Western Stars 315-5

Willow Cuts 148

For the second successive day Albert Steede's bat went on an uncontrollable rampage at St. John's Field yesterday.

The Western Stars skipper walloped 145 not out to spearhead his team's 167-run triumph over Premier League rivals Willow Cuts who were dismissed for 148 in 31.4 overs, replying to Stars' 315 for five.

The importance of the outcome to Stars' league title defence was understandably overshadowed by Steede's mind-boggling achievement of scoring 347 runs in two days, without surrendering his wicket on either occasion.

On Saturday, he celebrated the second double-century of his career, blasting an unbeaten 202 against Devonshire in the Central Counties Cup.

“It's a rare occurrence . . . one of those times that you couldn't do any wrong. Batting is my job and I enjoy it. I think I'm always in for runs once I get in and stay in.

“I'm more mature now and I try to take it easy and to be patient as a batsman. I tried to keep everything simple - whether it was playing a positive or defensive stroke.

“It's probably been the best weekend I've ever had in terms of accumulating runs. To get a double is awesome, especially off 50 overs,” said Steede yesterday as he basked in the limelight of success.

Returning to the opening slot, the 35-year-old amassed 29 fours and 19 sixes - totalling 230 runs - in his two-day run feast. Ten of those fours and six sixes came yesterday as he showed his opponents exactly how willow does cut.

Despite such unforgettable heroics, the captain was adamant that team goals and performance are his utmost concern.

“Ultimately, we want some silverware in our cabinet so I would feel bad if I was achieving my goals and the team wasn't winning.

“We had one of our stronger teams this weekend. I think I felt more confident batting because I had a stronger line-up coming after me and stronger bowling too. It's all right to have a good team on paper but we actually performed and I'm happy about that,” noted Steede, who is behind the stumps this season too.

Yesterday's victory was also propelled by Steede's opening partner, Jermaine Postlethwaite, and Stars' spinner Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock. The latter bagged five wickets for 17 runs off 9.4 overs as Cuts struggled from the outset to challenge the huge target. Postlethwaite impressed with an even hundred (13 fours, one six) and shared a memorable 195-run stand for the first wicket with Steede. Arnold Manders chipped in towards the end of Stars' innings with a brisk 35, including two fours and three sixes.

Charles Swan and Trevor Corday took two for 68 and two for 78 respectively for Cuts whose bowlers winced as Steede dispatched them to all parts of his home ground. Only Richard Basden - ten overs for 23 runs - was able to restrain Stars in any way.

Corday, batting at number nine, top-scored for the visitors with 29 (three fours, one six) while Dexter Basden and Swan made 24 each.

Leverock's effort was well supported by Stars' opening fast bowler, Kevin Hurdle, who took three for 49, including the wicket of his Dandy Town football team-mate, Reggie Tucker, bowled for four.