PHC 262-7 PHC had a timely boost ahead of the defence of their Western Counties title next weekend, beating Flatts by three wickets at Sea Breeze Oval to record their first league win of the season.

Flatts thought their total of 257 would be more than enough against winless PHC, but player-coach James Pace came good with the bat, smashing seven fours and six sixes in a season-best 94 as PHC won with more than six overs to spare.

PHC were reeling at 139-6 when Pace and Cal Waldron turned the match around with a century partnership for the seventh wicket, taking the team to 252 when Pace departed six runs short of both victory and a deserved first century of the season.

Waldron saw the team home with 15 not out, while at the top of the order opener Sheridan Ming scored 55 and Gerald Simons 23.

Earlier Troy Dean led the Flatts batting with 45 in the middle order while opener Gershon Gibbons scored 39, Nakia Smith 31 and Derek Wright 29. Flatts also had a useful unbroken last-wicket stand of 29 as Vernon Eve (16) and Nigel Burgess (19) helped take the score past 250.

Arthur Richards, Alan Wilkinson and Shoron Hunt all took two wickets for PHC, with Richards finishing with two for 13, Wilkinson two for 36 and Hunt two for 46.

Somerset 312-7 Devonshire 314-5 A sparkling century from Caldon Grimes sparked Devonshire to a surprisingly comfortable five wicket win over once high-riding Somerset.

While the prospects appeared dire for a young team looking at a target in excess of 300 runs, Grimes made no gripes, instead tackling head on a west end attack that appeared anything but sharp.

The number four batsman blasted 11 fours and five sixes in a 79-ball innings that knocked the fight out of Somerset, who continued their slide down the standings following a spirited start.

Grimes was aided by a half century from opener Wendell Swan (57), while the middle order also produced valuable contributions, with Anthony Amory (27), Omar Amory (34 not out) and Rudolph Smith (17 not out) in the mix.

The figures registered by Somerset's bowlers was a paltry affair, with part-timer Craig Brangman the regretful pick of the bunch with two for 47.

Earlier, former Rec. player Leon Place stroked 95 and Cordell Gilbert 46, as Somerset tallied what they anticipated to be a winning total of 312.

Kanaz Tuzo took three-for-58 with his medium pacers.