PHC put a spoke in the wheel of CV Chargers’ promotion drive, handing the newcomers their first defeat of the season in the Evening Cricket League’s First Division.

Despite Piers Carr’s knock of 60, CV Chargers, who had won their opening eight matches, were restricted to 99 for two, before Antwan Russell’s 40 helped PHC gallop to their target with five overs to spare.

The win left PHC six points behind CV Chargers, but with a game in hand.

Derwin Adams’s 66 spearheaded North Village’s 43-run over Deloitte, while St George’s relegated High Flyaz to bottom spot after defeating Bad Byes by six wickets.

Meanwhile, Tuff Dogs strengthened their grip on the Premier League title, beating The Associates by eight wickets to avenge an 11-run defeat, their only reverse so far, earlier in the season.

Jayde Albertze followed up his 56 in the first fixture by hitting 67 in The Associates’ 120 for three, but Kwame Tucker and Maclaren Lowe, the league’s leading run-getter, made light work of the target, both striking half-centuries against a weakened attack to secure victory with more than four overs to spare.

Tucker finished on 65 not out, while Lowe, who is averaging 62.60 with 313 runs under his belt this season, made 55.

The win left Tuff Dogs three points clear of The Associates with two games in hand.

“Admittedly, it wasn’t The Associates’ strongest team, as they were missing three key bowlers, but all in all it was a good performance by our team with bat and ball,” said Terence Corday, the captain of Tuff Dogs, who are seeking a fourth successive league title.

West XI picked up their fourth win, defeating bottom club De Wicketest by six wickets.