Southampton Rangers 237

Somerset CC 240 for four

Jacobi Robinson played a genuine skipper’s innings to lead Somerset to an inspiring six-wicket win over defending league champions Southampton Rangers at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday.

The stocky all-rounder smashed 83 runs off a mere 43 balls after being dropped at long-on during a stroke-filled innings containing eight sixes and five fours — reaching a well-deserved half century off only 32 deliveries.

Robinson and veteran all-rounder Reid Jones (seven) produced an unbroken fifth-wicket stand worth 44 runs that carried the hosts across the threshold to victory with 34 balls to spare in a match reduced to 45 overs after water had spilled onto the pitch during the removal of the covers.

Chasing 238 for victory, Somerset’s batsmen responded to the challenge in a positive manner by batting sensibly against a docile Rangers attack missing Jamaican quickie Traddie Simpson.

Specialists batsman Azeem Pitcher (50) and wicket-keeper Jekon Edness (44) kept Somerset on course after they had slid to 57 for two by adding 77 runs for the third wicket — the highest stand of the match.

Pitcher hit five fours and two sixes for a well-played half-century off 51 balls while Edness collected six fours off 52 balls before falling just shy of the half-century milestone.

Janeiro Tucker, who had earlier led the Rangers batting, returned figures of two for 33 off eight overs. But it wasn’t enough to derail Somerset’s hopes as the defending league champions slumped to their fourth league loss of the season.

Burly left-arm spinner Dwayne Leverock proved expensive, yielding 74 runs to finish wicket-less off seven overs.

Earlier Somerset were guilty of some wayward bowling and sloppy fielding which owed largely to the visitors posting a respectable total.

The hosts dropped four chances off the bat, including the prized wickets of cousins Janeiro and Kwame Tucker after Rangers had elected to bat on a pitch possessing few demons.

Openers Curtis Jackson (19) and Keith Wainwright (24) added 64 runs for the first-wicket in 16 overs before off spinner Marcus Johnson had the former brilliantly stumped behind by Edness.

Jackson’s dismissal triggered a mini-collapse as Rangers lost two additional wickets in the space of 22 runs to slump to 86 for three.

But a timely fourth-wicket stand worth 69 runs between Janeiro Tucker and Kwame Steede enabled Rangers to get back on top and threaten to run away with the match. Robinson, however, made a pivotal breakthrough in the 32nd over when he had Rangers player/coach Janeiro Tucker sharply caught at long on.

Tucker smashed 46 off 44 balls during an belligerent knock spiced with six fours and two beautifully timed sixes just forward of point and over long on.

Five-overs later Rangers skipper Kwame Tucker followed suit, superbly stumped behind by the alert Edness. Tucker had 45 off 50 balls and stroked three fours and two sixes before he too fell just shy of a half century.

Leverock added an unbeaten 26 lower down before Rangers used up their quota of overs.

Seamer Jones took two for 34 off five overs to lead the Somerset attack, while Robinson had one for 44 off nine with one maiden.

St. George’s 251

Social Club 202

Premier Division limited-overs leaders Social Club succumbed to their first defeat of the season at Wellington Oval yesterday when host St. George’s beat them by 49 runs.

The setback however adds some excitement to the title race as St. David’s now become serious challengers and now Lionel Cann’s team have a say on who gathers the coveted title.

Inspired by the batting of veteran Herbie Bascome, St. George’s scored a surprisingly high score against the league leaders with Bascome’s half-century leading the way.

However with too many of their players a shadow of their former selves, Social Club’s batting proved fragile with only Nakia Smith and player-coach Charlie Marshall turning in decent knocks.

Smith top-scored with 49 and Marshall followed on 47 as the team were dismissed in 45.5 overs.

Western Stars 250

St. David’s 252-5

Fiqre Crockwell kept St. David’s in the thick of the Premier Division limited-overs race yesterday when he hammered 121 not out to lead the East Enders to a five-wicket victory at Lords.

Crockwell’s splendid knock saw the home side make a spirited response to the formidable total posted by Stars whose batting was spearheaded by Maurice Lowe with a fine 66 while Anthony Hayward followed on 35.

Sammy Robinson had a good day with his off spinners finishing with four for 31 off 10 overs while Del Hollis claimed two for 50 off nine overs with a maiden.

But thanks to Crockwell the home team coasted to victory, the top scorer stroking 21 fours en route to his highest personal total of the season. Shannon Raynor followed on 28 not out and Sammy Robinson 14.

Machai Campbell led Stars in bowling with two for 37 off 10 overs.