By Neto Baptiste
New Winthorpes Lions and Empire Nation were the biggest winners in the national Two Day Cricket Competition over the weekend, winning by 158 runs and 10 wickets respectively as the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) tournament entered it’s second day.
The match, played at Mack Pond in All Saints, saw 20 wickets fall on day one as both teams failed to reach triple figures in their first innings.
Asked to bat after the home team won the toss, Lions were bowled out for just 64 runs with Michael Marcellin running through the batting line-up to grab eight wickets for just 23 runs in 12.4 overs. His spell also included four maidens. Justin Robinson (1/9) and Kadeem Josiah (1/5) accounted for the other two wickets.
Pythons however failed to use the opportunity, falling for just 44 in their first innings reply. Man of the match, Nino Henry, grabbed five wickets for 17 runs in eight overs which included five maidens. There were three wickets for Shavon Moore for 12 runs off 7.4 overs.
Going into their second innings with a 20-runs cushion, Lions made 243 all out in 48.3 overs. They were led by Ian Eusebe with 103 not out. His knock came off 98 deliveries and included 16 fours. He was assisted by Barthlette Henry with 45 from 46 balls.
Marcellin was, once again, the pick of the bowlers for Pythons, grabbing three for 61 in 13 overs for 11 wickets in the match.
The home team was then restricted to just 105 in their chase with their best effort of 26 coming from Andra Samuel. Moore grabbed four wickets for 38 runs in 12 overs, while Nino Henry picked up three for 24 in six overs.
Empire Nation were comfortable 10-wicket winners over Combined Schools when they met at Factory.
Winning the toss and opting to bat, Empire raised 226 for eight declared in their first innings with Justin Athanaze leading the charge with 94, and man of the match, Tyrone Williams Jr, making 54 off 53 deliveries. Xaveek Toppin claimed four wickets for 45 runs bowling for the home team.
Schools were then bundled out for 125 with their best effort from David Richardson who made 38 while Jedd Joseph chipped in with 37. Williams Jr did the damage with the ball, picking up six for 44 in 12.2 overs. Micah McKenzie bagged four for 30 in 14 overs.
Asked to follow on, Schools were bowled out for 143 in their second innings. Athanaze snatched four wickets for 42 runs in 10 overs while there were three wickets each for Williams Jr and Kershaski Jno-Lewis.
Empire then got to their target at 44 without loss with Williams Jr not out on 29 and Garry Dubbery not out on 19.
Meanwhile, Shacoy Floyd scored a century to help Bethesda Golden Eagles earn first innings points in a drawn contest with Rising Sun Spartans.
Floyd made 102 off 152 deliveries to guide Golden Eagles to a second innings total of 222 for three on day two of the match. Melvin Charles had chipped in with 54 from 83 deliveries.
Earlier, Spartans were bowled out for just 100 in their first innings reply to Golden Eagles’ 216 after they were sent to bat by Spartans who won the toss. Fast bowler Kelvin Pitman snagged six for 21 in 11.1 overs bowling for Bethesda While Jawakie Joseph had three for 58 in nine overs.
In other matches contested over the weekend, Pigotts Crushers picked up first innings points in a drawn contest with Jennings Tigers, while Liberta Blackhawks also picked up first innings points in their drawn contest against Bolans Blasters.
