Somerset 217-8, Flatts 147

Against one of the other teams expected to be in the relegation fight, Somerset picked up what coach Winston Reid called a crucial season opening win over Flatts at Sea Breeze Oval yesterday.

The 217 posted by the west enders was always too much for Flatts who lost their first six wickets with just 77 runs on the board. There was a brief recovery with a seventh wicket stand of 38 between Troy Dean and Hewvonnie Baker before Somerset got the breakthrough and went on to win by 70 runs.

Dean, who earlier led the Flatts bowling, was also their top batsman with 25 while tailenders Baker, batting at number eight, and No.10 Nelson Bascome both scored 20. Opener Quinn Outerbridge scored 18.

Three Somerset bowlers took two wickets, Kenny Maybury having the best figures of two for 20 from eight overs while Jacobi Robinson had two for 34 and Shannon Warner two for 52.

Earlier, a third wicket stand of 102 between Curtis Jackson and Davon Wade helped Somerset recover from 29 for two as Troy Dean struck two early blows after Flatts put the visitors in upon winning the toss.

Wade was top bat with 68 from six fours and three sixes while Jackson stroked five fours and three sixes in his 63. Jacobi Robinson contributed a valuable 20 late in the innings as the overs ran out.

Dean, who also removed Jackson, returned impressive figures of four for 29 off nine overs with three maidens after sharing the new ball with Bascome. Lloyd Fray was the next best Flatts bowler with two for 22 off eight "The win was vitally important because people are saying it (relegation fight) is between Flatts, Somerset and Cleveland," said coach Reid.

"Therefore, it was important that we beat Flatts, at least to put them behind us. The guys were good on the field today and we took the catches.

"The tour to Barbados has brought the guys a lot closer and you could tell it on the field where the guys were bouncy and happy. If we can make inroads into some of the good things we should be alright this season."

St. George's 259-8

Cleveland 140

Travis Smith led the St. George's batting with 46 and then wrapped up the win with four wickets in just 5.5 overs of spin as Cleveland were welcomed to the Premier Division with a 119-run hammering at Wellington Oval.

Runs came easy for the home team after Detroy Smith and Mishael Paynter put on 40 for the first wicket. Smith scored 26 before Cleveland fought back with three quick wickets to make it 87-4 only to see captain Graham Fox (28) and Travis Smith add 49 for the fifth wicket to steady the innings.

And when Smith and Gary Brangman (42) then added another 75 for the sixth wicket, St. George's were headed for a 250 total. Smith and Brangman went in successive overs, Smith hitting seven fours off 69 balls and Brangman six fours from 38 balls, but then Gregg Foggo and Jacol Burgess both scored 20 in the tailend end to keep the runs flowing.

Charles Richardson was the most successful Cleveland bowler, taking four for 40 from his ten overs.

Cleveland never seriously threatened a run chase after a second wicket stand of 59 between Aaron Adams and Charles Richardson, which took the score from 24 to 83, ended. Adams scored 31 and Richardson 25 but there was little resistance in the middle and late orders as the St. George's bowlers took wickets with ease. The last eight batsmen added just 36 runs, with the biggest contribution coming from the extras where there were 37.

Smith finished with figures of four for 18 off 5.5 overs while the other spinner, Kameron Fox, had three for 38 off ten and seamer Gary Brangman two for 19 from seven.