Southampton 141

St. David's 145-4

St. David's stormed into the Premier Division KO Cup final with this convincing six-wicket drubbing of Southampton at Lord's yesterday.

Contributing to the Islanders' comfortable win were youngsters George O'Brien Jr. (two for 24), Delyone Borden (two for 26) and a devastating eight-over spell by the returning Del Hollis who grabbed three wickets for 11 runs, including three maidens.

A polished half-century from Chris Foggo (51), who featured in a crucial second-wicket stand with Borden (20) worth 60 runs, went a long way towards St. David's' first triumph over Rangers this season.

For Southampton, the end to another season of promise came swiftly, a day after they were decisively beaten by Western Stars for the Premier Division championship.

"We are definitely looking forward to the showdown with Stars," said St.David's player/coach Clay Smith after the match. "They have beaten us three times this season and we've only beaten them once.

"Every time that we have played them we have been without some of our key players. However, this time we are pretty much at full strength and we will be hoping to settle the score with them."

After O'Brien and Pitcher had made the initial breakthrough, accounting for the visitors' first three wickets, the senseless run-out of Kwame Tucker (17) and a questionable leg before decision against Clevie Wade (13) left Rangers in further trouble at 113 for six.

But as long as skipper Janeiro Tucker (47 not out) hung around there was still a ray of hope for Southampton.

However, of the remaining batsmen none were able to help their skipper as Rohan Simons' dismissal for nought sparked one of the season's most severe batting collapses with Hollis causing the damage.

The last five Rangers' bats tumbled in the space of just 14 deliveries, two falling on 120, one at 121 and the final two on 141. In all, five Southampton bats fell for ducks.

In reply, St.David's got off to a roaring start with Glenn Blakeney (23) cracking three fours and a six off Kenny Phillips' first over.However, after enduring further punishment, Phillips (one for 40) finally saw the back of Blakeney, pushing back his off-stump.

But any thoughts of a Rangers fightback were soon dismissed as Foggo and Borden set about repairing the early damage. Foggo brought up his half century in 90 minutes off 75 balls with nine fours, while in support, Borden stroked three fours.

Ryan Belboda was the pick of the Southampton bowling with two for 31 while veteran Olin Jones had one for 19.

OJ Pitcher (13 not out) and young Justin Pitcher (12 not out) were at the crease for the winning runs.

Western Stars 214-6

Cleveland 146

Western Stars, who have already captured four trophies this season, remained on course for a fifth yesterday after beating Cleveland by 68 runs in this KO semi-final at Sea Breeze Oval.

Opening batsman Jermaine Postlethwaite spearheaded the emphatic win by hitting a fine century, slamming eight sixes and five fours in an innings of 108.

The other main contributor was veteran all-rounder Arnold Manders who snatched three for 15 off five overs.

The game was marred, however, by all too common end-of-season problems. The pitch was not properly prepared, causing the 50-overs match to be reduced to 35, and only one official umpire showed up, leaving Lester Harnett to labour alone on a day when there were only three other games being played.

Cleveland's bowlers struggled from early on, particularly against Postlethwaite.

He put on 42 during an opening stand with skipper Albert Steede (14) but the most productive partnership came when he and Treadwell Gibbons Sr. added 68 for the fourth wicket, Gibbons scoring 35. Others contributing to the total were Manders with an unbeaten 25 and Saleem Mukuddem on 14.

None of the seven bowlers used by Cleveland managed to take more than one wicket.

Stars' bowlers, however, enjoyed a more profitable day with Manders, Mukuddem and Dwayne Leverock combining to take eight wickets.

Cleveland were unable to recover from their early losses after veterans Philpott and Adams were dismissed with only 19 runs scored.

Opener Carlton Richardson top scored with 36 while Courtney Trott hit 16 and skipper Carlton Smith 13. Mukuddem finished with three for 49 off seven overs while Leverock claimed two for 13 off seven overs.

Stars now meet St. David's in the final.