By Neto Baptiste
A splendid 122 from just 68 deliveries by opening batsman Shane Burton was the highlight of Empire Nation’s comfortable 104 runs victory over rising Sun Spartans in the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) Super 40 competition on Saturday.
Playing at the King George V Ground, Burton slammed 13 fours and eight massive sixes to lead the home team to 216 for four in 33 overs. The batsman was out caught by Milinga Burney off the bowling of Isiah Burney. There was assistance with the bat from Damian Lowenfield who made 43 from 68 balls. N Clarke was the pick of the bowlers for Spartans with two for 23 in five overs.
Spartans reply fell way short at 119 for eight in 28 overs. Their best effort with the bat came from Shaquan Hewlett who made 48. Tassilo Allen was not out on 32.
Justin Athanaze led the way for Empire with the ball, picking up three for 12 in six overs. There were two wickets each for Micah McKenzie and Jahvaughn James.
Meanwhile, there was defeat for defending champions CUB Bethesda Golden Eagles who lost by 19 runs to hosts All Saints Pythons.
Asked to bat after Golden Eagles won the toss, Pythons posted 203 for nine in 36 overs. They were led by Michael Haynes-Dover who made a run-a-ball 65. There was 45 from Kerry Mentor. Justin Joseph snatched three wickets for 32 runs in seven overs for the visitors. Essan Warner, Chad Walsh and Anthony Martin each bagged two wickets.
When their turn at the crease arrived, Golden Eagles struggled and were, at one point, three for 43. They eventually got to 184 before they were all out with their best effort coming from Deran Benta who made 66 from 63 balls, including six fours and two sixes. Gavin Tonge contributed 39 runs.
Kerry Mentore picked up two wickets for 31 runs in five overs.
Also on Saturday, Pigotts Crushers defeated New Winthorpes Lions by three wickets.
Batting first, Lions posted 125 all out in 33.3 overs with Shavon Moore not out on 44. Kadeem Henry claimed three for 22 in eight overs while there were two wickets each for Elroy Francis Jr and Conroy Semple all bowling for Crushers.
When their turn at the crease arrived the visitors reached their target at 126 for seven in 33.1 overs. Demari Benta top-scored with 33. Moore snagged three wickets for 17 runs in 6.1 overs, while Ishmael Peters claimed two for 14 in seven overs.
In other results on Saturday, PIC Liberta Blackhawks defeated Massy United Insurance Combined Schools by nine wickets in a game reduced to 20 overs due to rain, while Jennings Tigers had the better of Bolans Blasters in another rain affected match.