Western Stars 176; Social Club 180 for seven

Premier Division leaders Social Club overcame a late scare before coming away with a three-wicket win over Western Stars to keep their unbeaten limited overs league record intact at Devonshire Rec yesterday.

Social Club were well within sight of victory at 158 for four when the visitors threatened to spoil the party with young off-break spinner Raymond Butterfield claiming three wickets in the space of four balls in the 34th over.

But in the end Stars left it a little too late as the uncle and nephew combination of Charlie and Jahmiko Marshall finally put paid to the visitor’s hopes with an unbroken 22-run eighth-wicket stand that saw Social Club safely to victory with 14.1 overs to spare.

After being put down on four occasions middle order bat Jahmiko Marshall rode his luck and made Stars pay heavily by smashing an unbeaten 65 off 67 balls. Marshall stroked four fours and and five sixes and reached his half century off 56 balls in the 33rd over.

Along with wicketkeeper/batsman Winston Simmons (28), Marshall added 38 runs for the fourth-wicket to dig Social Club out of a spot of bother after they had slipped to 64 for three in the 18th over.

Others making useful contributions were frontline batsmen Terry Thomas (20) and Dano Outerbridge (15) at the top of the order before Stars threatened to turn the tables.

Butterfield grabbed four for 36 to lead the Stars attack along with skipper Justin Robinson who took three for 28 from ten overs with five maidens.

Earlier, Stars got off to an inauspicious start at the crease with opening bowler Jaymo Durham enjoying early success with the new ball.

Durham struck as early as the second over to remove opener Audley Campbell (one) and number three Brian Hall (0) cheaply and then struck again in the 12th over when he combined with wicketkeeper Simmons to dismiss the prolific Maurice Lowe (2).

But the visitors battled on with opener Ryan Tyrell leading the way with a well -played 62 off 94 balls during a knock containing nine fours and a six.

Stars also received good support from middle order batsmen Don Vickers (29), skipper Robinson (14) and Machai Campbell (35 not out) who all made useful contributions with the bat. Campbell struck three fours and a six and off 44 balls while Vickers managed four boundaries during his 44 ball innings before elder statesman Charlie Marshall grabbed two additional late wickets to prevent Stars’ tail from wagging.

After dismissing the likes of Tyrell and Robinson, Marshall added the scalps of Anthony Hayward (eight) and Kwonde Lathan (eight) as Stars were eventually dismissed in the 47th over.

Marshall finished with four for 31 off 9.3 overs, Durham three for 21 and medium pacer Jeff Tyrell two for 25.