This match at Wellington Oval could have gone any one of three ways, but in the end St. George's were relieved that last pair Jason Anderson and Philip Bailey survived the last nine minutes to deny visitors Warwick a major upset.

Inspired by the experienced El James, who bowled 18 overs unchanged, Warwick looked set to produce what would have been the biggest upset for several seasons after they had the league champions struggling at 96-7 in chase of a modest 136 for victory.

St. George's were not expected to make hard work of their victory chase.

However, Daniel Caines had other ideas and while new ball partner James kept it tight at one end, with his 18 overs costing 32 runs, Caines was taking the wickets at the other end to set the stage for a thrilling finish.

Caines, who gave up a costly 83 runs from 17 overs, took seven wickets in the process including the prized wicket of opener Clay Smith who lasted just four overs before Caines had him caught by Michael Stovell for four.

Stovell made a significant contribution on the field for Warwick, taking three catches in all off Caines' bowling, including one to dismiss Dean Minors for a top score of 31.

The next high man for St. George's was captain Graham Fox with 22, while Clevie Wade and Anderson both scored 13 not out.

Anderson, batting at number 10, was at the crease for a vital 28 minutes, including the last nine minutes with Bailey as they hung on to deny eager Warwick an inprobably victory.

Earlier Warwick were led by Trent Lightbourne's 62 which came off five fours, while his captain and uncle, James, hit an important 19 in the middle order as they moved on to 117-5 before the final five wickets went for 18 runs.

Clevie Wade helped mop up the Warwick tail with the last three wickets to finish with four for 19 off 16.4 overs while spinner David Adams claimed three for 43 from 24 overs. Clay Smith took one for 14 from 12.

Southampton 70 Bailey's Bay 73-0 Clarkie Trott and Noel Gibbons did the bowling damage again and then it was left to openers Chris Smith and Ricky Hill to polish off the required 73 runs to inflict a heavy defeat on home team Southampton Rangers.

Sent in by Bailey's Bay on a damp wicket, Rangers were in early trouble, with Terry Burgess and Trott enjoying a good opening spell. Burgess, in his first match, was wicket-less in his nine overs which cost 10 runs with five maidens, but Trott carried on from his seven wicket haul a week ago by claiming another four yesterday.

He did not have to pay much for the wickets, either, as his 20 overs cost just 36 runs with nine maidens. Gibbons' five for 11 from 13.4 overs with eight maidens meant that more than half -- 22 -- of Bay's 42.4 overs were maidens.

Only Quinton Burch, with three fours in his 20, had any degree of success against the Bay bowlers.

Bay's openers Smith and Hill smashed 12 fours and a six between them as victory was achieved in just 12.5 overs. Smith, with seven fours, was 32 not out and Hill 35 not out from five fours and a six.

Somerset 82 PHC 84-8 PHC scored their biggest win since joining the Premier Division last season when they caught Somerset on a damp wicket at White Hill field.

However, they did not have things their own way despite dismissing Somerset for just 82 in 47 overs, having slumped themselves to 35-6 before some mature batting from Ty Williams (26), Charles Symons (16 not out) and Lyle Millett (two not out) saw them to victory with just bowler Neil Anglin waiting to come in.

Dennis Bell, batting at number three, helped them recover from a bad start which saw them lose openers William Minors and Kallan Johnston with just five runs on the board. Bell added 25 with Antoine Greene for the third wicket before a second slump almost cost them the match.

"I'm disappointed in our batting, the game should never have gone as close as it did,'' said captain Cal Waldron.

The last wicket pair of Millett and Symons added 21 to seal the win.

Shannon Warner, sharing the new ball with Charles Swan, took four for 39 while James Swan claimed two for 11. They were the only three Somerset bowlers used.

James Swan, batting at number six, was the high man for Somerset with 21 while Warner was the only other batsman in double figures, scoring 10.

Jamaica-born Anglin claimed five for 33 from 12 overs of medium pace while Waldron took two for 14.

"Actually we took some great catches in the field and that turned the game our way,'' said Waldron. "They (Somerset) realised it was a bad wicket and they took things slow.'' PHC had just two wins last season, over Social Club and the other by default over Hamilton Parish.

Devonshire 184 St. David's 77-6 Lionel Cann joined this season's `seven wicket club' when he claimed seven for 68 from 21.3 unchanged overs in his first match of the season in the drawn contest at Devonshire Rec.

Cann, who missed the opener because of a groin injury, shared the new ball with Dale Fox who was also playing in his first match. But while Fox went off after eight overs, Cann bowled right through the Devonshire Rec. innings.

Albert Steede led the Devonshire batting with 60, which came from seven fours and a six from 93 balls in 124 minutes before he fell to Cann. Next in line was opener Roger Trott with 44 from six boundaries while Anthony Amory and captain Anthony Edwards hit 23 at opposite ends of the order to contribute to the team total of 184.

Allen Richardson, retiring hurt when on 13, came back to score 25 to lead the St. David's innings while Cann scored 23 not out. Spinner Bruce Perinchief claimed four for 23 off 16 overs.

St. David's were without captain Herbie Bascome as former captain James Pace took over the team.

Flatts 177 Nationals 109 Nationals slumped to their second straight loss of the new season after Flatts' target of 178 proved too steep for the home team.

Vice captain Brendon Woolridge lent his experience to the Flatts cause, first hitting 68 to rescue them from 32-3 and then snatching three important wickets with his seamers after Nationals had been given a good start.

Woolridge removed the top three batsmen in the Nationals order, trapping Gary Knight and captain Neil Speight lbw and taking a return catch off Graham Strange.

Woolridge had earlier hit seven fours and a six as he and Rudy Seaman (17) put on 40 for the fourth wicket before a further 34 came for the fifth wicket between Woolridge and Troy Bean (14) to lay the foundation. Gerald Sims and James Williams also chipped in with 15 apiece late in the order.

James Thomas was the best bowler for Nationals with four for 59 from 18.4 overs of right-arm spin while David Wright and Strange had two for 51 and 11 respectively.

Knight (29) and Strange (14) put on 36 for the first wicket but only Thomas (24) and Adrian Jennings (17) made a contribution of any significance after Speight and Peter Norris both went cheaply to leave Nationals in some trouble at 54-4. That soon became 65-6 before 30 runs came for the seventh wicket between Thomas and Jennings to kept the game alive.

Woolridge took three for 25 from 12 overs and Floyd Smith three for no runs off two overs.

Ham. Parish 126 Police 128-4 Parish's total of 126, which should have been much more after being 103-3, proved to be not nearly enough against the big Police bats at Police field.

Quinn Outerbridge's top knock of 51 at the top of the order got little support as Irving Burgess added 17 at number three and Dennis Trott 18 one place behind him.

Opener Cal Burgess was the only other player in double figures for Parish as Roger Blades claimed four for 23 off 13.5 overs to lead the Police bowling.

Police moved steadily to victory after Wayne Clarke was bowled by Chris Caisey with just 16 runs on the board. Opener Roosevelt Maronie scored 33, Captain Dennis Archer 32 and Donovan Livingston 27 not out to give Police their first win of the season.

Willow Cuts v Som. Bridge This match at Royal Naval field was not played, apparantly because a number of Bridge players who are not financial members were not allowed to take to the field. That was a decision made by the club itself who forfeited the match.