Champions St.George?s comfortably retained the Colts Cup Match at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday, handing their hosts Somerset a 141-run loss.

Batting first, St.George?s, who have held the cup for over a decade, racked up 225 in 52.3 overs with opener Detroy Smith top scoring with 37 off 76 balls in 122 minutes. He hit five fours during a 45-run opening stand with Oronde Bascome who contributed 21 off 30 balls.

Also among the runs were Michelle Paynter who scored 30 off 54 balls and tailenders Loren Marshall (24) and Brian Phipps who remained unbeaten on 21 when St.George?s were finally dismissed in the 53rd over.

Randy Bean and Malachi Jones were the pick of the Somerset bowlers, claiming three for 22 and three for 46 respectively while Dennico Hollis took two for 37 off nine overs.

In reply, Somerset found the going tough almost from the outset against a young but eager St.George?s attack.

Somerset slumped from 63 for four to 84 all out in the space of 33 balls with their last six wickets falling for 21 runs as they lost two wickets on 63 and then three on 77.

The East Enders used only five bowlers to skittle Somerset out in 29.3 overs with Phipps and spinner Jade? Foggo each taking three wickets while Justin Pitcher and Mark Crofton grabbed two apiece.

Marico Bassett topped the Somerset batting with 22 off 66 balls in 124 minutes while DeSilva ? a reserve at Wellington Oval last week ? scored 17 off 36 balls in 52 minutes.

Bassett and DeSilva produced Somerset?s highest stand of 36 for the second wicket before Mark Crofton had the latter caught by Foggo.

St.George?s all-rounder Lionel Cann moved onto 626 runs in Cup match and not 885 as was reported in Saturday?s