THE annual battle between the Bermuda Regiment Officers' Mess and the Warrant Officers and Sergeants' Mess heated up under the blazing sun at Southampton Rangers last Sunday.

The Warrant Officers and Sergeants' Mess won the toss and decided to bat.

Sgt. Shannon (Mad Dog) Rayner, whose league game with Rangers was postponed, was quickly drafted in as opening bat. He led the attack quickly scoring 116 runs in just 49 deliveries before being caught behind by Lt. Larenzo Ratteray off the bowling of Major Brian Gonsalves.

Sgt. Rayner's total included nine fours and 11 sixes.

The only other bats of note contributing to the Sergeants' total of 227 in their allotted 20 overs were Regimental Sergeant Major Warrant Officer (Class One) Errol McKenzie (12), Julian Simmons (17) and Sgt. Tim Furr (38).

It should also be noted that the Officers contributed handsomely to the score giving up 39 extras.

Maj. Gonsalves took a total of four wickets while giving up 43 runs.

Captains Robbie Spurling and Graham Benjamin assisted taking a wicket each and together the Officers' bowling cadre were able to dismiss three of the Sergeants for a single run each, and a fourth for just two runs.

Chasing 227, the Officers' Mess had to achieve a run rate of almost 12 per over.

Given that only one of their batsmen actually scored above 12 runs, dreams of regaining the trophy soon evaporated. Top bat for the Officers' Mess was Lt. Larenzo Ratteray (16) who was dismissed when he clipped Sgt. Rayner's delivery into 'keeper Sgt. Aaron Burchall's gloves.

The Officers' Mess in trying to push up their total suffered three sloppy run outs ¿ Major Gonsalves, Captain Arnold Todd and David Madeiros.

Leading the bowling for the Sergeants was Sgt. Burchall (10 for 2) and RSM Designate WO1 Gavin Lee (19 for 2).

A late effort by Major Stephen Caton (nine not out) and Major Chris Swallow (10) provided entertainment, if not hope, until Swallow tipped an easy catch to Sgt. Troy Hayward dismissing the Officers and ending the game after 16 and half overs.

The Officers mustered only 105 runs (32 of which were extras), losing by 122 runs.