Police 54 With three key players from Police missing because of a trip to England for the World Cup final, Western Stars were not about to miss this opportunity to reclaim the Central Counties Cup after a three-year wait.

But not even they would have expected Saturday's final to be won so easily as Police were bowled out for a paltry 54 in just 27.2 overs after being set a target of 238 for victory.

Without Ferdinand Thorne and Stevie Lightbourne in the batting and Richard Austin in the bowling, Police were woefully understrength for this important clash as only one player, Nyon Steede (16), reached double figures.

It all began to go wrong for the home team when Andrew Rollins was bowled by Allan Brangman in the second over of the innings. And when Steede was fifth out on 43, it signalled the beginning of the end as Stars captain Arnold Manders claimed the last five wickets for only 11 runs to finish with spectacular figures of five for two from 5.2 overs with four maidens.

Earlier, another Steede, Nyon's brother Albert, led Stars batting with 79, including five fours and a six before falling to his brother.

Gary Brangman was next high with 36 while Arnold Manders scored 26 and Andre Manders 27. Freston Hurdle took two for 39 off his 10 overs.