Young Men's Social Club 188; St.David's CC 191 -3

St.David's made light work of a depleted Young Men's Social Club at Devonshire Recreation Club yesterday and are now on the verge of clinching a third title of the season.

Inspiring the Islanders to a crushing seven-wicket Premier Open League thrashing of their hosts were skipper Lionel Cann who hit a ruthless half century and off spinner Del Hollis and all -rounder McLaren Lowe who gobbled up seven wickets between them on a flat track.

Things looked very promising for Social Club who raced to 126 without loss after electing to take first strike as skipper Kevin Hurdle and Damon Robain imposed their will on a diluted Islanders attack.

Hurdle, promoted to the top of the order, dominated the century opening stand with Robain on the way to a swashbuckling 78 off a mere 43 balls. The Social Club skipper banged eight fours and five sixes and reserved the heaviest punishment for off break bowler Stevie Trott who was carted for 26 runs in his second over as Hurdle shifted through the gears. And there would be no respite at the other end as Robain (31) struck five fours to keep the scorers busy.

But once Hollis and Lowe made the breakthrough to send Hurdle and Robain back in the pavilion Social Club crumbled in quick succession, losing their remaining wickets for the addition of 56 runs.

Hollis was the catalyst behind Social Club's collossal slide and he received solid support from Lowe who kept his end of the bargain at the opposite end as the host came unglued after threatening at one stage to run away with the match.

Off spinner Hollis finished with superb figures of four for 36 while Lowe had an equally impressive three for 31.

Craig Outerbridge and Detroy Smith, uncharacteristically batting at number seven, chipped in with 17 runs apiece.

Led by a dashing 62 from skipper Cann, who clubbed six fours and five sixes, the Islanders won in only 17.1 overs.

Cann gave an ominous sign of things to come when he smashed four boundaries off the first over of the innings as seamer Jahmiko Marshall paid the price for pitching it short to the aggressive batsman.

Cann and Lowe (37) added 114 runs for the first wicket in only nine overs and even though both batsmen were removed in the space of three deliveries by then the writing was already on the wall as Arthur Pitcher Jr (33 not out) and promising youngster Shea Pitcher Jr (26) Trott stitched the innings back together via a 56 run partnership that carried the Islanders to the brink of victory.

Medium pacer Outerbridge, who claimed the prized scalp of Cann and Lowe, finished with two for 22 while Smith, back from a leg injury, had one for 18.

St. George's CC 211;

Western Stars 140

Herbie Bascome and Troy Hall played leading roles to help home team and second place St. George's to this 71-run victory in Premier Division Open play at Wellington Oval yesterday.

Veteran Herbie Bascome scored 49 and his son Oronde chipped in with 27 to get St. George's off to a promising start, the pair added 46 for the first wicket. Also among the runs for the eastenders were Troy Hall on 24, Machai Simmons 23, Damon Walker 25 and club president Neil Paynter _ batting just for the second time this season_ contributed a quick-fire 21.

Gershon Gibbons was the chief wicket taker for the visitors with four for 43 off 11.2 overs while captain Justin Robinson collected three for 28 off six overs. Akeem Talbot finished with two for 19 off six overs. St. George's were dismissed in 49.2 overs.

Gibbons was also the outstanding bat for Stars with –40 runs, Mackai Campbell followed on 33 and Raymond Butterfield 16.

Hall was the best bowler for the home side with three for 14 off eight overs with three maidens, Jonte Smith claimed two for 23 off seven overs with three maidens while Mackai Simmons took two for 24 off seven overs with a maiden.