Skipper Chris Smith cracked a sparkling century while Dennis Pilgrim and Jermaine Outerbridge each snatched four wickets to help defending champions Bailey's Bay reach the Open Knockout final once again with this 88-run victory over Police at Police field on Saturday.

Bailey's Bay now have the unique chance of winning the championship for the second consecutive year when they take on Western Stars in the final on Saturday at White Hill field (11 a.m.). Stars reached the final after beating Devonshire Rec. by 68 runs at Devonshire in the day's other semifinal.

The visitors showed their championship qualities with some sterling batting performances. Other than skipper Smith's heroics, which saw him score 120, others making major contributions were Glenn Smith (43), Noel Gibbons (34 not out) in his debut after returning from England, Ricky Hodsoll (29 not out), Charlie Marshall (21) and opener Cal Dill (18).

Pilgrim and Outerbridge were unlikely heroes in the bowling department for Bailey's Bay, tearing the heart out of the Police batting as they chased after their massive winning target of 304. Pilgrim finished with four for 16 off six overs while Outerbridge had four for 53 off 10.

Skipper Smith as he and Dill put on 67 for the first wicket before the latter was bowled by Police skipper Ferdinand Thorne.

Smith and Charlie Marshall added 41 for the second wicket before the latter was bowled by Henderson Hoyte, but then stability came when Smith and Glenn Smith added 113 for the third wicket -- a stand that saw both batsmen produce some sparkling drives through the covers.

Skipper Smith batted for 210 minutes and struck 13 fours and four sixes. Ossie Hinds was the top bowler for Police with three for 57.

Police were confident when they went to bat and the approach by openers Dennis Archer (71) and Tyrone Smith (14) must have worried the fielding team.

That worry lessened somewhat with the score on 48 when Smith fell to fast bowler Anthony Braithwaite. But it was not long before Archer switched into top gear and put on quick runs with new bat Dwayne Leverock (35), the pair adding 91 for the second wicket.

Archer was eventually out caught on long-on the boundary by Glenn Smith off Outerbridge and afterward Police were forced to slow down the chase.

Skipper Thorne came and attempted to increase the tempo but that did not last long because Leverock was dismissed and Andre Hendrickson (12) was soon heading back to the pavilion as well.

When Thorne, the last of the recognised batsmen, was out for 38 with the score 206 for six the champions were in full control with only lightweight batsmen to deal with and only 16 overs left.

CHRIS SMITH -- On his way to a century.