Western Stars 261-7

St. George's 198

Western Stars extended their unbeaten run in the league to four games, but it was only in the last 10 overs of the St. George's innings that they saw off the threat at St. John's Field yesterday.

Captain Albert Steede's century laid the foundation for Stars' winning total as he batted throughout the innings for an unbeaten 119 in 205 minutes off 147 balls.

The ton contained 11 fours and two sixes.

However, St. George's, skittled out for 98 by Stars in the Knockout Cup semi-final a week earlier, took up the challenge of scoring 262 as they attempted to hand the home team their first loss of the season.

Eugene Foggo and Detroy Smith laid the foundation with a solid 69 for the first wicket, though 17 of the overs were used. Smith went for a stylish 38, including four fours and two sixes, and when Foggo departed for 26 in the 20th over, the asking rate had climbed to 6.4 an over for the last 30 overs.

Sinclair Gibbons and Charlie Marshall began to lay the foundation for an exciting finish when they added 81 for the third wicket in 16 overs. But after Gibbons' 66 (six fours and four sixes) and Marshall's 20, no other St. George's batsmen reached double figures as their hopes of an upset faded with each wicket.

The visitors, 167-3 in the 40th over, lost their last seven wickets in less than eight overs for 31 runs as Stars tightened their grip on the match.

Dwayne Leverock, who shared the new ball with Wilbur Burt, led the bowling with five for 40 from 8.2 overs, while Burt claimed two vital wickets in his second spell to finish with two for 48 off 10.

Arnold Manders was responsible for removing both openers and finished with two for 37 off 10 overs of off spin.

Saleem Mukudem, who conceded just eight runs in his first five-over spell, was wicketless in his eight overs which yielded 23 runs.

The South African was also outstanding with the bat, supporting his captain with five boundaries in a knock of 37 as he and Steede added 66 in 50 minutes for the third wicket in taking the score from 89 to 155.

Jermaine Postlethwaite and Arnold Manders both scored 24 as former Stars player Gary Brangman claimed two for 43 off 10 overs. He was the only St. George's bowler to take more than one wicket.

The win leaves Stars in first place in the standings as the only unbeaten team in the league.