PHC players and officials were celebrating what's believed to be a speedy return to top flight cricket last night after they recorded a comfortable 85-run victory over nearest rivals Devonshire Rec. at White Hill Field yesterday.

However, without any official First Division standings made available by Bermuda Cricket Board of Control, The Royal Gazette could not confirm whether or not the Warwick club had in fact sewn up the championship.

According to PHC skipper Cal Waldron, “mathematically” it's impossible for his team to be caught with just two league fixtures remaining in the season.

“We still have a game in hand (Willow Cuts) and we've only lost two games while Devonshire have lost three,” said Waldron.

PHC also have to play Somerset Bridge.

PHC did well to dig deep and defend what appeared to be a modest total.

Charles Symonds (four for 17), Ellsworth Bean (three for three) and Shoron Hunt three for 34 all turned in sterling bowling performances as Devonshire were skittled out for just 68 in 25 overs.

The match had been reduced to 40 overs per side as the pitch wasn't ready until some time after the scheduled start.

Earlier, PHC were on the ropes at 20 for five.

And it took a vital 43 run sixth-wicket partnership between player/coach Andre (Doc) Manders (49) and Robert Royster (17) to get them back on track before Lamont Brangman finally had Royster caught at short mid-wicket by skipper Winston Trott Jr.

Manders soldiered on to feature in another pivotal 38-run stand with Matthew Lee (11) before falling just one shy of a deserved half-century, Wendell Swan executing a fine catch at extra cover off Omar Amory.

Manders stroked two fours and two sixes off 78 balls.

A further swashbuckling 44-run ninth-wicket stand between Symonds (16) and Bean (22) ensured PHC reached a respectable total.

Symonds hit two sixes while Bean managed one four and a six during his patient innings.

Trott top scored for Devonshire with 15 while Wendell Swan stroked ten.

Warwick 64, Willow Cuts 65-1

Willow Cuts made short work of a ten-man Warwick outfit yesterday at Somerset Cricket Club.

Spearheading Cuts to their emphatic win were Charles (Bucky) Swan who managed to snare six wickets and veteran Kevin Fubler who returned figures of three wickets for just four runs.

In reply, Cuts only lost opening bat Dwight Basden (13) in pursuit of their opponents' meagre total.

The match between Social Club and Police at St. John's Field was cancelled due to an unprepared pitch.