Without inspirational and in-form player-coach Charlie Marshall, the odds were heavily stacked against Social Club in this Premier Division Knockout Cup semi-final at Devonshire Recreation Club yesterday.

But they defied those odds to pull off a stunning 17-run victory over St. David?s, helped by the Duckworth Lewis system after rain interrupted play.

And if anyone had a problem with that system, umpires Stephen West and Roger Lewis were quick to assure that Social Club would also have been winners on the run-rate method once used by a margin of 4.56 to 3.8.

With Marshall unavailable, but watching some of the play from the sidelines, nephew Jemeko Marshall took over the reins, guiding his team to a slim win, thanks to a superb batting effort by Kenny Phillips who struck a whirlwind 70 and a patient innings of 18 by young David Campbell.

After Social Club had lost five wickets for 47 runs and the chance of victory appearing unlikely as they chased a 191 total, Phillips and Campbell joined in a sixth-wicket stand of 92, knocking the Islanders? bowlers ou of their ryhthm ? including top medium pacer George O?Brien who still claimed six wickets.

The duo took Social Club to within 52 runs of their winning target of 191 and then, with the two men still to bat, were 171-7 when rain stopped play and forced the umpires to use the Duckworth Lewis system.

Phillips, the dominant partner during the stand, slammed six sixes and five fours while facing 59 balls and batting for 185 minutes.

During one over from spinner Del Hollis he viciously drove the bowler for three straight sixes over mid-wicket.

Campbell?s supporting role included a memorable stroke ? an elegant sweep for six off spinner Delyone Borden to the square leg boundary during his stay of 196 minutes while facing 85 balls.

Also among the runs for Social Club were Dwayne Adams and Kevin Hurdle with 19 apiece.

O?Brien, showing some of his memorable Cup Match form, bowled 10 overs with a maiden for his six-wicket haul.

Earlier St. David?s reached their total thanks to Stefan Kelly, batting at number eight, with a brisk 44. He hit six fours and one six. Loren Marshall struck 20 and O?Brien was 17 not out.

Jemeko Marshall took two for 19 off eleven overs with a maiden while Clevaughn Darrell had two for 40 off eight overs and Kanhai Darrell two for 46 off 10 overs with a maiden.