Bailey's Bay 136-5 Bailey's Bay became the new leaders of the Premier Open Division despite being held to this tame draw against Willow Cuts at Somerset yesterday.

Bay aggressively set the tone for an exciting fightback when they were left with a winning target of 243 with just 25 minutes plus 20 overs -- a challenge many skippers wouldn't have accepted.

But it was clear that Charlie Marshall's orders were to go after the runs -- his players perhaps annoyed by having had to field until 5.49 p.m. when the last Willow Cuts batsman was out. Approximately 25 minutes was lost in a game that started at 11.30 a.m.

The early dismissal of Glenn Blakeney (2) with just two runs on the board didn't deter Bay, who launched an unmerciful attack on the bowling.

The remaining opener Roger Trott (55) and Irving Romaine (19) put up a quick 36 for a second wicket stand before Romaine was out.

Even the brief appearance of skipper Marshall (5) didn't ease the pursuit for runs with the score on 47 for three after he was out.

Then Trott and new batsman Clarkie Trott (30) went on the rampage, adding a torrid 64 for the fourth wicket.

During that stand Roger reached his half-century, but shortly afterwards his partner was dismissed.

When Trott himself was out after stroking five fours and two sixes in 90 minutes, Bay's chances of winning slipped away and eventually the captains agreed to an early end with three overs remaining.

When play was halted, Noel Gibbons was not out on 19 and Cal Dill undefeated on one.

Richard Basden took two wickets for 34 and Rodney Fubler two for 36.

Earlier Willow Cuts reached a formidable total thanks to skipper Dexter Basden's 51. Davon Wade struck 33, Cordell Gilbert 33, Kevin Fubler 27, Dwight Basden 21 and Richard Basden 17.

Clarkie Trott took four for 57 off 25 overs, with five maidens. Young Stevie Outerbridge had three for 63 and Glenn Blakeney two for 21.

Southampton 91 Police 92-4 Police made short work of Southampton Rangers, beating them by six wickets at Police Field.

It was the fast bowling of Roger Blades that led to the downfall of the visitors, the speedster taking five for 16 off 9.5 overs, including two maidens as Southampton were dismissed for a meagre 91.

Just two batsmen reached double figures, Keith Wainwright scoring 36 and Michael Brangman 21.

Police lost two early wickets for 20 runs, but recovered with opener Dwayne Leverock and Blades putting on 26 for the fifth wicket. Leverock was not out on 33 and Blades undefeated with 15.

Garry Williams was the top wicket-taker for Southampton with three for 48.

Western Stars 263-2 St. George's 140-7 Depleted St. George's had youngsters Amon Gibbons and Mackie Crane to thank for salvaging a draw which keeps their title hopes alive going into their final match against Bailey's Bay.

The pair survived the last couple of overs which not only prevented Stars from winning but also allowed the east enders to pick up another batting bonus point for finishing with 20 runs per wicket lost.

St. George's still lost top spot in the Open Championship to Bailey's Bay who they now trail by a point while defending champions Stars, nine points behind in second place, play bottom team PHC in their last match.

On a good batting strip Stars piled on the runs with Albert Steede and Treadwell Gibbons both scoring centuries. Steede hit six fours and a six in his 119 not out while Gibbons' 115 came off two fours and three sixes. The pair added 206 for the second wicket after Ricky Brangman Jr was dismissed when the total was on 23.

St. George's were missing Herbie Bascome, Gregg Foggo, Dean Minors and Eugene Foggo from their team. Captain Clay Smith led their batting with 76 before he was trapped lbw by Gary Brangman after hitting seven fours. Smith was sixth out with eight overs left.

Western Stars took four wickets in the final 20 overs with St. George's on 111-3 and Smith and Lewis Foggo at the crease. They survived the first eight overs before Foggo fell to Brangman for 17 and when Stars picked up two more wickets in the next four overs they sensed victory.

However, the youngsters hung on for the draw which hurt Stars' title hopes.

Brangman claimed three for 30 from 18 overs and Hasan Durham two for 35 off 22 to finish as the pick of the Stars bowlers.

PHC 107 St. David's 109-4 St. David's made short work of PHC in a match between the two relegated teams at St. David's.

PHC could only manage 107 after winning the toss and batting first, with their last three wickets going down for only four runs. Arthur Richards was their high man with 19 while opener Alfred Carter scored 17 and Kallan Johnston 14.

Reginald (Lucky) Pitcher took the last six wickets to finish with six for 17 off 11.2 overs while Sammy Robinson took two for 16 and Lionel Cann two for 40.

St. David's suffered a bad start, losing wickets on 19, 25 and 26 before opener Chris Foggo and Allen Richardson added 47 for the fourth wicket to take the home team to the brink of their first win in the Open Championship.

Foggo finished with 45 not out while Richardson scored 29. Charles Symons claimed two for 34 and Kallan Johnston and Cal Waldron both one for 22 for PHC.