Smith's XI 227 Cleon Scotland scored the first century of the 1998 cricket season -- a few overs after team-mate Dexter Smith narrowly missed the mark at Wellington Oval yesterday.

The pair helped Charlie Marshall's team beat Clay Smith's team by 19 runs in a Cup Match trial.

On a perfect batting strip, Smith and Scotland enjoyed some early season batting practice as they added 200 for the second wicket after Smith's opening partner, Coolridge Durham, was dismissed for 17.

Scotland was in the 80s and content to allow Smith to lead the way. But when Smith was trapped lbw by Rudell Pitcher on 98, Scotland seized the opportunity to carry the team for the remaining overs.

The left-hander reached his ton with a quick single and finished 102 not out, hitting 10 fours and two sixes. Smith, who took 12 deliveries to get off the mark, stroked six sixes and five fours in his knock.

Pitcher, seventh used, was the best bowler with two for 49 off seven overs while Herbie Bascome was the most economical, giving up 14 in six overs as he shared the new ball with Gary Brangman.

Smith's team were cruising to victory at 220-7 with plenty of overs left before captain Charlie Marshall, his main four bowlers all having bowled their 10 overs, brought himself on. He claimed the wickets of David Adams and Monroe Darrell in his first over to make it 223-9.

That left last pair Gary Brangman and Herbie Bascome to score 24 off the last nine overs but they only added four before Scotland had Bascome caught behind with 6.4 overs still remaining.

Clay Smith was high man with 87, including 10 fours and three sixes, while Sammy Robinson kept them on course for victory with a stylish 70 in the middle order, hitting eight fours and two sixes. Gary Brangman was next high with 23 not out.

Clarkie Trott took four for 58 from 10 overs while Marshall had two for four from two overs.