Western Stars 192-2 Captain Albert Steede blistered a hapless Somerset attack to the tune of 92 not out as Western Stars maintained their grip on the Premier League leadership with an emphatic eight wicket victory at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday.

After a rare failure with the bat during the previous day's Central Counties final, Steede returned to magnificent form, displaying his undoubted class as he treated the home team's bowlers with ruthless disdain.

Set a modest target of 189, Steede and fellow opener Treadwell Gibbons quickly set about gathering runs. The former unleashed his explosive arsenal of thunderous cover and on drives, together with a selection of delicate cuts and well-timed glances.

The pair engaged in a century first wicket stand, with Gibbons contributing 54 from two sixes and seven boundaries before he was undone by Leon Place, falling leg before wicket with the total on 121.

Jermaine Postlethwaite replaced Gibbons, but didn't last long, becoming Place's second victim without scoring.

Ricky Brangman then joined Steede, with the pair seeing the visitors through to victory, while putting on 59 for the third wicket, as Brangman finished on 20 not out.

Earlier Somerset owed their total to the middle order, as captain Wendell White scored 54, including six fours and two sixes, while Cordell Gilbert and Shaun Roberts notched 32 and 41 respectively.

Saleem Mukudem proved Somerset's nemesis, the medium pacer keeping the home team from flourishing in seizing four wickets at a cost of 23 runs from 9.2 overs. He was aided by Arnold Manders, who tallied two for 23, while Gary Brangman, Jaja Millet, Hassan Durham and Justin Robinson took one wicket apiece.

Stars maintained first place over St. David's via superior net run rate.

Southampton 183-6 Willow Cuts 154 Defending champions Southampton moved up a notch in the Premier League standings following this 29-run win over Willow Cuts at Southampton Oval yesterday.

In a match reduced to 36 overs per side due to early rains, Southampton made the most of their allocation, knocking up 183 based mostly upon a patient 40 from wicketkeeper/batsman Kwame Tucker.

Tucker was a rock during the innings, his total including but four boundaries -- two fours and two sixes. He was aided by Keith Wainwright, who hit 37 before offering a catch to Kevin Fubler off Ossie Hinds.

Other useful contributions came from skipper Janeiro Tucker (28) and player/coach Clevie Wade (29).

Meanwhile, Cuts had no answers to left-arm spinner David Saltus, who enjoyed a five wicket haul. Saltus mesmerised the west enders with his leg breaks, mowing through the middle and late order with startling regularity, ending with figures of five for 46.

Opening bowlers Garry Williams and Ryan Belboda took two for 32 and two for 24 respectively and Janiero Tucker one for 34 to complete the demolition of a Willow Cuts team in steep decline.

Reggie Tucker top scored for Cuts with 33, while other notable contributions came from Gladwin Edness (24), captain Dexter Basden (22) and youngster Sheroi Fubler (20).

More cricket, Page 31 ALbert Steede: slammed an unbeaten 92 as Western Stars outclassed Somerset.