St. David's 476

Willow Cuts 246

St. David's batsman Glenn Blakeney yesterday smashed his way into the record books with an incredible innings of 245 against Willow Cuts.

Blakeney's quickfire double century set a new Premier League record and his efforts led his team to a new record total of 476.

Blakeney's innings bettered Southampton Rangers' Keith Wainwright's previous record of 225 not out, set last year against Social Club.

Rangers also set the previous best total in that same match, 475-3.

The hapless Cuts bowling attack was despatched to all corners of the ground, as Blakeney cut, drove and pulled to his heart's content and led St. David's to a 230-run victory which put them a huge step nearer the Premier League title.

The 28-year-old took just 34 balls to notch his first 100 runs, as he enjoyed a run riot. He blazed along at more than two runs a ball throughout his 107-ball knock, as he hit an astonishing 18 sixes and 24 fours.

But after setting a new standard in domestic cricket, Blakeney admitted he had actually been caught out on 10.

So convinced was Blakeney that he had snicked a ball from Charles Swan into the gloves of Cuts wicketkeeper Bobby Lambe that he got a few steps into the long walk back to the Lord's clubhouse before he noticed that the finger of umpire Lester Harnett was not up.

The celebrations of the Cuts fielders were cut short as Blakeney strode back into his crease and proceeded to add 235 more runs in devastating style.

Blakeney admitted afterwards: "I touched it. And when you don't walk I know it's bad sportsmanship and I'm not one for that.

"But I was thinking that during my career I've had some nasty out decisions, so I wasn't going to give this one up."

Blakeney said the Lord's pitch had been an excellent batting strip and some of his team-mates also proved the point.

Philip Pitcher hit 64 as he and Blakeney compiled an opening stand of 145 and then Blakeney and O.J. Pitcher put on 92 for the second wicket, with Pitcher's share just seven. Lionel Cann hit 72 and Dean Minors chipped in with 21.

St. David's now need just two victories from their last four fixtures to clinch the title.

Richard Basden was the most economical of the Cuts bowlers, but he still went for more than five runs an over, as he took two for 55 from 10 overs.

Swan was the top wicket taker for Cuts with three for 92 from nine overs.

Cuts made a spirited response to the daunting target, but never seriously threatened to get anywhere near it. Dexter Basden top-scored with 42 and Andre Hendrickson hit 33. O.J. Pitcher was the most successful bowler for the home side, taking three for 31 from eight overs of accurate medium pacers. Delron Borden, Del Hollis and Lamont Marshall took two wickets apiece.

Blakeney said his previous best score and his only other double ton had been 212, when he was playing for Benwell Cricket Club in England's Northumberland League.

Blakeney was omitted from the Bermuda team which competed in the ICC Trophy in Canada last month and said his aim was to get back in the team. And he said he'd already received encouraging words from the president of Bermuda Cricket Board of Control, El James.

"My main goal now is to represent Bermuda again in the next ICC and hopefully in the World Cup," said Blakeney. "I think it's up to me, I've just got to take it more seriously.

"I've a meeting with El James and he told me he wants me to be part of the national team. I was pleased about that because we've had our differences in the past, but the country is the most important thing and the country should come first."

Bailey's Bay 171-9

St.George's 175-4

St.George's kept their slender Premier League title hopes alive with a six-wicket victory over Bailey's Bay at Sea Breeze Oval yesterday.

Wicketkeeper and opening batsman Jason Anderson got the east enders off to a brisk start as they chased a modest winning target of 172.

Anderson hit 10 fours and a six in his 62 runs, compiled off just 50 balls.

His opening partner Sinclair Gibbons hit 42 and Charlie Marshall scored an unbeaten 30 to guide St. George's home by four wickets.

Bay had started disastrously, losing their first six wickets for 44 runs.

But a brisk 45 from number nine batsman Irving Romaine, including five sixes and two fours in just 15 balls faced, led the Bay revival.

Bermuda under-19 player Stephen Outerbridge backed him up with 25 and Noel Gibbons cracked 18 runs off the last over of the innings, bowled by Kenny Phillips, to finish with a flourish.

Gregg Foggo took three for 27 and did most of the damage for St. George's, along with Herbie Bascome who snared two for 42.

Cleveland 231-6

Flatts 232-7

Flatts secured their sixth league win of the season at Wellington Oval yesterday, thanks in large part to a fine allround performance by James Celestine.

Celestine took two for 49 from nine overs as Cleveland made 231 for six in their 50 overs.

Then, coming in at number three, Celestine hit a brisk 51 to help Flatts make their winning target with three wickets to spare.

M.Paynter was the top scorer for Cleveland with an unbeaten 70, while Peter Philpott struck 41.

Philip Burgess saw Flatts home with an unbeaten 41, while Nakia Smith made a valuable 32, as well as taking three for 36 with the ball.