Southampton Rangers thrust themselves into the driver’s seat in the T20 Premier Division title race after handing fellow contenders St George’s an eight-wicket defeat at Southampton Oval on Sunday.

Nyhrobi Carmichael, Allan Douglas Jr and Donté Brangman took eight wickets between them as St George’s were dismissed for 93 in 17.3 overs after electing to take first strike on a flat track.

Delray Rawlins and Douglas then led the chase with a ruthless exhibition of power hitting, stroking a brisk 52 and 24 not out respectively as Rangers replied with 96 for two in just 5.4 overs.

The victory capped a highly successful weekend for Herbie Bascome’s team after they beat champions St David’s in another low-scoring affair 24 hours earlier.

Rangers are now the only remaining unbeaten team in the division and can clinch the title with victory at home against struggling PHC in the final round of the competition next weekend.

While the odds are stacked heavily in his team’s favour to land the title after fellow St George’s and St David’s lost precious ground at the weekend, Rangers captain Alex Dore is not taking anything for granted.

“We have a big advantage but that doesn’t mean the job is finished and we ease off the gas,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“At the end of the day we still train, prepare well and come to the game to do the same thing that we have been doing, which is win and win convincingly.”

The St George’s batters threw their wickets way with some reckless stroke play and Rangers took full advantage.

Brangman made the breakthrough in the fifth over when he removed opener Jason Anderson (6) and incoming batsman Jonté Smith (0) cheaply.

Opener Nzari Paynter (22) struck two sixes and a four to finally get St George’s going before being deceived by a slower Dion Stovell delivery that rattled his stumps as he attempted to hit across the line.

Keegan Jones (11) then threw his bat loosely at a wide Carmichael delivery that caught the edge and was comfortably held behind by wicketkeeper Nacori Smith.

Carmichael struck again two balls later when Macai Simmons (10) was grabbed by Rawlins at long off to leave the visitors reeling at 50 for five in the tenth over.

Zeko Burgess (3) was then snatched by Stovell at wide mid-on playing a half hearted shot to a Jordan DeSilva delivery and was quickly joined in the pavilion by Jahquil Hill (3), who mistimed a drive and was also caught by Stovell at long on from the bowling of Douglas.

St George’s captain and wicketkeeper Sinclair Smith (22) was next to go, caught by Deunte Darrell on the midwicket fence shortly after being put down by Rawlins at long off.

With all of their recognised batsmen out, St George’s tried their best to bat out the remaining overs but were unable to withstand the home side’s relentless onslaught as they moved in for the kill.

Zakari Seymour (3) was caught by DeSilva at wide mid wicket before Shaki Darrell (8) was stumped by wicketkeeper Smith to bring the innings to a close.

Douglas was the pick of the Rangers attack with three for 11 from just 2.3 overs, while Carmichael took three for 26 and Brangman two for eight.

“We’re on a high as a bowling unit so we had no fear bowling first and getting the job done,” Dore said.

Rangers suffered an early setback in their reply after Smith took a superb low catch at mid on from the bowling of Burgess to dismiss opener Onias Bascome (5).

However, the celebrations were quickly muted as Rawlins unleashed a brutal assault on their attack to propel the hosts to the brink of victory in the blink of an eye.

Darrell and Burgess bore the brunt of the assault as the left-handed batsman thumped four sixes and six fours to delight the home crowd.

Rawlins dominated a 60-run second-wicket partnership with opener Dore (8), reaching his half century in style off just 17 balls when dispatching Darrell for six.

He fell the very next ball after Burgess took a sharp one-handed catch at wide mid-on.

But again any joy was short-lived as incoming batsman Douglas thumped four successive sixes off Darrell and Jones to end the game in a flurry.

“We want to play aggressive cricket and what more can I say about Delray,” Dore said.

Burgess (one for 27), Darrell (one for 37) and Jones (none for 27) were the only bowlers used by the visitors, whose title hopes now hang by a thread with one match to play against champions St David’s.

“It can come down to the last game, but it’s out of our own hands at this point,” St George’s captain Smith said.

“Things didn’t go our way today and times like this you just have to tip your hat to your opponent.”