Willow Cuts 342 for eight

Dev Rec. 188 for nine

Malachi Jones blasted his way to a century as Willow Cuts took a massive step towards Premiership survival with their 154-run victory over Devonshire Rec. yesterday at Somerset Cricket Club.

Cuts were two points behind their opponents entering the day, and knowing only a win would do they went about the job with a total team effort.

Batting first on a batsmen's paradise, openers Ryan Sheppard (79) and Chris Douglas (64) put up 137 for the first wicket to lay the foundation for a formidable total to be posted.

When the openers were gone Jones then got in on the act smashing every Somerset bowler to all parts of the ground.

Also contributing to the mammoth total of 342 were Dexter Basden (30), and Rawn Warner (34). Devonshire skipper Derrick Brangman and Wilbur Burt took two wickets apiece.

In reply, the visitors never really got going in their pursuit of the win and guaranteed survival.

Sinclair Gibbons (37) and Steven Bremar jr. (25) got the irside off to a good start but once both had got out, wickets fell with worrying regularity.

Brangman (27) and Chris Foggo (17) tried to keep the side within the required run rate, but still fell well short.

Kevon Fubler took three wickets, while both Jones and Douglas took two wickets apiece in the win.

The result leaves both sides level on points, although Cuts have played their full compliment of games.

Devonshire can still make themselves safe with a win next week against PHC, while Somerset, who are also tied on the same amount points although at the bottom of the table, play Bailey's Bay in their last fixture.

Somerset CC 113

PHC 116-4

PHC coasted to a six-wicket victory at Southampton Oval yesterday to remain on course to celebrate one of their best Premier Division finishes ever in limited overs cricket.

Inspired by the bowling of veterans David (Chick) Adams, Dean Stephens and Cal Waldron the Warwick club tore through Somerset's brittle batting as the West Enders succumbed to a rather disappointing 113 in 37.3 overs.

Former St. George's Cup Match spinner Adams was the chief wicket taker with four for a mere 11 runs off five overs with a maiden while Stevens and Waldron each took two wickets. Stevens conceded 16 runs off 10 overs with four maidens while Waldron gave up 32 runs in 8.3 overs with a maiden.

Somerset's miserable day started when opener Dwight Basden was dismissed for a duck without a run scored.

Further wickets fell to leave Somerset reeling at 29 for three.

Azeem Pitcher (43) and Jekon Edness (21) then put on 58 for the fourth wicket. But once they both went, PHC's bowlers ripped through the tail, with only Wendell Ditton (13*) offering any resistance.

In total Somerset had three ducks with several other batsmen failing to reach double figures.

In sharp contrast PHC got off a positive start with openers Sheridan Ming and Jason Anderson putting on 32 for the first wicket. Ming scoring 21 and Anderson 20.

Fiqre Crockwell scored 18 before he was out, however with such a low target, PHC were never in any serious danger of losing.

Dean Stephens (24*) and Ricardo Brangman (16*) successfully saw their side home as the visitors knocked off the runs in just 28.2 overs.

Teenage spinner Joshua Gilbert was the only Somerset bowler taking wickets, finishing with three for 30 off 7.2 overs with three maidens.