Even with a depleted line-up, St. George's still showed they can chase big totals when, against the clock, they knocked off the required runs to beat arch-rivals Somerset at Wellington Oval yesterday.

Despite not starting their innings until 5.30 -- having spent more than five hours in the sun after winning the toss -- the league champions were in no mood to play out for a draw as they brought this match to an exciting end in fading light.

In the 32.1 overs they received between 5.30 and 8.00, St. George's reached their target with the loss of just four wickets as opener Dexter Smith returned to form with an unbeaten 101 including 11 fours and two sixes.

After losing opening partner Eugene Foggo for three when the score was 29, and captain Graham Fox seven runs later, Smith's role took on even greater importance in a team already without the batting of Wendell and Clay Smith and Dean Minors from last season's championship winning side.

When Ricky Hodsoll and then Clevie Wade departed early to leave St. George's in some trouble at 65-4, much hinged on the shoulders of Smith and wicketkeeper Lewis (Bussy) Foggo. They responded magnificently with an unbeaten stand of 127 as Smith completed his first century of the season just before the close and Foggo supported with a mature 56 not out that included four fours and two sixes.

Steven Brown, sharing the new ball with Perry Maybury, was Somerset's best bowler with three for 28.

Earlier, Clevie Wade carried the bowling load by sending down 28 overs in two spells, taking four for 38 with seven maidens. Eugene Foggo took two for 22 off 10.1 overs in support.

Veteran Roger Hunt was top bat for Somerset with 51 before being run out while opener Lee Raynor scored 26, number three bat Shannan Warner 24 and James Swan 22 as he and Hunt put on 58 for the sixth wicket. The Somerset innings did not end until 5.15, leaving St. George's with an hour plus 20 overs of batting.

Warwick 179 St. David's 163-9 A last-wicket stand of 22 between captain Herbie Bascome and Dale Fox denied Warwick their second win of the season at Southampton Oval, as the Islanders hung on for a share of the spoils when stumps were drawn at 8.05 p.m.

Warwick had St. David's staring defeat in the face when they had them 101-6 only to see things turn around with an important stand of 38 for the seventh wicket between top scorer Lionel Cann (61) and youngster Sammy Robinson (11).

After Robinson was run out, Warwick grabbed two more quick wickets to put themselves on the fringe of victory only to be denied by Bascome and Fox. The experienced El James was the best bowler for Warwick with three for 29 from 14 overs while Daniel Caines claimed two for 27.

Earlier Trent Lightbourne led the Warwick batting with 48, following up on an opening stand of 54 between Johnny Nusum (32) and Jeffrey James (28). Late in the order further contributions came from Kevin Swan with 20 and Daniel Caines with 22.

James Pace claimed three for 30 to lead the the St. David's bowling while Cann took two for 49 and Reginald Pitcher two for 36.