Matt Watson joined the century club with a brilliant 102 to drive CV Chargers to a 17-run victory at Somerset Cricket Club that condemned three-times former Evening Cricket League champions Tuff Dogs to their second defeat of the season.

Watson, 34, reeled off 15 fours and three sixes, which spearheaded CV Chargers' 150 for five as he became the second opening batsman in successive weeks to reach three figures — after Jayde Albertze stroked an unbeaten 108 for defending champions Renegades.

Renegades and The Associates, who finished one-two last season, continue to lead their groups after respectively recording their fourth and third victories on the bounce.

In a full slate of cross-group matches, an unbeaten half-century from Matthew Spencer helped Renegades ease to an eight-wicket win over KPMG, while Alex Brown's 50 saw The Associates end PHC's unbeaten run with a seven-wicket victory.

Fine Leg Byes found form after a three-match losing streak by thumping High Flyaz by nine wickets, thanks to an unbeaten 64 from Ricky Waldron.

In the week's other fixture, an unbeaten half-century from Rajesh Ramasundaram propelled West XI to an eight-wicket win over De Wicketest with seven overs to spare.

Somers Carr, the captain, hailed Watson's first century by a Charger.

“It was a really great knock. There were a few nervous moments early on in the innings, but once he found his groove the runs began to flow,” Carr said. “I’ve been sidelined with a pulled hamstring sustained against De Wicketest, so it was fun to watch from the stands.”

Tuff Dogs, league champions in 2017, 2018 and 2019, could muster only 133 for four in reply with Dwight Basden’s 41 leading the way as Greg Rose picked up three for 23 after they won the toss and put CV Chargers in.

Terence Corday, the Tuff Dogs captain, took his hat off to Watson, saying: “He’s a class batsman — it was a great knock.

“We were missing Azeem [Khan] and Kwame [Tucker], but honestly they were better on the night. We dropped too many catches.”

Brown’s half-century helped The Associates canter home with 21 balls to spare after restricting PHC to 84 for seven with Dave Troughton and Dave Horan bagging two wickets apiece.

Simon Jones, the captain, said: “It’s been a really positive start to the season for us. Alex [Brown] and Matt Ball have been in great form with the bat, while Richie [Biram], Tommy [Edwards], and the two Daves [Troughton and Horan] have formed a really formidable bowling quartet."

After holding High Flyaz to 100 for five, in which Chris Sundar took two for 36, Fine Leg Byes made light of their victory target as Waldron steered his side home with 35 balls to spare, striking nine fours and a six in his 42-ball knock.

Opener Spencer hit five fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 53 and Rhiaan Engelbrecht chipped in with 30 as Renegades overhauled KPMG's 102 for four, in which Alistair Lynch made 27, with two overs to spare.

Ramasundaram's unbeaten 54, coupled with 22 from Phillip Burgess, helped West XI gallop home against De Wicketest, with Ramasundaram, Donald Smith and Sivakumar Senthamaraikannan each picking up two wickets as they dismissed their opponents for 99.

RESULTS

Shelly Bay (KPMG won toss): KPMG 102-4 (16 overs); Renegades 103-2 (14 overs; Matthew Spencer 53 not out, Riaan Engelbrecht 30). Renegades won by eight wickets

Shelly Bay (Fine Leg Byes won toss): High Flyaz 100-5 (16 overs); Fine Leg Byes 105-1 (10.1 overs; Ricky Waldron 64 not out). Fine Leg Byes won by nine wickets.

Shelly Bay (De Wicketest won toss): De Wicketest 99 (14.2 overs); West XI 103-2 (nine overs; Rajesh Ramasundaram 54 not out). West XI won by eight wickets.

Shelly Bay (PHC won toss): PHC 84-7 (16 overs); The Associates 85-3 (12.3 overs; Alex Brown 50). The Associates won by seven wickets.

Somerset Cricket Club (Tuff Dogs won toss): CV Chargers 150-5 (16 overs; Matt Watson 102); Tuff Dogs 133-4 (16 overs; Dwight Basden 41; Greg Rose 3 for 23). CV Chargers won by 17 runs.