Limited Over and Belco Cup champions Western Stars crashed to a 40-run defeat at the hands of Willow Cuts in the Premier Knockout Cup at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday.

Without their two opening bowlers Saleem Mukuddem and Dennis Archer ? away on national team duty in Canada ? the city side struggled to contain the Cuts batsman for much of the 50 overs.

Dexter Basden top-scored for Cuts with 68 not out while Richard Basden (35), Ryan Shepherd (37) and Bergon Spencer (50) were also in good touch.

Albert Steede was in typically explosive form with the bat for Stars when they began their reply, but once he was out for a well-made 91, only the reliable Hasan Durham (34) threatened to push Stars convincingly towards the challenging target.

Bergon Spencer and Kevin Fubler took two and three wickets respectively for Cuts.

At Wellington Oval, Cleveland and Bailey?s Bay renewed hostilities from the county game the day before with the latter racking up 268 for eight in their 50 overs batting first.

Tywan Burgess hit 71 for the current Eastern Counties champions with skipper Jermaine Outerbridge (47), Calvin Dill (34) and Dennis Trott (29) all helping to push the Bay score above 250.

In reply, Cleveland were all out for 191 with Jason Simons (42) top-scoring.

Bay seamer Cory Hill continued his good form so far this season with figures of three for 33, while remarkably, 11-year-old Trey Govia enjoyed a spectacular day with a well-deserved three wicket haul.

Southampton Rangers meanwhile endured a disastrous day at home against St.George?s, being dismissed for only 123 in reply to the East Enders? imposing total of 268 for 8 off their 50 overs.

Travis Smith top-scored for St.George?s with 92 while Gregg Foggo (49) and Herbie Bascome (26) also made important contributions.

Kwame Tucker, who usually dons the gloves for Rangers in the field, took two for 48 in his six overs while Keith Wainwright also picked up a couple off his allotted overs.

In reply, the hosts were blown away by Wilbur Burt, who recorded the admirable figures of six for 31 in only 8.1 overs. Janiero Tucker top-scored for Rangers with 24.

At Lord?s, defending champions St.David?s embarrassed nine man Devonshire Rec. by eight wickets.

Rec. batted first and were all out for a paltry 74, while St.David?s knocked off the runs in only 11 overs.

Del Hollis took three wickets for seven runs for the Islanders in a two over spell while wicketkeeper Chris Foggo pitched in with 45 not out with the bat.

In the First Division competition, Warwick turned up with only seven men and were duly thrashed by eight wickets by Somerset Bridge at White Hill Field.

Warwick batted first and were all out for 50 in only 13.4 overs, with John Nusum (18) the only one to make a meaningful contribution. Andre Paul took three for 17 off six.

Bridge then cantered to victory in only eight overs for the loss of two wickets. Jermaine Nesbitt top-scored with 21 not out.

At Devonshire Rec., Social Club were handed their first defeat of the season by an impressive PHC side.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, PHC reached 214 all out with Andre Manders scoring 102 not out. Kanai Darell picked up three for 26 while Terry Thomas took two for 26.

Social Club chased to within 14 runs thanks to Terry Thomas (46), Charlie Marshall (31) and Tameiko Marshall (31) while there were three wickets apiece for PHC?s Neil Anglin, Darren Anglin and Andre Manders.

Meanwhile at Police Field, Somerset suffered a very bad day at the office in losing to Police by seven wickets.

Somerset batted first and limped to 108 all out in 33.2 overs ? a score their hosts reached in almost nine overs fewer for the loss of only three wickets.

At St.John?s Road, Flatts easily overcame Leg Trappers by 69 runs.

Trappers won the toss and inserted the opposition on a wicket which is usually expected to play at it?s best early on.

Flatts reached 212 all out in 44.5 overs with Burgess (45), Gary Brangman (40), Roger Edness (29) and Justin Barritt (29) all chipping in.

In reply, Trappers were all out for 143 with Andy Harris? 34 and Graham Strange?s 23 the only scores of any note.

Flatts? Derek Wright took three for 16 off eight overs.