By Samuel Peters
Massive wins for New Winthorpes Lions, Rising Sun Spartans and the All Saints Pythons in the fifth round of the Super 40 Tournament of the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association competition. There were also wins for the defending Champions Liberta Blackhawks and Jennings Tigers
Lions 279 for 6 | Bolans 81 all out
The Lions beat Bolans Blasters by 198 runs, set-up primarily on the back of Skipper Nino Henry who lashed his first ton of the season with an unbeaten 55-ball knock of 102. The all-rounder smashed seven sixes and nine fours receiving great support from Damon Valentine who stroked 66 as the Lions got to 279 for six from their allotted 40 overs.
Taiem Tonge had figures of two for 40 while Leeward Islands Womens all rounder Shawnisha Hector had two for 49.
In reply, Bolans were skittled out for a paltry 81 as Kyian Joseph collected four for 21, Orandel Boston three for 15 and Ishmael Peters two for 15.
Spartans 258 for 3 | Nation 160 all out
Home side Rising Sun Spartans beat their neighbours Empire Nation by 98 runs to register their second win of the competition. The second century of the day was scored by former Leeward Islands all-rounder Shane Burton who walloped his former club to all parts of the ground in an innings of 134 runs from 69 balls that contained 11 sixes and 10 fours. Owen Graham made a quick-fire 40 while Hilroy Andrew and Melvin Charles had 29 runs each. In response, Empire got off to a flying start reaching 94 without loss inside 11 overs, but the experienced campaigner Graham had other ideas. He collected six wickets for 26 runs and Michael Harillal had two for 29, as the Nation were bowled out for 160 in 24 overs.
Tyrone Williams Jr top-scored with 51 and Zianni Da Silva had 31.
Combined Schools 30 all out | Pythons 31 for 3
A weakened Combined Schools team faced-off against the All Saints Pythons and were not able to free themselves from the stranglehold. No batter was able to reach seven runs as Kadeem Josiah snapped up four for two runs, while Emroy Lee picked up four for 13 runs, dismissing the Schools for just 30 runs. Pythons got to the target in 12.1 overs losing three wickets with the score on 31 as Andra Samuel top-scored with 13. Antwone Willock had two for four runs while Glen Williams had one for 16.
Tigers 170 for 9 | Crushers 123 all out
The Jennings Tigers continued their good form in the tournament with a comfortable win over Pigotts Crushers, winning by 47 runs at Jennings. Winning the toss, Pigotts opted to field and kept the host’s scoring in check as they could only post 170 for nine from their 40 overs. Emmanuel Lawrence had a high score of 35, Cameron Miller 31, and Nicholas Tappin 25.
Fast bowler Jawakie Joseph had three for 32 and Kadeem Henry two for 19.
In reply, the Crushers struggled against the spin and guile of Glenton Williams and Morton Browne as both picked up three wickets apiece. Henry top-scored with 29 while Joshua Grant made 27, as the two put on 50 runs for the second wicket. But with the dismissal of Grant, with the score at 73, a steady flow of wickets resulted and Crushers were bowled out for 123, as eight wickets fell for 50 runs. The win is the Tigers third and puts them in third place behind New Winthorpes who are in second, while the Liberta Blackhawks remain at the top of the table.
Golden Eagles 115 | Blackhawks 117 for five
At Ball Beef, the Liberta Blackhawks won the toss and sent the visitors to bat, pegging them down from scoring quickly as they were dismissed for 115. Their spinners, Kofi James (3-17), Amahl Nathaniel (3-25) and Kadeem Phillip (2-23), kept the Golden Eagles quiet, bowling 22 overs for only 65 runs. Teron Payne top-scored with 33 and William Pitman had 22. In reply, Nathaniel returned with the bat and cracked 39 from 42 balls, and Michael Greaves had 25. Anthony Martin and Oshane Simon picked up two wickets apiece.