St. George's 196 Southampton Rangers confirmed themselves as serious title contenders when they brought Camel Cup winners St. George's back down to earth with a 31-run win at Wellington Oval yesterday.

In the process, Rangers also now have league leaders Bailey's Bay looking over their shoulders after Bay's loss left the two sides tied at the top.

Clevie Wade was instrumental in the win against his former team as, bowling for the first time this season, he grabbed two important late wickets, held a diving catch at mid-off and then was involved in the run out of Herbie Bascome which sealed the win.

Important knocks at the top of the order laid the foundation for Rangers' winning total as Keith Wainwright hit 60, including 10 boundaries, and Kwame Tucker 41 with four fours and three sixes in an opening stand of 105.

Number three bat Janeiro Tucker folowed up with a brisk 59 as he helped Rangers move along to 201-5 before St. George's grabbed wickets late in the innings when Rangers were trying to accelerate the scoring.

Teenager Mackie Crane followed up his three wickets in the Camel Cup final with his best figures in senior cricket -- five for 40 off 10 overs -- while captain Bascome had two for 29.

Dexter Smith, a guest player for Rangers in the Western Counties, did not help his selection hopes for next weekend when he was dismissed in the first over.

However, St. George's recovered to 73-3 and then 118-4 by the 26th over before Rangers hit back with some important wickets.

Mark Ray was high man with 64, including 10 fours and a six, while Wendell Smith threatened to turn the match with a knock of 40 in the middle order.

Wade picked up the important wicket of Ryan Steede for 32 to virtually end St.

George's hopes with the score now 191-8. Wade finished with two for 15 from 4.5 overs, Olin Jones had two for 21 off 10 overs and Garry Williams two for 54.

Warwick 170 Flatts 172-2 Flatts left Warwick winless at the bottom of the standings with this comfortable eight-wicket win at Southampton Oval.

Opener Millard Bean laid the foundation with 13 fours and two sixes in a top knock of 86, after putting on 118 for the first wicket with Quinn Outerbridge who scored 35. Phillip Burgess finished on 34 not out as Flatts reached their target in 26.1 overs.

Earlier, Derek Wright and Dwayne Leverock had three wickets apiece for 50 and 19 respectively while veteran Brandon Woolridge took two for 40.

Perry Scott was top bat for Warwick with 55 while Allan Wilkinson scored 30.

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