St. George's 183-3 A magnificent batting display by Clay Smith helped spearhead St. George's to a stunning seven-wicket victory over the visiting Jamaicans at Wellington Oval on Satuday in a game that brought to an abrupt halt the tourists' string of successive victories.

Seemingly unpeturbed by Jamaica's reputation or their previous dominance over local teams, Smith launched a ferocious attack on the bowling as the East Enders chased a winning target of 180. Following an uncharacteristic pair of ducks on the same wicket during Cup Match just six weeks ago, Smith made amends with a superb innings of 96 not out, joining with Charlie Marshall in a third-wciket stand that put on 146. Marshall scored 53.

Batting for 120 minutes, Smith struck eight sixes and seven fours while Marshall lent support with two sixes and five fours in 114 minutes at the crease.

The game featured some lively hitting by both teams, having been reduced to 35 overs after rained delayed the start until 1.47 p.m.

But scintillating batting displays by the two Bermudians along with those from Jamaica's captain Delroy Morgan (73) and Wavell Hinds (47) were overshadowed by a controversial occurrence late in the match that left many fans angry to the degree that they booed the visitors off the field.

With Smith the non-striker on 96 and the St. George's total on 175 for three, Arnold Manders was attempting to get a single off Morgan's bowling to give Smith the chance to reach his century.

However, the Jamaican skipper, seemingly demoralised with the first tour defeat staring him in the face, elected to bowl four no balls -- leaving Smith precariously placed at the non-striker's end as the four runs tied the score thus preventing him from reaching his ton.

Manders, frustrated by Morgan's actions, then lashed four runs to rub salt into the visiting skipper's wounds.

St. George's scorer Danica Gibbons said of the skipper: "I can understand bowling two no balls, but it became blatant what his intentions were when he delivered the third and then the fourth in a row.'' Smith was the real winner, however, adding stability after Jamaica had St. George's troubled at 19 for two with openers Wendell Smith (1) and Lionel Cann (12) both out.

Clay Smith and Marshall took complete charge. When the stand ended St.

George's were well within reach of victory, eventually getting to their target off 30 overs.

Their reply more than equalled the late batting heroics by Jamaica who were subdued early before skipper Morgan increased their scoring rate by adding 80 off the last five overs with Wayne Cuff who made 33 not out.

The pair put on 96 for the sixth wicket after Jamaica had struggled to 83 for five.

Morgan finished with six sixes and three fours while batting for 122 minutes, his massive late assault taking his team from a modest 83 for five to a respectable total.

Clevie Wade was the top bowler for St. George's with three for eight off seven overs, including two maidens.