By Samuel Peters
Deran Benta of the Brysons Shipping & Insurance Bullets played a pivotal role in helping his team book their place in the finals of the Antigua and Barbuda Softball Cricket Association after beating Dredgers by 109 runs in their semi-final match on Sunday.
After applying his trade in the recent Nature Isle T10 competition in Dominica, the right-handed batsman slammed 13 sixes in a knock of 116, while Essan Warner stroked 40 to help propel their side to 200 for nine in 20 overs.
Ricky Buckley picked up four for 27, Javaughn James three for 34, and Tanez Francis two for 30.
In reply, Dredgers got to 94 for 9 with Dorian Grant picking up three for 20 and Shaquan Reifer, two for 22 from their allotted overs.
Mervin Higgins top-scored for the losing side with 30
The other team that qualified for the finals was Marco Inc/Grill Box Buckley’s 3J’s who blasted Rackaman Construction Strictly Business by 8 wickets.
The latter was asked to bat first and got skittled out in 17.4 overs as Richie Thomas collected five for 16 and Gregson Merrick had two for 21. Kim George cracked 33 while Raymond Leadette got 25. In reply, 3Js romped home to the target with 12 overs to spare to reach 93 for two.
Kenrick Scott bludgeoned 36 while Kadeem Henry chipped in with 22.
The two wickets were taken by Alwyn Colbourne but at a heavy cost of 46 runs.
In the female league, Alzarri Joseph Sharon Joseph Female Flyers made light work of the Brysons Shipping & Insurance Bullets by 10 wickets.
The Bullets opted to bat first with the aim of shooting the flyers out of the sky, but unfortunately could not go high enough as they were shot out for 41 in 11.5 overs.
Monique Titus snapped up three for seven runs, Menila James three for nine and Makada Samuel had two for five.
Flyers then raced to the target with 16 overs to spare reaching 44 without in 3.3 overs. Samuel had an unbeaten 24 and Terez Parker got 18.
The next finalist, Waynes Electrical Services Survivors defeated Jennings Rockets by eight wickets. Rockets won the toss and batted first getting to 91 for 9 from 20 overs.
Patara Francis scored 26 not out while Menover Govia had four for 10, and Cerie Richards two for 18.
Survivors in reply got to 92 for 2 from 15.1 overs as Grace Persaud made 45 with Lukuehl Hurst contributing 20.
