St. George's 189-8 St. George's moved to the head of the Premier Division Open league despite barely managing to hang on against Police at Prospect yesterday.

In the end, bad light combined with resolute defence by Lewis (Bussy) Foggo and tailender Herbie Bascome enabled the East Enders to salvage a draw.

However, at one time it appeared a much different result would emerge as the visitors suffered a startling middle order collapse that had Police salivating at the prospect of a big win.

Despite losing opener Dean Minors for 10 with the score just 17, St. George's never looked in real trouble early on, Eugene (Calabash) Foggo and skipper Clay Smith putting on 33 for the second wicket before the latter lost patience, attempting to go over the top but succeeding only in lofting his drive into the hands of Roger Blades at deep extra cover after tallying 16.

Smith's dismissal brought to the crease Jason Lewis, who made his intentions known as early as the first ball he faced, flicking Ferdinand Thorne to the square-leg boundary.

Foggo, who hit three boundaries in his 28, would go at 81. However, Lewis found an able partner in Troy Hall.

The pair played positively at the rate of more than a run a ball, with Hall contributing 23 in a 46-run fourth wicket stand, slamming four well-timed boundaries before being brilliantly caught by Leverock, who, despite his considerable girth, dived well forward to scoop a fine catch barely inches off the ground.

Lewis, given lives at 31 and 35, finally was fifth out at 142, his 53 ball innings taking in seven fours.

There started a rot that saw the visitors lose three wickets in the space of 11 runs, with Tyrone Smith and Blades doing the damage, sending back Jason Anderson, Gregg Foggo and David Adams in quick succession and leaving St.

George's reeling at 153 for eight.

However, Lewis Foggo and Herbie Bascome formed a `dreadlocked' barrier, Foggo playing the lead role, while Bascome anchored the other end.

The pair accepted a bad light offer from the umpires with nine of the mandatory 20 overs left, Foggo unbeaten on 32 and Bascome likewise unmoved on six.

Smith was the most successful Police bowler with three for 23, while Blades added two for 46, Freston Hurdle one for 34, Thorne one for 45 and Richard Austin one for 17.

Earlier Dennis Archer put St. George's attack to the sword with a ravishing century. And a good thing he did, as none of his team-mates appeared remotely up to the task.

Archer mustered the highest score this year by a batsman in league cricket as he made 153, including 19 fours and four sixes before being last man out.

The highest other scorer was Peter Philpott with 17, while Leverock and Blades were the only others in double figures with 13 apiece.

Eugene Foggo was the chief wicket-taker with three for 36 while Gregg Foggo, Bascome and Adams grabbed two for 55, two for 42 and two for 32 respectively.

St. George's now have 25 points as do Willow Cuts to top the standings.