Spirited batting by Gary Brangman, opener Albert Steede, Saleem Mukudem and Ricky Brangman combined with a fine bowling spell by Mukudem helped Western Stars retain their Central Counties Cup with this comfortable seven-wicket victory over Devonshire Rec. at St. John's field on Saturday.

It was the second straight resounding cup triumph for Stars, having scored a comprehensive six-wicket win over Social Club a week earlier.

Now they hope to maintain their sharpness for more formidable opponents Police in the final at St. John's field on Saturday, June 24.

With several batsmen showing good form, Stars always looked capable of reaching a significant total, even after losing opener Treadwell Gibbons for seven with the total on 29.

Led by Gary Brangman, their batting showed few weaknesses with seven players reaching double figures. Brangman hammered a dashing 50 before being run out.

Steede followed with 47, Mukudem 44, Ricky Brangman 40, Cleon Scotland 33 not out, Arnold Manders 14 and Jermaine Postlethwaite 10.

Ricky Brangman and Mukudem joined in the most productive stand, adding 77 for the fourth wicket when they took the score from 88 for three to 165.

Monroe Darrell was the only successful bowler, taking three for 68 off 10 overs.

Thanks to a determined innings of 81 by number nine bat Winston Trott, Devonshire eventually reached a respectable score.

But at one point they were facing an embarrassingly low total with the score on 60 for seven.

Trott and Rudolph Smith (57) added 132 for the eighth wicket to steady the ship. But when Smith left with the total on 192 and Trott followed 11 runs later, the inevitable defeat came shortly afterwards. Trott finished with nine fours and three sixes.

Mukudem was the best bowler for Stars with four for 26 from eight overs, while Gibbons had two for 28 off four overs.