By Neto Baptiste
A five-wicked haul from Player of the Match, Kadeem Phillip, and a half century from Leeward Islands batter, Kofi James, propelled the PIC Liberta Blackhawks to a six-wicket triumph over the New Winthorpes Lions and their second domestic title this year, claiming the cricket association’s Super40 at Ball Beef on Sunday.
Asking the visitors to bat after winning the toss at home, Phillip claimed five wickets for just 15 runs in eight overs to help remove Lions for just 136 in 35.4 overs. Phillip’s haul included the crucial wickets of Asher Murray-Cornelius for 29 and Nino Henry without score. He had help from Jaeo Benjamin who claimed three for 12 in four overs. Shavon Moore was the top performer with the bat for Lions, hitting 36 not out from 32 deliveries.
Phillip said he knew his performance with the ball would be crucial for his team’s success.
“I thought that we had the game under control when we got a few early wickets, but there was a point when a partnership was building and I came back into the attack then and collected those tickets, so it was very important. It was a match-winning performance, something I was looking forward to as a senior player, I was actually keen to give the team a performance. After we lost to New Winthorpes a couple of weeks ago, there was this big talk around that New Winthorpes has our number and all of that, so it was pleasing for me,” he said.
Blackhawks, motivated by James’ 50 off just 44 balls with eight fours and one six, reached their target at 137 for four in 23.5 overs.
James and Malique Walsh had gotten Blackhawks off to a flying start, putting on a 64-runs partnership before losing James who was caught on the boundary off the bowling of Ian Eusebe. Walsh also fell to Eusebe on 21.
Leeward Islands batter Karima Gore, who was not out on 21 and Tarek Charles, who was not out on 15, saw the Blackhawks home for their third straight Super40 title.
Phillip said the win was a culmination of the players’ hard work and dedication throughout the season.
“It just shows and attests to our hard work; the hard work and dedication the boys put in as PIC Liberta, as a team and as a unit, so it’s just the hard work paying off. I just think that the guys really put in the work throughout the season. It was a tough season and we started a bit scratchy from the two day and built our way up, so I am very proud of the youngsters that we have and our senior guys that came back and helped us over the line,” he said.
Jennings Tigers claimed third place honours with a 13-runs triumph over WES Rising Sun Spartans when they met at Jennings on Saturday.
Batting first, Tigers posted 107 all out before bowling out Spartans for 94 in 24.2 overs. Tigers’ Glenton Williams was named Player of the Match for his three for 11 in 6.2 overs.
