Judging from the manner in which PHC celebrated their narrow one-run win over St.George's at White Hill Field last Sunday, one might have figured the Premier Division newcomers had just sewn up the league championship.

And rightfully so. After all, they had just defeated the might of high-flying St.George's in a nail-biting finish.

PHC racked up 184 all out and then dismissed their more illustrious opponents for 183.

"There's certainly been a buzz around the club this week," remarked PHC skipper Cal Waldron yesterday.

"Our fans came running off the bank and onto the field after the match and anyone would've thought that we had won the Western Counties. But our main goal now is to try to survive in the Premier Division."

Sundays' memorable win marked the club's second major triumph since PHC dethroned then champions Southampton Rangers in the 1999 Western Counties final at White Hill Field.

The Warwick club have picked up two wins so far this season, the other of which came against Willow Cuts.

"It was a great win because I think that we went through several phases in the game where we were having mental lapses," added Waldron. "But overall getting the result was something that everyone is proud of and last night (Tuesday) in training we were joking with Fluff (Arthur Richards) about how agile the `big man' was."

Richards went full length to snare a Keevan Foggo return catch that signalled PHC's historic win and not wicketkeeper Matthew Lee as was previously reported.

As for the energetic Lee, Waldron said the player was still nursing a badly bruised nose. Lee was struck in the face attempting to play a Gregg Foggo delivery that rose sharply off a good length on a pitch that was reportedly not rolled prior to the match.

"He (Lee) went to the doctor on Monday and they sent him home just to rest because he was still suffering from headaches," said the veteran skipper. "He didn't train last night but I take it that he's doing well and he hasn't indicated that he will be out for Saturday's game."

PHC meet Southampton in the first round of the Premier Division KO Cup at White Hill Field this weekend.

The skipper also praised Lee for his brave, match-winning innings. The player returned to the crease to smash four towering sixes and a four during a pivotal 54-run tenth-wicket stand with Sharon Hunt (13). Lee remained unbeaten on 37 after facing 23 balls.

"For Matthew to have that good innings despite being hit proved to be crucial because the tail wagged with the partnership that he (Lee) had with Sharon Hunt," he added. "It was a good win because now that puts us closer to the to other teams who are just ahead of us. It's certainly boosted our morale."

Waldron reckons, however, there's still room for improvement.

"We know we need to continue and move on from here and we also know our batting will have to improve," he noted. "We know where we are lacking and are hoping to address that situation.

"Arthur (Richards) and Kevin (Dill) have been batting solidly. They have been able to stay at the wicket and do what they have to do. And Sharon (Hunt) is bowling well along with Gerald Simons and Ellsworth (Bean). But everybody has chipped in here and there, so to single out one person I think would be unjust because it has been a team effort thus far."

PHC also won last Sunday in the absence of key strike bowlers Charles Symons and Neil Anglin.

Looking ahead to Saturday's KO Cup clash against Southampton, Waldron said: "With Rangers it's always this mental thing. We get all hyped up and want to beat them instead of just going out there and playing the game.

"They are our neighbours and county rivals and it's always one of those games that you look forward to playing. With the star-studded team that they have we always want to do well against them but always seem to mentally fall short."

Buoyed by last Sunday's win, PHC will be hoping to overcome that obstacle this time around.