Champions St. George's placed themselves in a commanding postition over Somerset at the close of Thursday's play in the 105th Cup Match.

The East Enders piled up 335 runs in 81 overs before declaring at 4.30 p.m. with two wickets in hand to leave their hosts reeling at 160 for six when stumps were drawn at 7.30 p.m.

Apart from a classy 54 from Stephen Outerbridge the remaining Somerset bats wilted under penatrative pace bowling from George O'Brien Jr. who claimed four wickets for 60 runs off 13 overs.

Surviving a chance for caught behind in the 16th over, Outerbridge buckled down and reached a maiden half century in the Classic off 83 balls in exactly 100 minutes before he became the fouth Somerset wicket to fall.

Poised at 109 for four, after 31 overs, Somerset skipper Janeiro Tucker (26 not out) and Saleem Mukuddem (17) desperately tried to consolidate, however, O'Brien would strike again to dismiss Mukuddem in the 36th over and colt Malachi Jones (six) with the final ball of the day's play. Somerset were still 75 runs shy of the follow-on, and 175 runs in arrears.

Both Azeem Pitcher (29) and colt Dean Stephens (21) threatend to keep the scoreboard ticking over with some robust strokeplay but failed to go on to a big score. Supporting O'Brien was St. David's teammate Delyone Borden who claimed one for 45 also off 13 overs of off-spin bowling.

Earlier Charlie Marshall (88) and OJ Pitcher (98) produced a new partnership record for the fifth wicket when they produced 168 runs in 45 overs in 171 minutes to rescue St. George's from an early slide which saw them lose their first four wickets for only 59 runs.

Marshall faced 122 balls and hit five fours and seven sixes while Pitcher faced 121 balls and belted 15 fours and one six. St. George's skipper plunderd a typically aggressive 42 runs off 26 balls while colt Arthur Pitcher Jr. hit an unbeaten 35 off 31 balls and Borden a patient 22 off 52 balls at the top of their order.

Somerset colt Dean Stephens led the West Ender's bowling with figures of three for 56 while Jones took two for 40 and Mukuddem two for 74 respectively.

Play resumes today at 10 a.m. at Somerset Cricket Club.