St. George's 291-6 Western Stars 135 St. George's inched closer to their third Premier Division title since 1988 after they completely dismantled defending champions Western Stars at Wellington Oval yesterday.

Fourteen players, who just days earlier appeared at the same venue for Cup Match, again took to the pitch and like last Thursday and Friday it was the east enders showing the way with explosive batting and beguiling spin-bowling by David Adams.

There was disappointment in victory however, as the team's most consistent batsman Clay Smith, required hospital treatment for a suspected separation of the right shoulder after taking a diving catch to dismiss Arnold Manders.

His condition could not be determined last night, though X-rays were taken.

Stars won the toss and surprisingly asked St. George's to bat first on a strip that looked perfect for batting. Also, in the last two matches between the teams this season the side batting first went on to win the match, Stars in the Camel Cup and St. George's in the Knockout Cup.

This time openers Dexter and Wendell Smith took full advantage, easing along at a five-run-per-over clip.

Their 50 came in just 10 overs and 100 in little more than 20 overs, before Dexter became the first victim with the total 110, falling to a diving catch by Andre Manders at square leg off the bowling of Wayne Richardson after scoring 41. His knock included three fours and two sixes.

Wendell, making a second comeback following a knee injury, departed next with no addition to the total. His attempted cut of a delivery from Arnold Manders well wide of the off stump presented and easy chance to wicket-keeper Anthony Manders.

In only his second match of the season Wendell scored 68 runs in 107 minutes at the crease, slamming nine fours and two sixes.

Spinners Arnold Manders and Wayne Richardson succeeded in slowing down the run rate after that as Clay Smith (50) led the charge from one end while losing partners at the other as Graham Fox (nine), Dean Minors (four) and Ricky Hodsoll (23) which departed to leave them floundering at 184 for six.

However, the arrival of Kenny Phillips at the crease tilted the balance firmly back towards St. George's.

Phillips ravaged the Stars attack for 68 runs, cracking five sixes and three fours in just 38 minutes and less than five overs. He was particularly severe on Andre Manders off whom he scorched 27 runs in the penultimate over of the match.

Stars were always under the gun when it came time to bat with the asking rate of almost six runs per over.

Openers Gregory Sampson (17) and Anthony Foggo (42) undaunted, took to the task, notching 43 in quick time, before Sampson, after cutting Phillips for consecutive fours, went to the well once too often, slicing a catch into the waiting hands of Hodsoll fielding at gully.

Foggo was next when he attempted to take Adams over the long off boundary, but hitting into a stiff breeze succeeded only in lofting a catch to Phillips.

The loss brought Arnold Manders (five) to partner brother Andre (38), but the former could not produce the magic on this day, falling cheaply to a fine diving catch by Clay Smith which though, the effort sent Smith to hospital it also sent Manders back to the pavilion.

This marked the beginning of the end for the visitors as Adams' ran through the middle and latter order collecting five of the final six wickets to fall.

Counted among these were Jeff Richardson (one), Cleon Scotland (two), Anthony Manders (one), Allan Brangman (three) and Wayne Richardson (10).

Four points now separate the east enders from the trio of Bailey's Bay, Southampton and Stars, all locked in second place on 16 points with five matches remaining.

The win extended the St. George's winning streak to 10 matches this season.

CLAY SMITH -- Scored 50 in the mammoth St. George's total of 291 and then suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder while taking a diving catch to dismiss Arnold Manders yesterday at Wellington Oval.