St. George's 98, Western Stars 99-4

Already through to the final of the Camel Cup, Western Stars cruised to a comprehensive six-wicket victory over St. George's at Sea Breeze Oval on Saturday to advance to the final of the Combined Knockout Cup against Southampton Rangers in July.

In doing so Albert Steede's team let it be known that their intention is to win everything this season and match the sensational season that St. David's enjoyed a year ago when the east enders lifted honours in every competition in which they competed.

Spearheading Stars to victory on Saturday was the bowling duo of spinner Hasan Durham and medium pacer Wilbur Burt who combined to take six wickets, knocking the St. George's batsmen completely out of their stride after the east enders had won the toss and elected to bat.

The previous week St. George's bats had feasted off Warwick's bowling, amassing 326 off 50 overs with Herbie Bascome scoring a whirlwind century en route to the 56-run triumph. But this time their batting no answer to Durham and Burt.

St. George's were rocked by the early loss of opener Detroy Smith (six) with the score on nine and then Mischel Paynter (four) and Sinclair Gibbons (ten) were only to add 11 for the second wicket.

Once Gibbons was run out by a throw from Treadwell Gibbons sr. with the score on 20, the St. George's innings fell apart - save for an eighth wicket stand of 33 between Travis Smith (17) and Gary Brangman (29) who took the score from 36 for seven to 69 for eight.

Stars' bowlers, inspired after claiming the cheap wickets of stalwart bats such as Charlie Marshall (nought), skipper Graham Fox (two), Ricky Hodsoll (one) and Bascome (nought), had little to worry about other than separating Smith and Brangman. Once that was completed St. George's limped to their final total of 98 in 33.4 overs with number ten bat Greg Foggo finishing unbeaten on 14.

Durham returned figures of four for 36 off ten over while Burt, who took the new ball, claimed two for 14 off ten overs.

Stars were cautious in their reply, especially after opener Jermaine Postlethwaite had been sent back to the pavilion for nine with the total on 16.

The wickets of Gershon Gibbons (eight) and Saleem Mukudem (nought) were to follow for the addition of only 19 runs, but veteran Arnold Manders (24) and Steede (34 not out) added stability with a fourth-wicket stand of 28 during which time Manders was the dominant partner, striking two sixes and a four before being caught at the mid-wicket boundary by Foggo off Kameron Fox.

This offered some hope for St. George's attack but it was short-lived as Steede and new bat Treadwell Gibbons sr, playing his first game of the season, eased the team to victory with the latter finishing on 14 not out.

Steede, refusing to play any reckless shots, faced 87 balls and was at the wicket for 115 minutes, striking just three fours. Stars reached victory off 30 overs.

Bascome was the pick of the St. George's bowlers with two for 14 off ten overs while Kameron Fox had two for 47 off ten overs.