Southampton 140-4 Just as the chance of rain dissipated so did Somerset Bridge's opportunity for a successful defence of the Western Counties Cup against Southampton Rangers evaporate on Saturday at Southampton Oval.

True, Bridge entered the match bearing the tag of champions, however one would have been hard pressed to find a side rated more of an underdog than the one from White Hill.

And the match duly went according to form, with Southampton strolling to an easy six-wicket triumph, thus restoring to their trophy cabinet the silverware lost a year ago to PHC in controversial fashion.

From the start of this contest the only issue that seemingly could hinder the challengers was the weather, and Mother Nature indeed had an early effect, with the start delayed an hour due to a wet pitch. Consequently, the number of overs was reduced to 42 per side.

Rangers did not hesitate to send Bridge in to bat on winning the toss, and the decision would ultimately pay rich dividends, with the visiting side losing wickets in regular intervals as paceman Gary Williams appeared in stunning form.

Williams, who has come on strong late in the season, continually tormented the batsman with his pace and length on a pitch offering assistance to the bowlers. He first had guest player Tony Cheeseman caught by captain Janeiro Tucker for nine, with the score 14 to start the Bridge parade back and forth -- to and from -- the pavilion.

Indeed five runs later Cheeseman's replacement, Ryan Shepperd (zero) was forced to make the lonely trek back, again courtesy of Williams, who induced an edge that wicket-keeper Kwame Tucker held. Fellow fast bowler Clarkie Trott then got into the act, bowling Adrian Burrows (12), who had put up valiant resistance at the top of the order.

And when two more wickets fell in rapid order the die appeared cast at 42-for-five.

However, Bridge skipper Denzil Dill was not yet ready to toss the towel, leading a revival that eventually saw Bridge achieve a respectable total.

Dill laboured to 49, participating in stands of 23 for the sixth wicket with Brian Gibbons (four), 19 for the seventh with Francis Richardson and 37 for the eighth wicket with Darren Dowling.

The captain counted seven fours in his individual score, which came to a close when Olin Jones trapped him lbw, with the team score 121.

That target was never going to be enough against a line-up of the might of Rangers and they quickly made the point known as Jones and Keith Wainwright produced a 42-run opening partnership before the latter, still suffering the effects of flu fell lbw to Corvett Lambert for 18.

Jones then partnered Janeiro Tucker in what was an explosive second wicket partnership, the pair putting on 61 runs before Jones departed, caught off the bowling of Dill for 41.

Tucker though continued in fine niche, hitting 32 from just 26 balls before being the fourth -- and last -- wicket to fall at 120.

It was then left to Clevie Wade (14 not out) and Ian Armstrong (four not out) to guide home the new champs.

Dill, ended a superb day with three-for-43.

Photos by Tony Cordeiro Southampton delight, Bridge dismay: Rangers skipper Janeiro Tucker (above, centre) takes a low catch at second slip to dismiss Brian Gibbons as Clarkie Trott (left) and Keith Wainwright look on. Bridge captain Denzil Dill (right) hit his way to a top score of 49, but in a losing effort.