TWO points separate the leading three teams in the Premiership after three rounds of games and St Ouen could join them if they take maximum points from their match in hand against Springfield.

Team captains pre-season predicted a closely-fought 2005 championship and so it is proving.

Old Victorians and Romerils are joint top with champions Sporting Club trailing by two points.

The trio all won on Saturday.

Bobby Minty hit an undefeated 102 in OVs’ 117-run win against Springfield at FB1.

Minty, who hit two 6s and six 4s, received excellent support from Ward Jenner, the latter featuring in a century-plus third-wicket partnership with Minty before departing for 73 after hitting seven boundaries.

Romerils beat Caesareans by eight wickets at Grainville.

Mark Saralis (nine 4s) and Ian Crocker (five 4s and two 6s) got Romerils off to a fine start with a century partnership, before Saralis was bowled by Tony Carlyon for 53.

Ryan Driver then kept the momentum going with five boundaries in his unbeaten knock of 25 leaving Crocker not out on 59.

Island wicket-keeper Simon Short top-scored with an unbeaten 74 as Sporting Club defended 158 for nine against St Ouen at Les Quennevais.

Paul Horton and Barry Middleton bowled tidily, Horton taking four wickets and Middleton taking three in nine-over spells for 28 and 40 runs respectively.

SCF’s bowlers were all economical in reply with the wickets being evenly spread.

In Sunday’s Division II matches there were two bowling performances of note – Neil Crowell capturing five wickets in LTJJCA’s victory while Gemma Dunning staked her claim for a first-team place with a four-wicket haul for St Ouen Reserves.