Southampton Rangers 235-8

Western Stars 237-7

Western Stars all-rounder Saleem Mukudem (101) blasted his way into the record books as he hit a quickfire century in the inaugural Combined Knockout Cup Final on Saturday.

Stars defeated Southampton Rangers by three wickets in an entertaining match at Somerset Cricket Club to add another chapter to their already illustrious history by becoming the first winners of the new competition.

With victory well in sight and Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock providing the perfect foil at the other end, Mukudem notched his maiden ton in top flight cricket with a cheeky flick through the offside, dashing down the other end of the crease to spark joyous scenes of delight from both his team-mates in the pavilion and the faithful Stars following scattered around the ground.

And when he was finally out, caught and bowled by Clevie Wade, the win was all but secured as Stars were only five runs shy of their target.

Mukudem stroked 13 fours and one six during an impeccable two hours and 29 minute stay at the crease.

Indicative of his powerful strokeplay, the century came off of just 102 balls.

"Two hundred and thirty five was always going to be a competitive total on this wicket" said Mukudem after the match.

"They (Southampton) got runs later on in their innings, swiping more than anything else trying to get themselves a decent total to defend.

"We applied ourselves from the word go. Limited cricket is all about runs per over and we had to score about four and a half runs per over on a wicket that was playing very easy and it was all just a matter of application and picking out the bad ball."

Stars skipper Albert Steede paid tribute to his team. "I think that we gave a good all-round performance today," he said. "The bowling was good and we were good in the field. Our top order batsmen, especially Saleem and Jermaine (Postlethwaite) obviously solidified our innings and batted extremely well for us today. So that just goes to show the depth that we have in our team."

Opening bat Postlethwaite (77) and Leverock (four for 30 and 27 not out) were both instrumental in their team's memorable win.

Ryan Belboda was Southampton's best bowler, taking two wickets for 38, while Wade, Keith Wainwright, Olin Jones and Quinton Sherlock Jr all took a wicket apiece as their team used six bowlers in a bid to dismiss their opponents.

Earlier, with Janeiro and Kwame Tucker both ruled out by suspension, Southampton were able to post a challenging total of 235 thanks largely in part to hard-hitting Stevie Lightbourne who blasted his way to 89.

Dropped by Jah Jah Millet in the 40s, a shaky Lightbourne went on to stroke seven fours and seven sixes while facing only 57 balls.

Jones, though, looked comfortable at the crease but impatience would ultimately prove his undoing after he took a mighty heave at a Hasan Durham delivery and was bowled for a well played 33.

Wainwright, who was also dropped by Millet at square leg, scored 22 while young Ian Armstrong cracked a blistering unbeaten 34 off just 31 balls which included five fours during a useful 42-run eighth wicket partnership with Sherlock (six).

Durham finished with two for 56 while William Burt took one for 49.

Arnold Manders (none for 59) and Mukudem (none for 30) were the only other Stars bowlers used.

Stars will have to wait a little longer to get their reward as there were no BCBC officials on hand to present the trophy after the match, other than Southampton's deputising skipper Wainwright who is also the Board's first vice-president.