The various flaws associated with the Premier League's new open cricket format were brought to the fore yesterday as Western Stars and Devonshire Rec. ambled to an uninspired draw at the Devonshire club.

What had been touted as the match of the day disintegrated into a non-event, leaving spectators frustrated by the lack of action.

Much of the blame rested with visiting Stars as they plodded to a final total of 199 for nine declared, occupying the crease for nearly five hours.

Their marathon stay at the wicket left Devonshire no chance of challenging the total and the match mercifully ended under bad light.

However, not to be lost was a fine century by Stars' opener Treadwell Gibbons who anchored the innings while partners collapsed all around him.

Gibbons was eventually the seventh batsman out after making 124.

His contribution had been much needed as Stars struggled against a miserly Devonshire bowling attack that allowed just four batsmen to reach double figures.

Andre Manders (18), Gary Brangman (15) and Anthony Manders (11 not out) were the other major contributors as Stars finally declared at 6 p.m.

Erskine Smith grabbed three for 23 from his 13 overs, Mark Trott two for 50, while skipper Anthony Edwards, Bruce Perinchief and Darren Lewis took one wicket each.

Taking their turn at the crease, Devonshire faced just 14 overs, accumulating 35 runs.

St. George's 205 Willow Cuts 140-7 St. George's and Willow Cuts shared the points as another of the day's feature games ended in a tame draw.

Lewis Foggo turned out to be the saviour for the East Enders who, after batting first, were reeling at 69 for five before the dreadlocked batsman struck a valuable 64.

Struggling St. George's batted until 5.15 p.m., leaving Cuts without sufficient time to chase victory.

In addition to Foggo, St. George's got valuable batting help from Clevie Wade who made 36, Kenny Phillips who contributed 28, and Jason Anderson who scored 16.

Foggo and Wade put on 22 for the sixth wicket and then Foggo and Anderson 64 for the seventh -- a stand dominated by Foggo who hit six fours and two sixes.

Young Garry Williams proved to be costly but his haul of four for 81 off 18 overs was his best performance of the season. Rodney Fubler took three for 25 and Kevin Fubler two for 35.

Like their opponents, Cuts also had a poor start but Gladwin Edness helped to steer them away from danger with a solid 64. Also contributing was Devon Wade who struck 27 and skipper Dexter Basden who made 12.

Kenny Phillips led the St. George's bowlers by taking three for 61 while Eugene Foggo had two for 10.

TIGHT SQUEEZE -- St. George's batsman Clevie Wade (36) races home for a quick single as wicketkeeper Andre Hendrickson attempts the run out.