MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Hillstars recorded a fourth successive victory to maintain their position at the top of the JB Rum/Captain’s Bakery Manchester Major League, but it was Downs who highlighted Saturday’s round of matches with a 7-1 thrashing of defending champions New Green at Brooks Park.

Downs, just three points above the relegation zone three games ago, are now up to third in the overall standings on 18 points.

Gary McDonald was again their main protagonist, leading the south Manchester side to a third successive win with a treble in the 43rd, 50th and 73rd minutes. Romario Allen scored twice, while Miguel Barnaby and Romaine Samuda added further goals in the last 10 minutes.

New Green, who got their goal from Ryan Robinson, were suffering their fifth defeat in 11 outings, which leaves them one point above the drop zone in ninth place.

Meanwhile, at the Alpart Sports Club leaders Hillstars blanked home team Alligator Pond 4-0, courtesy of double strikes from Delroy Johnson and Jermaine Green to maintain their five-point advantage at the summit.

Alligator Pond, who were losing for a sixth time in 11 matches, stayed in the bottom two on 11 points.

At deCartet College, home side Georges Valley surrendered a half-time lead in a 2-1 loss to semi-final rivals Comfort.

Michael Hamilton gave Valley the lead in the third minute, but second-half strikes from Jerome Palmer and Gary Graham ensured that Comfort (19) moved three points clear of Valley in the semi-final race.

Elsewhere, basement team Mile Gully and Greenvale ended 1-1, as did Kendal and Villa United.

— Oshane Tobias