two years after blasting 286 in an opening stand against Social Club in a league match.

This time the Western Stars openers put on 263 against St. David's to help Stars to a 168-run win at Lord's in the first round of the Knockout Cup.

As was the case on June 10, 1995, Stars were asked to bat first, a decision St. David's came to regret as they toiled until the 50th over before finally getting a wicket when Rudell Pitcher trapped Steede lbw for 135.

Steede smashed 11 fours and three sixes while Gibbons, who finished on 111 not out, hit six fours and two sixes.

St. David's could only manage 100 in reply as Gary Brangman claimed six for 20 from nine overs.

Just five Knockout Cup matches were played as three -- PHC v Flatts, Social Club v Cleveland and Warwick v Somerset Bridge -- were called off because no umpires showed up.

Champions St. George's were one of the teams eliminated, losing by 59 runs to Willow Cuts at Wellington Oval. Cuts scored 208-8 with captain Dexter Basden hitting 62, brother Richard 45 and Jermaine Warner 32. Herbie Bascome took four for 40 from 10 overs.

Despite Dean Minors' stubborn 70, St. George's fell short of their target, reaching 149 in 42.2 overs. Brian Gibbons finished with three for 14 from 5.2 overs.

Bailey's Bay scored a comfortable eight wicket win over neighbours Hamilton Parish at Sea Breeze Oval. Parish were dismissed for just 63 in 22 overs despite the absence of Anthony Braithwaite and Clarkie Trott in the Bay team.

Brothers Corey and Ricky Hill did the bowling damage for Bay, Corey taking five for 28 and older brother Ricky four for 11. Then after Ricky departed in the first over and Glenn Blakeney in the second, Bay reached their target in 16.2 overs through Roger Trott (24) and Cal Dill (20).

Devonshire Rec. lost in a thriller, going down by one wicket to Somerset at Devonshire Rec. The home team scored 224 with Leon Place hitting 48, Donald Norford 41 and Omar Amory 41 as Craig Brangman claimed five for 52.

Somerset reached the target with their last pair at the crease, having recovered from 72-4 at one stage. Shawn Roberts was their high man with 49 while opener Reid Jones hit 31. Anthony Amory claimed three for 36.

Police scored a four wicket triumph over Southampton Rangers at Police Field, replying to Rangers' total of 159 with 162-6.

Kwame Tucker was top bat for Rangers with 42 while Roger Blades took three for 22. Police were 48 without loss through Dennis Archer and Tyrone Smith before four wickets went down for just eight runs as Rangers fought back.

However, Peter Philpott led the Police recovery with an unbeaten 65.