Some lively batting by Dexter Smith (70) combined with superb bowling by Arnold Manders and brothers Allan and George Brangman assured Western Stars of a place in the final for the third straight year.

With this foursome in fine form, Stars defeated a powerful Police team by 20 runs at Devonshire Rec.

Renowned for their great ability to fight back in limited overs cricket, Police this time just did not have the ammunition to successfully combat the bowling attack of Stars.

Manders was Stars' top bowler with three for 18 off 10 overs with four maidens.

For a while though it looked as if it would be a mere formality for Police to get the runs, especially when they reached 70 for 1 after losing opener Dennis Archer (25) on 38. Wayne Clarke (26) and skipper Ferdinand Thorne (34) put on 34 for the second wicket to put them in good position.

However, once this stand was broken, the remaining batsmen succumbed to the inspired attack which was supported by some fine fielding. Roger Blades made 20 and Dwayne Leverock 11.

Earlier, opener Smith helped Stars to a respectable total after they lost Gregory Sampson (1) with the total on six. For Smith, a hard-hitting left-hander, it was his highest knock of the season.

Smith and Arnold Manders (25) added 71 for the second wicket and with Jeff Richardson and skipper Gary Brangman following later with 19 and 19 not out respectively, Stars were ensured of a decent total.

Blades was the leading bowler for Police with three for 31.

Devonshire Rec. 207-6 Bailey's Bay 88 Champions Devonshire Rec. easilly reached the final with a comfortable six-wicket victory over Bailey's Bay at St. John's field.

Solid batting performances by James Pace (46 not out), Albert Steede (41), Lloyd Morrison (36) and Leon Place (21) made the Bay attack struggle for wickets and there was never any doubt that the winning target of 208 would be a struggle.

But it was not always easy for Devonshire who lost Donald Norford (0) with only nine runs scored.

However, his opening partner Morrison (36) and Steede (41) added stability during a second-wicket stand that put on 61 runs.

Bay were fortunate to grab the wickets of Morrison, skipper Anthony Amory (11) and Steede for the addition of 66 runs, but frustration set in once again when Pace and Place added 65 for the fifth wicket -- steering Devonshire just beyond the double-century mark.

Pace was the dominant partner, finishing with two fours and two sixes. Charlie Marshall took two for 11 off two overs while Ricky Hodsoll had two for 34 off 10 overs.

Bailey's Bay's proved to be too brittle for an attack spearheaded by skipper Amory and Anthony (Pacer) Edwards, who each took three wickets, and veteran Erskine (Choe) Smith who got two.

Bay lost skipper Chris Smith (2) with only eight runs scored and never really recovered from the early setback.

Jermaine Outerbridge made a defiant 22, batting for 62 minutes, but no other batsman stayed around long enough to reach double figures. Amory took three for eight off 4.5 overs.