severely tested when they host Bailey's Bay next Sunday.

PHC 105-5 Western Stars 106-2 PHC were significantly better than last week when they were bundled out for 50, but their final total at St. John's field was never going to challenge league champions Western Stars.

Opener Anthony Foggo made 43 and Arnold Manders blasted a quick 37 not out to pace Stars in their home debut.

Stars' afternoon lasted much longer than they anticipated after winning the toss and putting the 1992 Commercial League champs in to bat.

PHC proved to be a stubborn foe with William Minors and Dennis Bell putting on 27 before the latter fell for 13. Minors was out seven runs later for 14, then two more quick wickets fell before Antoine Greene led a fightback.

Greene top-scored with 28, which included two fours. Mark Smith (16 not out) and Derek Davis (15 not out) saw the innings through in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand that produced 22 runs.

Manders was the top Stars bowler with two for 15.

PHC had early success when Stars batted as Mike Dill had Gregory Sampson smartly caught by Dennis Bell for four with the score 20.

But Stars dominated from there with Foggo hitting five fours and a six before he was second out at 57 and Manders stroking four fours and a six in a match-winning stand of 49 with Hasan Durham (eight not out).

Bailey's Bay 256-7 Cleveland 130 Skipper Chris Smith slammed a century while Terry Burgess and Noel Gibbons combined to take six wickets to help Bailey's Bay to a comfortable 126-run victory over Cleveland at Sea Breeze Oval.

Bailey's Bay took full command from the beginning when openers Smith and Devrae Hollis put on 98 runs before they were separated when Hollis was dismissed by veteran Grant Smith for 38 after hitting three fours and two sixes.

Smith stayed around and tore the bowling apart, adding 82 for the second wicket, which he shared with Charlie Marshall who made 29.

Smith, the dominant partner in both stands, was eventually out for 107 with the score on 214 but by that time the damage had been done.

Smith's sound innings saw him finish with nine fours and four sixes. Diallo Sharrieff was the best bowler for Cleveland with three wickets for 53 off 10 overs.

Cleveland were rocked early when they lost opener Curtis Jackson (nought) with just one run scored. His opening partner Grant Smith persevered and batted on well for a hard-earned 41 and joined Wayne Smith (21) in a second-wicket stand that put on 46 runs.

However, on this day, Cleveland had too few players making major contributions. When Grant Smith, who stayed until the score reached 93, became the fifth victim it was apparent that the end was not far. Smith struck five fours.

Del Hollis was the only remaining batsman to reach double figures, finishing with 12.

Gibbons was the top bowler for Bay with three for 15 while Terry Burgess had three for 33.

PARTNERSHIP THAT WORKS -- Opening bat Eugene Foggo, left, and skipper Graham Fox put on 72 runs for the third wicket to rescue the St. George's innings before the bowlers took over yesterday at Wellington Oval.