Thirteen year-old Phillip Thomas might have been one of the youngest players on the field during Saturday's Premier Division cricket match between Western Stars and Cleveland, but he quickly came of age.

On an occasion when players twice his age might not have been up to the challenge, Thomas (nicknamed PJ) proved he had the ability to compete alongside some of the Island's best.

Forced to use several youngsters to fill in for unavailable senior players, Stars scored a two-wicket victory over Cleveland at St. John's Field. And the win had much to do with Thomas's superb bowling effort.

On his Premier debut in a team which he normally watches from the sidelines, Thomas tore the heart out of Cleveland's batting with a devastating spell of right-arm spin.

Called on to help halt a fourth-wicket stand that had put on 40 runs, Thomas struck first in his third over and went on to finish with five wickets for 12 runs off just six overs.

"I was at ease out there. I wasn't scared at all when skipper Arnold Manders called on me to bowl,'' said Thomas yesterday.

"I just took the ball and did what I had to do. I wasn't bothered by anything.

"I was pleased with my performance. I just hope that I get the chance to play much more cricket next season.'' It was largely because of his success that Cleveland were bowled out for a modest for 123. Stars passed that score with eight wickets down.

Fittingly Thomas and the player he admires most, Andre (Doc) Manders, were at the wicket on three and seven respectively when victory was reached.

The youngster's bowling marked quite an achievement for one who only became involved in the sport as recently as last year when he attended a summer clinic at St. John's Field, run jointly by Government and Bermuda Cricket Board of Control.

Under the supervision of Stars' skipper Arnold Manders, Thomas excelled and later travelled with the youth team on a tour of Barbados with Manders.

He performed well on that tour and upon returning joined Stars.

Although it's his bowling which has put him in the spotlight (his young team-mates showed their appreciation by autographing the ball after Sunday's heroics), Thomas also loves to bat and would like to eventually develop into an allrounder.

"I like to bowl and bat. I enjoyed my little batting time on Saturday when I went in at number nine and batted with Doc to take us to victory,'' he said.

"I would like to bat earlier next time, but it will depend on how the game is going I guess.'' Thomas is now looking forward to entering the new CedarBridge senior school where he hopes there will be a programme in which he can continue his cricket development.

BOWLED OVER -- Friends of PJ Thomas (centre) autograph the match ball after the youngster's five wicket haul on Saturday. Pictured left is Treadwell Lee and right, Dion Stovell.