Southampton 178-6 Southampton Rangers made great strides in their bid for a first league title since 1980 when they rolled over Bailey's Bay by four wickets yesterday in the top of the table clash at Southampton Oval.

It was an important victory for Rangers who now move five points clear of the title chasing pack. It was their ninth victory in a row after starting off the campaign with a loss to Cleveland on opening day.

Since then, however, Rangers have gone from strength to strength, stopping top teams Police, St. George's, Western Stars and now Bay to confirm themselves as serious title contenders.

After a bye next weekend, Rangers close out their campaign against Willow Cuts, Somerset Bridge, St. David's and Flatts, knowing that maximum points will give them their first championships in 19 years.

Yesterday, Clarkie Trott prevented them from rolling over Bay much more cheaply and quicker after the visitors, still with some internal problems that robbed them of the likes Ricky and Corey Hill, Glenn Blakeney, Irving Burgess and Damon Edwards, were in deep trouble at 68-7.

Somebody was needed to take the lead after Charlie Marshall's dismissal for four and Trott finally stepped foward during a stand of 86 with Jim West on his way to a dashing knock of 90. West contributed just three in that stand before he was eighth out on 154.

Trott was next out on 171, his 70-minute knock containing 11 fours and five sixes as he tore into the Southampton bowlers.

Carl Garzette was the pick of the bowlers with three for 39 from 10 overs while new ball partner Garry Williams claimed two for 25 off 10, Ryan Belboda two for 33 and Clevie Wade two for nought off seven deliveries as he ended the innings.

And despite an opening stand of 62 in nine overs between Kwame Tucker (18) and Keith Wainwright (30), Rangers did not have things their own way as Bay fought back to take three wickets for 11 runs to make it 105-4.

Janeiro Tucker (26), Wainwright and Michael Brangman all departed during that period before a fifth wicket stand of 46 between captain Olin Jones and player-coach Clevie Wade got Rangers back on track.

Wade hit five fours and a six in his quickfire 37 before chasing a wide delivery from West and falling to a brilliant catch at cover point by Dennis Pilgrim.

And though Bay made it interesting by removing Ryan Belboda in the next over to make it 152-6, Rohan Simons batted sensibly with his captain to see the team to victory, passing the score with a cleanly struck cover drive for four off Clarkie Trott whose 8.4 overs went for a costly 47 runs.

Bay did not help their cause by conceding 42 extras, with Anthony Braithwaite struggling with his line as he conceded 18 runs in his two overs. Marshall and Dennis Pilgrim were the pick of the Bay bowlers, both taking two wickets in six overs.