Nationals retained the Central Counties Cup on Saturday thanks to a second-wicket partnership between Jason Lewis (50 not out) and Winston Simmons (45 not out) that spearheaded them to a nine-wicket victory over Social Club at Nationals.

Social Club were expected to offer the champions a spirited fight in this first-round clash, but instead it proved to be a walkover for the cup holders whose one spell of anxiety came after opener Gary Knight (nought) was bowled with only one run scored.

However, reaching their winning target of 96 became a mere formality for Nationals when Lewis and Simmons joined to quickly take the initiative away from the inspired attack.

The pair helped Nationals reach victory in just 15.1 overs with Lewis slamming eight fours and getting his half-century off 40 balls while Simmons hammered five fours and a six after facing 47 balls.

After lasting the 50 overs for a paltry 95 for eight, Social Club had hope when fast bowler Roddy Thompson bowled Knight with his fifth ball of the day.

But with stability coming from Lewis and Simmons, Social Club were unable to do any better than their disappointing eight-wicket loss against Police in the first round a year ago.

Social Club's troubles started earlier when they had no answer for the Nationals bowling attack.

The fact that Social Club batted for their allotted 50 overs and scored 95 runs for the loss of eight wickets showed their lack of enterprise in the limited-overs game.

Skipper Webster Mills, one of their hardest-hitting players, was one of the chief culprits, unable to pick up the singles after opening with Dwayne Adams, who made four. Mills stayed around for 48 minutes, faced 47 balls and scored only 10 runs.

Veteran Lee Raynor was top bat with 20 after facing 42 balls. He struck three fours.

Adams and Mills put on eight for the first wicket before the former was caught off opening bowler Chris Wright. Mills and Cal Grimes (three) added 10 before Grimes and Mills were dismissed with the total on 18 in the 18th over! Wilfred Hudson was top bowler for Nationals with two for 11 while skipper Darrin Lewis had two for 33.

JASON LEWIS -- During his unbeaten 50 on Saturday.