Bailey's Bay 223 Willow Cuts knocked Bailey's Bay from the ranks of the unbeaten with a convincing 61-run victory at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday.

A superb unbeaten century by Cuts' captain Dexter Basden spurred the west end club to victory, as the two teams combined for more than 500 runs on an easy playing pitch.

Batting throughout the innings, Basden slammed 13 fours and four sixes in his knock of 119, plundering all rival captain Charlie Marshall threw at him.

"I know Bay -- I've scored 128 not out against them before, while chasing more than 300 runs and we beat them -- where their weaknesses and strengths are, and I like batting against them,'' said Basden, who has previously appeared for Bay in the Eastern Counties competition.

Basden was ably assisted by his team-mates as he and fellow opener Steven Mendes put on 111 for the first wicket, with the latter contributing 27.

In fact, all of the Cuts batsmen made solid contributions, with Richard Basden adding 25 at number three, David Jones tallying 21 and Gladwin Edness living up to his big-hitting reputation in reaching 31 from just 22 balls, including six boundaries.

Meanwhile, Bay hindered their own cause by conceding 62 extras, 50 of those on account of wides.

Nevertheless, Ricky Hill and Jermaine Warner got the visitors off to a reasonable start, producing a 51-run opening stand before Hill departed.

Stephen Outerbridge (10), Marshall (six), Corey Hill (two) and Noel Gibbons (two) all fell cheaply as off spinner David Jones ended with three for 32.

Coming off a splendid innings a week prior, Jermaine Warner took advantage of four `lives' to keep Bay in with a shot, scoring 66 before finally offering a chance that was taken by Richard Basden fielding at point, leaving the score at 158 for six.

Dennis Pilgrim then took up the challenge, displaying `guts' in a lusty knock of 59, but it was more a matter of pride at that point and Bay were finally dismissed 61 runs short of their target.

Durwood Cann, despite being crudely treated by the likes of Warner and Pilgrim, managed three for 42 from four overs of medium pace, while Ozzie Hinds, Kevin Fubler and Richard Basden each weighed in with one wicket.

Afterwards, Dexter Basden noted it to have been a highly satisfying win for the team over an outfit expected to challenge for overall league honours.

"It took a total team effort to beat Bay, you just can't beat Bay with two or three guys. I scored a hundred, but it needs a team effort to beat them,'' said Basden. "They know that once they play the Cuts it's always going to be a struggle. I don't care if they scored four hundred last week... I'm pleased with the victory.''