Southampton Rangers 238

Bailey's Bay 212

Player-coach Janeiro Tucker hit a whirlwind ton and then combined with Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock and Malachi Jones to take seven wickets to help Southampton Rangers beat Bailey's Bay by 26 runs in this Premier Division game at Sea Breeze Oval yesterday.

Tucker's third century of the season was a timely one, his fierce strike of 133 rescuing his side after they were floundering at seven for the loss of three wickets.

Rangers were rocking early on when they lost openers Dion Stovell and Kwame Tucker for ducks with just one run scored.

But Tucker then prevented the now inspired opening bowlers from taking a firm grip on the game, the all-rounder putting on 95 for the fourth wicket with Curtis Jackson who struck 42. Then when Jackson departed, Tucker and Leverock (14) added 101 for the seventh wicket to ensure a respectable total.

Tucker tore the bowling apart with a relentless attack, proving once again that he remains one of the most electrifying bats on the Island with his positive approach and aggressiveness yielding nine fours and 10 sixes.

Rangers were dismissed in 39.6 overs with 238 on the board.

Stephen Outerbridge was the leading bowler for Bay with four wickets for 37 runs off eight overs while Rodney Trott claimed two for 17 in 8.2 overs and Jim West two for 49 in 10 overs.

Bay made a spirited effort to reach their target, young Terryn Fray, skipper of the Bermuda national Under-19 team, getting things started with a solid 59 after opening with Dennico Hollis (9).

Fray, showing courage after being floored by a shorter ball from Malachi Jones which struck him on the helmet, quickly recovered to help Bay continue the chase.

But later when two wickets fell for 64 and Fray was to go at 126 for three after hitting four fours, Bay ran into further trouble, although Glenn Blakeney and Outerbridge added stability with scores of 34 and 17.

At 150 for six, Iriving Romaine (51) showed signs of stealing some of the batting limelight from Tucker with the game seemingly evenly poised. Bermuda's senior national team skipper dominated the bowling with some hefty hitting while running out of partners.

Tucker, though, was to finish the day off in heroic fashion when he finally had Romaine caught at mid-off by Leverock in the 47th over, Romaine smashing six sixes and two fours in his fine knock.

Leverock topped Rangers' bowling with three wickets for 22 runs off 10 overs with a maiden while Tucker took two for 44 off 8.3 overs and Jones two for 46 off seven overs.