By Neto Baptiste
Led by centuries from Karima Gore and Michael Greaves, defending champions Liberta Blackhawks picked up their seventh win in eight matches to remain unbeaten in the ongoing Super40 cricket competition being hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) on Sunday, comfortably beating All Saints Pythons by 150 runs in All Saints.
Winning the toss and opting to bat at Mack Pond, Gore who was later named Player of the Match, slammed 10 fours and four sixes on his way to 111 not out while Greaves struck seven fours and two sixes for his 102 not out as Blackhawks posted a massive 303 for two in 38 overs. Joshua Thomas and Kofi James chipped in with 36 and 34 runs respectively.
Gore then returned to do some damage with the ball, claiming three wickets for 13 runs in four overs while Chamiqueko Landerfort also bagged three wickets but for 36 runs to help remove Pythons for just 153 in 29.5 overs. There best effort came from Michael Marcellin who made 34 from 27 balls.
The win moves Blackhawks to 30 points at the top of the standings with seven wins and one no-result. Pythons are third from bottom with eight points.
Pigotts Crushers vs. New Winthorpes Lions
There was victory as well for Pigotts Crushers as they beat rivals New Winthorpes Lions by 79 runs.
Asked to bat after the home team won the toss, Crushers posted 224 all out in 37.1 overs with Player of the Match, Demari Benta, hitting a top score of 60 off 58 deliveries. Benta had help from Essan Warner who made 52 off 66 balls.
Orandel Boston led the bowling for the home team with four wickets for 27 runs in eight overs while Nino Henry and Ishmael Peters each snatched three wickets.
When their turn at the crease arrived, Lions could only reach 145 before they were bowled out in 34.3 overs. Ian Eusebe top scored with 37. Kadeem Henry led the bowling for Crushers with three for 21 in 5.3 overs.
The win puts Crushers third on the standings with 22 points after eight matches while Lions remain on 22 points after seven showings.
Combined Schools vs Rising Sun Spartans
Owen Graham claimed four wickets for 15 runs in 5.3 overs to help Rising Sun Spartans beat Combined Schools by two wickets at Rising Sun. Graham’s figures, coupled with two wickets each from Shane Burton and Michael Harilall, helped to remove Schools for 126 in 34.3 overs. George Elvin top-scored with 37.
Spartans then reached 128 for eight in 19.4 overs thanks to a top score of 42 from Melvin Charles. Yanique Watley picked up three wickets for 13 runs in 5.4 overs bowling for schools. Spartans are second with 22 points while Schools are seventh with 10 points.
Empire Nation vs. Jennings Tigers
Empire Nation bettered their chances of getting into the semifinals with a 15 runs triumph over Jennings Tigers in Jennings, taking their tally of points to 14 after eight matches.
Opting to bat after winning the toss, Empire posted 125 all out in just 27.2 overs with Justin Athanaze the only batter of note with 36 runs. There were three wickets each for player of the Match, Samuel Peters (3/15), Morton Browne (3/30) and Glenton Williams (3/30) all bowling for the home team.
Tigers were then removed for just 110 in 30.5 overs with Tyrone Williams Jr (2/9), Javaughn James (2/10) and Micah McKenzie (2/32) doing damage with the ball for Empire. Tigers lay fifth on the standings with 22 points.
Bethesda Golden Eagles vs. Bolans Blasters
Bethesda Golden Eagles picked up their second win of the competition with an 83 runs triumph over Bolans Blasters.
Batting first, Kelvin Pitman top scored with 63 off 66 balls as Eagles posted 188 all out in 35.2 overs. Taiem Tonge claimed three for 34 in eight overs bowling for Blasters. The visitors were then removed for just 105 in 26.4 overs with national women’s cricketer, Shawnisha Hector, hitting a top score of 33.
There were three wickets each for Mekali Tonge (3/21) and Tayari Tonge (3/21) bowling for the victors.