PHC 120

Police 123-2

James Celestine cracked the season's fastest century at Southampton Oval on Saturday, lashing an unbeaten 104 off 40 balls to power Police to an eight-wicket win over hosts PHC as the Open League got underway.

The hard-hitting batsman, promoted to the role of opener, put the PHC attack to the sword, smashing ten sixes and eight fours to see his team to victory in only 10.2 overs in reply to their hosts' paltry total.

No bowler was spared Celestine's wrath, with seamer Darren Anglin coming in for the harshest punishment as he was smacked for 41 runs, 40 of which came in boundaries during a tormenting two-over spell.

He gave up 30 runs alone in his second and final over as Celestine cut loose from a lean spell with the bat.

Teenager Keishon Wilson and makeshift seamer Jason Anderson claimed the only Police wickets to tumble on a bouncy, seaming pitch.

Earlier, pace ace George O'Brien jr produced a devastating second spell after lunch, which ignited a major collapse and saw PHC slump from 104 for four to 120 all out.

The national team bowler took five for 26 off 11.4 overs and tossed down four maidens after going wicketless in his opening spell with the new ball.

Veteran medium pacer Ozzie Hinds took three for 25 to prove he still has gas in the tank.

Anderson led the PHC batting with a well-played 34, followed by Daniel Caines (15) and Kevin Dill and Jelani Albouy who chipped in with 12 apiece.

Albouy and Anderson shared in a 43-run second wicket stand, PHC's highest, that put their team in a reasonably good position after being asked to bat on a damp pitch following a delayed start.

St. David's CC 130

Southampton Rangers 82

Arthur Pitcher jr and Del Hollis shared eight wickets between them to inspire St. David's to a 48-run win over Southampton Rangers in a low scoring affair at Lords.

Spinner Hollis picked up four for 16 off five overs and received solid backing from seamer Pitcher who took four for 38 off nine, including the prized scalp of Rangers player/coach Janeiro Tucker for one.

Chasing what appeared a straightforward target, Southampton found themselves wobbling at 59 for four after 12 overs after Pitcher made the breakthrough.

It was then left to Hollis to finish the job and he did so admirably as Rangers lost their remaining six batsmen for the addition of 23 runs in seven overs to be skittled out for their lowest total of the season.

Skipper Malachi Jones and opener Dion Stovell topped the Rangers batting with 17 apiece. Jones also featured in his team's highest stand, a 20-run fourth wicket partnership with former Islanders cricketer Shannon Raynor (seven).

Earlier, St. David's also found themselves reeling on a damp pitch at 72 for seven from 26 overs after being sent in to bat by the visitors. But a genuine skipper's innings from Lionel Cann (30), who shared a vital 46-run eight-wicket stand with Chris Pitcher (14), dug the Islanders out of a hole and steered them to what ultimately proved to be a defendable total. All-rounder Arthur Pitcher added a valuable 17.

Jones was the pick of the Rangers bowling, claiming four for 25, while Tucker had two for 13.

Flatts 214 -6

Somerset Bridge 85

The new ball pair of David Balducci and Ronald Gibbons combined their efforts at White Hill Field to spur visiting Flatts to a commanding 129-run win over Somerset Bridge in a match played with no official umpires.

Both bowlers wreaked havoc on the batsmen, with Balducci taking five for 23 to lead his team's attack while strike partner Gibbons took three for 33.

Clifford Simmons (23) and Scott Tucker (21) topped the Bridge batting that folded in 25.3 overs.

Earlier, solid knocks from Regino Smith (56) and Vernon Eve (45) propped Flatts to a challenging total before the visitors declared their innings.

Spinner Jermaine Salaam led the Bridge bowling with three for 46 while Craig Brangman had two for 42.

Young Men's Social Club 207-9

Western Stars 72-4

This match fizzled into a tame draw at St.John's Field.

After a delayed start, Social Club posted a sporting target in only 36 overs with Detroy Smith leading the way with 47. Player/coach Charlie Marshall added 39 while his nephew Jemeiko Marshall contributed 34.

Left arm spinner Gershon Gibbons was the pick of the Stars bowling claiming three for 39, while seamers Treadwell Gibbons jr, Machai Campbell and Justin Robinson took two apiece.

Stars were in a spot of bother when stumps were drawn with promising youngster Brian Hall (31) and Gibbons (16) unbeaten at the crease.

Seamers Jaymo Durham, Kani Darrell, Kevin Hurdle and Jeff Tyrell accounted for the Stars wickets to fall.

Willow Cuts 138

St. George's CC 139-3

St. George's thrashed Willow Cuts by seven wickets at Somerset Cricket Club – no further details could be obtained.

n Saturday's remaining Open League match between Devonshire and Bailey's Bay at Devonshire Recreation Club was postponed due to the unavailability of umpires.