Western Stars opened a ten-point gap at the top of the Twenty20 First Division after recording a 16-run win over Flatts at Lord’s yesterday in a match that was shortened to 14 overs per side after rain delayed the start.

Understandably, Flatts asked Stars to bat first on the damp wicket, but it did not go their way, as Tre Manders and Jaiden Manders did all the scoring for Stars who posted 133 without loss.

Tre, the Somerset Cup Match batsman who returned to Stars this season, was high man with 72 off 45 balls, with six sixes and two fours, while Jaiden added 54 from 40 balls. He hit two sixes and four fours.

Flatts replied with 117 for three in their 14 overs, with opener Reggie Baker their high man with 81 off 47 balls, hitting nine sixes and three fours in a losing cause as Flatts came up just short.

Stars broke a two-way tie for first place with Warwick who had a bye yesterday, while PHC, third going into the weekend, suffered a 27-run loss to Devonshire Rec at Wellington Oval.

This match was reduced to twelve overs per team, with Rec scoring 130 for two and PHC replying with 103 for four.

Clay Darrell was the high man for Rec with 64 from 32 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes while fellow opener Drewonde Bascome struck 51 off 35 balls with four sixes and two fours. They put on 122 for the first wicket in just ten overs.

PHC’s reply was led by Davin Dill’s 34 off 15 balls with three sixes and two fours and Jahmari Beach who scored 21 not out as they fell short of their target. Dion Ball was the best of the Rec bowlers, taking two for 21.

The remaining match in the west end, between Somerset Bridge and Cleveland at White Hill Field, was not hampered by the weather as Bridge scored 153 for five in their 20 overs and then Cleveland replied with 154 for six in 19.4 overs for a four wicket win with two balls remaining.

This time the close result went in the favour of Cleveland who suffered a narrow seven-run loss to St David’s in the Eastern counties on Saturday.

Yesterday, Bridge were led in the batting by Clarence Trott’s 49 not out off 40 balls while captain Joshua Gilbert scored 46 from 36 balls with five fours and two sixes.

They added 92 for the fourth wicket, taking the score from 40 to 132.

Jalani Richardson claimed two for 17 off three overs to lead the Cleveland bowling as they used eight bowlers.

Eight batsmen was enough for them to secure their third victory in the competition, with Makai Young leading the run chase with 54 not out off 40 balls from three fours and two sixes while young opener Zeri Tomlinson scored 30 from six fours.

Noel Woods, who opened the bowling, finished with three for 25 from 3.4 overs for Bridge.