PHC 132-6 Champions Southampton Rangers had the wind knocked out of their sails by lightweights PHC in Saturday's Western Counties third-round match at White Hill Field.

For the first time since entering the competition two years ago PHC, after two humiliating losses to Rangers, were able to experience the sweet taste of success.

And they refused to let the news that Southampton had lodged a protest dampen their joy afterwards. One player shouted: "They can do whatever they want, the fact remains they were soundly beaten.'' The protest by Southampton before the start of the game was based on the alleged ineligibility of PHC's player-coach James Pace. Rangers claimed that he had not resided in the western parishes (Paget to Sandys) at any time for a two-year period. The case is expected to be heard tonight by the Western Counties.

But Pace countered that section two of the bylaws of the Western Counties constitution which calls for him to "be a bona fide registered player for at least two years with an affiliate club'' qualified him. Pace previously spent a season with PHC in 1995 before returning this year.

"They voted unanimously on Wednesday night that I could play,'' explained Pace last night. "The word consecutive is not in the constitution, but the words `at least' is.'' Pace met with Western Counties officials, president Reginald Outerbridge, Sinclair Caines, Webster Tucker and Tom Wainwright last Wednesday night and was given the all-clear to play. But at 11.30 on the morning of the match, Pace was told he could not play.

"The president of the Western Counties came to me himself and said `James, Southampton Rangers have protested and we have never had a protest in the Western Counties, therefore you cannot play today,'' said the PHC captain.

"I told him I would have to play because we don't have any reserves, the team was picked and I was a bona fide registered player.'' Regardless of the outcome of any hearing, there's no denying that firm favourites Southampton were outduelled by their less fancied opponents.

In their two previous encounters in the competition, Southampton had all but humiliated their opponents, inflicting crushing defeats after dismissing them for 59 and 53. But this time PHC would not lie down and play dead.

It was an impressive team performance that brought about the upset, with four bowlers -- guest players Ricky Hill and Hasan Durham and Shoron Hunt and Pace -- getting among the wickets.

Hill and Durham picked up three victims apiece while Hunt and Pace both dispatched two batsmen to the pavilion.

Spinner Hill, the third bowler used by PHC, finished with three for 23 off 10 overs while Durham had three for 14 off 7.3. Pace took two for 30 off eight overs and Hunt two for 34 off 10 overs.

Later, Hill spearheaded their batting with a spirited 41 while Pace stroked 31 and Kevin Dill contributed 23.

Hill and Dill posted a third wicket stand of 62 to steady the challengers after openers Mark Smith and Arthur Richards departed with just ten on the board.

Likewise, Southampton's early batting was uninspired, with guest player Dexter Smith, known for his appetite for quick runs, playing an uncharacteristically subdued innings.

The hard-hitting left-handed St. George's Cup Match opener, enjoying a great season with the bat, was restricted by the bowling and failed to score in a stay at the crease lasting 19 balls in an opening stand of 21 with Keith Wainwright.

Wainwright went on to make 30, with Janeiro Tucker (14), Clevie Wade (14) and Kwame Tucker (12) all getting starts but failing to cash in.

Garry Williams led the Southampton bowling with two for 22 from seven overs while Clarkie Trott had two for 29 from 10 overs.