Cleveland County 343-4; Flatts 187.

With Cup Match and Eastern County games just a couple of weeks away, Clay Smith appears to be reaching top form at a precise time, hammering a century yesterday to lead Cleveland County to this 156-run victory over Flatts in this Premier Division match at Wellington Oval.

Hampered by leg injuries which limited his involvement in the Bermuda World Cup campaign as well as domestic matches this summer, Smith this past weekend at least gave an indication that he remains a very capable run scorer by unleashing a massive assault on Flatts’ bowlers which inspired his team to their comfortable victory.

The player-coach struck 128 runs off 102 balls during a stay at the wicket which lasted approximately 132 minutes. Showing no restraint or concern against any of the bowlers Smith was unusually aggressive, his variety of strokes enabling his to finish with eight sixes and 15 fours.

Smith and his team got valuable batting support from Steven Douglas Jr. who contributed a well-played 74 with eight fours and two sixes from 52 balls.

Also almong the runs were Carlton Smith with 39 not out, Shaki Darrell 27 and Jason Simons 22. Vernon Eve was the lone bowler for Flatts with more than a single wicket, finishing with two for 27 off 10 overs with one maiden.

In reply Flatts were dismissed in 33.5 overs with Dennis Musson Jr., Shaki Darrell and Charles Richardson each taking three wickets apiece.

The best analyses was turned in by Musson who finished with three for 17 off 5.5 overs while Darrell claimed three for 64 off 10 overs and Richardson wound up with three for 66 off 10 overs.

Only two batsmen for Flatts were able to offer any real resistance, James Celestine top scored with 68 while Ronald Gibbons followed on 55.

Southampton Rangers 197-8; St. David’s 198-9.

Favourites to defeat a depleted Southampton Rangers team with four top regulars missing for various reasons, host St. David’s left it until the 49th over to defeat the visitors by one wicket at Lords.

In their chase after the winning target St. David’s were sweating it out before lower order bats Shannon Raynor and Justin Pitcher came an added some timely stability.

With the home side hovering at 102-7 Raynor, coming in at number eight, joined Pitcher and the two set about picking the bowling apart with a timely stand that produced 72 runs, Raynor striking 62 not out with five sixes and five fours while Pitcher’s supportive role earning him 26 with a six and two fours. Lionel Cann, who opened the innings, followed on 21.

Quinton Sherlock led the Rangers’ bowlers with four wickets for 37 runs off seven overs while acting skipper Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock claimed one for 14 from 10 overs with four maidens. Veteran Olin Jones took one for 22 from 10 overs with a maiden for the reigning champions.