Treadwell Gibbons batted throughout the St George’s innings, but his 109-ball century could not prevent the East Enders suffering their first loss in the One Communications 50 Overs League when Southampton Rangers pulled off a 76-run victory at Wellington Oval.

Gibbons threatened to be the difference between the two teams after Rangers posted 245 for seven in their 50 overs. However, he consistently ran out of partners after an opening stand of 69 with Mishael Paynter in 14.2 overs, before the home team slumped to 169 all out in 38 overs.

Gibbons struck five fours and nine sixes in his 107 not out, but lacked a substantial contribution at the other end with the next highst scorer being Oronde Bascome’s 12. Paynter contributed just 11 in that opening stand as Gibbons was the aggressor from the outset.

When the stand was broken, wickets started to fall around Gibbons, with Temiko Wilson caught behind for five before Onias Bascome was bowled for two after facing just four balls. That made it 96 for three in the 25th over, before Malachi Jones produced his best bowling spell of the season — six for 25 from ten overs — to keep the home team struggling in their run chase.

Jones removed the last of the recognised batsmen when he had captain Macai Simmons caught behind for one to make it 126 for five, which soon became 132 for six and 133 for seven. Osagi Bascome, batting at No 10, gave the home team some hope as he looked comfortable holding up his end while Gibbons continued to attack. However, when he was caught by Charles Trott at mid-wicket the end was near.

Jones wrapped it up with the next delivery when he bowled last man Philip Anderson. Spinner Vernon Eve claimed two for 50 to support Jones while Janeiro Tucker had an economical spell, giving up just 12 runs in his six overs, taking one wicket.

“Tready batted exceptionally well, he took advantage of the conditions, it was a nice track to bat on,” said Ryan Steede, the St George’s coach. “It was unfortunate he had nobody to support him at the other end.

“He was there from ball one and got a not out. It was hard for a batsman to get a hundred and the team still lose on a batting track. The team fielded exceptionally well, it was one of the better displays I’ve seen from a St George’s team in years. Unfortunately we came up 70 or 80 runs short.”

Rangers were led in the batting by Jones and Tre Manders who shared an impressive stand of 113 for the second wicket after opener Shannon Rayner was run out in the third over with just 12 runs on the board.

Jones scored 55 from 71 balls, hitting six fours, while Manders produced his best knock since joining the team from Western Stars, hitting five fours and two sixes in his top knock of 74 from 107 balls.

Janeiro Tucker weighed in with 53 not out from 36 balls late in the innings, hitting two fours and five sixes. Only one St George’s bowler, Gibbons, took more than one wicket, finishing with two for 45 off his ten overs.

St George’s, who gained promotion last season, were leading the table after three straight wins. Now they must regroup before taking on unbeaten leaders St David’s next weekend.

“Like I told the guys when we came up, they have to understand the quality of bowling in the Premier Division is going to be a lot different than First Division, although no disrespect to teams like PHC, Warwick and Somerset Bridge,” Steede said.

“You’re going to be playing against teams with players vying for Cup Match spots and representing Bermuda so the quality is going to be a lot better thanthey were used to.

“It’s normal for a team just coming up to want to survive in the first year and Rangers were a good test for us.

“We started off 3-0 and knew that Rangers were going to come hard at us.

“We talked about it all week, we were prepared for them but they got the better of us.

“I take my hat off to [Rangers] captain Dion Stovell, he did a good job with the way he managed his team on the field today.”