A CENTURY from Stephon Browne and an all-round performance from his skipper Nichosie Barker pushed Malteenoes ahead of the Sophia Cricket Club after day one of their Noble House Seafoods second division, two-day cricket match yesterday at the GCC ground, Bourda.

Browne smacked 123 runs (14×4) while his opening partner Barker added 86 runs, after Malteenoes won the toss and batted first.

Sophia had no answer for the openers as they rushed to 165 before Barker was bowled and caught by his opposing number Annand Persaud for 86.  The opener spanked five fours and four sixes in his time at the crease.

By lunch, Malteenoes were comfortably placed at 241-1 with Browne already on 101 and Clarence Baird on 35.

Baird did not add to his score after the break, since the ball was plucked out of the air at cover when he attempted a hard drive off the spin bowling of Persaud.

Malteenoes declared at 276-3 after Browne lost his wicket and with Barker firing with his off-spins, they were able to hold Sophia to 104-6 in 29 overs before play ended.

The captain led the charge with three wickets for 24 runs from nine overs.

Persaud scored 34 runs (4×4, 2×6), while Malcolm Morris supported with 27 runs (3×4, 2×6) and Mark Nedd with 19 (2×4, 1×6) for Sophia.