By Neto Baptiste
Bethesda Golden Eagles rallied to their second straight win in the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) Super 40 competition with a convincing seven-wicket triumph over All Saints Pythons on Sunday.
Asked to bat by their hosts, Pythons struggled to put runs on the board and were eventually bowled out for just 89 in 26.3 overs, with their best effort coming from Conroy Semple who made 21 from 23 deliveries down the order.
The home team’s bowling was led by player of the match Deran Benta who grabbed three wickets for nine runs in seven overs. It was the second straight player of the match award for Benta. Veteran Anthony Martin also claimed three wickets but for 10 runs in six overs. Kelvin Pitman picked up two for 25 in six overs.
When their turn at the crease arrived Bethesda reached their target at 90 for three in 17.2 overs. Stevel Rodney led the way with 26 from 36 balls while Deago Joseph chipped in with 21.
Eagles move to 12 points after four showings and third in the standings, while Pythons lie sixth with four points.
In another low-scoring affair, Empire Nation edged Rising Sun Spartans by two wickets when they met at Rising Sun.
Winning the toss and opting to bat, Spartans were bowled out for 69 in 25 overs. Player of the match, Tyrone Williams Jr reaped havoc with the ball, claiming five for 17 in eight overs. Justin Athanaze picked up four wickets for nine runs in eight overs.
Empire then struggled to get to the target, losing wickets regularly as they posted 73 for eight 20.2 overs.
Zianni DeSilva top scored with 16. There were three wickets each for Tassilo Allen who bagged three for three in two overs and Martin Singh who claimed three for 27 in eight overs.
Empire are second with 12 points with Spartans in seventh with four points.
Meanwhile, Pigotts Crushers picked up their third win in four matches with a 26 runs triumph over New Winthorpes Lions.
Batting first, Crushers posted 138 for nine in their 40 overs with Gershum Phillip and Tyree Moore each making 20. Orandel Boston led the bowling for Lions with three wickets for 26 runs in eight overs.
Lions, despite a knock of 41 from Hilroy Andrew, were then bowled out for just 112 in 30.4 overs. There were two wickets each for Vishal Gobin (2/5), Vincent Shadrach Jr (2/14) and Trevorson Atley (2/22) all bowling for Pigotts.
Pigotts moves to 12 points and fourth in the standings while Lions remains on four points in the fifth spot.
The other scheduled contest between Bolans Blasters and Jennings Tigers was abandoned due to an unfit Bolans pitch.
