A shock loss by Social Club combined with an expected easy victory by St. David's CC saw the title race in the Premier Division stiffen up on Saturday.

At Devonshire Rec., Social Club suffered a stunning 61-run setback against St. George's while St. David's coasted to an easy seven-wicket victory over Western Stars at St. John's – the two results seeing Social Club and St. David's ending the day tied on points at the head of the tables after the former entered the day with a slim two-point edge.

St. George's CC 242

Social Club 181

At Devonshire, St. George's managed to reach a formidable total off 48.3 overs against the long-time leaders, thanks to fine knocks from Rodney Trott with 49, Troy Hall 37, skipper Ryan Steede 33, Allan Douglas Jr. 31 and Jason Anderson 24.

Trott and Anderson got the East Enders off to a sound start with an opening stand of 68 and others followed to make sizeable contributions.

Dennis Pilgrim and Jeffrey Tyrrell combined to take six wickets, Pilgrim finishing with three for 42 off eight overs and Tyrrell three for 46 of 10 overs.

Social Club had trouble recovering from a shaky start by losing their first five wickets with a mere 54 runs scored.

Player-coach Charlie Marshall, as he often done this season, came and added instant stability and the East Enders must have feared he was about to play another rescue role when he hammered Herbie Bascome for 20 runs in one over with the total on 64.

However it wasn't to be another heroic batting display by the ace stroke-player, Marshall eventually finshing second-high scorer on 30 as the team failed to reach their target and were all out in 41 overs.

Pilgrim was top scorer on 31 while opener Winston Simmons scored 27.

Rudell Pitcher and Rodney Trott each took three wickets for St. George's, Pitcher allowing 29 runs in 10 overs and a maiden while Trott gave up 50 runs off nine overs and a maiden.

Western Stars 118

St. David's 122-3

At nearby St. John's Field, visiting St. David's disposed of Stars in quick time, requiring just 32.2 overs to dismiss the home side.

Sammy Robinson, Jevon Foggo and Del Hollis did the bowling damage by taking two wickets apiece. Robinson snatching two for two off 1.2 overs, Foggo two for six off two overs and Hollis two for 31 off eight overs.

Jah Millett was the high man for Stars on 20 while Gershon Gibbons struck 17 and Maurice Lowe 15.

St. David's required just 15.4 overs to reach their winning target, Arthur Pitcher Jr. top scoring on 40 not out with three fours and two sixes while Makkail Cockwell chipped in with 23 and Chris Foggo 17. Lowe, Millett and Machai Campbell each took a wicket for Stars.

Somerset CC 152

Southampton Rangers 153-3

At Southampton Oval, Janeiro Tucker and his Rangers appear to be on course to reach their goal by finishing in fourth or third in the Premier Division.

Entering the day in third place, just ahead of their opponents, defending champions Rangers coasted to a seven-wicket victory thanks to young medium-pacer Malachi Jones who snatched six for 37 off 8.4 overs.

Ryan Belboda took two for 19 off ten overs with a maiden and Treddie Simpson two for 25 off 10 overs with two maidens.

Reid Jones was high scorer for Somerset with 53 while Trevor Haynes scored 21.

Inspired by a savage 68 from skipper Kwame Tucker, Rangers reached victory off a mere 19.5 overs, with Tucker's fierce knock including five sixes and six fours. At one point he had struck 50 runs off just 28 balls. The other player among the runs was opener Curtis Jackson on 23.

The three Rangers' wickets were taken by Marcus Johnson, Haynes and Jordon Desilva.

Cleveland 214-9

Flatts 94-5

At Lord's this bottom of the table Smith's Parish derby was concluded early because of rain with Cleveland eventually being declared winners because of a faster run-rate.

Carlton Smith top scored for Cleveland with 51, James Celestine taking three for 41 for Flatts.

Ronald Gibbons was undefeated on 30 for Flatts while Shaki Darrell snatched four for 38 in 10 overs to inspire Cleveland's bowling.