Western Stars 210-5 PHC shocked many with their performance against Western Stars at St. John's Field yesterday, but the end result proved no surprise at all with Stars claiming a five-wicket triumph.

Still, credit was due the visitors who, after years of toiling in relative anonymity, made another statement to the league in that they will be no mere pushovers this season.

Eclipsing the 200 runs mark for the second time this season and on consecutive days, PHC, under new player/coach Andre Manders, made Stars sweat more than usual for the points.

Openers Kenny Mills and Cal Waldron got the visitors off to a ravishing start with a 67-run partnership, before Waldron went for 30. And after Antoine Simmons was dismissed cheaply, Mills and Manders added 30 for the third wicket, pushing the total to 98 when Mills was unearthed by Hasan Durham after registering his second half century in as many days. His knock of 51 included nine fours.

Bats collapsed around Manders thereafter and he too finally succumbed, but not before tallying a valuable 62 from 75 balls, with four fours and two sixes.

Durham proved the chief tormentor with four for 18, while Gershon Gibbons and Justin Robinson each took two wickets.

Ricky Brangman led Stars' run chase, banging nine boundaries in his 52, while Gibbons scored 45 at the top of the order and Saleem Mukudem chipped in with 38.

Charles Symons was the top bowler for PHC with three for 26 from an economical 10 overs.

Somerset 157 Southampton 158-3 Captain Janeiro Tucker blasted Somerset off Southampton Oval with a rapid fire half century in helping Rangers record their first Premier Division win of the season.

Rebounding from the heartbreak of Saturday's loss to St. David's, Southampton punished their neighbours dearly for posting a modest score of 157.

Apparent sabotage caused the match to be delayed an hour, after a prankster had shifted the water sprinkling system onto the playing crease from the outfield overnight, making for an extremely damp wicket.

And once started the slope only got more and more slippery for the visitors.

From 135 for four Somerset collapsed to 157 all out, with only Leon Place (40), Sheridan Ming (26) and Cordell Gilbert (16 not out) offering much in terms of resistance.

Ryan Belboda and Clevie Wade tore through the supposedly improved batting line-up, both claiming four wickets.

It was then left to Tucker to complete the carnage, blasting five sixes and six fours in an unbeaten knock of 61 that counted just 39 balls.

Aiding the skipper were Keith Wainwright with 39 from 41 balls and Mark Smith with 24 at number three.

Sunday round-up From Page 31 Willow Cuts 83 Warwick 55 A staggering 42 extras helped Willow Cuts to victory over Warwick yesterday on a pitch at Somerset Cricket Club with which, apparently, neither side were happy.

Cuts batted first and suffered an early blow when Dwight Basden was trapped leg before wicket by Jason Williams without scoring.

The same fate befell cousin Dexter Basden as Williams continued his good form of the weekend.

Andre Hendrickson hit the highest knock of just 15, with Richard Basden next on 10.

Kion Butterfield picked up four wickets and despite the number of errant deliveries, the total of 83 appeared easily achievable.

However, Cuts thought otherwise and Richard Basden's six wicket haul plus three more from Charles Swan ensured Warwick were skittled out for just 55.

Well left: Gershon Gibbons of Western Stars allows this delivery to go through to wicketkeeper Antoine Green on his way to an innings of 45 against PHC.

Photos by Arthur Bean Follow through: PHC captain Cal Waldron fires a delivery to Western Stars' opening bat Gershon Gibbons during yesterday's encounter at St. John's Field.