Stars move huge step nearer title
Western Stars 118-1 Western Stars tightened their grip on the Premier League following an easy nine-wicket victory over bottom club Social Club at St. John's Field.
And with chief challengers Southampton being shocked by Devonshire Rec., Stars could be excused for enjoying a bit of bubbly ahead of time.
Even in the absence of several regulars, including Hassan Durham, Justin Robinson and Treadwell Gibbons, Stars were never in danger, despite a spirited fight put forth by the visitors.
Social Club managed a creditable -- for them -- 117 bating first as C.Haskell notched 32 runs at number six, including five boundaries.
Leonard Gilkes and Jaymo Durham also weighed in with double figures at 17 and 15 respectively, but a total of 117 was never going to be enough against a loaded batting line-up such as Stars'.
Andre Manders notched his first half century of the season, scoring 55 before retiring, as did Ricky Brangman when on 28. However Treadwell Gibbons Jr., and Saleem Mukudem saw the home side through.
Somerset 174-8 Police 175-5 Police moved into third place in the standings after this workmanlike performance against Somerset.
Dennis Archer stood out as the man of the match, notching a hat-trick while bowling and coming back to shepherd his side through with an unbeaten 26 at number six.
Archer seized the wickets of Craig Brangman, Jacobi Robinson and Francis Richardson in succession to knock the starch out of a Somerset outfit sorely missing the all around talent of Cup Match hero Wendell White, currently touring Canada with the Bermuda national team.
The policeman ended up with four-for-15 from 10 overs of medium pace, being aided by Ferdinand Thorne, who took two-for-33.
Chris Dailey top-scored for Somerset with 35 not out, while Tony Cheeseman weighed in with 31, Kenneth Maybury 25 and Leon Place contributed 23. A surprisingly subdued Andrew Rollins led the Police chase with 37 that included just two fours, while Terry Thomas managed 35 as the pair added 86 for the first wicket.
A mini collapse saw the home side fall to 117 for five, but the pairing of Archer and Thorne earned them the victory, the duo engaging in an unbroken partnership of 58.
Willow Cuts 195 Somerset Bridge 184 Andre Hendrickson blasted 88 and Kevin Fubler hit out for 76 and bagged three wickets as Willow Cuts defeated a game, but overmatched Somerset Bridge outfit.
Hendrickson blasted 17 fours and a six in his innings, while Fubler hit out for three sixes and eight boundaries, enabling Cuts to reach a total of 295 that Bridge were never going to get.
In reply Darren Dowling struck 42 not out in a vain attempt as Bridge fell 111 runs short.
Malcolm Raynor chipped in with 28 and Adrian Burrows 24, while Fubler took three-for-26 and Charles Swan two-for-31.
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