Southampton Rangers showed they would have been a force in the Western Counties Series this year with a seven-wicket win over holders Willow Cuts in the 50 Overs Premier Division on Sunday.

Rangers, who pulled out of the Western Counties this year after the organising committee opted to hold matches at White Hill Field instead of Southampton Oval, chased down the Cuts total of 204 in just 30.3 overs.

Dion Stovell shone with bat and ball, claiming two for 18 with his off spin before stroking 39 from 36 balls to feature in a match-winning 104-run partnership with fellow all-rounder Jordan DeSilva, who thumped 41 from 42 balls.

Fourth-change bowler Makai Jacobs was the pick of the Rangers bowling with three for 14 while Stovell’s new ball partner Swayne Campbell took two for 51.

Wicketkeeper Nacori Smith topped the hosts batting with 56 from 47 balls, including two sixes and four fours.

All-rounder Deunte Darrell was Cuts’ top performer, thumping 52 from 57 balls, with five sixes and three fours, and claiming two for 32 with the ball.

Captain Ras Solomon Burrows (53) and Dwight Basden (33) were also among the runs for the visitors.

Rangers (30 points), who remain unbeaten in all competitions, top the standings by ten points over PHC, Cuts and Somerset Bridge, who all sit on 20 points.

Bridge closed the gap with a 32-run win over PHC in a match reduced to 42 overs as a result of rain.

Bridge posted 186 for seven after electing to bat with opener Shawn Riley topping the batting with 41 from 28 balls, including a six and seven fours. Patrick Dill (28), Jason Smith (20) and wicketkeeper Adrian Burrows (23 not out) were also among the runs for Bridge.

Callum McIntosh (four for 36) and Noel Woods (three for 37) then claimed seven wickets between them as PHC were dismissed for 155 in 40.5 overs.

Dionte Dowling (48) and Jubar Corbin (41) topped PHC’s batting while Chris Douglas (three for 19) was the pick of their bowling.

The remaining match featured Devonshire beat Central Counties rivals Western Stars by 187 runs at Devonshire Rec to pick up their first win of the season.

Drewonde Bascome thumped 107 while Ankoma Cannonier (66) coach Rudell Pitcher (69 not out) and Allan Douglas Jr (67) all stroked fifties as Devonshire piled up 387 for seven after electing to bat.

Douglas then claimed four for 49 and fellow all-rounder Pitcher two for 42 as Stars were dismissed for 200 in 24.4 overs.

Brian Hall (60) and Jaiden Manders (44) were Stars’ top performers with the bat, while Phillip Thomas led their bowling with three for 54.