By Neto Baptiste
Leeward Islands all-rounder Kofi James copped his second straight player of the match award in the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) Super 40 competition on Sunday after claiming three wickets for just seven runs in four overs to help lift Liberta Blackhawks to a crushing 10-wicket win over rivals Empire Nation.
Winning the toss and opting to bat at home, Empire Nation were bowled out for just 72 runs with their best effort coming from captain Kenrick Scott who made 30. James had help from Elvis Weaver and Leeward Islands teammate, Karima Gore, who both bagged two wickets.
Blackhawks, led by veteran Wilden Cornwall’s 56 not out from 35 deliveries, reached their target at 73 without loss in 9.3 overs. He struck 10 fours and two sixes. James batted not out on 14 from 22 balls.
The win, their seventh straight in seven matches, put Blackhawks at the top of the standings with 28 points with one round of match left in the preliminaries. Empire remain second in the standings with 24 points also from seven showings.
Meanwhile, Jennings Tigers picked up their first win in seven matches when they overcame All Saints Pythons by seven wickets in All Saints.
Opting to bat after winning the toss, Pythons were bowled out for just 90 in 23.2 overs. Player of the match, Glenton Williams, bagged six wickets for just nine runs in his 7.2 overs.
Jennings Tigers then made light work of the target, getting to 94 for three in 20.3 overs. Williams returned to carry his team with the bat, hitting a top score of 45 off 64 balls with three fours and a six.
Jennings are third from bottom in the nine-team standings with six points while Pythons are second from bottom with four points.
Keeping their hopes of a semifinals berth alive, Pigotts Crushers defeated Bolans Blasters by seven wickets when they met in Pigotts.
Batting first after winning the toss, Bolans posted 119 all out with former national player Orlando Peters hitting 37 from 47 balls. Player of the match Kadeem Henry led the way with the ball for Crushers, picking up five wickets for 20 runs in eight overs while James Cornelius had two for 14.
Crushers then reached their target at 123 for three in 19.2 overs with Joshua Grant smashing 10 fours on his way to a top score of 64.
Pigotts are third with 20 points while Bolans remain at the bottom of the standings with just two points.
In the other match contested Sunday, New Winthorpes Lions beat Rising Sun Spartans by six wickets at Rising Sun.
Batting first after winning the toss, Spartans were bowled out for 66 runs in 25 overs with their highest of 11 coming from Tassilo Allen. Player of the match Ishmael Peters picked up four wickets for 25 runs in eight overs, while Shavon Moore snatched three for 15 in six overs.
Lions then rallied to 67 for four in 18.3 overs with Asher Murray Cornelius hitting 25. Martin Singh bagged two for 20 in five overs for Spartans.
The win put Lions in the fifth position with 12 points after six matches while Spartans are sixth, also with 12 points.
