For the third time this season PHC beat Southampton Rangers in a game of huge importance.

This time Kyle Lightbourne's men put a huge dent in their rivals title hopes, and no matter how you look at it, PHC have got Rangers' number.

"There is something about Rangers and PHC games, the two clubs have a history, it goes back a long way," said Lightbourne.

That might explain why PHC have made a habit of beating Rangers this season, but this was the closest game yet between the two, and for a time it looked Rangers would come out on top.

"At one stage that game looked over for us, they were cruising, especially after we lost five quick wickets," said Lightbourne.

"But Clevie (Wade) had a good innings, and it brought us back into the game. But that's cricket like, our top order didn't do it, but our tail-enders came through today."

Defeat could have dragged PHC back into the relegation dog-fight, but they have no such worries now, and with a top-four spot all but sown up, and games against bottom-two Somerset and Devonshire Rec still to come, they could conceivably finish in the top-two.

"Today, everything went our way.

"Rec beat Somerset, Willow Cuts got the points from St David's because there was a problem with the wicket.

"Also, we had been looking at both ends of the table like, obviously we want to make the Belco Cup to defend it, and the win consolidates third place for us."

Lightbourne's side can take a firm hold on third-place next weekend as St David's their nearest challengers have a bye week.

But Somerset will be no pushovers, defeat to Devonshire Rec has left them staring relegation in the face, and Lightbourne knows that victory this week will mean nothing if they lose their next match.

"We've got to finish it off, we've got a big game against Somerset next week, and if we could get a victory.

"I think one more victory and we can definitely make the Belco Cup."