Western Stars turned to their youngsters to keep them in the game, then Devonshire Rec. hit and ran themselves out of it as the Central Counties Cup stayed put at St. John's field for at least another year.

Stars' grip on the cup looked tenuous indeed after some fine bowling had reduced them to 80 for five with nearly half the 50 overs gone in Saturday's final.

But Cleon Scotland and Hasan Durham rescued Stars with a sixth-wicket stand of 111 that effectively turned the match.

Stars started smartly with Gregory Sampson and Anthony Foggo putting on 39 in quick time. But a collapse was started when Foggo was caught at mid-off by Mark Ray for 20 off Anthony Edwards.

Eight runs later, Andre Manders, a centurion in the previous round against Police, was undone on four by an Edwards leg-cutter and Lloyd Morrison took a juggling catch at second slip.

The prize wickets of Arnold Manders (13) and Jeff Richardson (two) had fallen when Stars reached 75. Manders' dismissal was controversial as leg-spinner Bruce Perinchief was adjudged to have taken a low, return catch. And Richardson cut in the air into the covers against Erskine Smith and Perinchief took a good catch over his head.

Devonshire did not anticipate what would follow next as Scotland and Durham led them a merry chase in a 79-minute stand that was highlighted by several snap singles.

Scotland's scored his second straight county half-century from 49 balls and went on to make 64. Durham was on 42 when he was run out. Scotland hit seven fours and Durham five.

Edwards was the top Devonshire bowler with four for 32. Smith claimed two for 14.

Like Stars, Devonshire started positively. But once Morrison was bowled for 19 driving at Gary Brangman with the score 38, the bottom fell out. Their innings reached suicidal proportions with three wickets falling at 42 and another at 48.

Albert Steede was run out for two by a direct hit from Scotland in the covers.

On the first ball of the next over, and the first of Wayne Richardson's spell, Donald Norford (14) was out lbw attempting to pull a short delivery. And on the sixth ball he faced, Anthony Amory (nought) lofted an on-drive against Allan Brangman to Foggo.

Rec., instead of attempting to play in positive mood, were positively deflated. The end was long and drawn out with Jason Lewis, the number five bat, unbeaten on 26 when it was all over. Smith made 14 as only the fourth Devonshire batsman in double figures.

Richardson finished with three for 23 from his 10 overs while Allan Brangman took two for 31.

Western Stars 248-8 Somerset 102 Cleon Scotland hit his second half-century in as many days then Arnold Manders mesmerised Somerset with his spin as champions Western Stars romped to a 146-run win at St. John's field yesterday.

For the second straight day, Scotland strode to the wicket with Stars in a spot of bother. And, as he did in the Central Counties final, the 24-year-old left-hander answered the call with a determined knock.

Stars slipped from 87 for one to 116 for four with Gregory Sampson (39), Anthony Foggo (20), Andre Manders (24) and Jeff Richardson (12) back in the pavilion.

Scotland joined Arnold Manders in a 73-run stand that restored confidence to the home side before the latter was caught by Roger Hunt off James Swan for 34.

Scotland hung around for 50 exactly, which included five fours and two sixes, before he was caught behind off Charles Swan to make the score 236 for seven.

With Manders' bowling to come, that would prove to be more than enough.

Charles Swan was the top Somerset bowler with three for 41 and his older brother James took two for 32 from five overs. Somerset conceded 41 extras they could hardly afford.

Somerset's reply never took flight as they lost the wickets of Kevin Saunders (10) and Hunt (two) with only 22 on the board -- and before Manders was introduced.

Manders' first wicket was that of opener Winston Reid for 24, out to a diving catch in the covers by none other than Star of the week, Scotland.

Manders would go on to claim six for 29 in his 10 overs with only Davon Wade (26) making an impression.

CLEON SCOTLAND -- During his match-saving knock of 64 for Western Stars in Saturday's Central Counties Cup final. Struck another half-century against Somerset yesterday.