Belco Cup champions Western Stars were also crowned champions of the AT&T Wireless 50 over league yesterday, overcoming a weak Devonshire Rec. side by 113 runs at St.John's Road.

Racking up an impressive 298 in their 50 overs thanks mainly to a hard-hitting century from Albert Steede ? his second of the weekend having reached three figures in the Somerset trial match the day before ? Stars rolled over Devonshire Rec. for 185 in 42.2 overs.

Coach Arnold Manders (four for 38), who reluctantly donned whites yesterday after a number of injuries and absences reduced his squad to the bare bones, was simply too good for a Rec. batting line-up that was always behind the run-rate following a typically miserly opening assault from Saleem Mukuddem and Dennis Archer.

Mukuddem, who will be hoping to emulate his debut Cup Match century at Somerset Cricket Club this Thursday, was particularly impressive, regularly beating the bat and conceding only six runs off a spell of eight overs.

Afterwards, whilst cradling his new born baby boy in his arms, skipper Hasan Durham was understandably euphoric with having wrestled the title back from last years champions Southampton Rangers.

"We've only lost one game all season and winning the league again is a fantastic achievement," he said.

"The guys put in a lot of hard work in the early part of the season, we've carried on that momentum and I'm delighted that it has all paid off. We've had a lot of guys off playing for the national squad, eastern counties and training for Cup Match but they have all come back to the club and performed. "We were bridesmaids last year and we are all pleased that we've got the league back. They deserve a lot of credit for what they've achieved."

Durham said that he has enjoyed his first year as captain at the city club, pointing to a rather seamless transition of authority with the help of an established nucleus of senior players.

"There may have been a change in skipper but it has been business as usual here with Albert Steede, Saleem Mukuddem and Jermaine Postlethwaite all contributing heavily. Having those guys in my side makes the job a lot easier."

Having lost arguably Bermuda's best bowler ? Dwayne Leverock ? in the winter, Durham pointed to the arrival of veteran all-rounder Dennis Archer as being one of the biggest secrets to Stars' continued success.

He also paid tribute to the marked improvement of the teams' two youngsters, Deniko Hollis and Anthony Hayward, the latter he described as having a "breakthrough season".

"Losing Sluggo was obviously a blow and did leave a gap in our bowling attack," he said.

"But Dennis has been the perfect addition and has come in and done very well, particularly in forming a good partnership with Saleem opening the bowling."

"I've also got to mention Albert Steede," he continued.

"Everybody can see from his scores this season that he has played a huge part in our league win, and he will be a big loss next season. But hopefully some of the other guys will get a greater chance to show what they can do up the order and go some way to filling his shoes."

Durham, who retained his place in Somerset's Cup Match XI as expected, predicted that his charges would still be "pumped up and raring to go" in the search for more silverware in the latter part of the season.

"There is still some way to go," he said.

"There are more trophies on offer in August and September and will certainly are keen to have a couple more celebrations here at St.John's Road."

Steede, meanwhile, said that he was pleased to have finished his league career with a century and repeated his desire to spend some time away from the game once the season concludes.

"It was nice to score a century today and help bring the league trophy back to Stars," he said.

"But there is still more to be done and we all have aspirations in the other upcoming competitions. Once that is over, I want to spend more time with my family and devote more time to work. Cricket has been very good to me but it will soon be time to sit back and pursue other interests for a while."

All-rounder Mukuddem, who has been typically consistent for Stars this season, said that the new league format, which cut the number of games from 14 to seven, has been much more "intense" and enjoyable to play in.

"The new format definitely works," he said.

"With only seven matches, every single one is crucial and so the competitiveness and the quality of the cricket has undoubtedly risen. We're all really pleased that we've come out on top and if you look at the defining moments of the league ? our victories against St.David's and St.George's ? it was our performances in the field which gave us that edge. The team has gone from strength to strength and hopefully we will be able to continue the good work after Cup Match."