Southampton Rangers 148

Warwick 84

Western Counties champions Southampton Rangers defended their title at White Hill Field with a 64 run win over challengers Warwick Workmen's Club on Saturday.

Rangers won the low scoring third round game hitting just 148 runs, but defended it with tidy bowling and tight fielding.

Warwick, who won the toss and elected to bowl, had every chance of snatching the trophy away from Rangers after bowling them out for 148.

Yet a dismal batting display led to their miserable 64 run defeat, with only Daniel Caines putting up any resistance with 32.

The Warwick innings never got off the ground with Rangers' potent bowling attack of Malachi Jones, Ryan Belboda and all-rounder Dion Stovell always in control as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.

Stovell was the most influential bowler for the champions taking four wickets for 23 runs, while Belboda (two for 30), Jones (two for 17), Janeiro Tucker (one for 11) and Keith Wainwright (one for two).

Earlier in the match, Rangers made runs at the top of their order with Stovell, top scorer with 30, and Keith Wainright (20) getting the champions off to a good start.

But irrational shot selection then proved Rangers' undoing as they quickly fell behind with wickets falling fast and the scoreboard ticking over slowly.

Janeiro Tucker steadied the ship scoring 23 runs in the middle of the order, while Andrew Raynor scored 22 to put Rangers' score at a defendable 148 before being bowled out.

Chris Douglas was the pick of the Warwick bowlers, returning figures of five for nine.