By Neto Baptiste
Grill Box, Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) and Time of Victory wrapped up their preliminary round of matches in the MPL Cool & Smooth Sherma Jackson Business League softball cricket competition with victories at the Potters playing field over the weekend.
Defence Force recorded the largest margin of victory with an eight-wicket triumph over Living Styles.
Batting first, Living Styles amassed 78 for six in their allotted 10 overs with a top knock of 35 from Steve Martin. Quincy France bagged two wickets for two runs in his two overs bowling for the opposition.
When their turn at the crease arrived, Defence Force raced to 87 for two in just 6.5 overs. Almoyie Webson led the way with 37 runs, while Sewandi Ambrose contributed with 27 not out. Menova Govia had two wickets for 21 runs in two overs bowling for Living Styles.
Webson and Govia were the male and female players of the game.
In Sunday’s opening fixture, Grill Box defeated AFBAHLUR by six wickets to book their place in the quarterfinals.
Opting to bat first, AFBAHLUR raised 70 for seven in their 10 overs. Joshua Daniel hit a top score of 24 runs with Melique Jacobs adding 18 to the total. Ashfield Weatherhead was the pick of the bowlers for Grill Box with two wickets for nine runs in two overs.
Grill Box got to their target at 72 for four in 8.4 overs. They were led by Weatherhead with 20 runs while Baldwin Anthony added 13 to the winning effort. Weatherhead and Monique Titus were named male and female players of the game.
In Sunday’s other match, Time of Victory had the better of PEL Desi Boys by 23 runs.
Time of Victory raised 127 for five in their 10 overs with Demitri Lucas slamming 58 and Essan Warner making 48. Stacy Bright was the pick of the bowlers for the opposition with two wickets for 17 runs in two overs. Ashfaq Ahmad also had two wickets.
Desi Boys were then restricted to 61 for seven with their best effort from Samuel Joshua who made 24. Kerique Mentore snatched two wickets for 16 runs in two overs. Lucas and Bright were male and female players of the match.
TG Welding finished unbeaten to head the standings with 60 points and has received a bye into the semifinals. Defence Force is second with 40 points with Grill Box and Time of Victory third and fourth with 35 and 30 points, respectively. Living Styles lay fifth with 25 points, AFBAHLUR sixth with 15 points, and Desi Boys seventh with five points.