Matty Watson, the chief architect of victory who has been in scintillating form, led from the front with a boundary-filled century that steered CV Chargers to their sixth Evening Cricket League triumph of the season to maintain pressure in group two on Tuff Dogs — the only team to beat them so far.

Watson, one of four league players to make a century last season, unfurled four sixes and nine fours in his unbeaten 103, spurring Chargers to a crushing 86-run win over West XI.

Renegades, the top league team for the past two seasons, moved level with The Associates at the top of group one — albeit from a game more — after a six-wicket win with three balls to spare over De Wicketest, despite opener Paul Carr's classy, unbeaten 75.

Ricky Waldron struck an unbeaten 66 as Fine Leg Byes cruised to a nine-wicket win over North Village, while High Flyaz picked up a fifth victory of the campaign with a nine-run win over Bailey's Bay.

Watson, appointed Chargers captain this season, increased his tally to 539 runs — including two matches from the delayed 2021 knockout played earlier — for an impressive average of 134.75. In the league alone, he is averaging 143.34.

Cameos from Somers Carr (27) and Greg Rose (22 not out) helped Chargers to post 179 for five.

Carr, whose brother, Piers, has also made a century for Chargers this season, then teamed up with Rose and Nik Lawton-Misra to share nine of the wickets with three apiece as West subsided to 93 all out with a ball remaining.

Donald Smith was top scorer with 24 for West XI, whose most successive bowler was Sivakumar Senthamaraikannan with two for 26.

"It was another quality outing from our boys,“ Somers Carr, the team spokesman, said.

“Matty [Watson] showed some pure class by hitting his second ton for the Chargers, which allowed us to set another imposing target.

“West were never really in the fight and lost their first three batters for a combined total of two runs.”

Paul Carr’s 75 — “he batted brilliantly throughout the innings,” said Ryan Miller, the Renegades captain — provided the backbone of De Wicketest’s 130 for five, a total that proved challenging for their opponents despite 31 from Riaan Engelbrecht and 29 from Hugh Stanton.

“We started our innings slowly due to some very tight lines bowled by their opening bowlers,” Miller said.

“It left us a lot to do in the back half of the innings, but some quality cameos by Christof Van Tonder (24 from 11) and Michael Ford (15 from six) helped us chase down 40 off the last three overs.”

Miller added: “De Wicketest v Renegades matches always seem to come down to the wire, and this was no different.”

Stephan Smit was Renegades’ most successful bowler with three for 28, while Rian Lindo was the pick of De Wicketest’s attack with three for 17.

Ricky Waldron and Melvin Best forged an 88-run alliance in an unbroken second-wicket stand, Waldron's unbeaten 66 including 11 fours, while Best belted four sixes and a four in his 41 not out as Fine Leg Byes cantered home with 13 balls to spare against Village, who are still seeking their first points of the season.

Derwin Adams (32), Khary Smith (28) and Allen Walker (21) were the main contributors to the Village total of 120 for five.

Shaquille Pitcher (27) and Shawn Riley (22) helped High Flyaz post 101 for five before holding Bay to 92 for four in reply.