Sixes galore as 'blacks' romp home

ST PIERRE head into next week's 'big one' against Cobo two points clear of the kings of evening cricket and confidence boosted by another convincing win at Port Soif last night. Paul Wakeford's men beat Rovers, dangerous customers with Ryan Bishop at the top of the order, by 47 runs in a high-scoring game on a bitter evening next to the beach.

For once, GH Smit did more damage with the ball than the bat in the 'blacks' win, the South African scoring 29 and being outshone with the bat by Aussie Justin Meades, who crashed 58 from just 27 balls faced.

Four times Meades cleared the line and skipper Wakeford weighed in with two sixes of his own in a cameo 26 at the end as the home side were set a formidable target as good as 10 runs per over.

To their credit, Rovers went for it despite the early loss of Tim Duke.

But when Smit caught and bowled dangerman Bishop for 27 and later bowled Jody Bisson for a 42-ball 64, the game was up for Rovers.

Cobo will draw level with St Pierre, as they would expect to, if they defeat Corinthians tomorrow night, which would perfectly set up next week's top-of-the-table clash.

Both St Pierre and Cobo have lost just once and only the blacks can deny Stuart Le Prevost's side of a third straight title.

At the other end of the table, St Saviour's moved up two places into fourth with a 47-run win over the relegation-threatened Chandlers at KGV.

St Saviour's did well to recover from 16 for three to post a very decent 150 for six in 20 overs.

The main architect of the revival was Glenn Mourant who hit 48 from 33 deliveries and shared in important stands with Ben Driver (23) and Spencer Noyon (29 not out). At the end skipper Richard Veillard smote 30 from just 17 balls.

Chandlers never looked like getting anywhere near their target and Andy Maiden took four for 31.