By Neto Baptiste
Pigotts Crushers enjoyed the largest margin of victory on Saturday’s opening day of the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association’s (ABCA) State Insurance Super 40 Competition when they crushed Rising Sun Spartans by 141 runs in Pigotts.
Winning the toss and opting to bat worked well for the home team as Crushers amassed 230 before they were all out in 39 overs.
Demari Benta was best with the bat as he slammed four fours and four sixes on his way to 60 from just 50 deliveries. Benta was assisted by Quinton Boatswain who fell just four short of a half century at 46. C. Martin was the pick of the bowlers for Rising Sun, claiming three wickets for 31 runs in eight overs.
Spartans were quickly bundled out for 89 in just 18.4 overs in a little under an hour and a half. Their best effort with the bat came from Kadeem Phillip who made 27 before he was trapped lbw to Elroy Francis Jr.
Boatswain, who was later adjudged Man of the Match, however, led the charge with the ball for Crushers, picking up four wickets for 16 runs in just five overs. Vincent Shadrach Jr claimed three for 12 also in five overs.
There was victory as well for defending champions Empire Nation as they beat All Saints Pythons by 91 runs at King George V Ground.
Put in to bat, Empire posted 190 all out in 38.1 overs with Cleton Payne and Mike France each hitting 35. Juari Edwards chipped in with 31 runs. Larry Joseph was the best on show with the ball for All Saints as he snatched five for 21 in his eight overs.
When their turn at the crease arrived, Pythons disappointed with only 99 all out in 18.4 overs. Shane Burton claimed three wickets for 30 runs in five overs while E Richardson snatched two for 18 also in five overs.
There was defeat however for former champions PIC Liberta Blackhawks as they went down to CUB Bethesda Golden Eagles by 21 runs.
Batting first, Bethesda posted 190 for six in their 40 overs with a top score of 74 from Essan Warner. He his five four and four sixes in his 82 balls faced while at the crease. Warner was ably assisted by opener Everton Meade who made 64.
Amahl Nathaniel and Karima Gore each had two wickets for Blackhawks.
When their turn at the crease arrived, the Liberta men fell short of their target at 169 all out, their best effort coming from Avier Christian and Nathaniel who both made 52. Warner and Tehrique Mason each claimed three wickets for Bethesda while Anthony Martin picked up two including that of the Liberta captain, Kofi James for just four runs.
In the other match played on Saturday, Jennings defeated New Winthorpes Lions by four wickets.
In the high scoring affair, New Winthorpes posted 222 for six after winning the toss and opting to bat. Captain Nino Henry slammed 63 and was ably assisted by Ian Eusebe who was not out on 54 and Jermaine Otto who made 42.
Jennings then successfully chased their target, reaching 223 for six in 35.5 overs. Cameron Miller led the way with the bat as he made 67 while D’ahri Francis and J. Africa added 46 and 39 to the successful run chase.