By Neto Baptiste
The Jennings cricket team and Empire Nation remained at the pinnacle of the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) Two Day cricket competition following comprehensive victories over the weekend.
Playing at home, Jennings defeated Bolans by an innings and 63 runs. Winning the toss and opting to field, Jennings restricted Bolans to just 79 all out from 24.1 overs in their first innings. Their best effort with the bat came from Earl Waldron with 28 runs, while S. Wallace contributed 16 to the effort.
Orlando Peters was superb with the ball for Jennings, grabbing four wickets for just 11 runs in eight overs. He was assisted by J. Martin and G. Williams who both claimed three wickets. Martin had three for 24 while Williams picked up three for 10.
Peters then returned with the bat to slam a masterful century, slamming 13 fours on his way to 106 from 142 deliveries as Jennings posted a first innings reply of 258 for seven declared. Martin had a half century at 51 not-out while W. Nelson chipped in with 31.
D. Strange was the pick of the bowlers for Bolans with three wickets for 74 runs in 18.4 overs while M. Caesar claimed two for 37 in 15.1 overs.
In their second attempt at the crease, Bolans reached 116 before they were all out with Williams devastating their batting line-up with figures of seven wickets for 46 runs in 15 overs. His spell included four maidens.
Meanwhile, Empire Nation won by an innings and 13 runs over Rising Sun Spartans.
Batting first, Spartans raised 134 in their first innings with their best effort coming from D. Wills who fell just one short of a half century at 49 runs. Justin Athanaze bowled his way to six wickets for 23 runs in 11.1 overs. Shane Burton and K. Scott chipped in with two wickets each.
Empire then racked up 262 for eight declared in 58.1 overs. Athanaze returned with the bat to hit 49 runs which included two four and three sixes. Damien Lowenfield however top-scored with 55 off 49 deliveries before he was run out. There were also contributions of 46 and 32 from Burton and B. Jn-Baptiste respectively. Stanny Simon was the only bowler of note for the home team with three wickets for 61 runs in 18 overs.
In their second attempt at the crease, Spartans were all out for 115, falling 13 runs short of the mark. Athanaze claimed five wickets for 32 runs in 16 overs with Burton grabbing three for 18 in 7.4 overs.
Jennings and Empire both move to 34 points at the top of the standings following their latest triumphs.
In another interesting match-up, Pigotts Crushers defeated New Winthorpes Lions by six wickets when they met in Pigotts.
Batting first, New Wnthorpes posted 140 all out in 41.5 overs with a top knock of 34 from Sylvester Joseph.
T. Theophile was best with the ball for Crushers with four wickets for 46 runs in 15 overs. He was assisted by T. Thomas and Elroy Francis Jr. who both had three wickets.
In their first innings reply, Crushers reached 179 all out with D. Benta and K. Henry making 47 and 46 runs respectively. A. Cornelius claimed four for 42 bowling for Lions.
In their second attempt at the crease, Lions made 160 all out with Joseph making 56 and J. Fernandez adding 30 to the total. Theophile was again best with the ball, claiming four wickets for 47 runs in 10 overs.
He then returned to guide Crushers to victory with 49 from 39 deliveries as they reached 122 for four. Henry contributed with 40 runs.
In the other match played over the weekend, All Saints Pythons and Bethesda Golden Eagles played to a draw. Crushers and Blackhawks are levelled on 31 points each with Spartans on 19. Pythons have 16 points, Bethesda have 11, Combined Schools eight and Bolans four.