St.George's 186

Western Stars 147

St. George's pulled of a stunning 39-run win over previously unbeaten league leaders Western Stars at Wellington Oval yesterday.

After posting what seemed a straightforward target for a long Stars batting line-up, St.George's - as they did against Southampton several weeks ago - showed determination in defending their modest total. And in the end superb bowling from Kameron Fox, who took three Stars wickets for just nine runs off three overs, and another sterling performance by Travis Smith (three for 28) helped ease the pain of Friday's demoralising Cup Match defeat to Somerset.

Earlier, after losing their first six wickets with just 88 runs on the board, St.George's had to rely heavily on a crucial 69-run seventh wicket partnership between Gregg Foggo (29) and veteran Gary Brangman (60) to offer Stars a challenging total.

And after Foggo was out, caught and bowled by Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock (four for 42), it was left to Brangman to continue the fireworks before he was the last St.George's wicket to fall.

In all, Brangman cracked three fours and three sixes. Skipper Charlie Marshall also made a useful contribution with 28, while young Orande Bascome scored 17 at the top of the order.

In addition to Leverock's fine bowling, veteran Arnold Manders (two for 22) and Saleem Mukuddem (two for 34) helped to keep St.George's' total below the 200 mark.

Wilbur Burt (one for 28) and Justin Robinson (one for 29) each picked up a wicket as their hosts were all out in 47.2 overs.

In reply, St.George's made the early breakthrough as Albert Steede was bowled by Foggo.

Young Treadwell Gibbons (five) would soon follow his skipper back to the pavilion and before the dust had settled Foggo had Gershon Gibbons (six) brilliantly run out.

Veteran Manders (13) and Mukuddem (25) tried desperately to repair the early damage and together added 24 for the fourth wicket.

Travis Smith (three for 28) then had Manders bowled, but a further 27 run fifth-wicket partnership between Mukuddem and Cleon Scotland (three) gave Stars a much needed boost.

However, once Smith had Mukuddem snapped up by Orande Bascome and Scotland caught by Brangman, only Stars' number eight bat Leverock (28 not out) was able to withstand the late heroics of Kameron Fox who bagged three of the visitors' last four wickets during a torrid three-over spell that ripped the heart out of the visitors.

Stars' last four wickets fell for just 60 runs.

Foggo (one for 26) and Herbie Bascome (one for 33) aided in their team's demolition of Stars by grabbing a wicket apiece.

St.George's got the victory in just 39 overs.

Somerset 224

Cleveland 225-7

Cleveland put an abrupt end to Somerset's Cup Match celebrations at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday where they handed their hosts a three-wicket loss.

Batting first, Somerset carried Friday's momentum into yesterday's contest with Wendell White (68) and Sheridan (Baldy) Ming (55) enjoying fine knocks that ensured their team reached a formidable total.

Curtis Jackson (13) and Davon Wade (19) also made useful contributions with the bat while their opponents were generous in the field, giving up a costly 47 runs.

C.Trott and Peter Philpott were the pick of Cleveland's bowling with three for 55 and three for 20 respectively, while J.Tyrell had two for 25 and Carlton Smith one for 38 as Somerset were all out for 224 in 42.3 overs.

In reply, Cleveland suffered the early losses of openers Philpott (0) and Bascome (16) with just 20 runs on the board.

However, solid knocks from C.Trott (31), Rahaman (65) and A.Adams (59) put them firmly back into the driver's seat before it was left to Jason Simons (five not out) and Smith (seven not out) to polish off the required runs for victory.

Cleveland achieved their winning total in 39.3 overs.

Wendell White was the pick of Somerset's bowling with two for 33 while David Gibbs managed two for 40.

Shane Hollis had one for 39, Tony Cheeseman had an expensive one for 55 and Ming took one for 20.

The Premier Division match between Southampton and Flatts at Sea Breeze Oval was called off yesterday due to an unprepared pitch.

The First Division match between Somerset Bridge and Devonshire at White Hill Field yesterday also failed to get underway for the same reason.