By Neto Baptiste
Defending Super40 champions, Liberta Blackhawks, won a second straight match in this year’s competition with a 25 runs triumph over home team Pigotts Crushers on Sunday. Sunday’s triumph followed a 10-wicket win over Jennings Tigers on Saturday.
Winning the toss and opting to bat, Blackhawks were led by Player of the Match, Elroy Francis Jr who top-scored with 91 from 95 deliveries with seven fours and three sixes, as the defending champions amassed 214 for seven in their 40 overs. Malique Walsh chipped in with 41 from 62 balls. There were two wickets each from Tyree Moore (2/20) and Essan Warner (2/23) bowling for the home team.
In their chase, Crushers fell short at 189 all out in 35.1 overs. The home team started well with the opening pair of Kadeem Henry (51) and West Indies Under-19 and Leeward Islands player, Jewel Andrew (53) putting on 134 before Andrew was forced to retire in his bid to catch a flight. The youngster had already struck five fours and four sixes while Henry had seven fours and three sixes.
Only three other batters reached double figures following Andrew’s departure with Uri Smith hitting 13, Vishal Gobin making 18 and Jawakie Joseph adding 10. Karima Gore was the pick of the bowlers for Blackhawks with four wickets for 38 runs in eight overs.
Empire Nation vs Bolans Blasters
Tyrone Williams Jr followed up his century against Bolans Blasters on Saturday with a half century against Bethesda Golden Eagles to help Empire Nation to a second straight win in the competition.
The Player of the Match struck seven fours and one six in his 50 off 37 deliveries as Empire easily overhauled the 92 all out posted by Bethesda after they had earlier won the toss and opted to bat. Williams Jr had also bagged two wickets for 15 runs in five overs, but Jalen Harris led with the ball for Empire, picking up three for 15 in eight overs.
Combined Schools vs New Winthorpes Lions
There was a double victory for Combined Schools as they followed up Saturday’s 200 runs triumph over Bethesda with a four-wicket win over New Winthorpes Lions on Sunday.
Batting first, Lions were removed for 77 with Player of the Match, Glen Williams (3/15) and J’Quan Athanaze (3/21) both claiming three wickets. Antwone Willock bagged two for 15 in five overs.
Schools, led by a top knock of 20 from George Elvin, then reached 78 for six in 26.1 overs to claim back-to-back wins. Nino Henry was the pick of the bowlers for Lions with three wickets for 19 runs in 7.1 overs.
Rising Sun Spartans vs All Saints Pythons
Player of the Match Kerry Mentore claimed six wickets for just 21 runs in 6.5 overs to help Rising Sun Spartans to a 50 runs triumph over All Saints Pythons when they met at Rising Sun.
Mentore had an economy rate of 3.07 and bowled one maiden as Pythons were bowled out for 97 in responses to the home team’s 147 all out. Mentore had help from Michael Harilall who picked up three for 19 in five overs. Sean Joseph Jr top-scored for Pythons with 29 runs.
Earlier, Owen Graham made 30 from 25 balls as Spartans posted their 147. Demetri Lucas was the pick of the bowlers for the losers with four wickets for 18 runs in eight overs.
Jennings Tigers vs Bolans Blasters
Despite a half century from former West Indies all-rounder, Orlando Peters, Bolans Blasters went down for a second straight day in the Super40, going under by 84 runs to neighbours Jennings Tigers.
Batting first, Tigers posted 244 for seven in their 40 overs with Emmanuel Lawrence hitting a top score of 58 not out off 78 deliveries. Keif Baltimore chipped in with 49 not out off 33 balls. He struck five fours and three sixes.
Peters (2/15), Winston Nelson (2/53) and Ondre Olando Peters (2/35) all claimed two wickets for Blasters. Orlando Peters then cracked six fours and two sixes for his 53 but Blasters fell short of the mark at 155 all out.
Player of the match, Morton Browne, picked up a five-wicket haul with five for 30 in 6.2 overs while Matthew Miller bagged three of 21.