St. George's 133 Western Stars 120 Despite the absence of five players -- captain Graham Fox, Dean Minors, Clay Smith, Kenny Phillip and Clevie Wade -- St. George's still pulled off a sensational 13-run victory over Western Stars in their season opener at Wellington Oval yesterday.

The East Enders held onto some important catches, including two from David Adams to dismiss veteran batsmen Jeff Richardson and Arnold Manders, and another two from Eugene Foggo that kept this low scoring match in the balance as Stars made hard work of what at first looked an easy target.

Stars lost their first three wickets in a 12 minute period to go from 17 without loss to 21-3. And when Adams took an excellent catch running back from the wicket to dismiss Richardson and make it 33-4, the visitors knew they were going to have a fight on their hands in the day's top Premier Division match.

New signing Ricky Brangman and Cleon Scotland added 27 for the fifth wicket before Scotland departed for 14.

Brangman went soon after for 26 when he and Arnold Manders tried for a quick single. Brangman failed to make his ground at the bowler's end after wicketkeeper Lewis Foggo moved swiftly in front of the wicket to throw to Adams who completed the run out.

Adams also produced the catch 13 minutes later that probably cost Stars victory. The spinner held onto a brilliant one-handed return catch to his left off Manders' fierce drive and the Stars captain could only stand there in disbelief as the St. George's players danced around in celebration.

After that only an eighth wicket stand of 27 in 32 minutes gave Stars any hope as Anthony Manders and Gary Brangman (28) carried the score to 104. But when Manders mishit a hook and was caught by Eugene Foggo at backward square leg, Stars knew their luck was running out. Brothers Gary and Allan Bramgman put on 15 valuable runs for the ninth wicket but Gary lost his patience and went for one six too many and was caught at long-off by Gregg Foggo. In the next over Allan took the same approach when he also went for a big hit and was bowled by Eugene Foggo as a frustrated Wayne Richardson shook his head at the other end.

Foggo, Gregg Foggo and Adams each finished with two wickets as Stars were bowled out with 11.3 overs remaining.

Earlier, Dexter Smith led the St. George's batting with 48 before he was bowled by a full toss from Arnold Manders. Smith and Eugene Foggo (27) put on 48 for the first wicket and they reached the 90s before the second and third wickets fell as Stars got back in the match.

Wickets fell regularly after that as Manders and fellow spinner Wayne Richardson each had a good day with the ball, Manders finishing with five for 32 from 20 overs and Richardson two for 33 off 21 overs. Allan Brangman, wicket-less in his first nine-over spell, claimed the last three wickets off nine deliveries to put some respectability to his figures of three for 40 from 11.3 overs.

Somerset 186 Cleveland 188-5 Big knocks of 89 by stand-in captain Aaron Adams and 74 not out by Cory Lowe extinguished any hopes Somerset had of victory at Sea Breeze Oval.

After quickly having the home team 14-3 in reply to their total of 186, Somerset had reason to feel optimistic of an opening day win. However, a stand of more than a hundred between Adams and Lowe changed all that as they virtually wrapped up victory for Cleveland.

The Somerset bowlers seldom threatened after the pair got going, having removed openers Grant Smith and Carlton Smith in the first three overs.

Somerset, sent in by Cleveland, enjoyed a good start when Tony Cheeseman and Cordell Gilbert put on 51 for the first wicket. Gilbert, called on to open the innings in the absence of Brian Williams, struck seven boundaries in his 33, and Shannon Warner carried on after his departure with a top knock of 39.

Wayne Ball was the third Somerset batsmen in the 30s, scoring 36 before departing when the score was 149-5. Johnny Richardson was richly rewarded for his marathon spell of 28.4 overs of unchanged leg spin as he finished with six for 63. Lowe took three for 43 from 15 overs of left-arm medium pace.

DEXTER SMITH -- his top knock of 48 helped an under-strength St. George's side to a surprise win over Western Stars in yesterday's season-opener at the East End.

AARON ADAMS -- The stand-in captain led from the front with 89 as Cleveland beat Somerset by five wickets in their match at Sea Breeze Oval.