Blackhawks Crush Spartans in Cool & Smooth T20 Opener

Defending champions in the Cool & Smooth T20 Explosion, the Liberta Blackhawks, opened their defense on a winning note on Tuesday, beating newcomers Rising Sun Spartans by 94 runs when they met at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
Competing in the opening match of a double-header, Blackhawks won the toss and opted to bat, posting an intimidating 213 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs.
Former national and Leeward Islands player, Wilden “Polo” Cornwall, top-scored with 75 while Kofi James added 69.
Leeward Islands all-rounder, Rahkeem Cornwall contributed to the total with 30 runs while there was a knock of 21 coming from Terrance Warde.
Bowling for Spartans, Vishal Gobin snatched two wickets for 40 runs while Shequan Hewlett and Rodney Williams each had one wicket.
In reply, Spartans reached 119 for 9 in their 20 overs. St Kitts import Sherwin Peters, with 66 runs, was the only batsman of note. Stanny Simon, Warde, Cornwall and Karima Gore all picked up two wickets each.
Wilden said stamping their authority at this early stage of the competition was their primary objective.
“When you’re a champion, people want your head and you have to send a message early to your opponents and let them know we are here for business, we are not here to skylark, we are not taking anybody for granted but we’ve got to send a message early,” he said.
“Every team wants to win, every team wants to beat the champions and when you are a champion you show your class, you show your quality, what you’re worth and why you are a champion,” he added.
The former Leeward Islands captain went on to praise one other player for his performance on Tuesday.
“I saw Kofi play an innings last week for Antigua in All Saints and, to me, it was one of the best put together innings I’ve seen him play for a long time. He really batted well, played some good cricket shots and he started a little shaky [on Tuesday] but he really found himself and got himself in and was really a treat to watch so he has been playing well,” he said.
In Tuesday’s feature contest, All Saints secured their place in the semi-final round after easing to a second straight victory.
Sent in to bat by New Winthorpes, All Saints posted 188 for six in 20 overs with Jaeel Clarke hitting a top knock of 64 and Larry Audain contributing 43.
In reply, New Winthorpes could only get 127 from their allotted 20 overs, losing seven wickets in the process. Joshua Thomas was best with the bat, making 32 not out as All Saints won by 61 runs.
The tournament takes a break on May 25 before returning on the 26th with a double header. Rising Sun will play All Saints at 4 pm and Pigotts Crushers will face Liberta Blackhawks at 7 pm.