St. George's 201

St. David's 202-3

Neighbourly respect went out of the window as east end rivals St. George's and St. David's clashed at Wellington Oval yesterday - a skirmish on the field bordering on a free-for-all.

At the end of the day it was champions St. David's player-coach Clay Smith and his team who came away with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory, Smith leading his team to victory with an innings of 85 not out after being dropped twice.

Smith and young all-rounder Delyone Borden joined in a match-winning fourth-wicket stand that put on 137 runs, Borden finishing undefeated on 39. The pair came together when the game hung in the balance after Glenn Blakeney (55), Phillip Pitcher (six) and Sammy Robinson (0) were back in the pavilion with 65 runs on the board as St. David's set about the task of reaching their winning target of 202.

However, Smith and Borden's efforts were overshadowed by an ugly incident involving burly St. David's batsman Phillip Pitcher and St. George's wicketkeeper Sinclair Gibbons.

Pitcher was bowled by Greg Foggo and as he walked away there appeared to be a verbal exchange between the two players that led to a physical altercation.

Pitcher was sent sprawling on the ground after being tackled by Gibbons and fellow players moved quickly to settle the dispute.

But a brawl involving others was barely avoided as three fans raced onto the field to participate in the exchanges.

They were quickly dispersed by club officials and players from both teams, including some St. David's players who came onto the field from the pavilion.

The ruckus didn't last for more than two minutes, umpires Randy Butler and Anthony Fubler talking to the players and restoring order before play re-started.

Neither umpire was available for comment on the incident last night while Clay Smith did not return telephone calls.

It had to be a sad afternoon for St. George's opener Herbie Bascome who watched in anguish as prolific batsman Blakeney was dropped twice off his first over of the game, first by Charlie Marshall in the slips and then by Detroy Smith at third man.

Blakeney was then allowed to go on and blast a whirlwind half century, scoring 55 off 25 balls while striking seven fours and three sixes. Gregg Foggo finally took his wicket with the score on 65, but with the loss of three wickets Clay Smith and Delyone Borden patiently set about the task of taking the initiative from the attack.

Coolly and precisely they put on runs and although Smith gave a simple chance to third man that was spilled with the score on 105, the pair were able to settle down and stay to complete the demolition of their arch rivals.

Smith struck 10 fours and two sixes while facing 103 balls while Borden hit two fours in a supporting role while facing 84 balls.

St. David's reached their target off 44.4 overs. Foggo was the top bowler for St. George's with three for 62 off 9.4 overs.

St. George's sloppy fielding was preceded by a frustrating start to their batting when they lost opener Detroy Smith (one) and Sinclair Gibbons (seven) with just 19 runs scored.

Even though the other opener Eugene Foggo struck 28, skipper Graham Fox 33 and Charlie Marshall 13, St. George's were still struggling at 97 for six.

But with Fox battling on and tailenders Gary Brangman (20) and Foggo (17 not out) and Kameron Fox (11) chipping in with useful knocks they managed to reach a respectable 201.

Mackie Crane, a St. George's regular before transferring to St. David's this season, was the chief wicket taker with five for 47 off nine overs while George O'Brien finished with three for 26 off 10 overs.

Cleveland 223, Flatts 154

Skipper Carlton Smith scored 65 to lead Cleveland to this comfortable victory over their Eastern Counties rivals at Sea Breeze Oval. Troy Dean led the Flatts attack with three wickets.

Rahji Edness was top bat for Flatts with 33 while James Christine followed with 27. Peter Philpott took three wickets for Cleveland.