St. David's 208-9

Southampton 214-4

Janeiro Tucker completed two missions with one feat yesterday as Southampton Rangers extended their lead atop the Premier League.

His fluent 80 not out guided the visitors to a vital six-wicket win over St. David's and also gave him a final tune-up for this week's Cup Match showdown in which Tucker will represent Somerset.

In a match reduced to 48 overs because of a rain-delayed start, St. David's managed a reasonable 208 for nine at Lord's before having Rangers in a spot of trouble at 43 for three and then 71 for four.

However, an unbroken, fifth-wicket partnership of 143 between Tucker and Ricky Brangman saw the front-runners into the pavilion at 214 for four off 41.4 overs.

This victory means that - with two rounds of matches remaining - Rangers will probably be able to secure the League title by winning their next fixture. Only if they falter can title holders Western Stars catch them while St. David's - previously tied with Stars - are now out of championship contention.

"The League is out of our hands now. It's a two-horse race between Rangers and Stars. We're just playing for position," acknowledged St. David's dejected skipper Clay Smith.

By contrast, Rangers' captain Tucker had all reason to smile as he contemplated his achievement and its significance.

It was a masterful showing by the dread-locked batsman who - coming in at number six - began cautiously but then blossomed to display his full repertoire of strokes. He reached 50 off 67 balls with an elegant overhead six off Lionel Cann who, earlier in the same over, bowled Tucker with a no-ball.

His 81-ball innings was spiced with seven cracking fours and five towering sixes, the last two from successive balls by Grason McCallan to tie and then win the match. Brangman played a crucial supporting role, hitting six fours in his unbeaten 59.

Only Arthur Pitcher Jr did any serious damage with the ball for St. David's, snapping up three wickets in an opening burst that had Rangers reeling. However, he and his nine bowling comrades were unable to maintain the pressure when Tucker arrived at the crease. Pitcher ended with three for 40 from ten overs.

Earlier, Smith and St. David's wicketkeeper/batsman Chris Foggo also geared up for Cup Match with knocks of 46 and 41 respectively. The two shared a valuable 68-run partnership that carried the home team from 62 for three to 130 for four. A late-order 21 not out by Pitcher saw the score past 200.

Gary Williams spearheaded Rangers' bowling with four for 43 in nine overs, including the dangerous Glenn Blakeney - who had his stumps rocked back for four - and Smith who was adjudged leg before. Olin Jones and Gary Crofton pitched in with two wickets each.

"This (win) was very important because St. David's and (Western) Stars were right on our heels and we need a gap going into the last two matches. Today I took responsibility and I applied myself," said Tucker, savouring the away triumph.

The 28-year-old agreed his knock was a timely run of form ahead of Cup Match. He was especially pleased to post a strong score against a team boasting many cricketers chosen to play for St. George's in the two-day classic.