Tucker on song as Rangers triumph
Southampton Rangers gave Willow Cuts an 118 run hammering to go clear at the top of the Premier Division yesterday.
Janeiro Tucker was back to his brutal best, hitting a century as Rangers amassed 299 for seven in their 50 overs at Southampton Oval.
Cuts never got close in reply, despite a half century from Malachi Jones.
Rangers' day was made complete when Bailey's Bay slumped to a 21 run loss at the hands of PHC.
Jason Anderson (53) and Kyle Lightbourne (51not out) starred with the bat for PHC, as they recovered from 104 for five to make 186.
Kevin Tucker then took three wickets for 33 runs, as Bay were bowled out for 165.
St David's meanwhile kept their slim title hopes alive with a nail-biting three run win over Devonshire Rec.
Justin Pitcher stroked a valuable 58 as he and cousin OJ Pitcher (23) steadied the ship after the Islanders lost several early wickets. The side were eventually bowled out for 131 in 31.1 overs.
Spearheading their demise was familiar foe Herbie Bascome, who snatched four wickets for 28 runs.
OJ Pitcher then grabbed four wickets with the ball, but for a time it seemed as if it wouldn't be enough.
Ricky Brangman (54) was guiding his side to victory, and at 122 for seven the home side looked like they had won.
However a familiar late order collapse saw them lose their last three wickets for just six runs, and they were all out for 128.
In the First Division meanwhile St George's look to be cruising to the title after another comfortable win.
Mishael Paynter struck a half century and Jonte Smith took three wickets in a crushing eight-wicket win over Warwick at Wellington Oval.
A sensational spell of bowling from Smith forced Warwick on to the back foot from the outset, and the visitors eventually succumbed for just 108 after battling it out for 41.4 overs.
Smith bowled 7.4 overs and conceded just nine runs in all, and got some fine support at the other end from Rudell Pitcher who finished with two wickets for 13 runs off nine overs.
Sherwin Richardson topped Warwick's batting with 20 runs while veteran Hoyt Zuill chipped in with 16, Jousha Butler 15 and Kyle Swan 12.
St George's required only 16 overs to win, losing just two wickets in the process.
Paynter was undefeated on 50, and received solid support at the other end from Richard Todd who was also undefeated on –49 with six fours and a six.