Devonshire 257 Wendell White hit his first century in Bermuda yesterday to lead Somerset to a convincing victory in a run riot of a match at Devonshire Rec.

Number four batsman White opened the new season by spending just short of two hours at the crease and hitting 13 fours and three sixes in an innings of 105.

Somerset scored at more than six an over to build an imposing total of 303.

Devonshire Rec. never looked capable of victory and despite a fighting knock from Anthony Amory, they were still 46 runs short when their last wicket fell at 257.

White has scored centuries before in the Barbados First Division and the Essex League in England, but yesterday's ton was his first in Bermuda.

The 35-year-old, who has been with Somerset for four years, was delighted with his match-winning effort and put it down to batting with a more careful attitude.

"It's long overdue,'' said White of his century. "In the past, I've got a few 50s and then thrown it away.

"But this season I have started with a lot more serious approach which will allow me to achieve my goals. And I've put in a lot of hard training which has paid off.

"My biggest supporter is my wife Dena and she has helped me a lot. I call her my manager.'' White said the slow pitch had played its part in helping the teams amass a remarkable combined total of 560 runs.

"The pitch played well, it was slow-paced but got better and better as the match went on,'' he said.

All-rounder White, who was third in the Somerset bowling averages last season and fifth with the bat aims to bag a few more centuries this term and put himself in contention for the national squad.

Opener and Somerset skipper Steven Mendes laid the foundation for his team's big score with a solid 49 and other significant contributions came from Tony Cheeseman (27), Michael Donawa (31) and Chris Daley (25 not out).

Lyle Millett was the only home side bowler to contain the rampant Somerset batsmen with figures of one for 36 from his 10 overs, though Winston Trott Jr., Wendell Swan and Dennis Williams bagged two wickets apiece.

Devonshire's reply got off to a wobbly start and a blistering spell from pace bowler David Gibbs reduced them to 32 for two. Number six batsman Amory top-scored with 67, after Wendell Swan (18), Ricardo Brangman (25) and Jay Millett (19) all got their eye in before surrendering their wickets.

Winston Trott Jr. produced some plucky resistance late in the innings with 31 before falling lbw to Leon Place, who was the most successful Somerset bowler with three lower order wickets for 50 runs from his eight overs.

Gibbs, who appeared to be held back because of fading light after a fiery six-over opening spell, finished with two for 49.

The scheduled match at Police Field failed to take place after the official umpires Lester Harnett and Wilton Woolridge reportedly failed to show and Social Club turned up with just four players.

Two unofficial umpires, Kenneth Bourne and Paul Hinds, were ready to officiate, but by 1.00 p.m. the Social Club players had left the ground.

Police are to ask that they be awarded the two points.